Qifeng carried the basin upstairs as Rufeng opened her room door. The simple room contained only a bed and a wardrobe. “Sit down, wash your feet. I’ll bring you a basin.”
By the time Qifeng finished soaking his feet, Qiu Mama had prepared porridge, wisely avoiding provoking Rufeng’s unusual mood.
Rufeng handed Qifeng a bowl of white porridge. “Eat.”
Qifeng glanced at her, as Rufeng pouted, “Only rice, no side dishes!” He lowered his eyes and began eating.
Rufeng moved aside, tossing her sleepwear and straightening the bed. She rummaged through the wardrobe and found a set of new-looking sportswear, likely intended to give away.
Turning around, she noticed Qifeng had finished his porridge and was quietly staring at her. He seemed inclined to call her but remembered her earlier instruction not to speak, waiting for her to notice him. When she straightened up, joy spread across his face.
No matter how angry she was, seeing her second brother like this melted her anger.
She threw the clothes at him and took the empty bowl and chopsticks. “Change clothes, sleep a bit.”
Qifeng picked up the clothes, slightly furrowing his brow.
Rufeng sighed, “These were originally bought by Qiu Rufeng, looks like they’re new.”
Qifeng nodded and began unbuttoning his coat.
“Stop!” Rufeng suddenly shouted. Qifeng looked up, hands still on his coat buttons.
“Change after I leave!” Rufeng said, widening her eyes. She walked a few steps, then turned back. “Change before I return. I’m going to put away the bowls.”
After the door slammed shut, Qifeng looked down at his clothing – a coat over a sweater over an undershirt. Why was she blushing?
Indeed, her ears had turned red. After all, she had already seen him without clothes. Qifeng blinked, wondering if being clothed was more embarrassing than being unclothed.
He undressed quickly, changed into sportswear, and slipped under the blanket. The bed was cold, and he shivered slightly. But the pillow’s familiar sweet scent comforted him, and he nuzzled it happily.
Rufeng entered, and seeing her second brother’s joyful expression softened her heart. She tucked him in, whispering, “Sleep well, second brother.”
Qifeng reached out, tentatively holding her hand.
Rufeng gently held back. “I’ll stay with you.”
Qifeng closed his eyes, his smile never fading.
Soon, a phone ring broke the silence.
Qifeng opened his eyes and looked at Rufeng before reaching for his phone. After several “hello”s with no response, he just stared at her. Rufeng, confused, finally noted, “You can talk on the phone, silly brother!”
Qifeng said “Hello” to his assistant, who inquired about work. Rufeng pinched his hand, reminding him, “You’re sleeping today.” Surprised, Qifeng told his assistant he was sleeping and added, “Don’t mess things up,” before hanging up.
Rufeng turned off the phone and hid it under the pillow, assuring him, “Now you can sleep peacefully.” Holding her hand tightly, she leaned against the bed, watching her brother sleep with rosy cheeks, a smile spreading on her face.
Qifeng slept from morning until sunset, not waking once. Upon waking, he saw Rufeng beside the bed and instinctively called, “Feng’er!” remembering her morning rule, he stopped. Rufeng laughed, “You’re so obedient!”
“Feng’er, you’re not angry anymore?” Qifeng asked, his eyes lighting up. “No, not angry,” she thought, reflecting on how long she could stay angry with her second brother. Cherishing the warm moment, he wished it could always be like this— waking up to her no longer surrounded by darkness.
Qifeng’s smile paused slightly. “Second Brother!” she said. “Hmm?” he replied in a low, hoarse tone. “You are my second brother, forever my most beloved brother!”
She gripped his hand, speaking seriously, “Lovers may change, but brothers never will.”
Qi Feng remained silent, waiting for her to continue.
“You are my brother, my most beloved brother, and that will never change. As for everything else…” Ru Feng spoke slowly, “Absolutely impossible!”
As soon as the words left her mouth, Ru Feng let out a light breath. She had thought about it all night and finally found the courage to refuse, confronting her second brother who had doted on her.
Qi Feng lowered his eyes and softly said, “Okay, I understand.”
“Second Brother?” Ru Feng’s heart trembled.
Qi Feng raised his eyes, smiling gently. He patted her hand, “Silly girl, I’m your second brother. What can’t we talk about?”
“Second Brother!” His reaction left Ru Feng unsure how to respond. She tugged at his sleeve.
Qi Feng sat up, his movements somewhat stiff. “Wind’er, you can go out first.”
“Go out?” Ru Feng stared at him.
Qi Feng smiled, “I need to change clothes.”
Ru Feng jumped up, glaring at him before rushing out.
Only after the door slammed shut did Qi Feng’s smile fade. He curled his legs, burying his head between his knees, slowly closing his eyes.
So cold, truly cold.
Absolutely impossible, she said, with no room for negotiation.
He knew how soft Wind’er’s heart was. For her to speak so decisively meant she truly would not reconsider.
His hands trembled slightly as he hugged his knees, seeking an illusion of being embraced. He truly didn’t understand why he couldn’t.
Was he the only man in the world not qualified?
Big Brother said brothers couldn’t, but she was already Qiu Ru Feng now. He was no longer her brother, so why was it still not possible?
They had been together for twenty years. Her every detail was deeply etched in his bones. Of course, he could use a hundred ways to make her agree. But in that moment, his heart ached, yet he managed a smile under her anxious gaze.
She was his Wind’er!
Footsteps approached outside, and he quickly lifted his head. “Wait!”
He stood up and quickly changed his clothes.
“So impatient!” When he opened the door, his expression was already as usual, showing no trace of his previous vulnerability.
“Second Brother, won’t you let me send you off?”
Qi Feng ruffled her hair. “If you send me off, I’ll have to bring you back, and so on!”
Ru Feng slapped his hand away. “Second Brother, don’t mess up my hairstyle.”
Qi Feng smiled, sat in the car, waved at her, and drove away.
Ru Feng stood by the roadside.
In the mirror, Qi Feng watched her figure slowly disappear as the world turned black and white.
He withdrew his gaze to focus on driving, wondering if there would come a day when she would drift further away from him.
Gradually, his car slowed down and stopped by the roadside, engulfed by the crowded traffic and people.
“Xiao Feng?” Autumn Mom came out worried, noticing Ru Feng standing blankly by the road.
Ru Feng looked down the road. “If someone is crying but still smiling at you, what would you do?”
After a moment of silence, Autumn Mom replied, “Xiao Feng, I don’t object anymore. If you truly like him, go ahead and love him.”
“Mom, you like him now?”
“If you love him, it’s because of who you are in front of him. The relaxed way you are around him is something even I’ve never seen.”
Ru Feng’s tears suddenly rolled down as she squatted, covering her face and wailing.
“Xiao Feng, what’s wrong?” Autumn Mom was anxious, not understanding the cause of her pain.
There would be no man in this world who would be better to her than her second brother, but he was her brother!
“Oh, your cake shop has moved here?” Qiu Yi saw Ru Feng wiping the storefront glass and ran over excitedly.
Ru Feng was stunned. That sister?
Qiu Yi smiled warmly, “I didn’t know you had such a deep connection with our Second Young Master. Otherwise, there would have been fewer complications.”
Autumn Yi’s hand froze. She wasn’t clear about her father’s romantic history, but this girl, who had chased her brother for ten years, was well-known.
Ru Feng grasped her hand, shaking it, “Sister Autumn, nice to meet you.”
