The 99th Divorce

Wen Hejiu didn’t speak. All that could be heard was the background noise of birds and cars around him.

Yu Lili felt her deception eating at her from within. She felt guilty and uneasy all at the same time. “I think it’s best if you don’t come. I made a mistake in this matter. I’m sorry. Please treat it as if this never happened!”

“Actually, there’s a reason for this. Why don’t we meet to talk before you decide if you’ll let me meet my uncle? What do you think about that?” While the words Wen Hejiu used made it sound as if the option were open to discussion, the tone he used made it sound like it was a foregone conclusion that Yu Lili would agree to it.

This made Yu Lili feel very unsettled. Indeed, she was extremely curious as to why Wen Fenglin would become The Vagabond Artist. She was also extremely curious what the grudge between him and his family was.

But this is wrong!

Yu Lili had no right to do anything. At best, she was simply a passing acquaintance of Wen Fenglin. Furthermore, Wen Fenglin had helped her out so much. If Wen Fenglin had no intention of meeting Wen Hejiu but was lured over because of her, it would be endlessly awkward.

Yu Lili was feeling very conflicted and regretted her actions. She rejected the suggestion on the spot. “Forget it, Mr. Wen. I’m not interested. Uncle Wen treats me very well. I will not deceive him behind his back.”

“Miss Yu, you will be helping him.” Wen Hejiu sounded a little helpless. “Otherwise, you could help me pass a message to him. Tell him that his father contracted Alzheimer’s disease and talks about him every day. He doesn’t have many days left. I hope he can go home to visit the old man.”

Yu Lili was originally firm in her decision. She soon began to waver and couldn’t resist asking, “What on earth actually happened?”

“My father misses him very much, as well,” Wen Hejiu said. “In our family, Fifth Uncle… Hey, why don’t we talk face to face? Fifth Uncle has some misunderstandings toward the family. It’s hard to explain over the phone. If you don’t want to meet me in the hospital, we could meet in a café or somewhere else convenient to sit down and talk.”

“No, no, no. I’m sorry. I was being too rash and hasty in this matter. I think it’d be better if you went back. Goodbye!” Yu Lili hung up the phone and went down the stairs to the lobby. She notified the information counter not to reveal the room Wen Fenglin was in to anyone before heading back to Wen Fenglin’s room.

Yu Lili felt nervous and guilty all at once. She suddenly felt as if she had done something unpardonable.

Originally, when she saw that Wen Fenglin was undergoing a matter of life and death, she had contacted the family out of good intentions. After all, the aftereffects of collapsing from a coronary heart attack could be unpredictable. She never expected there to exist such a complication. Had she known earlier, she would never have listened to that nurse.

She didn’t know what to do. Still feeling unsettled, she pushed the door to the room open and walked in.

Wen Fenglin looked over at the same time. A little disconcerted, Yu Lili asked, “Would you like some water? Are you hungry?”

Wen Fenglin shook his head and waved her over, “Come over for a moment.”

Yu Lili went over and sat on the stool place by his bedside.

“Why did you suddenly ask me about my family?” Wen Fenglin asked.

“I…” Yu Lili looked away out of guilt and replied, “was curious.”

Wen Fenglin started laughing, “I think I might have said something to someone just now. Was it you?”

“What did you say?” she asked.

“I said not to call my family.” Wen Fenglin looked at Yu Lili with a hint of sadness and asked, “Was it you?”

“No…” The guilt Yu Lili was feeling increased several fold. She looked away and cleared her throat, “Uncle Wen, why do you not want anyone to call your family? You actually still have a family, don’t you?”