Chapter 50. Song Huai had long ago loved him a thousand times over in a corner unknown to anyone.

So, it turned out that Song Huai had always liked him all along. It took Bai Xiao a long time to fully process this fact.

In the past, Bai Xiao would have been overjoyed to hear about this, but now, all that remained in his heart was boundless sadness.

No wonder the man looked shocked when Song Boyu first took him to meet Song Huai. No wonder that man always made excuses whenever Song Boyu wanted to invite him and Song Huai to dinner afterward. When he couldn't choose between his best brother and the person he liked, he could only choose to run away.

Furthermore, what were Song Huai's feelings when he agreed to marry him?

After marriage, how much effort did Song Huai put into hiding his feelings so that he couldn't see any flaws?

Later, under his repeated pursuit, how much guilt did Song Huai feel, wanting to stay away from him while being unable to resist him?

He thought his love for Song Huai was deep enough, but he never expected that Song Huai had been secretly loving him a thousand times over in a corner unknown to anyone.

Bai Xiao dared not imagine what kind of pain and torment Song Huai had gone through all these years.

He was already feeling terrible just thinking about it now, let alone Song Huai himself.

Bai Xiao covered her face with her hands in despair, her shoulders trembling, and she burst into tears.

"Are the patient's family members here? Please come and sign the critical condition notice." A nurse walked over with a stack of forms.

"I'll sign!"

The three people present spoke in unison.

Bai Xiao solemnly said, "I am the patient's legal husband, I will sign."

The nurse glanced at Bai Xiao and handed him the notification.

Bai Xiao skimmed through the text, reading "massive bleeding," "wound infection," and "internal organ rupture." Each shocking word pierced his eyes like a sharp knife, making him feel as if he were about to lose his ability to read.

He couldn't hold the pen properly several times, and finally, with trembling hands, he signed his name on the paper—the most difficult signature he had ever made in his life.

That night, the operating room was brightly lit.

Later, Liu Weitian no longer had the strength to scold Bai Xiao. The three of them waited quietly at the door of the operating room, their hearts heavy. They dared not imagine the worst possible outcome.

Memories of his time with Song Huai flashed through Bai Xiao's mind. He remembered many things he had previously overlooked.

On their wedding day, he treated it as just a formality to complete a business transaction, while Song Huai, who walked down the aisle with him, was extremely tense and nervous.

On their wedding night, he got drunk and mistook Song Huai for Song Boyu. The despair that Song Huai's tear-filled eyes held was utterly devastating.

Song Huai's tastes were clearly very different from his own, yet every meal he cooked for him was just right for his taste.

At the concert, when Song Huai saw himself, there was the music that was out of tune and his joyful smile.

On New Year's Eve, she carefully planned to confess to Song Huai. Song Huai took the initiative to kiss her. Although he wanted to sever ties with her the next day, how could the burning passion in his eyes that night be fake?

Song Huaiming was allergic to shrimp, but he still ate all the shrimp that I peeled for him. It wasn't because he was craving shrimp, but clearly... clearly because I made the shrimp myself.

Also, "At the Moment," Song Huai's signature piece, has been played countless times by Song Huai on various occasions over the years. He has long used the music to declare his love to the world, but the person in question has remained completely unaware.

He foolishly believed that it was his persistent pursuit that made Song Huai agree to be with him. How ridiculous! How could his so-called pursuit compare to even a fraction of Song Huai's affection for him?

This little liar has been scheming to deceive me for so long. If Liu Weitian hadn't accidentally let it slip just now, how long would he have planned to keep it from me?

Later, all his thoughts faded away, and only one thought remained in his mind: Song Huai, please, you must live, give me a chance to make up for all this.

As dawn broke, the chirping of sparrows filled the air, and the operating room sign finally went dark.

The door opened, and Song Huai was pushed out. Before Bai Xiao could even take a second look, he was rushed into the ICU.

Bai Xiao quickly called out to Chen Mingqing, who was the last to come out, "How is Song Huai?"

Chen Mingqing took off his mask. After a night of running around, his face was full of fatigue. He rubbed his temples. "Bai Xiao, you should really be glad that the knife wound was less than an inch away from your heart." He glanced at Bai Xiao coldly and said in a deep voice, "Otherwise, you could be waiting to collect his corpse."

After saying that, Chen Mingqing, not wanting to waste any more words with Bai Xiao, headed back to his office.

"Hey!" Bai Xiao called out to him again, hesitating as if she wanted to say something.

"What is it? Spit it out." Chen Mingqing said impatiently.

Bai Xiao hesitated: "How is Song Huai's hand...?"

Chen Mingqing sighed heavily and said softly, "A penetrating wound that also damaged his tendons. His hand... is most likely ruined."

Bai Xiao immediately raised his voice: "How can that be!" He had already anticipated this outcome when he saw the knife wound on Song Huai's hand, but even so, he still couldn't accept it when the facts were right in front of him. "Song Huai... how will he play the piano in the future..."

