The 99th Divorce

Guan Queye sensed it keenly. She shrunk her hands back and asked gently, “Luo’an, are you still unable to forget her?”

Her. Which “her” is she referring to? In any case, I could never ever forget either. One had been my first love, and the other had been my virgin experience...

Shen Luo’an had no idea how to respond. He lowered his head and looked at her.

Guan Queye met his gaze as she reached out to stroke his face. She said, “Luo’an, we’re getting married next month.”

Shen Luo’an emotions were in a mess. He looked at Guan Queye and replied, “I know. Don’t worry. That won’t affect our wedding.”

“Luo’an...” Guan Queye reached out to hold Shen Luo’an. She murmured, “If you don’t want to marry me, then let’s just leave it...”

“Not at all,” Shen Luo’an cut her off. He bent down to kiss her cheek. “That’s not the case at all. Don’t let your mind wander.”

Guan Queye felt aggrieved and asked, “Why don’t you want me then? I... I know that my figure isn’t good. I’ve been bedridden all these years, and my physical development was stunted as a result, but I...”

“I told you not to let your mind wander,” Shen Luo’an said with a hint of accusation as he harshly interrupted her. “I just want to keep the best for the wedding night.”

Shen Luo’an looked at Guan Queye earnestly and asked, “Isn’t a woman’s most treasured memory her first time?” He kissed her gently between her eyes and gently continued. “Let us keep that precious memory for our wedding night, shall we?”

Guan Queye didn’t believe his words. When she saw the earnestness in his eyes, the doubts in her heart lessened considerably.

Looking at Shen Luo’an, she nodded her head and leaned into his embrace as she replied, “OK.”

Hopefully, when the time comes, everything will go as planned. Hopefully, when the time comes, Shen Luo’an will finally lose all hope in Ye Youyou. If I can’t have him, nobody else can either! If I can have him, nobody else will be able to!

Hatred took root in Guan Queye’s heart, but it was all buried beneath her warm demeanor, never to see the light of day.

–

Ye Youyou awoke early in the morning. When she opened her eyes, the sky had only begun to brighten.

Li Jinnan was asleep beside her. His breathing was steady, and his arm wrapped her in an embrace. The intimate action left no gap between them.

When Ye Youyou saw Li Jinnan, her heart felt reassured.

The author Eileen Chang had once written, “The shortcut into a woman’s heart is through sex.” In the short span of a few days, the relationship between them was already indescribably intimate. Ye Youyou had finally and truly accepted the fact that they were now together.

For some reason, she couldn’t go back to sleep. She nudged him gently and called out, “Li Jinnan.”

Upon being nudged, the rhythm of Li Jinnan’s breathing was disrupted. He pulled her closer. With his eyes still closed, he asked, “What is it?”

His voice was low and hoarse from his sleep. When Ye Youyou heard it, the gentlest part of her heart opened up.

She rested her hand on his waist and asked, “Do we really have to go to your family home today? I’m not ready yet. Can we not go?”