Chapter 21: Living a Good Life With You

Lu Zhanlin’s words were a little odd, but the women around were too shocked to notice the details. Instead, they looked at Lu Zhanlin with surprise and admiration.

“Commander Lu always looks so cold and distant, but he actually made a special trip back just to pick up his wife? Turns out he knows how to dote on someone.”

“Little sister, you’ve been riding in vehicles, catching babies, and taking care of a big kid all day. You must be exhausted. Hurry and go rest with Commander Lu.”

“Exactly! You two haven’t seen each other for a long time. We won’t bother you anymore—let’s chat tomorrow. Take the child and go home with Commander Lu now.”

The women exchanged knowing glances between Lu Zhanlin and Chu Yue, as if they could already see a passionate reunion between long-separated newlyweds. Their eyes were teasing, and they occasionally covered their mouths to stifle giggles.

The teasing and laughter didn’t stop, but Lu Zhanlin stood off to the side, unfazed, as if none of the words were directed at him.

Hmph. Acting, huh? Who can’t act?

Chu Yue brushed off the crumbs from her hands and turned back to remind Lu Yuanbao, “Yuanbao, let’s go home.”

The moment he heard her, Yuanbao shoved the last bit of steamed bun into his mouth and jogged after her with his small figure.

Chu Yue took the lead, with Lu Yuanbao following by her side. As they passed Lu Zhanlin, Yuanbao lifted his shiny black eyes and snuck a cautious glance at him, wanting to see clearly what he looked like.

He… looked a lot like his mother.

Once Chu Yue and Yuanbao had left, Lu Zhanlin sensibly picked up Chu Yue’s backpack—the same one he had seen back on the train.

The moment he lifted it, he was a bit surprised—it was heavier than expected.

She was just a young girl, yet she had carried this all the way here. It really hadn’t been easy for her.

After picking it up, Lu Zhanlin gave Song Qi a glance and issued a cold order:
“Go to the military medical unit right now and have them send someone to check on the pregnant woman and the baby.”

“Yes, Commander Lu!”
Song Qi snapped to attention and immediately set off.

Lu Zhanlin had seen Chu Yue’s skill when she set the bone earlier. It wasn’t that he doubted her ability as a midwife—but for the sake of thoroughness, he couldn’t afford any mistakes.

It was her first day at the military base—he wouldn’t let her get caught up in anything risky.

After giving these instructions, Lu Zhanlin took long strides forward and quickly caught up to Chu Yue and Lu Yuanbao.

This time, he really was taking his wife and child home.

…

Meanwhile, back at Wang Chunling’s house—

A sharp, anxious cry erupted from Li Jinhua:
“Where’s my grandson?! Where did my grandson go?! … How did it turn into a girl?! I told you not to go into labor, not to go into labor! You didn’t listen, and now my grandson’s gone! You owe me a grandson!”

“Waaaah… waaaah… waaaah…”

The house, which had just calmed down, was once again filled with the old woman’s curses and the baby’s piercing cries.

…

The house assigned to Lu Zhanlin was in a central location in the front section of the compound. It was also a simple one-story building, but noticeably larger than Wang Chunling’s. The front yard was spacious but overgrown with weeds from disuse.

Chu Yue glanced around and felt it was a pity.

Such a good location, such nice sunlight—if they could grow some melons and vegetables here, it would be more than enough for a family to live self-sufficiently.

Only someone who had lived through the apocalypse would truly understand how precious sunlight, land, and water really were.

She silently withdrew her gaze and followed the tall figure ahead into the house.

From the outside, it looked simple. Inside—it could only be described as barebones. The large space had just one square table, which hadn’t been used in a long time, judging by the thick layer of dust on it.

There was a faint musty smell in the air, and cobwebs hung from the rafters.

Chu Yue frowned. It didn’t look like anyone had been living here.

Just as she was wondering about it, Lu Zhanlin spoke up from the side:

“This house was assigned right after I submitted the marriage certificate. I’ve been living in the base office until now. I’ve only been here once, haven’t had time to clean it. You and Yuanbao will have to make do for tonight—or stay in the guest house. Tell me whatever you need, I’ll have it delivered tomorrow.”

That explained it.

But Chu Yue didn’t really care about any of that. After scanning the surroundings, her clear eyes fixed directly and intently on Lu Zhanlin.

