The 99th Divorce

“Do you think you’re done scolding yet?”

Shen Manting curled her lips and prepared to head to her class. “I’ll never be done,” she said. “This child has nothing to do with you. If there is nothing else, please leave. The relationship between us is too awkward for me. It’ll be better for us not to meet. If my husband sees this, it’ll create unnecessary misunderstandings.”

“You have a husband?” Shen Luo’an narrowed his eyes in suspicion. “Since when?”

“I don’t need to report anything to you, including when I got myself a husband!” Shen Manting’s expression turned cold. “Who do you think you are?”

Shen Luo’an suppressed his anger and calmed himself before replying, “Forget it. I didn’t come here today to fight with you. Since you’re busy, go ahead and do what you have to. I’ll wait here for you.”

“Don’t wait for me. I have a proper job. I only end work at night.”

“You’re pregnant and working into the night?”

“Why can’t a pregnant woman work into the night?” Shen Manting’s expression turned ugly, and she turned to leave.

In actual fact, working at the summer school wasn’t taxing at all. The students who came to the summer school for remedial classes were either from relatively affluent families in town or had poor academic performances in school. Their ages ranged from eight to fifteen, and the boys could get mischievous. Therefore, Shen Manting stayed in the office to mark the assignments and help with grading the test papers. Occasionally, when a teacher had to go on leave, she was the substitute. However, Shen Manting was clearly distracted at work. At the thought that Shen Luo’an could be outside waiting for her, Shen Manting felt very unsettled. She was nervous and scared. Shen Luo’an was someone that she definitely needed to guard against.

Her heartbeat quickened, and she stroked her belly subconsciously. What are we to do, my baby? Your father is here to take us back…

–

Ye Qianqian spent the night sleeping in Shen Manting’s room. She awoke very early the next morning. She looked at the clock; it was barely past seven.

Looking around the room, Ye Qianqian found it to be very simply furnished. The bedside cabinet was locked. Inside it were probably important objects. Ye Qianqian had to admit that she was indeed curious about Shen Manting.

This woman has a very colorful story and an equally matching sense of courage! With the knowledge that she was pregnant, she had still decided to escape all the way to a small village in Jiangnan.

When Shen Zhilie shared that detail with her the night before, Ye Qianqian had reacted with shock. If it had been her, she likely would have had the kid aborted or would have bitten the bullet and chosen to be resigned to her fate.

After all, the members of the Shen family seemed to treat her pretty well.

Just as these thoughts passed through Ye Qianqian’s mind, a realization hit her—Shen Luo’an was part of the Shen family, too. She took back her words immediately.

Ye Qianqian got out of bed. In the connecting bathroom, she found a new set of toiletries. After cleaning herself up, Ye Qianqian changed into a fresh set of clothes and went out. Outside in the dining room, Shen Longyue and his wife were seated at the table. Shen Longyue was reading newspapers, while his wife was spreading jam on her bread.

“Hello, Uncle. Hello, Auntie.”

Mrs. Shen was surprised when she saw Ye Qianqian emerge from Shen Manting’s room, and asked, “Where’s Zhilie?”

“He’s probably not awake yet.” Ye Qianqian turned to look over her shoulder.

Mrs. Shen nodded her head, seemingly nervous, and asked, “I thought the that the two of you would share a room. Why were you in Manting’s room? Was it Zhilie who arranged it for you?”