The 99th Divorce

Shen Zhilie nodded his head “Really.”

Shen Luo’an’s actual words had been, “Check on her for me and see if she’s dead yet.”

The last sentence about Shen Luo’an visiting Ye Youyou had been added in by Shen Zhilie on his own. Considering that Ye Youyou’s mood had made such a turn for the better, he felt the lie was worth it.

“That’s why, no matter what happens, your health is the most important thing. You must take good care of yourself. You have to ensure that you look prettier by the time my brother is less busy. Look, your complexion… Tsk tsk… It looks like a layer of ash. You look so white and greenish, and so frail.” Shen Zhilie looked at her and shook his head. “You look a lot uglier than before.”

Ye Youyou touched her face instinctively and experienced a moment of panic, “Really?”

“If you don’t believe me, you can see for yourself.” Shen Zhilie took out his cell phone, switched on the front camera, and placed it in front of her face. “Isn’t it so?”

Ye Youyou caught her own face on camera and saw the dark rings around her eyes, under-eye bags, pale complexion, and messy hair. She had not been taking care of her appearances throughout this period. First, she lacked the motivation. Second, it wasn’t convenient.

She had never expected her looks to deteriorate to such an extent. She touched her face, and her mood soon became complicated.

A week before, her face had been fresh and pretty. In just a few days, it had changed to this.

How lamentable…

Ye Youyou felt unsettled. She returned the phone to Shen Zhilie and didn’t say another word.

Shen Zhilie knew immediately that she had heeded his words. He quickly changed the topic, regaling her with many hilarious tales.

Unfortunately, Ye Youyou remained indifferent.

When Ye Qianqian returned with the food, she could sense the awkwardness in the air. Since there was an additional person, she had bought a lot of dishes. When she laid out the array of dishes, including meat and seafood, Shen Zhilie couldn’t stop cheering. He immediately opened the food boxes and began to dig in.

Ye Qianqian brusquely hit his hands with the chopsticks and asked, “Have you washed your hands yet? Furthermore, these were bought for my sister! You’re actually fighting for food with a patient?”

Shen Zhilie shrunk back and quickly replied, “I washed my hands! I’ll peel the shrimp for you. Hold on!”

“I don’t believe you,” Ye Qianqian said. “You’ll definitely steal a bite!”

“Am I that sort of person?” he asked.

“Yes,” Ye Qianqian said.

“I’ve been wrongly accused!” Shen Zhilie exclaimed.

Ye Qianqian laughed. Shen Zhilie was speechless.

The back-and-forth exchange between Shen Zhilie and Ye Qianqian was very meaningless, but Ye Youyou found it entertaining.

After the meal, Ye Youyou’s mood improved considerably.

By the time Shen Zhilie left, it was past 9 p.m.

Ye Youyou fell into a deep slumber. Ye Qianqian had left with Shen Zhilie to head to the hotel and get a room of her own. They bade each other goodnight and parted ways.

Even after Shen Zhilie took a shower, he still found it hard to calm himself. After considerable thought, he decided to give Shen Luo’an a call.

The call connected quickly. Shen Luo’an’s surroundings sounded noisy over the phone. There was loud music and conversations going on in the background, as well as the sound of women’s cajoling voices.

When Shen Zhilie heard that, he could roughly guess where his brother was. After a beat of silence, he called out, “Brother.”

It wasn’t Shen Luo’an who answered him. It was Shen Manting.

“Zhilie, he is drunk,” she said. “I’m at the bar. Can you come and help? I can’t carry him on my own.”

Shen Zhilie furrowed his brows. “I’m in Hengdian. You went drinking with him?”

“No. The waitress called to notify me,” Shen Manting said. “I didn’t dare tell Dad or Mom about it. I came here alone in secret.”

–

Author’s note: There’s more coming up. Everyone can check back a little later.