Chapter 51 – The Meaning Behind Her Words
Bai Xia walked slowly down the quiet path leading to the villa. The evening sky was streaked with faint orange light, the last glow of the sun casting a soft warmth on her delicate face. The faint sound of her shoes clicking against the marble floor echoed lightly through the hall when she finally stepped inside.
As she entered the living room, her eyes immediately fell on Bai Xuan and Chu Sun, who were seated together, their voices low as they spoke about something serious. The moment Bai Xia walked in, Chu Sun stood up and rushed toward her. Her arms wrapped tightly around Bai Xia's shoulders, her voice trembling slightly, the edge of tears hidden beneath her calm tone.
"Xia'er… you're home," she said, her voice thick with emotion. It was clear she had been crying earlier.
Bai Xia could feel her mother's unease. She gently stroked her back, her tone soft and reassuring. "Mum, you don't have to worry. Dad will never let them hurt us again."
Chu Sun drew back slightly, her eyes red, looking into her daughter's calm yet determined gaze. The faint smile on Bai Xia's lips carried strength far beyond her years.
Earlier, when the Bai family had appeared again, Chu Sun had tried to stay composed, but deep down, fear gnawed at her heart. She knew what the Bai family was capable of — and she knew how fragile peace could be when they were involved.
Bai Xia, however, was not that frightened girl anymore. She understood what her mother feared, and she knew her father too well to think he'd ever make the same mistake again. Even if he did… a faint sharpness flickered in her eyes. Even if he did, she wouldn't hesitate to cut down anyone who dared threaten their happiness.
For a while, Bai Xia stayed with her mother, gently comforting her until Chu Sun's breathing steadied and her smile returned. Only then did Bai Xia excuse herself and walk toward the kitchen.
"An Yu," she called softly as she stepped inside. The head maid turned at once.
"Young Madam," An Yu greeted respectfully.
"Prepare at least a hundred cupcakes for me," Bai Xia said, setting down the small shopping bags she'd been carrying. "I want them done by tomorrow morning. I'll take them to school."
"Yes, Young Madam."
"Good," Bai Xia nodded lightly before turning back toward the stairs.
When she entered her room, she finally exhaled. The weight of the day settled quietly on her shoulders. She shut the door behind her and leaned against it for a brief moment, letting the silence of her room embrace her.
Then, without another word, she entered her space.
The familiar energy surrounded her the instant she stepped inside, but the air felt strangely empty. The once vibrant atmosphere was now still — quiet. It felt… lonely.
Stella wasn't there anymore.
Bai Xia stood still for a while, gazing around the quiet space that had once been filled with chatter and gentle laughter. A faint sigh escaped her lips before she whispered, "Status."
The glowing interface appeared before her eyes, lines of text shimmering faintly in the air, but her mind wandered elsewhere.
---
Meanwhile, across the city, the night had already descended upon Fu Jian's residence.
Fu Jian arrived home around 7:30 p.m., his motorbike engine fading into the distance as he parked and made his way inside. The soft lighting of the modern villa contrasted sharply with the exhaustion in his eyes.
He went straight to his room, removed his jacket, and took a shower. The hot water washed away the dust of the road, but not the restlessness building in his chest. By the time he lay on his bed, the ceiling above seemed too quiet.
He closed his eyes, trying to sleep, but every time he did, her face appeared — that calm expression, the teasing tone, the way she'd said those words.
> "Just because I don't like anyone now doesn't mean I won't like someone in the future."
Fu Jian opened his eyes and sat up abruptly, running a hand through his wet hair. He stared at the phone on his nightstand for a long moment before pressing a button.
"Leng Shan," he called.
After two rings, his assistant's voice came through the line. "Yes, sir?"
Fu Jian hesitated before asking, "You have a girlfriend, right?"
Leng Shan nearly dropped his phone. Why was his boss asking that at this hour? "Uh… yes, Mr. Fu, I do."
Fu Jian frowned slightly. "What does it mean when a girl says she might not like anyone now, but that doesn't mean she won't in the future?"
There was a pause. Leng Shan blinked rapidly, utterly lost. "Boss, this question is a bit… complicated. My girlfriend always says she likes me, so I've never heard her say things like that."
Fu Jian's expression darkened immediately. "Don't take your monthly bonus next month."
Leng Shan almost cried out. "Boss! I—"
But the line went dead before he could finish.
Fu Jian sighed and threw his phone aside. For a long moment, he just sat there, staring at the wall. The thought of calling Bai Xia to ask her directly crossed his mind, but… it felt too awkward.
