Chapter 92 — The Weight of a Life
When Bai Xia opened her eyes, the first thing she saw was an unfamiliar white ceiling. The sterile brightness stung her eyes, and for a few seconds her mind floated blankly, unable to grasp where she was or how she got here.
Slowly, she turned her head.
The room around her was quiet—too quiet.
Not a single person was inside.
She blinked and took it in.
The room was spacious, far larger than an ordinary ward. Soft cream-colored curtains framed the tall windows, letting in muted sunlight. A large cabinet of polished wood stood in one corner, along with a delicate vase of fresh lilies placed on a small table. A cushioned sofa stood near the wall for visitors, and the sheets on her bed were crisp and spotless. There was a gentle scent of disinfectant mixed with the fragrance of new flowers, and the soft hum of a ceiling fan stirred the air.
Everything was tidy, warm, and clearly the kind of private room reserved for those with status.
She tried to sit up, but a wave of weakness washed over her. Her head felt heavy. She raised her hand to touch it and felt thick bandages wrapped around her forehead.
Her legs…
She glanced under the blanket and moved them carefully.
No pain.
But… wasn't I hit by a car?
She barely finished the thought when the door burst open.
"Xia'er!"
Chu Sun rushed inside, her eyes red, her breath trembling in visible relief. She hurried to Bai Xia's bedside, almost tripping over her own feet.
"You're awake… thank heavens you're awake…" She cupped Bai Xia's face carefully. "Does anywhere hurt? Tell Mother, okay?"
"No, Mum… I'm fine." Bai Xia's voice was hoarse. "Where… who brought me here?"
"Bai Xuan and her friend brought you first," Chu Sun explained. "After they got you here, they called us immediately. You and your friend were in an accident. Luckily, you only got hit on the head."
The latter part of the sentence froze Bai Xia's blood.
Friend?
Her mind raced back.
Someone chasing after her…
Someone calling her name…
Someone pulling her out of danger—
Fu Jian.
Her heart clenched violently.
Her breath stuttered.
I dragged him into my panick attack… I did this… I did this to him…
Her chest tightened painfully.
Tears slipped out before she noticed.
"Xia'er!" Chu Sun panicked instantly. She wiped her daughter's tears with trembling fingers. "Don't feel guilty, okay? Don't blame yourself. Friends like this are the kind worth keeping. Your sister told me he saved your life. Someone like that won't blame you—he cares about you. Don't think too much."
"Mum…" Bai Xia choked, her voice breaking. "How is he? Is he okay?"
"He only has a broken arm."
Only.
To Bai Xia didn't believe it, but that word felt like a knife.
"Is he awake?" she whispered.
"You've both been unconscious for a full day," Chu Sun said softly. "Only you woke up."
"One day…" Bai Xia repeated, numb.
"What about his mother and his grandfather?"
"They're in the other room speaking with your father. I came to check on you and saw you awake."
But Bai Xia didn't hear the rest.
She pushed the blanket aside and swung her legs off the bed.
"Xia'er?" Chu Sun reached out, startled.
"Where are you—"
But Bai Xia had already slipped out of her grasp.
She ran.
The dizziness made her steps stagger, but she didn't stop. Her heartbeat thudded painfully in her ears as she burst into the hallway.
There—
On the chairs outside—
Bai Yang, Bai Xuan, Bai Xin, and Mei Mei all sat with worry carved into their faces. They shot to their feet the moment they saw her.
"Xia—" Bai Xuan started.
But Bai Xia cut her off.
"Where is Fu Jian?"
"Xia'er, you should rest first—"
"I said where is he?!" Her voice cracked like glass. "Tell me now!"
Startled, Mei Mei pointed toward a room down the hall.
Bai Xia didn't wait.
She rushed toward it, her heart pounding painfully.
The door swung open.
And there he was.
Fu Jian lay on the bed of another VIP ward, his arm wrapped in a thick cast, his face pale as snow. His lips were colorless, and his chest rose and fell weakly.
He looked fragile—too fragile.
Bai Xia's steps slowed as she approached the bed.
She reached out and placed her trembling hand on his cheek.
Cold.
Too cold.
"Doctor!" she screamed suddenly, panic exploding inside her chest.
"Doctor!! DOCTOR!!!"
Her frantic cries echoed down the hallway.
Footsteps thundered toward the room as Bai Song, Bai Yan, Madam Fu, Grandpa Fu, and the others rushed in. They froze at the sight of Bai Xia kneeling beside the bed, her face drained, tears pouring uncontrollably.
Before anyone could reach her, Bai Xia swayed—
And collapsed.
She fainted on the floor beside his bed.
The doctor arrived immediately and crouched to examine her.
"She's fine," he said calmly. "She fainted from exhaustion. She's emotionally overwhelmed. She needs rest."
Bai Yan moved forward, lifting his sister into his arms. Chu Sun and Madam Fu flanked him anxiously as they carried her back to her room.
Bai Song remained behind for a moment.
His eyes fell on his daughter's tear stains, still wet on Fu Jian's sheets—darkening the fabric in a heartbreaking patch.
His expression became complicated.
He wasn't a fool.
He could see exactly what this meant.
When he finally walked out to the hall, he stopped beside Bai Xuan.
Out of all of them, if anyone knew… it would be her.
"What is Xia'er's relationship with that man?" he asked quietly.
Bai Xuan's heart jumped into her throat.
She froze.