Chapter 50: So Close, Yet So Far — Driving People Mad

As soon as Chu Yue walked off, Lu Yuanbao immediately followed closely behind her.

Seeing the mother and son walking away, Chen Fengying was momentarily stunned. She knew she couldn’t stop Chu Yue now, so she could only sigh and quickly catch up while shouting:

“Dazhuang, stop stuffing your face with candy! Hurry up and follow them!”

Chubby little Chen Dazhuang instantly shoved the candy into his mouth and ran to catch up.

Not far away, Li Jinhua spotted Chu Yue walking in her direction. Her face lit up with a smug and ingratiating smile, convinced that she was definitely going to get some wedding candy.
Who said she wouldn’t get any? Ridiculous!

“Commander Lu’s new bride, huh? What happened the other day was just a misunderstanding. Let’s let bygones be bygones — we’re neighbors, after all. Got any wedding candy? Just give it to me, I’ll take it—”

Before Chu Yue could even offer the candy, Li Jinhua had already stretched out her hand, palm open, waiting to receive it.

But for a shameless old woman like this, Chu Yue didn’t even spare her a glance. With a cold expression, she strode right past without stopping.

As Chu Yue walked into the Zhou family’s home, she called out:

“Sister Chunling, are you home? I’m here to bring you some wedding candy!”

Li Jinhua’s outstretched hand froze mid-air. Her palm was completely empty — not only was there no candy, it felt oddly cold, as if the warmth had been pulled from her fingers.

Chu Yue and Lu Yuanbao didn’t even look back as they walked straight inside.

Chen Fengying, following behind, caught sight of Li Jinhua’s stunned, blank expression and couldn’t help but feel delighted.
That old hag finally got a taste of her own medicine!

She mimicked Chu Yue and walked in proudly. As she passed Li Jinhua, she spat:

“Ptui!”

Little Dazhuang didn’t understand the twists and turns of adult relationships. He just knew that Li Jinhua wanted wedding candy, and while walking, he held his pants pocket protectively and shouted:

“These candies are mine! Not for you!”

Then he scampered inside after the others.

Chu Yue had been in this house once before — when she helped deliver Wang Chunling’s baby — so she knew her way around. She went straight into the bedroom where Chunling was resting.

Wang Chunling had just finished nursing and was gently soothing the baby to sleep in her arms. She’d already heard the commotion outside, including the unfamiliar voice of Chu Yue.

When she looked up, Chu Yue had already entered the room.

It’s her…

Wang Chunling didn’t know Chu Yue by name, but she remembered her. A few days ago, when she was writhing in pain and on the brink of unconsciousness, the last person she’d seen — the one she’d silently pleaded with for help — was this unfamiliar woman.

Chen Fengying came in right after and instinctively lowered her booming voice, seeing that the baby had just fallen asleep. She whispered:

“Chunling, this is Chu Yue — she’s our Commander Lu’s new wife, and the one who delivered your baby that day.”

Upon hearing that, Wang Chunling’s eyes instantly filled with tears. She looked at Chu Yue with immense gratitude, her voice choked with emotion:

“Sister Chu… thank you! I know my life, and my daughter’s, were saved by you. I may not have much now, but I swear I’ll repay you — even if it takes my whole life!”

She looked like she wanted to kneel down and kowtow to Chu Yue right then and there.

But she had just undergone a C-section. The wound hadn’t fully healed, and even small movements were painful. She could barely get out of bed.

“You’re still in recovery. Too much emotional stress isn’t good for healing — try to stay calm,” Chu Yue said as she sat beside the bed, carefully observing Chunling’s face. Compared to the day of the birth, she looked much better now.

Chen Fengying also added,
“You’re in your confinement period — crying too much is bad for your eyes, don’t cry. Chu Yue is a good person. You’ll have plenty of chances to repay her later.”

Wang Chunling wiped her eyes with her sleeve and nodded repeatedly, choking up:

“I’ll remember this. I’ll never forget it.”

