“Why aren't you moving? What are you stopping for in the middle of nowhere?”
Feng Jin poked her head out to look at Ling Mohan, who was studying a map. A hint of worry surfaced in her heart. After a moment's pause, she voiced her concern, "Did you perhaps take a wrong turn?"
The man's gaze remained fixed on the map, his brows furrowed tightly. Though he hadn't spoken for a long time, Feng Jin could guess the situation from his expression. Her heart sank. This was truly the end…
"You don't even know the way, yet you insisted on acting like you did. Now look… we're lost, and neither of us is getting back today."
Feng Jin was immediately consumed by anxiety, her face etched with worry. She impulsively snatched the map Ling Mohan was studying. If she continued to rely on him, they would likely be sleeping in the wilderness tonight. She had no intention of staying out here to feed the mosquitoes with Ling Mohan.
"Don't snatch it! I just figured it out, we'll be out of here soon!"
Just as he had grasped some clarity, Feng Jin grabbed the map from his hands. His thoughts were now in disarray, like a muddled pot of paste.
"No snatching!" Feng Jin commanded sternly, and the man silently retracted his outstretched hand.
After studying the map, Feng Jin realized they were heading in the completely opposite direction. She cast a reproachful glance at Ling Mohan. Didn't he know the way? How could he get lost even when finding his own destination? He was truly remarkable. If his soldiers knew about this, they would surely mock him relentlessly.
"Since you've figured it out, quickly give me the map. I'll definitely lead you out."
Ling Mohan was certain Feng Jin wouldn't understand and reached out to reclaim the map. He hadn't expected Feng Jin's next words, which nearly cost him his dignity.
"No need. I already know how to get out. If we had to rely on you, we'd really be spending the night here."
Feng Jin folded the map and tossed it back into Ling Mohan's hands. "Keep it yourself and study it later."
Feng Jin looked up at the sky. Within moments, she had determined their direction and pointed to the area in front of her to the left. "Go that way, and we'll be out directly."
Once the direction was clear, leaving became much simpler. Feng Jin was too lazy to walk and jumped into the carriage, ordering Ling Mohan to drive. The man reluctantly drove the carriage forward, secretly hoping they wouldn't find their way out. That way, Feng Jin would have to obey his commands unconditionally, allowing him to regain some prestige.
Unfortunately, things never went as planned. Following Feng Jin's directions, the carriage drove straight out of the woods. Ling Mohan's face was dejected. He hadn't expected Feng Jin to be right, and that they would indeed get out.
"Since we're out, let's hurry back to the mansion. Don't dawdle here anymore." She didn't want to re-enter that eerie, terrifying forest. The sooner they returned, the better she would feel.
"No, we've finally come out. I've been planning this for a long time. Wouldn't it be a waste if we didn't go?" Ling Mohan refused to mention going back, continuing to drive the carriage forward. What just happened was purely an accident, and it would never happen again.
"Stop the carriage! I'm not going with you, I want to go back to the mansion!" Feng Jin shouted. She no longer believed Ling Mohan's nonsense. Going out with him was pure self-inflicted suffering.
"Just trust me this one more time. Similar things won't happen again, I promise you!" This time, he remembered the way perfectly and would not get lost again. He had to succeed this time, to make Feng Jin look at him with completely new eyes. She had always been helpless against his stubborn nature. For now, she could only go along with his wishes and trust him for a little longer. If they got lost again, she would never believe him again.
Fortunately, Ling Mohan's performance this time was not too disappointing. Despite several detours, they finally arrived safely. Feng Jin looked at the manor ahead and then at the man. "Why did you bring me here… What are your intentions!"
"This manor has natural hot springs. I bought this estate many years ago. Today, I'm generously letting you enjoy them too!" Feng Jin pouted, her face filled with helplessness. She thought it was something incredibly important that Ling Mohan had to be so secretive about, luring her here. It turned out he had just brought her to soak in hot springs… And they had almost gotten lost. Considering that, soaking in these hot springs was truly hard-earned.
Upon closer inspection, Feng Jin was also captivated by the scenery of the estate. It was less of an estate and more of a fenced-off area with a few simple structures built.
"How is it? Isn't this estate quite nice? It cost me a lot of money to buy this land back then. If you like it, I'll give it to you." Feng Jin continued to survey the estate, her gaze not resting on Ling Mohan. "Give it to her…" With the wealth she already possessed, let alone this small estate, she had more money than the national treasury. Seeing Feng Jin's silence, Ling Mohan asked anxiously, "What's wrong… You don't like this estate?" His tone was as if a hard-won creation was excitedly displayed, only to be suddenly thrown to the ground, trampled on, and deemed worthless. At that moment, even from three meters away, it was hard not to feel the immense fury emanating from the man.
Feng Jin's eyes flickered suspiciously. She quickly spoke to comfort Ling Mohan's fragile heart. "It's not that I dislike it, but since this is your cherished possession, it wouldn't be right for me to snatch it away. You should keep it for yourself." Short of breath from someone's words, soft from accepting gifts, she didn't want to accept something from Ling Mohan and then have him say something else to her later. It was better not to accept it. Besides, she didn't lack such things. She might as well let Ling Mohan keep it for his own enjoyment.
"In my heart, only you are the most important. Since you like this estate so much, I'll give it to you." The man waved his hand and directly gifted the vast estate, not even batting an eye. Feng Jin felt no joy at all. The corners of her mouth twitched uncontrollably. She hadn't said she wanted it!