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

That evening, Eden returned home filled with worry and contemplation.

"...What's wrong, darling?"

The mother asked with concern.

"Has something happened today, Eden?"

Even the father looked over and asked.

"...Dad, Mom, I...I need your help with something."

Eden hesitated for a moment before speaking.

"That's right..."

After Eden explained Xiwang's situation, the couple frowned and looked somewhat displeased.

Although they hadn't met the child Eden spoke of, one thing was clear to them... that the child named Xiwang had similar talents to their daughter, and that the two would definitely be very good friends or "rivals" on their future artistic paths.

Therefore, the couple had a certain fondness for this child they had never met before, and encouraged Eden to build a good relationship with him. After all, if two talented children could communicate with each other, their progress would definitely be accelerated.

But now... that child has been treated like this... what's worse, their hands have been injured, which is unacceptable to anyone who studies art.

"We understand. We will have a serious talk with the school about this... Such a serious bullying incident happening on the eve of a competition means the school must also bear some responsibility."

"Compared to that... honey, how is that child now? You said you took the afternoon off to see him, what's his condition...?"

Hearing his father's promise and his mother's concern for him, Eden smiled slightly. Especially when his mother asked about his situation in the hospital, Eden would always unconsciously think of Xi Wang's smile, a smile full of joy and happiness.

Whenever Eden recalls that slightly "dazzling" scene, he unconsciously reveals a smile similar to that of Xiwang back then.

"He's... fine. He even sang with me. His hand is injured, but he'll be fine with proper rest."

"Oh, that's great... That's wonderful."

The couple looked at each other, and then each showed a different expression.

The father frowned, a hint of helplessness mixed with displeasure... He had clearly sensed Eden's faint affection for Xiwang. Although it might be a mutual appreciation between two geniuses, or a slight closeness arising from their striking similarities, the feeling that his daughter might be "stolen" still bothered him... especially since the other party was a boy! The possibility of him "stolen" his daughter was even greater!

On the contrary, her mother didn't react much to this, or perhaps it was something she hadn't expected. This was also why, when Eden mentioned Xiwang to her, she had specifically asked about Xiwang's gender... A person of the opposite sex with similar talents, and even whose personality and way of dealing with people were very "similar," appeared in her daughter's life, and her daughter even developed curiosity and a slight liking for him... So their relationship was not far from entering the next stage.

Of course, even though they had expected it, as parents, they still had to keep an eye on their daughter and not let her be deceived by bad men.

It just so happens that this time... I can also go and see that child.

“Honey, why don’t you… take us to meet him?”

The mother squinted slightly, took Eden's hand, and said softly.

“We’d like to see that child too, and also take care of some things concerning him.”

"Hmm? Sure, Mom and Dad, I'll take you whenever you have time."

"........."

Eden's matter-of-fact and unashamed tone surprised the couple.

What's going on, my darling daughter... In a sense, this is practically meeting the parents! Aren't you a little nervous?

Or is it that... you don't mean it that way now, or maybe you're simply... unaware of it?

"...Okay, then let's go together then."

The couple exchanged another glance, clearly realizing that their daughter might not yet have those kinds of thoughts, or perhaps she had feelings for the boy but hadn't realized it or even considered it... In that case, they, as parents, decided not to interfere too much and would just observe the child from a friend's perspective.

As for the rest... let nature take its course. Come to think of it, my daughter is a big girl now, she should realize it herself... right? But even if she doesn't have that thought, it's fine too. Two talented children together will definitely shine even brighter.

…………

………………

Meanwhile, Mother Teresa was still busy in the church, taking care of people who came to pray and children.

Suddenly, Mother Teresa stopped in her tracks, instinctively grasping the cross pendant hanging in front of her chest, feeling its warmth.

It seems that [He] is guiding something...

"Mother Teresa!"

Suddenly, someone rushed over and handed her a terminal that was still in use.

"They're looking for you; it seems to be something urgent."

"Thank you so much."

Mother Teresa bowed slightly as usual, took the terminal, and then... she learned about Xi Wang's situation.

"...Yes, I understand. Thank you for letting me know. I...will go and visit him."

