IT started wonderfully, became ugly, then ended on a 'high' again, if it can be called such.
As Quan Yifeng herself puts it: 'Our marriage may not have a bed of roses yet we're ending it on a surprisingly perfect note.'
The popular TV host and former actor Peter Yu and Yifeng are calling it quits, after a tumultuous 10 years of marriage.
The pair have decided to share custody of their daughter, 9.
The news which came on Wednesday didn't surprise any.
It was only a matter of time, say close and mutual friends.
From the responses of those who spoke to The New Paper, the decision to separate is a 'happy' one - a word that was most commonly used.
After all, throughout the last 10 years of marriage, the couple have seen their relationship through several highs and lows.
There was even talk of Yifeng slapping Peter in public earlier this year, and that he had allegedly been unfaithful to her.
To 'officially' announce the divorce to the media, Yifeng entrusted celebrity hairstylist Addy Lee, who is her confidante - and second only to her family - to issue a statement on the couple's behalf.
In the one-page brief to the media and close friends, the couple said that they had reached a friendly and peaceful compromise to call it quits two months ago.
Their divorce will be final on 3 Jan.
Yifeng left with their daughter for a week-long visit to her home country Taiwan yesterday afternoon.
It's time
Yifeng, who spoke to The New Paper before she left, admitted that she was the one who initiated the divorce - after returning home from work one day.
She said: 'We'd gone from the frequent fighting to not talking to each other anymore.'
When she brought up the question of divorce, Yifeng admitted she was somewhat touched at Peter's first response: 'How will that affect your career?'
She added: 'And when we'd decided to proceed, Peter even took over the paperwork so that I didn't have to worry about bumping into any reporters.'
Yifeng admitted that facing the media is her greatest fear.
She said: 'To divorce is not scary, but waiting to come out in the open is. It's just like someone on deathrow.'
She said she did not relish the idea of having to deal with the media.
Peter, 40, who now runs his own property firm, was asleep when The New Paper contacted him yesterday morning.
He declined to be interviewed but said: 'I really don't think it's necessary to comment on anything except that we didn't do this (the divorce) on impulse.
'We've discussed and considered everything carefully.'
Addy, who has known the wacky compere 'from day one' - when she first entered showbiz sometime in 1992, described the parting of ways as 'a natural progress'.
He said: 'They've gone from fighting over every other thing so constantly that now, when they don't fight anymore, it's time for them to part.'
He should know best - after all, he's the big brother whom Yifeng turns to for anything and everything.
He said: 'Of course, when a couple fight, you'd only advise them to reconcile. The only thing I'd say was, consider carefully.'
Addy said Yifeng has his full support and blessings.
He added: 'We should feel happy for them, that they're able to do so amicably and peacefully.'
A former actress and friend of the couple, who asked not to be named, said she hoped no one would judge either party unfairly.
She said: 'If you really know them, they're both happier now than ever before. They don't have to deal with all the things people say, like how Peter is too henpecked or that Yifeng has to work so hard to support the family.'
Comedian Mark Lee, who is also Yifeng's business partner, said: 'I don't think we should bother about all such talk.
'Yifeng and Peter's final responsibility is towards their loved ones, like their daughter and family members.'
Mark said he also respected the manner in which the couple were handling the situation.
He said: 'It's really good to note that they have decided to opt for joint custody.
'This way, the young child will not be unduly affected, like having to wait for 'visiting days' before she could see either parent.'
Yifeng's boss and colleague, Ms Lim Puay Keem, said she was impressed with her professionalism.
The vice-president of MediaCorp's Chinese Entertainment Unit was also Yifeng's boss when she first returned to the then-MediaWorks' Channel U in 2000.
In 1996, the budding superstar host was fired by the then-TCS over a fight at a bowling alley and for driving without a valid licence.
Ms Lim said: 'I was not surprised or shocked by the announcement. In fact, Yifeng had dropped several hints during some programmes she hosted, such as the Channel U talkshow CelebriTea Break.
'But she has also not allowed it to affect her work.'
Work as usual
Which could be especially tough especially since Yifeng often has to take on wacky roles.
Ms Lim said: 'I feel it's good that they have come to this decision amicably and not turn it into an ugly debacle.'
Another former colleague, chaperone turned good friend Carol Chay, said: 'Yifeng is a very gan xin (sentimental) person. For her to come out in the open would mean she and Peter have considered all the options and consequences for a long time.'
Ms Chay also felt that it would also not be fair to judge Yifeng unfairly just because she is the more outspoken of the two.
Said Ms Chay: 'Unless you're Yifeng or Peter, I don't think it'd be right for anyone to judge them. We should just offer them our blessings.'
Both Ms Chay and Addy felt that a variety of reasons contributed to the breakdown - a clash in personalities and the lack of adequate, proper communication.
Yifeng said: 'Peter's the generous, easy-going and maybe, restless wanderer - one that most women would probably try to change into the ideal husband.
'But when you realise that it's not going to happen, you just to learn to let him go.'
