Chapter 24 I’ve Looked for You

In less than half an hour, after taking the measurements, Aunt Liao took advantage of a moment when Lan Xubai wasn’t paying attention and secretly handed a small package to Lian Nanshu.

“Nanshu, I made a few little garments for you!” Aunt Liao whispered softly.

Lian Nanshu looked at her as she passed the small bundle into her hands.

“Aunt Liao, this…”

“One won’t be enough. You need to get along well with your husband. To nurture your relationship, you need the right things. And this—this is the best thing to help with that!”

Aunt Liao, being someone with experience, wasn’t the least bit shy or embarrassed when it came to such matters. She had been worried about Lian Nanshu lately, so she’d made a few extra garments. She kept a close eye on Lan Xubai’s actions—how he sent Nanshu off every morning, brought her breakfast, and picked her up after work. Aunt Liao knew full well that right now, he was probably only attracted to Nanshu’s appearance. But people grow closer with time. Once there’s a bond—like a child—things change.

“You! While you’re still young, try to get pregnant soon. That way, he’ll become your real family. Even if problems arise in the future, he’ll still think of the child—and protect you.”

This time, Lian Nanshu didn’t blush right away. Instead, she was genuinely touched. After so many years, besides Lan Xubai, this was the person who cared about her the most. It was true what they said: distant relatives aren’t as helpful as close neighbors.

Aunt Liao, though poor, had always worked hard. “Thank you, Aunt Liao.”

Thinking of her future departure—how she wouldn’t be able to see Ah Yu and Ah Yue, those lively little sisters—she knew she might miss them terribly. Suddenly, she threw her arms around Aunt Liao, who smelled like a mother—warm and reliable. Someone she could lean on. Someone she could trust.

Aunt Liao let her rest on her shoulder and gently patted her back. “Nanshu, don’t think I’m nagging. It’s just that I might not be around you much longer. But I can see it now—your husband truly holds you in his heart. You should cherish your time with him. Support each other, love each other deeply! Just like in the stories you write—be protected and loved for a lifetime. Kind people deserve good endings. I can’t help you with much, but as long as you’re happy, that’s enough for me.”

Lian Nanshu nodded. “Mhm! Aunt Liao, don’t worry. I’ll live well. Dabai treats me kindly and looks after me. When we have a child, we’ll definitely come visit you.”

Only then did Aunt Liao nod in satisfaction. She let go of Lian Nanshu and whispered while pointing at the package, “I washed them already!”

Lian Nanshu blushed instantly and gave a small nod.

Seeing the time, Aunt Liao quickly said goodbye. “I’ll get going. I won’t bother you two anymore.”

“Take care, Aunt Liao.”

“Won’t you stay a bit longer?” Lan Xubai took the basket of cured meat and filled it with seasonal fruits. “Aunt Liao, these are some fruits I brought home today—take some back with you.”

As she reached the door, Lan Xubai happened to be coming in with the fruit basket.

“No need. Keep them for yourselves. These things aren’t cheap,” Aunt Liao declined without hesitation. Even though ration tickets weren’t needed for many things nowadays, these fresh fruits were still expensive.

“Aunt Liao, it’s just the two of us—we can’t finish them all. The fruits were a gift from family, and we still have plenty at home. The weekend is coming, and Nanshu said Ah Yu will be back. Let the kids enjoy them too. We’ve saved some for ourselves.”

Indeed, they wouldn’t be able to finish all of it.

Lian Nanshu stepped out as well. “Aunt Liao, please take them.”

Aunt Liao hesitated for a moment before finally accepting. “Alright, then I won’t stand on ceremony.”

She truly didn’t have extra money to buy fruit for the kids, especially with Ah Yu now in college. Life had gotten even harder. If not for Lian Nanshu’s help all these years, her daughter might never have made it to university.

“Go get some good rest, Aunt Liao.” Lian Nanshu knew that to help support her family, Aunt Liao had always sewn clothes in her spare time for some extra money.

