“You were sleeping. I didn’t want to disturb you.”
“Then you don’t know to go home? You’re freezing out here!”
“You’re here!”
She was here, so he couldn’t bear to leave.
Silly second brother, truly silly! Ru Feng couldn’t help but hug him tightly!
The cake shop had been operating for some time. Although it was new, its good location and quality food yielded a slight profit after expenses.
Ru Feng excitedly jumped around the room.
Autumn Mom and Master Jiang watched her, amused. Ru Feng waved her hand, “Mom, let’s go buy clothes!”
“Buy what clothes?” Autumn Mom laughed. “I think your current clothes are enough. Save money for your dowry.”
Ru Feng linked arms with her, acting coquettish, “Come on, Mom, let’s buy pretty clothes. I haven’t bought clothes in a long time.” Earning money with her own hands made it especially meaningful.
Autumn Mom was reluctant, patting her head, “No way, little Feng is about to get married. She must prepare some dowry!” Situ Qi Feng had already eased her worries about handing her daughter to such a man. However, considering his family background, she feared that without a dowry, her daughter might be looked down upon.
“What dowry? When did I say I was getting married?” Ru Feng exclaimed.
Autumn Mom patted her hand, “Aren’t you embarrassed? You’re already grown up,” with a knowing look.
Ru Feng was both amused and exasperated. “Mom, are you worried I won’t get married? Never mind, I’m definitely buying clothes today.”
“Master Jiang, please watch the shop. Close if it gets too busy!” She dragged Autumn Mom away.
Master Jiang shook his head, questioning the business management.
The mall was filled with clothing brands, and Ru Feng felt overwhelmed. She had never cared much about dressing up; her father and brothers had always taken care of it. After becoming Qiu Ru Feng, she could only afford simple clothes, making this her first real women’s shopping experience.
After confidently leading Autumn Mom to her destination, Ru Feng lost her spirit. “Mom, what are we going to buy?”
Autumn Mom looked at her, feeling heartbroken. Having once enjoyed the luxuries of her youth, she lamented that her daughter had missed the beautiful moments of her own best years.
“Xiao Feng, if you hadn’t met Qiu Chi, perhaps you could have had more beautiful memories.”
Ru Feng understood her mother’s sentiment, but she believed that having truly loved once was a valuable experience with no regrets.
For Qiu Ru Feng and Qiu Chi, it was like her and Ning Yuan. Even without a beautiful ending, she did not regret loving with all her heart.
It was already off-work time. Qi Feng sat motionless at his desk, staring blankly.
The assistant, noticing his focus on an empty desk with only his phone, cleared his throat. “Second Young Master, it’s time to get off work.”
“Mm!” Qi Feng replied flatly, his gaze still fixed ahead.
“Second Young Master, if there’s nothing else, I’ll be leaving?”
“Mm!”
“Second Young Master?” The assistant swallowed his curiosity. “What are you looking at?”
Qi Feng came back to his senses, glanced at him, and said, “You can leave first.”
The assistant, sensing the imposing aura from the brief glance, quickly packed up and left.
With the annoying sound gone, the room fell silent.
Qi Feng stood up, picked up his phone, hesitated, and then placed it back down. After a while, he picked it up again, pressed a key, quickly hung up, and tossed it back on the desk.
After repeating this several times, he finally sat back in his chair and closed his eyes. It was off-work time, but Feng’er’s call still hadn’t come.
He was frustrated, pacing in the room when his phone rang. His eyes lit up as he crossed to the desk, answering on the third ring, “Feng’er!”
The voice on the other end laughed, “Second Brother, were you calling me?”
Qi Feng’s smile froze. After a moment, he responded, “Big Brother!”
Ying Feng noticed his brother’s low spirits and stopped teasing, “Isn’t Feng’er with you?”
His lips tightened, “She said she was going shopping this afternoon and would call me later.”
“But she hasn’t called, right?”
There was silence, and Si Tu Ying Feng realized he was correct, barely containing his laughter. “She made you wait, and you’re just waiting? Don’t you know to call and ask?”
After a pause, Qi Feng asked seriously, “Big Brother, have you ever been in love?”
“Yes,” Ying Feng replied patiently.
As the wind blew, it seemed like a relief. When the second brother was angry, it was better not to provoke him! She rolled her eyes; she hadn’t hurt herself, just carried a few bags that left her hands red.
Suddenly, she realized, “You said to call you next time?” She looked disbelieving.
“Mm!” Qi Feng responded casually.
But, second brother, aren’t you the one who least likes crowds? Ru Feng looked at Qiu’s mother in the back seat and swallowed her words.
“Dad, look, this is the scarf I bought for you. It’s warm, right?” In the evening, Ru Feng distributed her day’s shopping spoils.
Situ Jin’s eyes filled with laughter as he stroked the scarf around his neck, saying, “Dad’s scarf is the warmest.”
Ru Feng dropped what she was holding and hugged Situ Jin’s arm. “Really, is it warmer than the scarf your mother knitted?” Her eyes sparkled mischievously, “This is the first time I’ve bought something with my own money!”
Unable to control his affection, Situ Jin ruffled her hair. “Yes, Feng’er’s scarf is the warmest because you are your mother’s most beloved treasure.”
“Dad, how can I be so happy!” Ru Feng wrapped her arms around his neck.
“Are you trying to provoke someone?” Situ Yingfeng laughed.
“Big brother, don’t be jealous. Come, look what I bought you.” Ru Feng rummaged through her bags, exclaiming, “Ah, look, big brother, isn’t this tie clip nice?”
The black velvet box opened to reveal a tie clip with a silver-white sheen, subtly luxurious.
Situ Yingfeng, who led the Situ family’s elite jewelry design team and was a top designer, had seen countless styles. Yet, this simple and elegant design made his eyes light up.
Ru Feng smiled, knowing her big brother would appreciate it. “I have good taste, right?” she said.
Yingfeng examined the clip in his hand, recognizing it wasn’t from a brand he knew. “It’s indeed good. Where did Feng’er find this? Perhaps we should pay more attention to it in the future.”
Ru Feng smiled but didn’t answer.
After a moment, Yingfeng looked at her questioningly, “Feng’er?”
Ru Feng proudly replied, “Mr. Situ, the designer is right in front of you. Are you interested in discussing cooperation?”
The three men in the room stared at her in shock.
Ru Feng laughed, “Didn’t expect that, did you?”
Situ Yingfeng was surprised and delighted. “Feng’er actually has such talent!”
Qifeng, however, felt frustrated. “I thought you just bought this today.”
“I designed it long ago, had it custom-made, and picked it up today,” Ru Feng said triumphantly, sitting next to Yingfeng. “Big brother, thank you for the necklace; I love it. And thank you for all the jewelry you’ve made for me over the years; they’re all my favorites.”
She paused and added, “Happy birthday, big brother.”
Yingfeng was taken aback. After a moment, warmth emerged in his eyes; only she remembered his birthday when everyone else had forgotten.
With a thunderous shout, Situ Qifeng jumped up, sweeping items from the sofa and leaping upstairs with lightning speed.
Rufen watched in shock and murmured, “Second Brother actually used martial arts!”
“Rufen, are you okay?” Situ Jin asked, his eyes sharp.
Rufen took a deep breath, meeting her father’s gaze, “Dad, I know what I’m doing.”
Situ Jin remained silent. Situ Yingfeng, finally coming to his senses, stood up, “Dad, Rufen and Second Brother, you…” His expression changed several times, but he couldn’t finish his sentence.
