“Xiao Feng, can’t you sleep? Is something wrong?” Qiu Mom asked drowsily.
“Mom!” Ru Feng sat up. “If I get married and can’t live with you anymore, is that okay?”
She didn’t want to be heartless but knew choosing her family over her mother meant leaving Qiu Mom behind. Bringing her to the Si Tu family wasn’t realistic, as it would raise Qiu Mom’s suspicions given her interactions with her father and brothers.
Qiu Mom laughed, “How can you live with me after getting married? I have hands and feet—am I going to starve to death?”
Ru Feng remained silent, feeling guilty. Seeing her daughter quiet, Qiu Mom smiled, “Don’t other daughters move out after marriage? Why can’t I manage?”
Ru Feng jumped out of bed and walked to her side, “I’m sorry, Mom.”
Qiu Mom hugged her and wrapped her in a blanket. “Children never need to apologize to their mothers.”
“She patted Ru Feng’s hand, saying, ‘Wait until I’m old and can’t move before considering this. Now, go enjoy your young world.’
Ru Feng looked up and softly responded, ‘Thank you, Mom.’
While it was tender on Ru Feng’s side, Qi Feng was experiencing his own struggle.
In his dream, he felt he couldn’t breathe, seemingly returning to his childhood days of being locked in a pile of parasitic insects. He could hear the sound of parasites drilling into his blood vessels.
A suppressed cry of pain broke the darkness.
Qi Feng woke up, attacked by another wave of pain, breaking out in a cold sweat. He curled into a ball, gritting his teeth against the burning sensation from his bones, sweat quickly soaking the bedsheets.
The night felt long.
Biting the blanket, Qi Feng buried his gasps and tremors within it. He was grateful that Ru Feng hadn’t witnessed his episode last night.
The Si Tu family’s curse had not been lifted. With Ru Feng’s rebirth, he would endure the pain of being burned day and night.
As dawn broke, the unbearable burning slowly subsided. Si Tu Qi Feng opened his eyes, drenched and red-faced, his lips pale from pain, but a faint smile remained in his eyes.”
