"What to do When the Pretty Woman I Kissed is My Best Friend's Professor" - Chapter 31

Section 1: The Divorce Confession

“It’s the New Year; why are you staying here all alone?” Grandmother Shen  laughed, finding the sight of Yan He  trying to stuff her entire head into her collar utterly comical: “It’s so cold, why aren’t you even wearing a scarf?”

The word “scarf,” the moment it entered Yan He’s ears, seemed to trigger some distant memory. Yet, it was only a short while ago that the Elder Sister had lent her the scarf, and only a few days since she had returned it, but Yan He felt as if a long time had passed, as if the last time she saw the Elder Sister was in the last century. There was a feeling of being separated by an era.

Why did it feel like so long? Yan He stared at the white mist produced by her breath, pondering for a moment. The hazy world in front of her appeared desolate and quiet. Perhaps the bleak environment always weighed heavily on one’s mind, demanding an outlet for release. She decided to confide all her worries to this relative stranger: “Something came up at home, so I came out for a walk.”

“Something at home, huh?” Grandmother Shen was thoughtful, as if she had realized something. She smiled faintly and comforted her: “Since it’s the New Year, if the issue at home isn’t too difficult to handle, you should go back.”

Yan He lowered her head and mumbled softly, “I feel like my mom and dad want to divorce.” Divorce. She had previously done everything to avoid those two words, yet now she was saying them out loud to an elderly lady she had only met once, in a park she hadn’t visited for ages.

Yan He thought that if someone had told her just a few days ago she would do this, she would have thought that person was crazy. But now, so many things had simply happened—sudden and completely outside of her plans.

From a very young age, Yan He could sense the distance between her parents. But she was small then and only thought that all couples treated each other with such formal respect. Later, when she made some friends and listened to them talk about how good their parents’ relationship was, always leaving them to “eat dog food” (slang for watching public displays of affection), Yan He only found it novel. It was a long time later that she realized something was wrong.

Li Xiuxi  always called her the “Solitary King,” implying a certain emotional detachment. Li Xiuxi had been joking at the time, but Yan He knew in her heart that she was right.

“Alas, what couple doesn’t have conflicts in life? But when parents with children still choose to divorce, it must mean they truly cannot go on,” Grandmother Shen sighed deeply. She simply sat down on the swing next to Yan He, dangling her legs. She said with some emotion, “I have a son. He—well, in your young people’s language—he’s a scumbag.”

Yan He turned her head in surprise, seeing a few strands of white hair unintentionally exposed at the temples of the woman wearing the hat. She suddenly thought of her own paternal and maternal grandmothers: kind, but always with a trace of helplessness when recalling the past.

The elderly who recall old events always carry a certain weathered quality, and Grandmother Shen was no exception. She lowered her eyes and pondered for a long time before finally saying, “He was a scumbag, and my daughter-in-law and granddaughter were the ones who suffered.”

Hearing the elderly lady mention her granddaughter, Yan He vaguely recalled that the elderly lady had said her granddaughter also owned a scarf identical to the Elder Sister’s. She listened intently as the elderly lady began to relate the past: “My scoundrel son had an affair when my daughter-in-law was pregnant. Later, when my granddaughter was two, he finalized the divorce with my daughter-in-law.” Grandmother Shen sighed deeply, the white mist from her breath lingering for a long time as she recounted a dusty old event: “His business was doing quite well. When people get money, they start thinking about things they shouldn’t.”

“When he first got married, his circumstances weren’t great, and life was quiet and ordinary back then. I actually wish he had stayed poor.”

“After they divorced, my granddaughter stayed with my daughter-in-law. About five or six years later, my daughter-in-law became ill—cancer.” When mentioning topics of sickness, old age, death, and separation, the weather-beaten elderly always spoke with deep emotion: “She kept enduring it without telling anyone, and when it was finally diagnosed, it was already terminal. She didn’t have many days left.”

