Chapter 17 Going to My Husband’s House

“I just like to read a book thoroughly when I have nothing else to do!”

In this era, there were no phones or computers. After coming to this world, the only way to learn about the outside was through books and newspapers. Reading the newspaper in the morning and books at night had become her routine.

When she first arrived in this world, it was hard to adjust. During the quiet hours of the night, she would still feel sad. But life had to go on. She got into college and worked hard to change her life with knowledge.

Lan Xubai brought over freshly washed and sliced fruit and placed it in front of her.

“This weekend is Mid-Autumn Festival. We’ll go back and celebrate together—it should be very lively,” he said, looking forward to it. It was the first Mid-Autumn Festival they’d be spending together since reuniting after so many years.

Thinking about meeting his family made Lian Nanshu a bit nervous. But Lan Xubai understood her tension and didn’t want her to feel uncomfortable.

“My sister got so many benefits today—she’ll definitely speak up for you. If you get nervous or awkward, just give me a signal,” Lan Xubai said, looking down at the person in his arms.

“Don’t worry, if anyone in my family gives you a hard time, I’ll take you away immediately!”

With that promise, Lian Nanshu felt her anxiety fade.

Lan Xubai held her hand and added, “But… you spent quite a bit today! You gave Luobai several hundred yuan as living expenses, and you only make a few dozen a month?”

Lian Nanshu pulled away from his chest and laughed. “It’s fine, I still have money! I’ve made quite a lot from manuscript fees over the years—and the money you gave me too.”

“But you gave her too much. Luobai’s been protected by the family since she was young—she doesn’t know how to manage money!”

He knew Lian Nanshu wanted to earn the family’s approval, but if she suffered because of it, then it was on him.

“It’s okay.” Lian Nanshu understood Lan Xubai felt guilty. Even though he never said it, ever since she’d learned from Aunt Liao that he’d been quietly watching over her all these years, she knew.

Lan Xubai gazed at her and softly said, “Nanshu~”

Lian Nanshu lay in his arms—his chest gave her a deep sense of security.

For eight years, she had lived alone. Aside from work, she had nothing—not even close friends.

“Why did you suddenly choose not to divorce me?”

The air fell silent the moment she asked that. Lan Xubai struggled to find the words.

“It’s okay. If you don’t want to talk about it, forget it.”

Even without seeing his face, she knew he was feeling torn. Though it wasn’t his fault, the original version of herself had caused the distance between them.

Lan Xubai lifted her into his lap and said, “Because… you’re too beautiful! I’m a man, I have desires—so I’m just a lustful guy!”

Before she could react, he kissed her hard.

He kissed with intensity, fully dominating, until Lian Nanshu felt breathless.

“You could’ve just talked—why are you like this?”

This man, ever since breaking the barrier with her, had taken her three times. Whenever he got the chance, he just couldn’t stop.

Lan Xubai’s face was full of satisfaction as he gently stroked her head, guiding her to lean back on his shoulder.

“Actually, I submitted the divorce application back then, but it was rejected. Later, I heard the village had flooded, and your parents and family weren’t around. I couldn’t go back because of training. By the time I had leave and returned, the villagers said you had gone to college.”

He paused, then confessed, “I found you—but I didn’t dare face you.”

He didn’t show up because of shame—he didn’t know how to face her.

Lian Nanshu asked quietly, “Was it because of me that you couldn’t be with the person you truly loved? Don’t you regret it?”

Lan Xubai smiled, gently pinching her face. “Regret what? I’ve got such a beautiful wife—I could laugh myself awake just dreaming about it.”

Her cheeks flushed, and she swatted his hand away. “Let go, that hurts!”

Lan Xubai obediently released her face.

“The hot water is ready. Go take a shower.”

He got up to carry the water basin to the bathing room, but Lian Nanshu stopped him.

“It’s still too early. Can you stay with me a little longer?”

It wasn’t even ten yet. Lian Nanshu wasn’t ready to bathe.

Lan Xubai nodded and sat back down on the sofa. Lian Nanshu laid her head in his lap.

They held hands and looked at each other with affection. After a moment, she smiled shyly.

“I want to ask you something.”

“Mm, go ahead.” Lan Xubai didn’t hesitate.

Lian Nanshu hesitated, eyes flicking around. She bit her lip and asked, “If I follow you to the army… when do you plan to have children?”

If they were going to live together, this question was bound to come up.

Lan Xubai sensed the weight of it. “When do you think is right?”

