Da Bao, terrified, lunged into Feng Jin’s embrace. The sudden pounce nearly sent Feng Jin tumbling to the ground, but Ling Mo Han’s quick reflexes caught her.
Angrily, he yanked Da Bao off Feng Jin, who was still clinging to her. “From now on, you are not allowed to pounce on your mother like that. If you make her fall and get hurt, I’ll deal with you!”
It was the first time he had seen his father so furious. No matter how mischievous Da Bao was, he was still just a child at heart. He froze on the spot, lowered his head in distress, and dared not say another word.
“What are you doing? Why are you scaring him like that? Look at how frightened he is.”
Unable to bear seeing Da Bao upset, Feng Jin’s heart ached. She pulled Da Bao into her arms and whispered, “It’s okay. See, your mother didn’t fall. Father was just playing with you; he didn’t really mean to scold you.”
Da Bao, sniffling with distress, rested on Feng Jin’s shoulder and mumbled, “Mother, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to…”
“There, there, it’s alright. Mother knows you didn’t mean to.”
Feng Jin gently patted Da Bao’s shoulder, feeling helpless. Da Bao truly looked wronged.
She glared at Ling Mo Han, wondering why he had to get so angry at their child. She saw how scared Da Bao was.
“It’s okay… it’s okay…”
Feng Jin held Da Bao and soothed him for a long time until his emotions settled down. Only after both children were asleep did she slowly leave.
…
“Are they both asleep?”
Seeing Feng Jin return, Ling Mo Han put down his book and inquired.
“They’re asleep. It took a long time to finally get them to sleep. They’re so much more troublesome as they get older.”
Feng Jin stretched her tired limbs. She was truly exhausted. The two children were increasingly demanding as they grew, throwing tantrums at the slightest dissatisfaction.
It had taken a long time to coax them to sleep, and it had worn her out. Her neck, arms, and back all ached; she felt extremely uncomfortable.
“I’ll give you a massage.”
He pulled Feng Jin to a chair beside him and began to massage her gently.
“Here, a bit more to the left…”
“A bit higher…”
“Press harder here…”
Feng Jin comfortably enjoyed Ling Mo Han’s service. If there was one thing he excelled at, it was massage. With just a gentle press, she felt much better and less tired.
“How is it? Is the pressure suitable?”
Worried that the spot might not be to Feng Jin’s liking, Ling Mo Han asked her cautiously as he massaged, ready to adjust if needed.
“It’s fine, good…”
Feng Jin closed her eyes to rest, enjoying Ling Mo Han’s service immensely.
After a while, the fatigue in her body had lessened considerably. Feng Jin signaled for him to stop and rest.
“That’s enough for now. You should rest too.”
The man stopped and, without complaint, fetched a cup of water and handed it to Feng Jin. “This is this year’s new tea. Try it.”
Feng Jin took a sip from the teacup but her mind was preoccupied. She had matters to attend to and no mood for tea. She put the cup down, her gaze sternly fixed on Ling Mo Han. She cleared her throat and asked, “Why did you scold Da Bao like that just now? How old is he? Such sternness will surely frighten him.”
The look on Da Bao’s face was still vivid in her mind, and it made her heart ache.
She herself would feel bad for a long time if she scolded Da Bao even once. Yet Ling Mo Han had scolded him so carelessly, frightening him so badly.
“It’s all because that brat was so careless, pouncing on you like that! What if you had fallen?”
“What are you talking about? How old is Da Bao? How much strength can he have? Besides, I’m not frail. It’s not like Da Bao can make me fall with just one pounce!”
She marveled at Ling Mo Han’s thought process. He was imagining things that weren’t so. A gentle pounce like that would make her fall? Did he think she was made of paper, ready to collapse with a gust of wind?
“What if… it’s better to be safe than sorry. And… and…”
Halfway through his sentence, Ling Mo Han suddenly stopped, leaving Feng Jin puzzled. She looked at him. “And what… finish your sentence!”
“And perhaps you might be pregnant now. What if the baby gets hurt!”
Feng Jin’s mouth twitched uncontrollably. Then, she landed a hard slap on Ling Mo Han’s head.
“Are you out of your mind? What nonsense are you spouting? And there is no baby, understand!”
“That’s not certain. I’ve been working hard lately. If you don’t get pregnant again, then there’s something wrong with you!”
Ling Mo Han strongly disagreed with Feng Jin’s words. To have another adorable daughter, he had been making a concerted effort. This daughter might already be in Feng Jin’s womb, she just hadn’t realized it yet.
“Stop daydreaming. I don’t plan on having another child right now. I don’t want any more sons or daughters!”
She stated her intentions clearly. Da Bao and Er Bao were already enough to worry about, and now there was another baby waiting to be cared for. If she had another, she truly wouldn’t be able to live.
She also advised Ling Mo Han to give up that idea. Wanting a daughter? It was more realistic to just dream, for in dreams, anything was possible.
“I… I want a daughter!”
Ling Mo Han declared resolutely, his stubbornness quite similar to Da Bao’s.
“I won’t give birth. If you want one, then go and take another concubine to have one for you. I wish you both a happy and fruitful union!”
“You… you…”
Feng Jin’s words angered him so much that he was speechless. A heavy stone seemed to be blocking his chest. Only Feng Jin could say such things, telling him to take another concubine.
She really didn’t want to give him another daughter, to the point of saying such a thing.
“I’m asking you again, you really won’t give birth?”
“I… will… not… give birth!”
Feng Jin stated firmly. Her mind was made up, and Ling Mo Han wouldn’t be able to persuade her with just a few words.
“Then it’s not up to you!”
Ling Mo Han uttered his words and then began to approach Feng Jin step by step.
“What do you want? You… don’t come over, no… don’t you dare come here!”