The 99th Divorce

Li Jianyue found Sun Xiaoyu’s brusque remark very annoying. Rather than dignify it with a response, she chose instead to pay attention to the lesson.

Li Jianyue knew in her heart that she wasn’t a brainy girl. She also understood that she had to study hard to enter the same university as Brother Mosen. That was the only way she could continue to be with him in the same school.

Li Jianyue was also aware that she could quickly lose focus if someone distracted her. It was clear to her that she couldn’t sit beside such a desk mate.

Quan Jingyi did sleep in class and occasionally played truant. But, in all fairness, he didn’t bother her. Sometimes, he even paid attention in class.

Sun Xiaoyu paled significantly compared to him.

Fury rolled in Li Jianyue’s belly. She got up from her seat after class. She had decided that she would talk to her homeroom teacher about reverting the boys’ seating position.

From the corner of her eye, Li Jianyue could see Quan Jingyi had woken up from his sleep. He was still feeling groggy. He stretched lazily and gave a loud yawn.

From the looks of him, Quan Jingyi had been sweating profusely. Beads of sweat covered his forehead. The red marks on his face suggested that he had slept with his face pressed against his sleeves.

Sensing Li Jianyue’s eyes on him, Quan Jingyi glanced at her. He raised his brows as if asking, “Can I help you?”

Li Jianyue suddenly felt vexed.

They had been desk mates for several weeks. How come he didn’t react at all when asked to change seats?

What an ass.

Li Jianyue turned around and went looking for the homeroom teacher.

The homeroom teacher nodded her head to Li Jianyue’s predicament. She asked Li Jianyue to be patient for a little longer. The teacher assured Li Jianyue that she would change the boys’ seating position at her next class period.

But, the homeroom teacher had no classes with them for the day. Li Jianyue had no choice but to tolerate her desk mate for two more classes. On the way home, as sat behind Li Mosen on his bicycle. She still hadn’t overcome her unhappiness.

Li Mosen had noticed for some time that she was upset. As he cycled, his slightly wavy hair flew in the wind. His fair skin seemed to glow under the light of the setting sun. “Would you like to have some ice-cream?” he asked.

Li Jianyue’s eyes lit up. “Can I?”

Li Mosen wasn’t cryptic when he asked Li Jianyue if she wanted to have ice-cream. He meant just that, although ice-cream was also a code word.

Since junior high, Li Jianyue and Li Mosen had shared a secret that no one else knew.

Li Mosen had come to know of a fun place. It was like a mini amusement park with all sorts of rides.

The mini amusement park was in a remote area. It wasn’t too far from school but was miles away from their home.

Li Mosen cycled to the mini amusement park after Li Jianyue agreed to his suggestion.

Li Jianyue’s mood quickly improved tremendously. “What are we going to say when Mom asks about it?” she asked, clenching Li Mosen’s uniform.

“Mom and Dad aren’t home today. I have already told Dasu. He’s aware of it.” Li Mosen’s voice was bright and sunny. It carried a hint of his smile even as his words warbled in the wind.

Li Jianyue smiled. She suddenly felt fantastic.

When they reached the amusement park, Li Mosen locked his bicycle up and led Li Jianyue by her hand.

Li Jianyue bounced around in excitement. She craned her neck and looked around. With some surprise, she asked, “Why have I never seen that before? Was it newly built?”

Li Jianyue pointed at a giant Ferris wheel. “It’s so pretty! If it had been a little later, the lights would be on. It’d be even prettier, wouldn’t it?”

“Yes,” Li Mosen tugged her hand. “Let’s do something else first. We can stay out here a little longer today. We’ll come back here again later.”

Li Jianyue nodded her head excitedly. Holding Li Mosen’s arm, a happy smile finally appeared on her face. She pointed at a pink ice-cream stall not too far away. “I want that! I want two scoops of ice cream: one chocolate and one strawberry flavored!”

Li Mosen lowered his azure blue eyes and looked at her dazzling smile. The tension in her face had disappeared. He ruffled her hair and said readily, “Sure.”

Li Jianyue was so pleased that she puffed her chest.

Brother Mosen was the one person in the world who treated her best. Whatever she wanted, Brother Mosen would always agree with her. He always let her have her way. He wasn’t at all like Dasu and Brother Chu. They only teased her all day long. Hmph!