The next day, Gu Susu went to a fashion company called Saiou. The interview went smoothly, and she was hired on the spot as the chief designer. This was also due to her experience working at Mishang and her winning the Fashion Design Potential Award, making it easy for her to apply to such a company. Moreover, she found that the interviewer was the company's owner, a woman around forty years old, well-maintained, stylishly dressed, and eager to have talented individuals join the company. It seemed that Chang Qingchuan was right; she already had a foundation in the fashion design industry in Lancheng and could start anew without beginning from scratch, which was better than going to a completely unfamiliar place. With her job secured, her heart settled, knowing she could guarantee a stable life for her child on her own.
As she left Saiou Company, she wanted to share the good news with Chang Qingchuan immediately. She also wanted to treat Chang Qingchuan and Huo Jin to a meal, partly to thank Chang Qingchuan and partly because the misunderstanding between her and Huo Jin had finally been resolved. However, as she took out her phone from her bag, a call came in. The name displayed above the number was "Ai Shunan," which surprised her greatly. She had long since cut ties with the Ai family. The last time Qin Tianyi had intentionally targeted Ai Group, threatening its acquisition, Ai Shunan hadn't approached her; only Ai Yifeng had come to see her once. She had expressed her inability to help, and they parted ways unhappily. Was the sun rising in the west for Ai Shunan to call her personally? She wanted to hear what important matter he had. She was no longer the person she used to be, and Ai Shunan could no longer threaten her by taking her child away!
When the call was connected, before she could speak, Ai Shunan said, "Susu, I heard Qin Tianyi is getting married to Shu Yan. What about you? What is your relationship with Qin Tianyi now?" His tone sounded like a father concerned about his daughter, almost making Gu Susu feel a sense of illusion. However, she quickly regained her composure and said, "Regarding Xiangong Group's acquisition of your company, I still say I can't help. Qin Tianyi and I actually divorced a long time ago." She thought Ai Shunan would immediately hang up upon hearing they were divorced and that she had no further value. However, the other party did not hang up and continued, speaking earnestly, "I'm not calling you for this. I just wanted to check on you. Also, your mother was recently diagnosed with advanced thyroid cancer and may not have many days left. Please come to the hospital to see her."
Hearing this news, Gu Susu was a little shocked. Was Yuan Shuna about to die? Her previously happy mood vanished, replaced by a slight sadness, yet she felt it didn't concern her. She had never felt maternal love from Yuan Shuna; at most, when everyone else bullied her, her biological mother would occasionally play the role of the gentle one. Ai Shunan, hearing no response from her for a long time, knew she still couldn't forgive them. He continued, "We know about Ai Yiwei's matter. Your mother and I wronged you back then, causing you much hardship. We understand if you're unwilling to forgive us. Your mother just wants to see you one last time. After all, she is the mother who gave birth to you." Gu Susu remained silent, holding the phone away from her ear, taking a deep breath, and looking up at the sky to prevent tears from falling. Ai Shunan heard no sound of the call ending, nor did he hear a response from Gu Susu. He said helplessly, "If you're unwilling to see us again, then fine. Take care of yourself out there..."
"Alright, which hospital is she in? I'll go see her," Gu Susu finally said. Yuan Shuna's life was truly coming to an end. Gu Susu just wanted to tell her that they should not be mother and daughter in the next life. Ai Shunan quickly sent the detailed address of the hospital. Gu Susu composed herself, bought some nutritional supplements, and went to the inpatient department of the oncology ward. As she entered the ward, she saw both Ai Shunan and Ai Yifeng there. Yuan Shuna wore a woolen hat, her face pale, her eyebrows almost gone, her eyes tightly closed, seemingly asleep. Ai Shunan and Ai Yifeng were speaking in low voices, but they stopped as soon as she entered. Ai Shunan stood up and said, "You're here." Ai Yifeng also stood up and, seeing Gu Susu dressed professionally with light makeup, said in a low voice, "Now a discarded wife, you seem to be in good spirits. You haven't given up on yourself..."
"Yifeng, shut up! Susu is here to visit her mother. What are you saying now?" Ai Shunan reprimanded him. Gu Susu smiled slightly. Should she be touched? This was the first time in so many years that Ai Shunan had stood up to defend her. Previously, when Ai Yifeng and Ai Yiwei bullied her, Ai Shunan had always turned a blind eye. It was truly touching. "How is she? Has she had surgery yet?" Gu Susu walked to the bedside and saw that Yuan Shuna had lost all her eyelashes, indicating she had started chemotherapy. Ai Shunan replied, "The first round of chemotherapy had little effect. We plan to proceed with surgery." This woman, whom she had once hated intensely, still felt a pang of sadness seeing her so ill. Perhaps it was due to their blood relation; she couldn't be completely cold and heartless towards her biological mother.
As she put down the nutritional supplements and reached out to hold Yuan Shuna's hand, Ai Yifeng suddenly said, "Don't touch her!" Gu Susu took a deep breath, gave up the idea of touching her, and turned to Ai Yifeng, saying, "Are you afraid I'll pull out her oxygen tube?" Ai Yifeng reluctantly changed his words, "That's not what I meant. Mother just fell asleep with difficulty. Don't wake her up." "Understood," Gu Susu said softly. "Okay, I've come to see her. When she wakes up, please tell her I'm leaving now." "Alright, you can go," Ai Yifeng said mockingly, still angry about being rejected last time. "Without Qin Tianyi supporting you, you still stand so tall. Don't think you can be arrogant just because you won some award bought with money." Ai Shunan glared at him fiercely, signaling him to shut up. Gu Susu didn't want to argue with him. Who was it that said not to wake Yuan Shuna, yet Ai Yifeng himself spoke so loudly about her without regard for volume?
Ai Yifeng and Ai Yiwei were both pampered children spoiled by their parents. They never cared about others' feelings, always doing whatever was comfortable for them. As Gu Susu reached the ward door, Yuan Shuna was indeed woken up. She opened her eyes, saw Gu Susu, and hurriedly called out, "Susu, it's good that you're willing to come see me." "Mom! Now you treat her as your daughter, but she's already got high standards and doesn't look down on us anymore..." "You brat, shut up!" Yuan Shuna said angrily to Ai Yifeng. "You and Yi... you're about to kill me. You have no guilt towards your own sister. It's shameful!" After speaking, Yuan Shuna couldn't catch her breath and began to cough violently.