Seeing her expression, Lu Zhanlin suddenly panicked.

A dignified regimental commander who had been on the battlefield, taken bullets, and survived countless gunfights—he had never known fear.

Yet now, facing a young woman, he was flustered.

Even before Chu Yue could ask, Lu Zhanlin rubbed the bridge of his nose and spoke first.
“Back on the train, I didn’t pretend not to know you on purpose.”

“Then why?” Chu Yue kept her eyes on Lu Zhanlin, waiting for his explanation.

Lu Zhanlin said in a low voice, “Because I wasn’t sure if you really came to join the army family.”

Chu Yue frowned, not quite understanding what he meant.

Lu Zhanlin didn’t continue immediately. He gave a deep glance at Lu Yuanbao.

Chu Yue instantly understood. She pulled another cornbread bun out of her bag and handed it to Lu Yuanbao.
“Take this outside to eat. No eavesdropping.”

Lu Yuanbao was too clever, so Chu Yue had to stress it again.

Lu Zhanlin watched their interaction, one big and one small. After taking the cornbread, Lu Yuanbao glanced at Chu Yue and obediently went outside—acting even closer to her than he had on the train.

The door shut, leaving only Lu Zhanlin and Chu Yue in the room.

“Yuanbao’s mother—my biological sister—you’ve probably heard what happened to her. The reason she died young was due to an arranged marriage. I don’t want that tragedy to repeat itself. I wanted you to have more choices.”

Mentioning his sister’s tragic death brought a heavier, colder look to Lu Zhanlin’s face.

In other words, he had wanted to give Chu Yue the right to choose freely.

Even if she didn’t want to join the army or wanted a divorce, Lu Zhanlin would have agreed—before meeting her. But now that he had seen her in person, his mindset had shifted subtly.

His wife was right in front of him—how could he possibly let her go?

Lu Zhanlin added, “I’m also sorry that I concealed my real identity.”

He wasn’t just a platoon leader; he was a regimental commander. He wasn’t disfigured or disabled—just had a scar on his scalp from a bullet graze, now completely covered by his hair.

After hearing everything, Chu Yue relaxed her brows and fully accepted Lu Zhanlin’s explanation.

It was quite surprising—this man had spent so much money on Li Amei and Chu Yaoyao, yet was willing to give up his wife without a fuss.

Too bad Li Amei and Chu Yaoyao were guilty and cowardly. They didn’t even dare say a word to refuse him—so this marriage ended up happening under false pretenses.

As for Lu Zhanlin…

Chu Yue looked him up and down—handsome features, broad shoulders, long legs, full of upright dignity. He looked especially good in military uniform.

Picking this man as a husband wasn’t a bad deal.

Chu Yue raised her eyebrows, a decision made in her heart.

“Lu Zhanlin, you don’t need to apologize to me—because I also kept something from you.”

This time, it was Lu Zhanlin who looked surprised.

He raised an eyebrow slightly.

Chu Yue continued,
“The one who originally got engaged to you—your original fiancée—her name is Chu Yaoyao. I’m her half-sister. Chu Yaoyao got into university this year and didn’t want to join the military family; she wanted to go to college. But she had taken ten years’ worth of your money and didn’t know how to break the news to you. So when the marriage report was submitted, she sent in my information instead. The person who came to join the army family is me.”

Lu Zhanlin hadn’t even heard the full story, but his thick eyebrows were already furrowed tightly, his expression sharp and severe.

He hadn’t expected this hidden truth, nor could he believe that Li Amei and Chu Yaoyao could do such a thing. Half-sisters? What kind of sisterhood was that! Chu Yue was just a girl of eighteen or nineteen, with no power to resist, and was suddenly forced into marriage to take someone else’s place. How could she have possibly been willing?

Lu Zhanlin’s brows knitted tighter. “Then you…”

But after emptying out the Chu family and mailing that whistleblower letter, Chu Yue had already let go of her grudges.

She looked up. Her eyes were clear and bright. Even in her dirty and dusty state, her beautiful face and charming features still shone through.

Chu Yue looked at Lu Zhanlin seriously.
“We’ve registered our marriage, so we’re officially husband and wife. I like Yuanbao too. Since I came to join the army family, it means I want to live a good life with you.”