“When?” Qi Feng asked, tightening his brow.
Si Tu Jin chuckled, “Right before your girlfriend delivered the cake!”
Cake? Qi Feng tried to recall. Ying Feng remembered, “That cake box was from Wind’er?”
“Yes!” Si Tu Jin replied, satisfied.
Qi Feng rushed upstairs, and Si Tu Jin added coolly, “I’ve already eaten it.”
Qi Feng turned, his eyes narrowing. “That was Wind’er’s for me!”
“You didn’t eat it yourself.”
“You didn’t say it was from Wind’er!” Qi Feng exclaimed in frustration.
Ying Feng secretly rejoiced at having tasted a piece of the delicious cake made by his sister. He grinned, glad to discover its origin.
“Dad, you already knew. Why didn’t you bring Wind’er back?” Ying Feng asked quickly.
Si Tu Jin frowned, “Wind’er didn’t want to.”
“Why?” Qi Feng pressed.
Si Tu Jin looked at his sons. “It’s because of what you two did. Hmph!”
“What did we do?” Ying Feng and Qi Feng exchanged puzzled glances.
“Just wait obediently and don’t bother me if you want to see your sister,” Si Tu Jin said, waving his sleeve as he went upstairs.
The brothers were left confused, wondering what they had done to upset their father and Rufeng.
Regardless, Ning Yuan returned home with Suifeng. Ying Feng noticed her slightly swollen eyes, which even heavy makeup couldn’t conceal. He reached out to her, “Come with me.”
Suifeng lowered her head and let him lead her away, leaving Ning Yuan and Qi Feng in the living room. Ning Yuan sat dazed on the sofa. Qi Feng, in a surprisingly good mood, found Ning Yuan less bothersome and kindly asked the servant for tea.
In the room, Ying Feng and Suifeng sat face to face. He touched her eyes and asked, “Do you regret it?”
Suifeng hugged her brother’s arm, tears streaming down her face.
Ying Feng sighed, “He doesn’t love you. Leave him.”
“No!” Suifeng shook her head in panic, “Big brother, I love him. I won’t leave him.”
“Why suffer like this, Suifeng? You’ll have a hard time.”
Suifeng wiped away her tears, “One day, I’ll wait for him. From the first moment I saw him, I loved him. Big brother, I’m sorry.”
Ying Feng was at a loss for words. He couldn’t understand what magic Ning Yuan possessed to make both his sisters so obsessed.
“What about Rufeng?” She finally mustered the courage to ask. Despite stealing her sister’s lover, she felt guilt.
Ying Feng looked at her deeply. Some secrets of the Situ family were passed down only to males, and Suifeng was unaware of them. He thought about Qi Feng’s actions of saving Feng’er with a forbidden spell and replied, “She doesn’t want to see you yet.”
Suifeng lowered her head, “Please apologize to her for me.”
Ying Feng patted her shoulder, “Suifeng, it will be very painful.”
Suifeng closed her eyes. She knew it would be painful, but it was too late. If love could be abandoned, how could it be worth such devotion?
All the guests were frozen, and Ying Feng and Qi Feng were also stunned. Their father had never laid a hand on them; now, he struck them for a woman!
Situ Jin laughed at the stunned Ru Feng, “Are you calm now?”
Ru Feng was about to cry. Is this how her father was going to defend her?
“Didn’t you say you’d arrange a fake engagement to scare the second brother?” she accused.
“These two brats didn’t even recognize their sister, and dared to look and touch her. Don’t they deserve a beating?” Situ Jin felt justified.
“Dad, big brother, second brother!” Sui Feng hurriedly rushed to separate everyone.
Ru Feng went to support Qi Feng, whose eyes showed disgust, as he was about to slap someone but stopped midway.
Ru Feng pulled back her sleeve, revealing a green jade bracelet on her wrist, emitting a soft glow.
Qi Feng stared at the green color.
Ru Feng smiled, realizing her second brother could see color on her. She fell into his embrace, saying loudy, “I missed you so much.”
