The 99th Divorce

She clutched at the door tightly, close to tears. She threw a helpless glance at Shen Zhilie, as if signaling to him for help. “Hubby, didn’t you say…”

Shen Zhilie hadn’t foreseen this happening either. He coughed softly and murmured hesitatingly, “I guess you’ll be back soon.”

He felt uneasy as he said this.

He cast a quizzical look at Old Mrs. Shen.

Old Mrs. Shen gazed back at him and said, “I’ll be visiting Mrs. Dong Fang for lunch. We’ll be returning later in the afternoon.”

Ye Qianqian felt as if she was going to faint. She was so sleepy!

Shen Zhilie felt sorry for her and persuaded, “Maybe another day, Grandmother. Qianqian must be tired after bustling around these past few days.”

“That’s not how it’s done. I’ve already made an appointment with my old friends. I won’t go back on my promise!” Old Mrs. Shen replied with an annoyed expression on her face. “You should pay more attention to your wife. Come on, Qianqian. We’ll be back by noon, all right? Be a dear and come with me.”

Ye Qianqian felt as though she was about to be abducted, but relented when she saw how excited the old woman was. “All right, let’s go.”

Old Mrs. Shen broke into a grin.

She quickly led Ye Qianqian away by the hand.

Strangely, the unexpected turn of events made Ye Qianqian feel much more energized.

She returned home after lunch to find Shen Zhilie absent.

Shen Luo’an was sitting on the sofa, cradling the infant in his arms. He was coaxing him.

Ye Qianqian rarely had the opportunity to see such a small infant. She walked up to him and asked, “Big Brother, is the baby asleep?”

Shen Luo’an answered softly, his head still lowered, “Not yet. Do you want to hold him?”

Ye Qianqian immediately held out her arms, for she had intended to carry the infant in the belief that doing so would bring auspicious tidings.

Shen Luo’an handed the baby over to her without ever looking up.

For some inexplicable reason, she sensed a tinge of sorrow in him despite being unable to glimpse a full view of his face.

She couldn’t resist doing a double take at him.

However, Shen Luo’an seemed to be keeping his guard up. He hastily rose to his feet and turned around to leave the room.

Ye Qianqian’s gaze followed him from behind as he walked into the bathroom and shut the door.

She heard the sound of the door closing softly. For a brief moment, Ye Qianqian felt a void opening in her heart.

The infant was adorable.

He was looking at Ye Qianqian with his bright, endearing eyes.

He opened his mouth a little and stuck out his tongue.

Ye Qianqian couldn’t help smiling as she sat down, holding him in her arms.

Mrs. He came back into the house after watering the flowers. She saw Ye Qianqian holding the infant and asked, “Where is Mr. Shen?”

“In the bathroom.”

“I see…” Mrs. He set the watering can aside and wiped her hands on her apron. She walked over to Ye Qianqian and revealed cautiously, “Miss, I noticed that Mr. Shen seems a bit downcast. I suppose he misses the child’s mother. If possible, try to give him some advice.” She sighed.

Shen Manting was the mother of the infant.

But was Shen Manting really dead?

Ye Qianqian couldn’t believe it.

But if she was still alive, where could she be?

Suddenly, she heard the bathroom door creak open.

Shen Luo’an, who seemed to have just washed his face, came up to her and said, “Pass him to me. Go and take a rest. You look tired.”

Ye Qianqian instinctively touched her face. Then, she looked into his eyes.

Shen Luo’an swiftly avoided her gaze. He continued, “Zhilie has left the house with Luo Ran. He left a message asking you to take a rest upon returning and not worry about him.”

“All right.” Ye Qianqian nodded, feeling mildly pensive. She then whispered, “Thank you, Big Brother.”