Chapter 33: Pei Yi’s Thoughts

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Pei Qizhou’s voice was icy, as though he were speaking of someone wholly unrelated to him. Not the slightest trace of emotion could be heard in it.

Even he himself was lost in confusion, utterly unable to understand what he was thinking at that moment. His thoughts drifted erratically, like threads that had been cut loose.

Seeing this, Xu Miao’s lips curved faintly upward, forming a seemingly gentle smile that concealed unfathomable intentions. A glimmer of satisfaction flashed quickly through her eyes, as though everything were unfolding according to her design.

She parted her lips and said in a soft, composed voice, “Qizhou, you’ve finally come to your senses. This is a release for both you and her. Isn’t that a good thing?”

Though her voice was gentle and pleasing, a careful listener could detect within it a faint, almost imperceptible coldness and detachment.

Pei Qizhou did not answer Xu Miao immediately. He merely remained silent, his hollow gaze fixed on the distant horizon. A tangle of emotions crossed his eyes: reluctance, pain, helplessness, and relief.

He knew better than anyone that the end of this marriage was not merely a simple separation between two people. It was also the merciless severing of all the beautiful memories they had once shared. The tearing pain of it was something only he could truly understand.

Inside the hospital room, Yao Shan’s emotions gradually settled after a brief upheaval.

She slowly lifted her head and gazed out the window. Sunlight filtered through the half-drawn curtains, casting mottled patterns across her face and making her already illness-paled complexion appear even more wan.

Her heart was in turmoil, filled with conflicting emotions. There was the relief of being freed from a crushing burden, but also an indescribable confusion and unease about the unknown future.

Seeing this, Chu Xun walked gently to her side and gave her shoulder a reassuring pat. His voice was firm and resolute as he said, “No matter what happens in the future, and no matter what difficulties you face, I will remain steadfastly by your side—to accompany you and support you.”

His eyes shone with determination and warmth, silently conveying an endless source of strength and offering Yao Shan comfort and support deep within her heart.

Meanwhile, out in the hospital corridor, Xu Miao lightly linked her arm through Pei Qizhou’s and murmured, “Come on. Let’s find somewhere to have a drink and properly celebrate your regained freedom.”

Her voice held a trace of ease and delight, as though she hoped this would ease the heavy burden weighing on Pei Qizhou’s heart.

“Regained freedom?” Pei Qizhou murmured when he heard those words, ripples spreading through his heart.

He repeated them silently, yet deep within, countless questions and doubts surged to the surface.

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Was this truly what he desired deep down?

He could not help asking himself that question, searching for an answer hidden within the fog.

“I’ll go home and ask Pei Yi what he thinks,” Pei Qizhou said slowly, his voice gentle and carrying a barely perceptible weariness.

His mind was in such turmoil that he had no inclination whatsoever to join in the merriment of a drinking party. His thoughts were consumed by the tangled matters between Yao Shan and himself.

Pei Yi held an irreplaceable place in his heart.

After all, Pei Yi was the child born of their marriage, an indispensable part of both their lives.

Regardless of whether Pei Yi felt close to Yao Shan or distant from her, Pei Qizhou believed it was necessary to hear his son’s true thoughts first.

With the family facing a possible upheaval, Pei Yi’s voice was especially important.

Xu Miao, seated opposite him, was slightly startled by his words. Clearly, she had not expected him to bring up Pei Yi at such a moment.

A flash of displeasure crossed her eyes, as though Pei Yi’s name had touched a sensitive nerve.

However, Xu Miao was skilled at concealing her emotions. She quickly composed herself and replied calmly, “Yes, that’s for the best. After all, Pei Yi is your son. When it comes to family matters, his opinion is indeed important and cannot be ignored.”

Hearing her answer, Pei Qizhou felt slightly comforted, as though the weight pressing upon his heart had eased a little.

He drew a deep breath, as if gathering all the strength within him, then slowly turned and began walking toward the hospital room.

Although every step felt extraordinarily heavy, as though he were carrying a burden weighing a thousand pounds, a trace of resolve quietly appeared in his eyes—a determination that allowed no doubt.

Inside the room, Yao Shan remained seated quietly by the window, her figure seeming especially frail in the weak sunlight.

Her empty gaze was fixed on the distance, as though she were staring at some unreachable illusion. Her entire being was submerged in an endless sea of thoughts.

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When Chu Xun saw Pei Qizhou return, his brows drew together slightly, and a complicated emotion flashed through his eyes. In the end, however, he said nothing. He merely stepped aside, leaving Pei Qizhou and Yao Shan enough space to speak in private.

Pei Qizhou walked over to Yao Shan and said softly, “Yao Shan, I want to talk to Pei Yi.” His voice was gentle yet firm, as though he were trying to convey a soothing reassurance.

At the mention of Pei Yi, a bitter smile touched Yao Shan’s lips, filled with helplessness and sorrow.

“He stopped wanting me as his mother a long time ago. What good would it do to talk to him?” Her gaze remained fixed blankly on the distance, and a trace of despair seeped into her voice. “Go home and ask him.”

Come to think of it, she had not seen Pei Yi for a very long time. The tenderness that had once existed between mother and son seemed to have long since been swept away without a trace by the current of time.

Pei Qizhou’s heart sank. Yao Shan’s words were like a sharp blade plunging deep into his chest, bringing a violent stab of pain.

He knew that Pei Yi’s estrangement from Yao Shan had not arisen overnight. It was the result of years of accumulating family conflicts, and the rift between them had long since taken root.

“I’ll go back and ask him. We’ll respect what he wants,” Pei Qizhou said in a low, resolute voice, trying to find a thread of hope amid the despair.

“Whatever.” Yao Shan lowered her head. Her voice was dull and weak, as though she had already lost all expectation and seemed to know what the answer would be. Her entire figure was shrouded in darkness.

Pei Qizhou turned and left the room, his footsteps heavy as lead. His heart was filled with conflicting emotions: sympathy for Yao Shan, concern for Pei Yi, and even greater confusion about the future of the family as a whole.

When he returned home, Pei Qizhou did not immediately go looking for Pei Yi. Instead, he sat alone in the study, quietly attempting to sort through his chaotic thoughts.

A photograph of the family of three hung on the wall. The smiles in the picture seemed so distant, as though they belonged to a story from another world. The happy days they had once shared now appeared impossibly far away.

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