Qiu Chi strode out, prompting Si Tu Jin to ask, “Is this the arrogant guy who slapped you?”
“He hit you?” Qi Feng, feeling increasingly upset since Ru Feng mentioned leaving, gave a dangerous look as if ready to chase after Qiu Chi.
Ru Feng, touched her face, recalling the painful slap, pouted. Qi Feng released her hand and walked out.
“Second Brother, what are you doing?”
Qi Feng did not look back, replying, “Wait for me a moment.”
“Second Brother, come back,” Ru Feng called, but Qi Feng ignored her and continued walking.
“Second Brother, you’re even worse!” Ru Feng protested, “He slapped me once, but you and Big Brother are excessive!”
Qi Feng stopped and turned to stare at Ru Feng, her face reddening.
Ying Feng, recalling something, almost jumped up, “You, are you Feng’er?”
Ru Feng glared, feeling ashamed and annoyed about her earlier embarrassment.
Ying Feng, conflicted, finally asked, “What’s going on?”
Ru Feng stayed silent and looked at Si Tu Jin for help. Si Tu Jin, understanding the cue, cleared his throat: “It might be because of the spell Qi Feng cast. At that time, Feng’er’s body mysteriously disappeared.”
Half a year later, the owner of this body, Qiu Ru Feng, came to our house that night. When Qi Feng grabbed her neck, Feng’er’s soul returned.
Ying Feng and Qi Feng stood stiffly in place, unable to say a word. Si Tu Jin continued, “Feng’er didn’t get a chance to speak and was thrown out. She needed time to adapt before seeing you.”
Ying Feng felt embarrassed, regretting his past actions, and had an urge to cry while holding his head. Qi Feng, head lowered, carefully approached Ru Feng, “Feng’er?”
Ru Feng’s face was burning as she glared at him, “What?” Then she burst out laughing at her own glare.
Qi Feng’s face turned completely red, a stark contrast to his usual cold demeanor. Seeing Ru Feng laugh so hard, he smiled, walked forward, and embraced her tightly, “Feng’er!”
This warmth of reunion brought him the happiness he had sought countless times. He didn’t want to let go again. “Feng’er!” he murmured, burying his face in her neck, feeling his life was finally complete.
Ru Feng sensed her second brother’s excitement and patted his back, “Okay!” Her big brother approached, his voice slightly hoarse, “Feng’er.” She sniffled, pulled away from Qi Feng, and threw herself into her big brother’s embrace, “Big Brother, I really missed you.”
Her brother hugged her and sighed, “It’s good you’re back, you little brat. It’s about time you came home!” Ru Feng pinched him, “It’s not like I didn’t want to come back. It’s all because of you.” He smiled bitterly, “How was I supposed to know that woman was Feng’er?”
“What?” Ru Feng raised her eyebrows. Her brother let her go and turned to Qi Feng, “Your second brother didn’t recognize her either, so how can you blame me? Feng’er, you’re biased!” The accusation was reasonable, and Ru Feng’s angry gaze shifted to Qi Feng.
Qi Feng, blushing, wanted to argue but was at a loss for words. He usually felt disgusted by other women, never bothering to look at them, so he couldn’t have recognized that the body contained Feng’er. Besides, the owner of that body had wanted to climb into his bed. The fact that he hadn’t harmed her was already good enough. He suddenly felt a chill, wondering what would have happened if he had actually broken her limbs. How would Feng’er have returned?
A cold sweat broke out on his back. He wiped his forehead under the dual pressure of his big brother’s and Ru Feng’s gazes, and softly said, “I didn’t pay attention.”
“Hmph!” Ru Feng snorted.
Qi Feng looked at her, struggling, “How about I take off my clothes and let you bully me once?”
Ru Feng widened her eyes, unsure if she’d misheard. Her big brother was between laughter and tears, covering his forehead and sighing. Was Qi Feng really suggesting he would let his sister pull his clothes off?
Qi Feng, however, was determined, raising his head, “I absolutely won’t fight back.” It didn’t matter, he thought, since it was for Feng’er to see.
Ru Feng glared, almost drilling a hole in his face with her stare. “Second Brother, you’re doing this on purpose, right?” she accused.
Qi Feng looked at her fiery eyes. “Are you unhappy?”
“How can I be happy!” she snapped, her frustration evident. This wasn’t about revenge; it was about a matter of dignity.
Anxiously, Qi Feng asked, “Then what do you want to do?”
Recalling that night’s scene, she pressed, “I’ll just lie on the bed without resisting, let you pin me down, let you pinch me, let you look at me.”
Anger surged to a peak, and not knowing how to react, he turned and walked away.
“Wind’er!”
“Qi Feng hurriedly tried to grab her.
Like Wind jumped up, dodging his hand. “I’m going back to sleep.”
“This is your home. Where are you going?”
“Back to Qiu Ru Feng’s home!” Like Wind didn’t look back.
Qi Feng wanted to chase her but stopped when she said, “I’m still angry. I’ll come back tomorrow night.”
He could only watch her disappear outside the door.
He turned to Si Tu Ying Feng. “Big brother?” He couldn’t understand why Like Wind was so angry.
Ying Feng looked at his usually smart brother, now clueless about his sister. “She’s shy.”
Shy? Qi Feng couldn’t process it.
Ying Feng sympathetically patted his shoulder. “You’ve been away from worldly affairs for too long. You have a lot to learn.”
Si Tu Jin stood nearby, smiling silently. Maybe because Qi Feng didn’t understand many worldly things, everything relied on his feelings. Otherwise, how could Wind’er be his only redemption?
“Dad, are we just going to let Wind’er leave like this?” Ying Feng ignored his brother’s confusion and looked at his father.
Si Tu Jin, suppressing his smile, replied, “To avoid unnecessary trouble and for Wind’er’s safety and freedom, let’s keep this between us. To the outside world, she is still Qiu Ru Feng. That’s her home, and she should return there.”
“What about this engagement?”
“Ying Feng asked.
Qi Feng looked at him eagerly, “Dad, can this be real?”
“No!” Ying Feng objected, frowning, “We need to find a way to solve this. Otherwise, how will Wind’er discuss marriage in the future?”
“Why not?” Qi Feng stepped forward. “If we’re engaged, Wind’er can always be with me.”
Ying Feng felt frustrated, not knowing how to explain the difference between sibling affection and love. “She’s your sister.”
“Why can’t she be? I just like having Wind’er with me,” Qi Feng insisted.
Ying Feng turned to his father, who was observing the scene.
Si Tu Jin smiled, “Let’s leave it like this for now. We need an identity that allows Wind’er to come and go freely. We’ll deal with the rest later.”
The future would depend on Wind’er’s own heart.
Could Qi Feng’s dedication change the deep-rooted feelings in Wind’er’s heart?
He sighed, uncertain if the outcome would bring happiness. Had heaven given them a second chance, might it signify fulfillment?
A peaceful night.
When Like Wind walked out, Qiu Chi leaned against the car door smoking. The glowing cigarette added some calmness to his usually arrogant face.
Hearing Like Wind’s footsteps, Qiu Chi stood up and extinguished his cigarette. The driver had left, and Qiu Chi was now driving personally.
It was their first time together without arguing, leaving both feeling uncomfortable and unsure of what to say. Finally, Qiu Chi broke the silence, “I’m sorry.” Like Wind glanced at him, unable to respond.
The disappearance of the real Qiu Ru Feng weighed heavily on her; she couldn’t forgive him, even though Qiu Ru Feng had deeply loved him.
“Qiu Chi, did you really have no feelings for me before?” she asked. Qiu Chi pursed his lips before answering, “Yes, I’m sorry.”
