Rebirth: My Reclusive Husband Helps Me Get Revenge!
Chapter 23: Love is a different kind of war

Chapter 23: Love is a different kind of war

"Well that was refreshing, after that shower I can see you clear now. Looks like you came prepared."

Mo Ran smiled as he took note of Lixue’s night gown, he was certain this was one of the set he had chosen during the pre wedding days.

"They were the only ones there and you might not like my cutesy pajamas..."

".."

"Whatever you wear looks good on you, especially when you wear something that you feel comfortable in..."

Mo Ran voiced got muffled at the end as he put on his shirt, the towel still wrapped around his waist, he found a comfortable pair of sweatpants, his wardrobe was filled with formal clothes but he made sure to keep pairs of comfortable clothes for sleeping.

At least he didn’t have to be formal when he was asleep.

Lixue watched him get dressed as a simple thought came to to her mind.

Was this the same man she married in the past? In the past things were never this calm between them, the previous Mo Ran wouldn’t care if she stood bare naked in front of him, they never had conversations like this and she had never seen a drunk Mo Ran before.

"What’s on your mind, little rabbit?" Mo Ran asked as he retrieved his reading glasses, he seemed through his mini bookshelf, he always read two to three Chapters a day.

"Blood and War" a German autobiography novel by Greg happman.

"I see I still haven’t completed this one and I can read the last Chapters this night, Fritz journey through the war has been one to remember, I guess the rest Chapter should be able his and Inge’s wedding.."

He grabbed the book and walked to the bed, Lixue was still sitting at the edge when Mo Ran appeared be side her.

"It’s past 12, does this little rabbit intend to stay up late? You can’t sneak out if you’re out cold in the morning.."

"..!!"

Lixue blushed as she Mo Ran a "I do not sneak out" gaze.

Pushing her into the bed, Mo Ran placed the blanket over her.

"You have nothing to worry about Mrs Mo, I won’t eat you without your consent. So do your best to get some sleep. I’ll finish this book and catch some Z’s myself.."

Lixue eyed Mo Ran and he sank into the bed, turning on his reading light "You read books?" She asked quietly not wanting to disturb his reading.

"I love books, my favorite genre is war and military.."

Lixue laid still, her heart calming as Mo Ran’s voice filled the quiet room. There was something strange—almost peaceful—about seeing this side of him. The man who was once cold and distant in her past life now lounged beside her with a book, relaxed and even playful.

She turned slightly to watch him. The soft light from the reading lamp highlighted his sharp features, the glasses perched on his nose giving him an unexpectedly intellectual air. She had never seen him like this before.

"I didn’t know you liked reading," she murmured.

Mo Ran didn’t look up from the book, but his lips curved into a small smile. "There’s a lot you don’t know about me, Mrs. Mo."

Lixue frowned slightly, the teasing lilt in his voice making her feel oddly self-conscious. "And you think I sneak out," she muttered, her tone defensive but softer than she intended.

Mo Ran chuckled, the sound was low and rich. "You don’t have to sneak, you know. If you want to leave, just tell me."

His words were light, but Lixue sensed the weight behind them. It wasn’t permission—it was acknowledgment, almost like he was offering her freedom in a way he never would have in the past.

"I don’t plan on running," she replied quietly, her gaze fixed on the ceiling.

A comfortable silence fell between them, broken only by the occasional turn of a page. Lixue found herself relaxing under the blanket, the tension slowly ebbing away. She hadn’t expected to be here, lying beside Mo Ran in such a quiet, domestic moment. It felt... unfamiliar, but it wasn’t unpleasant.

"Why war and military?" she asked after a while, her voice soft.

Mo Ran glanced at her briefly before turning back to the book. "War shows people’s true nature. Their strength, their cowardice, their loyalty. It’s raw, brutal... honesty."

Lixue pondered his words, realizing that perhaps Mo Ran wasn’t as straightforward as she once thought. "And love?" she asked, surprising even herself with the question.

He didn’t answer right away. Instead, he closed the book softly, marking his place with a finger, and looked at her. "Love is a different kind of war," he said, his voice low and serious now. "But not every battle needs to be fought."

Lixue’s breath hitched. There was something disarming about his tone, about the way his eyes seemed to pierce through her, making her feel exposed in a way that had nothing to do with physicality.

"Well," she said, trying to shake the strange warmth rising in her chest, "you can enjoy your war stories. I’m going to sleep."

Mo Ran’s smile softened, and he reached over to gently tug the blanket higher over her shoulder. "Goodnight, little rabbit."

Lixue closed her eyes, but the image of Mo Ran, glasses slipping down his nose as he read beside her, lingered in her mind. In the past, he had been nothing but cold steel—untouchable and distant. Now, though, he seemed more human.

She wasn’t sure what to make of it, but for tonight, she decided to let herself rest.

Beside her, Mo Ran quietly resumed his reading, the soft rustle of the pages the only sound in the room.

This was bliss.

It didn’t take long for Lixue to fall asleep, Mo Ran placed the book down when he heard her soft snores, she really looked like a tamed rabbit now.

He reached out, stroking Lixue’s hair and pushing the few strands away from her face. He bit his lips, he had a pretty and headstrong woman beside him but curtesy demanded that he waited for consent and he was the type of man who respected women.

"Goodnight Mrs Mo.."

He pulled her closer, inhaling her strawberry scent and sighing softly.