Chapter 48: Get out of my sight!

"What is going on?" Chu Xun immediately noticed the change in Yao Shan, sensing that something was amiss with her.

He followed her line of sight and witnessed the puzzling scene before them as well.

Three people stood together, looking precisely like a happy family—harmonious and close.

A complex and indescribable emotion flashed across Yao Shan's face. She quickly lowered her head, attempting to conceal the turmoil and unease churning deep within her heart.

Chu Xun gently took her hand, silently conveying comfort and support in the hope that she would feel less alone.

His gaze was steadfast and full of warmth, as if telling her through wordless language that no matter what difficulties or challenges she encountered, he would stand firmly by her side and lend her his strength.

Pei Qizhou seemed to have also sensed the unusual atmosphere in this direction. A slight flash of surprise crossed his eyes before he turned his gaze toward where Yao Shan and Chu Xun stood.

In that brief instant, the four of them locked eyes in mid-air. An unspoken awkwardness and heavy tension hung thickly in the air.

"Let's go," Chu Xun said softly, shattering the suffocating silence.

Unable to bear watching Yao Shan endure any further pressure and distress at this moment, he decided to take her away from this awkward setting.

Yao Shan gave a slight nod, took a deep breath, and struggled to calm her roiling emotions.

She knew very well that she had to be strong right now; she could not show any vulnerability or anxiety in front of these people.

However, Xu Miao seemingly had no intention of letting them leave so easily.

With a smile on her face, Xu Miao walked toward them with a light and confident step, acting as though she were completely oblivious to the awkward atmosphere hanging in the air.

Her gaze fell gently on Yao Shan, carrying a hint of friendly greeting. "Miss Yao, how are you feeling now?" Her voice was soft and calm, attempting to break the rigid silence.

Yao Shan smiled faintly. Despite the stormy emotions raging inside her, she fought to maintain a calm exterior and replied softly, "I'm much better."

A trace of imperceptible bitterness laced her tone, as if she were masking her inner fragility.

Xu Miao nodded, shifted her gaze to Chu Xun, and smiled. "It's a good thing Mr. Chu takes such good care of you. Miss Yao and Mr. Chu must be very happy together." Her tone was heavily dripping with sarcasm.

"As long as you are happy." Yao Shan did not answer Xu Miao directly.

She simply couldn't be bothered to waste breath on them.

Xu Miao's smile faltered for a fraction of a second, clearly caught off guard by Yao Shan's response, but she quickly regained her composure and resumed her elegant posture.

Pei Qizhou stood nearby, watching the scene with a complicated look in his eyes, seemingly weighing whether he should intervene in this delicate confrontation.

Sensing Yao Shan's forbearance and discomfort, Chu Xun tightened his grip on her hand, offering her silent support.

His gaze remained resolute, as if assuring Yao Shan that no matter how chaotic the external world might be, he would always be her most steadfast refuge.

"The sea breeze is too chilly, and Yao Shan's body can't handle it. We'll be leaving first." Chu Xun spoke again, his tone carrying an unquestionable firmness, as if declaring their decision to everyone present.

He refused to let Yao Shan continue enduring this pointless awkwardness and pressure, knowing full well that such an environment was a severe test for both her physical and mental well-being.

"Mr. Chu really cares deeply for Miss Yao," Xu Miao remarked, taking on the air of a spectator eager for a good show. To her, every interaction between them was brimming with high drama.

It was as if she wouldn't be satisfied unless something scandalous happened between them, perpetually trying to stir up unnecessary ripples in their lives.

Yao Shan did not reply to Xu Miao again. She merely gave a slight nod to signal that she truly needed to leave, having no desire to prolong this meaningless conversation.

Shielding her, Chu Xun turned and walked toward the direction of the parking lot. Every step he took was steady and composed, as if reassuring everyone that he would protect her.

The night breeze remained gentle, yet it failed to smooth out the turbulent waves in Yao Shan's heart. Her emotions were a tangled mess, filled with both gratitude toward Chu Xun and helplessness regarding the current situation.

"Yao Shan, stop right there!" Pei Yi called out to her, his voice carrying a commanding edge.

Instead of calling her Mom, he addressed her directly by her full name.

Yao Shan's footsteps paused slightly, but she did not turn around. She simply stood frozen in place, her back turned to Pei Yi.

Chu Xun's brows furrowed slightly. He turned his head and shot a chilling glare at Pei Yi, attempting to use his eyes to warn the boy not to continue harassing Yao Shan.

Seeming entirely unfazed by Chu Xun's glare, Pei Yi walked straight up to Yao Shan, his eyes flashing with stubbornness and incomprehension. "Why are you leaving? Don't you want to be with us anymore?"

Yao Shan took a deep breath, forcing her voice to remain steady. "Pei Yi, your father and I are already divorced. We each have our own lives now."

A flicker of pain crossed Pei Yi's young face. Biting his lip, his voice choked slightly as he said, "I said before, I don't agree to your divorce!"

Chu Xun gently patted Pei Yi's shoulder, his voice soft yet firm. "Pei Yi, adults' affairs are sometimes very complicated—not as simple as you think. What your mom needs right now is peace and rest. We should all respect her choice."

Yet Pei Yi refused to listen to a single word of it.

"Get lost!" he shouted emotionally, shoving Chu Xun aside. Pointing an angry finger at him, he accused, "If it weren't for you, how could my mom have left me?" He cast every single ounce of responsibility and blame squarely onto Chu Xun, as if Chu Xun were the root cause of all their misfortune.

He conveniently forgot that what truly drove Yao Shan away was the actions of both him and Pei Qizhou—it was their combined efforts that had pushed Yao Shan to her breaking point.

"Pei Yi, shut your mouth!" Yao Shan spun around, fixing a blazing glare on Pei Yi, her voice carrying an undeniable sternness.

This was the first time she had ever issued such a command to Pei Yi. Although her voice was harsh, it was difficult to conceal the profound pain and helplessness hidden within her eyes.

Taken aback by her sudden and severe tone, a flicker of panic crossed Pei Yi's eyes, but he quickly lifted his chin with stubborn defiance, his gaze swimming with confusion and grievance.

Seeing this, Pei Qizhou finally stepped forward, gently grabbing Pei Yi by the shoulder in an attempt to diffuse the tense atmosphere.

"Why are you yelling at Pei Yi?" He looked at Yao Shan, his tone filled with reproach and incomprehension.

Meeting Pei Qizhou's interrogation, a complex emotion flashed through Yao Shan's eyes as she seemed to search for the right words.

She took a deep breath, doing her absolute best to keep her voice steady, though a slight tremor still betrayed her words: "Pei Qizhou, I am simply telling him a fact. The relationship between us can never go back to the way it was, and he needs to accept that reality."