The 99th Divorce

Traces of milk lingered on the infant’s adorable, tender, pink lips. Shen Manting’s heart melted.

“Come to think of it, it’s for the best that I dismissed her. Otherwise, who knows if she’ll abuse the baby someday?”

Shen Luo’an spoke slowly with a calm expression on his face as he sat down. “If you’re unwilling to take over the task, I’ll hire another nanny. But I can’t tell if she’ll treat the baby the way Aunt Zhang did.”

Wasn’t his motive obvious enough?

He clearly wanted Shen Manting to stay, but why was he reluctant to express his intention to her directly?

Mother He grew anxious as she listened to him beat around the bush.

Yet, she felt hesitant to interrupt the couple’s exchange.

Shen Manting held the infant in silence.

She thought of staying to take care of the infant.

Of course, hiring a nanny to look after the infant was an option, but who better to care for the infant than the infant’s mother herself?

Shen Manting was tempted to give in. The infant squinted his eyes, looking mildly sleepy.

His face was glowing pink and his skin looked delicate.

What if the new nanny abused him?

“No, that won’t happen,” Shen Manting suddenly blurted in a determined voice.

She wasn’t sure if she was trying to convince Shen Luo’an or herself.

“How is it possible for the nanny to abuse the baby with Mother He around? Not a chance. Moreover, your mother doesn’t go to the hospital that often. Maybe she could help to look after the child?”

He lived with his entire family under one roof. It was unlikely that every one of them would decide to leave the house at the same time, wasn’t it?

“Isn’t Zhilie already married? Try asking his wife for help…”

“Zhilie’s wife belongs to him, not me. She has no obligation to help us to care for our child.” Shen Luo’an frowned and added, “Since you’re unwilling, forget it. Just go back.”

Shen Luo’an rose to his feet before even finishing his sentence and reached out for the infant.

Shen Manting resisted a little. She took a step back with the infant in her arms and refused to let him go.

Shen Luo’an’s expression changed. “What are you doing?”

Shen Manting replied warily, “The baby is fast asleep. Just wait a while more.”

“I have no patience for this. Don’t think that you can pretend to convince me of your love for the baby by holding on to him,” Shen Luo’an appeared calm, but his tone was scathing. “Don’t deny the fact that you abandoned him. Do you think you can absolve your guilt and get away with putting on a show of being a good mother?”

As he spoke, he pushed her arm aside and snatched the infant back.

The infant was close to falling asleep, but was jolted awake by the sudden force. He puckered his lips and his cheeks were flushed red, looking as though he was about to cry.

Shen Manting felt her heart ache for her child.

Yet, she swiftly turned around and mumbled, “I’m sorry. Thank you for letting me see the child.”

With that, she grabbed her bag from the sofa and walked out quickly.

Mother He’s heart sank when she saw Shen Manting leave.

After a while, she turned to look at Shen Luo’an with an admonishing gaze and chided, “How could you talk to her like that? We’ve waited so long for her to finally decide to come back. What’s wrong with letting her hold the baby a little longer?”

Shen Luo’an reacted blankly to Mother He’s words. “People like her have to have their patience tested. She’ll naturally change her mind when she’s had enough of tormenting herself.”

He then returned to his room, cradling the infant in his arms.

Mother He stared at him, appalled. She stomped her foot out of frustration. “What nonsense! Who would be willing to stay when taunted with such harsh words?”

If he were her son, she would have strangled him to death!

He was about to be a pathetic, middle-aged singleton. He should have counted himself lucky to be granted a prospective wife and a child!