The 99th Divorce

“Why are you just staring blankly? What do you intend to do about this? Miss, please take him with you!” The taxi driver began to panic when he saw that Ye Youyou wasn’t doing anything.

Ye Youyou released a sigh and reluctantly opened the door to the backseat of the car again. She sat inside and said, “Go to a hotel nearby. I’ll settle him in.”

The taxi driver hurried to comply with the command. “Would you like to go to a luxury hotel or a common one?”

Ye Youyou gave it some thought and replied, “Go to a five-star hotel. There’s one nearby.”

“Right away!” The driver quickly took them to the destination.

Li Jinnan had fallen into a very deep sleep. Ye Youyou unbuckled his seatbelt and called out gently, “GM Li, it’s time to wake up. I’ll take you to rest.”

There was no response.

Li Jinnan was 6-foot-2 and heavily-built. Just by looking at him alone, Ye Youyou knew that he was going to be too heavy for her to carry.

She began to get frustrated at the situation and looked pleadingly at the taxi driver. She said, “Sir, could you please help me move him? I can’t do it on my own…”

The taxi driver had been expecting that, so he didn’t reject her request. He unbuckled his seatbelt and got out of the driver’s seat.

By the time they managed to move Li Jinnan out of the car, the taxi driver was a little out of breath. Suddenly, as if Li Jinnan sensed something, he opened his eyes. He was clearly drunk, but his eyes seemed sharp and clear.

That sudden action gave the taxi driver a shock. He stammered, “Are you awake?”

Li Jinnan moaned in discomfort and stood up on his own. “Youyou,” he called out.

Ye Youyou was startled. She immediately replied, “I’m here.”

It was only after she replied that she came to the realization­ that this was the first time Li Jinnan hadn’t addressed her by her full name.

“My head hurts.” Li Jinnan’s voice was a little slurred. He sounded as if he was still halfway in dreamland. But, at least he was somewhat awake.

Ye Youyou gave a sigh of relief and held him up. She asked, “Can you walk? Come, I’ll take you to the hotel.”

“OK.” Li Jinnan leaned on her. His steps were sluggish. “That bunch of rascals couldn’t wait to get me drunk. Tch…”

Li Jinnan was having a hard time trying to stand on his own. Most of his body weight was on Ye Youyou.

She thanked the taxi driver and proceeded to support Li Jinnan into the hotel.

The receptionist at the front desk smiled as she welcomed them, saying, “Hello, Miss. How many rooms will you be needing?”

Ye Youyou signaled with her finger as she replied, “A single room, please.”

“Sure. Could I please have some ID?” the receptionist asked.

Ye Youyou was propping Li Jinnan up as she asked, “Where do you keep your ID?”

Li Jinnan was in a trance-like state. It seemed that he could hear her talking. At the same time, she sounded like an illusion to him.

Ye Youyou saw that he wasn’t responding. With much difficulty, she held him up with one hand and searched his pockets with the other hand.

It wasn’t in the upper pocket. She had no choice but to search the pockets on his pants. She pressed pockets to ascertain where his wallet was before reaching her hand in.

Before she could reach his wallet, Li Jinnan caught her hand with his. “Stop feeling around. It’s uncomfortable.”

His tone sounded a little angry, and it carried a hint of complaint. It was a huge difference from how he usually carried himself.

Ye Youyou moved her hand. She was feeling dizzy herself, but at least she was sober. She said, “Let go. I need your ID to check into the hotel room.”

“OK…” Li Jinnan released her hand. Realization suddenly dawned. A woman is checking into a hotel with me?

With a jolt of surprise, he turned his head to look at her. Although his vision wasn’t clear, he could vaguely make out that this woman was Ye Youyou.