Chapter 36: So, you don't want me anymore?

Xu Miao opened her mouth, seemingly intending to offer an explanation, but Pei Qizhou did not grant her any opportunity to justify herself, cutting her off abruptly.

"Do not think I am unaware that you snuck into Pei Yi's room after I left."

Pei Qizhou furrowed his brow, his tone heavy with skepticism and dissatisfaction. He was no fool to be easily deceived; he had long been cognizant of Xu Miao’s petty maneuvers and hidden agendas, merely choosing to endure them in silence until now. At this moment, he could no longer restrain himself from bringing these matters into the light, serving as a clear warning to her.

The previously calm atmosphere inside the car suddenly grew tense. Xu Miao’s lips trembled slightly, as if she wished to speak, but she ultimately chose silence, refraining from making another sound. She knew all too well that Pei Qizhou was not only exceptionally brilliant but also possessed a keen, penetrating insight; her subtle machinations could never hope to escape his notice.

Pei Yi remained reticent. Outside the car window, the scenery retreated like flowing water, the sights shifting rapidly before his eyes, yet his mood remained shrouded in a thick, impenetrable gloom, unable to brighten.

Pei Qizhou took a deep breath, attempting to steady his inner turmoil and agitation by regulating his breathing. He slowly turned his head to gaze at the passing landscape, silently making a decision: once Yao Shan’s condition stabilized, he would find a suitable time to properly resolve these complex and tangled problems.

The car pulled slowly into the hospital parking lot. Pei Qizhou was the first to open the door and step out, gesturing for Pei Yi and Xu Miao to follow. The three walked into the hospital side by side. The hallway was permeated with the pungent scent of disinfectant, and their footsteps echoed with startling clarity through the vast, silent space. Without a word, they proceeded directly to Yao Shan’s ward. Pei Qizhou raised his hand to knock lightly on the door, and only after hearing a faint, fragile response from within did he cautiously push the door open.

Inside, Yao Shan lay quietly on the hospital bed. Her face was as pale as paper, devoid of any color, and she appeared exceptionally frail.

"Why have you come again?" Yao Shan did not turn to look at those standing at the door. Based solely on the familiar cadence of his footsteps, she had accurately identified Pei Qizhou. After all, having lived with him for so many years, their understanding of one another was etched into their bones; she was intimately familiar with his every habit and trait, knowing his presence better than anyone else.

"Pei Yi wanted to come," Pei Qizhou replied, his voice flat and calm, as if stating the most ordinary of facts. Yet, beneath this seemingly placid tone lay complex emotions deep within his heart that he found difficult to articulate. In truth, his concern for Yao Shan and his inability to let go of her were constant shadows, but out of a man’s pride and concern for appearances, he remained unwilling to reveal such vulnerability.

Pei Yi stood to the side, his gaze fixed intently on Yao Shan, momentarily rendered speechless. His heart was filled with a conflict of emotions—longing and concern for his mother, mixed with a sense of helplessness and heartache at the sight before him. It was true; he had not seen his mother for many days, and upon this reunion, he found her condition to be vastly different from before. Her face was haggard, her once-rosy complexion now pale and listless, her eye sockets sunken, and her gaze revealed a weariness and sorrow that could not be concealed. She had grown so thin that it seemed a mere gust of wind could blow her away.

"Pei Yi," Yao Shan called out, her voice soft and fragile, as if she feared disturbing the silence. She turned her head slightly, her gaze piercing the dim light of the ward to land on Pei Yi, who stood not far away. "What made you suddenly decide to come and see Mother?" Her tone carried a trace of imperceptible surprise and confusion. Yao Shan had long resigned herself to the belief that Pei Yi would never set foot here again, given how clearly and unabashedly he had demonstrated his aversion toward her. Yet, seeing him standing right before her bed, a long-lost sense of familiarity surged into her heart, battering her fragile emotional defenses. She had thought her heart was as still as stagnant water, unmoved by any of Pei Yi's actions, but tears welled up of their own accord, sliding silently down her cheeks. In this moment, all her grievances, confusion, and longing transformed into silent tears, speaking to the truest emotions hidden within her soul.

"You don't want me anymore, do you?" Pei Yi suppressed his emotions, struggling to keep from weeping, and asked her directly.

Hearing this, Yao Shan felt a sharp sting in her heart, and her tears flowed more freely. She forced a faint smile and whispered, "Pei Yi, how could Mother ever not want you? You are the person closest to me." Her voice was faint, yet every word was imbued with deep affection and helplessness.

Pei Yi’s eyes reddened. He bit his lip, striving to maintain his composure. He walked to the bedside and gently took hold of Yao Shan’s hand, feeling the coldness and frailty of her fingers. "Then why did you divorce my father?" His voice carried a tremor he could not quite hide as he pressed for an answer, his eyes filled with both confusion and anticipation.

Yao Shan’s expression grew complex, as if a thousand threads of emotion were weaving together within her. She took a deep breath, trying to calm her heart and steady her voice so that Pei Yi would not perceive her inner turmoil. She knew what this question meant to him; it was not merely the end of a marriage, but a profound upheaval regarding their family and their bond. Yet, some things she could not escape, and she was forced to face them. Despite the guilt and helplessness in her heart, she had to provide an answer.

"Pei Yi, some things are not as simple as you imagine," Yao Shan said, her voice weak yet firm with an undeniable resolve. Every word felt carefully weighed, as she attempted to make him understand the complexity of the adult world. "The world of adults is complicated. Sometimes, certain decisions are not made out of desire, but are forced by various pressures and the helplessness of reality."

Pei Qizhou stood nearby, his brow furrowed, his eyes reflecting concern for Yao Shan and anxiety over the current situation. He did not wish for Yao Shan to explain too much at this moment, as her physical condition could not withstand such emotional volatility. He knew that excessive explanations would not make Pei Yi truly understand and might only complicate matters further. Consequently, he gently patted Pei Yi on the shoulder, attempting to shift the topic and ease the tense atmosphere. His gesture was gentle yet firm, serving as both a comfort to Pei Yi and a silent show of support for Yao Shan.

"Pei Yi, let’s let your mother rest for now. We can talk about everything else slowly in the future."