Bai Xiaowu did not die in the ending of White Deer Plain. He was finally saved and forgiven, becoming a hero. At the end of the novel, Bai Xiaowu, Lu Zilin, and the others participated in the flood rescue. In order to protect the food and the lives of the people, he led the people forward regardless of his own safety. In the end, he was drowned by the flood. However, he did not die but was saved and recovered.