Ling Mohan leaned closer to Feng Jin, his meaning clear to anyone with a modicum of sense.
"A token of appreciation... what kind of token? Don't forget, Da Bao and Er Bao are your own sons. As their father, you're only doing these small things, and you still have the nerve to ask for a reward? You truly have a thick skin to say such shameless words. I'm ashamed for you..."
Feng Jin's eyes were filled with deep disdain for Ling Mohan. Only someone as thick-skinned as him could utter such shameless words.
"I'm not talking to you anymore. Time to sleep!"
Her eyes were so heavy she could barely keep them open. She had important matters to attend to tomorrow and couldn't waste time with Ling Mohan.
She yawned, threw open the covers, and lay down. Indeed, the bed was the most comfortable place.
No sooner had she settled onto the bed than the space beside her sank deeply. Ling Mohan, shamelessly, pressed close again.
"If you want to sleep here, behave yourself. If you dare to be even a little disobedient, I'll kick you out!"
Feng Jin threatened fiercely. All she wanted now was a good night's sleep. If Ling Mohan dared to misbehave, she wouldn't mind the effort of kicking him out again.
"I know. I'll just hold you tonight."
He held her properly, without any other movements. Feng Jin gradually let down her guard and fell into a deep sleep shortly after.
When she woke the next day, the man beside her was still fast asleep, not having left as early as usual.
As soon as she stirred slightly, the sleeping man beside her slowly opened his eyes. He stretched out a long arm and pulled Feng Jin back into his embrace, holding her tightly without any looseness.
"What are you doing? Let go, I need to get up."
It was almost noon, and she still had to have lunch with Old Master Ling. If she didn't get up soon, she would be late.
"Don't move. Sleep a bit longer, and we'll get up soon."
Ling Mohan held Feng Jin tightly. After struggling for a long time, she found she couldn't move at all. Finally, Feng Jin gradually gave up, letting him hold her like this, thinking he would eventually have enough.
She didn't know how long Ling Mohan had been holding her. Just as she was about to fall asleep, Ling Mohan moved abruptly, startling her awake.
Feng Jin's dazed eyes fell on Ling Mohan, clearly still confused.
"What are you doing? Why are you getting up?"
She was about to fall asleep, and he chose this moment to get up. Wasn't this deliberately tormenting her?
"Getting up. Are you planning to sleep in?"
After speaking, Ling Mohan yanked Feng Jin, who was still in bed, to her feet and dragged her to wash up.
"I'll go first. You hurry up and follow."
Ling Mohan was extremely fast. In a short while, he had tidied himself up. He glanced at Feng Jin, who was still groggy and looked like she hadn't woken up yet, gave her a few instructions, and then went out first.
She yawned, her eyelids uncontrollably drooping. It was all because Ling Mohan didn't let her sleep when she was tired, and then pulled her up when she was so sleepy she could barely open her eyes. He was truly excessive.
She sighed helplessly, lamenting her fate to have ended up with this man. Finally, resigned, she changed her clothes, tidied herself up, and then went out.
When she arrived, everyone was already seated. Clearly, she was the last to arrive.
"Mommy, why are you so slow? I'm starving."
Da Bao grumbled with a pout. His stomach was rumbling continuously from hunger, but Daddy insisted on waiting for Mommy to eat, almost starving him to death.
"You eat the most, so you get hungry the fastest!"
Feng Jin glared at Da Bao. It was precisely because he got hungry quickly that he felt miserable if dinner was even a little delayed.
"Hurry up and eat. Don't really starve your stomach."
Although she spoke with a tone of reprimand, Feng Jin still picked up some of Da Bao's favorite dishes and placed them on his plate. She didn't want him to starve.
"Eat slowly, don't choke."
He ate ravenously, as if he hadn't eaten in days. Feng Jin tugged at Da Bao's sleeve, signaling him to mind his manners.
"Let him eat. The child is still young; we can teach him when he's older."
Old Master Ling couldn't bear to see Da Bao scolded and spoke up to excuse him.
He even had the dishes Da Bao liked moved in front of him: "Take whichever you like, Da Bao. You don't need to be so reserved at home. With Great Grandfather here, no one will scold you."
"Thank you, Great Grandfather. Great Grandfather is the best."
Having found a supporter, Da Bao's words became even sweeter, he said exactly what Old Master Ling liked to hear. With a few words, he had Old Master Ling beaming with delight.
After all, it was only for this short while. Letting Old Master Ling be happy was enough. There would be plenty of time later to deal with this rascal Da Bao.
Feng Jin suppressed her displeasure. This meal was to bid farewell to Ling Muzhu, and she couldn't ruin the occasion.
"Muzhu, are your things all prepared? The place you're being sent to is nothing like the prosperity of the capital. You'll need to prepare more things to avoid shortages."
Feng Jin asked politely. With Ling Muzhu gone, the manor would feel rather empty without him; she really wasn't used to it.
"Thank you, sister-in-law, for your concern. Everything is prepared."
As soon as he finished speaking, Ling Muzhu stood up, walked to Old Master Ling, and knelt directly before him: "Thank you, Grandfather, for your guidance over the years. Your grandson is now being sent away and doesn't know when he can return to the capital. I implore you, Grandfather, to take good care of yourself."
"Good... good..."
Old Master Ling helped Ling Muzhu to his feet, looking at him with a hint of sadness. His children had all grown up and couldn't be kept at home; they all had to leave eventually. "You must take good care of yourself outside. If you encounter any difficulties, remember to send word back. Don't be too stubborn. Your Grandfather will handle anything for you."
Ling Muzhu had grown up spoiled in the capital, never even venturing far. He was naturally worried about this assignment.
"Your grandson remembers it all."
"Muzhu, serve diligently in your post. Always remember that you are a son of the Ling family and must never do anything to disgrace the Ling family's reputation. You don't need to worry about matters at home; your elder brother is here."
This was the longest speech Ling Mohan had ever made to Ling Muzhu, which made Ling Muzhu somewhat flattered.
"With my elder brother here, little brother is at ease."
Ling Muzhu said faintly, looking at the appearance of a young official, so different from his past fierceness. This assignment was also a trial for him.
"Second Young Master, it's almost time. We should be on our way."