Chapter 5 The scumbag is here again

“Isn’t that a bit unnecessary?” Lian Nanshu directly refused him.

Lan Xubai, however, was persistent. “No, that’s not okay.”

“Co… Comrade Commander?” Xu Li had just finished moving things and came out to report, only to stumble upon the two of them in an intimate posture. In that moment, he felt like he was doomed.

Lan Xubai shot Xu Li a glare tinged with anger. Xu Li trembled as he stammered, “All… all moved?”

Lan Xubai kept a stern expression and said flatly, “Drive this back.”

“Yes, Commander!” Xu Li stood up straight, gave a salute, and quickly left.

Taking advantage of the moment, Lian Nanshu slipped out of Lan Xubai’s arms. Seeing that some nosy neighbors were still watching, she pulled Lan Xubai back into the courtyard and closed the door behind them.

Lan Xubai asked, “Do you not get along well with the neighbors?”

Lian Nanshu entered the living room and started sorting through the items she had just bought. “What kind of relationship could I have with them? I don’t like to chat much. Aside from Aunt Liao, I don’t really know the others.”

She began tidying up the books on the sofa. Now that there was another person in the house, she really did need to organize things.

Lan Xubai followed her inside. The entire living room was filled with books. It was even more than what you’d find on an office desk at her school. The bookshelves were packed, and even the stools and sofa were piled high.

Seeing her bend over to clean up, he quickly said, “If it’s inconvenient at home, after we attend Elder Lin’s birthday banquet, I can go stay at my parents’ place.”

This was his first time seeing someone who owned so many books.

“It’s fine, just needs a bit of tidying. Go change clothes—we’re heading out soon!” Nanshu replied while organizing.

Lan Xubai immediately joined in, helping her arrange the books neatly and pack them into boxes, then stow them away. In no time, they had cleaned up everything.

Aside from the scattered books, nothing else in the house was out of place. The house had a small courtyard and was a two-bedroom, one-living-room, one-bathroom, one-kitchen setup.

As she thought about attending Elder Lin’s birthday, Lian Nanshu felt she couldn’t go dressed so plainly. She went to her room, picked out a nicer outfit, and did her hair.

When she walked back out, Lan Xubai was stunned by her transformation. Out of her simple clothes and into a bright, beautiful outfit, she looked far more attractive.

“Don’t you want to change into something nicer too? The guests at Elder Lin’s place are all people of status,” Lian Nanshu quickly reminded him.

Snapping out of his daze from her words, he responded, “Alright!” and carried his suitcase into the room to change.

Lian Nanshu still felt conflicted. Lan Xubai had probably come back from leave this time just to finalize their divorce.

“After the banquet, we should have a proper conversation about getting divorced,” she thought clearly. She had waited eight years, but during those years, she hadn’t once considered dating anyone else—never met anyone suitable.

“After the divorce, I need to properly plan my life. I should apply for a dorm at school tomorrow.” Thinking about moving out of this room made her feel a strange sense of loss. She looked down at the books—she had spent all her wages on them.

Within two minutes, Lan Xubai came out in fresh clothes. The style was similar to before: he had switched from a light blue shirt to a grayish-white one, paired with black slacks. His proportions were excellent.

He had rolled up his sleeves, revealing muscular, well-defined arms with wheat-colored skin—he gave off a strong sense of security.

As she stared at him, her mind suddenly flashed with some flustered images. She kept reminding herself: He’s here to divorce you—don’t overthink it!

Lan Xubai sensed her intense gaze and looked a bit uncomfortable.

“Nanshu!” Before either of them could say a word, a familiar voice called out.

It was Wang Jinming.

Lian Nanshu sighed in exasperation—why was he still chasing after her like this?

Hearing the voice and seeing the displeasure on Lian Nanshu’s face, Lan Xubai walked to the door and saw Wang Jinming standing there. Noticing the door was ajar, Wang Jinming had planned to enter. If he could find even the slightest bit of physical contact between them and someone else saw it, he could use that to his advantage.

But instead, what greeted him was the man who helped Lian Nanshu earlier today. This man was a whole head taller than him.

“What are you doing here?” Wang Jinming asked sourly. He sized Lan Xubai up and down and warned, “A lot of people are interested in Nanshu these days. I suggest you don’t waste your time. She likes intellectuals—you’re just some country bumpkin. Don’t daydream.”