Aunt Liao nodded earnestly. “I will. I’ll rest well.”

The couple walked her to the door and watched her leave. Once she disappeared from view, Lan Xubai looked down at Lian Nanshu and said:

“I forgot to buy that thing today, didn’t I?”

Lian Nanshu looked up and met his eyes. He was staring at her as if he couldn’t look away.

Feeling cheerful, she teasingly pinched her own chin. “Then… you’ll just have to wait!”

Lan Xubai pretended not to hear. “I’ve heated the water. Take it to the washroom and go take a bath.”

“Okay, I’ll go now.”

Lian Nanshu went to the room to grab her clothes and pulled out the little garments Aunt Liao had given her. In the washroom, using soap and shampoo, she thoroughly cleaned herself from head to toe. After nearly an hour, she finally finished, came out, and was drying her hair with a towel.

“I’m done. You go take your bath now.”

Lan Xubai took the towel from her hand. “No rush. Let me dry your hair.”

He carefully towel-dried her hair, then took out a freshly boiled hot egg and rolled it gently over her face, blowing softly as he did so, cautious not to hurt her.

She let him do what he wanted, watching him closely. That serious look on his face made him all the more handsome—thick, dark brows and strikingly masculine features. Such a man standing right in front of her…

Unable to resist, she leaned in and gave him a kiss on the lips.

Lan Xubai was stunned at first, then quickly realized what had just happened. She was rarely this forward, and his Adam’s apple bobbed as his body instinctively reacted. If he hadn’t still been sweaty and worried about her freshly washed face, he wouldn’t have been able to hold himself back.

Lian Nanshu felt shy under Lan Xubai’s intense, barefaced gaze and lowered her head, resting it against his chest.

“Don’t lean on me—I’m all sweaty,” Lan Xubai said, suddenly remembering he hadn’t showered yet and was covered in sweat.

Lian Nanshu didn’t pull away. “I don’t mind—are you disgusted with yourself?”

Lan Xubai didn’t reply.

Suddenly, Lian Nanshu wrapped her arms around his neck and, blushing, asked softly, “Tell me—how many times have you come to see me over the years? And why did you suddenly change your mind and decide to spend the rest of your life with me?”

“Hmm…” Lan Xubai deliberately drew out the sound as he furrowed his brows in thought. But his hands didn’t stop moving—he tightened his hold around her waist and sat down on the couch, pulling her onto his lap.

With her freshly washed hair, she gave off a light herbal scent that was incredibly enticing. Lan Xubai inhaled it deeply, and his entire body grew hot, his breath turning ragged.

“Why?” Lian Nanshu pressed.

Lan Xubai said, “At first, it was out of guilt. But later, I started reflecting on myself. I thought long and hard about whether we should really continue this marriage. When I first took leave and went looking for you, people in the village told me you had gotten into college. I searched for you for a long time, and only found out two days before my leave ended that you were attending university in Beicheng.

I went back to the army and sent you money. The next time I got leave, a year had passed—you were already a sophomore. When I came back to look for you, I realized there was a huge gap between us.”

Lan Xubai fell silent.

Lian Nanshu kept her eyes on him, waiting for him to continue.

“You were beautiful and captivating. When you talked with your classmates, you radiated confidence. Meanwhile, I’d spent all my time in the military. I was just a soldier. I didn’t feel worthy of you anymore. I felt inferior for a long time. That was the first time I realized just how cowardly I’d become.”

Because of Lian Nanshu’s excellence, he pushed himself harder. He took on many missions and trained relentlessly. Over the years, he completed numerous classified assignments. Every time he reached his limit and felt like he couldn’t go on, the image that appeared in his mind was always Lian Nanshu’s bright, smiling face.

From then on, every time he was on leave, he would secretly go check on her.

Looking into Lan Xubai’s eyes, Lian Nanshu saw the deep yearning for love within him—she saw that he had always kept her in his heart.