Chapter 4 I like reading

“I usually don’t have much else to do, so I enjoy reading,” Lian Nanshu perked up as soon as the topic of books came up. “These books aren’t related to my work—they’re just for leisure!”

Lan Xubai looked at the neatly arranged books and curiously scanned the titles. He noticed many of them were foreign language books, along with modern classics and ancient literature. Lian Nanshu, head down, was completely focused on her work, as if she had forgotten he was even there.

Seeing her so engrossed in her work, Lan Xubai stayed quiet and picked up a book that interested him. When he opened it, he found it filled with small notes—meticulously written commentary in beautiful handwriting. She had marked every passage she’d read with thoughts and reflections.

He slowly became captivated by her thirst for knowledge.

Unconsciously, Lan Xubai leaned on the desk and fell asleep.

Just as Lian Nanshu finished her work and set her pen down, she saw him sleeping peacefully. She didn’t wake him up right away but instead began to observe the man in front of her.

“He’s a bit tanned, but undeniably handsome—such a righteous, traditionally masculine man.”

Lian Nanshu, you lost your parents for this man. You lost yourself. Your younger siblings even drowned because of all this! What do I do now? I’ve been thrown into this mess the moment I crossed into this timeline.

She had originally planned to go abroad, but since she and Lan Xubai were still legally married, she couldn’t leave the country. She had learned that he had withdrawn the divorce application, which meant the divorce had never gone through. And she couldn’t bring herself to initiate it.

Now that he was back, he should bring it up—shouldn’t he?

Lost in thought, Lan Xubai suddenly felt someone watching him. He opened his eyes—and their eyes met.

Lian Nanshu quickly looked away, touched her ear awkwardly, and said, “Um… I saw you were asleep, so I didn’t wake you.”

This was already her third or fourth awkward moment today.

Lan Xubai, now fully awake, returned the book to its original place. “Sorry, I just got back from the military base.”

Then he asked, “Are you done? Can we leave now?”

“Yes, let’s go.” Lian Nanshu picked up her small bag and got up to leave with him.

Without waiting, Lan Xubai reached over and took her bag. “Let me carry it.”

Before Lian Nanshu could even refuse, he had already taken it and closed the door behind them.

Maintaining a respectful distance, they walked out of the school together.

At the entrance, a car was waiting. As Lan Xubai approached, the driver got out and saluted. He was about to speak, but Lan Xubai waved his hand to stop him. The driver quietly opened the car door, and Lian Nanshu got in first.

After Lan Xubai got in, the driver asked respectfully, “Commander, where to next?”

Wearing a Zhongshan suit, the driver looked slightly tense.

Lan Xubai turned to Lian Nanshu.

“Let’s go to the store first.”

“We’ll do as your sister-in-law says,” Lan Xubai said, giving the driver a look.

“Yes, Commander,” the driver responded immediately.

The driver, Xiao Xu, was incredibly curious by now.

The road was bumpy, and Lian Nanshu had trouble staying balanced. She kept leaning toward Lan Xubai.

“Xiao Xu, slow down,” Lan Xubai said in a slightly commanding tone as he held onto Lian Nanshu, who had just fallen into his arms.

“Yes, Commander,” Xiao Xu replied.

Lian Nanshu glanced at Lan Xubai, her cheeks tinged with a blush. His hand was firm—almost too firm. During each bump, he unconsciously tightened his grip, making it slightly painful.

But she was already embarrassed enough and didn’t say anything.

From the rearview mirror, Xiao Xu caught sight of what was happening and let out a silent, helpless sigh.

They finally arrived at the bustling marketplace.

After spending quite a bit of time shopping, Xiao Xu helped load everything into the car.

Coming out of a small shop, Lian Nanshu avoided eye contact. Lan Xubai’s sharp gaze caught a glimpse of her shopping bag.

“Old Master Lin has always loved painting and calligraphy… but this is a bit much, don’t you think?” he immediately recognized what was inside.

“Old Master Lin has been good to me—just this once?” Lian Nanshu had already rewrapped the package. She didn’t have anything particularly impressive to give. That inkstone had taken her a long time to find, and it wasn’t even that expensive.

“Still, better put it away. It’s not appropriate for today’s occasion. All of Old Master Lin’s war buddies will be there, and this isn’t really the right gift.” Lan Xubai took the bag from her hand.

“There’s still some time. Let’s go home for a bit?”

“Huh?” Lian Nanshu wasn’t sure which “home” he meant.

Lan Xubai had already seen this expression multiple times today. “Where you live now.”

“Oh—oh!” She awkwardly scratched her head in response. That apartment had been assigned to her by the school because of her job.

