Situ Jin slowly sat up straight, looking at her. “He just sits and dozes off. It doesn’t matter where.”
“Why just sit and not sleep…”
Her voice trailed off.
Situ Jin didn’t look at her, turning his gaze back to the window. “Feng’er, when was the last time you cared about whether second brother could sleep at night?”
Left behind by her father’s voice, Feng walked towards her second brother’s room. The door opened to reveal a bed made up so neatly it looked untouched.
Feng sat down, feeling cold. She had truly forgotten her second brother’s nightly nightmares and how he always startled awake.
In years past, she stayed with him until he fell asleep, rushing to his side whenever he woke from a nightmare. When did she start to forget his struggles?
With closed eyes, she remembered. It started when she began dating Brother Ning Yuan. Their time together—shopping at night, watching movies, and romantic moments—left her too tired to notice her brother’s needs.
Every time she came home, he assured her he was fine. Gradually, she fell into deep sleep, dreaming only of Brother Ning Yuan, while her second brother seemed to have stopped having nightmares.
She had forgotten her loving brother for so long.
At closing time, Ying Feng went to Qi Feng’s office. “Let’s go home together.”
Qi Feng, buried in his work, said without looking up, “Wait a moment.”
Ying Feng walked over, noticing what Qi Feng was working on. “Isn’t this the necklace you said you’d give to Feng’er?”
“Yes!” Qi Feng held it up. “I’ve installed a tracker and communicator. You can’t see it at all, right?”
Ying Feng took it, seeing nothing unusual. “Why are you doing this?”
Qi Feng frowned. “If she’s in danger, we can find her quickly. We can’t be with her all the time, so it’s better to take precautions.”
Patting his shoulder, Ying Feng said, “If only you could spare some meticulousness for others like you do for Feng’er.”
Qi Feng replied while putting the necklace back in its box, “Others are not Feng’er.”
Ying Feng sighed. “You’ll never find a wife like this.”
“I only need Feng’er,” Qi Feng said dismissively.
Ying Feng recalled a message before leaving work. “Did you do something to Qiu Family Enterprise?” he asked, suspecting his brother was involved in the stock plummet.
Qi Feng picked up the jewelry box on the table. “That guy was too idle, so I found something for him to do.” He felt pleased, knowing his Feng’er wouldn’t be easily targeted.
Ying Feng had a headache. “Qiu Chi is not an ordinary person. Don’t burn yourself.”
Qi Feng opened the door. “With his abilities, he can’t possibly find me.”
His tone was calm, a simple statement of fact. The elder brother shook his head behind him, wishing for just a bit of humility.
Chaotic Morning
“Dad, where’s Feng’er?” Qi Feng asked upon return.
Si Tu Jin waved his hand, “Kitchen.”
The brothers exchanged a glance and ran downstairs.
Before they got close, they heard her voice in the kitchen, “Aunt Liu, can you help me take this out?”
The elder brother was surprised. “Who would have thought our Feng’er would enter the kitchen?” Given her history of avoiding housework, he hoped she wasn’t making things worse.
Qi Feng smiled slightly, aware that Feng’er was quite skilled in the kitchen. Remembering how she had once been scared by splashing oil yet bravely continued learning to stir-fry brought a hint of melancholy to his brow. He knew she wanted to be a good wife and make that man the happiest in the world.
“Feng’er!” the elder brother called.
Ru Feng looked up and her happy smile spread, “Dear brothers, wait a moment, lunch is almost ready.”
The elder brother leaned against the kitchen doorframe, watching his sister cut and cook. He nudged the person behind him, “Dare you eat what she’s made?”
Qi Feng turned away to set down the box he was carrying.
The elder brother touched his nose and looked back to the kitchen as the aroma of food wafted through the air, making everyone feel hungry.
Soon, the meal was served. The elder brother sent the kitchen helpers away and came to serve rice.
Ru Feng helped him with the bowl, teasing him about his clumsy serving, “Being served rice by the Si Tu Group’s CEO must be especially delicious.”
The elder brother replied, “Being cooked for by the Si Tu family’s princess is even more rare.”
Ru Feng smiled, “Dear big brother, weren’t you the one who asked if anyone dared to eat my cooking?”
The elder brother declared, “I will definitely eat it, but your second brother didn’t respond, so he’s the one who doesn’t dare.”
Ru Feng felt her bowl lighten as Qi Feng took it from her, giving the elder brother a glance, “Do I need to ask?”
Ru Feng laughed, walked to her seat, and gave Qi Feng a kiss on the cheek, “Knew you’re the best.”
A subtle smile played on Qi Feng’s lips, his eyes bright.
The elder brother sighed to Si Tu Jin, “Dad, see? She’s already excluding us after just returning.”
Ru Feng linked arms with Qi Feng, proudly lifting her head, “Of course, second brother and I are on the same side.”
Si Tu Jin watched his children chatting and clearing his throat, “Alright, let’s eat.”
“Yes, let’s try Feng’er’s cooking,” Ying Feng picked up a chopstick of food and hesitated, “Feng’er, should we prepare some stomach medicine?”
Ru Feng glared at him, placing food in Qi Feng’s bowl, “If you don’t want to eat, fine. I’ll give it to second brother.”
Qi Feng picked it up and ate, then continued, “She’s made noodles for you before.”
The elder brother’s hand paused. Qi Feng added, “If you needed stomach medicine, you should have taken it long ago.”
The elder brother quickly put food in his mouth. He really wanted to say that making noodles was different from cooking.
“Feng’er, are you coming back here tonight?” Qi Feng asked.
Ru Feng looked at her watch and realized it was late. She jumped up—if she didn’t return soon, Aunt Qiu would start nagging.
Qi Feng looked at her and stood to get her coat. Ru Feng paused, “Second brother!”
“Hmm!” Qi Feng responded, carrying the box he had brought earlier, “This is yours.”
Ru Feng was curious; everyone seemed to be gifting her presents lately.
Opening the box, a string of pearl necklace lay quietly, emitting a soft luster. Ru Feng’s eyes brightened, “Big Brother designed this.”
“I knew she would like it,” Qifeng said, taking it out. “He made it with his hands. Let me put it on for you.”
“Okay!” Ru Feng happily sat still as Qifeng fastened it around her neck.
Qifeng pressed her shoulders, facing the mirror, pointing to the pearl closest to the hook. “This pearl contains a communicator. If there’s any danger, press the hook, and you can contact me. As long as this necklace is with you, I can find you.”
Ru Feng gently touched it, “Second Brother, thank you.”
Qifeng ruffled her hair and kissed her forehead. “Thankfully you’re still here, Feng’er.”
Rufeng wrapped her arms around his neck, “Of course I’ll be here, otherwise, wouldn’t you…”
Qifeng’s eyes sparkled, gazing deeply at her, his voice slightly hoarse, “Feng’er!”
Rufeng pinched his cheek, “Silly brother, tell me if you can’t sleep!”
“She sighed, applying more pressure, distorting his handsome face. ‘If it hurts, cry; if you’re hungry, say it; if you’re happy, laugh. This way, others will know your feelings, understand?’
‘Okay!’ Qifeng let her pinch him, his eyes curved, showing his happiness.
Rufeng laughed too. Her brother was unique in the world, but why was he lacking so many normal human emotions? ‘Second Brother, how will you ever get married like this!’ she worried.
This time, Qifeng didn’t answer. Rufeng looked at him strangely, ‘Huh, Second Brother, aren’t you supposed to say there are plenty of people in the world lining up to be your wife?’ He used to say this often.
