“Will you try to give others a chance, and give yourself a chance?” Such a beautiful man would surely encounter the most perfect love.
Si Tu Qi Wu raised his head, a brilliant smile spreading across his extraordinary face, “Okay!”
This made her feel at ease. As long as he took this step, he would no longer be limited to this small world.
Si Tu Qi Wu stood up, suddenly spreading his arms and pressing her head against his chest. Ru Feng was startled. He whispered, “Can this be my final gift to you?”
With such a tone, carrying deep sorrow, Ru Feng did not move, quietly leaning in his embrace, listening to his steady heartbeat.
“Ru Feng, I will live well, give others a chance, and give myself a chance. I hope when you think of me, you’ll remember happiness and joy, not restraint or guilt. Live your own life well. I will be happy, and I hope you will be happy too.”
Her deep and resolute feelings filled Si Tu Qi Wu’s heart, leaving no room. He could snatch, but he was unwilling to see her in distress, losing her color.
She was so kind that no matter how she chose, she would be sad. Love to the extreme could indeed be carefree.
“Let go of her!” A voice rang from the doorway, bringing a sky full of ice, rushing directly at him.
They turned back.
Si Tu Qi Feng stood at the door, travel-worn and cold.
The man outside was majestic; the man inside was gentle and elegant. Separated by a door, their gazes collided, freezing the atmosphere.
Ru Feng, sitting in her wheelchair, was unaffected by the cold air. She looked at the newcomer with a joyful smile, “Second brother.”
His knife-like eyes softened as he looked at her, but he remained still. She smiled innocently, as if she hadn’t deceived him about going out or broken her promise to protect herself.
“Second brother!” She called again, pouting slightly with a hint of grievance in her voice.
While Si Tu Qi Feng did not move, Si Tu Qi Wu did. He stepped forward and said, “Si Tu Second Brother, I’m handing Ru Feng over to you. I’ll come call you when it’s time to eat.”
He leaned down to Ru Feng, “I’ll go busy myself. Call me if you need anything.”
He reached out to ruffle her hair but was stopped by her cold hand. Pausing, he retracted his hand.
Ru Feng smiled, completely unaware of the tension between the two. “Okay, Qiwu, see you later.”
Situ Qiwu nodded to Qi Feng before walking away with elegant steps. Once out of sight, he relaxed, covering his chest. Although he had prepared himself, he didn’t expect it to be so difficult.
“Second Brother, I missed you so much!” Ru Feng hugged his waist, resting her head against him.
Qi Feng pushed her away, crouched down, and asked, “You said you just wanted to go out, fulfill an old wish, and then return to me completely, right?”
“Mm,” she replied softly, her head lowered.
“You promised to protect yourself and not make me sad?”
“Mm,” she lowered her head even more.
“But you ended up fracturing both legs while sightseeing at the Situ family’s main residence?”
“Mm!” If possible, she would have buried her head in a hole.
“And cuddling and whispering sweet nothings with another man?”
“I didn’t promise not to do that, so it doesn’t count as breaking my word,” she replied cheerfully, pleased to find something to argue about. However, seeing her second brother’s dark expression, her heart sank, and she fell silent.
What had she just said? Her brain must have short-circuited. Situ Qi Feng stood up, almost smiling, but a storm gathered in his eyes. “So you did whisper sweet nothings with him?”
“Second Brother,” she laughed nervously, grabbing his hand, “That’s not what I meant. I…” She trailed off, unsure of what to say, especially since her second brother had seen Qiwu holding her.
She closed her eyes, “Just a simple hug, nothing more.”
“A simple hug?” He looked at her sideways.
“Come on, Second Brother, we haven’t seen each other for so long. Aren’t you happy to see me? You’re angry as soon as we meet.” Ru Feng felt annoyed; her brother seemed indifferent, focusing on petty issues instead of her well-being in the wheelchair.
“No,” he replied decisively.
“Second Brother!” Ru Feng was anxious now.
“Shut up.” He then bent down and picked her up. “From now on, don’t speak to me. I’m very angry, so you’d better not provoke me.”
Feeling his tense muscles, she wisely kept quiet.
After placing her on the bed, Qi Feng began to remove her thick coat.
“Second Brother, what are you doing?” Ru Feng was startled, pulling back.
“Taking off your clothes.”
She understood but wondered why now. “I won’t take it off; it’s cold.”
Qi Feng grabbed her hand and forcefully pulled off her coat, throwing it aside, his expression dark. “I told you not to speak.”
Ru Feng felt pain in her wrist as her second brother held her face down. She had never seen him like this, feeling both wronged and sad.
Qi Feng was focused, sliding his fingers down her spine and gently pressing her lumbar vertebrae. While Ru Feng was in pain and sweating, she bit her lip and remained silent. Qi Feng then covered her with a blanket and left.
Ru Feng closed her eyes, angrily punching the pillow. Hateful second brother! She absolutely would not be the first to speak to him.
“You’re Situ Qiwu?” Qi Feng observed the man before him. Qiwu looked up, hiding his surprise. Situ Qi Feng’s arrival had been silent.
“Yes,” Qiwu replied, maintaining a calm, elegant smile. Qi Feng’s heart sank slightly; he knew not just anyone could be called by this name. He didn’t ask further and focused on the matter at hand. “Show me the hospital X-rays and tell me what the doctor said.”
Qiwu responded without hesitation, as Ru Feng’s injury was the priority. He produced the films and detailed the hospital’s diagnosis to Qi Feng. Both men quickly discussed a rehabilitation and physiotherapy plan.
By the end of their conversation, they exchanged glances with a hint of mutual appreciation.
“We could have been friends,” Situ Qi Feng said, noting the rarity of such a connection. But he was Situ Qi Wu, which was truly a pity.
“I’m also sorry,” Qi Wu replied, aware that they could never become friends.
The door opened, and Si Tu Qi Feng tapped his index finger lightly on the doorframe, stating, “She is mine.”
“I know,” Qi Wu responded calmly.
Qi Feng remained silent; Qi Wu understood his meaning.
Meanwhile, Si Tu Jin was sharing a room with four elders. Upon hearing about his daughter’s situation, he had rushed there with Qi Feng, knowing that with Qi Feng present, Feng’er would be well cared for as he negotiated with the main house.
When he first heard that Si Tu Qi Wu was a man, he had suspected something. After hearing Cang Shan explain the situation, his expression grew even more complex.
“Feng’er cannot be the family head,” he said. “That role would require frequent visits to the main house and handling clan affairs. We could never let her leave our side.”
“But she has already entered the book pavilion. If she is not the family head, she will lose her life,” Cang Hai interjected.
“Impossible,” Si Tu Jin stood up angrily.
Cang Shan sipped his tea. “Si Tu Jin, you should know that if we say something, we will do it.”
Si Tu Jin was shocked; he understood the storms the main house of the Si Tu family had weathered to exist. His hand trembled, but he calmed himself. “Are there no other solutions? Feng’er is not of Si Tu blood. The family head cannot lack that connection.”
A hint of admiration appeared in Cang Shan’s eyes. “Her child with Qi Wu.”
Si Tu Jin’s expression changed; thinking of Qi Feng made him uneasy. “You’ve already asked Ru Feng. She won’t agree.”
Cang Shan continued drinking tea. “We give you two choices: either spare Si Tu Ru Feng’s life or leave a child between her and Qi Wu.”
