Da Bao, this time, was quite agreeable and began to teach Er Bao, guiding him meticulously, "You need to find a way to make the colors on these six faces consistent. You do this... and then this..."
After Da Bao's brief explanation, Er Bao had a general understanding of how to play. He found the game surprisingly simple.
At first, Er Bao was dismissive, thinking this Rubik's Cube was similar to other toys his mother had given him. He never expected it to be so challenging from the very beginning.
For a moment, Er Bao was stumped by the Rubik's Cube. He twisted and turned it countless times, only to be a little short of success each time, ultimately failing. His usually calm demeanor was almost worn thin, and he nearly threw the Rubik's Cube in anger.
"Calm down... you must stay calm. Mother said this is a toy for clever children. Er Bao, if you really can't play, then forget it."
This was the first time Da Bao had seen Er Bao show other emotions. He was delighted and kept provoking Er Bao. This was a rare opportunity for him to taunt Er Bao, something he had to cherish.
Er Bao took a deep breath, and his agitated emotions immediately subsided. He picked up the Rubik's Cube from the table again. He refused to believe he couldn't master such a small object.
He glanced at the Rubik's Cube in Da Bao's hand. He thought Da Bao was so skilled, but it turned out he was also playing with it for a long time without solving it.
"You're no different. You've been playing for so long, and there's no progress at all!"
"I... I wasn't serious!"
Da Bao said with a stiff upper lip. He couldn't let Er Bao mock him. He had to try his best. This time, no matter what, he had to leave Er Bao behind and show him the prowess of an elder brother.
At this moment, both little fellows seemed to be putting in their all, dedicating all their thoughts to the Rubik's Cube, determined to come out victorious.
...
"Greetings, Young Madam."
"Where is the Second Young Master?" Feng Jin asked the servant who was following Ling Muzhu, lowering her eyes.
"Replying to the Young Madam, the Second Young Master is in the back courtyard packing clothes."
Knowing Ling Muzhu's whereabouts, Feng Jin did not linger and walked ahead to find him.
"You're packing quite quickly. Isn't it still a few days before you leave for Ning County?"
As soon as Feng Jin entered the room, she saw boxes scattered all over the floor, filled with clothes for all seasons. Did he intend to leave and never return?
"Greetings, Eldest Sister-in-law." Hearing Feng Jin's voice, Ling Muzhu quickly put down his inkstone and walked forward to greet Feng Jin respectfully.
"I thought it would be better to pack them early, so I wouldn't be in a rush and forget things on the day of departure."
"You've become much more careful now, not as reckless as before. It seems you've truly grown up..."
As Feng Jin said this, her tone was tinged with an involuntary sadness. She used to find Ling Muzhu's constant presence bothersome, but now he would be leaving soon, and she didn't know when he would return from Ning County.
The absence of the person who used to annoy her now felt peculiar, leaving a hollow feeling in her heart, as if something was missing.
"Eldest Sister-in-law, please don't bring up the past to tease me. That was when I was ignorant. Eldest Sister-in-law, please don't hold it against me."
Thinking back to his foolish actions before, he felt his cheeks burn with shame, wishing he could find a hole to crawl into and never come out.
"You really have grown up. You even know how to be shy now." Feng Jin mumbled a couple of sentences and stopped teasing Ling Muzhu.
After all, he had grown up and was now more sensitive. It wasn't good to joke about his past anymore.
"Right, I saw the small kitchen made you a bowl of chicken soup, so I brought it for you."
"These servants in the small kitchen are becoming more and more undisciplined. How could they let Eldest Sister-in-law bring me this? They are getting lazier."
Ling Muzhu glanced at the bowl of chicken soup on the table. These servants were getting lazier and lazier, and daring to let Eldest Sister-in-law do such tasks was utterly out of line.
"It's alright. I just happened to see it and brought it back for you. This chicken soup is quite good, with so many tonic ingredients added. Are you feeling unwell that you're having this?"
"It's just that these past few days, I've been feeling weak in the mornings, so I asked them to simmer some chicken soup."
It was strange, but these past few days, he felt particularly listless and weak in the mornings. He had never felt this way before. He wondered what was going on lately.
"Is that so..." Feng Jin paused and then continued, "Let me take your pulse. If you're not feeling well, you should see a doctor early. Dragging it out and self-diagnosing will eventually ruin your health."
Just moments ago, she thought Ling Muzhu had matured and knew better, but now he didn't even take care of his own health. She had praised him in vain.
Feng Jin placed her hand on Ling Muzhu's wrist. After a moment, she moved her fingers away.
"Have you been studying until midnight every night these past few days?"
"Eldest Sister-in-law, how did you know?" Ling Muzhu asked, slightly surprised. He hadn't told anyone about these things. How could Eldest Sister-in-law know?
Feng Jin sighed helplessly, "If you continue like this, you'll wear out your body sooner or later. Sleeping so late every night makes you weak and unable to rest properly. You must go to bed earlier from now on, not stay up so late."
How old was he, and he still didn't know how to take care of himself? If he went to Ning County alone, she would be very worried.
"So that's what it is. No wonder I feel so weak every morning."
Ling Muzhu suddenly realized. So staying up late had almost ruined his health.
"Just be more careful in the future." Feng Jin glanced at Ling Muzhu, her tone carrying a hint of warning.
"This chicken soup has too many tonic ingredients. Your body is already weak. If you consume more of these tonic ingredients, it will not only fail to nourish you but will actually worsen your internal depletion. You shouldn't drink this chicken soup. I'll prescribe some mild medication for you. Rest well for a few days after a few doses, and you'll be fine."
"Thank you for your trouble, Eldest Sister-in-law." Ling Muzhu said a little sheepishly. He felt truly indebted to Eldest Sister-in-law for having to bother with such a small matter.