The 99th Divorce

Li Jinnan cleared his throat. “Let’s say… What if… I feel that we’re not suited, and I divorce her. And, after that, I marry another woman whom has never been married before. Do you think it’s appropriate?”

Captain Li Xun felt there was something amiss. He narrowed his eyes as he looked at Li Jinnan.

Li Jinnan immediately took a detour with his words and said, “You see, I have a friend who has fallen in love with a divorcee. He is afraid that his family won’t approve of it. He doesn’t dare tell his family about it, so he requested that I test the waters with my family first. If you feel that it isn’t a problem, then it probably won’t be an issue with his family either.” After pausing a moment, he continued, “I have to admit that I find his method unreliable. After all, our family is one of the more open-minded ones. We’re completely different from those families whose mindsets are so old-fashioned, especially when it comes to you, Grandfather. Your thinking has always been current with the times.”

Captain Li Xun nodded his head when he heard that. Hearing his grandson compliment him this way made the corners of his mouth lift in a smile. He said, “That goes without saying. Our family is very open-minded. Look at how well the marriage I arranged for your Second Brother turned out! When your Older Brother wanted to get married, did I even say a word? Nowadays, when it comes to the youngsters, as long as they like the other person, that’s all that matters. You’re the one who will be spending the rest of your life with the person, not the family. Your happiness is what matters most.”

Li Jinnan agreed eagerly and nodded his head. “Grandpa, your words are worth their weight in gold!”

“Of course! However, your friend still has to be careful,” Li Xun said. “The character has to come first.”

“Yes! Grandpa, you are so right!” Li Jinnan agreed with a straight face.

Old Captain Li waved his hand. His expression was smug and modest at the same time. “Alright. Stop sucking up to me. Tell me, who is that friend of yours?”

“Grandpa, actually… That person is me.” As Li Jinnan spoke, he made sure to take a step back. He cleared his throat and said, “I fell in love with a divorced woman.”

When the old man heard that, his face fell immediately.

Li Jinnan reached out his hands in entreaty and said, “Hear me out first! She’s actually a really good lady!”

Old Captain Li suddenly felt uncomfortable all around. He looked at Li Jinnan with heartbreak written all over his face. He trembled as he eked out, “You…”

“Grandpa, you’re the one who just said that happiness is what matters most!” Li Jinnan didn’t dare to avoid him any longer. He quickly rushed up to support him.

Old Captain Li was utterly exasperated. He reached out and smacked Li Jinnan twice as he cried out, “Your horrible boy! How dare you trick your grandfather! You must have a death wish!”

Li Jinnan steadily accepted his grandfather’s slaps without protest as he continued to hold him up.

“How dare you! You even said it was your friend! Friend? Friend?” Captain Li rained another few slaps down on him and was soon panting, “Why is my descendant getting increasingly crooked?”

Li Jinnan couldn’t restrain the small smile that escaped his lips. However, Captain Li saw that minute action clearly.

With a harrumph, the old man flung Li Jinnan’s hand off and asked, “What family is the lady from?”

“Ahem… She has a sister. Her parents are divorced,” Li Jinnan said. “And, her marriage to her ex-husband was just for show…”

“A marriage just for show?” Old Captain Li wasn’t an idiot. He knew exactly what a marriage-for-show entailed.

He looked at Li Jinnan in surprise and asked again, “A marriage for show?”

“Yes, a marriage just for show. It was a marriage that was only registered but never consummated,” Li Jinnan said.

“Ha! How would you know that it was never consummated?” Old Captain Li spat out. “Do you think you’re so smart? Don’t assume I don’t know that with today’s technology the membrane can simply be reattached, and it’ll be as good as new. Don’t get scammed!”