Chapter 224 -

The morning sunlight filtered softly through the wooden window slats, casting warm golden stripes across the bedroom floor.

Su Long slowly blinked her eyes open, feeling the gentle cool air on her skin. She was lying under the light quilt, dressed only in a thin, loose inner garment. She turned her head to the side, but the space beside her was empty… the sheets were cold, meaning Fu Sheng had already been up for a while.

A soft smile touched her lips as memories of the previous night came rushing back into her mind.

Setting her hands on the mattress, Su Long braced herself and tried to sit up to get out of bed. But the second she moved, a sharp, dull ache shot through her lower abdomen and waist.

“Ah…” Su Long winced softly, falling right back onto the soft pillows with a quiet gasp.

She placed a hand over her sore tummy, her face flushing a deep, sweet red. Last night, she and Fu Sheng had finally slept together, and he definitely hadn’t gone easy on her. After months of restraint, danger, and constant survival, he had loved her with a relentless, overwhelming passion that had left her entirely exhausted.

Taking a deep, slow breath, Su Long managed to carefully sit up against the headboard, stretching her stiff back with a long sigh. She could hear the faint, lively sounds of the household starting their morning downstairs, the smell of burning firewood and fresh soup drifting up through the floorboards.

Despite the soreness in her body, her heart felt strangely light, warm, and completely at peace.

Su Long took her time stepping down the wooden stairs, her hand lightly gripping the railing to steady her sore lower back. The gentle ache in her body was a constant reminder of Fu Sheng’s fierce affection from the night before, but seeing the lively scene unfolding in the main courtyard instantly brought a fond smile to her face.

Madame Fu was bent over near the edge of the kitchen garden, busily pulling up fresh vegetables for the afternoon, her face completely unbothered by the morning heat. Seeing her so active, Fu Li stood nearby with her hands on her hips, loudly arguing with Fu Fei.

“I’m telling you, I am not pulling those muddy roots!” Fu Li insisted, tossing her head back and giving one excuse after another. “Mother actually likes doing it! Look at her, she’s happy! Why would I ruin her morning joy?”

Fu Fei just rolled her eyes, shaking her head at her sister’s shameless laziness as Bai Ming emerged from the kitchen, carefully carrying out a steaming bowl of fresh soup and placing it onto the large breakfast table.

Over on the side porch, Master Fu and Grandpa Fu were locked in an intense match of Go, the click of stone pieces against the wooden board blending with the laughter echoing across the compound. The yard was filled with children running around, Fu Sheng’s boys, Bai Ming’s kids, and Wei Meilan’s little ones were all playing together, chasing each other in circles.

Sitting near the far bench, Fu Tong was quietly seated right beside Zhao Yin. He didn’t say much, but his eyes were fixed on her with absolute, soft devotion, watching her every little movement as if she were the very air he needed to breathe.

Su Long shook her head gently, taking in the full sight of them all. It was a completely chaotic morning, but it was their family, noisy, imperfect, and full of life.

Just then, Fu Sheng and Hanfuji stepped out into the compound, their expressions serious as they quietly discussed the

election taking place tomorrow.

However, the second Fu Sheng looked up and caught sight of Su Long standing near the stairs, all the heavy seriousness instantly vanished from his face.

A warm, radiant smile broke across his features, his dark eyes softening with fond affection as he looked at his wife. He raised a hand and gave her a gentle, cheerful wave across the noisy courtyard.

Hanfuji paused mid-sentence, looking back and forth between Fu Sheng’s sudden goofy smile and Su Long, letting out a quiet, knowing chuckle at how hopelessly devoted his friend was.

Su Long smiled back at Fu Sheng, her heart softening at his fond look despite the dull ache still lingering in her waist.

Hanfuji nudged Fu Sheng’s shoulder with a grin before turning away, walking over toward the breakfast table where Bai Ming had just brought out a fresh bowl of warm rice. Stepping up behind her, Hanfuji leaned down and pressed a soft, affectionate kiss onto her cheek, asking softly if she needed any help setting the rest of the meal.

Fu Sheng walked straight over to where Su Long was standing by the stairs.

“You’re up early,” Fu Sheng said softly, his voice low enough so Fu Li and Fu Fei wouldn’t overhear. His dark eyes searched her face with gentle concern and a hint of playful warmth. “How are you feeling? Your waist… isn’t too sore, is it?”

Su Long’s cheeks flushed a subtle shade of red, and she gave him a warning look, though there was no real anger behind it. “I’m fine,” she murmured, lowering her voice. “Though someone certainly didn’t hold back last night.”

Fu Sheng let out a soft chuckle, a slight smirk touching his lips as he stepped just a fraction closer, blocking her from the rest of the noisy compound. “I couldn’t help it. But today, you need to rest as much as you can. Tomorrow is the vote for the leadership of Unit 50.”

Su Long nodded, her posture straightening as her focus shifted back to the mission ahead. “I know. The election for Unit 50’s commander position won’t be a walk in the park. Even with Tiger Alley dealt with, those stubborn officers in the barren lands won’t hand over command without testing me.”

“They can test you all they want,” Fu Sheng said, his eyes filled with quiet, absolute confidence in her. “They’ll just find out what I already know—that Unit 50 belongs to you.”