The 99th Divorce

Shen Manting suddenly realized I and immediately said, “Sorry, Granny. I’d forgotten myself for a moment. Please come in!”

She opened the door and invited Old Mrs. Shen inside. She said, “The place is small. Since I am living alone, I just made do with a random place to live simply. You…”

Shen Manting turned around and realized that other than her stool at the writing desk, her bed was the only other place to sit on.

“Please sit here,” she offered as she pulled the stool over.

Old Mrs. Shen looked around at Shen Manting’s living quarters. She frowned imperceptibly.

It was a small single room, less than 107 square feet in area, with a bed that measured 3 feet.

Opposite the bed was a small desk with a plastic stool.

The walls were rough and made of cement. Not a single tile had been laid on it.

There was a small kitchenette and bathroom. Fortunately, the window was big, which allowed natural light to enter.

As the harsh sunlight shined through the window into the room, it illuminated the sparseness of the room, making it even more evident.

Everything could be seen with a single glance.

Old Mrs. Shen had never witnessed such a small apartment in her life.

Was such an apartment even livable?

She didn’t voice any of these sentiments.

Following Shen Manting’s words, she sat on the lone stool.

Shen Manting looked at her for a moment and said, “It might be a little hard for you. Would you like me to get a pillow to cushion the surface?”

“That won’t be necessary, Manting.” Old Mrs. Shen smiled amiably and turned her head to face the bodyguard that followed behind her. She said, “Get out. I’m going to speak to my granddaughter-in-law.”

The way Old Mrs. Shen had referred to her made Shen Manting’s heart skip a beat.

Granddaughter-in-law?

What was that supposed to mean?

The bodyguard nodded his head and quickly left the room, closing the door behind him.

Shen Manting’s stomach rumbled. In the quiet little room, the sound was especially evident.

Old Mrs. Shen chuckled when she heard it and remarked, “You must be hungry. Come, let Granny cook something for you. What ingredients did you buy?”

Shen Manting quickly waved her hands in refusal and said, “No, that’s not necessary at all. Please remain seated. I am indeed hungry, but how about this? Just sit here for a moment while I prepare something to eat. I’ll prepare your share too. Will that do?”

Old Mrs. Shen nodded her head in agreement. “Sure. Thank you.”

“I was going to cook anyway.”

“Then… May I watch you?” Old Mrs. Shen asked.

Watch?

Shen Manting was a little distressed when she heard that word. She bent her head and asked, “What’s there to watch? It’ll be better for you to sit here. I’ll be done very quickly.”

With that, she turned and left without any further delay.

Shen Manting got the water boiling and proceeded to arrange the fresh produce she had just bought.

Old Mrs. Shen observed her skinny frame from the back and felt conflicted.

Her heart ached. She was unhappy.

“Did you know who Shen Luo’an was getting married to?” Old Mrs. Shen suddenly asked.

Shen Manting froze while washing the vegetables. She hurriedly replied with a laugh, “It was Guan Queye, wasn’t it? I knew about it for some time.”

“Do you have any idea what Shen Luo’an has been up to recently?”

Shen Manting bent her head down as she continued to wash her vegetable. The smile on her face waned.

She turned her head and forced a smile onto her face as she replied, “Now that the wedding is over, he’s probably on a honeymoon with his beloved new bride. Did they go to the Maldives or Hawaii? Or, did they perhaps go so some other lovely destination?”

As she spoke, Shen Manting suddenly realized how pathetic she was.

Her eyes began to burn with unshed tears. She quickly turned around. “Please give him my best wishes,” she said.

When Old Mrs. Shen heard that, she knew Shen Manting had no idea what had been going on. With a sigh, she said, “Guan Queye is dead.”