At this point, Grandmother Shen was briefly silent, seemingly hesitating whether she should reveal her family’s past to a young girl she had only met once. She was someone who valued first impressions; although she had only met Yan He once, she felt a strong affection for this kind-hearted girl.

“When I found out, she was already near death.” Grandmother Shen’s gaze drifted into the distance. She recalled the emaciated woman lying in the hospital bed and the timid, tearful girl standing beside her. Her eyes grew moist: “Lying there, it was the first time she ever begged me—” Grandmother Shen’s voice choked. Yan He pursed her lips, pulled a tissue from her pocket, and handed it to the elderly lady.

Grandmother Shen took the tissue and gently wiped away her tears: “My daughter-in-law, she was strong her whole life; she never asked anyone for help. But on the night before she passed, she held my hand and begged me to take good care of the child. That good-for-nothing son of mine never showed up once from start to finish.”

Yan He’s eyes somehow turned red too. People possess empathy. When an old voice speaks of the inevitability of birth, old age, sickness, and death, it inherently represents the helplessness one feels toward fate.

“I shouldn’t have told you all this,” Grandmother Shen smiled. Yan He could see the wrinkles on her face gathering in a kind way. “Alas, it’s all in the past. I’m getting old, and my need to express myself is strong. I just feel like if I don’t find someone to talk to, I won’t have the chance anymore.”

Yan He looked down and whispered, “Thank you for telling me all this.” A flash of resentment crossed Grandmother Shen’s eyes, but it was momentary, immediately followed by guilt: “My granddaughter suffered a lot. My health wasn’t good back then, so she stayed with her father. His—” The elderly woman shook her head, finding the next term hard to utter: “She wasn’t treated well. Her father kept pressuring the child to study—” Yan He sighed too, murmuring, “It’s all over now.”

“Yes, it is all over now.” Grandmother Shen opened her mouth but said nothing. Both lowered their eyes, lost in their own thoughts.

“I always felt my parents wanted to divorce when I was very little.” Yan He recalled seeing her parents’ marriage certificate when processing documents for going abroad. She said slowly, “But they still hadn’t divorced even until last year.” Was it for me? Or did they want to try a little harder?

“They tried hard for you too,” Grandmother Shen said. She supported herself on the nylon rope of the swing to stand up, shaky and staggering. “It’s not easy for anyone.”

Yan He stood up and supported her. Once Grandmother Shen stood firmly, she let go of Yan He’s hand, her face returning to the kind smile she had when they first met: “Alright, I’ve gotten my fresh air. It’s time to go back and play mahjong.”

The elderly lady had seemed to say she came out for air because she lost too badly at mahjong. Yan He laughed: “Isn’t playing mahjong just for fun?” Grandmother Shen huffed: “Those little rascals don’t even know enough to let me win, their elder!”

“Shall I walk you home?” Yan He walked two steps with her. Grandmother Shen waved her hand: “No need! It’s right nearby, only a five-minute walk. I’ll stroll back by myself.” She looked at Yan He, who was again shrinking into her collar, and said earnestly: “Young people must take care of their bodies! Don’t rely on being young and strong to ignore the cold; you’ll regret it when you’re old.”

Yan He felt as if she had heard those words somewhere before; a wave of familiarity washed over her. By the time she came to her senses, the elderly lady was already far away, walking with her hands clasped behind her back. “Thank you!” Yan He called out to her retreating figure, her voice cheerful: “Happy New Year!” Grandmother Shen waved a hand behind her back, indicating she had heard.

Yan He sat down on the swing again. Having likely finished lunch and received their ya-sui-qian (New Year money), quite a few parents were now bringing their children out for a stroll in the park. Yan He saw a parent walking toward the swings with a child and very tactfully left the children’s play area.

Yan He walked out with her hands in her pockets, thinking that since Mr. Yan  and Madam He didn’t want her to know about the divorce, she would just pretend not to know. She took out her phone and booked a ticket for the next movie showing nearby. Since it was the New Year, watching a movie was always a good idea.

