Chapter 29: You! Why Didn’t You Wake Me Up?

Early the next morning.

When Chu Yue got up, Lu Yuanbao was still sound asleep.

He had rolled over and was lying on his stomach, his butt sticking up like a toad, his cheeks flushed red from warmth, sleeping so deeply that even Chu Yue moving around didn’t wake him.

Chu Yue didn’t wake him — she let him keep sleeping.

The previous night had been rough — sleeping on the train had left him groggy and uncomfortable, then came the transfers, the motion sickness, arriving at the compound where he was stared at by all the wives, then spending the entire afternoon pulling weeds. He had been nervous and anxious all evening. Making it through all that was no easy feat for Lu Yuanbao.

It was time he had a good, restful sleep.

Chu Yue tucked the blanket around him and quietly tiptoed out, closing the door behind her.

Just as Chu Yue was getting up, Song Qi arrived.

He had come to deliver breakfast. The steaming white cloth bundle he carried was full — steamed buns, flower rolls, sesame flatbreads — all piping hot.

“Sister-in-law, here’s breakfast. You and Yuanbao should eat while it’s still warm.”

Chu Yue asked, “Have you all eaten already?”

“We did. Right after morning drills. This is especially for you, don’t worry about us.”

As Song Qi spoke, a few round heads peeked out from behind him — young men around his age with cropped hair, tanned skin, full of youthful energy. Their eyes were fixed on Chu Yue’s face.

So pretty!
So this is the woman married to Commander Lu… She’s a real beauty, glowing and delicate!

News of Lu Zhanlin’s sudden marriage had spread not just throughout the compound, but also within the military unit. Everyone was curious — what kind of woman could win over the mighty and imposing Commander Lu?

The only one who had seen Commander Lu’s wife in person was Song Qi.

So naturally, he became everyone’s interrogation target, bombarded with questions in the hope of getting the truth. When word spread that Song Qi would be helping deliver furniture to the commander’s house, the three available slots were instantly snatched up.

These three soldiers had earned their spots by placing in the top three during morning drills.

Now that they’d seen her in person, the trip had definitely been worth it! Their eyes were shining, some even blushing and feeling their hearts race.

Seeing these foolish boys dawdling, Song Qi kicked one of them from behind, snapping, “What are you standing around for? Greet her!”

Immediately—

A loud and unified: “Good morning, sister-in-law!”

Chu Yue gave them a soft, gentle smile, her brows curving gracefully. “Good morning. Thank you all. Please be careful while moving the furniture — the child is still asleep in the room.”

“Yes, ma’am!” The young soldiers first responded loudly, then quickly lowered their voices. “We’ll be quiet, promise!”

And so, Song Qi and the three soldiers began moving the furniture into the house, piece by piece.

Tables, chairs, a coffee table, a five-drawer cabinet…
Thermos flasks, teapots, teacups, trays…
Pots, bowls, plates, utensils…

They brought in all sorts of items — finally, the once-bare quarters now resembled a proper home.

Song Qi even brought over a bed, meant for the other room.

“Sister-in-law, come take a look — is this a good spot for the bed?”

Chu Yue examined the room layout. “Turn it the other way, put it over there — this way the bed’s near the window, and sunlight will come in. It’ll feel cozier.”

Song Qi followed her suggestion and moved the bed so it was against the window. There was even room beside it to place a writing desk in the future.

This room would be Lu Yuanbao’s later on.

The soldiers worked efficiently, quickly setting everything up. They even took the initiative to sweep the floor for Chu Yue.

Once finished, the three soldiers didn’t linger inside. Instead, they stood at attention outside the door in formation — three in a row.

Though their peripheral vision kept sneaking glances at Chu Yue.

Song Qi looked them over and asked Chu Yue, “Sister-in-law, is there anything else you need? Just let me know — I’ll make sure to get everything today so your stay here is more comfortable.”

“There’s nothing missing in the house,” Chu Yue replied, “but there is something I personally want.”

“Sister-in-law, just say it! No matter how hard it is, I, Song Qi, will find a way to get it for you,” Song Qi said, thumping his chest, ready to face any challenge.

But then…

Chu Yue said calmly, “I want a hoe.”

