She wondered if her second brother was entangled in nightmares, struggling futilely in his dreams. She pulled the blanket over her eyes and let her tears flow silently.
The next day, she woke up early and wiped down the cake shop before opening the door. When she did, she was stunned to see Qi Feng standing in the misty air, frost hanging on his eyelashes.
“Feng’er!” His eyes brightened when he saw her.
“You… didn’t go back last night?” A mix of anger and heartache surged within her. Ru Feng almost gritted her teeth, “You stayed out here and froze all night?”
Qi Feng looked at her in confusion, “Feng’er?”
Ru Feng glared at him, “You stood here freezing all night?” Her voice grew louder.
His expression softened, the joy in his eyes brightening, “Feng’er?” he said with a grin.
She walked over, her footsteps heavy.
“Feng’er!” Qi Feng stepped forward, wanting to hug her.
Ru Feng grabbed his hand, “Don’t hug, don’t call me that.” She was very angry, especially since his hand was ice cold in hers.
Qi Feng fell silent, allowing her to lead him into the shop. “Sit!”
“
With one command from Ru Feng, Qi Feng moved. Despite his naivety, he knew not to provoke her at that moment. Ru Feng brought him a cup of hot water. “Drink,” she said. Qi Feng took a sip, but just as he was about to speak, Ru Feng looked at him. “Don’t talk to me; I don’t want to talk right now.”
Qi Feng closed his mouth and drank the water slowly. As the warmth moved down his throat, his lips regained some color. Ru Feng, holding her anger, rushed upstairs.
“Xiao Feng, what are you doing?” Qiu Mama was awakened by the noise.
“Nothing!” Ru Feng replied, carrying a basin of water downstairs and placing it on the floor with a “bang.” “Wash your face!”
Qi Feng glanced at her and chose to remain silent, squatting down. The water was slightly warm, and as he soaked his hands, he slowly regained sensation. A shadow fell beside him—Ru Feng was squatting too, adding hot water to raise the temperature. Neither spoke, but the scene felt extraordinarily warm.
As Qiu Mama came downstairs and saw them, she lightened her footsteps.
“What happened?” she asked.
