Chapter 26: In Broad Daylight, Doing That Thing?

As soon as the sisters-in-law heard those words, their eyes immediately lit up — there’s gossip!

They completely ignored the second half of He Meijiao’s sentence and latched straight onto the first part.

“Seduce a man? Comrade He, are you sure there’s not some misunderstanding? I think that Comrade Chu looks very clean and proper, polite too — she doesn’t seem like that kind of person at all.”

He Meijiao let out a cold laugh.
“Misunderstanding? I saw it with my own eyes — what’s there to misunderstand? She just arrived today and was already showering in the middle of the day, inside with the door closed, and then came out in a rush without even putting her clothes on properly, like she was desperate for a man to see her! A woman acting like that — what else could she be if not a fox spirit? Sisters, I’m telling you — keep your guard up. One rat dropping ruins the whole pot of porridge. If she tarnishes the reputation of our entire compound, you’ll be embarrassed right along with her!”

After throwing down those sharp words, He Meijiao lifted her chin arrogantly, turned around with a cold expression, and walked away — leaving behind a group of dumbfounded women.

The sisters-in-law had gathered not just to watch the drama, but also to try and talk some sense into He Meijiao. After all, Lu Zhanlin was already married — it was time for her to stop clinging to a man who had a wife.

There were plenty of unmarried men in the military. For instance, Xu Feng from the Third Regiment, Fifth Company — Commander Xu — tall, strong, and a solid catch.

(Xu Feng: “Achoo! Which son of a— is cursing me now?!”)

But before they could say a word to persuade He Meijiao, they were hit with an absolute bombshell.

In the 1970s, reputation — especially when it came to personal conduct between men and women — was everything. Society still had criminal laws for “hooliganism,” with some offenses punishable by execution.

So He Meijiao’s accusations against Chu Yue were like dropping a landmine into their minds.

Boom — it exploded!

“In broad daylight… and already doing that kind of thing? So impatient?”

“Commander Lu always seemed cold and proper — he doesn’t strike me as someone who’d cross the line. Comrade He must be right — it’s that woman who seduced him!”

“Did you see the kid she brought with her? She looks like she’s just 18 or 19, but that boy? He’s at least four or five! Do the math… tsk tsk… people really can’t be judged by appearances. That woman is definitely something else! Must’ve hooked Commander Lu back when she was still a teenager!”

“It’s only her first day in the compound, and she’s already like this. What’s it going to be like later? Could she really drag all of us down with her, like Comrade He said?”

The sisters-in-law gossiped one after another, each more exaggerated than the last.

In just a few minutes, Chu Yue had gone from being a suspected seductress to a cunning woman who schemed her way into Commander Lu’s life at age thirteen or fourteen.

Some believed it wholeheartedly, while others couldn’t take it anymore.

Chen Fengying furrowed her brows and spoke up in defense,
“They’re a young couple reunited after a long time apart. So what if they want a bit of intimacy behind closed doors? It’s not like they did it in front of you — who are you to gossip like this?”

“Chen Fengying, what are you saying?” one sister-in-law shot back. “Are we wrong to talk about it?”

“This is exactly how I talk! What are you gonna do about it?” Chen Fengying snapped. “Instead of spending all day nosing around in other people’s business, why don’t you go make some more coal briquettes for winter, huh? Hmph! A girl brave enough to risk her life cutting someone open to save them — I’m not about to let you slander her like this.”

Chen Fengying glared, not backing down at all. When it came to arguing, no one in the entire compound could beat her.

She gave a final cold snort, then turned around and walked off.

Following her lead, Xia Xiaolan, who had been standing quietly at the edge of the group, also slipped away — clearly siding with Chen Fengying.

And once they left, a few more women quietly dispersed as well.

In the end, only two military wives remained: Wang Xiulan and Li Dahua.

What a disaster!

Most of the harsh words had been spoken by many people — not just the two of them!

Wang Xiulan and Li Dasheng immediately scattered like frightened birds and beasts.

…

That day, Chu Yue was busy cleaning the house inside and out, but Lu Zhanlin didn’t return.

At dinnertime, it was Song Qi who brought the boxed meals, along with bedding essentials like sheets, quilts, and pillows for the night.

“Sister-in-law, I’m Commander Lu’s orderly. I take care of his daily needs and follow his orders. These two boxed meals were sent by him. The commander just got back from a mission, but the unit is about to begin new training, and things are hectic. He’s gone to a meeting at the military headquarters tonight and won’t be back. Please don’t be upset with him. If you need help with anything, just let me know—I can handle anything.”

As he handed Chu Yue the steaming hot meals, Song Qi didn’t forget to explain on behalf of Lu Zhanlin.

He truly was a loyal and dedicated orderly.

“Thank you for running around, Song Qi. Once I finish tidying up the place, I’ll be able to cook, so you won’t need to go back and forth like this anymore,” Chu Yue said gratefully, then invited him in. “Have you eaten yet? Want to come in and rest for a bit?”

Song Qi quickly waved his hands.

“No, no, Sister-in-law. This is part of my duty—it’s not a bother at all. It’s getting late today, but once I pick up the furniture from logistics tomorrow, I’ll bring it over.”

At that moment—

Song Qi suddenly stood at attention and saluted Chu Yue. His young, upright figure was tall and proud, his posture perfectly straight.

Chu Yue looked at him in confusion, then heard Song Qi shout in a loud, spirited voice:

“Welcome to the military family, Sister-in-law! I wish you and Commander Lu a lifetime of happiness and harmony!”

As for “bearing children early,” from an outsider’s perspective, Lu Zhanlin and Chu Yue had already fulfilled that wish.

After speaking, Song Qi grinned sheepishly at Chu Yue—he must’ve felt a little embarrassed—and then turned and ran off.

Having lived through the cruel apocalypse for so long, Chu Yue hadn’t encountered such a vibrant, energetic young person in ages.

Innocent, full of life, radiating cleanliness and enthusiasm—he warmed her heart. Truly, the most lovable kind of person!

For the first time since she transmigrated, Chu Yue genuinely felt a deep fondness for this world.

It seemed that her decision to follow the army had been completely right.

Chu Yue turned her head and saw Lu Yuanbao staring blankly to the side, clearly startled by Song Qi’s sudden formality.

She gently patted his head.

“Yuanbao, it’s time to eat.”

Dinner was much simpler than lunch—just the classic stir-fried shredded potatoes, and two other vegetarian dishes. These were likely from the military canteen where Song Qi had picked them up. With limited supplies, even the soldiers were eating like this.

There were still leftovers from lunch—some braised pork belly.

Chu Yue lit a fire, boiled water, and used the only large iron pot they had to heat it up.

At dinner, she gave all the braised pork belly to Lu Yuanbao and taught him how to scoop his white rice into the pot to soak up the rich meat sauce—making the rice even more delicious.

The glossy pork belly, wrapped in translucent white rice and steaming hot, smelled absolutely mouthwatering.

Lu Yuanbao, who had wolfed down his food at lunch, now just stared at the delicious meat-and-rice mix, holding his chopsticks but not moving.

He tilted his head for a while, then finally pushed the aluminum lunchbox toward Chu Yue.

His dark, shiny eyes looked at her as he softly said:

“The meat… is for you.”