42: Chapter 42 A song, an embrace, could be a person's entire life.

Michael Thompson wasn't exactly jealous... Okay, maybe a little, just a little.

But he was even more certain that if Yu Bai showed even the slightest bit of interest right now—he didn't even need to be proactive, just give a hint—Emily, who had long been dissatisfied with her current life, would ditch him without a second thought and throw herself into Yu Bai's arms. She might not even hesitate for a second.

However, he was equally certain that Yu Bai was not that kind of person. Setting aside the age gap, just looking at his own sister Chloe's almost 'throwing herself at him' level of hints and suggestions, Yu Bai had always maintained a polite and clear distance.

He didn't think Yu Bai would be interested in his 'mature, sexy, but overly calculating fiancée'—unless Yu Bai's taste was unique enough to prefer the 'young, mature woman' type.

...

A few crisp tuning notes drew everyone's gaze to the center of the living room.

Chloe was holding a guitar, sitting on a high stool.

Liam was holding another guitar, sitting a bit further away, looking as grumpy as if the whole world owed him money.

The lights in the room were dimmed, and only a warm beam of light shone on Chloe.

She took a deep breath, and when she looked up again, the playfulness and the 'queen' aura from just moments ago had vanished; her eyes became exceptionally clear, focused, and even carried a hint of devotion.

She looked at Yu Bai, who was sitting at the edge of the halo of light, her voice soft yet clearly reaching everyone's ears: "A song called 'Scars,' for Yu Bai."

The prelude began, a melody flowing from Liam's fingertips that carried a faint sorrow yet did not lack strength.

Chloe closed her eyes, and when she opened them again, the singing flowed out: "You're setting off, it's time to go, the engine's running..." (Pack your bags, it's time to leave; the gears of time stop for no one...)

Her voice was a bit raspy but full of emotion, and she enunciated every word clearly.

"My mind's lost, we always knew this day was coming..." (My mind is in turmoil, even though we knew this day would eventually come...)

"And now it's more frightening than it's ever gonna be..." (The time is drawing near, and the fear grows...)

The singing lingered slowly in the living room, the lyrics like a delicate key, gently prying open the lock of parting in everyone's hearts.

Mrs. Susan poked her head out from the kitchen, still holding a spatula. Listening to the undisguised sadness in her daughter's singing, and then looking at the Chinese boy sitting quietly in the light and shadow, the emotions she had been holding back instantly collapsed. Tears rolled down without warning; she hurriedly covered her mouth, turned, and hid back in the kitchen, where the sound of suppressed sobbing could be faintly heard.

Yu Bai sat on the sofa, his body leaning slightly forward, his gaze landing on Chloe's profile, outlined by the light and shadow. His heart felt as if it had been gently squeezed by the singing, sending a clear and unfamiliar throb through him.

He suddenly realized with absolute clarity that leaving was not just his own matter. His departure would tear a hole in this family that had given him countless warmth.

"Cuz I can't go without you..." (I can't go on without you...) "Anymore..." (Never...) "No, I can't go without you..." (I can't go on without you...) "Anymore..." (Never...)

When Chloe sang the chorus, her voice carried a subtle, almost imperceptible choke, but she stubbornly lifted her face, letting the moisture in her eyes flow back.

The guitar and her singing intertwined, venting the complex emotions mixed with blessings, reluctance, fear, and pure affection to the fullest.

The last note fell, and the lingering sound echoed in the quiet living room. Yu Bai was the first to stand up, clapping forcefully and sincerely. Immediately after, Grandma Margaret, Uncle David, and even Emily, with her red eyes, all started clapping.

Chloe put down the guitar, jumped off the high stool, and under everyone's gaze, rushed straight to Yu Bai, opened her arms, and gave him a solid, unreserved hug!

Her cheek was buried in his shoulder, her arms wrapped tight. Yu Bai's body stiffened for a moment, then relaxed, and he hesitantly and gently patted her back in return.

"You sang very well, Chloe, thank you." He could feel the fabric on his shoulder was a little damp.

He looked up and met the eyes of Liam Scott, which were practically spitting fire and filled with the expression of 'the hatred of stealing one's wife is irreconcilable.'

Yu Bai blinked helplessly, spread his hands slightly, and made an innocent expression that said, "It has nothing to do with me; she initiated it, and I was just as passive."

However, to Liam, this expression was nothing short of a victor's show-off and mockery!

It was indeed a fact that Chloe had initiated the hug. But Liam just couldn't accept it! He couldn't accept it at all!

The first time they met, he could still bring up, "My friend's friend is Harry Winks, a Tottenham youth academy genius," to vaguely suppress this Chinese kid. And what was the result? Yu Bai was now the record holder for the youngest player to appear in the Premier League in Tottenham's history!

Winks? Winks would be too embarrassed to call himself a genius in front of him!

The girl he loved was throwing herself into his arms, right in front of him! Bitter, it was just too bitter.

Having this kind of 'child of someone else' as a romantic rival was simply the worst luck in eight lifetimes. Even if Yu Bai had no interest in Chloe, after this incident, Chloe's standards for finding a boyfriend had been invisibly raised to Mount Everest levels by this guy! How was he supposed to pursue her now? With his head?!

Liam watched the two embracing and felt his vision go dark, filled with despair. God... He was only seventeen!