I've already said this isn't a life simulator!

"Don't say that, Eden."

The bandaged hand moved quietly, gently covering Eden's beautiful, jade-like hands. The hand hidden underneath also turned slightly. With a few small movements, Xiwang turned around and held Eden's hands in his.

"In fact, I'm the one who should be apologizing... I'm so sorry for making you all worry~ I won't do it again~"

His voice was soft and gentle, yet with a touch of lighthearted mischief, like a small, harmless fishhook that gently pulled Eden's depressed heart upwards.

"Can……"

"Shh-"

Xi Wang gently stopped Eden from saying what she was about to say, her strange, beautiful tricolor eyes meeting Eden's dazzling golden eyes.

Eden paused, then suddenly noticed... that the golden part in Xi Wang's pupils seemed... to have enlarged slightly? It looked as if the stars in the night sky had become even more dazzling.

But before Eden could ask, Xiwang closed one eye, revealed a somewhat mischievous expression, and said.

"Alright, Eden, let's try a different way of communicating!"

He said so.

"Music and singing are the only things we have in common that will never change. For us, it's also a simpler and more direct way to communicate, isn't it?"

These familiar words, this time, came from his mouth.

"Then... let's sing a song, Eden!"

"Just like we usually do, let's communicate using this."

After saying that, Xi Wang narrowed her eyes, raised the corners of her mouth slightly, and showed no concern for the wounds on her body. She radiated a cheerful mood and began to hum softly.

Eden stared at Xi Wang in a daze. She suddenly felt that Xi Wang was so "dazzling" at this moment, just like his eyes, like stars in the night sky. Even if he was surrounded by malice and covered in wounds, he could still laugh and sing happily with her.

Even though Xi Wang's body was covered in scars and her face was bandaged, Eden felt that Xi Wang was very... [beautiful] at this moment.

Like a faint candlelight in the dim light, like starlight twinkling in the night, like... his name.

Hope/Hope...what a wonderful word.

Then, Eden's lips slowly curved into a smile, and he nodded in response.

"……it is good."

Xi Wang smiled, her smile growing ever brighter and happier, and even the emotions in her singing seemed to rise slightly.

Eden straightened his back, coughed lightly twice to adjust his breathing, and then gently hummed his own part. The two voices blended smoothly like water meeting in a stream, creating a beautiful melody that depicted their shared fantasy.

…………

………………

"...Elgar, the young lady of [Hidakoro]...right?"

Outside the ward, Li, with a lollipop in his mouth, glanced at Erjia, who was standing blankly to the side, looking somewhat dazed.

"How could this happen... how could this possibly be?"

She became somewhat dazed, looking at the two people inside through the small crack in the doorway. Her gaze lingered on Xi Wang's bandaged hands, and Erjia seemed a little lost in thought.

She stood frozen at the door, not knocking, too afraid to knock... She quickly hid before Xi Wang and Eden noticed, shrinking into a chair in the corridor, her whole body trembling slightly, at a loss.

"No... I didn't mean for this to happen... This shouldn't have happened... How could it have turned out like this..."

"Hey you."

"Alas--"

Li kicked Erjia's leg, which startled her again... but thankfully it got her attention.

"You did it, didn't you?"

Li narrowed his eyes, staring at her, and gradually exuded a dangerous aura. Combined with his tall stature and fierce face, his intimidating presence was self-evident.

"That problem with our record player... you did it, didn't you?"

"No...no, it wasn't me...I didn't mean to do that, how could I do that? I never even thought it would turn out like this..."

Eljia appeared somewhat flustered and confused. Clearly, she hadn't expected that this "targeting" would lead to Xiwang's hands being injured, and even... causing him to miss the match.

She didn't mean it that way. How could she do that? She just... wanted to attract Xi Wang's attention a little, just wanted Xi Wang to notice her a little... How could she possibly treat Xi Wang like that?

squeak-

It was a slight sound of the door opening, but to Elgar, it was like a thunderclap. Panic and guilt intertwined within her, and finally... she forced herself to move.

