The 99th Divorce

His nerves had been on edge, trying to keep his composure. But all of a sudden, he lost the will to hold himself together any longer.

Shen Luo’an stood still before the door to his house, then plopped himself down on the steps.

The flowers in the yard swayed gently in the wind.

Spring had come.

Lush greenery was flourishing everywhere and flowers were in full bloom.

Meanwhile, he felt himself withering inside.

He sat on the steps without caring for the time and watched the sun shrinking in the distance before finally disappearing below the horizon. He thought he was almost losing his mind.

“Oh no,” Shen Luo’an stood up, dusted his pants, and said to himself, “I might be going out of my mind.”

He turned around and entered the house. As soon as he walked in, he heard Little Moon wailing loudly.

Mrs. He heaved a sigh of relief upon seeing Shen Luo’an return. “Come and hold your son, quick! He has been crying his heart out. He neither pooped nor peed and refused to drink any milk at all! All he did was cry. I don’t know what’s the matter with him!”

Shen Luo’an cradled him in his arms. He stared at the infant for a long time and said slowly, “Maybe he misses his mother.”

“Nonsense.”

Mrs. He chided, “He doesn’t even know who his mother is, let alone think of her! Don’t let him catch a cold. When Mrs.Shen comes back later, let her check in on him.”

Yet miraculously, Little Moon gradually calmed down and began burping after being held by Shen Luo’an for a short while.

Mrs. He teased, “Looks like he misses his father more than his mother.”

Little Moon stopped crying. He stared at Shen Luo’an with his round, dark eyes moist with tears.

“Are you hungry?” Shen Luo’an held the baby in one arm. He stood up and fetched his milk bottle to feed him.

The milk in the bottle had just been prepared, and the temperature was just right.

He handed the bottle to the infant, who immediately clutched it and drank the milk.

Shen Luo’an would usually return from work exhausted and be in a bad mood, yet he would feel his mood lighten up the second he saw the infant and carried him in his arms.

But today, he didn’t feel his tension ease.

After coaxing the baby to sleep, Shen Luo’an sat on the bed in a daze.

Moments later, he decided to go out.

Shen Zhilie and his wife were sitting in the living room, cuddling together as they scrolled through their phones.

Upon seeing Shen Luo’an, Ye Qianqian called out to him, “Big Brother, it’s almost time to eat.”

“All right.”

Shen Luo’an answered and sat down.

He grabbed an orange and started to peel it.

Shen Zhilie was staring at his phone, but he didn’t forget to take a look at him.

Then he quickly put his phone down and said with a straight face, “Big Brother, I have some good news and bad news. Which one do you want to hear first?”

“The bad news,” Shen Luo’an replied.

“In that case, I’ll tell you the good news first.”

Ye Qianqian was speechless.

Shen Luo’an glanced at him. “What is it?”

“I found out that Sister Manting is still alive. I contacted her yesterday and planned to arrange a job for her in the capital. But I have yet to tell you.”

Shen Zhilie coughed awkwardly. He seemed to be a little embarrassed.

Shen Luo’an stopped peeling the orange and looked up at him.

“Did you call Shen Manting over here?”

Ye Qianqian and Shen Zhilie stared wide-eyed at Shen Luo’an.

“So you already knew, Big Brother?” Ye Qianqian asked tentatively.

“Yes.” Shen Luo’an threw away the orange peel. “I saw her in the park.”

“Really?” Now Ye Qianqian was even more surprised. “But wasn’t she still in Jiangsu yesterday? She said that she would come here in a few days.”

“What’s the bad news?” Shen Luo’an interrupted her and asked calmly.