Chapter 30: So Bold—How Did You Have That Child?

Song Hongmei looked at Chu Yue with a warm smile, but before she could speak, Chen Fengying, who had come with her, couldn’t hold back and spoke first.

“Chu Zhizhi, this is Sister Song Hongmei. She’s the women’s director here in the compound. Her husband is Commissar Zhao from the regiment — the same one who works alongside Commander Lu.”

Upon hearing that, Chu Yue immediately understood what was going on.

Lu Zhanlin had become a regiment commander at a young age. The higher-ups were concerned that he might not command enough respect or might be too impulsive due to his youth. So when assigning his working partner, they intentionally chose an older, more experienced commissar.

This Commissar Zhao and the woman in front of her, Sister Song, were likely veterans of the revolutionary years. That would explain the unique aura and presence they carried.

Chu Yue patted the dirt off her hands, took off her scarf and straw hat, and quickly said, “Hello, Sister Song. Please, come inside and have a seat.”

“Alright, let’s sit inside and chat,” Song Hongmei agreed, walking in first.

As she spoke, her eyes discreetly sized up Chu Yue. She hadn’t expected that under the hat was such a delicate, beautiful face — and even less that such a graceful and refined young woman could be out here working the fields.

A flicker of approval appeared in her gaze.

After withdrawing her glance, Song Hongmei led the way into the house, followed by Chen Fengying. A third person finally stepped into view.

Xia Xiaolan trailed at the end, holding a bamboo basket in her hand. She gave Chu Yue a soft smile.

Once inside, Chu Yue immediately brought out the thermos and kettle and poured water for the three guests.

Song Hongmei glanced around at the newly organized home. “Chu Zhizhi, you just arrived yesterday, and already the place looks tidy and put together?”

“I only did a bit of basic cleaning. Song Qi and a few young soldiers brought over the furniture this morning and helped out too. I couldn’t have done it all myself.” Chu Yue didn’t try to take credit. As she placed a cup of water in front of Song Hongmei, she added politely, “Sister Song, sorry, we don’t have any tea yet.”

“Water is just fine. And don’t just stand there—come sit with us and chat. I’ve already heard from the others. Luckily you were there yesterday and made a quick decision to perform the C-section for Wang Chunling. Otherwise, someone in the compound might’ve died. Do you have medical training?”

“Not formally, no. I’ve just seen and experienced a lot, so I picked it up bit by bit.” Chu Yue had learned during the end times, out of necessity. She replied tactfully, “Yesterday’s situation was urgent. I was afraid we’d lose both mother and baby, so I acted quickly. I may have overlooked some things in the process.”

Song Hongmei nodded, growing even more appreciative of Chu Yue’s modesty and measured demeanor.

Chen Fengying, being the impatient type, didn’t care for such polite back-and-forth. She practically jumped in frustration and cut in, “Wang Chunling was in so much pain she passed out! She wasn’t even conscious — who could think about all the details in that moment? Chu Zhizhi, I think you did great! Really great!”

Xia Xiaolan softly added, “I also think Chu Zhizhi did the right thing.”

“What are you two getting all worked up about? I wasn’t criticizing her, was I?” Song Hongmei laughed and shook her head, giving both Chen Fengying and Xia Xiaolan a look before turning back to Chu Yue. “Did you see Commander Lu yesterday?”

“Yes, we met.” Chu Yue nodded lightly, and at the mention of Lu Zhanlin, a shy blush crept onto her beautiful face.

Song Hongmei took a sip of water and asked, “You and Commander Lu are from the same hometown? Childhood friends? Engaged for a long time?”

“Yes, that’s right.” Chu Yue answered calmly and without hesitation.

That storyline had originally belonged to Chu Yaoyao, but since Chu Yue was the one who had taken her place in marriage, she now held that identity. As long as she and Lu Zhanlin understood the truth, there was no need to explain to others.

Telling the truth would only create more trouble.

Even though Chu Yue and Lu Zhanlin had never discussed it directly, they were in silent agreement on this matter.

“You’re a young couple, just reunited — I’m sure you have lots to talk about. We should’ve let you have more time together. But with the new recruits arriving, Commander Lu’s been given training duties. Now that he’s gone, it might be several days before he returns…” Song Hongmei said earnestly.

But Chen Fengying couldn’t take it anymore — pacing in frustration. Why couldn’t they just get to the point? It was driving her crazy!

So she blurted out, “Sister Song, stop beating around the bush. If you won’t ask, I will! Chu Zhizhi, we all know you and Commander Lu only just recently filed for marriage. So what about the child? When did you two have a child? How did you have a child?!”

