Chapter 22 Solution

Before they left, Liao Si called out to them.

Lan Xubai was holding Lian Nanshu’s hand, ready to leave, but stopped when he heard the voice. He turned around to look at Liao Si.

In that moment, Liao Si looked as if he had aged ten years. He slowly walked closer, looking at Lian Nanshu. He noticed that the side of her face he had slapped was already swollen.

Ashamed, he bowed deeply—ninety degrees—and remained in that position for a long time before straightening up.

Lian Nanshu understood he was apologizing for his actions. Lan Xubai’s expression remained unreadable, but Nanshu’s heart softened a little. She glanced at Lan Xubai and, seeing that he showed no reaction, said nothing.

“My child, I’m sorry. I want to apologize to you.”

Liao Si was sincere.

“It was my failure not to raise my daughter properly. This is my fault. I apologize.”

Lian Nanshu remained silent, her head lowered.

Lan Xubai gave Liao Si a glance and said,
“Uncle Liao, Aunt Liao, please take care.”

That was his farewell. Then, holding Lian Nanshu’s hand, he led her away from the hospital.

Watching them leave, Liao Si was filled with deep regret.

A former soldier, he had always been quick to act, but this time, he had hurt someone without understanding the full situation. He never imagined things would come to this.

When they arrived at the police station and finished giving their statements, it was already past 4 p.m. For the first time, the sunlight outside looked especially bright.

“Uncles, thank you for testifying on behalf of my wife. We really appreciate it,” Lan Xubai said, expressing his gratitude to the two elderly men.

“No need to thank us—we just told the truth.” One of the uncles waved his hand and smiled.

They truly hadn’t done anything—just spoke the truth.

“We’ll be heading off then.”

“Take care, uncles.” Lian Nanshu gave them a respectful bow.

“I’m starving!” Lan Luobai dramatically clutched her stomach and kept glancing between her older brother and sister-in-law.

The three classmates behind her immediately understood her hint and didn’t say a word.

Lan Xubai sighed helplessly, then said to her,
“As thanks to all of you, your big brother is treating you to dinner today.”

Lian Nanshu, in a great mood, added with a smile,
“That’s right! Let’s go eat at the state-run restaurant—Luobai’s big brother is treating. Feel free to eat whatever you like!”

“Really?”

“Of course it’s real!” Lan Luobai answered proudly.

“Thank you, teacher—uh—thank you, Lan Xubai-ge!”

Lan Luobai corrected them quickly,
“Call him Big Brother Xubai!”

“Thank you!” they all replied, though none of them actually dared to call him that.

At the restaurant, the six of them ordered every signature dish on the menu: roast duck, pig’s trotters, beef, seafood—it filled the whole table.

Stuffed and satisfied, they leaned back, rubbing their full bellies.

While they were still eating, Lan Xubai slipped out to the nearby supply store and bought each of them a pound of candy and four boxes of chocolates.

He and Lian Nanshu then walked with them to the school gates.

“Teacher Nanshu, Big Brother Luobai, we’re heading back now.”

They waved goodbye, and Lan Xubai and Lian Nanshu responded to each one.

“Luobai, be sure to get along well with your classmates, okay?” Lan Xubai reminded her, “And don’t go around making bold statements.”

“Classmates, I hope you can look after Luobai, and help guide her if needed,” he added.

“Don’t worry, Big Brother Luobai! We’ll take care of each other.”

In that era, college students were generally very kind-hearted and considerate.

Lan Luobai pouted and muttered under her breath, clearly exasperated by her brother.
“I can take care of my classmates too, you know.”

“I said take care of each other,” Lan Xubai reminded her again.

Lan Luobai: “…”

She pouted again but didn’t continue to argue.

They watched as the girls safely returned to the school.

Lan Xubai gently took Lian Nanshu’s hand and said,
“Take the day off tomorrow. Rest until the swelling goes down, then go wrap up your work.”

Lian Nanshu nodded.