"And... I hope your school can provide an explanation. He is a child protected and cared for by [He]... He may not care about the outcome, but you must give him an apology."

"Yes, I'll be there soon."

After saying that, Mother Teresa hung up the communication and returned the terminal to the man.

"……Ugh."

After standing there in silence for a while, Mother Teresa sighed, looking quite helpless... because she had never heard about this from Xi Wang before, and was unaware that the bullying Xi Wang was suffering at school had reached such a terrible level.

She still remembers the joyful and happy smile Xi Wang gave her every time they communicated... But what kind of pain was behind that smile?

Subconsciously gripping the cross pendant in front of her, Mother Teresa could feel the warmth emanating from it, as if it were [He] answering her and guiding her.

"You... are such a strong child."

So strong... it makes one feel somewhat weak.

She began to understand why He cared for him so much, why He looked after him so much, and why He specifically guided Father Henry and her to his side... If such a child cannot be exposed to the goodness and beauty of the world from the beginning... then everything he experiences later will accumulate and erupt at a more critical moment, leading to the worst possible outcome.

"What a pitiful and worrying child..."

Mother Teresa smiled helplessly, but she wasn't offended, after all... the child was now on the right path.

Chapter Sixteen, First Piece of Music, Dedicated to Life (4702)

[Unbeknownst to you, people you know have begun to take action, intending to seek "justice" for you... Of course, that's something Eden and her parents, as well as Mother Teresa, would do. As for Li and Yin, they'll be even more decisive.]

They chose a simpler approach to carry out their "retaliation," unrelated to justice or fairness, but simply a form of "return" based on their own beliefs and emotions.

As a result, many students have noticed that... in recent days, quite a few students have been coming to school with bruises all over their heads. Although they had clearly been beaten, it wasn't serious, just rather... disheveled.

Moreover, the students were cowering, offering no complaints whatsoever. Even when questioned, they only received the answer that "they got their injuries from falling..." But everyone knew that someone was deliberately causing trouble.

Because the injured people were all people who had "targeted" you before, and all of them were the kind of people who had "made physical contact" with you, rumors about you have started circulating on campus again. However, this time, it's not due to their own malice or imagination, but simply... fear.

[They probably didn't expect that someone would stand up for you, and it seems to be someone with considerable influence. After all, few of the students who were beaten up dared to say a word, and even their parents didn't cause any trouble... I heard that their family business suffered losses, especially "Hida Koro," which reportedly laid off many employees. According to rumors, some people seem to have gone missing, and I wonder if it's because of this incident.]

【…No, no, no, it must be, right? It's been so obvious, it must be related to you, right?!】

To be honest, some people are starting to panic because they really didn't expect that someone like you, who seems so "gentle and weak," who usually doesn't react much even when "targeted," who doesn't say much, and who doesn't even seem to care much... actually has someone like this behind you.

What's even more alarming is... some students have already transferred schools.

[It started with Elga and Irina; they left in a panic and very quickly... as if they were running away from something.]

Then several more people left in a hurry, and it wasn't until they didn't come to class the next day that everyone realized they had transferred schools.

Finally, there was the school's announcement... This was quite simple. The school simply stated that some "bad things" had happened on campus recently, and therefore needed to conduct more systematic education, encouraging students to get along amicably and not form "cliques" or deliberately "target" any particular student.

Although it wasn't explicitly stated, everyone vaguely understood... it was all because of you.

Many people felt fear and apprehension, but many others felt fortunate... because they hadn't joined the ranks of those "targeting" them.

[For students, the most important thing is to study. Why bother with targeting them... they're just bored!]

However, none of this has anything to do with you, who is in the hospital, and you have no way of knowing about it.

Compared to that, what you care about more is... Mother Teresa has arrived, along with Eden's parents.

To be honest, you were a little flustered at first... even a little embarrassed, because you had worried Mother Teresa, and even Eden's parents came to visit you... You subconsciously felt that you had caused them trouble.

However, they denied your statement and refused your offer to apologize with a song... According to them, you can't even play a complete song perfectly right now, so even if they accepted your singing, they wouldn't be satisfied. They suggested you express your gratitude to them after you've fully recovered.