Yan He walked out of the park gate and turned to see the marble monument inscribed with the four characters “Lakeside Park” standing at the entrance. The bottom edge of the large red characters had already faded somewhat. Happy New Year. She said a silent message to herself.

It was strange, Yan He thought. At a time like this, she kept wanting to call the Elder Sister, just to hear her voice. Her phone was in her pocket, and the Elder Sister’s chat window was pinned right at the top, but a cold wind—from she knew not where—blew, making her sudden burst of courage retreat. —Perhaps the Elder Sister is spending time with her family right now. Elder Sister, I wish you happiness too.

Section 2: Shen Jinrong’s Errand

The fourth day of the New Year is traditionally an auspicious day (san yang kai tai) for welcoming the Kitchen God. Grandmother Shen was busy early in the morning preparing for Tan Ning  and her family’s visit. Shen Jinrong  followed behind her grandmother, helping out. Seeing the list of over a dozen dishes the elderly woman had written in her small notebook, Shen Jinrong gasped: “Grandma, our own New Year’s Eve dinner wasn’t this elaborate, was it? Don’t tire yourself out.”

Grandmother Shen gave her a look: “A meal is only delicious when there’s a lively atmosphere; it’s most comfortable when there are many people. You don’t say a word during dinner, you silent gourd. It’s no fun at all.”

Shen Jinrong defended herself: “Don’t they say not to talk while eating or sleeping?” Grandmother Shen wasn’t having it: “Nonsense. The only time you talk the most is when you’re arguing crooked logic.” Shen Jinrong realized that the time when her grandmother would get annoyed with her after a period of being together had arrived. Knowing that the more she spoke, the more mistakes she’d make, she simply shut her mouth and remained silent. “You’re just not as thoughtful as Ningning; you don’t even know how to keep me company,” Grandmother Shen sighed, lamenting that times were changing and young people nowadays were becoming less respectful of their elders. Shen Jinrong: … Wasn’t I just told not to talk?

At eleven o’clock in the morning, Tan Ning and Madam Tan arrived with the child to pay their New Year respects. Shen Jinrong opened the door. Today, she wore a simple white shirt, the hem properly tucked into her trousers, and the cuffs rolled up to her elbows. Seeing Shen Jinrong dressed like this, Tan Ning was momentarily surprised and asked, “Are you having a meeting?”

Shen Jinrong took the gifts from Tan Ning’s hands, turned sideways, and invited her and Madam Tan with the child to enter: “Yes.” Shen Jinrong glanced down at the time: “I have a video conference at one in the afternoon. I didn’t have time to change.” Tan Ning’s gaze fell on her wristwatch, and an emotion flashed across her eyes.

Grandmother Shen had already heard the commotion and walked out of the kitchen: “Aiya! Ningning is here!” Seeing the things Madam Tan had brought, she chided gently: “You brought the child! Why bring gifts too! We don’t lack anything here! Let me see our little darling!”

“Ya ya ya~” The little girl lying in the stroller smiled when she saw Grandmother Shen, babbling and reaching out for a hug. Madam Tan lifted the baby out of the stroller and smiled at Grandmother Shen: “Come and hold the child! You are the grandmother—” She slapped her forehead: “Wait, that generation title isn’t quite right! It should be—great-grandmother?” Grandmother Shen gave her a gentle reproach: “Am I that old?” As she spoke, she took the baby from Madam Tan’s arms, holding her carefully.

Grandmother Shen felt someone was missing and asked why Tan Ning’s husband hadn’t come: “Where’s Little Jiang? Did he not come back this year?”

“He’s abroad. Business is busy,” Tan Ning replied naturally. Shen Jinrong stood by the side, acting as a decoration.

“Jinrong! You and Ningning go check on the soup in the kitchen! The chicken soup I stewed!” After holding the sweet and soft baby, Grandmother Shen found the perpetually unsmiling Shen Jinrong irritating to look at, so she simply banished her to the kitchen: “It just needs a handful of goji berries! Check the heat and turn it down a bit when it’s ready!”