He clutched Chen Mingqing's sleeve, pleading, "You must save him, he can't, he can't..."

Chen Mingqing interrupted Bai Xiao expressionlessly: "You still have the nerve to ask? Song Huai became like this because of all the mess your family has made!"

Having said that, Chen Mingqing, no longer wanting to pay attention to Bai Xiao, shook off his hand and walked away.

Upon hearing their conversation, Liu Weitian and Qiu Wu were both stunned, their pupils dilating in shock.

They didn't know that Song Huai's hand was also injured, and it looked quite serious.

A pianist's hands are their second life; if their hands are ruined, how is that any different from killing Song Huai?

Since arriving at the hospital, Qiu Wu had been trying her best to control herself and remain calm. But now, she could no longer hold on, and she crouched down, burying her face in her hands, and broke down in tears.

Only she knew how much Song Huai loved the piano.

While still in the music academy, most students treated practicing the piano as a daily task or a means of making a living in the future. They practiced for several hours every day, and at most they would cram for a little longer before the final exam.

But Song Huai was different. He truly regarded the piano as an indispensable part of his life, practicing it day and night with all his heart.

Since the school's practice rooms were only open for a limited time, Song Huai would return to the small house Song Boyu had given him after the practice rooms closed to continue playing the piano. She had personally heard Song Huai repeatedly play the same musical phrase for an entire afternoon. When asked, Song Huai only said that the feeling of playing this phrase was not right.

That day, she finally used her trump card, asking Song Huai if he wanted to go eat Chen Ji Beef Noodles together. Song Huai couldn't resist the temptation, stopped practicing the piano, and went to have dinner with her.

More often than not, Song Huai would lose track of time once he started playing the piano, often forgetting to eat or sleep, which ultimately ruined his stomach.

Song Huai is an extremely talented pianist whose musical comprehension and expressive ability far surpass those of his classmates.

Song Huaigeng was a hardworking and diligent pianist. Every piece he played on stage was the result of countless hours of practice offstage.

This once-in-a-century piano prodigy will never be able to play the piano again.

Song Huai's last solo concert was a great success, receiving rave reviews from the industry. His team is now preparing to organize a national tour for him, which is exactly what Song Huai has been looking forward to for a long time.

But now, none of these things can be done.

Qiu Wu dared not think too much about what Song Huai's reaction would be after he woke up.

She could only pray to God that Song Huai would get through this safely.

Bai Xiao slowly walked to the glass of the ICU, standing motionless like a statue, staring at the person lying on the bed inside.

Song Huai's eyes were closed, his face was deathly pale, his face was covered by a ventilator, and his body was connected to many tubes. He was so fragile that he seemed like he would break at the slightest touch.

The doctor said the patient is still in a critical period, and no outsiders are allowed to approach during this time. Whether the patient can pull through depends on fate and the patient's own will.

Bai Xiao replied confidently that Song Huai would definitely survive.

The doctor didn't understand why the patient's family member was so confident, but he didn't want to discourage them, so he kept quiet.

Bai Xiao stared intently at Song Huai, her hand gently stroking the glass, as if she were caressing the person on the hospital bed from afar.

Song Huai, you can definitely hold on, right? Don't forget, you've liked me for so many years. Can you just leave like this?

--

Amidst the swirling smoke, Song Huai vaguely felt himself on a small boat, slowly moving forward on a river, his feet swaying gently.

As the smoke gradually dissipated, Song Huai saw a large expanse of red spider lilies blooming on both banks of the river, dazzling and alluring.

At the end of the river is a small bridge with a plaque on it that reads "奈何" (Naihe).

One side of the bridge was crowded with people, while the other side was completely empty.

Those on this side of the bridge still have ties to the world. Only those who have completely severed their worldly ties will walk onto the bridge and drink the Meng Po soup.

There's only one rule: once you're on the bridge, you can't turn back, or you'll have to start all over again.

After wandering around in the crowd for a long time, Song Huai still couldn't find Song Boyu. He figured that Song Boyu had probably crossed the bridge and been reincarnated.

Without hesitation, Song Huai also stepped onto the bridge and walked forward step by step.

But he always felt that he had forgotten something. What had he forgotten?

Suddenly realizing something was wrong, he touched his heart and was surprised to feel a thumping sound beneath his skin.

Strange, wasn't he dead? Why is his heart still beating?

Why did he die? Oh right, he was killed by Bai Xiao's uncle.

Bai Xiao!

He remembered! What he had forgotten was Bai Xiao, who was still waiting for him outside the operating room!

Song Huaiqing couldn't help but turn around.

In an instant, all the scenes before my eyes vanished: the river, the bridge, the spider lilies on both banks, and the crowds by the bridge all disappeared.

Song Huai suddenly opened his eyes.