Chapter 9 Liao Meimei

Though she spoke softly, Liao Meimei still overheard the conversation. She picked up a wine glass, wanting to stand up, but was quickly silenced by a warning look from her mother. Madam Liao understood her daughter’s thoughts, but with so many people around, she wouldn’t allow her to make a scene.

Seeing her mother’s sharp gaze, Liao Meimei had no choice but to give up. Lin Manyin and Lan Luobai had been watching her intently, afraid she would cause trouble for Lian Nanshu. When they saw her back down, the two girls finally breathed a sigh of relief.

After dinner, everyone sat together drinking tea, enjoying some fruit, and chatting. Lin Manyin and Lan Luobai were happily talking with the young girls from the Chen family. Lan Xubai stayed close to Lian Nanshu the entire time.

Some elders came over to chat, asking about their work and daily lives.

Around 7 p.m., Old Mr. Lin noticed that Lian Nanshu wasn’t enjoying the social setting.

“Nanshu, do you have work at school tomorrow?” he asked knowingly.

Lian Nanshu immediately replied, “We’re about to start scheduling and preparing lessons. It’s a bit busier than usual.”

“Then you and Dabai should head back early,” Old Mr. Lin said, looking toward Old Master Lan. “What do you say, old brother?”

“The young couple doesn’t get much time together—let them go. Just remember to visit this old man on the weekend!” Old Master Lan was happy to let them leave. After all, the couple hadn’t seen each other in years—they needed time to reconnect.

“Grandpa, Grandpa Lin, Mom, Dad, uncles, aunts—I’ll take Nanshu and head out first,” Lan Xubai said as he took Lian Nanshu’s hand to say goodbye to everyone.

“Let Xiao Liu drive you. It’s our own car—it won’t violate any regulations,” Old Mr. Lin added.

Lan Xubai nodded quickly. “Thank you, Grandpa Lin!” he said, expressing his gratitude.

Given Lan Xubai’s special position, while he did have access to a military vehicle and guard on duty, using them for personal matters wasn’t appropriate. Old Mr. Lin knew that and didn’t want to break any rules. The car was one his son had bought after starting his own business—nothing to worry about.

“Then Grandpa Lin, Grandpa, Mom, Dad, uncles and aunts, we’ll get going now,” Lian Nanshu said, following suit.

“Be careful on the way,” Madam Lin said with a smile, waving them off.

Lian Nanshu smiled and nodded.

“Manyin, go walk your brother and sister-in-law out,” Lin’s father reminded his daughter.

“Okay, Dad,” Lin Manyin replied, then walked out with them after saying goodbye to everyone.

As soon as they stepped outside, Lian Nanshu finally let out a sigh of relief.

“Sis, see you at school tomorrow?” Lin Manyin said as they reached the car already waiting for them.

“Brother, Sister-in-law, bye-bye!” Lan Luobai came running out to wave goodbye.

Lian Nanshu glanced at Lin Manyin and patted her on the shoulder. “Get ready. You’ll need to perform well at the upcoming teaching exchange. I’ll be going to Nancheng in a few days for research. If you need help, ask Teacher Yang Yuan.”

“Mm-hmm!” Lin Manyin patted her chest, assuring, “Don’t worry, I’ll do great!”

Just as Lian Nanshu turned around to say something to Lan Luobai, she saw Liao Meimei coming outside. Noticing Nanshu’s change in expression, the three girls turned to look as well. Lin Manyin and Lan Luobai exchanged glances.

Lan Xubai instinctively looked at Lian Nanshu and noticed her expression remained calm.

“She probably has something to say to you,” Lian Nanshu said softly. She saw the sadness in Liao Meimei’s eyes—there were clearly a lot of things left unsaid.

After all, the original Lian Nanshu had wronged them. She figured it was only fair to give them a chance to talk things through.

Lan Xubai and Liao Meimei stood around the corner outside the alley, not daring to look at each other.

Lin Manyin and Lan Luobai stayed with Lian Nanshu, trying to ease the awkwardness, though their curious eyes kept glancing over at the pair.

The unspoken affection in their eyes made even the materialistic, rational Lian Nanshu feel a twinge of guilt. By crossing over and changing their story, was she disrupting their fate? Maybe she should let things return to their original path.

As for her, it didn’t matter much—but from today’s situation, divorce would have to wait.

After all, Liao Meimei was the female lead, and it felt wrong to be taking her place. She had already started thinking about separating.

To Lin Manyin and Lan Luobai, though, Lian Nanshu looked more like a heartbroken woman holding back her jealousy—they figured she must be feeling really wronged.

“Sister-in-law~” Lan Luobai said carefully.

