Chapter 105: Quiet Moments Before the Storm
Later that very day, Fu Jian and Bai Xia checked out of the hospital together.
No matter how Bai Xia and Madam Fu tried to persuade him to stay for a few more days, Fu Jian insisted on leaving. The reason he gave was simple—his work had piled up too much. If he stayed any longer, everything would be delayed for at least another week.
"I'll take good care of myself," he promised calmly, though his eyes were filled with reluctance as he looked at Bai Xia.
Madam Fu sighed helplessly and could only nod in agreement.
Bai Xia didn't say much. She only adjusted his collar gently, her fingers brushing past his chest in a way that made Fu Jian's heart tighten.
"I'll be fine," he said again softly.
Only then did they bid their farewells.
Bai Xia returned home with Chu Sun.
The moment Bai Xia entered the house, she saw Bai Yang and Bai Xin sitting in the living room. Chu Sun took Bai Xia's things upstairs, leaving the siblings downstairs.
Bai Xin immediately ran toward Bai Xia with a bright smile.
"Big sister!"
Bai Yang, however, looked tense and uneasy. His brows were tightly furrowed, as though countless worries weighed heavily on his mind. Ever since he found out about Bai Xia's engagement, he had been unable to calm down. Originally, he wanted to urge their father to hurry up the wedding, but Bai Sung had chased him away without mercy.
Bai Yang opened his mouth several times, clearly wanting to ask about Bai Xia's marriage, but each time, he swallowed his words back.
Bai Xia didn't even give him a chance to speak.
She turned directly to Bai Xin and smiled faintly. "Xin Xin, let me see how far you've progressed on your piano lately."
Bai Xin's eyes lit up instantly, all gloom vanishing from her small face.
"Okay, okay!"
She ran to the piano at once, climbed onto the bench, and began playing a melody.
Her fingers were still slightly stiff, but her movements were much smoother than before. The tune flowed clearly through the living room, no longer interrupted by wrong notes as it had been in the beginning.
Bai Xia listened quietly.
When the piece ended, she nodded in approval. "You've improved a lot in such a short time."
Bai Xin beamed with joy.
"Can you sing too?" Bai Xia asked.
Bai Xin nodded eagerly and immediately began to sing along with the melody.
Her voice was clear, soft, and naturally sweet. Though it lacked professional technique, it carried a simple purity that made people smile unconsciously.
When she finished, Bai Xia started clapping.
Bai Xin jumped down from the chair, then suddenly bent deeply in a dramatic bow. "Thank you, thank you!"
Bai Xia couldn't help laughing.
"Xin Xin, there's one more thing," she said calmly. "If you complete it, I'll give you 1,000 yuan."
Bai Xin's eyes widened instantly.
Her monthly allowance was only 500 yuan.
Now her sister was offering her double that amount in one go.
"Yes! Yes! I'll do it!" she shouted excitedly.
"Can you dance for me?" Bai Xia asked.
Without hesitation, Bai Xin began dancing to a children's song they had taught them at school. As she danced, she sang along as well. Her steps were clumsy and not very coordinated, but they were full of energy.
She spun around, stumbled a little, then continued again, her face glowing with excitement.
After a while, the dance finally came to an end.
Perhaps because of the promised money, she had given it her all. Sweat dotted her forehead, and her breathing was slightly heavy.
Bai Xia watched her with complicated eyes.
In that moment, she looked at Bai Xin the same way she once looked at Bai Gan.
Like a living, walking piggy bank.
Bai Xin suddenly felt a little strange under Bai Xia's gaze.
She blinked and asked carefully, "Jie jie… where's the money?"
Only then did Bai Xia retract her gaze.
"Follow me to my room."
The two went upstairs together.
Bai Xia took out 1,000 yuan and placed it directly into Bai Xin's hands. Bai Xin's eyes sparkled as she clutched the money tightly, afraid it might disappear.
Before the girl ran off, Bai Xia reminded her solemnly, "Don't tell Mom, okay? Or I'll get into trouble."
Bai Xin nodded vigorously. "I won't! I promise!"
Then she ran away happily.
Bai Xia watched her retreating figure and sighed softly.
This girl… really needed to lose some weight.
---
That night, after having dinner, Bai Xia talked with Fu Jian on the phone for a while before going to sleep.
Their conversation wasn't long, but it was warm. They talked about work, about his recovery, about small daily matters. Though separated by distance, the sense of closeness between them only deepened.
The next day—
It was the final day of the entrance examination.
Bai Xia woke up early again.
She and Chu Sun left the house before anyone else woke up and headed toward the examination venue.
Just like yesterday, they met Mu Yen, Bai Gan, and Bai Gin there.
Bai Gin had dark circles under her eyes. It was obvious she hadn't slept well. She had likely spent the entire night burying herself in books, revising desperately.
After they chatted for nearly an hour, the announcement rang out for students to enter the examination hall.
Everyone lined up and went inside.
This time, Bai Xia didn't find the questions very difficult.
There were a few challenging ones, but after a little thought, the answers formed clearly in her mind. She finished steadily, neither rushed nor delayed.
But she didn't submit immediately.
She was waiting.
Waiting for Bai Gin.
Time passed slowly.
After about an hour, Bai Gin finally finished.
Bai Xia stood up as well and walked over to submit her paper alongside her.
When they walked out together, Bai Gin let out a long breath of relief.
She finally could stop studying like her life depended on it.
---
After the exam ended, Chu Sun, Mu Yen, and the children went to a restaurant to celebrate the completion of the entrance examinations.
Laughter and noise filled the restaurant.
Bai Xia glanced at Bai Gan, who had skipped school and followed her sister to the exam center.
She suddenly remembered something.
She had asked Bai Xin to follow them before, but Bai Xin had immediately refused, insisting she didn't want to go to Bai Xia's school.
If Bai Xia knew that Mu Yen had practically dragged Bai Gan here today…
She would probably choke out her food.