Chapter 12: Death Without Regret

Chu Xun walked ahead, with Yao Shan and her mother following closely behind, passing through the hospital corridor until they reached Yao’s father’s ward.

The room was filled with the sterile scent of disinfectant. Uncle lay quietly on the bed, looking extremely weak.

Upon seeing this, Yao Shan’s mother could no longer hold back her tears. She hurried to the bedside and tightly grasped her husband’s hand.

Chu Xun approached the bed, carefully reviewing Uncle’s medical records and test reports, then softly reassured them, “Auntie, although Uncle’s condition is serious, it is not hopeless. I will do everything in my power to ensure he receives the best treatment.”

“Don’t spout nonsense.” Her mother sneered, casting a sharp glance at Chu Xun from head to toe.

Chu Xun could tell she was hiding something.

“Auntie, if you have something to say, just say it.” Since a decision had already been made, he hoped there would be no more secrets.

She knew all too well that the Pei family was not someone she could afford to offend.

“How capable do you think you are, standing up to the Pei family? Do you think you can afford to provoke them?”

Whether Pei’s father would receive treatment depended solely on a word from Pei Qizhou.

She dared not offend Pei Qizhou.

Chu Xun was silent for a moment, then slowly said, “Auntie, I will handle the medical expenses. I will ensure Uncle receives the necessary treatment without any hindrance due to costs.”

Yao Shan’s mother lifted her head, her eyes filled with disdain.

“If you know what’s good for you, you’d stay away from Yao Shan.”

Suddenly, the room plunged into darkness.

The entire ward was engulfed in blackness, and even the machines monitoring Yao’s father stopped working.

“What’s going on?” Yao Shan frowned.

“I’ll go check.” Chu Xun said.

He ran out of the ward and saw that all other rooms were functioning normally except theirs.

Quickly, he ran along the corridor, his heart heavy with confusion and anxiety.

As he ran, he checked the power boxes along the hallway, trying to find the cause of the blackout.

Yao Shan and her mother remained anxiously in the dark ward, waiting for Chu Xun’s news.

“Yao Shan, do you want to watch your father die?” her mother screamed hoarsely, as if blaming Yao Shan for everything.

“Mom, what exactly do you want from me?” Yao Shan looked calmly at her mother.

She knew her mother would never be on her side.

“I want you to stay by Pei Qizhou’s side properly!” Her mother’s voice was filled with cruelty.

Turning away, Yao Shan shed a single tear in the darkness.

“Room 701 has lost power, all the patient’s machines have stopped!” Chu Xun arrived at the nurse’s station, his face anxious.

Although Yao’s father’s condition didn’t seem critical to him, the machines stopping was a serious matter.

“Mr. Chu, this is an order from above. We have no choice,” the nurse said apologetically.

She recognized Chu Xun—after all, the whole hospital had welcomed him when he arrived.

But that didn’t mean she could go against the higher-ups.

“From above?” Chu Xun frowned.

“You mean the director told you to do this?”

If that was the case, this blackout was no simple accident.

The nurse lowered her head, silent—an implicit confirmation.

She dared not offend the director, nor Chu Xun.

Chu Xun left the nurse’s station and returned to the ward.

It was still pitch black inside, with only the breathing of the mother and daughter audible.

Yao’s father’s breaths were so faint they could hardly be heard.

Chu Xun entered the ward, his eyes quickly scanning everyone in the darkness to ensure their safety.

He approached Yao Shan and her mother, whispering, “Don’t worry, I will handle this.”

Despite his calm tone—

“Chu Xun, this is all your fault!” the mother shouted at him.

Nothing like this had ever happened before; it was only after Chu Xun’s arrival that these events unfolded.

“Auntie, please don’t be anxious,” Chu Xun said without any resentment toward her attitude. Instead, he turned to Yao Shan. “You and I need to talk.”

Her mother’s emotions were too unstable; some things were better said away from her.

The two stepped out of the ward. Chu Xun spoke quietly to Yao Shan, “I need to contact the hospital director to find out exactly what’s going on.”

“No need.” From behind them came Pei Qizhou’s voice.

“I arranged all of this.” A knowing smile curved at the corner of his lips.

“Pei Qizhou?” Yao Shan’s eyes widened as she immediately understood.

“You had them cut the power in my father’s ward?” She clenched her fists, on the verge of exploding.

“Yeah.” Pei Qizhou nodded, smiling.

“You’re already with another man. Why should I bother with your family’s petty matters?”

Chu Xun’s brow furrowed tightly. He stared at Pei Qizhou, anger flickering in his eyes.

“This is playing with a man’s life.” His voice was low and firm, clearly furious at Pei Qizhou’s actions.

But Pei Qizhou seemed indifferent, responding lightly, “I’m just doing what I must—keeping irrelevant people out of my sight.” His arrogance suggested he believed he had the right to decide others’ fates.

Yao Shan’s mother stood aside, watching the confrontation with anxiety and helplessness.

She did not know what to do—torn between her daughter’s future and her husband’s life.

Chu Xun took a deep breath, trying to steady himself. He knew now was not the time for argument; he needed to solve the problem.

“Pei Qizhou, no matter what grievances exist between us, the most important thing now is Uncle Yao’s health. Please restore the power immediately. I will personally supervise the treatment to ensure everything goes smoothly.”

Pei Qizhou looked at Chu Xun with a glint of amusement. “Chu Xun, do you really think you can change anything? Let me tell you, if I want, I can leave you with nothing here.” His tone was threatening.

Chu Xun did not back down. He replied firmly, “I don’t care what power you have. I only care about Uncle Yao’s health. If you don’t stop this unreasonable behavior, I will take necessary measures to protect my patient.”

A cold smile appeared on Pei Qizhou’s lips. He clearly didn’t take Chu Xun’s warning seriously. “Take measures? Who do you think you are? Here, my word is the law.” His words brimmed with arrogance and confidence, as if certain he controlled everything.

Chu Xun clenched his fists, knowing now was not the time for rashness. He needed calm and a way to resolve this.

Taking a deep breath, he kept his voice steady. “Pei Qizhou, what you’re doing will only make things worse. If you truly care about Yao Shan, you wouldn’t hurt her family like this.”