I had told Er Bao long ago that they shouldn't do such things, and that if Mother found out, they would all get a beating.
Now, it was too late. The Rubik's Cube, which had taken all day to make, was discovered by Mother almost as soon as it was finished, and they were facing a severe scolding.
He hadn't done anything wrong. The idea to make the Rubik's Cube was Er Bao's, and he was the one who had built it. He had only, for a moment, been unable to resist playing with it. If he got beaten for this, it would truly be unfair.
Er Bao, however, remained unfazed. He knew in his heart that Mother would never blame them for such a minor transgression, and there was no need to worry.
"Aren't you worried that Mother will hit you later?"
Da Bao noticed Er Bao's calm demeanor, his complete lack of nervousness. It was almost too much to bear.
The calmer Er Bao was, the more abnormal Da Bao found it. He wished Er Bao would just be as worried as he was, so he could feel at ease.
Er Bao shot Da Bao a fierce glare and said with annoyance, "Traitor!"
A traitor, indeed. Before Mother had even asked anything, he had confessed everything, showing no backbone, just a weather vane.
From now on, he would never tell Er Bao anything again.
Da Bao felt an instant embarrassment. He supposed he had indeed acted like a traitor, but it had been under duress. He doubted Er Bao would have acted any differently if the roles were reversed.
Besides, he didn't consider himself a traitor; at most, he was a wise man who knew when to adapt.
"Er Bao, tell me, how did you make it?"
Feng Jin couldn't understand how Er Bao had managed it. Without any blueprints, how could he have made something so similar?
"Mother, after I played with the Rubik's Cube you made, I remembered some of it. Then, I figured out how to draw the blueprints and tried to make it, and it turned out successful."
It wasn't a difficult task. It was just a matter of connecting a few axes and attaching wooden blocks to the outside.
However, he was too young and lacked the strength, so it wasn't as exquisite as Mother's. Still, it was good enough for playing.
"Blueprints..." Feng Jin murmured, her brows furrowed slightly. She immediately said to Er Bao, "Er Bao, go get the blueprints you drew for me to see."
Er Bao nodded obediently, then climbed onto a chair with his short legs. Standing on tiptoe, he took the paper from the desk and handed it to Feng Jin. "Mother, this is what I drew."
Feng Jin quickly picked up the blueprints and examined them closely. While not perfect, they were mostly complete.
More importantly, Er Bao had only looked at it a few times and played with it for a while before being able to draw it based on his imagination. This was no easy feat.
Even an adult skilled in carpentry would find it difficult, let alone a child like Er Bao.
One could only explain it with talent. He was indeed remarkable.
"What's wrong, Mother? Are you angry because I secretly made the Rubik's Cube?"
Er Bao gently tugged on Feng Jin's sleeve and asked cautiously, afraid Mother would be upset about it. His voice was tinged with a hint of pitiable helplessness.
"No, you're so smart. You only looked at it a few times and managed to make the Rubik's Cube by yourself. I'm delighted, not angry."
Having such an intelligent, genius son was indeed a cause for joy. However, Er Bao's intelligence also made her worried about how she would raise him in the future.
It was true, as the saying went, raising children for ninety-nine years, and not a single day without worry.
"I'm sorry, Mother. I shouldn't have secretly made the Rubik's Cube out of my desire to play. Mother, please take the Rubik's Cube away. I promise I won't be so playful anymore."
This was the first time Er Bao had shown his vulnerable side to Feng Jin. He was truly worried that Mother would be angry with him for this.
"Alright, Mother won't be angry with you. Since you want to play with the Rubik's Cube, you can keep it yourselves. Mother has also thought about it. I can't always restrict you for your own good. From now on, you can keep the Rubik's Cube yourselves. Play with it however you want, whenever you want."
She had realized that even if she confiscated the Rubik's Cube, they would find a way to make another one.
After all this fuss, it was better to let them keep the Rubik's Cube and manage their time and pace themselves. She would no longer interfere.
"Really, Mother? You're the best Mother in the world!"
Da Bao exclaimed joyfully. Mother's decision was truly wise and heroic. He loved Mother to death.
"Yes, it's yours now. But I'm giving the Rubik's Cube to Er Bao to keep. If you want to play with it later, you'll have to ask Er Bao."
She knew Da Bao's nature too well. If she gave the Rubik's Cube to Da Bao, he would have no time to rest. It was safer to entrust it to Er Bao.
Feng Jin solemnly handed the box containing the Rubik's Cube to Er Bao. "Er Bao, I'm entrusting the Rubik's Cube to you. If Da Bao wants to play with it, he'll have to ask you. Make sure to keep it safe."
"I understand, Mother. I will definitely keep it safe and ensure my brother doesn't neglect his studies for frivolous pursuits."
Er Bao's serious promise almost made Ling Mo Han laugh. He was truly a child with an old soul.
Now it was Da Bao's turn to look dejected. He had thought he would get to play freely, but instead, the Rubik's Cube had gone from Mother's hands to Er Bao's. He had gotten his hopes up for nothing.
Fine, he would just quietly eat a pastry to fill his stomach. At least that was more realistic.
"Alright, you two, wash up and come out for breakfast. Mother is leaving now."
After Feng Jin gave her instructions, she turned and left. Once the door was closed, Da Bao's gaze remained fixed on the box in Er Bao's hands, his mind constantly wondering how he could get his hands on the Rubik's Cube for a while.
"Er Bao, let your brother play with the Rubik's Cube for a bit."
"No, it's almost time for breakfast. We'll talk after we eat!"
Er Bao refused resolutely, his eyes scanning the room for a suitable place to store the box.
However, after looking around, he couldn't find a suitable spot. More importantly, since he and Da Bao shared a room, and the space was limited, Da Bao would be able to find it no matter where he put it. He was having trouble finding the safest place.