Chapter 6 We Divorce

Thinking about how Lan Xubai had also been forcefully taken by the original owner, Lian Nanshu instantly lost all her energy.

“You should actually be happy,” she said. “Now I finally understand how much you hated me back then. That’s exactly how much I hate him now! He clings to me like a ghost, like I owe him millions in a past life!”

With a frown, she looked at Lan Xubai and added, “After we attend Grandpa’s birthday celebration, you can go ahead and file for divorce. Then you can finally marry your beloved Miss Liao Meimei!”

After saying that, she helplessly turned and walked toward the house. “Once that’s done, I’ll move out as soon as possible. Once there’s progress on my overseas job offer, I won’t have any more ties to you.”

Lian Nanshu kept muttering to herself, completely unaware of the frost creeping over Lan Xubai’s face.

He adjusted his expression as he stepped inside and tried to speak in a calm voice. “What if I don’t want a divorce?”

Lian Nanshu’s tone was tired and indifferent. “Well, if you’re not in a rush, I have no objections. Honestly, I’ve never had any real thoughts about dating, marriage, or children. Not divorcing is fine too. You don’t like me, so you obviously won’t be interested in that stuff. If you ever want to divorce, just give me a heads-up so I can prepare.”

Lan Xubai looked visibly pained by her words. He stood frozen on the spot, stunned.

Seeing he wasn’t responding, Lian Nanshu turned around curiously, wondering what kind of expression he had. To her surprise, she found him glaring at her with a darkened face.

Startled, she blinked rapidly. “W-Why are you looking at me like that?”

“I… I know what happened back then was my fault. But you were the one who took the divorce application home. That’s why it’s dragged on this long!”

Lan Xubai quickly looked away and brought up the gift prepared for Elder Lin. “Let’s get going. We’re taking the bus, and it wouldn’t be appropriate to arrive late.”

Even though he had military guards with him, since he was on vacation, they couldn’t accompany him for personal matters.

After checking the courtyard and noticing Lian Nanshu hadn’t bought a bicycle, he realized the Lin family’s house was still quite far.

So Lian Nanshu obediently followed behind him.

The whole way there, Lan Xubai didn’t say a word, and Lian Nanshu didn’t dare speak to him either.

But suddenly, a thought struck her.

“How does he know I’ve been harassed all these years?”

He had just mentioned that earlier—something she had never told him.

“Could he have investigated me?”

On the bus, it wasn’t rush hour yet, so there were empty seats.

The journey was long, and curiosity eventually got the best of her. Lian Nanshu scooted closer and asked cautiously, “You know Elder Lin… So, when I was suspended and he suddenly showed up to help me, was it… was it you who asked him to help?”

Lan Xubai gave her a glance but didn’t respond. Instead, he turned away with a cold expression.

His silence only deepened her confusion.

“He knows Elder Lin and knows I’ve been harassed, but I’d never met Elder Lin before then. Why would he help me all of a sudden? Was it really him who asked?”

Her thoughts kept spiraling, and her mood sank from the lack of attention.

They’d left the house in a rush, and now on the bus, there was nothing to do—no phone, not even a book. She was bored out of her mind.

After glancing out the window for a bit, she looked over at Lan Xubai again.

He stared straight ahead, silent.

But the young man sitting in front of him was clearly uncomfortable—squirming under his intense gaze.

Lan Xubai’s expression was downright terrifying.

Lian Nanshu leaned closer and whispered into his ear, “Don’t stare at him like that—you’re scaring him.”

Lan Xubai instinctively turned to look at her.

But the sudden proximity led to an unexpected kiss.

Both of them jerked back immediately, startled.

The young man who had been stared at witnessed the whole thing.

Lan Xubai’s mind went completely blank.

Lian Nanshu turned to look out the window, stunned as well.

That brief touch felt like an electric shock.

As the bus wobbled, Lian Nanshu, who hadn’t sat properly, lost her balance and fell onto Lan Xubai.

“Are you okay?” he asked, catching her with both hands.

