Chapter 22: Simply Appearing Was a Mistake
After returning home, Yao Shan found Xu Miao greeting her with the air of a victor.
Xu Miao’s smile struck Yao Shan as especially glaring, yet she forced herself to control her emotions, hiding the disappointment and sorrow within.
She understood that no matter how unwilling she was to accept the reality, the company had already made its decision. She needed to demonstrate her professional composure.
“Congratulations, Xu Miao,” Yao Shan said calmly, though her tone carried a subtle heaviness.
Despite the bitterness and pain inside, she knew she had to maintain her dignity.
“Sorry, Miss Yao, for snatching your project,” Xu Miao said with a hint of boasting and pride.
She seemed to relish this moment of triumph, as if declaring Yao Shan’s defeat.
Yao Shan did not respond to Xu Miao’s provocation, knowing this was not the time for confrontation.
Taking a deep breath, she tried to uphold her grace, showing maturity and rationality.
“Xu Miao, I believe you are capable of handling this project. If you encounter any issues, feel free to come to me.”
Having said this calmly, she turned and left the room, leaving Xu Miao standing alone, her smile gradually freezing.
Just then, Pei Qizhou returned.
As soon as he entered, he saw Xu Miao standing there awkwardly, her brows furrowed and looking uneasy.
Pei Qizhou approached with concern and asked, “What happened?”
Xu Miao’s voice was low as she tried to mask her unease, softly replying, “Yao Shan... she doesn’t seem pleased.”
Pei Qizhou was silent for a moment before saying slowly, “Don’t mind her.”
He was well aware of Yao Shan’s dedication at work and her efforts, but this time, he chose to side with Xu Miao.
Standing at the staircase, Yao Shan listened to their conversation, tears flowing uncontrollably.
“Don’t mind her”—how ironically cruel those words sounded.
Now, she understood clearly: whatever Xu Miao desired, no matter what it was, could easily be snatched from her grasp.
---
Yao Shan felt as if her heart was being torn apart. She once believed she held a certain place in Pei Qizhou’s heart, but now it all seemed so fragile.
She felt betrayed and ignored, as if all her efforts and sacrifices had been rendered meaningless.
Wiping away her tears, she forced herself to endure the pain and quietly returned to her room.
She needed time to calm her emotions and to contemplate the path ahead.
At that moment, her phone rang unexpectedly, the screen displaying Chu Xun’s name.
Her heart raced instantly, a foreboding feeling rising within her. She vaguely sensed this call might be related to her father’s condition.
Though anxiety filled her, she tried to remain composed, took several deep breaths, and answered.
“Chu Xun, is something wrong?” Her voice was as calm as she could make it, but the tension and unease were difficult to conceal.
“Shanshan, can you come to the hospital?” Chu Xun’s voice sounded urgent, as if something pressing needed her immediate attention.
“What happened?” Yao Shan asked with a trembling voice, desperate for the truth.
“Just come over first. It’s hard to explain in a few words,” Chu Xun replied helplessly, clearly needing her to arrive swiftly.
Yao Shan did not ask further. After hanging up, she quickly composed herself, striving to steady her nerves.
She grabbed her coat and hurried out the door, her heart heavy with worry and unease.
She knew Chu Xun wouldn’t call her to the hospital without reason, especially at such a critical time.
Her mind swirled with speculation and concern, yet she forced herself to remain calm, knowing panic would do no good.
She needed to stay rational to face whatever awaited her.
On the way to the hospital, her thoughts were chaotic.
She understood the likely cause was another sudden crisis involving her mother.
She headed straight to her father’s ward and, as expected, found Chu Xun standing at the door.
“I have to tell you something. You’d better stay away from Yao Shan. If anything happens to her father, I will hold you responsible. If you think you can bear that responsibility, fine. But if you can’t, then get far away from us!” Her mother’s voice was sharp and piercing, like a shrew’s shriek. Yao Shan found it unbearable to listen.
---
Yao Shan’s steps involuntarily slowed, her heart sinking into an endless abyss.
Her mother’s furious threats toward Chu Xun filled her with unprecedented pressure and anxiety.
She took a deep breath, trying to steady herself, then resolutely entered the ward.
Inside, her mother’s face was etched with anger and dissatisfaction, while Chu Xun stood nearby, his expression grave and somewhat helpless.
Yao Shan’s father lay on the bed, pale and frail, seeming ready to slip away from this world at any moment.
Yao Shan approached the bedside, gently holding her father’s hand, feeling its faint warmth. Tears welled in her eyes as worry for her father and helplessness toward her mother swirled within her.
“Mom, Chu Xun is here to help. He hasn’t done anything wrong,” Yao Shan said in as peaceful a tone as possible, trying to ease the tension.
Her mother was unconvinced, glaring at Yao Shan before turning back to Chu Xun. “His presence is the biggest mistake!”
Faced with Yao Shan’s mother’s accusations, Chu Xun did not immediately retort but patiently explained, “Auntie, I’m here to assist Uncle Yao. His condition requires professional medical advice.”
He turned to Yao Shan’s father and continued, “I’ve already consulted with Uncle Yao’s attending physician. They agreed with my treatment plan, and I believe it can help improve his condition.”
“We don’t need it!” her mother waved her hand. “Just get out of here.”
Chu Xun looked at Yao Shan, unsure of what to do next.
“Mom...” Yao Shan knelt before her mother, wanting to say something.
Before she could speak, her mother slapped her hard.
A burning pain instantly spread across her face.
She stared at her mother in disbelief. “Mom, why did you do that?”
She could hardly believe her mother’s palm had landed so firmly on her cheek.
It hurt... so much.