The 99th Divorce

Ye Qianqian’s lips lifted in a smile, but her mouth remained stubborn as she said, “You’re so full of bullsh*t. I’m hanging up.”

Upon disconnecting the call, Ye Qianqian’s lingering fatigue immediately dissipated.

Despite seeing the traffic congestion surrounding her, her spirits still drastically improved.

Perhaps this was the oft-spoken power of love.

–

After ending the conversation, Shen Zhilie locked his cellphone.

The wallpaper on his screen was a picture of Ye Qianqian’s beautiful face. As he stared at it, he could not help feeling mesmerized.

The door to the hospital room opened. Xiao Zhou walked in with a thermal lunchbox. When he saw the smile on Shen Zhilie’s face, he teased, “Whoa whoa whoa… What are you looking at with that huge grin on your face? You were looking at your girl, weren’t you?”

Shen Zhilie placed the phone down and wiped the smile off his face. He looked at Xiao Zhou with a frown. “Why are you here so early?” he asked.

“It’s not early at all. Everyone in the hospital has already started work. I even signed in before coming. Come and have some porridge.”

“I haven’t brushed my teeth yet. Come and help me down.”

Shen Zhilie’s arm was hurting terribly. Without anyone else around, even going to the washroom was proving to be a difficult chore.

Now that someone had come, he had to take full advantage of the situation.

Xiao Zhou was on reasonably good terms with Shen Zhilie. When he observed how Shen Zhilie was treating him, he said with a sigh, “I really think you should confess the truth to your girlfriend. You can’t go on like that. Your injury needs to be taken care of. You cannot be negligent with your recovery.”

“It’s fine. If she saw this, she might get disgusted.” Shen Zhilie sighed as he felt his heart ache.

Right from the start, he had been the one pursuing Ye Qianqian, while Ye Qianqian had never shown any intention of marrying him.

If she found out that he was in this state, what was her reaction going to be?

Xiao Zhou could tell that Shen Zhilie didn’t seem like he was joking. He snorted in disbelief and remarked, “That’s not possible! If she saw this, she’ll be so heartbroken! It’s only normal for a woman to care about her man!”

Shen Zhilie sat up with help. When he heard Xiao Zhou’s words, he was silent for a moment before saying, “She’s not like other women.”

“How different can she be? All women are the same. Especially given the fact that you’ve been living together with her for so long, it’s more likely that she sees you as a husband. Even if you were to become handicapped, she’s not going to take issue with it. You should really call her to come. I’m busy with work too. If something were to really happen, I wouldn’t be able to handle it.”

“Pfft. I’m a doctor too, so I know my limits. If I really can’t handle it on my own, I’ll press for the nurse. Go on with your work. I’ll be fine on my own.”

“No way. Why don’t I get some fresh clothes from your home for you? You’ve to be kept under observation for some time. You can’t keep re-wearing the same outfit.”

“If that’s the case, buy some clothes for me. Don’t go back. I don’t want my woman to find out.”

Xiao Zhou had nothing more to say. He opened the thermal lunchbox to allow the porridge to cool and walked out.

–

Fang Tongtong was alone in Ye Qianqian’s home feeling bored.

She had spent the past few days exploring the place on her own. As the days passed, the novelty soon began to wear off. Shen Zhilie hadn’t come home either.

Perhaps it was time for her to return to Yun Town.

With her mind made up, Fang Tongtong packed her clothes. She bought a luggage carrier and put her belongings inside.

She had come empty-handed but was returning with her bag bursting at the seams.

While she was packing, she saw a name card on the coffee table in the living room.

A few days ago, while they were talking, Shen Zhilie had given her the name card of a doctor who was single.

Fang Tongtong hadn’t gotten round to calling him. As she looked at the name card, the corners of her lips lifted in a smile.

She picked up the telephone in the living room and dialed the number. Very soon, the call was connected.

Gu Yuansheng was at work. When he looked at his cellphone, the details of the incoming number flashed on the screen—Department Head, Dr. Shen, home number.

Dr. Shen was lying in the hospital at this very moment. Who was this caller?

…