They were so close that her cheeks turned bright red. Even her ears were burning, and her heart pounded like it was about to burst from her chest.

She gulped nervously and quickly returned to her seat, not daring to look at him again.

They both clearly felt something was off, but neither said a word.

After an hour-long ride, they finally arrived.

Getting off the bus, Lian Nanshu looked around and realized she didn’t recognize the area.

Back then, she had always been picked up by Elder Lin’s people. These roads were completely unfamiliar to her.

This neighborhood was relatively upscale, filled with small but refined houses. The residents here mostly held high-ranking positions, often with both spouses working in government or similar units.

“Let’s go,” Lan Xubai said, walking forward confidently based on memory.

Lian Nanshu trotted to catch up. “Let me carry something?”

Just as she reached for one of the bags, Lan Xubai lifted it out of her reach and said flatly, “No need. They’re not heavy.”

She felt like he was still angry.

She paused for a moment, then quickly followed. “Wait for me! My legs are short, I can’t walk that fast!”

Unconsciously, her tone started to sound a little coquettish.

“Ah—”

Just as she said that, she stepped on a stone and stumbled forward.

Lan Xubai, still holding the bags in both hands, reached out and steadied her.

In a panic, Lian Nanshu clutched his arm. “Thank you!”

Despite both hands being full, he had still managed to catch her.

“These cobblestone roads are really hard to walk on—they’re ancient,” he said. “Just hold on to my arm and walk with me.”

Lan Xubai looked at her—so delicate and unsteady on her feet.

She must’ve suffered a lot over the years.

Lian Nanshu obediently held onto Lan Xubai’s arm and walked beside him.

Lan Xubai slowed his pace, carefully matching her steps and keeping an eye on her as they walked.

Soon, they arrived at Elder Lin’s house and saw several sedans parked outside.

In this era, owning or even riding in such a car was a clear symbol of status and power.

Lan Xubai leaned in and quietly reminded her, “Today is a big birthday celebration. Most of the guests are older elders. If you feel nervous, just stay close to me.”

“Mhm~” Lian Nanshu nodded. Seeing how serious he was, she couldn’t help but get a bit anxious. Her grip on his arm tightened.

Lan Xubai glanced down at her small hands and her tense expression. For some reason, the sight of her nervousness made him feel… a little happy inside.

“Jie!”

At the door, Lin Manyin spotted Lian Nanshu and Lan Xubai approaching. Smiling brightly, she ran over and looped her arm through Lian Nanshu’s.

“You finally came! It’s mostly elders inside, and I can’t really hold a conversation with them. I’ve been waiting for you forever! They were just talking about you a moment ago.”

“Me?” Lian Nanshu looked confused and pointed to herself uncertainly.

“You’re actually Brother Xubai’s wife? I just found out!”

“Brother Xubai?” Lin Manyin cheerfully greeted Lan Xubai.

Lian Nanshu suddenly started to feel nervous. A bad premonition crept in as she looked toward Lan Xubai.

He cleared his throat and said uneasily, “Grandpa might already be here…”

“Grandpa Lan arrived, and Uncle and Auntie just got here too,” Lin Manyin said. “They were supposedly really busy and weren’t going to make it—but for some reason, they came anyway. Brother Xubai’s whole family is here now!”

The moment Lian Nanshu heard that Lan Xubai’s grandfather was there, she already wanted to turn around and run.

But when she heard that his parents had also come, her face went pale.

Lin Manyin leaned in and whispered in her ear, “Also… Brother Xubai’s first love, Liao Meimei, and her whole family are here too!”

Lian Nanshu went ghost-white with anxiety. She gulped and let go of Lan Xubai’s hand.

“Maybe… maybe I should leave?” she said, already turning to flee.

“Brother, your wife is here?”

Lan Luobai stood at the doorway and spotted them arriving. He then turned and loudly announced to everyone inside.

Lian Nanshu wanted to die on the spot.

She shut her eyes in defeat, trying to suppress her fear.

Lan Xubai looked down and reassured her gently, “Don’t worry. I’m here. Don’t be afraid.”