Chapter 23: No More Caring-Após fingir a própria morte por câncer, o marido canalha e o filho ingrato choram como cães(O imortal busca a imortalidade)

Yao Shan clutched her burning cheek, and at last, the tears she had been holding back spilled over. Her heart was heavy with grievance and confusion; she could not understand why her mother would treat her this way. She searched for an explanation, but her mother’s face remained a mask of indifference and cold resolve.

"Mom, what did I do wrong?" Yao Shan’s voice trembled. She craved an answer—even a scolding would be better than this wordless, icy silence. Her mother did not answer; she simply turned away, presenting her back to Yao Shan as if refusing any form of communication. Yao Shan felt as though the entire world had abandoned her, leaving her isolated and helpless.

"Chu Xun, let’s go." She pulled at Chu Xun and left the hospital room.

In the hospital corridor, Yao Shan wept uncontrollably. Her vision blurred with tears, the pain of being misunderstood and wounded overwhelming her. Chu Xun stood by her side in silence, offering no words, only a gentle pat on her shoulder to provide quiet support. As they stepped out of the hospital, the sky was overcast, as if mourning alongside her.

Yao Shan took a deep breath, trying to steady her emotions. "Don't worry about them anymore," she said quietly. Her mother was clearly being unreasonable, and under the circumstances, she simply couldn't be bothered to deal with her.

"Alright," Chu Xun nodded. He had done all of this only for Yao Shan and in memory of their shared past. If they were not going to appreciate his efforts, there was no need for him to continue.

"How have you been lately?" Chu Xun asked, looking at her. More than anything, he was concerned for her well-being.

"I’m fine," she replied faintly. Even though she felt physically wretched, she did not want anyone to worry about her.

Yao Shan tried to appear strong, but Chu Xun could sense the fragility within. He understood her situation; he knew she needed more than just comfort—she needed a shoulder to lean on. He decided not to press her further, choosing instead to stay by her side so she would know she wasn't facing this alone.

They reached the parking lot outside the hospital. Chu Xun opened the passenger door for her, then got into the driver’s seat and started the engine. The atmosphere inside the car was heavy; neither spoke, listening only to the wind outside and the hum of the tires on the road. Knowing that the best thing for her was to leave the place that caused her such heartache, Chu Xun suggested, "Let's go to the beach. We can catch some air and clear your mind."

Yao Shan nodded, knowing he was looking out for her. The car pulled out of the lot and headed toward the coast. Along the way, she watched the scenery pass by, her mind full of tangled thoughts, but gradually, a sense of calm began to settle over her.

By the time they reached the shore, it was evening. The setting sun cast its glow over the water, making the waves sparkle, and the sea breeze carried a salty chill. They walked along the coastline, the gentle rhythm of the surf against the sand whispering of nature’s tranquility and acceptance. Yao Shan inhaled the fresh breeze, and the bitterness in her heart seemed to dissipate into the air. She turned to look at Chu Xun, a flicker of gratitude in her eyes. He responded with a warm smile, knowing she needed time to process everything, and he was willing to give her that space.

They walked in silence until night fell and stars began to twinkle overhead. "Let's find somewhere to eat," Chu Xun suggested. "You must be hungry."

Only then did she realize she hadn't eaten all day. She nodded and followed him to a small, nearby restaurant. The lighting was soft and the atmosphere cozy; they found a table by the window. Chu Xun ordered a few of her favorite dishes, and they ate and chatted, carefully avoiding heavy topics.

After the meal, Chu Xun drove her home. In the car, Yao Shan finally spoke, "Pei Qizhou gave my project to Xu Miao. I’m out of a job." She cared deeply about her career; it was the only thing that brought her joy and helped her forget her troubles. Now, even that had been taken from her by Pei Qizhou.

Chu Xun frowned, feeling her sense of loss and defeat. He knew how passionate she was about her work. "My family’s company is hiring," he said, looking at her. "Why don't you come work for us?"

Medical work was merely his personal passion, but his family was in business. When Yao Shan heard his offer, a wave of warmth washed over her. She knew his family’s company was vast and powerful; it would be an incredible opportunity. Yet, she also understood that his proposal wasn't out of pity, but a genuine desire to help.

"I... I don't know," she hesitated. She didn't want to cause him trouble or have others think she only got the job through connections.

Sensing her reservations, Chu Xun said gently, "Yao Shan, everyone knows you have the talent. My family knows you too; they won't give you special treatment just because you’re my friend. You are more than capable of handling the work."

Yao Shan fell silent for a moment before nodding slowly. She knew he was right; she needed a fresh start and a new challenge. "Alright, I’ll try."

Chu Xun smiled with relief. He knew she was a strong girl and would bounce back from this setback. "I’ll take you to meet my father tomorrow," he said. "He’ll talk to you himself."

Yao Shan looked at him with gratitude. She knew he had done so much for her, and the least she could do was live up to his expectations. As the car continued through the night, their conversation grew lighter. Chu Xun told a few jokes, and her mood began to improve. They talked about future plans, potential projects, and their hopes for what lay ahead.

"Stay here tonight. This is my private apartment," Chu Xun said as they arrived. He knew she wasn't in a state to return to the Pei household, and he was happy to let her stay here.

Yao Shan looked at him, at a loss for words.

"I’ll go home; you can stay here," he said with a smile. He knew she was nervous and would never do anything to make her uncomfortable. He reached out and gently ruffled her hair with a look of affection.