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

You took all of this in, gained some insight, and... had some inspiration.

You begin to try to write it all down, to try to compose music from everything you feel.

Although you only had a vague idea and melody before you left the hospital, you felt you should finish it. To that end, you made a promise to some patients in the hospital with whom you got along: once you finished the piece, you would make a copy and bring it back for them to listen to.

Even after returning to school, you continued to hold this idea.

Even if you notice a change in the attitude of the students around you, even a slight...fear, you don't care. Your gaze no longer lingers on them.

Whether in your actions or your emotional expression, you no longer want to restrict yourself too much. Therefore, you no longer keep your distance from Eden at school, and you even start to actively invite Eden to practice and play together. In your spare time, you invite her to listen to the music you have composed, hoping to get some advice from her.

Eden was delighted with this. After discovering that your music was no longer as "standard" as before, and that the emotions it contained were becoming clearer, she became increasingly happy. Every time she was alone with you, she would show a joyful smile.

Now, no one will interfere between the two of you. No matter how happy Eden seems, no one else will show any "jealousy" towards you—because they know that you are someone not to be trifled with. As for any covert "targeting" of you, it has naturally vanished without a trace.

Even so, you didn't go back to your school dormitory. Instead, you chose to spend the night in the building where Li lived, where you played music for your friends and played around with them.

In addition, to repay the medical expenses that Li had paid in advance, after buying your own cello, you also started going out in your spare time to play music on the street and earn money by busking.

[And surprisingly, your performances seem to be quite popular. There's often a crowd around you listening, and quite a few people are willing to pay to request songs. Considering the occasional work that Li introduces to you, for a while... your income is actually quite considerable?]

Meanwhile, your friends also prepared various gifts for you, such as a guitar, some recording equipment... According to them, they originally intended to celebrate your winning the competition, but later simply changed it to congratulate you on your recovery and discharge from the hospital.

At the same time, they also told you about their idea of ​​"recording your performance and putting it online," and you didn't mind. So every time you went out to play on the street, you would bring a simple video recording device to record your performance, and then upload the video online according to their instructions.

[You actually gained quite a few "fans" in no time.]

[Faced with such a fulfilling and joyful daily life, you are exceptionally happy, and the joy surrounding you almost never fades away.]

But you didn't forget to perfect that piece of music... You promised to bring it back to everyone at the hospital after you finished writing it.

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In Eden's home, in a dedicated recording studio, fingertips dance lightly on the piano keys, and notes float out, echoing all around.

At first, it was a soft, ethereal yet clear sound, like a heartbeat—weak, yet strong.

As the melody changes, it becomes richer and more colorful, carrying a touch of elation and a touch of melancholy, like a lament for the passing of life, and also like an expectation for the brilliance of life.

Eden and his parents sat quietly to one side, watching him as he was immersed in the music. Their golden eyes remained fixed on him, never looking away, nor wanting to look away.

Against the backdrop of the song, Eden seemed to see again his steadfast demeanor, and his happy smile... No, he was always smiling, unchanged.

Driven by his emotions, Eden seemed to see him again, his "dazzling" appearance as bright as the stars, making people unconsciously want to focus their attention on him.

The melody echoing here carries a slightly somber, slightly oppressive feeling, as if recounting his past, or the sorrows of life, yet one can also sense the hidden glimmer within, the enduring beauty, the emotions rising from the depths of despair, the faint yet still shining... "hope."

Eden could feel the emotions in Xi Wang's song, and she could clearly sense what he wanted to convey, so... she focused her gaze and her thoughts on his song, on him who seemed to be shining, and the corners of her mouth unconsciously turned up.

Yes, that's right...

Life... it is bittersweet like a song.

Life... it shines as brightly as a song.

As the melody converges, the music becomes clear and ethereal, like a beating heart, rising one note at a time, fragile yet resolute, but inevitably fading towards the end of the piece, finally ceasing, as if representing the passing of a life.

But... Eden did not feel sadness in his heart; the expectation for life and the hidden hope in the music were truly conveyed.

This may be the end of a song, but it is also... the beginning of hope.

When Xi Wang withdrew his hands from the piano keys, Eden and the others applauded generously, praising him.

"The piece is already very well completed... Congratulations, child."

