Before anyone could respond, he added, “Regarding my mother’s story, you can write about it if you want. It’s very lengthy, and you’ll need to contact the Si Tu Group’s PR department for a manuscript fee of one million!”
He continued, blinking, “Any more questions?”
Ying Feng laughed, stepping forward, “Right, any more questions?”
What else could be asked? What seemed an earth-shattering event was explained in just a few words.
The charm of gossip lies in its mysterious nature. With the parties so candid, who would pursue further details?
Si Tu Ying Feng understood this and maintained a polite, welcoming demeanor.
Qi Feng walked forward, arms open. Ru Feng smiled softly, jumping down from the stage directly into his embrace.
“From now on, don’t say you love him!” he gritted his teeth.
“No, it’s Qiu Ru Feng.”
“But saying it out loud is not allowed.”
What a cute jealous brother! Ru Feng’s eyes crinkled with laughter. “Okay!”
“No way!” Si Tu Qi Feng resolutely refused. “If I cast the forbidden spell, the result would be rebirth. What if the spell is lifted and you disappear?”
Staring intently at Ru Feng, he expressed, “The agony of burning flames is unbearably painful, but if he loses you, he would be worse than dead! Wind’er, you should know how important you are to his second brother.”
Yes, she knew. And precisely because she knew, she couldn’t bear to watch him suffer. “Dad, if second brother can’t bear the slightest grievance, how can he watch him suffer night after night?”
“But…”
“No buts,” Ru Feng interrupted. “I won’t make myself disappear. I know what I mean to second brother! That’s why I want to find a perfect solution. I’ve been at the hospital, reading all the books in your study related to this, and I think I need more detailed records.”
Si Tu Jin furrowed his brow and remained silent.
Ru Feng leaned her head on his shoulder. “Dad, trust me! With second brother suffering every night, his body will be severely damaged. How can he endure this long-term? He might age prematurely, might end up alone and bullied in his old age…”
“Enough!” Si Tu Jin sighed, rubbing her hair.
Ru Feng secretly laughed, knowing the three men of the Si Tu family could never refuse her requests.
The most comprehensive record of the Si Tu family’s spells was in their ancestral home, hidden deep in the mountains. Elders passed down their legacy, guarding the clan’s lifeline and the efforts of generations of leaders. Except for the clan leader, no one could glimpse its true nature. The selection process was strict, requiring talent, character, and will. If no suitable candidate was found, the position would remain vacant.
Originally, Si Tu Jin and his brother Si Tu Nian were the most suitable candidates. However, Si Tu Nian mysteriously disappeared, and Si Tu Jin caused a scandal for a woman, abandoning his parents and losing his qualification as clan leader. Consequently, the position had been vacant for over twenty years.
Si Tu Jin had been talking for a long time.
Ru Feng’s eyes sparkled, her mouth curving into a smile, “Dad, what if I go?”
“What?” Si Tu Jin’s eyes widened.
Ru Feng nodded, “The elders are still seeking the next clan leader. My older and second brothers are no longer qualified, but I can be.”
“No, how can that be?”
Si Tu Jin found himself increasingly unable to follow his daughter’s train of thought. He hesitated, “Your current identity isn’t even considered part of the Si Tu family.”
“No,” Ru Feng shook her head, “Dad, have you forgotten? Si Tu Nian should have had a child too.”
Si Tu Jin’s eyes widened, “How do you know about that?”
Si Tu Nian had harbored jealousy toward Si Tu Jin’s abilities. When the Miao tribe searched for Qi Feng’s mother and child, he was involved. When Ru Feng’s mother set herself on fire, he couldn’t escape either. However, such matters were not to be discussed, and his disappearance became an unsolved case in the Si Tu family.
Si Tu Nian had a daughter, but her mother was merely a lover, never acknowledged by the Si Tu family. After Si Tu Nian’s death, she died in a car accident. When Si Tu Jin rushed home, he discovered the child had starved to death.
Ru Feng smiled, “Uncle’s death was heard through second brother’s delirious mumbling. I was in your arms when you arranged for someone to handle the aftermath. Growing up by your side, I know the Si Tu family’s secrets in detail. Outsiders could never know. Ning Yuan is excellent at imitating handwriting. I’ll have him forge a suicide note from Uncle, explaining that I should be recognized and return to the Si Tu family.”
The people in the ancestral home are isolated from the world. As long as I pass their tests, I won’t be exposed.”
“What about blood relations? How will you handle that?”
Ru Feng grinned, “Don’t worry, with second brother around, that won’t be a problem.”
Si Tu Jin tapped his head, “Do you think second brother will agree to take this risk?”
“I won’t tell him my true purpose. He’ll do what I say.”
Si Tu Jin shook his head, knowing that this girl could convince Qi Feng with any excuse, as long as it didn’t harm him. He wondered whether being with her would bring Qi Feng happiness or trouble.
“How will Qi Feng agree to you being gone so long?”
Ru Feng smiled mysteriously, “I’ll just say I’m going on a trip. Right now, second brother would prefer I’m not in Z City! If I’m gone, he can deal with those two without worrying about me.”
“Wind’er, are you sure you won’t get hurt? If the spell is lifted and you disappear, that would be unacceptable!” Si Tu Jin stroked her head, worried. “The ancestral home isn’t somewhere anyone can enter. If something happens, we’d be helpless.”
“Dad, believe in me! I’m your and Mom’s daughter!”
Si Tu Jin held her shoulders, “Then promise me you won’t harm yourself.”
“I promise.”
“Swear it.”
“I swear!”
Si Tu Jin gripped her firmly, “Good, you can go.”
I’ll tell you the mountain path. If you don’t return in a month, I’ll tell Qi Feng. You know his personality, so you have only one month!”
The sunset’s afterglow was beautiful outside. Ru Feng sat at the gate, her smile more radiant than the twilight.
“Second Brother, come back quickly; I’m waiting for you at the front door.”
“Okay!” Qi Feng replied, warmth spreading in his heart.
Ru Feng hung up the phone and looked up, stunned, “Qiu Chi?”
Qiu Chi stood with his hands in his pockets, saying flatly, “The sunset is beautiful!”
“Heh, it is quite beautiful,” Ru Feng responded, unsure how to continue.
“Waiting for a loved one to return home under such a beautiful sunset—doesn’t that feel beautiful too?” he asked.
After a moment of silence, Ru Feng replied, “Yes!”
With an unchanged smile, Qiu Chi continued, “Xiao Feng, do you trust me so much? I made up such a tragic story, and you didn’t even give me a heads up, yet you were confident I would play along?”
After a long pause, Qiu Chi turned his head, asking directly, “Do you trust me that much?”
Ru Feng lowered her eyes, “I didn’t think that much. I felt you would help me.”
“Ru Xiao Feng, should I say you’re naive or stupid?”
He gritted his teeth. “There were moments I wanted to say it’s all nonsense. You’re the one I delivered to the two brothers of the Situ family. If I told the truth, do you think you could still sit here, enjoying the beautiful twilight?”
Ru Feng looked at him and suddenly laughed, “But you didn’t say it, did you?”
Qiu Chi paused, his gaze fierce. Ru Feng’s smile brightened, “I know you’re a good person!”
Such a dazzling smile made Qiu Chi turn away, fearing that the more he looked, the harder it would be to let go. A silver-gray car drove by on the main road.
“He’s back!” Ru Feng exclaimed, running a few steps forward, then turning back to Qiu Chi.
Qiu Chi smirked with self-mockery, “He’s back, so I should go. You go ahead, I understand.”
