The 99th Divorce

Shen Luo’an felt flustered at the sight of her offering him her tender lips.

He lowered his head slightly and gently pecked her on the lips.

He wrapped his arm around her and ached for her when he ran his hand over her gaunt frame.

He reached behind her for the seat belt and strapped her in.

He released her and said, “I’m taking you to eat your favorite food.”

Shen Manting’s cheeks flushed with joy.

She nodded and gazed at Shen Luo’an with anticipation in her eyes. “You’re so kind to me, hubby,” she said sincerely.

“You’re so kind to me, hubby.”

He took in each and every word coming from Shen Manting’s mouth – words that she would never have uttered in the past.

Shen Luo’an’s hands were trembling slightly as he fastened her seat belt.

Would she have said that if she knew how much she hated him?

Would she still think of him as a doting husband? Would she even come close to calling him her husband?

The answer was obvious.

But he soon snapped out of his ruminations. “Let’s go.”

“All right!”

He drove to the Western restaurant that Shen Manting used to like and ordered her favorite dishes.

Shen Manting glanced around the restaurant curiously, as if she had never been there before.

Then, she leaned over to Shen Luo’an and whispered, “Is our family rich, honey?”

Shen Luo’an chuckled. “Why do you think so?”

“I observed that this is a high-end restaurant. I browsed through the menu. A steak costs more than 500 yuan. It’s too expensive. The head warden only gave me a dime to buy some sweets when I behaved myself.”

Shen Manting felt a little hurt as she spoke.

Suddenly, she clasped her hand over her mouth and asked timidly, “Am I too naive, honey?”

Shen Luo’an felt a twinge of pain in his heart and looked at her wistfully.

He shook his head. “No, you’re fine,” he lied.

Shen Manting vaguely sensed that he was lying.

Yet, she chose not to expose him.

She nodded and fell silent.

Their meal was soon served – a fragrant piece of steak on a fancy plate.

Shen Manting’s eyes widened, but she remained silent.

After the waiter had left, she exclaimed, “Honey, this dish looks nicer than those I saw on television!”

Shen Luo’an smiled and picked up the knife and fork. “Here, I’ll show you how to cut the steak.”

“Okay!” Shen Manting beamed gleefully.

She observed Shen Luo’an as he demonstrated how to use the cutlery and picked up the skill quickly.

She learned to use the cutlery effortlessly, as if the skill had already been ingrained in her before.

After the satisfying meal, Shen Luo’an took Shen Manting to the shopping mall.

They bought plenty of clothes.

Shen Manting was now unusually thin. After picking out two outfits, she nudged Shen Luo’an, “Honey, I’m still weak. Even the smallest size is too large for me. We’ll leave them for now. Let’s come back to buy them after I gain some bulk.”

Shen Luo’an nodded with a smile.

They returned home with a considerable load of purchases.

Shen Yuexiao was asleep.

Shen Luo’an and Shen Manting tiptoed into the room.

“Take a bath first. I’ll bring you your pajamas,” Shen Luo’an said.

“All right,” Shen Manting spoke softly as she walked into the bathroom.

Upon entering the bathroom, she was stunned by its spaciousness. “This is a huge bathroom!” she exclaimed.

Shen Luo’an brought her pajamas and smiled at her. “Do you know how to bathe?”

Shen Manting looked at him as if he was a fool. “Do I look dumb to you?”

She grabbed the pajamas from his hands and pushed him out. “Don’t peek at me.”

Shen Luo’an’s smile widened. He nodded and said, “I’ll wait for you outside.”

Shen Manting blushed.

She immediately closed the bathroom door, feeling butterflies in her stomach.