Should she turn back? If she returned the way she came, could she find the garden’s entrance? The moment this thought arose, she almost ran back, remembering that zigzagging would prevent the snakes from catching her.
But another thought quickly crossed her mind. If she left now, all hope would be lost. Her second brother would continue to suffer. Remembering how he curled up, drenched in sweat during attacks, she forcibly stopped her legs from retreating.
Taking a deep breath, she calmed herself and carefully observed the snakes. After a long time, she exhaled – fortunately, none seemed poisonous.
But non-poisonous didn’t reduce her fear. She would be scared even seeing snakes on TV, let alone facing them in person.
Her face pale, she bit her lip, a hint of red emerging. She didn’t relax her jaw, using the pain to distract herself from the snakes.
“It’s okay, don’t be afraid. They won’t bite if you don’t provoke them!” she reassured herself, but her feet refused to move.
“Just walk through, and you’ll see the parasol tree.”
“Your second brother is waiting for you!”
“Rufen, be brave. Your second brother endured pain without fear. How can these snakes intimidate you?”
She kept talking to herself, lifting her foot, tears streaming down her face.
A snake crawled up her arm, making her ears go cold. Another playfully wrapped around her tiptoe. Her lips turned white, but she didn’t dare close her eyes.
She had to tiptoe carefully, afraid of stepping on a snake and triggering a group attack.
When a snake slithered up her neck, she could no longer hold back her tears. “Second brother, I’m so scared… come save me. It’s so terrifying…”
Her crying grew louder, but she continued forward, her face still pale.
Outside the illusion, Qi Wu kept sniffling. “Grand Elder, let me go in and accompany her. She’s crying so much.”
“Qi Feng sister, look, she’s been hungry all day.”
“Second Elder, can’t we change the test? No more snakes, please.”
“No one answered, so he stood there, keeping her company in her crying.
Cang Shan’s mouth slowly curved upward. “Still not retreating despite being this scared?”
The other elders quietly left with their hands behind their backs.
Chapter 39: Test (Part Two)
Finally passing that section, Rufen looked nervously as the last snake left her foot. Her heart relaxed, and she leaned against a tree, gasping for breath. She had made it through!
“Are you scared?” A powerful arm wrapped around her chest, and a familiar voice sounded near her ear.
“Second Brother!” Ru Feng looked up in disbelief, “You, how are you here?”
Si Tu Qi Feng laughed softly, gently wiping away the sweat and tears on her face. “Did you think I would let you run so far alone? You’re wearing that necklace, so naturally I could find you!”
Seeing her closest person, her bravery vanished. She threw herself into Qi Feng’s arms and cried, “Second Brother, why did you only come now? There were so many snakes, and I kept calling for you.”
“I’m sorry I came late.”
After crying, Qi Feng comforted her gently, “Okay, stop crying. With me here, you’ll never have to be afraid again.”
“Mm!” She sniffled, not minding her disheveled state.
Qi Feng pulled her along, “Let’s go, we’ll be able to get out soon.”
“How can it be that quick? I’ve already walked for so long,” she said while looking ahead, suddenly exclaiming, “Wutong tree!”
The Wutong tree she had seen yesterday stood quietly ahead, with Si Tu Qi Wu beneath it, wearing a brilliant smile.
At that moment, both the tree and Si Tu Qi Wu were breathtakingly beautiful in Ru Feng’s eyes.
“Hey! Second Brother, Si Tu Qi Wu looks pretty good, right? I’ll tell Big Brother when we get home and see if he’s still so narcissistic!” she whispered in Si Tu Qi Feng’s ear.
“Mm!” he responded casually.
Si Tu Qi Wu approached, holding a book. “Miss Ru Feng, congratulations on escaping the illusion. The elder said this book contains the method to break the spell.”
Ru Feng was overjoyed, quickly taking the book and flipping to the last page. The method required the spell-caster to exchange life for life, and the beneficiary must repay with blood, sharing suffering and life and death to counteract the spell’s backlash.
“Miss Ru Feng, as long as you swear by blood and cast the life-binding spell, you and Si Tu Qi Feng will share the same suffering, relieving his heart’s pain!”
“Second Brother, did you hear that? You’ll never have to suffer again!” Overwhelmed with joy, she jumped up.
Si Tu Qi Feng looked indulgent. “Yes, our little Feng is truly amazing.”
“Let’s start right now!” Ru Feng rolled up her sleeve and looked at Si Tu Qi Wu.
A sharp pain in her wrist caused Si Tu Qi Wu to mumble words as blood rushed out, and Ru Feng passed out.
When she woke up, she found herself in her second brother’s arms in a room under a bamboo grove.
“Second Brother, how are you? Is it resolved?” she asked anxiously.
Si Tu Qi Feng buried his head in her neck, unable to hide his excitement, “Yes, Feng’er, I’m fine. Even the nightmares that disturbed my sleep have gone.”
Relieved, Ru Feng hugged him, laughing, “That’s good.” Her voice was slightly choked, knowing her brother would no longer need her for a peaceful night’s sleep.
Si Tu Qi Wu entered with a basin of water. “Miss Ru Feng, please wash your face first.”
“Wash my face?” she exclaimed, eyes wide.
Qi Wu looked uncomfortable and stepped out. Qi Feng laughed, tapping her forehead, “Yes, look at your face, it’s almost like a spotted cat. Si Tu Qi Wu is quite considerate.”
Ru Feng remembered she was covered in sweat and tears, making her face look terrible. Blushing, she quickly pushed Qi Feng away and sat up to wash her face.
“Feng’er, what do you think of Si Tu Qi Wu?”
Ru Feng froze, turning back slowly. “Second Brother, why do you ask? I just think he looks good.”
Si Tu Qi Feng stood up and ruffled her hair. “Feng’er, while you were unconscious, I thought a lot.”
My world has always only had you, and this hasn’t changed. But what about you?”
“Second Brother!” Ru Feng called softly.
Qi Feng dried her face with a towel. “For you, it’s more familial love than romantic love, right? You can’t leave me, so when you’re with me, you never had a choice.”
“No…” Ru Feng shook her head.
Si Tu Qi Feng pressed his hand on her lips and kissed her forehead. “Don’t rush to answer. Think carefully. Feng’er, now there are no more constraints. Even if you’re not by my side, I won’t suffer anymore. The love I want is pure and complete. If you can’t do that, I’ll set you free. I may be in pain now, but who can guarantee I won’t meet true love in the future? You will always be the sister I love most.”
He looked towards the door, where another man stood. “Si Tu Qi Wu was made for you. From the moment you were born, he has existed for you. Perhaps he is the most suitable for you, without any burden or restrictions.”
Qi Feng removed his hand. “Rest well. I’ll come back tomorrow for your answer.”
Ru Feng stared blankly at Qi Feng’s departing back, watching him close the door, leaving her in silence.
She slowly lowered her head, looking at the lines on her fingertips.
Was her attachment to her second brother truly unavoidable?
Indeed, she could not bear to watch her second brother suffer, so she promised to always stay by his side, effectively losing the ability to make other choices.
Now, without this bond, her second brother might not need her, allowing her to pursue her own desires. However, she questioned whether her feelings for him were truly familial love greater than romantic love.
Their fates were tightly intertwined. After witnessing her brother’s suffering for her and understanding his feelings, she never entertained other thoughts. She saw no other way out and avoided useless contemplation.
