Ling Mo Han was filled with anger at Feng Jin's actions. He had desperately wanted to nurse Feng Jin back to health, but his good intentions were mistaken for ill will. Since she cared so little for her own body, why should he, like a fool, chase after her, only to be met with a cold shoulder?
Recalling all that had happened, Ling Mo Han felt a bitter ache in his chest, his very breath laced with pain.
"I..." Feng Jin opened her mouth but said nothing, cautiously observing the man's expression.
Had she spoken too harshly? On reflection, although Ling Mo Han's words and actions were sometimes bothersome, they were, upon deeper consideration, all for her own good.
With this realization, Feng Jin took a step forward, reaching out to tentatively grasp the sleeve hanging by his side. She gently tugged it a couple of times, then, lowering her voice, she whispered, "Ling Mo Han... are you really angry?"
Her words were met with silence.
"You truly are angry. I know you are concerned about me, but you are controlling me too much. Your actions put pressure on me, so much so that I can barely breathe."
Having been so strictly managed by Ling Mo Han these past few days, Feng Jin felt she had lost all freedom.
Ling Mo Han's eyes narrowed, and he looked at Feng Jin with disbelief. His concern had made her feel this way? Had he truly made a mistake?
"I'm sorry. I never imagined I would cause you so much pressure. I was merely worried about your health, I wanted you to..."
Feng Jin stepped forward and hugged him tightly, burying her head in his chest. "I understand. Everything you do is for my well-being. I spoke too harshly just now. Please don't be angry with me anymore."
Ling Mo Han sighed, drawing the woman in his arms closer. "I was never angry with you. I was only blaming myself for making you angry, for not taking good care of you."
"Where I come from, mothers care for their children, and everyone is like that. Believe me, I can take care of the children and myself."
"Alright. Everything will be as you wish."
Ling Mo Han could not bear to refuse Feng Jin's request any longer. As long as she was happy, he would agree to anything she asked.
"You said it yourself, you can't go back on your word."
Fearing that Ling Mo Han might change his mind again on a whim and renege on his promise, Feng Jin spoke with a hint of worry.
"I promise I won't. You will personally take care of the two children."
Only then did Feng Jin's lips curve into a satisfied smile. She pulled Ling Mo Han's hand and excitedly declared they should go see the children.
Feng Jin stood by the cradle, quietly watching her two sleeping treasures, occasionally reaching out to touch their tiny hands.
Ling Mo Han, for the convenience of looking after Feng Jin and the children, had moved his study over. From his desk, he would occasionally glance at Feng Jin, and only when he was sure she was fine would he return to his books.
"Your page-turning is too loud. You're disturbing their sleep."
When Feng Jin saw Er Bao frown slightly, she was certain it was Ling Mo Han's noisy page-turning that had disturbed their slumber.
She glared at Ling Mo Han with a look of reproach, her dissatisfaction evident on her face.
She had told him more than once to move his books back to the study and work there, asking what would happen if he disturbed the children.
"I wasn't..."
Ling Mo Han said pitifully. He had been turning the pages so quietly, there was no way it could disturb the two precious babies. How could it be that everything he did was wrong in Feng Jin's eyes?
Even turning a page had become a major offense. Ling Mo Han sighed and lost his mood to read further. He lifted his robes and walked over to the children.
He gazed at the two sleeping darlings, who showed no signs of having been woken by the sound of his page-turning. This was surely another instance of Feng Jin making a fuss over nothing.
He reached out and pinched Da Bao's round little cheek. It was this little one who caused trouble, making it a luxury even to breathe deeply.
"What are you doing!"
Seeing this, Feng Jin was so startled her eyes widened as if by an earthquake. She immediately slapped Ling Mo Han's hand away and pushed him, making him move further away from the two treasures.
She felt that Ling Mo Han was the greatest danger and must be kept at a distance.
"What are you doing? I am their father! Can I not even touch them?"
Startled by being suddenly pushed away, Ling Mo Han paused for a moment. When he recovered, he began to argue with Feng Jin.
Feng Jin snorted, her gaze filled with caution as she looked at Ling Mo Han. She lightly parted her red lips and said, "You call that touching? You were clearly pinching Da Bao's face. And you have the nerve to call yourself their father? Do you really want me to expose your 'good deeds'?"
"What good deeds have I done? Do not slander me!"
Ling Mo Han stubbornly refused to admit it, putting on a show of utter innocence.
"Fine, you won't admit it? Then I will make you give up completely. The other day, you almost dropped Da Bao. Yesterday, you threatened Er Bao, telling her not to cry. This morning, you forgot to cover Er Bao with her blanket. And just now, you pinched Da Bao's face. Have I accused you wrongly on any of these?"
"Cough... Those were all accidents. I just wanted to play with them and it was unintentional. You can't stop me from touching them because of these things."
Ling Mo Han remained unrepentant, still believing he had done nothing wrong.
It was all Feng Jin overreacting and being excessively worried.
"You're still making excuses. In any case, you are not allowed to touch Da Bao and Er Bao carelessly from now on!"
Feng Jin's tone was resolute, and she stood by her word. Ling Mo Han tried to secretly touch the two treasures several times, but he was caught each time and ended up empty-handed.
For the next few days, Feng Jin remained highly vigilant, leaving Ling Mo Han no opportunity to get close. He could only watch the two babies from afar.
"Just let me hold them. I'll be careful," Ling Mo Han pleaded, inching closer to Feng Jin with a fawning smile, reaching out to take the child from her.
Feng Jin shot him a fierce glare, and Ling Mo Han sheepishly withdrew his hand.
"No touching!" Feng Jin snapped, her voice full of anger. She carefully placed Da Bao back in the cradle and then picked up Er Bao.
"Cai Qing, keep an eye on Da Bao. Make sure certain people don't touch him."
"Young Madam, rest assured. Your servant understands," Cai Qing replied, faithfully standing guard by the cradle. Several times, Ling Mo Han attempted to sneak a kiss on Da Bao, but Cai Qing discovered him and chased him away.
Ling Mo Han became more subdued, waiting for Feng Jin to let her guard down so he could seize the opportunity.
"Put away your schemes. You won't have a chance to take advantage!" Feng Jin saw through Ling Mo Han's little plan at a glance. She stated it plainly, cutting off his last glimmer of hope.