The 99th Divorce

That smile broke Ye Youyou’s heart into a million pieces.

Guan Queye had not misunderstood the situation. She was doing it on purpose. The accusations were deliberate and intended to turn everyone against her.

Ye Youyou’s pillars of support that had kept her propped up all this time seemed to suddenly collapse. She had thought that as long as Guan Queye woke up, the world would know of her innocence.

Who would have expected that not only had Guan Queye’s recovery not brought the truth to light, it had plunged it further into the darkness? The darkness thickened layer by layer, separating her from her loved ones, separating her from her beloved, and, now, it even hid her future from her.

Ye Youyou looked at Shen Luo’an and Guan Queye embrace right in front of her. Their feelings for each other ran deep and served to remind her of what a joke she had become.

Her vision was completely blurred, but her dignity made her refuse to shed a tear in front of them. With utmost effort to maintain a calm appearance, Ye Youyou laughed humorlessly and gazed at them.

Her eyes were filled with sorrow and mist. Even more significantly, it carried an inexplicable pity. It could have been pity for Guan Queye, and it could have been pity for Shen Luo’an. Perhaps, it had been pity for them both.

When Shen Luo’an saw the look in Ye Youyou’s eyes, he suddenly felt his heart squeeze unexpectedly and an aching pain appear.

For some bizarre reason, Shen Luo’an began to feel a sense of regret. He opened his mouth a few times before speaking, “Youyou, I…”

The corners of Ye Youyou’s lips lifted in a smile. That message of ridicule did not have to be carried with words. Without waiting for Shen Luo’an to finish his sentence, Ye Youyou turned and walked out of the room with her head held high and her chest out.

The image of Ye Youyou’s back was weak and strong at the same time. It was so strong and clean, identical to how it had been many years ago when she had carried her luggage and severed ties with the Guan family. Not an ounce of nostalgia remained.

Shen Luo’an panicked. Instinctively, he released Guan Queye and stood up, intending to head out of the room.

“Ah!” A scream rang out from behind him.

Guan Queye held her head in her hands. Her hair was in disarray, and her complexion was pale. Her expression was hopeless as she yelled, “Luo’an! Luo’an!”

Luo’an froze in his steps. For a moment, he couldn’t decide which direction to head in.

Guan Queye crawled over as she dragged her lower body along. Her hands caught on to Shen Luo’an. Her face was tear-streaked as she begged, “Don’t leave. I beg you not to leave me…”

Shen Luo’an’s heart began to hurt unbearably. The screams he heard did nothing but intensify the pain he was feeling. But, even he couldn’t tell whether his heart was hurting for Ye Youyou or Guan Queye.

His Adam’s apple bobbed. Shen Luo’an suddenly realized his throat was very dry. He turned around and held onto Guan Queye. Gently, he said, “It’s fine now. I’m not going anywhere.”

Guan Queye acted as if she was clinging on to her only lifeline. She grabbed on to Shen Luo’an’s hands and buried her face in his chest. Her tears turned into a smile.

Even while crying with joy, Guan Queye was paying attention to the man beside her. While he was helping her up, his eyes remained at the door.

Guan Queye tightened her hold on him. She had no intention of letting go. Her breathing deepened, and her eyes were filled with hatred. The hatred intensified.

–

Ye Youyou held herself up and walked for as long as she could manage. As her surroundings grew bigger, her vision blurred.

The moment she entered the lift, Ye Youyou couldn’t hold it in any longer. She covered her mouth and began to sob.

When she was finally out of the hospital, her tears were already flowing out of her eyes freely and streaking down her face. The dull pain in her chest had intensified and become an unbearable agony that was lodged in her heart.