Feng Jin watched him glare at her, utterly disheveled. He was clearly at the peak of his anger, his enemy right before him, yet utterly helpless. Such powerlessness was truly heart-wrenching to witness. But for some reason, seeing this scene, she didn't feel particularly angry... in fact, there was a sliver of triumph in her heart.
This was truly terrible. How could she build her own happiness upon another's suffering?
Feng Jin immediately closed her eyes and silently prayed for absolution for her recent actions, hoping it would diminish her sins.
Before reopening her eyes, Feng Jin had already turned away. She worried that seeing Gu Beichen in such a miserable state might make her laugh out loud again.
To show Gu Beichen the last shred of respect she still held, she decided it was best not to look at him any further and simply turned her back.
Gu Beichen turned his head, his eyes filled with resentment, and glanced at Ling Mohan. He mustered all his strength to move. kuAiδugg
Having known each other for years, Ling Mohan immediately understood the meaning in Gu Beichen's eyes. But he was also helpless. With Feng Jin still present, what could he do?
He could only reach out and pat his friend's shoulder, conveying his sympathy through his gaze. Finally, unable to bear it, he said, "Just be good. Perhaps she'll let you go once she's calmed down!"
"Mmm... mmm..." Gu Beichen let out a few sounds from his mouth, as if expressing his dissatisfaction with Ling Mohan.
Truly, choosing friends poorly. How could he associate with someone so afraid of his wife? He was useless. With just one glare from Feng Jin, he didn't even dare to speak further.
"Are you dissatisfied? Or would you like me to help you stretch your muscles a bit more?"
Feng Jin also noticed the anger and dissatisfaction in Gu Beichen's eyes. To think that even now, he was still so arrogant. It seemed this time, she really had to teach Gu Beichen a severe lesson, one he would never forget.
Then, from now on, whenever he saw her, he would recall today's encounter and avoid her at all costs.
Ling Mohan ultimately couldn't bear to see Gu Beichen in such a state. Just as Feng Jin was about to step forward, he immediately moved to block her.
"What do you want?" Feng Jin's voice was incredibly dejected, filled with dissatisfaction.
"I... I don't want to do anything. I just felt that if you did it yourself, you'd get tired. You should go rest. Leave these matters to me. I guarantee I'll handle it perfectly."
Ling Mohan, understanding Feng Jin's little thoughts perfectly, spoke words that struck a chord with her, coaxing her into a very happy mood.
"Then I'll leave it to you. I'm going back now."
How could she not know Ling Mohan's little schemes? She hadn't intended to make things difficult for Gu Beichen in the first place. It was simply that what he said was too infuriating, and she had acted on impulse, unintentionally being a bit harsh. Once her anger subsided, she no longer wanted to torment him.
Since Ling Mohan was offering her a way out, she might as well go along with his intentions and not prolong the stalemate.
After Feng Jin left, Ling Mohan's gaze fell upon Gu Beichen, who was bound tightly to a pillar. He took out a dagger from his waist and gently slashed at the ropes. As the ropes fell away, Gu Beichen's legs gave out, and he collapsed onto the ground.
Looking at Gu Beichen's disheveled appearance, Ling Mohan sighed softly. He felt that Gu Beichen was merely reaping what he had sown. Would he dare to shout at Feng Jin like that again in the future?
It was good for him to learn a lesson. Next time, he would be more mindful and wouldn't make such a mistake.
"What are you still gawking at? Hurry up and help me up! Are you just going to watch me sit here and ignore me?"
Ling Mohan, with a hint of disdain, reached out and pulled Gu Beichen up from the ground.
"Damn it... my legs are numb!" Gu Beichen supported his numb legs and limped his way to a chair, sitting down with great difficulty.
Feng Jin had almost tortured him to death. Thankfully, no one else was here. If others saw this and spread the word, his reputation would truly be ruined.
Gu Beichen stretched his limbs, feeling a bit better. He then turned his gaze to Ling Mohan and complained with dissatisfaction, "I'm not going to mince words, but you're so afraid of her. You won't have a good life in the future. As a man, you should stand tall and not let her know what 'the husband is the backbone' means, that everything should be based on the husband's wishes..."
"By spoiling Feng Jin like you do, she's already riding on your head and acting all high and mighty. Don't you see how smug she was just now? If it were me, I would have slapped her to let her know who's boss, then she wouldn't dare to be so arrogant again!"
Gu Beichen became more animated as he spoke, completely oblivious to Ling Mohan's murderous glare.
"I'm telling you, you need to discipline Feng Jin properly from now on, make her... Ah! Ling Mohan, what the hell, why did you kick me? My back!"
That kick from Ling Mohan must have been with full force; his back was almost broken.
Gu Beichen, holding his back, managed to stand up and glared at Ling Mohan with fiery eyes, "Damn you, you want to kill me? Using so much force!"
Ling Mohan's expression turned grim. He walked up to Gu Beichen, his face expressionless, "From now on, if you dare to spout nonsense again, I'll pull out your teeth and sew your mouth shut, so you can't speak for the rest of your life."
He immediately regretted letting Gu Beichen go. Feng Jin was right; he should have let him suffer a lesson, to see if he would dare to talk nonsense again.
"You... you... you're abandoning your friends for a woman, heartless! Your brain has been completely washed by Feng Jin. Now all you can see is Feng Jin. We've been friends for so many years, and you treat me like this!"
Gu Beichen pointed at Ling Mohan and began to accuse him, completely unprepared for Ling Mohan's actions. It was truly excessive.
Years of friendship, yet it couldn't compare to the few days he'd spent with Feng Jin. His heart was utterly broken, shattered into pieces.
"Shut up!" Ling Mohan roared angrily. "If you dare to speak ill of Feng Jin again in the future, don't blame me for forgetting our brotherhood and not being polite to you!"
He was already annoyed because Gu Beichen was a poor judge of character and couldn't see the true face of that Xiliang princess. Hearing him slander Feng Jin now only fueled his rage. He had been restraining himself from beating him severely.
"You..." Under Ling Mohan's oppressive authority, Gu Beichen finally chose to submit.