The 99th Divorce

“When I grow up, I want to go to New Zealand. I heard that there’s a starlight reserve there. In the day, the place is filled with birds and flowers, and at night… Wow! The whole sky is covered with stars. Flying in the sky and crawling on the ground are fireflies. It’s so beautiful! It’s like a setting in an anime! Luo’an, can you take me there in future?”

Back then, Luo’an, with a smile in his eyes, had lowered his head to look at her. With infinite warmth in his expression, he had nodded his head and replied, “As long as it makes my dear Youyou happy.”

That had been his exact words. They had been so intimate. But, the person sitting beside her now had changed.

Her heart felt as if the talons of the devil were piercing it. It hurt so much that she had trouble breathing.

Ye Youyou’s vision began to blur. She quickly lowered her head and turned away, not wanting Li Jinnan to witness how low in the doldrums she was.

Li Jinnan didn’t say anything else and sat back quietly.

Soon, the chauffeur drove them to a restaurant.

Li Jinnan got out of the car first and proceeded to open the door for Ye Youyou. She hesitated for a moment, but she still finally got out.

They ordered a few random dishes. Ye Youyou didn’t eat much before she declared that she was full.

Li Jinnan wasn’t in a rush. He took his time eating and wiped his mouth with a napkin when he was done. He said, “I’ll take you back in a moment.”

“Let’s go back to Kingstown together,” Ye Youyou said.

Li Jinnan clearly wasn’t expecting her to say that. He jerked back in surprise before nodding his head. “Alright.”

Everything happened seamlessly. At the airport, Li Jinnan asked for Ye Youyou’s identification before purchasing the tickets and returning to Kingstown together.

His chauffeur was already waiting at the airport for them. Li Jinnan took Ye Youyou all the way to her doorstep before turning to leave.

When she returned to her room and looked down from her window, she realized that the car didn’t immediately leave. It stayed motionless for a while before finally inching out of the lot.

Ye Youyou checked the time. Ye Qianqian was probably working overtime. She should have been home long ago, but she still wasn’t back yet.

The apartment was big. It had two rooms and a hall. It felt empty.

Strangely, Ye Youyou started to feel lonely. The moment this emotion surfaced, it was hard to suppress.

Wave after wave of pain crashed in her heart. Ye Youyou couldn’t help thinking about Shen Luo’an. Now that we are divorced, Shen Luo’an will probably be happy, won’t he? Guan Queye too, and Ye Tian as well…

Her vision was blurry. Ye Youyou felt as if her heart was caught in a vice-grip. Unable to let herself cry, she took a deep breath and wiped her face. She stood up and packed her luggage.

Now that she had resigned, it was time for her to take a trip. For so many years, she had been giving in to others and restraining herself. She’d had enough.

But, where am I to go?

–

Li Jinnan was feeling puzzled. After so many days running around, finally seeing Ye Youyou and Shen Luo’an divorce didn’t make him feel as happy as he had expected.

He could tell that Ye Youyou was very brokenhearted. But, that was fine. There was still a long way to go. Her heart would slowly heal with time.

However, what he needed to do now was to quickly make a phone call and arrange for his leave.

Li Jinnan called Li Sicheng, who seemed to be busy. The cacophony of the children’s voices in the background could be clearly heard over the phone.

“Did you dial the wrong number? Are you really looking for me?” Li Sicheng didn’t bother with pleasantries. His brother never called unless he needed something from him.

Li Jinnan chuckled. He was filled with envy. He lit a cigarette and exhaled a mouthful of smoke before stating, “Second Brother, I need a favor from you.”