“I don’t know,” Qi Feng’s consciousness blurred. “But holding you feels so comfortable!”
His voice gradually lowered, sweat pouring out layer by layer.
Like Feng leaned against him, saying nothing more.
Until dawn, Qi Feng’s body temperature slowly decreased. Like Feng raised her head, seeing his damp hair sticking to his cheeks, eyes closed, already asleep. Looking at his peaceful face, a heart-wrenching pain arose.
Her second brother, why must he endure so much suffering?
Resting her head on his chest, she listened to his steady heartbeat and softly closed her eyes. “Second brother, when will you only have happiness, without pain?”
After a while, she carefully got up, took a shower, and changed clothes. The day was bright, sunlight streaming through the curtains while Qi Feng slept soundly.
Like Feng pulled the blanket over him before leaving.
As soon as she opened the door, she ran into Sui Feng walking downstairs.
“Miss Qiu?” Sui Feng said, stunned.
“Hello!” Like Feng nodded, gently closing the door.
Sui Feng’s expression was somewhat strange. She opened her mouth to speak, glanced behind Like Feng, and remained silent.
In the garden, Like Feng drank milk as Sui Feng approached wearing a coat.
“Miss Qiu, your full name is Qiu Ru Feng, right?”
Like Feng looked up and nodded, “Yes.”
“You spent the night in my sister’s room?”
“Yes.”
Sui Feng looked at her for a moment and then suddenly asked, “Do you know my sister is also named Ru Feng?”
“I know,” Like Feng replied, her head lowered, feeling uncomfortable. Once close sisters, now estranged.
Sui Feng smiled softly, her gaze distant. “Indeed, those named Ru Feng seem to be quite fortunate.” After a brief pause, she asked, “Do you know where she is?”
Like Feng stood up. “I don’t know. Sorry, I have something to do, I’ll go first.”
“Miss Qiu!” Sui Feng also stood, her voice cold. “Your love with my second brother will not be blessed.”
Like Feng hesitated but didn’t turn back. “Why?”
“You don’t know? My second brother grew up in the Miao village, suffering from scorpion Miao poisoning. He was even locked in darkness for years, which affected his nerves. In his world, there is only my sister; he treats others ruthlessly. The reason you gained his favor is simply because your name is the same as hers. And don’t you find it disgusting that he is passionately making love to you on my sister’s bed?”
Ru Feng stiffened, silent for a moment.
Sui Feng continued, “So, you are just a substitute for my sister! My second brother having such thoughts about his own biological sister is truly a tragedy for the Situ family.”
Ru Feng suddenly turned around, staring at Sui Feng as if she had never seen her before.
“Miss Qiu, what’s wrong? Are you scared?” Sui Feng adjusted her clothes. “I realized this long ago and found it unbelievable too.”
Ru Feng lowered her eyes and then raised her head, her eyes red but tearless. “Miss Sui Feng, you just want me to leave the Situ family, right?”
Sui Feng was stunned.
Ru Feng briefly touched her eyes. “Are you afraid I’ll tell your family that you faked your death to scare them?”
Sui Feng forced a smile. “Miss Qiu, I’m telling you this for your own good.”
Ru Feng took a deep breath. “Don’t worry, I won’t say anything.”
As she turned to leave, Sui Feng grabbed her. “Miss Qiu, if you haven’t said anything, why is my father so cold to me? He hasn’t come to see me for days after I woke up, when he used to stay at the hospital.”
Ru Feng looked at her. “I really haven’t said a word.”
“Miss Qiu, aren’t you bothered by my second brother’s nature and thoughts?” Sui Feng asked softly.
Ru Feng looked up at the clear sky, tears rolling down her cheeks—not from sadness, but from compassion. “You say he suffered immensely and has no human emotion for others, but sees his sister as his entire world; you say he treated me differently only because my name contains ‘Ru Feng’. But don’t you think it’s incredibly lucky to receive love from such a man?”
She sniffled, “I’m bothered that I appeared so late, making him suffer for so many years.”
She realized she was his world since childhood. Everyone knew, but she understood only now.
Looking at Sui Feng with glass-like eyes shining brightly, she said, “You’re right. His world is different, so why should I constrain him with ordinary thoughts? Even if he loves his sister!”
Her mouth curved with pride and joy, “Moreover, where would I find a better man than him? Situ Qifeng, I won’t let go.”
She left the garden without looking back.
Sui Feng watched her back, clenching her fist, not wanting this woman to remind her of the day’s events. The only solution was to bring Ru Feng back; then this woman would be unnecessary.
She turned to walk away but froze after a step. Three men stood behind the rockery.
“You… when did you arrive?” she asked hesitantly.
Situ Qifeng raised his head, his gaze sweeping across her face, then fell on the two men beside him, “You both have good taste!”
Holding bread, he took another path to catch up with that girl—didn’t she know milk alone isn’t digestible?
Situ Yingfeng stared at Sui Feng uncomfortably, “Big brother, weren’t you at work? Why are you back?”
Situ Yingfeng’s brow showed deep weariness and self-mockery. “Yes, I wonder why I’m back when I was supposed to be at work.” Suddenly, he didn’t know why he had returned.
The winter sun, originally soft, now felt piercing. He gently closed his eyes. “You always said we’re siblings, so why do I love Feng’er more than you?”
“Big brother?” Sui Feng panicked, rushing over.
Situ Yingfeng smiled softly. “I can answer you now. Because Ru Feng treated me as a brother.”
“Big brother, it’s not like that; let me explain…”
Situ Yingfeng shook his head. “What’s the point of explanation now?” He smiled, with hidden sadness. “I never wronged you. From childhood, I treated you better than an ordinary brother should. A brother’s responsibilities, I will fulfill completely.”
He moved aside, revealing Ning Yuan’s bruised face. “Ning Yuan is here to discuss divorce.”
“Ning Yuan! What happened?” Sui Feng noticed his injuries and jumped over. “You said… divorce?”
Situ Yingfeng rubbed his still-aching fingers. “Sorry, seems I’ve meddled.”
Ning Yuan’s face showed calm. “This mistake shouldn’t continue. Sui Feng, let’s divorce.”
“Ning Yuan, do you know what you’re saying? You will die, you will definitely die!”
“I know!” Of course he knew.
He had hurt the most precious treasure of the Situ family, and dying a thousand times would not be enough. He had originally wanted to drag her into suffering together, but now, he no longer wanted to.
In his cold eyes, a faint warmth flickered. “You are her sister.” Despite the pain he had caused, she came to him in his moment of need. Since she was Ru Feng’s sister, he did not want to see her sad. Let this mistake end here! Moreover, she had returned! A faint smile appeared on Ning Yuan’s face.
“I’ll accept any conditions. Let’s get a divorce!”
“No, I won’t agree.” Ru Feng grabbed her brother, looking anxious. “Big brother, you won’t agree to Ning Yuan and me getting a divorce, right?”
Situ Ying Feng pulled away her hand. “How can I, as an older brother, interfere in matters between husband and wife?”
Aged several years in an instant, he stepped back unsteadily, wanting to leave, but sighed, “Sometimes, being too attached to things that don’t belong to you will only make you lose more.”
“I won’t get a divorce, I absolutely won’t get a divorce.” Ru Feng’s tears fell. Having already lost her brother, what else could she lose? “I don’t believe that every woman named Ru Feng can find happiness!”
She stood before Ning Yuan, each word heavy, “Ning Yuan, even if we go to hell, you should accompany me.”