They stopped the car in a narrow alley. Xiao Xu carried everything into the courtyard.

As the car remained parked outside, some returning neighbors spotted them. A young man was walking in and out, carrying several loads. They watched curiously.

Inside, they saw a tall man chatting with Lian Nanshu.

“What’s going on?” Aunt Liao, just returning from outside, saw someone at Lian Nanshu’s place and asked a nearby neighbor who was also watching, “A suitor showed up at her house?”

“Not sure! Looks like a soldier. Brought a ton of stuff—carried it all in—and even had luggage!” the gossipy neighbor whispered, not daring to speak too loudly.

Driven by curiosity, Aunt Liao slowly approached Lian Nanshu’s house.

Lian Nanshu, chatting with Lan Xubai, spotted Aunt Liao returning.

“Aunt Liao, you’re back?” she greeted her graciously.

Aunt Liao gave her an awkward smile and swallowed nervously.

“Do you have guests at home?” Aunt Liao gently took hold of Nanshu’s hand and asked cautiously. At that moment, Lan Xubai came out behind her.

Aunt Liao sized up the young man in front of her. He looked decent—just a bit tanned. His features were well-proportioned, and he had a good build.
“And this is?” Lan Xubai looked curiously at the slightly plump woman ahead and asked Lian Nanshu.

“This is our neighbor, Aunt Liao,” Lian Nanshu explained to Lan Xubai, then turned to Aunt Liao and said, “Aunt Liao, this is my husband… Lan Xubai.”

It was the second time she’d introduced Lan Xubai to someone, and her cheeks and ears were burning red.

“H-Husband? When… when did you get married? Did you divorce your first husband?” Aunt Liao blurted out instinctively. The moment the words left her mouth, she realized something was wrong and quickly covered her mouth, unable to meet Lan Xubai’s gaze.

Lan Xubai: …
He had originally intended to greet her politely, but Aunt Liao’s flustered reaction and words left him feeling a bit embarrassed.

Lian Nanshu forced an awkward smile and looked up at Lan Xubai. “Uh… about what Aunt Liao said, it’s just that…!”
She didn’t even know how to explain.

“Aunt Liao, we never divorced! Nanshu has been living here these past years. Thank you for looking after her!” Lan Xubai remained calm on the surface.

Aunt Liao’s expression was also a little unnatural. She didn’t dare look directly at Lan Xubai and instead pulled Lian Nanshu a few steps forward.

“Nanshu, what’s going on?” she asked in a gossipy tone, glancing back from time to time. “The neighbors all said you brought a man home! So…?”

Lian Nanshu, of course, knew about the gossip. She looked back at Lan Xubai, then turned to Aunt Liao and said, “Aunt Liao, he’s my husband. He’s a soldier stationed with the army. It’s normal that we haven’t seen each other for a long time.”

She had never mentioned Lan Xubai to the neighbors before and had no idea how they found out she was married.

“Does he treat you well?” Aunt Liao asked with concern. “If he doesn’t, what are you going to do?”

Lian Nanshu gently patted Aunt Liao’s hand. “Don’t worry. He’s good to me. Everything will be fine.”

Aunt Liao looked at Lan Xubai behind her with half-trusting eyes.

Lian Nanshu went into the house and brought out a bag of candies.
“Aunt Liao, these are the candies little Ayu’s been thinking about for a long time. I finally bought them today!”

“No, I can’t accept this from you. I can’t!” Aunt Liao refused without hesitation. “You’ve already helped us so much. Ayu being able to go to college is more than enough. We can’t keep taking things from you.”

But Lian Nanshu slipped the candies into Aunt Liao’s bag before she could refuse, not letting her take them out.
“Aunt Liao, you’ve helped me a lot too. These candies are nothing. Let Ayu and little Xiaoyu enjoy them. You’re not allowed to refuse.”

Here, aside from a few school leaders who treated her well, Aunt Liao had been genuinely kind to her—especially during that difficult period when she felt lost in both life and work. Aunt Liao often brought her food.

“This really isn’t right…” Aunt Liao said, clearly embarrassed but unable to turn down the gift.

Lian Nanshu shook her head with a smile and motioned for her to relax.

“I’ll head back then. If you need anything, just call me,” Aunt Liao said.

“Okay!” Lian Nanshu walked her out and then turned to go back inside—only to bump right into Lan Xubai’s arms.
“Ah~” His strong arms wrapped around her waist.

The sudden closeness made her cheeks flush hot again.

Lan Xubai said,
“Looks like we’ll have to go door to door with some gifts… so everyone can see what kind of man Teacher Nanshu’s husband is.”