He hadn’t thought that far yet. Honestly, he assumed he and Lian Nanshu would need more time to get used to being together. Everything had happened so quickly, it caught him off guard.

“Well… I was asking you, and now you’re asking me?”

She really wanted to know his stance. This question would definitely come up at their family gathering, and she felt they needed to be on the same page.

Lan Xubai gently stroked her hair and said softly, “We still need time to adjust. There’s no rush. Let’s wait until you’ve gained some weight—then we’ll think about it.”

“But we didn’t take any precautions last night. The chance of getting pregnant is still pretty high…”

She brought up last night, her face flushing with heat.

Lan Xubai saw her starting to look shy again and couldn’t help but smile. “Then what should we do?”

“What do you think we should do?” Lian Nanshu responded, still avoiding the question.

This left Lan Xubai a bit confused. He looked at her, not sure how to answer.

Lian Nanshu found his puzzled expression both funny and a little cute.

“Do you like kids?” she asked, genuinely wanting to know if he liked children.

In the original novel, the male and female leads never had children due to health issues. But now that she had transmigrated into the story and changed the ending, they weren’t just a couple anymore — they were truly married. If someday they had a child, would Lan Xubai like it?

Maybe right now he was accepting her out of a sense of responsibility. But after living together for a while, what if the novelty wore off?

Lan Xubai didn’t hesitate at all: “As long as it’s your child, I’ll love them.”

His answer made her even more embarrassed.

Lan Xubai continued, “But there’s no rush. We can spend more time enjoying just the two of us.”

He liked children, but he liked spending time with Lian Nanshu even more.

“I’ll sleep outside tonight. Tomorrow I’ll go to the hospital and buy contraception!” he whispered softly in her ear. The sound of his voice brushing against her ear made her heart race wildly. She really shouldn’t have brought that up.

While she was distracted, Lan Xubai gently cupped the back of her head and kissed her again. Afterward, he set her back down on the sofa.

“I’ll go carry hot water to the washroom for a bath,” he said. There was already a hint of desire in his eyes.

Once he was out preparing everything, Lian Nanshu returned to the room to get her clothes.

By the time she finished bathing, half an hour had passed. When she came out of the washroom, he had already prepared all of his own toiletries.

“I’m done. You can go wash up now,” he said.

“Okay~” Lian Nanshu responded.

She usually took at least half an hour for a bath, but Lan Xubai took less than five minutes.

Just as she was finishing applying skincare, Lan Xubai came out of the bathroom, scooped her up, and carried her straight to the bed. He couldn’t wait any longer.

“Don’t stay up too late tonight. I still have classes and transition work this week, so I can’t…”

“I know, I won’t kiss your neck!” Lan Xubai cut her off mid-sentence and repeated her condition, then immediately kissed her.

No one knew how much time passed.

Frustrated and embarrassed, Lian Nanshu scolded, “You broke your promise!”

Lan Xubai, still not satisfied, defended himself: “I only promised not to kiss your neck — I didn’t say anything about the rest!”

“You—mmph~” Lian Nanshu didn’t even get a chance to finish speaking.

The night passed.

When Lian Nanshu woke up early in the morning, Lan Xubai was already up. Her whole body ached and she was beyond frustrated.

“Lan Xubai, damn you!” she muttered angrily.

You really can’t trust a man’s word.

After changing clothes and getting up, she saw that Lan Xubai had already prepared breakfast — a bowl of rice porridge, a fried dough stick, and a corn cob. With her small appetite, she couldn’t even finish one of them.

Lan Xubai walked out from the washroom, towel in hand as he dried his neck and hair. He wore a white tank top, his movements relaxed and casual. He looked really good — his toned arms and sharp lines made him very attractive. Even though his skin was a bit dark, his charm made up for it.

“You’re up?” Lan Xubai’s voice snapped Lian Nanshu back to reality. She still wore a grumpy expression.

Her puffed-up cheeks only made her look even more adorable in Lan Xubai’s eyes.

“Come eat breakfast. I’ll take you to school afterward,” he said, leaning in to kiss her on the lips.

Even though she was mad, breakfast still had to be eaten.

“I can’t finish all this. Did you eat already?” she asked as she sat down, choosing to eat the fried dough stick and leaving the rest for him.

Lan Xubai knew she wouldn’t be able to eat much. Since he wasn’t sure what she liked, he just bought three types of breakfast and let her pick for herself.