Chapter 2012 - Wouldn’t Marrying Me Be too Much to Ask of You?
The 99th Divorce
Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio
Shen Luoâan had finished arranging the lunch packs on the table. He paused and looked up at her.
Shen Manting wore a conflicted expression on her face. She said, âThe baby is still young. I want to take care of him for some time. Do you mind letting him live with me for a while?â
She was... asking for his permission.
Shen Luoâan was vaguely able to guess what she had in mind.
He laughed in a self-mocking tone. Then, he sat down and passed her the food. âSure. I donât see why not.â
Shen Mantingâs eyes lit up. âReally?â
âYes, but you have to look after the baby at home. Donât move the child around too much.â Shen Luoâan looked at her and added, âWhen I first brought him over from Jiangsu, he didnât adapt too well to the local conditions.â
âI wonât be too far away. Iâm staying in the capital!â Shen Manting looked at him. âI have a job in the capital. Iâm able to support him.â
She would be earning five thousand yuan a month with free accommodation. If she saved on meals, her salary would be enough to raise the child.
âWhatâs the nature of your job? Would you be capable of juggling both your work and bringing up the child?â asked Shen Luoâan with a mocking sneer on his face.
His expression looked hostile. Shen Manting glanced at him and felt anger rising within her. She snapped, âWhat do you mean?â
âWhat do you think I meant? Why are you so easily provoked?â Shen Luoâan withdrew his gaze.
Shen Mantingâs anger had reached a peak. âCanât you be more civil in your speech?â
âWasnât I civil enough?â Shen Luoâan glanced at her dismissively. âI neither yelled at nor scolded you. Didnât I speak to you civilly enough?â
âI...â For a while, Shen Manting was completely speechless.
Her stomach growled at the sight of him savoring his meal slowly.
âHave some food. Donât accuse me of mistreating you.â Shen Luoâan left a pair of chopsticks on her lunch pack. âWeâll discuss after our meal.â
Shen Manting felt acutely uneasy. Looking at Shen Luoâanâs calm appearance, she became even more infuriated.
She set the baby down carefully, wiped her hands, and picked up the chopsticks. She began to dig into the food.
She had to treat herself well no matter the circumstances.
After finishing her meal, Shen Manting collected the lunchboxes and discarded them into the garbage bin.
Shen Luoâan wiped the corner of his mouth and said slowly, âMove back home if youâd like then. Thereâs a spare room available for the nanny after Aunt Zhang left.â
âAre you treating me as a nanny?â Shen Manting blurted in disbelief.
She was the infantâs mother!
Would she have to be paid for her services like a nanny, when she was rightfully caring for her own child?
How ironic!
âWhat else did you expect to be?â Shen Luoâan looked at her and jeered in a low voice, âThe mistress of the house? Or a wet nurse?â
Shen Manting was at a loss for words. She felt a painful jab in her heart.
She felt miserable.
She felt utterly miserable.
âSince youâve been trying to distance yourself from me and the baby, wouldnât marrying me be too much to ask of you?â Shen Luoâan stood up and wiped his hands with a damp paper towel. âSo the most I could ask of you is to be a nanny. Itâs also an opportunity for you to take care of the baby, while Iâll be assured that heâll be in good hands. Iâll pay you well.â
He tossed the damp paper towel away and said softly with a vague expression, âYou know how generous Iâve been to you all along.â
He didnât say anything explicitly hostile, yet every word felt like a dagger piercing through her heart.
Shen Manting sniffled as tears began to well up in her eyes.
She swallowed with restraint and leaned over to check the infantâs temperature.
He was faring much better than before.n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om
But the scorching heat from his body a moment ago lingered on her skin.
She would never forget that.