"No, this isn't a bath; it's a hot spring, a form of health preservation. Natural hot springs combined with my exclusive secret formula medicine are absolutely unique in the world. After bathing, women's complexions will radiate youth, and men will gain robust health... My method is truly excellent and brilliant; business is bound to boom."
As Feng Jin was congratulating herself, Ling Mohan's words struck her like a bolt from the blue: "This is simply outrageous! A group of people, naked, bathing together—it's utterly indecent. And women too... You can't possibly expect women to strip and bathe in the same pool. What has this turned into!"
The more Ling Mohan thought about it, the angrier he became. He blurted out everything he thought, his chest heaving with anger. He took a deep breath, "From now on, stop thinking about these absurd things. I think keeping this manor is a disaster. I'll find someone to sell it off."
He knew Feng Jin's nature; once she set her mind on something, it was hard to change. Selling the manor and directly eliminating Feng Jin's idea at the source was the most important thing.
"You... How dare you! You gave me this manor, so it's my property. Without my permission, even if the King of Heaven himself came, it wouldn't be allowed!"
Feng Jin's attitude was resolute, her autumn-clear eyes filled with determination. She was truly exasperated with Ling Mohan. He had already given it to her, making it her possession, yet he wanted to overstep her and make decisions. That was utterly impossible.
A chilling silence fell between the two. After a moment's pause, Feng Jin cleared her throat and said, "My mind is made up on this matter, so don't try to persuade me further. Moreover, what you just said will absolutely not happen. I will implement gender segregation and build structures over the hot springs. I will also establish several private, secluded chambers for distinguished guests like you."
"And who exactly told you that one must be naked to bathe in a hot spring? You can bathe with clothes on. The natural hot spring water, unfiltered, contains a certain amount of minerals. When bathing, one should wear thin undergarments..."
Feng Jin painstakingly tried to educate him, wanting to correct the deeply ingrained ideas in Ling Mohan's mind, lest he use this as an excuse to hinder her.
"Then this kind of business isn't a very good one. It's not suitable for a woman like you to do. You should..."
"Shut up! Stop preaching your male chauvinism here. I've already decided on this. Pack your things and go back quickly after bathing."
Not wanting to engage in further futile arguments with Ling Mohan, Feng Jin dropped the words and directly got up to go inside. Since she had come, it would be a waste of the trip not to soak in the hot springs before leaving.
As her entire body was immersed in the warm hot spring water, the weariness from her body vanished without a trace. Coupled with her specially formulated medicinal bath, after soaking, her skin pores opened, promoting better absorption.
"You certainly look comfortable." Ling Mohan observed Feng Jin's blissful expression, his tone tinged with a hint of sourness.
Feng Jin, enjoying her soak, had no time to pay attention to Ling Mohan. She simply invited him casually, "Would you like to join me?"
"No, this general disdains such things!" the man said with immense pride. Though his words spoke of disdain, his feet moved honestly towards the springs.
Feeling ripples emanating from beside her, Feng Jin slowly lifted her slightly drowsy eyelids to look. Upon seeing Ling Mohan next to her, she couldn't help but ask, "Didn't you say you weren't coming in? What are you doing now?"
"I paid for this manor, so what's wrong with me coming in for a soak?"
Ling Mohan's tone was righteous, as if everything were perfectly natural. However... the hot spring felt genuinely comfortable, especially with the added medicine, making it even more so.
It had to be said that in terms of enjoying oneself, Feng Jin could be considered second to none. He could only shamelessly bask in her reflected glory.
Feng Jin glanced up at Ling Mohan, who was soaking blissfully, and inwardly muttered a few thoughts. He had seemed so reluctant just moments ago, and now he was enjoying himself more than anyone else. The contrast was truly stark.
"How is it? Are you enjoying the soak?" Feng Jin asked, looking at his contented expression.
As Feng Jin's voice reached his ears, the man was still closing his eyes and resting, showing no inclination to look at Feng Jin.
After a moment's pause, he slowly uttered, "It's passable, I suppose!"
Feng Jin's mouth twitched with anger. She forcefully kicked the man and crisply delivered a single word: "Scram!"
"If you're really not satisfied, then get up! Don't shamelessly continue soaking here."
With a fire burning in her heart, Feng Jin didn't want to stay in the same space as Ling Mohan. She stood up directly, preparing to leave.
Just as she reached his side, a strong, muscular arm wrapped around her waist, and Feng Jin's slender body was forcefully pulled into his embrace.
Her body suddenly lifted, and Feng Jin cried out in alarm, "What are you doing!"
"Don't move!" The man's deep, magnetic voice reached Feng Jin's ears. Feng Jin's fair shoulders trembled slightly.
Regaining her composure, Feng Jin continued to ask, "What are you doing? Let me go first. You, like this..."
Feng Jin's tone was laced with helplessness. The position they were in was simply too... too strange. If anyone else saw them, they would surely misunderstand something.
The man behind her, however, seemed to hear nothing, his eyes remaining closed in rest.
The two remained in this stalemate for a long time, with neither willing to yield first.
As a gust of cold wind blew, and dressed only in her undergarment, which was now slightly damp, Feng Jin shivered. Her body instinctively shrunk closer into the man's embrace.
The warmth within the man's arms made her linger, reluctant to leave.
However, it was strange, his embrace was always so warm, even in the dead of winter.
Seeing that Ling Mohan hadn't moved, Feng Jin boldly placed her now cool hands into his embrace again. Indeed, it was warm, making it an excellent hand warmer in winter.
Since he wasn't an outsider, Feng Jin unceremoniously continued to enjoy the warmth of his embrace.
"How does it feel to the touch? Are you satisfied?"