The 99th Divorce

Old Mrs. Shen’s voice was filled with righteous indignation. She pulled Ye Qianqian’s hand over and scrutinized it with furrowed brows. “Indeed, I was right,” she said. “This lady won’t do.”

Ye Qianqian’s heart skipped a beat, and awkwardness enveloped her. The expression on Shen Zhilie’s face darkened, and he said, “Grandma, I am the one marrying her, not you. Previously, you told me that you liked Lili. I listened to you and wooed her. However, right now, Qianqian is the one I like. Can’t you just support my decision?”

“No. This lady is destined for a short life. You cannot marry her! If you marry her, your life will be shortened, too!” Old Mrs. Shen stomped her foot in anger and continued, “I’m not out to harm you! I’m doing all of this for your own good! My dear Zhilie, please don’t make me angry. If I say no, it means no!”

“Grandma, you don’t get the last say in matters of this world!”

“But I do in matters of this household!” Old Mrs. Shen retorted angrily. “You are forbidden from being with her!”

Ye Qianqian began to tremble, and she forcefully snatched her hand back. She was feeling so uncomfortable that she couldn’t even bring herself to paste a smile on her face. Ye Qianqian took a step back and said, “Zhilie, don’t argue with your grandmother anymore. I’ll leave.”

Shen Zhilie’s face turned ugly, and he pulled Ye Qianqian to his side as he shouted angrily, “No way!”

Ye Qianqian was horrified and could feel her heart beating in her throat.

Shen Longyue, his wife, and Nanny He were all watching. Ye Qianqian’s eyes began to burn with unshed tears. She put up a struggle and said, “I…”

“No.” Shen Zhilie softened his tone but remained very firm. “Grandma, you need to stop with your superstitions. Do you have any idea how many people have been hurt because of your superstitious beliefs?”

“How many people I’ve hurt?” Old Mrs. Shen widened her eyes in disbelief. “When did I ever hurt anyone? Shen Zhilie, are you even my grandson?”

“It’s precisely because I’m your grandson that I’m telling this to you! Think about Sister Manting. Think about my brother! Think about Ye Youyou! Which one of them wasn’t harmed because of you? Just think about it on your own! If not for you constant exaggerations and drama, would my brother have divorced Ye Youyou? If not for your superstitious believes and your insistence that Sister Manting would bring good fortune to the family, would she have ended up in this state? Just think about it! Out of all the superstitious divinations you’ve uttered, how many of them really turned out to be true?”

Old Mrs. Shen couldn’t believe her ears. “You’re doubting me?”

“Yes, Grandma. I vehemently reject these beliefs. We’re now living in an era of science. Everything that you believe to be supernatural, I can explain with science.”

Old Mrs. Shen stomped her foot in fury. “How dare you! I didn’t have you become a doctor so that you could oppose me!”

“Regardless, I am now a doctor. I believe in science. Qianqian is my woman, and I will take responsibility for her. The reason I brought her back today was to notify all of you that I’m getting married. I’m about to have a wife. It’s a notice, not an application. I don’t care if you approve of it or not. I’m marrying her regardless.” Shen Zhilie’s words were very firm. He stared at his grandmother without any sign of giving in.

Shen Zhillie was normally playful and irreverent, but she never expected him to say such words at a critical moment. While his words warmed her heart, she was feeling equally discomfited at the same time. Her heart felt like it was being squeezed, and she felt suffocated.

She had thought that the worst of their troubles were over, and that she’d be able get married without any further hitches.

Unfortunately, she had been too naive.