While mocking Lan Xubai, he reached out to push past him and go inside.

But Lan Xubai blocked him with one arm.

“Get out of my way! What right do you have to stop me from entering?” Wang Jinming demanded angrily.

Hearing the raised voices, Lian Nanshu quickly came outside.

“Nanshu?” Upon seeing her in a bright and cheerful outfit, Wang Jinming was stunned. “You finally came out…”

He tried to approach her, but Lan Xubai’s dark expression made him push Wang Jinming back several steps.

Wang Jinming glared at Lan Xubai, but couldn’t match his imposing aura.

Lian Nanshu’s face twisted in disgust at the sight of Wang Jinming. Since there was no one else around, she didn’t hide it.

“What are you doing at my house?” she snapped, not even wanting to look at him.

Wang Jinming stepped forward to explain, “Nanshu, I know I was out of line at school today, but I’ve divorced her now. We can be together. We can get married!”

He took out his divorce certificate and handed it to her.
“Nanshu, look, it’s real.”

Lian Nanshu locked eyes with Wang Jinming, feeling utterly disgusted. Her brows furrowed as she lashed out,
“Do you even realize what kind of person you are now?”

“What kind?” Wang Jinming asked curiously.

“You’re disgusting! I’ve told you—I’m married! And yet you still shamelessly come here to confess your feelings? Don’t you think that’s despicable and self-absorbed? Yes, I like people with knowledge, but a person’s character is just as important. You went to college, you understand the morals in books, and you also know very well that I do not love you! The only reason you keep pestering me is because of your pride—because you can’t accept being rejected over and over again.”

She had already seen through men like him.

“Why is it that when I reject you, you always assume I’m just playing hard to get? Why can’t you accept the truth—that you’re genuinely annoying? I don’t belong to anyone. I would never choose you! Besides, I told you very clearly that I’m married, yet you still won’t leave me alone. Why? If you truly loved someone, you wouldn’t be disrupting her life like this.”

“Nanshu, I…” Wang Jinming tried to reach out and grab her.

Lan Xubai immediately pulled Lian Nanshu behind him in one swift motion.

“My wife has made herself very clear. If you continue to harass her, I’ll go straight to your workplace and have a conversation with your superiors.”

His voice was laced with restrained fury.

“What? You’re her husband?” Wang Jinming stared in disbelief.
“You’re her husband? Then where the hell have you been all these years? She’s suffered so much, and you were never there for her! Why are you suddenly showing up now?”

Lan Xubai’s expression darkened. He shot back coldly,
“Isn’t that because of you? You were a married man who kept harassing her while you were both in college. You made her uncomfortable so many times that your own wife came to the school and caused a scene. People gossiped and pointed fingers at her, and she nearly lost her job. You think all of that just happened out of nowhere?”

Wang Jinming was speechless.

Lian Nanshu looked at the man in front of her, stunned.
So… he had known everything all along?
But why hadn’t he ever shown up before now?

Then reality hit her. It was the original version of her—the one whose actions had caused him and the female lead to be separated all these years. How could she dare to expect him to show up?

“Lian Nanshu is my wife. You’d better remember that,” Lan Xubai warned sternly. “Do I need to explain the consequences of harassing a current military officer’s family member? You’re educated—you should know better.”

Wang Jinming panicked instantly.

He turned to Lian Nanshu, trying to sound sincere.
“Nanshu, I really do like you—”

“Don’t disgust me any further. Thanks, but no thanks!” she snapped without the slightest hint of mercy.

Wang Jinming tried to argue again, but Lian Nanshu stepped forward, pulled Lan Xubai back inside, and slammed the door hard.

Outside, Wang Jinming was once again left in bitter disappointment.

Inside, Lian Nanshu, both mentally and physically exhausted from the whole ordeal, let out a deep sigh.
“Ahhh…” she turned around helplessly.

Her eyes met Lan Xubai’s.

She had been in a decent mood earlier, but after dealing with Wang Jinming, it was completely gone.

“You seem upset?” Lan Xubai asked, noticing how drained she looked. “Do you… like him?”

“Who said I like him?!” Lian Nanshu instantly became flustered and spun around to stare at him.