Eden's parents watched their daughter run quickly to Xiwang's side, but they weren't annoyed. They just smiled and nodded at Xiwang... This was indeed something to be thankful for, so let the two young people be happy.

"So, child... have you thought of a name for this piece?"

"Of course, its name was decided from the beginning."

Xi Wang's voice was still as light and cheerful as he and Eden tidied up the sheet music in front of them, carefully holding it in their arms. Then he turned his head, looked at Eden, and said with a smile.

"Lifeline, that's the name I had in mind from the very beginning."

The name for Chapter Seventeen... how about "Skadi"? (8527)

[You completed your composition as promised and brought it back to everyone at the hospital... Although some of them will not be able to hear it, you are not sad. You just smile and give the composition to their families, and send blessings to those who are still alive.]

Everyone accepted your "gift" and expressed their gratitude and appreciation for the music... Even the patients who prefer quiet accepted the piece and, unusually, even responded to you with a few words.

You are very happy.

[After that, you returned to your fulfilling and enjoyable daily life, and spent your entire high school years without any major ups and downs... Well, apart from your growing relationship with Eden along the way, nothing much changed around you.]

No, actually, it does. The most obvious thing is that the way other people around you treat you has become a little strange, with a mix of fear and... ingratiation?

[If you want to know the reason, it's because those people who "targeted" you back then... have all become increasingly worse off for some inexplicable reason, and their family businesses have started to decline. Even some people who originally came from well-off families and whose family businesses were thriving have also fallen from grace for some inexplicable reason.]

Moreover, the causes of such disastrous consequences are often small things, such as being caught throwing a tantrum, having a casual complaint overheard by someone who shouldn't be listening, or revealing something that shouldn't be revealed... They all start as small problems, but then lead to a series of chain reactions that directly shatter someone else's family.

Moreover, no matter how hard they try, they cannot save the situation or reverse the downward trend. Even if they want to escape, they cannot. They will definitely be found and will pay the price, as if someone has given them an inescapable and unavoidable "judgment."

Although it was later proven that the cause of all this was other people's own problems, or even simply bad luck, the fact that those who "targeted" you were the ones who got into trouble inevitably makes people think of some unpleasant things, and even speculate whether it was all because of you, and whether it was your "revenge" for bullying you in the past... Even if it turns out that you did nothing wrong, people are still afraid.

In order to avoid "getting unlucky," everyone adjusted their attitude towards you, becoming somewhat... obsequious.

However, as mentioned before, your gaze will no longer linger on them.

After high school, you were admitted to the same university as Eden, the most prestigious art school on the continent of Mu, bar none... Unfortunately, you still fell slightly behind Eden by a narrow margin, but this result is enough to satisfy you.

Moreover, your school has waived your tuition and most fees, and the church continues to support you as usual. In addition, you have saved money, which gives you a lot of "spare money" to support what you need to do later.

First and foremost, of course, are the people who have helped you a lot. You bought some small gifts as farewell presents, and also specially recorded each of their favorite songs to thank them for their care and help recently.

Although Li and the others will be returning home to take care of their family businesses, and you and Eden must also leave this place to pursue your studies on the more distant continent of Mu, believe that you will definitely meet again in the future.

Then came your hurried farewell to your classmates and teachers. It wasn't that you disliked them, but rather that your attention was more inclined to focus on the things you cared about.

Okay, it's still a bit annoying, but you won't care about those things much anymore.

Before leaving, you invited Eden to join you, and Eden readily agreed... Although Eden's parents had some concerns, after a little thought, they agreed.

Afterwards, you all went to the church where Mother Teresa lived and saw her still working hard for the children.

[You came as promised, offering your melody to her and the children. This was something you had agreed to, and also your way of thanking Mother Teresa. Well... Eden couldn't resist joining in later, and you didn't object, simply accepting her singing with a smile.]

Your voices attracted many people to stay and listen, and even drew in many more. Towards the end, the entire church was almost full. When you took your "curtain call," thunderous applause erupted, completely drowning out the surrounding noise.

You and Eden exchange a smile, gently take each other's hands, and then gracefully bow to the crowd before slowly departing amidst applause.

In the following days, you and Eden performed the same music and songs several more times, almost always attracting large audiences, which made the nuns here both amused and exasperated. However, the children here were very happy because the church was very lively these days, and they liked the lively atmosphere.

