Chapter 177
“Shh, don’t talk. Talking will keep you from sleeping.”
After she finished speaking, Xanthea felt like she was echoing her mother, who used to soothe her to sleep with fairy tales and lullabies whenever she was ill or restless.
“Orion, how about I sing you a song?”
“Butterfly”
“No, something different, one you’ve never heard!” Xanthea said as she sat on the futon, recalling the lyrics from a distant memory.
The clear, pure melody of the girl’s voice stimed as she sang, and the man lying on the bed involuntarily clenched his fists so tight the sheets twisted,
She still remembered that song.
As Xanthea sang, her thoughts drifted far back in time.
that
She remembered “Chasing Dreams,” the first song she ever wrote, crafted for the ‘Elementary School Song Contest. But just before she was to perform, her music teacher worried her original song might not win approval from the judges, and switched it for a popular children’s song of the time.
Back then, she was already a little star in her school, with many fans who cheered for her under the stage, and she didn’t disappoint, taking home the first prize.
After her performance, a crowd of fans excitedly surrounded her for photos. Amid the hustle, a little boy was pushed down, and his hand was trampled several times.
She rushed to help him up, only to see he was covered up with a mask, sunglasses, and a cap, which made his face completely hidden. As she asked if he was okay, he turned and ran
It was strange, considering he was a fan. Why would he be afraid to talk to her?
Later, she learned from classmates that his left cheek had been disfigured in a fire, leaving a hideous scar, as the scar was still healing. hd made it always wrapped up, rendering him look like a “‘freak‘. But she just thought he seemed terribly unfortunate.
One rainy day, when her ride
looking like a forsaken puas delayed and all other students had been picked up, she saw him again, alone at the end of a hallway
looking like a forsaken puppy with his pant legs soaked through.
She approached cautiously and was spotted:
He tried to flee, but she called out loudly, “Don’t run! I won’t come over, and I won’t pull your hat like the others!”
“Til just stand here. We can talk and keep each other company. How does that sound?”
He didn’t respond or seemed eager to chat, but remembering he was a fan, she offered, “How about I sing you a song?”
“You’re
e not saving
saying no, so I’ll take that as a
as a yes!”
Back then, she sang “Chasing Dreams, and he was her first listener. Orion was the second.
The strong sedative effects of the medication, combined with the girl’s gentle, melodious voice, gradually lulled the man into a deep sleep.
Listening to his steady, prolonged breaths and observing his serene, handsome sleeping face, Xanthea slowly ceased her singing.
Having worked continuously despite being sick for several days, he must be exhausted.
She muttered, rest well, and hopefully, you’ll feel refreshed when you awaken!