On the eve of Gao Ze’s enlistment, Liu Hao’s grandfather fell ill, suffering a stroke that left half his body paralyzed. Shortly after, Liu Hao’s grandmother was diagnosed with a heart condition. Just when their lives had finally settled down, the family now faced the difficult decision of how to care for the elderly.
Since Liu Hao’s parents divorced, his father had never returned to Taiwan. In recent years, he had even stopped sending money to support the family. Upon hearing of his father’s illness, Liu Hao’s father took the opportunity to send a sum of money, making it clear that he was severing ties. Liu Hao, busy preparing for his high school entrance exams, had no time to deal with his father’s cold indifference, and Gao Ze had just received his draft notice. Gao Ze had planned to serve in the military first, then return to work part-time while pursuing a university degree. With these responsibilities piling up, the burden of supporting the family fell entirely on Bai Xiao’s shoulders.
The money Liu Hao’s father sent was enough for his grandparents to live comfortably in a nursing home, but it was also a clear message: from now on, Liu Hao’s well-being was no longer his concern. Since his father had abandoned him, Liu Hao knew better than to rely on his remarried mother.
After graduating from vocational school, Bai Xiao gritted her teeth and began working as an apprentice at a chain hair salon. To keep the household afloat, she rarely allowed herself any rest. But people aren’t made of iron. After three months of overwork, Bai Xiao finally fell ill.
At this time, Liu Hao was approaching his final exams and had taken an extended leave from school to study at home. He was deeply grateful to Bai Xiao, so when she developed a fever, Liu Hao, for the first time in his life, took care of someone with such seriousness. The longer they spent together, the more conflicted Liu Hao felt. He had always harbored inexplicable feelings for Bai Xiao since childhood. However, Gao Ze had always treated him like a little brother, and because of this, Liu Hao chose to bury his growing affection deep within his heart.
With Gao Ze now serving in the military far away in Penghu, the once tightly-knit trio was reduced to two lonely souls. Perhaps Bai Xiao, starved for love, couldn’t bear seeing Gao Ze only once every six months. Their phone calls had also become increasingly rare due to unfortunate timing. Bai Xiao tried to numb herself with work, and in truth, their little family did rely on her income to survive.
When Bai Xiao finally collapsed with a high fever, unable to continue working, she found herself falling into a deep, cold sleep. In her feverish dreams, she returned to that fateful night when Yafan had passed away, smiling as he found release from his suffering. Bai Xiao vividly remembered his words from a dream: “It’s great… I don’t have to try anymore! After all, I wasn’t born into this world with anyone’s expectations.”
Just as Bai Xiao began to feel like she didn’t want to keep trying either, Liu Hao appeared in her life once more. The boy she had always seen as a little brother now showed signs of maturity, stepping up like a man. He tried his best to show her that everything would be okay, saying without words, “Don’t worry. You still have me.”
Slowly, something ambiguous began to grow between them—a delicate sweetness mingled with the heartache of sleepless nights.
One evening, after finishing her shift, Bai Xiao, with a day off ahead of her, planned to buy some fruit to visit Liu Hao’s grandparents. Liu Hao, having just finished his exams, was also ready to relax after the long ordeal. These days, he had been tormented by his feelings, and now that they both had free time, he decided to ask Bai Xiao for an answer. Liu Hao bought a few bottles of beer, hoping to gather some liquid courage. He figured that if she rejected him, he could blame it on the alcohol, and things wouldn’t be too awkward the next day.
Liu Hao rode his bike to the salon, where Bai Xiao emerged wearing a black tank top and denim shorts. She waved energetically and smiled at him, her expression radiant like sunshine.
The boy was instantly mesmerized, shyly lowering his head and smiling foolishly.
“Hey! I’m talking to you! Why are you ignoring me? What’s so special today that you came to pick me up?” Bai Xiao, hands on her hips, swayed back and forth playfully, as cute as an elf.
Liu Hao shook his head. “Nothing much! I finally finished my exams, and you’re off tomorrow. I ordered some fried chicken and bought beer. Didn’t you say you love chicken tails? I got two skewers!”
Bai Xiao grinned, baring her teeth, and playfully tugged on his ear. “Oh, really? Wasting money behind my back, huh? I was planning to buy some fruit to visit your grandparents tomorrow.”
Liu Hao yelped in exaggerated pain, causing Bai Xiao to laugh. Just as she let go, Liu Hao grabbed her hand. “Xiaobai, your hands are all dried and cracked! I bought you some hand cream. After your bath, I’ll help you apply it.”
Bai Xiao awkwardly pulled her hand back, giving him a playful shove. “What do you mean, Xiaobai? Call me ‘sister!’”
Liu Hao’s face softened with affection. “Fine, fine! Whatever makes you happy. I’ll call you ‘princess’ if you want. I’ll always be your knight… even if…” In his heart, he added, Even if one day you’re with your prince, I’ll always be your knight.
Bai Xiao didn’t say anything. She grabbed her bike, ready to head home. She wanted to feel the breeze on her face, to clear her mind.
Maybe it was time to drink and get drunk. Then, when she woke up, she could pretend that whatever feelings had developed between them had never happened.
