Like Wind sighed inwardly, thinking of another girl who sought but couldn’t obtain affection yet remained persistent. “Even if you didn’t love me, how could you hurt me like that?”
“I just wanted you to give up. I didn’t expect…” He struggled with his words, then suddenly braked, stopping the car by the roadside. Turning to Like Wind, he said, “I’m willing to give you a chance. Let’s get along well.”
Like Wind remained silent as the streetlight illuminated Qiu Chi’s serious face. “Because of the previous generation’s relationship, I’ve always held prejudice against you. That was my mistake. Now, shall we start over and get to know each other?”
Feeling an emotional ache, possibly from Qiu Ru Feng’s lingering feelings, Like Wind shook her head, “No, Qiu Chi. I don’t love you anymore.”
She sat up straight, looking ahead. “Everyone is moving forward. No one will always stand at the old path and wait. Qiu Chi, you don’t need to sympathize with me. I’ve learned to look ahead.”
Qiu Chi stared at her intently, then exhaled softly, “Si Tu Qi Feng is the scenery you’re looking at?”
Thinking of her second brother, Like Wind’s mouth curved into a smile. “Yes, he is the most beautiful scenery on my path.”
With her second brother around, she need not fear any storm.
Staring at her smile, Qiu Chi turned around, gripping the steering wheel. “Si Tu Qi Feng is not suitable for you. He is capricious, has always looked down on women, and is cold-hearted. Even if it’s not me, he should not be the one for you.”
Ru Feng shook her head. “No matter what others think, I only believe what I see, and that’s enough.”
Qiu Chi was stunned for a moment, then began to laugh. “Right, I forgot how stubborn you are.”
Only her stubbornness was now directed at another man. Whether it was relief or loss, he couldn’t quite tell.
He restarted the car and sped towards Qiu Ru Feng’s home. This time, they didn’t speak again.
Before Ru Feng entered the door, Qiu Chi asked, “If I say we should start over now, would we still have a chance?”
Ru Feng didn’t turn back, about to speak, when she heard an engine starting.
She turned around, catching a glimpse of Qiu Chi’s car disappearing into the distance.
Why are love stories always accidentally misaligned? When she loved her brother Ning Yuan, he loved Sui Feng’s sister; for a happy ending, someone had to be hurt.
When Qiu Ru Feng loved Qiu Chi, he didn’t love her, and now, even if he wanted to turn back, there was no chance left.
She sighed and walked inside. The lights dimmed, and everything was silent.
A figure appeared at the door, surprised and heartbroken by the large hole. His precious Wind was living in a place like this. Leaning against the wall, he smiled slightly, then closed his eyes.
Wind, isn’t it that there are no more nightmares where you are?
Morning light dimly illuminated the street, and the person against the wall slowly opened his eyes, confusion fading into vitality.
So, it was truly a good night’s sleep!
“Ah? Who are you?” Qiu’s mother gasped at the sight of the man at the door.
Startled by her cry, Ru Feng jumped up from the bed and ran out barefoot. “What happened? What’s wrong?”
Then seeing the person standing at the door, her eyes widened. “Second Brother?”
Si Tu Qi Feng smiled widely, “Wind!” His gaze dropped to her bare feet, and he squeezed past Qiu’s mother, picking her up. “Cold.”
Ru Feng realized she wasn’t dreaming, looking outside in surprise. “Second Brother, you’re here so early?”
“Mm, you said we’d meet today, and now it is today,” Si Tu Qi Feng carried her to the bed.
“Xiao Feng, who is this?” Qiu’s mother followed nervously.
Ru Feng opened her mouth, unsure how to explain, and looked at Si Tu Qi Feng. “You explain.”
“I’m her fiancé!” Qi Feng said.
Her face was filled with sorrow. “Mom is the best example. When she was young, she chased enjoyment and wealth and made mistakes. Now, it’s too late to regret. Xiaofeng, promise me you will never choose the wrong person because of money.”
Ru Feng nodded solemnly. “I promise you.”
“It’s okay if we live in such a house and live such a life,” Qiu’s mother said, tears glistening in her eyes.
“Okay, Mom, I promise to work hard for a good life.”
With Ru Feng’s promise, Qiu’s mother visibly relaxed, and when she came out again, her attitude toward Si Tu Qi Feng had clearly improved.
After all, Situ Qifeng was handsome and could withstand scrutiny.
“Sir, may I ask your name, where you live, and who else is in your family?” She poured a cup of tea.
Qifeng took the water, uncomfortable with the conversation. Thinking about Ru Feng’s attitude towards this woman, he reluctantly replied, “I’m Situ Qifeng, from Z City. My family includes my father and an older brother.”
“What do you do for work?”
Qifeng was stunned. He typically worked behind the scenes and didn’t like jobs involving much interaction, so he hesitated.
Qiu’s mother’s expression turned cold, “No matter how good-looking a man is, it’s useless if he doesn’t work. How will you support a family?”
Qifeng stiffened, “I can support Ru Feng.”
Qiu’s mother moved further away, “Is your family wealthy?”
Qifeng nodded, “Yes!”
Qiu’s mother stood up and stopped asking questions. She soon went into the inner room, where she saw her daughter arranging her hair in front of the mirror.
“Xiaofeng?” she called.
“Yes!” Ru Feng quickly fixed her hair and was about to leave with her bag.
“Let’s forget about this Situ Qifeng.”
“Huh?” Ru Feng was surprised.
“He looks like a rich second-generation heir who doesn’t work and will eventually run out of money. Even Qiu Chi knows he needs to earn money. You should see him less in the future.”
Ru Feng was amused, knowing her second brother had probably said something inappropriate.
“Second brother, don’t come so early next time. I’ll find you after work,” she said after leaving her mother’s sight.
Qifeng grabbed her hand and tucked it into his coat pocket. “But you’ll come here at night and not stay at home.”
“I can have dinner with you and then play at home before coming here. There’s plenty of time.”
Qifeng remained silent, walking with his head down.
After a while, he softly said, “I want to sleep.”
Ru Feng nodded, “Right, that’s why I’m telling you to sleep well at home and not wake up so early!”
His lips pressed into a line, and his steps slowed.
Ru Feng adjusted her hair. “I’m busy going to work in the morning. If you come, Mom will talk all morning.”
“Hmm!” Qifeng let go of her hand. “Then I won’t come here to find you anymore.”
“That’s right,” Ru Feng smiled, seeing the cake shop approaching, waving to Qifeng, “I’m going to work now. See you tonight.”
Qifeng waved back, watching her disappear behind the shop door.
He had just checked Ru Feng’s pulse; her health was good, and he no longer needed to guard her constantly.
Would she drift further away from him in the future?
“Ru Feng!” he softly called, his smile unchanged but tinged with melancholy, “I want to sleep, but without you beside me, I can’t sleep. Have you forgotten?”
“Manager, good morning!” Ru Feng entered, cheerfully greeting Xiao Su. After not working for many days, returning to this place filled with cake aroma made her feel good.
“Ru Feng!” Xiao Su’s expression was momentarily awkward. She came out from behind the counter, holding an envelope, “The boss says you don’t need to come anymore. This is your wage for those days.”
Stunned, Ru Feng hesitated to reach out, “Why?”
Xiao Su avoided her gaze, “The boss said you didn’t pass the probation period and kept taking leave, so you’re not needed anymore.”
Ru Feng bit her lip and took the thin envelope. Her gaze swept across the pastry-filled counter and paused at the pumpkin cake.
She blinked, “Give me a slice of this cake!”
A memento of her first real job.
