The 99th Divorce

Ou Ming sucked his breath in at the pain of the scalding water on skin. The cup bounced a few time before finally landing on the floor in a noisy shatter.

Shen Zhilie’s eyebrows rose in surprise. Very quickly, he took the napkins to wipe the tea off and pulled Ou Ming up from his seat.

As he held onto Ou Ming’s hand, he saw that the skin had been scalded an angry red.

The service staff hurried over to clean up the mess. When they saw the red welts on Ou Ming’s hand, they asked, “Sir, would you like some ice to apply on your burn?”

“Yes, please. Thank you,” Shen Zhilie answered on Ou Ming’s behalf.

Unexpectedly, Ou Ming pushed Shen Zhilie away quietly and asked, “Why didn’t you warn me that there was boiling water in front of me?”

When Shen Zhilie heard that, he felt the hint of an unreasonable accusation and retorted, “How was I to know that you were going to overturn it? You deserved it!”

Ou Ming’s expression hardened. “Shen Zhilie, even if you wanted to test me, there has to be a limit. I only have the use of one hand now, and it hurts like hell. How am I to eat later on?”

His voice rang out clearly. The true intention of the question hit Shen Zhilie squarely in the face.

Shen Zhilie’s face darkened as he asked, “Are you asking me to feed you?”

Ou Ming didn’t reply. He just sat back down.

Seeing that, Shen Zhilie knew at once what Ou Ming’s intention was. His intention was to have Yu Lili feed him?

What a joke!

Shen Zhilie sat back down with a none-too-pleasant expression. He received Yu Lili’s call soon after.

After informing Yu Lili of the address and table number they were at, Shen Zhilie hung up the phone and refilled Ou Ming’s cup.

…

Yu Lili gave Ou Ming’s mother a call. But the call wasn’t answered by Jiao Ziqing. It was answered by Ou Ming’s father.

Ou Huojin heard what Yu Lili had to say. In a horrified tone, he asked, “Is that so? OK, I got it. Lao Wen is currently in Fujian as well. I’m guessing that Ou Ming’s mother asked Lao Wen to pick him up. With Lao Wen handling the matter, we won’t worry.”

Yu Lili felt that there was something wrong with what she was hearing, but should couldn’t identify exactly what sounded wrong specifically.

After engaging in a bit of small talk with Ou Huojin, Yu Lili hung up the phone.

She then called Wen Fenglin’s cell, but he seemed to be busy with something. It took two tries before the call was finally answered.

“Hi, Lili. Is anything the problem?” Wen Fenglin asked.

“Uncle Wen, I heard that you’re in Fujian,” Yu Lili said. “Are you going to take Ou Ming home?”

When Wen Fenglin heard that, he acted as if he had just recalled the matter. “Oh yes! If you hadn’t brought it up, I would have forgotten about it completely. Xiao Jiao asked me to bring Ou Ming back. I’m currently caught up in the middle of something and can’t leave. Are you currently with Ou Ming?”

“I…”

“I didn’t accomplish something that I told Xiao Jiao I would do.” Wen Fenglin quickly interrupted her. “If she finds out, I’d be in trouble. Lili, you’re a good kid. Please do me this favor. Please take good care of Ou Ming on my behalf first. When I’m done with my business, I’ll come over and take him back, OK?”

Hearing that put Yu Lili in an awkward position. “Uncle Wen, Ou Ming and I have already broken up. It’s not appropriate for me to be taking care of him. I’m afraid…”

“It’s fine. Xiao Ou likes you best. He won’t mind it,” Wen Fenglin said.

But, I mind it!

Yu Lili replied, “Ou Ming’s mother hates me very much. I think it’s better if I have nothing to do with him…”

“It’s fine. Ou Ming’s mother won’t find out about it. Please, I’m begging you, Lili. I can’t leave at the moment. I have to go now, so I’ll leave it to you. I’ll make it up to you another day.” Without waiting for Yu Lili’s reply, Wen Fenglin hung up the phone.