Chapter 8. "Why are you crying? Tomorrow is my big day."

Bai Xiao shook the bag in her hand and said, "Let's eat."

Song Huai then noticed the exquisite large bag that Bai Xiao was carrying.

After Bai Xiao finished speaking, he walked straight in, leaving Song Huai standing blankly at the door, staring at Bai Xiao's back in disbelief. After a while, the corners of his mouth quietly curved up, and he said loudly, "Bai Xiao, please sit down."

Song Huai recognized the logo on the bag; it belonged to a very famous restaurant in the city. He always had to make a reservation at least a month in advance. He remembered that the restaurant did not do takeout, and he didn't know how Bai Xiao managed to do it.

Upon seeing Bai Xiao for the first time, Song Huai's heart began to race uncontrollably. In fact, if he weren't afraid of making things worse, he really wanted to go to the restroom and cool down his burning cheeks with cold water.

Song Huai frantically tried to open the bag, but the more impatient he was, the worse it got. The knot on the bag seemed to tighten in his hands, and he gradually lost patience, resorting to brute force to tear it open. Ironically, a pianist with nimble fingers was stumped by a mere takeout packaging bag.

"Pfft!" Bai Xiao was amused by Song Huai's silly appearance.

Hearing the sudden laughter, Song Huai turned to look at Bai Xiao, who was sitting leisurely on the sofa watching him make a fool of himself. He blushed instantly and said angrily, "You... what are you laughing at!"

Bai Xiao didn't answer him. Instead, she stepped forward, took the bag from his hand, and a barely perceptible smile remained on her lips.

Song Huai's eyes were fixed on Bai Xiao, who was intently unpacking the takeout bag. Bai Xiao's features were strikingly deep, like someone of mixed race, and his profile was perfectly sculpted. His chestnut-brown hair appeared even more silky and soft under the light. For a moment, Song Huai once again succumbed to Bai Xiao's beauty.

Perhaps sensing Song Huai's intense gaze, Bai Xiao also turned to look at Song Huai, and unexpectedly, their eyes met.

Under the light, Song Huai's amber eyes appeared even clearer and brighter. Bai Xiao was caught off guard once again by those familiar eyes, and his heart skipped a beat.

At that moment, the world seemed to freeze. The two of them stared intently at each other as if under a spell, regardless of whether it was inappropriate.

After a long while, Song Huai was the first to come to his senses. His eyes darted around, and he pretended that nothing had happened. He walked awkwardly to the kitchen, wanting to get some water: "Bai... Bai Xiao, do you want some water? I only have boiled water here."

Bai Xiao didn't remind him that the kettle was on the table in front of him. He just silently turned his head and continued to unpack the takeout box. However, he didn't realize that it took him almost twice as long to unpack the box.

--

During the meal, the two remained silent. Despite the table laden with delicious food, Song Huai found it tasteless.

Just then, the sound of the door opening broke the awkward silence. A bright voice called out, "Song Huai, time to eat!"

A woman a few years older than Song Huai strode in, carrying a lunchbox in one hand and a cylindrical box containing a flute in the other. As she walked, she exclaimed, "I specially bought you Chen Ji's beef noodles, you don't need to thank me too much..." Before she could finish speaking, she saw Song Huai, who was already enjoying his meal at a table full of dishes, and her eyes widened instantly.

Song Huai looked at her with an awkward smile: "Qiu Wu, you're here so early..."

Qiu Wu gave Song Huai a fierce look, indicating that she would settle the score with him next time. Then, she looked at the handsome guy next to Song Huai.

Bai Xiao also looked at the woman who had suddenly appeared and seemed to be very close to Song Huai, her eyes filled with wariness.

The next moment, the two of them turned their gazes to Song Huai.

Song Huai blinked, and it took him a while to react. He chuckled awkwardly, "Bai Xiao, this is my friend Qiu Wu." Then he turned to Qiu Wu and said, "Qiu Wu, this is Bai Xiao, my... husband."

As if he had heard a terrifying name, Qiu Wu suppressed his smile and looked coldly at Bai Xiao, a slight curve appearing at the corner of his mouth: "Mr. Bai, it's a pleasure to meet you."

Qiu Wu was Song Huai's senior in college. They met at a performance during their university years, and their mutual appreciation led to a close working relationship. They later collaborated on many pieces, receiving widespread acclaim. Ironically, after graduation, Qiu Wu joined her family's talent agency and, by a twist of fate, became Song Huai's manager. Song Huai didn't have many friends, and Qiu Wu was one of them.

Over the years, Qiu Wu had witnessed every bit of Song Huai's affection for Bai Xiao. She had been trying to persuade Song Huai not to be obsessed with someone with whom he had no hope, but Song Huai not only ignored her words but also became even more determined. She didn't know what possessed him and insisted on marrying Bai Xiao.

Qiu Wu unconsciously recalled the night before Song Huai's wedding—

At that moment, Song Huai was personally ironing the suit he would wear the next day, even though the suit was already so smooth that there wasn't a single wrinkle.

Qiu Wu looked at Song Huai with a worried expression and said earnestly, "Have you really thought this through? It's not too late to regret it now."

"Qiu Wu, you don't need to worry about me. My marriage to him is really just in name only." Song Huai had his back to Qiu Wu, and it was impossible to tell what expression he had on his face.

"Song Huai..." Qiu Wu could no longer hold back her tears, choking out, "Why did you do this to yourself..."

Hearing the girl's sobbing, Song Huai sighed, turned around, and said helplessly, "Why are you crying? Tomorrow is my big day." After saying that, Song Huai gently wiped away her tears and said playfully, "Besides, I'll get a lot of money after the divorce, and you'll definitely get a share."

Hearing this nonsense, Qiu Wu burst into laughter through his tears.

My thoughts drifted back to reality—

Qiu Wu had only heard of Bai Xiao from Song Huai before, and she even skipped Song Huai's wedding in a fit of anger. Therefore, she had never met Bai Xiao in person. Tonight, she had come to practice the duet she would be performing at the concert with Song Huai, but unexpectedly, she was "surprised" to see Bai Xiao herself as soon as she entered the room.

She felt like she couldn't catch her breath, and gritted her teeth as she said to Song Huai, "Song Huai, shall we begin?"

Fearing he might upset this ancestor again, Song Huai quickly swallowed the shrimp dumpling in his mouth and said, "Coming, coming!"

After taking only a few steps, Song Huai noticed Bai Xiao's face had turned quite pale. He hesitated and said, "Bai Xiao, why don't you go back first? I probably won't be able to get here quickly..."

Upon hearing this, Bai Xiao frowned: "Why are you staying out so late again?"

"I can't help it, I've been just too busy lately..." Song Huai was talking to Bai Xiao when Qiu Wu, seeing this, glared at him and urged him on. He had no choice but to briefly tell Bai Xiao, "Go home first. If it gets too late, I'll sleep here and come back to have breakfast with you tomorrow morning." Without waiting for Bai Xiao's reply, Song Huai quickly followed Qiu Wu upstairs.

Bai Xiao stared blankly at Song Huai's hurried departure.