Ning Yuan walked out from under the streetlight’s shadow. ‘Your brothers, they are all really good!’
Ru Feng glanced at him, ‘Yes, my brothers all dote on me.’
‘But, they are just brothers, aren’t they?’ Ning Yuan asked, turning to face her.
That gaze was warm and deep, but she could no longer indulge in it. She averted her eyes, ‘Is Sui Feng’s mood better? You should communicate more and prevent her from doing something foolish.’
‘Ru Feng,’ Ning Yuan continued to stare at her, as if trying to see into her heart, ‘I’m saying, brothers will always be just brothers, right?'”
Ru Feng smiled faintly, “Ning Yuan, this is my matter.”
“No,” Ning Yuan said, raising his hands to grasp her shoulders, but Ru Feng quickly slid aside. Hurt flashed in his eyes as his hands slowly lowered. “Even if it’s not me, it can’t be Si Tu Qi Feng. He’s your biological brother. Ru Feng, I’ve always known you care for him, but that’s not love. Sui Feng may have been wrong, but she was right about one thing: Si Tu Qi Feng’s world is too dark. His psyche is abnormal, obsessive, and crazy. He’s not suitable for you.”
Ru Feng lowered her eyes, “Ning Yuan, I heard everything. Thank you. If there’s nothing else, I’m going home. Goodbye.”
As she turned to leave, Ning Yuan called after her, “Ru Feng, do you still love me?”
Tears gathered in her eyes. What right did he have to ask such a question? Ru Feng didn’t turn back. “Brother Ning Yuan, is there something I haven’t told you?”
“What?”
She turned back, tears glistening, “You just said my second brother isn’t suitable for me. I don’t know what ‘suitable’ means. I only know my life was bought with his. You’ll never understand the price my second brother paid for me to stand here and talk to you today.”
If there’s a man who sees me as his entire world, who tolerates everything about me, can you tell me where I could find a better man?
“And you,” she fought back tears, “I hope that in this life and all future lives, our romantic fate will never reconnect!” This way, the person who loved her most would not suffer the pain of being burned by flames night after night.
“Ru Feng…” Ning Yuan said, filled with despair, “Don’t say anymore, please stop.”
Tears fell. Ru Feng looked at Ning Yuan, the man she once loved, “The person I love, among thousands, as long as his eyes are on me, even if we’re separated by miles, I will remain steadfast. But if he lets go of my hand when we’re close, I will never look back.”
Ning Yuan closed his eyes, his voice weak, “Is it really impossible?”
Ru Feng turned resolutely, “You’ve already let go of my hand, so I won’t look back.”
On this winter night, with the biting cold wind, Ning Yuan stood motionless.
He crouched down dejectedly, the pain he had been suppressing awakening, just as he had pushed her away.
The woman he loved most, he had pushed away with his own hands. He covered his chest, overwhelmed by pain.
This street scene was captured by a hidden camera.
Sui Feng flipped through the photos and threw them to the ground, asking, “What did they say?”
“Sorry, due to environmental constraints, we couldn’t hear the conversation,” replied a man in a black hat. “Qiu Ru Feng seems to have someone with her, probably Si Tu Qi Feng’s people. We didn’t dare get too close.”
Sui Feng gazed at the photos, seeing Ning Yuan’s deep affection. She recognized that heartbreakingly gentle look he always directed at Ru Feng, the reason she fell for him, ultimately beyond redemption.
But she had never received such a look.
She laughed softly, “Ning Yuan, hello. You’re doing well!”
Without Si Tu Ru Feng, you’d rather find a woman known by everyone, neglecting me?
She composed herself, took a thick stack of money from her wallet, and placed it in front of the man. “Send these photos, along with the information about Qiu Ru Feng’s mother’s history as a mistress and her ten-year pursuit of Qiu Chi, to the newspaper.”
She bit her lip, her delicate face hardening with coldness. “I want to see how an illegitimate daughter, after being sent to another man’s bed by her obsessive lover, entangles herself with the two men of the Si Tu family and the son-in-law of the Si Tu family.”
“The man in the black hat hesitated, saying, ‘The Si Tu Group’s influence is too great. We don’t dare provoke them, and the newspaper might not publish it.’
‘Hmph!’ Sui Feng replied, glancing at him. ‘I’m paying you. Who would know you did it? Go to Southern City Weekly—they’re beyond the Si Tu family’s reach. You can be at ease.’
Surprised, the man looked up. ‘You know a lot about the Si Tu family?’
‘You don’t need to know. Just do as I say,’ Sui Feng said, checking her watch. ‘Take the money and leave quickly. Don’t let anyone see you. I’ve worked hard to shake off the people following me and don’t want to raise suspicion.’
The man hesitated but ultimately took the card and hurried away.
Sui Feng picked up the ice water on the table and took a large gulp.
Ning Yuan, will you fall for that woman just because of her name? I want to see if “Ru Feng” has any magic that can bring lifelong luck.
Big brother, second brother, Ning Yuan, Qiu Chi! She scoffed—this Qiu Ru Feng truly has some skills!
She wanted to see how such a woman could step into the Si Tu family’s door. Since Qi Feng went on a business trip, it had been a full week. Although they spoke every day, distant greetings could not compare to the warmth within reach.”
Ru Feng held the phone. “Second brother, when are you coming back? I miss you so much!”
Her eyes shimmering, Qi Feng gently coaxed her, “Today is over; I’ll come back tomorrow.”
“Tomorrow is still so far away!”
He could imagine her pouting face, and Qi Feng’s smile grew wider. “You miss me that much?”
“Mm, I miss you very much.”
“How much?”
Ru Feng blinked. “As much as second brother misses me!”
Laughing softly, Qi Feng sighed, “That means really missing a lot.”
“Feng’er,” he called, “I haven’t slept well these past few nights.”
“Are you uncomfortable?” Her voice was slightly anxious.
That was one reason, but more importantly, it was her! He whispered, “No, it’s because you’re not here.”
“Silly second brother!” She sniffled. “Who told you not to tell me you’d be gone for so many days?”
“Feng’er, can I take you with me next time?” He felt he could not endure lonely nights alone after getting used to her warmth.
“Okay!” Her eyes curved happily.
“Feng’er, I really want to hug you.” He was reluctant to hang up.
“Mm, I want to hug you too, second brother. I’ll wait for you to come back.”
After hanging up, Ru Feng sat in a daze. Ning Yuan’s words echoed in her mind, and she slightly curved her mouth. If it’s second brother, who would say it’s not possible?
Drowsily sleeping until midnight, she suddenly opened her eyes. Moonlight poured through the window, casting a clear radiance.
Did they forget to close the curtains? She rubbed her eyes, put on a coat, and got out of bed to draw the curtains.
For some reason, she glanced downstairs, and that glance froze her mid-yawn. Under the street lamp stood a solitary figure, silhouetted against the light.
Ru Feng dropped the curtains, turned off the light, and rushed downstairs. As the door opened, the person looked up in surprise. Seeing her, he straightened up, joyfully coming forward, “Feng’er!”
Her nose felt sour. Ru Feng glared at him, but the tears in her eyes diminished her intimidating effect. “Why are you standing here alone? Don’t you know how to make a phone call? It’s so cold…”
Her words were muffled as he embraced her. “Feng’er, I missed you.”
“Silly second brother!” Unable to help but scold him, Ru Feng sniffled and hugged him back. “Didn’t you say you’d come back tomorrow?”
“I got an extra ticket, a midnight red-eye flight. I wanted to come back earlier.”
“Why didn’t you wake me?”