Just as the three were speaking, a mocking voice rang out from behind them:

“Hmph, what’s the big deal? Everyone goes through confinement — it’s not like you’re the only one who’s ever had a baby. When I was in confinement, I still went out to work! Lying in bed all day eating and sleeping like you’re some rich capitalist lady…”

Leng Jinhua shot a sharp, sideways glare, her tone harsh and mocking.

Wang Chunling had nearly lost her life giving birth. Even Doctor Hao had said it was a one-in-ten chance of survival—a near-death experience. And yet here was Leng Jinhua still spouting sarcastic nonsense. Chen Fengying was so furious she nearly stormed over to start a fight.

But Chu Yue grabbed her arm and stopped her.

Chu Yue shook her head at Chen Fengying, then glanced at Leng Jinhua, who was standing by the gate.

Since the audience was already here, it was time to start the show.

“Sister Chunling, I came today to pass out some wedding candy. I just got married to Lu Zhanlin—please share in our happiness.”

Chu Yue reached into her bag and pulled out a handful of brightly colored candy wrappers—reds and greens gleaming in the light—and placed them into Wang Chunling’s hands. There were so many candies that one hand couldn’t hold them all. The candy wrappers rustled and crinkled loudly.

Leng Jinhua’s eyes lit up immediately when she saw those sweets!

“Comrade Chu, congratulations to you and Commander Lu on your marriage. Wishing you a lifetime of happiness!”

Wang Chunling gave her blessings and quickly waved her hand, saying,

“Oh no, no, that’s too much—really, no need.”

“You do need this much!” Chu Yue replied warmly. “You’re still in postpartum recovery. Your body needs nourishment and strength to breastfeed. Sugar’s good for you—and for the baby too. Is one handful enough? I’ve got plenty more wedding candy. Here, have another.”

As she said this, she grabbed another even bigger handful from the bag and stuffed it into Wang Chunling’s arms, so full that some candy nearly spilled over.

“Sister Chunling,” Chu Yue continued, “just tuck the candy under your pillow. Eat it whenever you want—don’t save it. Right now, you’re the queen. You’ve just given birth—nothing is more important. If anyone dares try to take your candy, they’re a heartless, rotten excuse for a human being!”

The contrast of Chu Yue’s usually gentle tone delivering such a sharp line stunned both Chen Fengying and Wang Chunling. But they quickly realized—Chu Yue was aiming her words right at Leng Jinhua.

And indeed, that heartless old bat had just reached out, trying to grab some of the candy Chunling couldn’t hold.

Now properly humiliated by Chu Yue’s thinly veiled barb, Leng Jinhua could only stand there and glare, unable to say a word.

Chu Yue didn’t just talk the talk—she followed through. Since Wang Chunling was holding her baby and couldn’t move easily, Chu Yue personally stuffed all the candy under her pillow.

That was the safest spot. Even if Leng Jinhua wanted to steal it, she wouldn’t dare—if she so much as touched Wang Chunling, she’d wake her up instantly.

Wang Chunling was no fool. She understood exactly why Chu Yue was doing this. And when she remembered how Xia Xiaolan secretly brought her eggs every day—also arranged by Chu Yue—she was even more moved.

She didn’t even know how to say thank you, when she heard Chu Yue speak again.

“Sister Chunling, Sister Chen, I also brought some malted milk. Would you like a cup? Let’s each have one—and let’s make some for Yuanbao and Dazhuang too. It’s cold out—something warm will do us all good.”

Chu Yue then pulled out a tin of malted milk powder from her pocket. (illustration accompanying)

Watching all this from the doorway, Leng Jinhua’s eyes turned red—nearly bulging out of her head.

Commander Lu’s new wife really is something else.

It wasn’t just the huge pile of wedding candy—now she’d brought out malted milk?!

That stuff was legendary—only city folks could afford it. Peasants like them? They hadn’t even smelled it before.

She didn’t get any candy, but she’d be damned if she didn’t get some of that malted milk!

With her eyes gleaming greedily, Leng Jinhua lunged forward, yelling:

“I’ll have some—I’ll have some—!”