Qi Feng slowly closed his arms and said hoarsely, “Welcome back, my princess.”
Ying Feng stood frozen, his hand outstretched, unsure of what had happened.
The guests felt the trip was worthwhile, as if they’d watched a dramatic series filled with twists and turns.
Who would have thought that Situ Qi Feng, who had just been cursing and resisting, would be so easily subdued? Could the jade bracelet have some magical power of love? Guests whispered among themselves, with some young ladies inquiring if the Situ family’s jewelry store had a new jade bracelet, preferably the one worn by the new second young mistress.
The guests finally dispersed, leaving only the Situ family and Qiu Chi. He hadn’t moved, watching Situ Qi Feng tightly holding Qiu Ru Feng, never letting go. A strange, suffocating feeling arose in his heart.
Previously, he had set this challenge believing Qiu Ru Feng was harassing him and thought that if she could attract the two Situ brothers, it would prove her charm. If she succeeded, he would allow her to stay by his side; otherwise, she was to never appear before him again.
In the industry, Situ Ying Feng’s moral integrity and Situ Qi Feng’s aloofness were well-known. He thought Qiu Ru Feng lacked the means to approach them, or even if she did, she wouldn’t succeed and would give up. Yet, she had found a way.
That night, seeing her sorry state, he had laughed. But now, who could explain this scene to him? And why did his heart feel heavy seeing this?
He stepped forward, ignoring Qi Feng’s cold gaze, and directly addressed Ru Feng, “Come back with me.”
Qi Feng stepped forward, protecting Ru Feng behind him, his tone carrying a murderous intent, “Safe travels. No need to see you off.”
“Qiu Ru Feng!” he called out.
The moment the name was spoken, the air seemed to freeze. Situ Ying Feng, previously contemplative, suddenly glanced at Ru Feng with suspicion. He recalled Qi Feng’s prior disdain for her; what had changed?
As far as he knew, except for “Wind’er,” Qi Feng had never been so gentle with any woman, let alone protecting her like this.
Ning Yuan and Sui Feng were equally shocked, staring at Ru Feng. Situ Jin frowned and said, “Ning Yuan, Sui Feng, you two go back.”
They hesitated. Sui Feng murmured, “Dad.”
Situ Jin insisted, “This is between the three of them. You two go rest. Butler!”
Though they had many questions, their presence served no purpose. As they left, Ning Yuan softly said to Ru Feng, “Thank you for my clothes.”
Ru Feng looked up, meeting his gaze, her heart subtly moving but showing no trace, “You’re welcome!”
Ning Yuan gave her a deep look before walking out. Ru Feng watched them leave, lowering her eyes, her eyelashes casting a shadow over her emotions.
“Qiu Ru Feng!” Qiu Chi called again. As Qi Feng’s muscles tensed, Ru Feng quietly held his hand.
Qi Feng relaxed his body, calming his aura.
Ru Feng glanced at Qiu Chi, barely restraining a sigh, “Qiu Chi, this is my own matter. Please don’t meddle. Can’t you see my second brother is trying hard to control his temper?”
Though Qiu Chi had some self-defense skills, he wouldn’t stand a chance against her second brother.
After a moment, Qiu Chi said, “I won’t drive you away anymore.”
Ru Feng looked puzzled. What did that mean?
Qiu Chi took a deep breath, “I was just giving you a hard time back then. I didn’t want you to take it seriously. I didn’t expect…” He hesitated, his expression pained. He didn’t truly want to humiliate Qiu Ru Feng. Who would have thought she’d come to the Situ family over this?
If she got into trouble because of him, he would feel partly responsible.
Ru Feng blinked, beginning to understand. Perhaps Mom Qiu was right—this Qiu Chi wasn’t that bad.
“I just have some things to tell them. I’ll leave after I’m done.”
Qiu Chi’s eyes brightened, “Then I’ll wait for you outside?”
“Okay!” Ru Feng nodded.
Qiu Chi smiled, revealing faint dimples.
Ru Feng also smiled, marking their first friendly conversation.
