Chapter 18 Liao Meimei’s Mother

Lan Xubai prepared the bicycle and waited at the door. Lian Nanshu came out holding the things she needed.

“Get on,” Lan Xubai said, having added an extra layer of padding to the back seat to make the ride less bumpy.

Lian Nanshu climbed on and wrapped her arms around his waist. As her hands brushed against his firm abs, she couldn’t help blushing.

The early morning road was cool with a gentle breeze. Many people were eating breakfast on the go, hurrying to their workplaces. Crowded buses, tired faces—everyone was busy. Autumn had arrived, and with every gust of wind, the leaves rustled and fell from the trees—a sound that felt soothing and beautiful.

Lian Nanshu really enjoyed moments like these—being dropped off by her lover while soaking in the peaceful morning scenery. She knew life was getting better for everyone. Everything was moving in a positive direction.

The bike stopped across the street from the school.

“What would you like to eat tonight? I’ll cook,” Lan Xubai asked, wanting to know her preferences. His cooking might not be on par with hers, but it was still better than most.

“I eat everything. I’m not picky,” Lian Nanshu replied.

“Alright, then I’ll come pick you up this afternoon?”

“Mm, okay.” She nodded. “Be careful on your way back.”

“I’ll watch you go in. Go ahead,” Lan Xubai waved her toward the school.

Since he insisted, Lian Nanshu didn’t say much more. She looked at him a few extra times before turning away.

“Hey… remember to miss me, okay?” Now that Lan Xubai was taking the initiative in their relationship, she couldn’t fall behind. But making such a request made her face flush again, and she shyly lowered her head.

“I think about you all the time,” Lan Xubai replied cheerfully without a second thought.

Lian Nanshu smiled and waved goodbye before walking into the school.

From a short distance away, Teacher Yang Yuan saw the whole scene clearly from the entrance.

“Oh! That must be Teacher Nanshu’s husband?” she said. Although she was far away, Yang Yuan had heard about Lian Nanshu’s husband recently around campus.

“I heard he’s quite handsome, and it looks like the rumors are true!” she teased.

Lian Nanshu blushed. “Don’t talk nonsense!”

Yang Yuan, clearly enjoying the gossip, teased even more, “What nonsense? At yesterday’s meeting, you kept zoning out with the sweetest little smile on your face!”

Lian Nanshu just smiled, trying hard to hide her flustered expression.

The two of them entered the school together.

Once Lian Nanshu disappeared from sight, Lan Xubai got back on his bicycle and headed home.

On the way, a car pulled over. Lan Xubai immediately recognized it—it was here for him. He stopped and parked his bike properly.

Out of the car stepped Aunt Liao, the mother of Liao Meimei, wearing a tailored suit and slacks.

“Auntie Liao?” Lan Xubai greeted her with a serious expression. He had a good idea why she was here.

Auntie Liao nodded slightly, studying him for a moment before saying, “It’s been many years. We didn’t get to talk properly at Old Master Lin’s birthday banquet. How have you been?”

“Thank you for your concern, Auntie Liao. I’ve been doing well,” Lan Xubai replied politely.

She nodded in satisfaction.

“Auntie Liao, I know what you’re here to say, but I’m afraid I’ll have to disappoint you. I’m sorry,” he said, already anticipating her intention.

He knew full well that the Liao family had only one daughter. He and Liao Meimei had once shared mutual feelings, and even after all these years, she still hadn’t given up on him. He did feel guilty.

But Auntie Liao wasn’t surprised. She had already prepared herself for his rejection.

Even so, disappointment still flickered in her eyes.

“Auntie Liao…” he began, but she held up a hand to stop him.

“I know there’s no possibility between you and Meimei anymore. Ever since her father rejected your divorce request and humiliated you with harsh words, that door closed for good.”

“Auntie Liao, it’s not because of the humiliation that I made the choices I did,” Lan Xubai quickly explained.

She nodded, her eyes calm—not angry, not accusing, just quietly accepting. “Then I owe both you and your wife an apology on Meimei’s behalf.”

Lan Xubai didn’t argue.

Seeing his silence, Auntie Liao continued, “Lian Nanshu is a wonderful young woman. I’m not angry about your choice. I only came today because I happened to pass by and saw how naturally you were with her—riding the bike, taking her to work. You two really do look good together.”