She thought for a moment, then remembered Lu Yuanbao and changed her mind.
“I’ll need two hoes—one big, one smaller. Song Qi, sorry to trouble you.”

Song Qi looked completely baffled: Huh? That’s it?

Such a small request.

He left for a bit and returned carrying one large and one small hoe, along with a suitcase, which he handed over to Chu Yue.

He pointed to the suitcase and added specifically,
“Sister-in-law, this suitcase contains all of Regiment Commander Lu’s personal belongings. I packed them for him. I’m handing them over to you now.”

Chu Yue took it from Song Qi. Her shoulder sank under the weight—it was unclear what was inside, but it was heavy.

…

An hour later, the winter sunlight was weak, yet bright.

The southwestern region was at a high altitude, and they were in the mountains, so the UV rays were especially strong. Chu Yue wrapped a scarf around her head, wore a hat, and dressed in a set of gray, worn-out clothes while she worked in the yard, turning the soil.

The heavy hoe was raised high and slammed into the ground.

After embedding it in the earth, she pressed it down further with her foot to dig deeper, then used leverage to pry the soil up—flipping the long-neglected land over piece by piece.

Chu Yue worked steadily, her movements fluid and continuous. It looked effortless.

But in reality, turning soil was exhausting. Even men doing it would be gasping for breath.

Chu Yue, however, had tapped into her portable spatial dimension and channeled its spiritual energy into herself, giving her extraordinary strength. That’s why the work didn’t tire her at all.

As the land-turning was in full swing—

Lu Yuanbao suddenly shot out of the house like a rocket.

He’d clearly just woken up, with messy hair, pillow marks on his face, and clothes thrown on hastily without even buttoning up. He rushed straight toward Chu Yue in a flurry.

Chu Yue set the hoe down and looked at his wide-eyed expression.
“What’s wrong? Your butt’s on fire?”

The mention of his butt reminded Lu Yuanbao of how Chu Yue had applied ointment there the night before—so embarrassing!

Blushing, Lu Yuanbao tilted his head up and asked in a shy but annoyed voice,
“Why didn’t you wake me up?!”

He had slept in and was clearly flustered about it.

Lu Yuanbao had never slept so soundly—or so late—before.

When he opened his eyes to see sunlight streaming into the room and Chu Yue nowhere in sight, he was startled out of his wits.

“Isn’t it great to wake up naturally? Sleeping more helps you grow taller. When you’re grown-up, you won’t even have time to sleep,” Chu Yue said with a smile. Then she urged him,
“Hurry up, go inside, wash your face, and put your clothes on properly. I left mantou and sesame pancakes on the table. Eat first, then come out—I’ll wait for you to work together.”

She already knew why Lu Yuanbao had rushed out so anxiously. That’s why she had Song Qi bring a small hoe too—specifically for Lu Yuanbao.

This was the first time Chu Yue had seen a child so eager to work. It was honestly kind of adorable.

Lu Yuanbao gave a reluctant nod, then turned and went back into the house to follow her instructions.

A few minutes later, he came out neatly dressed, chewing on half a mantou and holding the small hoe in his hand. He walked over to Chu Yue’s side.

Chu Yue used the large hoe to break up the hard clumps of soil, and Lu Yuanbao followed up with his small hoe to crush the clods further.

If they came across stones or broken tiles, he would throw them outside the yard.

Their current goal was to turn the soil and cover it with a layer of straw. By next spring, they wouldn’t have to work as hard—just loosen the soil a bit and they could plant directly.

The novice mother-and-son team worked in harmony and didn’t feel tired at all.

Their lively work inside the yard attracted attention. Unbeknownst to them, several figures had appeared outside the yard. When they saw the scene within, they were startled.

That big hoe was being swung so high.

“Comrade Chu, hard at work, I see?”

A steady and warm voice called out from behind her. Chu Yue twitched her ears—she was sure she hadn’t heard this voice before.

She turned around and saw a stranger.

The woman looked to be around 45 or 46, with short hair neatly cut to ear length, a bright and energetic face, wearing a clean and tidy blue work uniform, and patched rubber shoes on her feet. She didn’t seem like an average military wife from the compound.

When Chu Yue saw her, it felt like she was looking at the school’s disciplinary officer—especially since the woman had a red five-pointed star pinned to her chest.

She looked puzzled.
“You are…?”