After several minutes of silent struggle, he suddenly stood, grabbed his robe, and walked out of his room. His footsteps echoed down the hall as he descended the stairs to the first floor. He stopped in front of a door and knocked.
"Come in," came a gentle yet mature voice.
He pushed open the door and stepped inside.
Madam Fu Jia, though nearly fifty, looked remarkably youthful — graceful and elegant, the kind of woman who carried both strength and warmth in her eyes. She sat by the vanity, reading a fashion magazine. When she saw her son enter, she smirked.
"You only remember you have a mother when you can't sleep," she teased, setting the magazine aside. "For the rest of the day, I'm completely ignored."
Fu Jian ignored the comment, too used to her nagging to be bothered. He sat down at the edge of her bed, his expression unusually serious.
"Mum," he said quietly. "I have something to ask you."
The tone in his voice immediately caught her attention. She walked closer and sat beside him. "What's wrong? Did something happen at work?"
"No," Fu Jian said, shaking his head. "It's not that."
"Then what is it?"
Fu Jian hesitated before finally saying, "What does it mean when a girl says she might not like anyone now but that doesn't mean she won't like someone in the future?"
For a brief second, Madam Fu stared at him blankly. Then her eyes widened, a spark of excitement blooming in them.
"Fu Jian…" she whispered. "Do you like this girl?"
Fu Jian didn't respond verbally — he just gave a small nod.
Madam Fu's entire face lit up. She shot to her feet in delight. For years, her son had rejected every single blind date his grandfather arranged. Rumors had even spread among the upper-class families that he might be uninterested in women altogether. She had tried everything — doctors, introductions, even spiritual charms. Nothing worked.
And now, here he was — losing sleep over a girl.
This was nothing short of a miracle.
"Fu Jian!" she almost shouted in joy. "Who is she? Quickly tell me!"
"Mum," Fu Jian sighed, rubbing his temple. "Just answer the question first."
Madam Fu paused, thinking. Then she nodded seriously. "That kind of phrase usually means… she's giving you a hint. She's telling you that if you don't take the initiative, someone else eventually will."
Fu Jian frowned slightly. "So you mean she… likes me?"
"Yes!" Madam Fu said, nearly laughing. "My son, if you move too slowly, she'll slip away! You must act quickly."
But Fu Jian's smile faded as he lowered his gaze. "Even if we end up together… she'd only be marrying a dead man."
Madam Fu's heart clenched. She hit her son's shoulder lightly. "Don't talk like that! Didn't the doctor say you could still live a few more years? You can spend that time with her, maybe even…" Her voice trembled. "…maybe even have a child."
Tears welled in her eyes as she spoke, her heart torn between happiness and pain.
Fu Jian reached out, gently wiping the tears from her cheeks. "Mum… it's not fair to her. To become a widow after a few months… maybe even a few days of marriage."
Madam Fu turned away, silently crying. "Then… at least ask her. See how she feels before you decide."
Fu Jian shook his head. "Mum, I'm not going to confess to her."
"What?!" she turned back sharply. "Why not? She clearly likes you, and you like her too! What's so difficult?"
He smiled faintly but didn't answer.
"The day after tomorrow," Madam Fu continued, "we'll go to the hospital for a full check-up. If she sees your condition is stable, she might agree to—"
"Mum, I'm going to bed."
Madam Fu was still muttering anxiously behind him as he left the room.
When he returned to his own, the silence greeted him once again. He sat on his bed, staring at his phone before typing out a short message.
> "Can we talk tomorrow?"
He hesitated a moment, then pressed send.
Moments later, a sharp cough escaped his throat. Then another — and another.
He doubled over, covering his mouth, only to see the crimson stain of blood seeping through his fingers. Panic flickered in his eyes as he staggered toward the bathroom.
Fumbling, he opened the cabinet, grabbed a small bottle of pills, and swallowed several with trembling hands. The coughing continued, harsher, until blood began to trickle from his ears.
When it finally subsided, he leaned heavily against the sink, panting.
His reflection in the mirror looked ghastly pale — almost ghostlike. Blood streaked the corners of his lips and his collar.
Fu Jian stared at himself for a long time. Then, with a faint, bitter smile, he whispered,
"If I start bleeding from my eyes next… I guess I really don't have much time left."
His gaze drifted toward his phone lying on the bed.
"Did I… make the right choice?"
The question lingered softly in the empty room, unanswered.