Chapter 68: Eight-Pack Abs (Happy New Year’s Eve)

Chu Yue watched Xu Feng leave, his figure fading into the darkness, and stood alone for a moment longer in the cold wind.

She had thought that only the female lead had a tragic past—a life full of troublesome relatives who were as good as nonexistent, leaving her alone to be bullied and humiliated. Never had she imagined that someone as tall and imposing as Lu Zhanlin might also have suffered in similar ways.

So that was why this cold, distant man, after learning that her intentions to follow the army were sincere, had opened his heart completely, even giving her the First-Class Merit Medal he had nearly died for—without the slightest hesitation.

He returned her sincerity with his own.

Wasn’t this… like finding a treasure?

Chu Yue raised the corners of her lips, unable to stop herself from smiling.

She turned back into the compound, and before long, she spotted Lu Zhanlin’s figure.

Xu Feng had been right—Lu Zhanlin was worried that Xu Feng might “steal her away.” Though he hadn’t chased after her, he was standing quietly at the gate, waiting for her to return.

“Zhanlin, why are you standing here? Let’s go inside. It’s freezing out in this wind.”

Chu Yue smiled sweetly at Lu Zhanlin, her expression soft and charming, her eyes shimmering like spring water—enough to make anyone’s heart flutter.

Lu Zhanlin was sharp.

“What did Xu Feng say to you?”

“What else could he say? Of course, he told me some of your embarrassing stories. He said you’re super afraid of pain. That when you get hurt, you can’t take it and always cry out dramatically.”

What she said was obviously nonsense. If Lu Zhanlin thought about it for even a moment, he’d know it couldn’t possibly be true.

But he fell right into the obvious trap and quickly defended himself:

“Don’t believe him. He talks nonsense all the time. I’m not afraid of pain—and I definitely don’t whine about it!”

A man’s pride was at stake—he had to clarify.

Lu Zhanlin furrowed his brows, face serious and upright, but a subtle air of resentment lingered between his deep features.

Chu Yue glanced at him and couldn’t help but stifle a laugh.

They soon headed back indoors. As Lu Zhanlin turned to shut the door, Chu Yue gave herself a little shake, trying to get rid of the chill, and asked:

“Where’s Yuanbao?”

“He took a bath and fell asleep as soon as he lay down.” Lu Zhanlin paused, then added, “I got his pillow from the other room for him.”

Chu Yue nodded and stepped into the small room to check on him.

Lu Yuanbao had followed her up the mountain early that morning, and for such a little guy, he had walked all that steep trail, dug in the ground, carried things—helped all day long.

After a full meal and a warm bath, snuggled into the soft, fluffy quilt, sleep overtook him quickly. He hadn’t even lasted long enough to wait for Chu Yue to return—he was already snoring softly.

Chu Yue touched his forehead—normal temperature, deep sleep.

When she came out of the room, Lu Zhanlin reminded her:

“I’ve reheated the water. It’ll be ready in five minutes—you can take your bath then.”

“Alright, I’ll go get my clothes.”

A short while later, Chu Yue entered the bathroom—finally able to wash away the day’s dust and kitchen smoke in peace.

Meanwhile, Lu Zhanlin used the time to reorganize the things Chu Yue had brought down from the mountain on her back—piles of yams, pine nuts shelled from cones… Somehow, it felt like… there was more than before?

Did they really bring this much earlier in the afternoon?

…

That night was the second time Chu Yue and Lu Zhanlin shared a bed.

In the pitch-dark room, the blanket beneath them was warm and cozy. Outside, the wind howled coldly—but none of it affected the people inside.

As the saying goes: “Awkward the first time, natural the second.”

Sleeping together now felt warm and natural—nothing ambiguous happened, but the comfort and intimacy were real.

However…

Chu Yue, stirred by the emotional weight of her earlier talk with Xu Feng, wasn’t nearly as calm as she appeared. Lying in bed, she heard Lu Zhanlin toss and turn a few times beside her—yet she couldn’t fall asleep at all.

Closing her eyes, she decided to enter her portable space to organize the various plants and supplies she had collected today.

Just then, she heard Lu Zhanlin turn over again.

She opened her eyes, adjusting to the darkness around her.

Something’s not right…

Lu Zhanlin was the type of rigid, by-the-book career soldier. Even when lying in bed, he always stayed perfectly straight—he wouldn’t even flinch if a mosquito bit him.
So why had he already turned over several times tonight?

Chu Yue frowned in confusion. She turned just in time to see Lu Zhanlin lift the blanket and get out of bed.

She asked, “What’s wrong?”

“Nothing. I’m going to the bathroom.”

Lu Zhanlin’s voice was still calm and steady, but Chu Yue had a strong gut feeling—something was off. This didn’t match his usual behavior.

“Zhanlin, turn on the light. Let me take a look at you.”

“No need. Go back to sleep.”

Lu Zhanlin refused quickly, but Chu Yue didn’t give him a chance. Without waiting for his response, she sat up in bed, her actions clearly showing her resolve.

Lu Zhanlin had no choice but to swiftly switch on the light. At the same time, he turned around and yanked the blanket over Chu Yue, wrapping her up tightly.

She was only wearing a long-sleeved cotton nightgown with a white base and small floral print. The fabric was soft and thin.

The delicate cloth clung to the curves of her body, and Lu Zhanlin was instantly reminded of how that same body had pressed against his arm last time, the softness of it almost melting into him.

He forced his eyes away from her and pulled the blanket up to cover the gentle temptation.

“Careful not to catch a chill. Don’t get up.”

His ears flushed red as he spoke.

But what Chu Yue noticed wasn’t the red on his face—it was the red on his hands.

Lu Zhanlin had large palms and long fingers, with calluses etched into the joints from years of handling weapons—marks left behind by cold steel.

And now, the backs of those hands were covered in splotches of angry red.

Chu Yue’s slender brows knit together, unease swelling in her heart.

She grabbed Lu Zhanlin’s hand and held it in her palm, carefully turning it over.

Her soft, pale fingers brushed over the swollen, inflamed patches on the back of his hand. Not only was it red—it was burning hot. The redness extended from the back of his hand to the joints of his fingers.

“Lift your shirt. Let me see.”

Chu Yue looked up sharply and commanded the man standing beside the bed.

But as soon as the words left her mouth, she was dissatisfied with his slow reaction. So she acted on her own, reaching out and pulling up Lu Zhanlin’s shirt.

His only shirt, to be exact.

A loose short-sleeved T-shirt.

As the hem lifted, what came into view was… an eight-pack of defined abs.

Wuwuwu~

If the timing hadn’t been so inappropriate, Chu Yue might’ve raised an eyebrow and even whistled.

Lu Zhanlin’s physique was simply too good. His abdomen was firm and chiseled, eight symmetrical abs lined up perfectly. Even without tensing, they were clearly visible.

Below the abs, two angled lines stretched downward—those were V-lines.

They disappeared into his boxers… and went lower, vanishing from view.