“Medical technology is advanced now; it’ll be fine,” Qi Feng offered futile comfort. But what use was it? Si Tu Qi Wu, chosen as the family heir’s fiancé, had studied martial arts and medicine since childhood. His medical skills were top-tier, and he knew something was wrong at first glance.
Swiftly, he laid her down, and several elders who heard the commotion rushed over to help stop the bleeding and create a simple splint. They still needed professional hospital equipment, so he and Qi Feng carried the stretcher down the mountain.
Using all his strength, he took half the usual time to reach the hospital.
But the doctor’s words pierced his heart.
“Compound fracture of both legs, moderate lumbar displacement, potentially affecting the sciatic nerve…”
He covered his ears, hoping he hadn’t heard the rest.
Standing at the hospital room door, Si Tu Qi Wu remained motionless.
Her face was pale and translucent, long eyelashes slightly curled, hiding bright, clear eyes. Under the light, her small body exuded pitiful fragility.
Her right hand, outside the blanket, tightly gripped a book. Even in unconsciousness from pain, she had not let go. The nurse had almost broken her fingers trying to remove it but failed.
He knew why she had come. Was that person truly so important?
If it were him, he would rather die in pain than have her suffer like this.
Ru Feng awoke from a long dream, slightly disoriented by the white surroundings.
“Ru Feng.” A hand, warm with affection, caressed her forehead. “Awake?”
Ru Feng turned, meeting Si Tu Qi Wu’s deep black eyes. She blinked and slowly raised her right hand, smiling in relief.
The book was still there.
“Qi Wu, what happened to me?”
With no sensation in her lower body and recalling the moment of pain, Ru Feng asked calmly.
“It’s nothing serious, just get some rest.” Situ Qi Wu’s voice was hoarse, his face heavy with exhaustion.
Ru Feng reached out her left hand and gently grabbed his lapel. “Qi Wu, tell me, I’m not afraid.”
Qi Wu lowered his head, not daring to meet her gaze.
Ru Feng tugged again. “Tell me!”
“Both legs broken, spinal injury.”
“Qiwu leaned in, embracing her head and pressing his face close to her ear. His tone was firm: “The doctor said there might be damage to the sciatic nerve, making movement difficult. Steel pins are already fixed in your legs; the rest depends on recovery.” Their body temperatures mingled, and Qiwu’s lips curved slightly. “If you can’t walk, I’ll be your legs. If it hurts when the wind and rain come, I’ll be your hearth.”
After a long pause, Ru Feng whispered, “The more serious issue is the spinal injury, which might cause lower body paralysis, right?”
Qiwu tightened his grip. “No matter what happens, I’ll be with you. Wherever you want to go, I’ll accompany you. You can still be as free as before.”
“Qiwu, please leave. I want to be alone for a moment.”
“Ru Feng…”
“I need to think.”
Situ Qiwu left, leaving silence in the room. Ru Feng opened her eyes, tears sliding down her cheeks.
No matter how strong she was, she was just a girl in her twenties. If she became disabled, or might never stand again, how could she not be afraid?
She never expected such severe consequences. Looking at the book in her hand, she made her choice almost without thinking. Trading her legs for her second brother’s suffering—was this a loss or a gain?
She didn’t regret it; if given another chance, she would make the same choice.
She thought her second brother would not forgive her, as she had promised not to let herself get hurt.
In the dim hospital room, Ru Feng slightly raised her upper body and opened the book. If this book deceived her again, she would crawl back to the main house and burn the book pavilion.
The days of recovery weren’t difficult. Ru Feng had lain in hospital beds for years, so looking out the window didn’t make her anxious. Situ Qiwu brought her back to the main house, watched the sunrise with her, walked her through the back mountain, and told her stories at night, even reading with a flashlight.
His joyful expression was as if she had never been injured. Each time he carried her, he was careful, handling her like a fragile treasure.
The most challenging part was bathing. When Situ Qifeng bathed her, he constantly instructed, “Sister Qifeng, be careful. Her wounds can’t get wet, and her bones can’t be moved. Is the water temperature okay? Should I add some hot water? But not too hot! Can you still carry her? Rest a bit if you’re tired, don’t drop her.”
The two women inside looked at each other, exasperated.
“Qifeng, is this your so-called taciturn, cool personality?” Ru Feng raised an eyebrow.
“He’s got a fever,” Qifeng said expressionlessly.
“Qifeng…” The voice outside persisted. Qifeng turned and yelled, “Shut up!”
“But, Sister Qifeng…”
“Say one more word, and I won’t come tomorrow.”
Silence followed.
This scene played out almost daily.
Qifeng finally asked, “He, really can’t?”
Ru Feng sighed internally, “Please notify my second brother to come get me.” A month passed quickly; some things couldn’t be hidden forever.
True warriors dare to face a miserable life!
Situ Qiwu entered with a meal while Ru Feng read by the bed, her black hair cascading around her. He stood there, unable to move.
“Qiwu?” Ru Feng noticed him, turning her gaze, smiling, “Smells good. What delicious food do we have today?”
After setting down the meal, Qiwu sat beside her, “Eat slowly!”
Ru Feng ate intently but soon put down her chopsticks, “Situ Qiwu, I’m not a painting. Can you stop staring at me?”
Qiwu shifted his gaze, softly responding, “Hmm!” He picked up a piece of green vegetable and ate with refined elegance.
Ru Feng detected something unusual in Situ Qiwu’s tone. “Qiwu, what’s wrong?” she asked.
Situ Qiwu looked at her intensely, causing Ru Feng’s heart to skip. She quickly averted her gaze. After a moment of silence, he spoke, “Yesterday, Qifeng went down the mountain to call your family.”
Ru Feng was unsure how to respond and nodded lightly.
“Will he come to pick you up?” His voice was gentle.
Both knew who “he” was. Ru Feng met his gaze, “Yes, it’s my second brother.”
Qiwu’s eyes clouded with mist. “Have you found a way to resolve the backlash?”
After returning from the hospital, she had returned the book to the Grand Elder, saying, “This book goes back. Remember, I never read it, and I did not come for it.”
Cang Shan glanced at the expressionless Qiwu and asked, “So, why did you come?”
“This place has such beautiful mountains and waters; the natural scenery is stunning!” Ru Feng replied.
Even Cang Tian’s mouth twitched at her response.
Ru Feng added, “I found it.”
Qiwu stared intently, “Will you help him?”
Ru Feng remained silent.
Si Tu Qi Wu crouched down, resting his head on her knees. “Having already injured these legs, what else must you give up? I would endure endless pain rather than let you be harmed. He loves you more than anyone, and he wouldn’t let you get hurt. If he saw you now, how heartbroken he would be!”
“I know, I will consider it carefully.”
“No need to consider,” he said, raising his head. “A life-for-a-life backlash cannot be resolved by ordinary means. He loves you deeply; do not make him sad.”
“Ru Feng,” he buried his head between her knees, unwilling to show his vulnerability. “When you leave, I won’t see you off. Qi Feng will pick him up and send you both away.”
Not wanting to say goodbye, he imagined she hadn’t left.
Ru Feng’s hand trembled, ultimately not touching his hair. “Si Tu Qi Wu, you should have your own life. After I leave, go down the mountain more. The world is vast; you’ll discover that your previous persistence wasn’t truly important.”
“Seeing more will make me realize my previous persistence was wrong?” he echoed softly.