How did you have a child?!

What a blunt and explosive question!

Even Chu Yue, who came from a future era, was caught completely off guard.

Xia Xiaolan, seeing that Chen Fengying had kicked things off, immediately chimed in softly behind her, “Chu Zhizhi, someone filed a report against Commander Lu, saying he’s involved in improper relationships with women — they’re accusing him of a conduct violation.”

Song Hongmei coughed a few times but didn’t stop Chen Fengying or Xia Xiaolan from speaking.

At first, Chu Yue didn’t react. She was stunned—what issue with male-female relationships? Conduct problems? Didn’t Lu Zhanlin just say yesterday that he was squeaky clean, well-behaved, and entirely free of any women?

Could something have happened so soon?

Was he actually a two-faced scumbag?

Then—

Song Hongmei asked a serious and pointed question:

“Comrade Chu, how old were you when you had your child? Were you legally an adult at the time?”

In an instant, Chu Yue suddenly understood and let out a cold laugh in her heart.

Clearly, whoever reported them didn’t know anything about Lu Zhanlin.

She also figured out the strange tension between Chen Fengying, Xia Xiaolan, and Song Hongmei.

Song Hongmei hadn’t come just to visit—she was also there to investigate, because someone had filed a report accusing Lu Zhanlin of inappropriate conduct.

Chen Fengying and Xia Xiaolan had found out about it and, worried that Song Hongmei would make things difficult for Chu Yue, had come along—hoping to subtly warn her.

In the end, though, Chen Fengying couldn’t hold back watching them beat around the bush and just spilled everything.

The accusation against Lu Zhanlin was that he had a child out of wedlock. Based on the ages involved, Chu Yue would’ve given birth to Lu Yuanbao at thirteen or fourteen.

Heh. She had only been in the compound for a single day, and someone was already scheming behind her back. Clearly, this compound wasn’t as peaceful as it seemed, and someone didn’t like Lu Zhanlin.

Before clearing things up, Chu Yue first called Lu Yuanbao out of the room.

“Yuanbao, go outside and keep working—keep turning the soil.”

“Okay.”

Lu Yuanbao obediently grabbed his little hoe and headed out.

Soon, the sound of digging echoed from the yard.

Once Chu Yue was sure he was far enough away, she began,
“Sister Song, it’s true that Yuanbao is mine and Lu Zhanlin’s child—but he isn’t biologically related to either of us. He’s the orphaned son of Lu Zhanlin’s sister. No one else wanted this poor child, so Lu Zhanlin adopted him. We don’t have any children of our own yet.”

Chen Fengying slapped her thigh.
“Oh, that’s what it was! He’s adopted! Now it all makes sense. I was wondering how such a young girl could have such a big kid.”

Xia Xiaolan nodded repeatedly.

Chu Yue continued,
“Sister Song, when Zhanlin submitted the marriage application, he definitely explained all of this clearly. You can look it up in the records—it’s all there. He absolutely hasn’t had any inappropriate relationships or conduct issues. Please don’t let this hurt him.”

“Don’t worry. The report didn’t go up the chain; it was sent to me for verification. He won’t be wronged.”

Song Hongmei patted Chu Yue’s hand to reassure her, then asked a few more questions about her situation and daily life.

Before leaving, she said,
“My husband and I live right next door. If anything comes up, feel free to come find me.”

Song Hongmei had plenty of other matters to attend to, so she didn’t stay long.

As soon as she left, Chu Yue smiled sweetly and thanked Chen Fengying and Xia Xiaolan.

“Sister Chen, Xiaolan, thank you both for coming and giving me the heads-up.”

Xia Xiaolan was pleasantly surprised.
“You remember my name?”

Chen Fengying, on the other hand, spat,
“Pah! I, Chen Fengying, hate tattletales more than anything—they’re nothing but lowlifes! Chu girl, don’t be afraid. Just for saving Wang Chunling’s life, I know you’re a good person, and I’m on your side.”

After a few interactions, Chu Yue had gotten a good read on Chen Fengying’s personality—straightforward and blunt, always speaking her mind.

People like her were easy to get along with, and she had no hidden agendas. Definitely someone worth staying in touch with.

As for Xia Xiaolan, she was a kind-hearted young woman. While still a bit timid due to her youth, she didn’t back down when it mattered.

If not for her yesterday, Wang Chunling might not have lived long enough for Chu Yue to save her.

Chu Yue then asked,
“How are the mother and baby doing now?”