The 99th Divorce

Shen Manting felt as though she was suddenly struck by an unknown force from within.

She felt ripples stirring in the depths of her heart.

A strange feeling engulfed her.

It was an imperceptibly profound sensation.

“Who’s your wife now?” Shen Manting retorted rather softly, in an almost inaudible voice.

Shen Luo’an chuckled and continued mumbling, “Come and fetch me, quick… They’re closing in on me… If you… come any later, I’m going to… pass out right here…”

“You’re such a wimp, old buddy. You’ve only had a few shots and now you’re already calling for help?”A mocking voice rang out from the other end of the line, loud and clear. The speaker was evidently more sober than Shen Luo’an.

“I’m at Yan Yun on Changde Road…”

Yet, the call was abruptly cut short before he could even finish his sentence.

Shen Manting glanced at the baby in her arms and hesitated for a moment, before walking over to Shen Longyue’s room.

She knocked on the door.

Someone inside finally came to open the door after a long while.

Mrs. Shen appeared groggy, but composed herself when she saw Shen Manting standing at the door. She asked, “What’s the matter?”

Shen Manting told her the whole story. Then, she pleaded, “Do you mind going out to fetch him home? Otherwise, please ask Father to pick him up instead.”

Shen Manting was too anxious to notice how she addressed them.

Mrs. Shen’s expression softened. She responded calmly, “How could he expect to be fetched home by his parents when he gets drunk during social gatherings? How is he going to face his friends in the future? You should be the one to pick him up.”

She glanced at the infant in her arms. “I’ll take care of the baby. You go ahead.”

Mrs. Shen’s reasoning made sense. Yet somehow, Shen Manting had an odd feeling about the situation.

She pondered for a moment and nodded.

She couldn’t help worrying about the infant as she handed him over to Mrs. Shen. She didn’t forget to remind her, “It’s almost time for his feeding. Feed him milk in about ten minutes.”

“All right.”

“I’m going to change my clothes first.”

She had been wearing her pajamas since coming out from her bath.

Now she had to prepare to go out, so she headed back into her room.

She laid out the outfits that she bought today and picked out a dress.

Then, she hesitated. It’s a social gathering, after all. All those present at the gathering were men. What if someone drunk took advantage of her?

She decided against wearing a dress.

She rummaged through her clothes and found a pantsuit Shen Luo’an had chosen for her.

She felt much better after changing into the outfit.

She put on her shoes and slung a handbag over her shoulders. She combed her hair with a small comb as she walked out of the house.

She hailed a taxi and soon arrived at Changde Road. She informed the driver of her destination and was dropped off at Yan Yun Ru Meng.

Yan Yun Ru Meng was a luxurious, high-end entertainment venue that combined dining and entertainment.

She phoned Shen Luo’an, but her call went unanswered.

She walked into the place in high heels. Just as she was making another phone call, she saw a familiar face in the distance.

The man appeared to be middle-aged and was slightly plump. He was bespectacled and looked rather well-mannered.

Yet, his face was flushed red. He looked drunk.

“Lao Wu?” Shen Manting called out to the man as she approached him. “Where is Shen Luo’an?”

Lao Wu looked up and saw Shen Manting. He thought she looked familiar. It took him a while to recognize her. “Ah, Manting, it’s you! You’ve changed so much that I almost couldn’t recognize you.” He laughed.

Shen Manting could only manage a weak smile. She asked again, “Where is Shen Luo’an?”

“He’s still inside. He’s almost drunk under the table. These people are heavy drinkers. We’re no match for them…” Lao Wu waved his hands and looked as if he was about to throw up.

Shen Manting took a step back and frowned in dismay.

Lao Wu rested for a while and let out a hiccup. He mumbled in a drunken voice, “Let’s go in and save our old buddy Shen.”

He staggered forward in a drunken stupor and muttered, “It’s not the same anymore. It’s not the same…”

A strong whiff of tobacco and alcohol assailed their senses as soon as they entered the room.

Someone was singing aloud, while a lavish spread was laid out on the table.

Shen Luo’an was slumped on the table, clutching a wine bottle.

“Old buddy Shen, your wife is here to take you home!” Lao Wu declared loudly.

Shen Luo’an looked up immediately and saw Shen Manting from a distance. He broke into a relieved grin. “You’re finally here…”

He tried to prop himself up with the wine bottle in his hand.

But he turned limp and collapsed on the floor, nearly falling over.

Shen Manting rushed over to steady him.

Shen Luo’an leaned on her and grabbed her by the waist.

Shen Manting stiffened when she felt his sudden grip.

Then, Shen Luo’an buried his face in her chest and inhaled deeply.

Shen Manting blushed. She stepped backward and whispered anxiously, “What are you doing? There’s a crowd here!”

“Hey, cuddle up at home, won’t you?” A pot-bellied man who looked like a corporate bigwig waved his hands dismissively. “He only drank a little! He’s a genius, but he’s no drinker! Take him away!”

However, Shen Luo’an didn’t seem to have heard him. He grinned giddily and mumbled, “I missed you so much.”

Shen Manting felt her cheeks burning and pushed his face away. “Let go of me!” she shouted.

Shen Luo’an refused to release his grip. Instead, he laid his hands on her shoulders and tried to stand upright by holding onto her for support.

“How much did you drink? Look at you now!” Shen Manting frowned and dragged him to his feet.

Shen Luo’an wobbled and almost collapsed on her.

He appeared thin, yet he weighed as a man should.

Shen Manting stumbled under his weight, but managed to straighten herself up quickly. She reprimanded him, “Why did you drink so much? Couldn’t you restrain yourself?”

“Don’t be too hard on him.” Lao Wu laughed. “Who would have thought our old buddy Shen would end up like this someday?”

“Women should be gentler. Our old buddy Shen is a softie, but you shouldn’t bully your man like this here with so many people around! Do whatever you want with him when you’re behind closed doors.”

“Who knows? Maybe she looks fierce on the outside, but behaves tenderly in bed? Otherwise, why would our old buddy Shen fall under her spell?”

Shen Manting blushed, embarrassed by the men’s taunts.

She remained silent and pulled Shen Luo’an’s hand over her shoulder as she heaved him out of the room.

The men continued drinking and laughed at them.

Shen Luo’an’s lust intensified in his inebriated state, influenced by the men’s teasing.

He stared dreamily at Shen Manting’s pink, tender face.

Shen Luo’an was enchanted by the sight of her. He blinked and licked his lips instinctively.

Yet, he hastily forced himself to turn to face the other side. “Let’s go home,” he muttered, as if trying to convince himself.

Shen Manting mumbled as she held him, “Why did you drink so much when you know very well that you’re not a good drinker? Now I have to take care of you. You reek of alcohol. Watch out if you dare to smear the baby with it.”

Shen Luo’an chuckled.

Shen Manting was annoyed by him. She demanded, “Where’s your car?”

“In the basement car park.”

“On the first level or the second?”

“The second.”

Shen Manting searched for the car with the key in her hands. It took her some time to locate the car.

She helped him into the front passenger seat before settling into the driver’s seat herself. Then, she leaned over to fasten his seatbelt for him.

Her gaze unwittingly met his.

Shen Luo’an licked his lips. In an instant, he pulled her close by the chin and tilted his head slightly to kiss her.