The truth was, her heart still ached for her daughter. Since that day, Meimei had been quietly heartbroken and withdrawn. As parents, they had been very worried. Liao’s father had wanted to confront Lan Xubai, but Auntie Liao stopped him and decided to come herself.

But after seeing the way Lan Xubai looked at Lian Nanshu, and the way she looked back at him—she regretted even having thoughts of asking him to divorce and marry her daughter.

She had no right.

Lan Xubai hadn’t expected Auntie Liao to give them her blessing.

“Thank you, Auntie Liao,” he said sincerely.

“No, it’s me who should be thanking you. Back then, you and Meimei were in love, but it was she who asked to break up and pursued someone else. There’s nothing wrong with loving freely, but it brought you a lot of trouble and caused your wife a lot of suffering. Her father’s insults… I’ve felt ashamed ever since. Don’t worry—I won’t let Meimei bother you two anymore. I sincerely wish you happiness.”

“Auntie Liao, please give Miss Liao my regards. I hope she finds someone even more suitable.”

Auntie Liao nodded and gently patted his shoulder.

“You’re both getting older now. When you have a child, I’ll be sure to send a gift. Take care.” And with that, she left.

“Auntie, take care on your way.” After seeing Liao’s mother off, Lan Xubai stood in place for a while in a daze before heading home.

That afternoon, Lian Nanshu was busy with work at school. Sitting at her desk, she was constantly writing up handover documents. She had been working non-stop since morning. By the time everyone else had left the office to go to the cafeteria, she was still there. Since she was about to resign and follow Lan Xubai in his military transfer, she naturally had to properly wrap up her final responsibilities.

“Knock knock~”
Just then, someone knocked on the door. Lian Nanshu looked toward it.
“It’s her?”

To her surprise, it was Liao Meimei who had come to see her.

With a gentle smile, Liao Meimei said, “May I borrow a bit of your time?”

Lian Nanshu didn’t hesitate much. Since the other party had come to find her, it wouldn’t be appropriate to refuse.

They left the school and headed to a nearby park. It was a weekday, so the park wasn’t crowded. The sight of two beautiful women walking together was certainly a pleasant one.

They walked along the path until they reached a lake in the park, which was covered with blooming lotuses this time of year. After crossing a grassy area, they entered a small grove.

Lian Nanshu stopped on a stone path, realizing where Liao Meimei was leading her — down below was the lake.

“What’s wrong? Afraid I’ll push you in?” Liao Meimei turned around with a teasing smile.

Seeing her seemingly gentle expression, Lian Nanshu finally let down her guard and stepped across the grass to stand in front of her.

Although Liao Meimei maintained a warm smile the entire time, Lian Nanshu knew she must be here because of Lan Xubai.

“Miss Liao, is there something you wanted to discuss with me?” Lian Nanshu asked calmly.

Liao Meimei didn’t answer right away. Instead, she gave a faint, unreadable smile as she looked out over the lake. Seeing that the park was nearly empty, her eyes showed a hint of bitterness.

“Miss Lian Nanshu, do you really know what kind of people Xubai’s family are?” she asked. Then she turned to look directly at her.

Her eyes, though not openly hostile, gave Lian Nanshu the clear impression that she had come looking for trouble — and all because of Lan Xubai.

The timing was also off. She and Lan Xubai were already husband and wife in every sense, and they had talked everything through. They were committed to living their life together.

“I know. Xubai told me,” Lian Nanshu responded coldly.

“You know? Do you really know?” Liao Meimei sneered and retorted, “Grandpa Lan is a decorated soldier. His military achievements are exceptional. Lan’s father works in the government now, and his mother is a top-tier scientific researcher. And you? You only went to college using Da Bai’s money. You forced him to marry you back then, and now you’re still using your pitiful act to keep him by your side.”

Lian Nanshu watched her grow more emotional with each word and took two steps back, speechless.

“This is between me and my husband, Miss Liao. You’re overstepping,” she said calmly. Lian Nanshu could sympathize with the pain of losing someone you love — but not with this kind of offensive behavior.

“Overstepping…?”

Liao Meimei took a few steps forward, tightly grabbing Lian Nanshu’s shoulders. Her gaze was full of accusation and unwillingness.

“Da Bai was mine to begin with! You’re the one who stole him from me all those years ago. Why won’t you let him go?”

“Miss Liao, please calm down. Your health isn’t good. Take it easy, alright?” Lian Nanshu said with steady composure.