Did I still have to die in the end... Xiao Xi, your big brother still had to die...
Through his blurred vision, Bai Chen seemed to see Bai Xi standing amid the flames.
She stood a short distance away, smiling and waving.
Was everything you did really worth it?
In the final second before the explosion, countless memories flashed through Bai Chen's mind.
Memories of Bai Xi and his parents.
Of his many friends.
And of Lin Jingchen.
Those countless memories enveloped him like a river of time, like a vast galaxy.
If there was another life.
If there was another life... I hoped you would all still be there.
I was sorry.
"Bro, why are you still asleep? Mom and Dad went out. Let's order takeout." A young girl's soft voice sounded beside Bai Chen's ear.
Bai Chen opened his eyes groggily.
A girl of eleven or twelve stood beside his bed, grinning at him.
"Xiao Xi!! You... you're still alive..."
Bai Chen immediately pulled Bai Xi into his arms, tears pouring down his face.
His sudden embrace startled her.
"Huh? What's wrong, bro? Of course I'm alive. We played Gomoku together yesterday. Wait, are you trying to get yesterday's winnings back?"
As the thought struck her, Bai Xi put on a fierce expression and shoved him away.
She warned him loudly, "Don't think I'll give your money back just because you cry! I won it, so it's mine, you crybaby!"
Bai Chen still hadn't recovered from his shock.
At first, he had thought it was a dream, but Bai Xi's expression was so vivid and real.
And the force of her shove had hurt his shoulders.
Was this real?!!
Had I come back?
Bai Xi watched him in bewilderment. He looked as though he had won the