The 99th Divorce

“She went back to our old place to visit my dad and grandfather.” Ye Qianqian took her phone out and suddenly remembered that Li Jinnan had gone to look for Ye Youyou.

She hadn’t heard from him since. Did he find her or not?

Ye Qianqian glanced at Shen Zhilie and asked, “How’s your brother been doing lately?”

“Why are you suddenly asking about him?” Shen Zhilie continued driving and quickly changed the topic. “I know of a hot pot restaurant that is pretty nice.”

“OK,” Ye Qianqian replied as she sent Ye Youyou a text message: Are you with Li Jinnan?

[Ye Youyou]: Yep.

[Ye Youyou]: Why did you have him come? It was so awkward for me!!!

[Xixixi]: Ha ha ha! Were there any fireworks?

[Ye Youyou]: No!

[Xixixi]: Where are you now?

[Ye Youyou]: Kingstown. Do you want to have dinner together?

[Xixixi]: Shen Zhilie came to find me out of the blue. He’s taking me out for hot pot. I wanted to call you along, but wouldn’t it be awkward for you to have your current squeeze and ex-husband’s brother at the same table?

[Ye Youyou]:...

The roads in Kingstown were a little congested. Li Jinnan took advantage of the slow traffic to sneak a peak at Ye Youyou’s phone. He saw the words “ex-husband’s brother,” and his brows rose. “Is that your sister?” he asked.

“Yeah. She asked us to join her for dinner,” Ye Youyou replied. “Shen Zhilie is with her too.”

“Where are they?” he asked.

“I don’t know. Let’s have dinner on our own. We’ll just ignore them.” Ye Youyou quickly sent Ye Qianqian a reply: Just go ahead without us!

Li Jinnan had other ideas. He said, “It’s fine. Let’s join them. It’s only Shen Zhilie anyway. It isn’t Shen Luo’an.” His eyes darkened as he leisurely continued, “Coincidentally, I have something to ask him about too.”

“No.” Ye Youyou was resolute. “They’re going for hot pot. I want roasted meat. Let’s go.”

Li Jinnan didn’t insist on his way and asked, “To which restaurant?”

Ye Youyou named a restaurant at random. She suddenly felt strangely annoyed and a little suffocated.

The mention of Shen Zhilie’s name had brought Shen Luo’an to mind. During this period of time, Shen Luo’an’s name had slowly faded from her heart. The sudden mention of his name made her heart feel uncomfortable again. It was just like an almost fully healed wound that was torn open again. It was now exposed, fresh and bloody anew.

Li Jinnan saw her mood take a turn for her worse, and his heart sank. Slightly unhappy, he said, “I heard that he’s about to marry that childhood sweetheart of his. The wedding is slated to happen either this month or next month.”

Ye Youyou was shocked. She looked at Li Jinnan out of the corner of her eye and saw that his side profile was chiseled and tough.

Li Jinnan glanced at her and asked, “I have another piece of information. Would you like to know?”

When Ye Youyou heard him, her response was immediate. “Not at all.”

Li Jinnan acted as if he hadn’t heard her and muttered, “When he was still married to you, he was engaging in illicit relations with his sister.”

“Enough!” Ye Youyou didn’t want to hear it. “I know it all. My relationship with Shen Luo’an has already ended! I don’t need to know anything to do with him!”

“Such a man disgusts even other men,” Li Jinnan said. The car in front finally got moving. He pressed on the gas pedal, inching the car forward. His gaze stayed on Ye Youyou. “You’re now my woman. Stop thinking about that piece of trash. Delete him from your memory.”