Situ Jin paused, surprised by Qi Feng’s concern. He sighed, “Wrist-cutting suicide, still being rescued, but it’s very dangerous.”
“Suicide? A foolish woman,” Qi Feng replied disdainfully. “Why?”
“Ning Yuan says nothing. We’ll find out when Sui Feng wakes up.”
“Good!” Qi Feng hung up, picked up Ru Feng, and walked out. “She wants to die; we don’t need to care.”
“Second Brother?”
“Ruofeng tugged at his clothes with a pleading tone.
Qifeng looked down, anger hidden between his brows, “What does it have to do with you? She’s not even a stranger, understand?”
Ruofeng remained silent, staring at him with tearful eyes. Suifeng’s sister had lived with her for over ten years; regardless of past mistakes, what more could she resent at the brink of life and death?
Qifeng pressed his lips together, silent as well.
“If it’s Second Brother, it would be easier to save her, right?” She leaned her head on his chest. “Second Brother can do anything, right?”
Qifeng held her tightly and strode out.
“Second Brother!” She struggled, unable to watch Suifeng die indifferently.
“I won’t save her.” Qifeng exhaled sharply, “Even if she dies a thousand times, it won’t ease my hatred. You only see her as pitiful, but don’t forget how shameless she was in stealing your lover, causing your heart attack. If not for a coincidence, you would have left me forever!” His hands tightened as memories of despair resurfaced.
Ruofeng looked up, catching a fleeting glimmer in Qifeng’s eyes. Her heart trembled. Second Brother never cried; he always remained stoic. Any moment of weakness was because of her.”
Qifeng bent down, pressing his head close to her ear, “Of course I can save her, with my life, exchanging for hers.” Ruofeng shuddered and wrapped her arms around his waist. After a moment, she softly said, “Okay, we won’t save her.”
A slow smile curved Qifeng’s mouth. That woman, alive or dead, had nothing to do with him. He had restrained himself from taking her life; now, asking him to save her was impossible. “Situ Suifeng, her life and death are her own fate. From now on, she has nothing to do with you. If you cannot hate her, then don’t care about her.”
They walked out of the hospital gate, street lights illuminating the surroundings but failing to highlight the prosperity. “Brother, I don’t want to take the car,” Ruofeng said. Qifeng looked at her wilted face, closed the car door, and replied, “Okay!” Holding her hand, they walked home slowly.
As they walked, Ruofeng leaned more and more on Qifeng’s arm. Ultimately, he softened, released her hand, and crouched down, patting his back, “Come on!” Ruofeng came back from her daze, “What?”
Qifeng smiled at her, “Second Brother will carry you home.” He crouched before her, shoulders broad enough to block all wind and rain. Feeling a surge of emotion, Ruofeng leaned forward and wrapped her arms around his neck, “Second Brother!”
Qifeng lifted her with both hands, standing up while frowning, “Why are you getting lighter?”
Ruofeng sniffled, poking his back, “If I were heavy enough for you to feel, I’d be as fat as a pig.”
“Pigs are quite cute,” Qifeng pondered.
Ruofeng stared at him in frustration, “If I’m as fat as a pig, how could I get married? I’d be eating you for life.”
“Okay, I’ll support you!” Qifeng replied.
Ruofeng, realizing arguing was futile, obediently leaned on his shoulder. After a while, she mumbled, “Second Brother, why do you think Suifeng would commit suicide? Is it because of Ning Yuan?”
Qifeng raised an eyebrow, remaining silent.
Ruofeng continued, “Second Brother, do you know? Ning Yuan recognized me. He said he loves me, always has.”
Qifeng’s steps slightly paused, suddenly feeling nervous.
Ruofeng pressed her face to his back, “I’m happy, and sad. Hearing that the person I love also loves me feels real. But why did love turn into a tragedy for three people? I’m selfish, and I don’t want Suifeng’s death to be because Ning Yuan still loves me. Even though I’m not at fault, I feel uneasy.”
Qifeng exhaled and continued walking, his steps slightly unsteady. “Do you still love him?” he asked.
Ruofeng nodded. “Yes, I still love him.”
Qifeng’s heart ached, though his face showed nothing. “Is that so?” he said hoarsely.
Ruofeng closed her eyes, soaking in the warmth from her brother’s body. “But we’re impossible now. Whether Suifeng lives or dies, we can’t go back. There’s always Suifeng between us, my death, my father and brothers’ pain—an unresolvable wound. So, Second Brother, get ready to support me!”
Qifeng’s eyes shone in the night. “Okay.”
“Second Brother, do you think she will die?” Ruofeng asked.
Sighing inwardly, Qifeng replied softly, “Feng’er, you’re not a doctor; you can’t save her, and you don’t owe her anything. Don’t feel guilty—she abandoned sisterly love long ago, so she’s no longer your sister. You don’t need to be sad; she committed suicide, not by chance. What does her life or death have to do with you?”
Ruofeng leaned against him. “Second Brother, it’s rare for you to talk so much.”
Thinking he was willing to share, especially about Sui Feng, Qifeng said, “Alright, nothing happened; sleep for a while, and you’ll be home when you wake up.”
“Second Brother, I’m sorry for leaving you alone back then and making you sad.”
“Fool, you didn’t mean to die.”
At this moment, she was so happy she wanted to cry. “Second Brother, you used a forbidden spell, are you really okay?”
“No, who am I? I’m your unparalleled, omnipotent second brother!” Qi Feng’s voice carried a smile.
Ru Feng smiled, knowing the Situ family’s forbidden spell exchanged one life for another. Now she was reborn, and her second brother was still alive. “Second Brother, you must be the most powerful person in Situ family history.”
“The most!” He wanted to protect the one he loved, even if it meant paying a painful price.
Perhaps, she really didn’t need to think about anything, just follow her brother’s footsteps. Ru Feng closed her eyes and slowly fell asleep to her second brother’s rhythmic swaying.
Born of love comes worry and fear; or make the one who leaves love have neither.
She wondered if she had met a man like her second brother back then, perhaps she could have been without worry and fear.
Qi Feng walked slowly, listening to his sister’s steady breathing, filled with satisfaction and joy. Feng’er, if this road never ends, how good would that be, just the two of us, walking on and on.
His handsome face was radiant, and if someone saw him, they would be surprised that Situ Qi Feng, known for his coldness, could have such a joyful expression, a spirit that dazzled the eyes.
By the time they got home, it was midnight, and his father and eldest brother hadn’t returned, presumably still at the hospital.
Gently placing Ru Feng on the bed, Qi Feng half-crouched, waiting for her to get comfortable. After ensuring she was soundly asleep, he carefully covered her with a blanket.
To avoid waking her, he didn’t turn on the light, but the faint moonlight revealed her furrowed brow. He gently smoothed her brow, whispering, “Silly girl!” He longed for her to be happy and carefree.
“If it were me, could I preserve your laughter forever?” he thought, leaning down to kiss her forehead.
The next morning at the cake shop, Ru Feng found Qiu Chi already there, looking terrible. “Qiu Ru Feng, I thought you cared about this cake shop?” he said.
Ru Feng was stunned as he continued, “It seems I was wrong. You need to accompany your fiancé every day. This shop, whether good or bad, isn’t something you care about, right?”
“No, I definitely care,” she replied.
