The 99th Divorce

Approval was abundant in Qin Shuhua’s eyes as she watched Ye Youyou leave. She stood up and walked over to Li Jinnan. She sat down and quietly asked, “How long have you known Youyou?”

“For some time now. I met her last year,” Li Jinnan leaned back on the couch. He looked a little bored.

Qin Shuhua was so elated that she couldn’t resist clapping as she exclaimed, “You rascal! Why didn’t you tell me? More than half of this year is already over. That means you must have known each other for at least a year, right?”

Li Jinnan thought for a moment. He did some calculations before replying, “Thereabouts.”

“How long have you been together, then?” Qin Shuhua asked.

Together… In terms of being together officially, it hadn’t been that long. Half a month? A month? Well…

Ye Youyou is now living with me. If he say that to my mother, will she judge Ye Youyou as easy for moving in with me after a mere half a month or a month of dating?

Li Jinnan contemplated the thought for a while before replying, “A few months. I’ve forgotten.”

“When did you start living together, then?” Qin Shuhua asked.

“Not too long ago,” he replied. “Probably half a month back.”

Qin Shuhua smiled so widely that her eyes turned down. “That’s great! That’s really great. Oh my god, my son has finally done something right! Now, all my sons have their halves. That’s awesome!” As she was speaking, she suddenly lowered her voice and asked, “Have you engaged in any activities that are usually reserved for a married couple?”

Li Jinnan was suddenly overcome by embarrassment. He cleared his throat awkwardly and replied, “Mom, aren’t you being a little too direct with your question?”

“What’s wrong with that? You’re my son! Judging from your reaction, I’m guessing the answer’s yes. Am I right?” Mischief sparkled in Qin Shuhua’s eye as she continued, “The young man has finally grown up! Sigh. Young people these days are so liberal. During my time with your dad, the environment wasn’t like now at all! The both of you are even living together now! How could you not have introduced her to us at all?”

Qin Shuhua looked a little upset, but she continued speaking. “That’s fine too. At least I can be assured that you won’t become a lonely old man in the future. This girl seems really nice. Was she the one who tidied the house up? Do you still have hired help?”

“No. It was all done by her. Lately, she has been preparing the meals too. We rarely eat out anymore.” Li Jinnan expression was one of bliss as he said, “Her cooking isn’t too bad. It’s even better than what you’d get outside. Try it later.”

“OK.” Qin Shuhua’s eyes turned down in a smile as she replied, “I heard you brought this lady to visit your grandfather. Since you brought her to see your grandfather, why didn’t you bring her back to let us see her too?”

“She was shy,” Li Jinnan said.

“What’s there to be shy about?” his mother asked. “We’ll have to meet each other sooner or later. Well, look. I’ve met her now. Or… Could it be that this lady doesn’t intend to marry you, and that’s why she’s reluctant to meet us?”

“Not at all,” Li Jinnan said. “Why else would she live with me if she wasn’t willing to?”

“You know best. However, since you’re intending to marry her, you can employ a few necessary measures.” Qin Shuhua lowered her voice and asked, “Do you use protection?”

Li Jinnan was stunned. “Mom! Isn’t it really inappropriate for you to be asking that?”

“What’s inappropriate about that? If I, as a woman, find nothing wrong with it, what do you, as a man, have to feel shy about?” Qin Shuhua burst out laughing. “You’re not young anymore. You should get her pregnant first and bring her home. When that happens, you’ll have to take responsibility for her and marry her. That’s how you’ll ensure that she’s yours.”

Li Jinnan was speechless for a moment before uttering, “Mom, you’ve changed!”