Although you wish to stay a few more days, Mother Teresa said, "You still have things to do, so you need not linger too long with me, nor let your gaze linger on me... There is much in the world that you need to witness."

Therefore, on the second day, you and Eden played another farewell song together, and then you left.

[Soon, you took Eden back to the church where you used to live... Well, the church that was burned down has been rebuilt and is running again, but you don't recognize the new priest or the children who came later.]

[But you're still happy to see your former "home" reappear... even though it's not the same as before, Father Enrique is no longer here, and your familiar companions have all gone their separate ways, you're still very happy.]

At least... there's another place here that can help the children.

You returned to your community with your university acceptance letter and met the people who had cared for you before... They were all very happy and warmly welcomed you and Eden. At the same time, they carefully held your acceptance letter, passing it around among themselves for a closer look, as if afraid that their actions might damage it. Even if one person's movements were slightly too large, they would be accused of being "rude." The tense atmosphere among them brought a smile to your face.

[Afterwards, everyone surrounded you, constantly asking about your recent situation and inquiring about your past. You answered them all one by one, and smiled as you recounted the various happy things that had happened to you.]

Ah, of course, during the process, they inevitably asked about you and Eden... Everyone was particularly interested in your relationship with Eden, and some even winked at you, their tone becoming somewhat... um... hard to say.

However, you and Eden both have the same answer—you are "partners" on the same path.

As for their persistent hints about a "lover"... no, at least not now.

After some people found out, they did try to match you two up, but they were quickly exposed. After all, it's rare for you to come back, so it's best not to do anything that would embarrass you. Besides... let you young people handle your own affairs. Others interfering might only affect things.

You and Eden smiled, not seeming to care too much about it. As previously agreed, you simply played a few pieces for everyone as a gift for your reunion.

A few days later, you also left, heading to your final destination—the cemetery.

At Father Henry's grave, you whispered many things, telling him about the people you had met and the things that had happened to you. Finally, you left a white lily in mourning at his tombstone and then left.

You have walked the path to glory, just as Enrique wished, and you firmly believe it.

[From now on, it won't be Eden accompanying you, but you accompanying Eden... Exchanging time makes perfect sense, doesn't it?]

So, you went on a beach vacation with Eden and his family...

--------

????~

It was a light and melodious tune. As the melody progressed, the original piece smoothly transitioned to another piece after a few bars, changing from light and cheerful to magnificent. Eden's highly recognizable voice also entered the scene, showcasing her heavenly singing voice with the music.

But faintly, one could still hear some gentle harmonies; it was Xi Wang's voice, like the green leaves beside a flower, highlighting her beauty.

However, after a few verses, Xi Wang's lips curled up slightly, her voice subtly changed, and then... Eden was momentarily stunned, turning to look at Xi Wang in surprise.

"Are you frightened, Eden?"

Xi Wang also stopped playing and asked with a slightly mischievous smile, "Is that his voice right now...? Why does it sound a bit like Eden's own voice?"

"Xiwang, your voice..."

"I deliberately imitated it~ Pretty impressive, right~ Cough cough... It's just that I can only maintain it for a short while now, it's still a bit difficult to last through a whole song."

Xi Wang shook his head and spoke quite happily, but then coughed a few times and returned to his original voice.

"That's already amazing, and if you can last for a whole song... I feel like my brilliance will be overshadowed by you."

Eden stepped forward with great curiosity, reached out and touched Xi Wang's throat, as if wondering how he could achieve such a level of voice, and then said with a bit of a laugh.

"If this keeps up, I'm afraid I'll become just another supporting character to you~"

"How could that be? Eden's voice is much nicer than mine."

Xi Wang raised her head slightly, letting Eden stroke her. After Eden withdrew his hand, she smiled and said again.

"So...do you want to come together today?"

"Okay."

Eden readily accepted Xiwang's invitation... As for what the two of them were going to do together, it was naturally to play music and perform on the street.

Of course, it wasn't for making money through performing. Xiwang wouldn't do such a thing when she was with Eden. However, Eden really enjoyed performing on the street with Xiwang. They could usually attract a lot of people, forming a large crowd around them, like a small stage with a lot of people gathered around.

So Xiwang closed the lid of the zither, and he and Eden each took turns tidying up their instruments and preparing to go out... when they were stopped.