Chapter 23 It’s the signal you gave me

Aunt Liao waved her hand and placed the bundle into Lian Nanshu’s arms.
“As long as you don’t mind, then take it,” she said. Then she looked up at the two of them, smiling so broadly that her eyes crinkled, clapping her hands together.
“You two will need to support each other from now on, be mindful of your living expenses. Don’t worry, I’ve got enough to eat.”

Lian Nanshu no longer refused. She looked up at Lan Xubai with a smile.
“Thank you, Aunt Liao. We’ll live a good life together—don’t worry.”

Aunt Liao had always been warm-hearted, and it was clear her wishes were sincere. She truly hoped the couple would be happy.
Lan Xubai gently took the basket from Lian Nanshu’s other hand and said,
“Aunt Liao, come over for dinner one day before we leave. In a few days, I’ll be taking Nanshu with me for military relocation, so we won’t see each other much after that.”

“Ah—military relocation?” Aunt Liao looked stunned. She glanced at Lan Xubai, then uncertainly turned to Lian Nanshu.
“Mhm,” Lian Nanshu nodded.

“Such a good job, and you’re just giving it up?”
She still hadn’t fully processed the news. In the eyes of ordinary people like her, being a teacher was an honorable job—with decent pay and no harsh working conditions.

“We’ve been living apart. If we don’t stay together, there’s hardly any chance to build a proper relationship. So we decided to live together. His job is different, so I’ll accompany him.”

Though she didn’t completely understand, Aunt Liao sincerely wished them well.
“Alright then. When you’re leaving, be sure to let me know. I don’t have much to give, but let me take your measurements later and make you a few sets of clothes as a farewell gift.”
She couldn’t bear the thought of such good neighbors moving away, and she wanted to give them something meaningful before they left.

“No need, Aunt Liao. You’ve already made me plenty of clothes. You work hard enough during the day—don’t bother yourself!”
As she spoke about the clothes, Lian Nanshu’s cheeks flushed bright red. She recalled the camisole Aunt Liao had gifted her the other day—she hadn’t even had time to wash it before wearing it.
And it was because of that very camisole that she and Lan Xubai had become true husband and wife.
Her face burning, she didn’t even dare to look at Lan Xubai now.

“It’s not tiring at all!” Aunt Liao insisted. “I can’t stay idle. The kids are living at school now, and I haven’t had to work overtime lately. If I just spend some time at night, I can get it done.”

Lian Nanshu nudged Lan Xubai with her head, signaling him to say something.

Lan Xubai replied,
“Since it’s Aunt Liao’s kind gesture, we’ll accept it. Thank you, Aunt Liao.”

Lian Nanshu was surprised. She had meant to refuse again, but since Lan Xubai had already agreed, she couldn’t say much more.

“Alright then, I’ll come by later to take your measurements,” Aunt Liao said, satisfied with the arrangement.
“I’ll head back for now and be back in a bit.”

Before turning away, she added again,
“Really, just let me know when you’re leaving!”

“Okay, sorry to trouble you, Aunt Liao,” Lian Nanshu said, embarrassed.

Aunt Liao waved her hand, “Don’t be polite.”

Once she had gone home, Lian Nanshu looked up at Lan Xubai and asked helplessly,
“Why did you accept? Aunt Liao doesn’t have it easy. We already took her food, and now you want her to make clothes for us too?”

Lan Xubai suddenly lowered his head, pressing his forehead gently against hers. His voice was hoarse.
“Because I love seeing you wear them. I’ll give Aunt Liao some extra fabric and pay her for her work.”

“You…”
Lian Nanshu instantly understood what he meant, turning shy and trying to pull her hand away—but he held it tightly.

“You’re so two-faced!” she scolded.

Lan Xubai grinned smugly, pulling her into his arms.
“And weren’t you the one who seduced me?”

“I did not!” Lian Nanshu protested.

“But you were the one sending all those signals.”

At that, her confidence wavered. Her heart pounded as Lan Xubai’s warm breath brushed against her face.
He leaned in closer, almost touching her lips with his—when the sound of a bicycle interrupted them.
Lian Nanshu instinctively pushed him away.

Lan Xubai didn’t mind. In fact, he seemed even more delighted.

“Let’s go inside,” he said.

Covering her flushed face, Lian Nanshu walked ahead into the house. Lan Xubai followed closely behind.

He placed the cured meat from Aunt Liao in the kitchen and then turned to enter the bedroom.
As soon as he stepped in, he wrapped his arms around Lian Nanshu from behind, pulling her to sit on his lap.

That spot where they were joined made Lian Nanshu feel unbearably hot, uncomfortable with how close they were.
She tried to get up, feeling uneasy.

“Don’t~” Lan Xubai’s breath was quick. He nuzzled her neck and whispered,
“I just want to hold you. Just for a moment.”

He knew Aunt Liao would be back soon and had no real intention of going further—but he couldn’t help his desire. He just wanted to hold her for a bit.

“This isn’t right. What if someone sees us? It’d be so awkward!”
Lian Nanshu was getting nervous—his breath was growing heavier, and she feared he might lose control.

“Why not? This is our home. So what if someone sees?”
Back at home, Lan Xubai was nothing like the calm soldier outside—he let his desire show fully. He hugged her even tighter, kissing her neck repeatedly.

“Hehe~”
Lian Nanshu shrank back instinctively. It felt like a tendon in her back had been pulled tight—it was so ticklish.

Hearing her laugh made Lan Xubai even more excited—but he forced himself to stop.
He began to regret agreeing to let Aunt Liao come by.

“Turn your face to me. Let me see it?”
He just wanted something to distract himself. Thinking of the slap on her face, he still felt worried.

He gently turned her around. The slap mark had faded quite a bit. Even with the light on, it wasn’t easy to see unless you looked closely.

Seeing that half of her face, Lan Xubai felt like a knife had pierced his chest.
He gently touched her cheek, full of heartbreak.

“I’m really fine. Stop looking at me like that—I’m okay!”
Every time he looked at her today, it was with guilt written all over his face.

Lian Nanshu cupped his face with both hands and teased,
“Comrade Commander, don’t be so fierce. I’m not one of your soldiers.”

That instantly changed the mood. Lan Xubai grinned wickedly and said,
“Then, wife—how about a kiss?”

Before Lian Nanshu could respond, he leaned in, expecting it.

She was shy but didn’t resist. Wrapping her arms around his neck, she kissed him.
“Mmm… Mmm…”

“Nan—Shu, Xubai…?”
Aunt Liao entered with a measuring tape in hand, smiling, only to be met with that scene.

Lian Nanshu immediately jumped off Lan Xubai’s lap.

“A-Aunt Liao, you’re here?”

Her face turned scarlet as she scrambled to find a topic.
Lan Xubai also stood up from the stool.
“Aunt Liao?”

“Did I come at a bad time?” she asked awkwardly.

Lian Nanshu quickly walked out of the room and grabbed Aunt Liao’s hand to change the subject.
“Aunt Liao, let’s do mine first. I want a pretty dress.”

“Alright, I’ll make sure you get what you want!”
Aunt Liao was easily distracted by the new topic. Whenever she looked at Lian Nanshu, there was always a gentle, maternal smile on her face.

Lan Xubai turned and poured Aunt Liao a cup of water, then went off to boil more.