Qifeng’s gaze froze briefly before he stood up, rescuing his pinched face. ‘Feng’er, you said you’d stay with me every night when I can’t sleep, right?’
‘Right.’ What did this have to do with her question?
Qifeng smiled softly, ‘So, don’t worry too much about me. Having you is enough.’
Before, he had Ningyuan, so he knew that the one accompanying her day and night would not be him. As long as she was happy, he could be any way, but now, he couldn’t bear to hand her over to anyone.
He believed that no one could understand her emotions better than him. This time, he would protect her personally. ‘Feng’er, are you really not going back there this time?’ he asked, deep desire hidden in his eyes.”
Rufeng poked his eyelid, “If I don’t leave, Dad will send someone to tell Autumn’s mother. So tonight, Second Brother, you can sleep peacefully.”
Qifeng held her hand tightly, “Then you have to stay with me the whole night!”
“Okay!”
When Qifeng came out after showering, he was stunned to find Rufeng had already crawled into his bed, lying fast asleep.
With a smile, Qifeng returned to the bathroom, soaked a towel in warm water, and gently wiped her face.
After tidying everything up, he adjusted her position, pulled back the blanket, and lay down.
The air was filled with a familiar fragrance, and the soft breathing beside his ear was comforting.
He held her tightly in his embrace, feeling like he was holding the entire world.
His eyes closed, and a smile graced his lips as he enjoyed a deep sleep, free from the cold, nightmares, and fears that had troubled him.
The sun was already high, and he still hadn’t woken up.
Rufeng lay motionless in his arms, bored and staring at the ceiling, feeling heartache and guilt for leaving him alone for so long.
Yingfeng opened the door, softly saying, “Not awake yet?”
Rufeng made a hushing gesture, shaking her head.
Yingfeng frowned, then threw the door wide open and walked over. “He’s slept long enough. Never mind him, you get up and eat first.”
Rufeng looked helplessly at Qifeng, who was holding her tightly. How could she get up like this?
Yingfeng pulled Qifeng’s arm, dragging Rufeng out. “Okay, you can get up now.”
“Big Brother!” Rufeng complained softly, glancing at Qifeng, who only slightly furrowed his brow but didn’t wake up.
“Is this how an ungentle brother treats someone?” she asked.
“He’s not a woman; why would I need to be gentle?” Yingfeng replied, displeased.
Yingfeng looked back at the still-sleeping Qifeng.
“Second Brother is sleeping soundly, right?” Rufeng tugged at Yingfeng’s clothes, also looking back. “When I’m with Second Brother, he has a peaceful night’s sleep.”
“Rufeng!” Yingfeng felt heavy-hearted. “You can’t stay with Second Brother forever. In the future, you’ll get married, and Qifeng will too. How can you stay with him every night?”
Rufeng opened her mouth, unsure of how to respond. She had never thought about this before.
“What will Second Brother do then?” Yingfeng said softly.
Ru Feng turned around, her gaze on the blooming plum blossoms in the garden. “I promised to stay with Second Brother.”
“But the only one who can accompany you for a lifetime is a spouse.”
Ru Feng smiled, “Love can change, betray, and fade. But family love will never lose its color! If it’s Second Brother, he would never make me sad.”
Ying Feng felt a pang in his heart. Looking at Ru Feng’s youthful face in the morning light, he wondered when life had stained her with such hardships. “Feng’er, if you trust your big brother, you will find true love. Don’t be disheartened; you’re still young and will definitely meet someone again.”
That someone would be far better than Ning Yuan. Would she really meet someone? Could she love another man like she loved Brother Ning Yuan?
Ru Feng took a deep breath. “Actually, I think spending my life with Second Brother isn’t bad at all!”
Ying Feng stood in shock.
Ru Feng ran off, turning back to make a mischievous face. “Big Brother, if you can find someone who treats me better than Second Brother, I’ll believe I still have a sweet love.”
Ying Feng chased after her, pretending to spank her playfully.
Ru Feng jumped and shouted as she ran downstairs, “Dad, save me!”
Ying Feng followed, deciding to temporarily forget his worries. Finding someone who loves his sister more than Qi Feng seemed impossible.
Finally catching Ru Feng, Ying Feng raised his hand high.
“Ah! Dad, save me!” Ru Feng screamed. Si Tu Jin sat on the sofa reading a newspaper, ignoring them.
Ying Feng’s hand was raised high but didn’t come down because a slightly darker hand intercepted it midair.
“Second Brother, you’re awake?” Qi Feng looked at them, realizing their noise had woken him.
“Feng’er woke you up,” Ying Feng accused.
Ru Feng pushed him aside and hid behind Qi Feng, laughing, “I did it on purpose. I heard that sleeping more than eight hours a day can make you stupid.”
She hugged Qi Feng’s head, “My unparalleled, omnipotent Second Brother can’t become stupid.”
Qi Feng wasn’t angry, letting her rub his head before placing her on the sofa, “Okay, I’ll go wash up.” He paused, looking her up and down, “Big Brother, didn’t you have someone bring Feng’er new clothes?”
“No!” Ru Feng protested. The clothes her big brother had arranged would definitely be custom-designed and expensive.
If Autumn’s mother saw them, she’d surely think her daughter was after money. Moreover, how could she go to work wearing such clothes? She might be dressed better than the boss.
“I still need to go to work,” she added.
“Is that job fun?” Qi Feng asked, unable to understand why she would wake up so early to work for someone else. “Why don’t you come to the company? It’s the same as working.”
“Yes, come to the company. Whatever you want to do, your brother will arrange it,” Ying Feng added.
Ru Feng rolled her eyes secretly. If she went to their family company, what work would she be doing? She might as well just be a princess.
“Wind, why are you staring at me like that? Your face is so red!” Qi Feng said, noticing Ru Feng’s intense gaze.
“Second Brother!” Ru Feng gritted her teeth, poking his face. “Don’t you know how to blush? I saw you!”
Qi Feng pulled down her hand, frowning. “So what if you saw?”
“You, you…!” Ru Feng erupted in anger, her face bright red. “Second Brother, you’re so generous! Then go let those crazy fangirls see everything, hmph!”
Qi Feng seemed to realize something. “I only show it to you.”
Pfft! Situ Ying Feng laughed from the front seat.
Qi Feng didn’t even glance at Ru Feng, patting her stunned face. “So, you can only show it to me.”
“Stop the car!” Ru Feng shouted, accompanied by an emergency brake.
“Miss, what’s wrong?” the driver asked, sweating profusely.
Ru Feng opened the car door. “I have something to do. I’ll get off here.”
“Wind!” Qi Feng called after her. “Are you still sleeping with me tonight?”
Without looking back, Ru Feng felt the gazes on her and hastily covered her head, running as fast as she could. She regretted getting off the car.
Though she had exited, she was far from Qiu’s mother’s house. She realized she had forgotten her money.
Without a phone or cash, she was glad to be wearing sneakers. She noted this debt against her second brother but just wanted to walk home without distractions.
Under a locust tree she often passed, someone was standing. Ru Feng paused and recognized Ning Yuan. Before she could think, her legs changed direction.
“Miss Qiu!” Ning Yuan called out, having seen her. Walking away would seem too deliberate, so Ru Feng lightly clenched her fists and approached. “Oh, it’s you. What a coincidence.”
