The 99th Divorce

But after some consideration, she pushed Shen Zhilie’s hand away and said, “Why don’t you climb with my dad? I’ll slowly make my own way up.”

“But you’re too slow,” Shen Zhilie replied with a frown. “You’re like a turtle. What if you get lost?”

“That’s impossible!” Ye Qianqian glared at him. “It’s not like I’m a three-year-old kid! There’s only one summit! How would I get lost? Worst case scenario, I’ll just call you.”

“There’s no signal here.” Shen Zhilie tugged her along. “Come on.”

“Oh…” Ye Qianqian was silent for a while. Suddenly, she yelled out, “Dad! Old Shen said he wants to compete with you!”

Ye Zhenhua cheerily turned back to look at them and replied, “Sure! The young man will definitely be faster than me. I’m not going to wait for you! You’d better catch up! Loser gets punished!”

Shen Zhilie heard Ye Zhenhua’s words and realized that he wasn’t at all worried that Ye Qianqian might get lost or hurt.

Ye Qianqian looked smug as she flung his hand away and pushed him forward. “Go on!” she said. “My dad’s waiting for you!”

“Just you wait!”

Shen Zhilie had no other choice but to turn and leap up the trail. “I’m coming!” he called out.

Ye Zhenhua’s speed was very fast, and he disappeared within a few steps. Shen Zhilie wasn’t slow either, and it was obvious that he was very fit. Even when he had to drag Ye Qianqian along, he hadn’t exerted much strength.

Seeing both of them disappear into the distance, Ye Qianqian was even less motivated to continue climbing. She interspaced her halfhearted steps with rest stops, and after close to twenty minutes, Shen Zhilie was already on his way down.

When he saw Ye Qianqian, his expression became one of exasperation, and he remarked, “I overestimated you when I said you were as fast as a turtle.”

Ye Qianqian giggled at him and reached out her hand. “Pull me along,” she said.

In utter defeat, Shen Zhilie gave in to her and slowly pulled her behind him up the mountain. After finally making it to the top, Ye Qianqian felt ready to collapse. However, upon reaching the summit, a jaw-dropping scenery awaited them.

There were a lot people on the mountain, but the summit was spacious. Ye Qianqian gazed over the side of the mountain, and her vision was filled with beautiful red lanterns, and in the distance, the dark blue sky was tinged with pink. Even further down were dark blue waves. It looked like the sea, but she wasn’t sure if it was. It was beautiful, and in the midst of it all, there was a stunning and dazzling touch of green light.

Shen Zhilie looked over and was awestruck. “A green light?”

Ye Qianqian suddenly recalled a legend and said, “Rumor has it that if you make a wish in time when you see the green light, your wish will come true!”

With that, Ye Qianqian clasped her hands tightly together and closed her eyes as she earnestly made her wish. She wished for her father to live a long and healthy life.

Shen Zhilie glanced at her and turned his gaze toward the green light not too far off in the distance. A smile appeared on his face.

Closing his eyes, Shen Zhilie also made a wish. His wish was for everything to be smooth-sailing in the future.

The both of them opened their eyes, almost in unison. The green light had already disappeared.

A grin broke out across Ye Qianqian’s face, and she turned her head toward Shen Zhilie. He looked back at her, and as their eyes met, they smiled at each other.

–

It was the seventh day of the Lunar New Year—a special day in Yun Town. The day was like its own little festival. Visitors and religious devotees abounded.

Shen Zhilie and Ye Qianqian arose early to prepare their gifts and headed to the famous house in Yun Town.

Uncle Blind Man’s house was filled with guests. Not many of them were locals, but they had come especially for him.