She... ran away.

She dared not face Xi Wang, and did not know how to apologize... Any apology seemed utterly pale in the face of the painful reality.

She... escaped.

Filled with remorse for Xiwang and self-reproach, she hurriedly fled... She was afraid of hearing even worse news.

For example... Xi Wang's hands might suffer some hidden injuries as a result, which would affect her future performances... If that were the case, she could be said to have indirectly... no, directly ruined Xi Wang's future path.

She... was scared.

It wasn't until these horrifying facts were laid bare before her that she clearly realized what she had done.

She could only run away, filled with endless guilt and remorse.

"...Tch, looks like this guy isn't the main problem."

Li watched Erjia run away quickly and pursed his lips... The sound of the door opening just now didn't come from Xiwang's ward at all, but from another ward. It's just that Erjia was too nervous and scared herself away.

But... Li also realized that this girl was probably not the "main problem".

"Hmph... never mind."

However, Li didn't care about this. After all... he would find out who had caused trouble for his record player.

Li bit into the candy in his mouth, then casually spat the plastic stick into the trash can. While chewing the candy, he revealed a somewhat dangerous and angry smile.

"You little brats, you have to pay for what you break..."

Chapter Fifteen: On What He Possesses… (5559)

Click——

It was the sound of the door opening softly, but Yin, who was waiting at home, didn't react because she knew from the footsteps that it was Li who had returned.

"He's back? [Record player] How is he...?"

"Fortunately, they are all minor injuries and will not leave any major problems... It's just that my hand is a little injured and I need to rest for a while."

"...Then what about his match?"

Yin stopped typing and, unusually, looked up at Li, asking a question.

"He has no choice but to withdraw from the competition. Given his current condition, he won't be able to make it in time."

Yin's hands clenched unconsciously. He took a deep breath and then slowly loosened them.

"...That's it."

Her voice remained calm and even, but... Li knew that Yin was getting a little angry.

Clearly, Yin also cares a lot about the record player... After all, it has brought a lot of changes to this place, especially inspiring Li and the others to quit smoking, which Yin is particularly grateful for.

"...It seems I'll have to rearrange his gift again...What about his medical expenses?"

“I paid for it first, and he can pay me back later... I didn’t let him touch the money he had saved up before.”

"Good."

Yin nodded, subconsciously reaching out to open the candy box on the table. But as she took the candy, she suddenly paused, then casually closed the box, unwrapped it, and popped the candy into her mouth.

The sweet taste filled my mouth, but the irritability and anger in my heart could not be dispelled, and even became...more intense.

"I've already contacted the old man. Do you want to talk to him now?"

"Row."

Seeing Li nod, Yin also slightly adjusted the files left on the computer, placed them on the table, and then made a call.

"...Oh? Girl, what can I do for you?"

Soon, a strong voice rang out, accompanied by a robust figure. Judging from his gray hair, he was not young.

However, his attention was immediately focused on Yin, who was curled up on the sofa, while he completely ignored Li.

"This time, it's Li who wants to see you, old man."

"Tch, who cares about that unfilial son? But you, my dear, tell me, how are things going with you two?"

"If you old codger mention this again, I'll go back and make you explode with gold coins."

Li squeezed into the frame expressionlessly and spoke in a calm but disdainful tone.

"If you're so capable, then you come and try, you unfilial son!"

"...(Far Eastern profanity)"

"...Are you insulting me, kid?"

(Chinese profanity)

"Hey you little brat!"

"(French profanity), (English profanity)..."

"You (swearing), don't think I can't tell you're cursing me, you unfilial son! You think you're so great just because you've learned a few languages?! (Italian swearing)..."

(Italian swear word)! (gesture)

(Italian swear word)! (gesture)

…………

"Have you two had enough fun?"

Looking at the two people who were frantically spewing profanities and making frantic hand gestures, Yin squinted and said expressionlessly.

"This kid started it!"

"……whispering sound."