Chapter 26: Entering the City

"Oh my god, System, you scared the life out of me!" Lu Mingyue tried her best to control her expression, but she was screaming like a marmot on the inside.

"It’s a good thing Huo Zheng acted quickly. Otherwise, if such a giant earthworm had been wriggling right in front of my face, it might have been fine, but I would have been the one in trouble!"

It wasn't that Lu Mingyue had never seen an earthworm before, but it was her first time seeing one so thick and sturdy. Who would have guessed the Huo family’s soil was so fertile that even the earthworms were uniquely robust?

"Huo Zheng’s 'boyfriend energy' is off the charts. Are you sure he’s not the male lead?"

The System replied, "Of course not. Someone as impressive as him can only serve as background scenery. After all, the male lead must be the quintessential embodiment of cool, handsome, and arrogant."

Lu Mingyue smacked her lips, saying with a hint of regret, "If the female lead isn't blessed enough to enjoy such a man, then I won't be polite."

Had Lu Mingyue been more observant, she would have noticed the tips of Huo Zheng’s ears turning slightly red. He set his daughter down and looked at Lu Mingyue, saying, "I bought some breakfast back. Let’s eat."

Two hours had passed since Lu Mingyue heard the bugle call and finally got out of bed. She wondered if the three of them had been waiting for her to eat. In Lu Mingyue’s own family, the parents had always adopted a "free-range" approach. Everyone was equal and independent; whether it was eating, sleeping, or drinking water, there was no need to wait for the elders. Everyone followed their own flow, and the relationship with her parents was as natural as friends. Now that they had waited for her for so long, she felt a bit guilty.

"No, no, not at all," Huo Zheng quickly reassured her. "I just got back, and Leilei and Yaoyao only just woke up, too."

The little meatball at Huo Zheng’s feet glanced at her father in confusion. She had already dug up over a dozen loaches; why was Daddy saying she had just woken up? Yaoyao didn't understand. She looked completely bewildered. Perhaps this was just the way adults spoke.

Leilei pouted, "That’s not true. I’ve been up for a long time." He wasn't going to be like his father, coddling this "wicked woman" just to keep her happy. The little guy had briefly accepted his new mother yesterday, but upon waking today, he had reverted to his old self.

Lu Mingyue’s lips curled slightly. Regardless, the fact remained that they had waited for her to eat.

Huo Zheng had picked up two portions of white porridge, two portions of soy milk, some fried dough sticks, and steamed buns from the canteen. He had even specially brought back a few salted duck eggs.

"I wasn't sure what you liked, so I bought a little bit of everything." Looking at the table full of breakfast, even Huo Zheng felt he might have overdone it.

"Thank you." Lu Mingyue was never a picky eater; as long as it filled her stomach, anything was fine. But since Huo Zheng had gone to the trouble, she felt it was only polite to acknowledge it.

After breakfast, the two children learned they were going to the county town and wanted to tag along. Seeing the children’s pleading gazes, Lu Mingyue turned to Huo Zheng. "How about we take them with us?"

Huo Zheng had originally planned to skip taking them, thinking they would be buying a lot of things and it would be time-consuming; he didn't want the kids to be exhausted running around. But given the current situation, that clearly wasn't going to happen—the two little ones were pouting higher than each other.

"Alright then, you can come. But you must listen to your mom and dad. You cannot run off, or the bad guys will snatch you away." Of course, the first part was what mattered; the latter was just a necessary white lie to ensure their obedience.

Leilei and Yaoyao nodded rapidly, terrified that their father might change his mind the next second. Once everything was settled with the children, Huo Zheng said to Lu Mingyue, "I’ll go to the barracks to borrow a vehicle and come back to pick you up."

Lu Mingyue nodded slightly. After Huo Zheng left, Yaoyao took her mother’s hand and tugged it. "Mommy, I want to wear the same clothes as you."

Matching outfits? Among Yaoyao’s clothes from yesterday, there was a set with fabric very similar in color to what she was wearing; presumably, the little one wanted that one. "Sure, I’ll take you to change."

After she said this, Lu Mingyue looked at Leilei, who was still digging in the dirt. "Do you want to change, too? We’re going to the county town, you know."

Leilei pouted. So what if they were going to the county town? It wasn't like he hadn't been there before. But he wasn't a fool; naturally, he wanted to look sharp for the trip. After Lu Mingyue took Yaoyao to change, he quickly ran to the well to scrub his hands clean, making sure to wash the mud off his feet as well. He changed into his clothes with record speed, finishing even before the other two. Lu Mingyue looked at his new outfit and smiled.

When Huo Zheng returned with the vehicle, the one adult and two children were just stepping out.

Leilei was very envious of his father sitting in the driver’s seat of the jeep and strongly insisted on sitting in the passenger seat to experience the view. Lu Mingyue felt that at his age, it was too dangerous to sit there; without an adult’s protection, he was just too small, and even with a seatbelt, it wasn't safe. Huo Zheng agreed with her, telling his son, "You can sit there next time I take you out."

Leilei lowered his head in disappointment, but decided that was fine—he would just have to wait for next time. Having something was better than nothing, and the little guy was satisfied.

Once the family was in the car, Huo Zheng started the engine slowly, maintaining a steady speed to ensure a smooth ride. Yaoyao sat in the middle of the back seat, holding her mother’s hand in one and her brother’s in the other, smiling with pure contentment. The scenery outside blurred as they passed, and half an hour later, the family arrived at the county town.

Huo Zheng drove straight to the entrance of the county supply and marketing cooperative. As soon as the military-green jeep pulled up, it attracted the attention of the crowd.

"Yo, whose big car is that? It’s so grand."

"Indeed. When will my children ever be that successful so I, an old woman, might have a chance to ride in a car?"

"Don't be silly. Look at the color of the vehicle—it’s clearly the soldiers from the base nearby out doing some shopping."

The island was large, but there was only one military unit stationed there, and family members often came out to shop. It wasn't the first time everyone had seen this, but due to their fascination with the vehicle, they couldn't help but stop and stare.

Before Lu Mingyue even stepped out, she could feel the prying eyes of the crowd. She regretted not finding a hat to wear before leaving.

"Speed up, don't be afraid. The System has your back—charge forward with all your might!" The System even produced a tiny megaphone from somewhere and began tooting it.

Lu Mingyue: "##@%**"

After a low burst of electrical static, the System obediently muted itself. Huo Zheng hadn't heard what was said, but judging by Lu Mingyue’s expression, it likely wasn't anything pleasant.

"We're here. Let's get out."

With an expression of resigned determination, Lu Mingyue stepped out of the car, scooped up little Yaoyao, and bolted into the supply and marketing cooperative like a gust of wind.

Huo Zheng, who knew the backstory, was left speechless: ... There really was no need to run that fast.