On the way back, Lan Xubai kept glancing at her. After a while, he finally asked,
“No one will bother you again. But… do you still want to accompany the army?”

“Of course—why are you asking?” Lian Nanshu didn’t hesitate. She tilted her head to look at him and smiled,
“I didn’t choose to go with the army because I was being harassed—I chose it because you’re there. I like the freedom of that life, and I want to get to know you better.”

Lan Xubai was deeply moved by her words.

In Lian Nanshu’s heart, since she had chosen to truly be his wife, she knew she needed to think more about the family.

And today, seeing his clear stance, she felt more certain than ever.

“Nanshu, I won’t ever let you down again. All these years, it was my neglect that caused you so much pain. That will never happen again.”

Lan Xubai had been reflecting deeply ever since what happened. Even though he had been present when she was hurt today, he couldn’t protect her. The thought of what she must’ve gone through when he wasn’t around terrified him.

“Does it still hurt?” he asked, gently touching the side of her face that had been hit, his brow furrowed.
“I’ve made things clear with Liao Meimei—there’s no possibility between us—and yet you still got hurt.”

At the end of his words, Lan Xubai’s voice turned hoarse, his eyes stinging. He wished he had taken the slap instead of her.

“It doesn’t hurt anymore,” Lian Nanshu said, holding his hand that was touching her cheek.

She comforted him gently,
“We’ve just had a rocky start—that’s all. As long as you’re by my side, I’m not afraid of anything.”

Trying to sound strong, she added with a laugh,
“I’ve been through worse. Wang Jinming’s wife once hit me even harder than this. I didn’t even cry back then!”

As she spoke, her nose began to stuff up, and her voice turned shaky.

Lan Xubai frowned in silence, staring at Lian Nanshu. Tears welled up uncontrollably in his eyes and streamed down his face. He pulled her tightly into his arms.

“If I had come to find you earlier, taken you with me, none of this would’ve happened.”
Everything was his fault. How could he not feel guilty?

As she was pulled into his embrace, Lian Nanshu’s cheek brushed against his clothes—it stung and burned. She instinctively pushed him away.
“Don’t—my face hurts~”

Being pushed away left Lan Xubai a little dazed, but he quickly felt both embarrassed and heartbroken.
“My fault. Come on—” he said, taking her hand and intertwining their fingers, “Let’s go home?”

“Okay~ Let’s go home!”

Home. Their home.
Not cold and empty anymore. Not a place where she lived alone with no one to talk to or share things with.
From now on, Lian Nanshu would have a place of her own in this world—a true home.

Thinking about the life ahead, her steps grew lighter, and a smile bloomed on her face.
Lan Xubai quietly watched her. A girl should be a little cheerful, a little cute.

Hand in hand, they walked up to the door of their home and saw Aunt Liao knocking on it.
“Aunt Liao, is something the matter?” Lian Nanshu asked curiously.

Seeing them return, Aunt Liao smiled brightly and came closer.
“You’re finally back? I knocked a few times earlier today. My family sent some specialties from my hometown, and I wanted to let you try some.”

Aunt Liao held a basket in her hands, covered with a cloth.

“Aunt Liao, we’re not lacking anything. You should keep it for yourselves,” Lian Nanshu declined politely. She knew Aunt Liao’s situation well—one salary to support the whole family. Her younger brother, who still lived in the countryside, didn’t earn much either. The things sent from her family were surely the best they could spare.
If she gave it to them, it meant her own family would go without.

But Aunt Liao insisted, “We’ve kept some for ourselves. You’ve done enough taking care of us over time. These things aren’t worth much anyway. My brother just slaughtered a pig and made some cured meats and sausages—I brought you some to try. Just don’t mind the taste.”

“Aunt Liao, we don’t mind at all, but we really can’t eat this much. Your kids need good nutrition. Keep it for them.”
Lian Nanshu declined again gently. “You’ve taken care of me so often—I have nothing to repay you with.”