Feng Jin's hand, which had been slicing fruit, faltered slightly. A flicker of displeasure crossed her eyes. She felt a pang of annoyance that Ling Mohan was looking for her.
Her anger had not yet fully subsided. She was deeply dissatisfied with Ling Mohan's behavior of hiding away and being unseen all day, and she didn't want to see him right now.
"Perhaps the young general truly has something important to discuss with you. This servant didn't have a chance to ask much before Lu Shi ran off like a phantom."
"Mother… sweet… eat…"
Da Bao held out a half-bitten apple to Feng Jin, his eyes shining. He eagerly pushed it towards her mouth, wanting his mother to taste anything delicious first, no matter what.
Helpless against Da Bao's insistence, Feng Jin took the apple and took a bite. The sweet, syrupy juice spread through her mouth.
One had to admit, Da Bao was a truly discerning little foodie. The apples he chose were always the sweetest.
"Eat it yourself. Mother has already eaten. Don't eat too much, or your little tummy will ache later."
Da Bao nodded obediently, holding his apple, and sat down happily, taking big bites.
Chu Qing picked up a basket full of fruit and was about to walk out when she saw Ling Mohan appear at the doorway. She quickly bowed. "Greetings, young general."
Hearing the commotion, Feng Jin turned her head. Upon seeing the person, the smile on her lips gradually faded. She glared fiercely at Ling Mohan and then turned her head away, continuing her work as if she hadn't seen him.
Slightly embarrassed by Feng Jin's cold shoulder, but knowing he was in the wrong, Ling Mohan put on a placating expression and walked towards Feng Jin, attempting to get her attention repeatedly. Predictably, he was ignored.
Fortunately, Da Bao was perceptive. He grabbed Ling Mohan's hand and pulled him towards Feng Jin. "Daddy… help… Mother…"
Da Bao relentlessly pushed Ling Mohan towards Feng Jin, working hard to mend his parents' relationship.
Ling Mohan, immensely pleased, ruffled Da Bao's hair. "My good son, you've done well."
Er Bao watched the entire scene with a cool detachment, showing no inclination to get involved. He continued to pick fruit obediently.
He decided that such thankless tasks were best left to those who were willing. He wouldn't get involved.
"Let me do it. You go rest." Ling Mohan reached out to take the work from Feng Jin's hands, but she slapped his hand away.
Feng Jin glared at him, her voice sharp. "Don't you know what 'a good dog doesn't block the way' means? Why are you standing here, being an eyesore? You truly have no sense!"
Suddenly cursed at, Ling Mohan stood rooted to the spot, not daring to move.
Da Bao, exasperated, put a hand to his forehead, his gaze scornful towards his father. He had tried so hard to create an opportunity, yet this was the outcome? His father was so useless, unable to even coax a woman.
He then looked at Er Bao, who was silently and mechanically working. He finally understood where Er Bao's unyielding nature came from; it was exactly like his father's.
Ling Mohan sighed helplessly and sat down by the side, quietly closing his mouth. At this point, it was better for him to speak less.
Feng Jin continued her work, stealing glances at Ling Mohan from time to time. Seeing him stand there motionless only made her angrier.
He was truly too literal. When she told him to get lost, he really just got lost, not moving an inch.
Her anger intensified, and Feng Jin took out all her frustration on the fruit. What had been a whole apple was now cut into several pieces by her knife.
The loud chopping sound made Ling Mohan tremble inwardly. He cautiously observed Feng Jin's expression.
When he met Feng Jin's fiery, warning gaze, his mind immediately snapped awake. He quickly realized what was happening and immediately got up, took everything from Feng Jin's hands, and began working diligently and without complaint.
Only then did the anger in Feng Jin's heart subside slightly. She sat down on a recliner, poured herself a cup of clear tea, and began to sip it leisurely.
Compared to Ling Mohan's tireless labor, Feng Jin now truly resembled a wealthy landlady.
Especially when Da Bao placed a peeled orange into Feng Jin's mouth, the image was even more striking.
"Daddy… work… work."
Da Bao, hands on his hips, commanded Ling Mohan, his small figure exuding an imposing aura.
"You little brat, are you itching for a beating?"
Ling Mohan put down his work and reached out to grab Da Bao, but Feng Jin's soft cough of warning reached his ears. He hesitated, then retreated, resuming his laborious task.
Feng Jin watched Ling Mohan's performance with satisfaction. At least he had some sense. He was behaving well now.
"Go get some water and water those two trees to the east."
"Fertilize the flowers to the west."
"And that vegetable patch needs its soil loosened."
Feng Jin wished she could make Ling Mohan finish all the work in one go, ordering him tirelessly.
Not daring to anger Feng Jin further, Ling Mohan dutifully carried out all her commands.
He even refused Lu Shi's offer to help, believing it was better to do it himself, lest Feng Jin find another excuse to trouble him, leaving him unable to explain himself.
"Young general, perhaps you should let your subordinate do it. You can rest for a while. The young madam won't blame you."
Lu Shi, seeing Ling Mohan drenched in sweat while he sat leisurely, felt an unbearable discomfort, as if a thorn were in his side.
"No, I'll do it myself. You go rest."
Ling Mohan refused Lu Shi's offer without hesitation and continued to work diligently, not daring to slack off even for a moment.
After a brief pause, Feng Jin's conscience stirred. She walked over to Ling Mohan's side and looked at the man, drenched in sweat. She sighed and said, "Alright, stop working. Come sit and rest. Have some tea."
If she truly exhausted him, she would have to painstakingly care for him later. That would be like lifting a rock only to drop it on her own foot, a truly unprofitable endeavor.
"It's fine, I'm not tired. You go rest. I'll finish all the work here for you today."