The 99th Divorce

“I see, well, that’s what a good man is like,” replied Ye Qianqian; she felt quite comforted knowing her sister was in good hands. “He’s better than your brother. Youyou was previously married to him and look what happened to her.”

“…But Sister Manting’s married to my brother now and isn’t she fine? They’re getting along really well.” Shen Zhilie defended.

“How’s she fine? Look at how Manting is now. It feels as though your brother is being salacious towards a child,” she said.

Shen Zhilie looked at her and replied rather defensively in an attempt to protect Shen Luo’an, “…Only the wearer knows where the shoe pinches.”

Ye Qianqian gave him a look. She then decided not to continue the argument and instead said, “Help me up, I want to use the bathroom.”

Shen Zhilie smiled and replied, “Yes, Ma’am.”

…

By the time Li Jinnan and Ye Youyou arrived, an hour had passed.

They had their arms hooked through the steel handle of a big earthenware cooking pot which they had brought along.

They were also holding onto two-year-old Li Jianlin. The child was clearly well-fed evident from his chubby cheeks and the moment he entered the room, he looked around curiously with his jet black eyes.

When he saw Shen Zhilie, he lifted his head up calmly to look at him.

Shen Zhilie raised his eyebrows slightly and said, “It’s not that long since we saw him, but he’s grown quite a lot.”

Li Jianlin continued to watch him, fixated.

“Greet your uncle,” said Li Jinnan. He then nudged the child after placing the earthen pot on the table.

Li Jianlin appeared to be extremely calm even at this hour and obediently called out, “Uncle.”

His voice was neither loud nor soft. He sounded serious despite his nasal voice.

Shen Zhilie was speechless. He then turned to look at Ye Qianqian and asked, “For kids of similar age, isn’t Xiao Yue’er rather slow in development?”

“…That’s probably because Xiao Yue’er doesn’t have a mother who can give and teach him properly,” said Ye Qianqian.

That was the only possible explanation.

Ye Youyou walked towards ye Qianqian and when she realised how pale Ye Qianqian was, her heart ached. “I visited earlier this afternoon but I didn’t get to stay until you woke up. I left before that,” she said.

Ye Qianqian noticed that Ye Youyou’s complexion was becoming increasingly rosy and that her face had grown rounder. Envious, she then commented, “You seem to be doing a lot better these days. Jianlin must be a sensible and obedient child.”

“He’s just like his dad. It’s a long story,” said Ye Youyou before sighing softly. “You must be hungry. After you eat, I’ll give your body a rub with the towel. Also, Dad seems to know that something has happened to you. He even gave me a call to ask about you. He claims that Brother-in-law is lying to him and I had no idea what to say to him. You should give him a call later to clarify things,” said Ye Youyou as she looked at Shen Zhilie. “You should definitely explain everything to Dad,” she said.

“Alright. We’ll do it tomorrow,” he said.

Shen Zhilie then ladled out a bowl of porridge for everyone. He also handed a bowl over to Jianlin.

As Jianlin reached out his hands to accept it, he politely said, “Thank you, Uncle.”

But he soon walked over to the bed with the bowl in his hands and said, “Mom.”

He took one glance at Ye Qianqian, who was behind Ye Youyou and gestured to them. He then opened his mouth but seemed like he did not know what to say to express himself. Nonetheless, his behavior had already expressed everything that he wanted to convey.

Ye Youyou accepted the bowl and softly asked, “Is this for Aunty?”

“Yes,” Jianlin replied, nodding his head. “It’s for Aunty,” he confirmed.

Ye Youyou smiled and said, “Alright. Thank you, Jianlin.”

“Thank you, Jianlin,” quipped Ye Qianqian as she looked at him, envy was written all over her eyes and her heart ached even more.

She quickly looked away before glancing at Shen Zhilie and saying, “Old Shen, feed me.”

“I’ll do it,” said Ye Youyou. She then brought a stool over to sit beside Ye Qianqian and said, “Brother-in-law has been keeping watch all day and has never left your side. He must be famished,” she said.

“It’s fine,” said Shen Zhilie as he walked over. “I ate some food in the evening. I’m still full,” he continued.

He then took the bowl of porridge from Ye Youyou and said to Ye Qianqian, “Hmm. What did you call me?”

“My Dear,” Ye Qianqian replied.

“Ah!”

“Ah!”

Ye Youyou was rendered speechless.