Under Eden's persuasion, you reluctantly agreed to their statement, and afterwards mainly answered some of their questions to help them better understand your situation.

What's rather unusual is that Eden's parents, after meeting Mother Teresa, both seemed somewhat surprised for some reason. They then started chatting, mostly about each other, and it was mostly Eden's parents asking questions while Mother Teresa answered.

[...Why does this feel like a census?]

[In addition, there's your own recovery progress... somewhat unexpectedly, after seven days, your condition has basically returned to normal. All your wounds have healed, even the scars have faded, and you can move your hands normally without any stinging sensation. In fact, they even feel... more flexible and better looking than before. How is that possible?]

Even though you've shown signs of full recovery, you haven't been discharged due to everyone's insistence... because they simply can't believe your condition improved so much in just seven days. Your physical condition is incredible!

[And the doctors also advised you to stay in the hospital for a few more days for observation, fearing that there might be some hidden health problems... There's nothing we can do, as most of the people who have visited you these past few days recognize you to some extent. Not to mention Mother Teresa, quite a few people recognized Eden's parents, and when Li came to visit you later, he brought some extra people with him, and those people looked like they were not to be trifled with...]

Furthermore, representatives from your school visited you to inquire about your condition, which forced the doctors to pay close attention to your recovery.

However, your personality makes it difficult for you to stay quietly in the ward all day... because it's just too boring. Although you can hum songs to cheer yourself up, it's still a bit uncomfortable not having any musical instruments to play... so you start asking the doctors and nurses for their opinions, hoping to be able to wander around the hospital without disturbing others.

[Logically speaking, this is nothing. It's normal for a patient to feel bored and want to go out for some fresh air. They can walk around the hospital or stroll in the small garden downstairs, as long as they don't run directly out of the hospital—that's what the doctors and nurses thought, so they naturally agreed.]

But your understanding and theirs... might be slightly different.

[From the doctors' and nurses' perspective, you were just bored and wanted to get some fresh air, and in reality... you were indeed very bored, but not to get some fresh air or go downstairs for a stroll... you started wandering around the hospital's inpatient wards, visiting different rooms.]

At first, the doctors and nurses were a little nervous and annoyed. After all, having someone like you running around in different wards might disturb other patients... But they soon discovered that... it seemed the other patients actually quite liked you?

Even when you go into someone's ward, you don't make too much noise. On the contrary, you are very polite and quiet, always maintaining a level of "not disturbing others too much." Coupled with your ever-present smile and handsome face, most patients are willing to accept you, this lively yet very tactful young man.

When other patients are without family members, you will talk to them and not disturb them too much when the doctors and nurses arrive... Your well-behaved and polite behavior quickly earned everyone's approval.

And when they find out you're an art student, they'll occasionally ask you to sing a few lines... You're happy to do so, humming lighthearted tunes to bring joy and relaxation to those around you.

[Thanks to this, many patients have come to love your singing. Eventually, if nurses and doctors find you missing from your room, they can simply follow the sound of your singing to find you... because most patients want to hear you hum a few lines when they see you.]

[According to them, hearing your voice made them feel less nervous, and even their wounds seemed to hurt less... Although everyone knew it was just their own psychological effect, it has to be said that your song did help them in some ways. As a result, their families also got to know you through the patients' slightly joyful introductions, and their attitudes towards you were mostly friendly.]

[To the point that eventually, the doctors and nurses stopped caring if your singing might disturb other patients... because the patients enjoyed your singing, and even when you realized it might disturb others, you didn't bother to do anything about it.]

So during your time in the hospital for observation, you quickly became familiar with the other patients, and you also... witnessed their experiences.

Here, you've seen a young girl smiling despite being terminally ill; a middle-aged man wailing in pain, even crying like a child; an elderly person arguing fiercely with their family to avoid burdening them; and a child, bewildered by their illness, embracing their weeping parents...

In hospitals, one often witnesses many heartbreaking things in the world; here, one can clearly feel how fragile life is.

But similarly, here you can also witness many... moving things, witness the brilliance of life.