“Dating?” After entering the kitchen, Tan Ning casually closed the door and went to check on the chicken soup stewed by Grandmother Shen. Her tone when asking was very casual, like idle chitchat. Shen Jinrong, searching for goji berries in the kitchen, was noncommittal: “Not exactly.”

Tan Ning raised an eyebrow: “Not official?” “Correct.” “Do I know them?”

Shen Jinrong frowned, momentarily unsure how to answer Tan Ning’s question. She remembered meeting the young woman in Tan Ning’s office once; she seemed to be Tan Ning’s student? “Yes,” she admitted without hesitation.

Tan Ning turned the heat under the chicken soup down further, rubbing her chin thoughtfully: “Why hasn’t it been finalized yet?” Shen Jinrong thought, I guess you’d have to ask the young woman. “We haven’t gotten to know each other well enough.”

Tan Ning asked, “Mutual feelings?” Shen Jinrong recalled the young woman’s clear, amber eyes and nodded. She hadn’t liked chatting with Tan Ning much since graduating from her undergraduate program. Tan Ning was a psychology graduate and had worked as a psychological counselor, habitually setting traps in conversation. Shen Jinrong didn’t like her prying into her thoughts, even if it was just an unconscious professional habit. “Yes.”

Tan Ning raised an eyebrow and smiled: “Is there someone our Professor Shen can’t manage?” Shen Jinrong’s tone was calm: “There are many people I can’t manage.” She didn’t continue the topic, rummaged through the nearly empty bag, poked her head out of the kitchen door, and called loudly: “Grandma! We’re out of goji berries!”

“Then go buy some at the nearby market!” Grandmother Shen called back loudly: “Go to Old Hu’s place! It’s the second stall on the left after you enter the market! Their goji berries are the best!” Shen Jinrong took the keys. Tan Ning glanced at Madam Tan, who was deep in conversation with Grandmother Shen. Feeling that she would be in the way if she stayed, she said, “I’ll go with you.” Shen Jinrong frowned, but ultimately did not voice a refusal.

Section 3: Unexpected Sight

“I was supposed to introduce you to my girlfriend, Yu Ke (于珂). Why is she tagging along?” On the way to the market to buy hotpot ingredients, Li Xiuxi grumbled unhappily: “I’m not that close with her.”

Yan He had listened to Li Xiuxi complain the entire way and felt the whole thing was entirely Li Xiuxi’s own fault: “Whose fault is that? Why did you have to be falsely polite and say that one line?” She was amused by her own thought: “The falsely polite one met the truly impolite one.”

Li Xiuxi regretted it terribly: “I shouldn’t have opened my mouth. My fault, my fault.” She could vaguely guess Yu Ke’s intentions toward Yan He and regretted it even more: “I shouldn’t have this mouth anymore.” Yan He glanced down at the list: “Since it’s been said, a meal won’t hurt anyway.”

“I originally wanted you to formally meet my girlfriend as family today—” Li Xiuxi bit her tongue halfway through her sentence. Yan He suggested: “How about I talk to her? I’ll treat her to a meal next time.” Li Xiuxi let out a long sigh: “That’s all we can do. I’m sorry…” She patted Yan He’s shoulder: “I’ll treat you to two meals next time.”

Yan He held back her laugh and murmured “Mhm,” while mentally formulating an apology to Yu Ke. “Uncle Hu!” Li Xiuxi skillfully walked up to a still-open shop and called out familiarly. A middle-aged man wearing an apron walked out, smiled when he saw it was Li Xiuxi: “What are you buying today?” “I’m buying some—” Li Xiuxi choked halfway through her sentence and turned to ask Yan He, “Where’s the list? The list?”

Yan He, however, didn’t respond. Her eyes were fixed straight on the market entrance. Li Xiuxi felt confused and followed her gaze, only to see Shen Jinrong and Tan Ning walking side-by-side.

…Holy crap… No way? What is the relationship between those two?