She had really grown fond of Lian Nanshu. Though they had only spent one day together, Nanshu was gentle and kind. She thought she and her brother made a great couple. As for Liao Meimei’s family—even if they were respectable, they only respected those with power. Back when they looked down on her brother, their words were truly harsh.

Lian Nanshu smiled. “I’m fine. Don’t worry.”

Though she said that, Lan Luobai didn’t quite believe her.

Lan Xubai and Liao Meimei stood silently for a while.

“Brother Xubai?” Liao Meimei finally spoke up, nervously twisting her fingers. “I didn’t know what my father said to you before. I’m sorry.”

“It’s not your fault,” Lan Xubai replied calmly. “I should’ve made things clearer with you back then. That was my mistake.”

He added, “Miss Liao, what was between us… it was just my one-sided wishful thinking. I apologize.”

Originally, he had planned to divorce and return to the army in the city, then propose to the Liao family in a year or two. But when he applied for divorce, his father firmly rejected it and told him to stop dreaming.

That moment, he decided to let go.

Later, he learned that Lian Nanshu’s parents and family had all died in a flood. So he decided to take responsibility as a husband.

“Brother Xubai?” Liao Meimei panicked, trying to explain, then reached out for his hand in a fluster.

He quickly stepped back.

“Please don’t call me that anymore.”

Her expression turned calm and distant.

“I have a wife. I hope you find someone who belongs to you. I won’t divorce. In this life, unless we are separated by death, we won’t part.”

Liao Meimei looked at Lan Xubai in disbelief, her lips trembling. She was at a loss for what to do, choking on her words. She couldn’t cry—she told herself she was just here to see him off. If she cried, people would laugh at her.

Lan Xubai felt guilty, but he also knew—this was how it had to be. Their fate had run its course.

He didn’t say anything else and walked in the direction of Lian.

“Shall we go?” Lan Xubai said, placing his hand on Lian Nanshu’s waist, a subconscious gesture.

“Travel safely!” Lin Manyin waved goodbye.

Lan Luobai gave her brother, Lan Xubai, a smack on the arm, signaling him with her eyes. But Lan Xubai pretended not to notice.

After Lian Nanshu got in the car, he followed right after. The vehicle pulled away and began to drive off.

On the way back, Lian Nanshu stared silently out the window. After all, she wasn’t very familiar with Lan Xubai, and he’d just had such a heartbreaking conversation with someone else—he was probably in a terrible mood. Approaching him now would be highly inappropriate.

What she didn’t know was that Lan Xubai was secretly glancing at her, observing the blank, dazed look on her face as she stared out the window.

“Is she mad?” he wondered, still caught up in his own thoughts.

“Nanshu?”

“Hmm?” Lian Nanshu turned her head and met his gaze, sensing he had something to say.

Lan Xubai hesitated.

Lian Nanshu wondered to herself, “Is he going to ask for a divorce?”

“I’m fine with it. It was my fault you two couldn’t be together. I caused you to be separated for nine whole years!” Lian Nanshu quickly expressed her stance. If he wanted a divorce, she had nothing more to say. “Once you file the report, we can just—”

“I’ve already explained everything to her. We’re not getting a divorce,” Lan Xubai interrupted her, speaking directly, his eyes full of resolve.

“Why?” Lian Nanshu was caught off guard, even a little agitated, frowning as she pressed him. “Didn’t you always like her? Weren’t you childhood sweethearts?”

In the novel, it was never mentioned that he wouldn’t divorce her. Then again, she suddenly remembered—in the original story, the original Lian Nanshu had already been dead for eight years!

Realizing she was getting too worked up, Lian Nanshu quickly tried to explain, worried she’d said too much. “I… I’m just a little curious, that’s all.”

Lan Xubai had assumed that telling her he wasn’t getting a divorce would make her happy. But seeing her reaction now, he realized just how deeply the loss of her family had affected her back then.

The car fell silent again.

The driver, who wasn’t new to driving Lian Nanshu around, heard everything but didn’t dare say a word.

The two of them also knew there was someone else in the car, so they couldn’t continue the conversation.

“Mr. Liu, could you stop here?” Lian Nanshu asked.

“But we’re not there yet, Miss Lian,” Liu the driver replied.

“I want to stop by the bookstore on Night Market Street to buy a few work-related books. Just let me off here.”

It was still before eight o’clock—plenty of time.

After getting out, Lan Xubai reached out to help Lian Nanshu out of the car and closed the door.

“Mr. Liu, drive safe on the way back. Thank you,” he said, bowing slightly in thanks.

Mr. Liu nodded lightly and turned the car around to leave.