The car started, and a smile lingered on Qi Feng’s lips. He felt joy because of her happiness.
That night, Ru Feng tossed and turned in bed.
“Xiao Feng, can’t you sleep? Is something wrong?” Qiu Mom asked drowsily.
“Mom!” Ru Feng sat up. “If I get married and can’t live with you anymore, is that okay?”
She didn’t want to be heartless but knew choosing her family over her mother meant leaving Qiu Mom behind. Bringing her to the Si Tu family wasn’t realistic, as it would raise Qiu Mom’s suspicions given her interactions with her father and brothers.
Qiu Mom laughed, “How can you live with me after getting married? I have hands and feet—am I going to starve to death?”
Ru Feng remained silent, feeling guilty. Seeing her daughter quiet, Qiu Mom smiled, “Don’t other daughters move out after marriage? Why can’t I manage?”
Ru Feng jumped out of bed and walked to her side, “I’m sorry, Mom.”
Qiu Mom hugged her and wrapped her in a blanket. “Children never need to apologize to their mothers.”
“She patted Ru Feng’s hand, saying, ‘Wait until I’m old and can’t move before considering this. Now, go enjoy your young world.’
Ru Feng looked up and softly responded, ‘Thank you, Mom.’
While it was tender on Ru Feng’s side, Qi Feng was experiencing his own struggle.
In his dream, he felt he couldn’t breathe, seemingly returning to his childhood days of being locked in a pile of parasitic insects. He could hear the sound of parasites drilling into his blood vessels.
A suppressed cry of pain broke the darkness.
Qi Feng woke up, attacked by another wave of pain, breaking out in a cold sweat. He curled into a ball, gritting his teeth against the burning sensation from his bones, sweat quickly soaking the bedsheets.
The night felt long.
Biting the blanket, Qi Feng buried his gasps and tremors within it. He was grateful that Ru Feng hadn’t witnessed his episode last night.
The Si Tu family’s curse had not been lifted. With Ru Feng’s rebirth, he would endure the pain of being burned day and night.
As dawn broke, the unbearable burning slowly subsided. Si Tu Qi Feng opened his eyes, drenched and red-faced, his lips pale from pain, but a faint smile remained in his eyes.”
The price of saving Ru Feng was one he was willing to bear. He quickly rushed to the bathroom, washed up, changed, and came out feeling energetic again. No trace of the previous night’s pain remained. Looking in the mirror and adjusting his tie, he smiled, satisfied. All the pain and grievance were secrets hidden in darkness—no complaints, no regrets.
Ru Feng found a good solution, letting down neither Qiu Mom nor her family. Since the house couldn’t be lived in, she rented the room above the cake shop. This way, Qiu Mom would have something to do and would be easier to care for.
Qiu Mom was surprised by the cake shop before finally asking, “Xiao Feng, where did you get the money?” Her serious expression indicated her worry about Ru Feng doing something for money.
“I borrowed it from Qiu Chi,” Ru Feng replied.
“Borrowed?” Qiu Mom raised her voice in suspicion. She knew Qiu Chi had no good feelings towards Xiao Feng, so why would he lend her money?
Ru Feng explained, “I made a deal with him.”
He lent me money, and in return, I won’t bother him anymore.”
Is that so? Qiu’s mother sighed, feeling relieved. “It’s okay, Xiao Feng. We’ll find someone better than him.”
Ru Feng laughed. Qiu’s mother added, “Life is about being steady and reliable. We’ll find someone simple who will care for you.”
“Okay, I understand,” Ru Feng replied, but Qiu’s mother held off further advice about Si Tu Qi Feng, considering her daughter’s recent heartbreak with Qiu Chi.
Her attention shifted to the cake shop. “Xiao Feng, how about placing a lucky cat on this counter?”
“Great!” Ru Feng smiled.
Two days later, Si Tu Qi Feng learned that Ru Feng had opened a cake shop and moved. He stood at the shop entrance, silent for a long time.
“Second Brother, what’s wrong?” Ru Feng asked, sensing something unusual.
Qi Feng’s gaze swept around the shop, finally settling on her. “Nothing. I just feel like Feng’er has grown up.”
Ru Feng sensed an angry undertone despite his smile. “Second Brother?” she inquired, looking at him intently.
Si Tu Qi Feng turned away. Ru Feng knew him too well to miss his emotional shifts.
After calming his emotions, he turned back, looking normal.
He took Ru Feng’s hand, saying, “Let’s go home and eat.”
“Xiao Feng!” Qiu’s mother called out, slightly out of breath, “Are you coming back for dinner tonight?”
Ru Feng glanced at Qi Feng and smiled at her mother, “Mom, you and Master Jiang can eat. The shop just opened, and it’s not busy. Just close early.”
Qiu’s mother hesitated but felt an almost suffocating coldness from Qi Feng’s calm gaze. She shuddered and swallowed her words.
Qi Feng gripped Ru Feng’s hand tightly, “Let’s go.”
Instead of heading home, he drove up the mountain. Ru Feng noted that her second brother was angry. She recalled that she had been busy moving and hadn’t talked to him. Could that be why he was upset?
“Second Brother!” She tugged at his sleeve, “I was moving these past two days, that’s why I didn’t come back.”
“Mm,” Qi Feng replied casually, “Don’t pull, I’m driving.”
Ru Feng withdrew her hand and sat properly, occasionally glancing at her brother.
The restaurant was on the mountainside, offering a beautiful view. They sat by a window. Ru Feng nestled into the rattan chair, feeling too comfortable to sit up. “Second Brother, where did you find such a nice place?”
Qi Feng glanced at her, a hint of a smile in his eyes. “I saw an introduction in the newspaper and thought you might like it, so I remembered it. Luckily, I still have the chance to bring you here.”
His voice was soft, as if afraid to disturb something. In this silent environment, Ru Feng heard him clearly. She sat up straight and reached across the table to hold his hand. His fingers were long and well-defined, with calluses from martial arts practice. Her hand was soft, gripping his tightly, bringing a unique sense of security.
Her second brother’s hand was warm and broad, making all anxiety disappear. Qi Feng was momentarily stunned, then opened his palm, enveloping her hand.
This was the warmth he would exchange everything for. He hoped time would stand still in this moment.
“Second Brother, why are you angry?” Ru Feng asked seriously.
Qi Feng lowered his head, the lamp’s shadow hiding his emotions, revealing only a slight curve at the corner of his mouth. “It’s not your fault. I just overthought things.”
He didn’t know how to explain his sudden melancholy and anticipation. He had been staring at his phone, experiencing disappointment and renewed hope, until the sky gradually brightened and another day arrived.
He knew his world was filled with darkness and hidden pain and didn’t want to confine Ru Feng in it. Her brilliance was something he longed to touch but was afraid to grasp tightly.
Watching her laugh in the bright spring made him smile involuntarily.
Ru Feng sat quietly for a while before moving to sit beside her second brother, squeezing into his chair like before, holding his arm and resting her head on his shoulder. In a particularly aggrieved tone, she said, “Second Brother, won’t you tell Feng’er about your troubles?”
Carefully hiding her smile, she added, “Second Brother doesn’t even treat me like a sister anymore, so he tells me nothing.”
Qi Feng turned his head to look at her, silent for a moment. “Feng’er, are you fake crying?”
As the wind lifted her head, she stared at him. “Second Brother, don’t you know how to pretend to be fooled by me?”
