Ling Mo Han leaned closer to Feng Jin, his meaning clear to anyone with half a brain.
"Express what... what kind of expression do you want? Don't forget, Da Bao and Er Bao are your biological sons. As a father, you're only doing these small things, and you still have the audacity to ask for a reward? You truly have a thick skin. I'm ashamed for you..."
Feng Jin's eyes were filled with deep disdain for Ling Mo Han. Only someone as shameless as Ling Mo Han could utter such audacious words.
"I'm not talking to you anymore, going to sleep!"
Her eyes were so heavy she could barely keep them open. She had important matters to attend to tomorrow and wouldn't waste time with Ling Mo Han.
She yawned, pulled back the covers, and immediately lay down. Indeed, only her bed was this comfortable.
Less than three minutes after lying down, the space beside her sank deeply. Ling Mo Han shamelessly snuggled up again.
"If you want to sleep here, behave yourself. If you dare to be restless in the slightest, I'll kick you out!"
Feng Jin threatened fiercely. All she wanted now was a good night's sleep. If Ling Mo Han dared to misbehave, she wouldn't mind expending more effort to drive him away.
"I understand. Tonight, I'll just hold you while we sleep."
He would only hold her properly, without any other actions. Feng Jin gradually let down her guard and soon fell into a deep sleep.
When she woke up the next day, the man beside her was still sound asleep, not having left as early as usual.
As soon as she stirred slightly, the sleeping man beside her slowly opened his eyes. He stretched out a long arm and pulled Feng Jin back into his embrace, holding her tightly without any slack.
"What are you doing? Let go, I need to get up."
It was almost noon, and she still had to go to Old Master Ling's place for a meal. If she didn't get up soon, she would be late.
"Don't move, just a little longer and then we'll get up."
Ling Mo Han held Feng Jin tightly. She struggled for a long time but couldn't move at all. Finally, Feng Jin gave up and let him hold her, thinking he would eventually get enough of it.
She didn't know how long Ling Mo Han had been holding her when, just as she was about to fall asleep, Ling Mo Han suddenly moved, jolting her awake.
Feng Jin's groggy gaze fell on Ling Mo Han, still looking bewildered.
"What are you doing? Why are you getting up?"
She was falling asleep, and he chose this moment to get up. Wasn't he deliberately messing with her?
"Getting up. Are you planning to sleep any longer?"
With that, Ling Mo Han pulled Feng Jin, who was still lying in bed, up and dragged her to wash.
"I'll go first. You hurry and follow."
Ling Mo Han was extremely fast. In a short while, he had gotten himself ready. He glanced at Feng Jin, who was still groggy and looked half-asleep, gave a few instructions, and then went out.
She yawned, her eyelids uncontrollably falling. It was all Ling Mo Han's fault. He didn't let her sleep when she wanted to, but then dragged her up when she was so tired she could barely open her eyes. He was simply too much.
With a helpless sigh, she thought, who made her so unfortunate to be saddled with him. Resigned, she changed her clothes, tidied herself up, and then went out.
By the time she arrived, everyone was already seated. Clearly, she was the last one.
"Mother, why are you so slow? I'm starving."
Da Bao pouted, grumbling. His stomach was rumbling with hunger. But Father insisted on waiting for Mother before eating, and he was almost starving to death.
"You eat the most, so you get hungry the fastest!"
Feng Jin glared at Da Bao. He was indeed the one who got hungry quickly. If meals were delayed even slightly, he would feel terribly hungry.
"Eat your food quickly, don't really starve yourself."
Despite her scolding words, Feng Jin still picked up some of Da Bao's favorite dishes and placed them on his plate. She didn't want him to be truly starved.
"Eat slowly, don't choke."
He ate ravenously, as if he hadn't eaten in days. Feng Jin tugged Da Bao's sleeve, indicating he should pay attention to his image.
"Let him eat. The child is young; there's still time to teach him when he's older."
Old Master Ling couldn't bear to see Da Bao scolded and spoke up in his defense.
He even had someone move Da Bao's favorite dishes in front of him: "Take whatever Da Bao likes to eat. You don't need to be so formal in your own home. With your Great-Grandfather here, no one will dare to say anything to you."
"Thank you, Great-Grandfather. Great-Grandfather is the best."
Having found his support, Da Bao's words became even sweeter. He deliberately said things that Old Master Ling liked to hear, charming him within a few sentences.
Anyway, it was only for a short while. Let Old Master Ling be happy for now. There would be plenty of time later to deal with that rascal Da Bao.
Feng Jin suppressed her displeasure. This meal was a farewell dinner for Ling Mu Zhu, and she couldn't ruin it.
"Mu Zhu, are your things all prepared? The place you're being sent to is not as prosperous as the capital. You'll need to prepare more supplies to avoid any shortages."
Feng Jin asked politely. With Ling Mu Zhu's departure, the mansion would feel empty without another person, and she was truly unaccustomed to it.
"Thank you for your concern, Eldest Sister-in-law. Everything is prepared."
As soon as his words fell, Ling Mu Zhu stood up and walked to Old Master Ling, kneeling directly before him: "Thank you, Grandfather, for your many years of teaching. Your grandson is being sent away and I don't know when I'll be able to return to the capital. Please take good care of yourself, Grandfather."
"Good... good..."
Old Master Ling helped Ling Mu Zhu to his feet, looking at him with a hint of sadness. They all grew up and left, unable to stay. "You must take good care of yourself out there. If you encounter any difficulties, remember to send word back. Don't push yourself too hard. Your Grandfather will cover for you in all matters."
Ling Mu Zhu, who had been doted on in the capital since childhood and had never even traveled far, was naturally worried about this assignment.
"Your grandson remembers everything."
"Mu Zhu, rest assured in your official duties outside. Always remember you are a son of the Ling family. You must never do anything that disgraces the Ling family's reputation. You don't need to worry about matters at home; your elder brother will handle them."
This was the longest speech Ling Mo Han had ever made to Ling Mu Zhu, making him feel somewhat flattered.
"With elder brother here, little brother is at ease."
Ling Mu Zhu said lightly, looking like a young official. He was a completely different person from his former fierce demeanor. This assignment was also a test for him.
"Second Young Master, it's almost time. We should be on our way."