The 99th Divorce

Li Jinnan stopped in his steps. He lowered his head to look at the woman in his arms.

Ye Youyou’s eyes were tightly closed without any movement. Her head was resting on his arm and tilted toward him. Her lips were relaxed. It was almost as if her words had been spoken in her dream.

Li Jinnan looked at her. The corners of his lips lifted. With her still in his arm, he made his way slowly into the room and carefully asked, “When would you like to marry me?”

Ye Youyou groggily opened her eyes a little. Her usually-bright eyes were covered by a layer of hazy fog.

Li Jinnan lowered her onto the edge of the bed and lifted her face toward him. He planted a gentle kiss on it and said, “Anytime, as long as you’re willing.”

Ye Youyou looked down slightly and softly replied, “I’m pregnant.”

The smile on Li Jinnan’s face widened by the second. He responded, “I know.”

You know… And? So is he going to marry me or not? When is it going to happen?

Ye Youyou started to panic a little, but she couldn’t bring herself to voice her questions aloud.

As she looked at the sparkling eyes of the man standing in front of her, she didn’t say anything. She pushed him away gently and said, “I’m going to bathe.”

Li Jinnan wasn’t going to let her off so easily. He circled her in his arms and asked, “And? That’s all?”

Ye Youyou got annoyed. “What do you mean by that? You already know that I’m pregnant! Shouldn’t you be saying something?”

“What do you want me to say?” Li Jinnan laughed.

As if he were performing a magic trick, he suddenly produced a ring from his pocket. It was the ring they had bought together. When Ye Youyou had been taken into custody, the ring had been confiscated.

Ye Youyou’s eyes widened when she saw the ring. She reached out to grab it.

Li Jinnan instantly moved his hand away and held her hand back. His almond eyes turned up in a smile, and his pupils were dark and meaningful.

“Since you’re already the mother of my child, you might as well become Mrs. Li,” he said. “I’ll be good to you.”

When Ye Youyou heard his words, she grew unwilling. She shoved him aside and protested in anger, “Damn you and your ‘might as well!’ I refuse!”

“Then, why don’t you just become my Mrs. Li?” Li Jinnan moved his body closer to hers. He gently said, “Along the way, you might as well become the mother of my child.”

This rephrasing did sound a lot better to the ears. Ye Youyou couldn’t resist smiling when she heard him. When she saw the look in Li Jinnan’s eyes, she was resolved not to give him that satisfaction.

She pushed him away and declared, “Go away! I’m going to bathe!”

“I’ll help you.” Li Jinnan held her hand up and slid the ring in his hand gently into position on her left ring finger.

The ring was still warm from his touch. At that moment, a warmth ignited in Ye Youyou’s chest. It started to grow hot and get out of control. As she looked at that ring, the smile on her face widened.

Li Jinnan couldn’t contain himself as he watched the smile on her face. He clasped her hands in his and stretched them out to the side, touching the tip of his nose to hers. His smile mirrored hers. He couldn’t hold it back.

Ye Youyou touched him lightly.

Li Jinnan picked her up and said, “Come.”

Ye Youyou yelped out in surprise, but her smile widened even further. She wrapped her arms around his neck and hooked her legs around him.

Li Jinnan lowered her into the empty bathtub. He reached out to help her remove her clothing.

Ye Youyou pushed his hands away and blushingly said, “I’ll do it myself.”

“I’ll help you,” he said. “After your bath, we’ll sleep.”