Ru Feng gazed deeply at him before turning back to her mother’s tombstone, her gentle eyes betraying a sorrowful comfort. “Mom, I’m sorry. I disappointed you. Feng’er wasn’t good enough to make him love me.”
She spoke softly, but loud enough for the others to hear, “Seeing you so loyal and righteous, she will surely smile in the afterlife.”
Ning Yuan lowered his head, “Auntie will not forgive me.”
“I’m not talking about mom, but the Si Tu Ru Feng you abandoned!”
“Thank you for coming to see my mom. It proves I’m not entirely forgotten in your heart. This way, my past infatuation was not in vain.”
“Thank you, but you don’t need to come and see her anymore. I don’t want to make mom and me sad together, so let’s end it here.”
“Who are you?” Ning Yuan asked after a brief silence.
Ru Feng remained silent while Si Tu Jin smiled, “She is Qi Feng’s fiancée.”
Ru Feng was stunned. Ning Yuan laughed self-deprecatingly, “I see.”
The person before him was Qi Feng’s second brother’s partner, no longer someone by Ru Feng’s side. So what right did he have to come and see her mother? His departing figure carried a desolation that gripped people’s hearts, bitter and astringent.
Ru Feng’s tears fell, one after another.
After a while, Ru Feng wiped her eyes and asked, “Dad, why did you say that?”
Si Tu Jin laughed easily, “What are you afraid of? Your second brother has never cared about these things. No matter how people spread rumors, he won’t spend an extra thought. We can just use this as a pretext to meet.”
Otherwise, how can you come and see your father in the future? You’ll have to meet your brothers someday. Without an identity, it won’t be convenient.”
“But what about second brother’s girlfriend?”
“Qi Feng doesn’t have a girlfriend.” Perhaps, he never will.
Ru Feng glared at him, “Dad, not having one now doesn’t mean he won’t have one in the future. Never mind, you solve it yourself later. Let’s see how second brother settles the score with you.” In her heart, she regretted: So that sister really wasn’t second brother’s girlfriend!
Si Tu Jin laughed without answering. How could he settle a score?
Returning the Bright Pearl
On the tombstone, her mother’s smile was familiar and warm.
Ru Feng squatted down, gently stroking it. “Mom, I’m back.”
She smiled softly, her eyes filled with nostalgia and filial love. “Mom, is this because of your blessing? I promised you I would make second brother feel happiness and joy. I haven’t completed it yet, so you will let me come back.”
Si Tu Jin stood smiling, his gentle gaze quietly cast.
A Lian, is it really you? Unwilling to let me be lonely and sad, so you sent our child back?
For Qi Feng, I am truly helpless. Perhaps only the wind can awaken all of his emotions. For this child’s dark childhood, we can no longer remedy it. Fortunately, Fenger has returned in another identity. I wonder if this is a blessing.
I want both children to find happiness. If Fenger can accept it, I would be glad to see it happen. No one could love her more than Qifeng.
With a slight curve at his mouth, he embraced his daughter and said, “As long as the child can be happy, I don’t care about anything else.”
Rufeng smiled at him, “Dad, I will be happy.”
“Is that so?” he asked, “Even if Ning Yuan and Suifeng’s wedding is set for next week?”
Something silently exploded in her mind, soundless yet painful.
Rufeng tried to keep her eyes open, gazing at the drifting clouds, “Is that so? How nice!”
Don’t cry, don’t want to cry, so tears must not fall.
Situ Jin gently patted Rufeng’s back, “My daughter deserves better.”
That day, Rufeng fell ill. By the next morning, she had a fever and was unconscious.
Qiu’s mother, unable to lift her, looked at the leftover money in her wallet and at her daughter’s flushed face. Gritting her teeth, she made a call she thought she would never make.
Dignity and pride are a luxury for those who can’t guarantee their survival.
Soon someone arrived. Qiu’s mother never expected Qiu Chi would come personally.
Qiu Chi’s face was dark, his brow showing impatience. People who catch a cold and get a fever in this weather are definitely foolish! But why did he know this idiotic woman? Despite his frustration, he felt soft-hearted.
He could just ignore her and be done with it, but kindness compelled him. After a brief internal struggle, he came to help. Seeing her unconscious with brilliant red cheeks made his heart tremble. He quickly picked her up and rushed outside, worried she might suffer further.
As she lay delirious, she mumbled a few words. Qiu Chi leaned in closer but couldn’t catch them clearly. He thought he heard a name, but it remained just out of reach, as if it were a taboo in her heart. A tear slid down her cheek; perhaps this vulnerability was allowed in her unconscious state.
When Rufeng woke up, she was confused by the white surroundings.
“You didn’t really burn your brain out, did you?” a voice said.
Rufeng turned her head; Qiu Chi stood by the bed, brow furrowed. “Do you know who I am?”
Rufeng managed a hoarse reply. Qiu Chi leaned closer, “What did you say?”
She coughed a few times and said, “Smug King!”
His face shifted between blue and white. After a moment, he suppressed his anger, declaring her ungrateful.
He turned and walked out, telling Qiu’s mother, who was bringing a kettle of hot water, “She won’t die for now. I’m leaving.”
“Okay, thank you,” Qiu’s mother bowed deeply, her gratitude genuine.
Qiu Chi made no comment and strode away.
“How much are the medical expenses at the hospital?” Ru Feng asked, looking around the room. It seemed quite costly.
“It’s already been paid, by Qiu Chi,” Qiu’s mother replied, lowering her head.
Ru Feng smiled, “It’s okay, we’ll pay him back.”
“Mm!” Qiu’s mother responded, her expression looking better.
Ru Feng then fell asleep, and after finishing her tasks, Qiu’s mother gazed at her daughter’s pale face on the hospital bed, sighing softly. Other girls her age should be carefree, enjoying love and youth, not burdened by hopeless love and family responsibilities so early.
Her hand rested on Ru Feng’s shoulder; how could these fragile shoulders bear such hardships? Recently, her daughter had grown more sensible and strong, leaving her feeling both heartache and pride.
Ru Feng’s illness lasted a week before she recovered. Qiu’s mother advised her to rest another day before returning to work. Today was also the day Ning Yuan was marrying his sister.
The largest hotel in Z City was bustling today for the wedding of the third young miss of the Situ Group.
Situ Ying Feng stood at the entrance, feeling bitter. If Wind had seen this scene, it would have broken her heart. Their father had feigned illness and was not present, and Qi Feng could not be there either. Last night, Sui Feng knelt before him in tears, pleading, “Big brother, mother entrusted me to you before her death. For my wedding, you are my only family. Are you not even going to attend? I am your full sister. How can you protect Ru Feng like this? How will you face mother in the afterlife?”
He eventually attended the event, which was beautifully decorated with flowers and luxurious splendor. Sui Feng, as a young lady of the Situ Group, ensured proper appearances.
Ying Feng’s gaze fell on Ning Yuan, dressed in a white suit, tall and elegant. Why did both sisters fall in love with him? Ning Yuan’s gaze searched for someone among the guests, appearing somewhat restless. He then looked away. Ning Yuan had changed his affections, marrying another sister and hurting his most beloved. Ying Feng hoped Sui Feng would not tire of him; otherwise, he would show him that there could be a fate worse than being unable to live or die.
