As soon as Da Bao and Cai Qing returned, Da Bao insisted on going out.
Feng Jin barely packed her things before Da Bao dragged her into the carriage.
As soon as the carriage drove onto the street, Da Bao became restless and clamored to get down. Feng Jin’s head was about to explode from his fussing. She instantly regretted bringing Da Bao out. Finally, she relented and had the carriage stop to the side, and they all alighted.
The moment they appeared, they attracted countless gazes from passersby. Feng Jin’s beauty was already top-notch, and coupled with the two porcelain-like children beside her, every move drew immense attention.
Feng Jin was long accustomed to such stares and walked forward with great poise and naturalness. Ling Wan, on the other hand, felt incredibly uncomfortable under their scrutiny, lowering her head and constantly evading their gazes.
Ling Wan walked with her head down, her thoughts in a jumble. She stumbled and would have fallen directly to the ground if Chu Qing hadn't quickly steadied her.
“Second Miss, be careful.”
Ling Wan quickly regained her balance, still feeling a moment of lingering fear. She looked at Chu Qing behind her with gratitude in her eyes. “Thank you.”
“Be careful, don't fall,” Feng Jin said, turning to look at Ling Wan upon hearing the commotion, her tone full of concern.
“I know, eldest sister-in-law.”
Ling Wan still kept her eyes lowered, answering distractedly.
“Auntie… go… go…” At Feng Jin’s instruction, Da Bao turned and, taking Ling Wan’s hand, ran ahead swiftly.
“Mother… want… want…”
Da Bao pointed at the candied haw vendor in front and shouted loudly. His eyes were glued to the candied haws, and saliva was about to stream from his mouth.
Feng Jin was speechless. Why was this child so gluttonous? In the end, she helplessly asked Cai Qing to pay for some candied haws.
“Mother, sweet… Mother eat…”
While Da Bao was enthusiastic about eating, he was not stingy with sharing. Anything he found delicious, he would definitely share with Feng Jin. After just one bite, finding it delicious, he insisted on putting it into Feng Jin’s mouth.
Defeated by Da Bao’s enthusiasm, Feng Jin had to open her mouth and take a small bite as a gesture. “Alright, Mother has tasted it, you eat yourself.”
“Mother… want…”
“Mother… this…”
“Mother… want this… this…”
Da Bao was like Liu姥姥 visiting the Grand View Garden, finding everything novel. He insisted on buying whatever he saw, regardless of its purpose. In a short while, their hands were full.
Da Bao continued to walk swaggeringly at the front, holding a candied haw, looking like a valiant general.
After a brief period of quiet, Da Bao stopped, turned to look at Feng Jin behind him, and patted his little belly. “Mother, I’m hungry…”
“You’re hungry again? Didn’t you just eat a piece of pastry? Why are you hungry again?”
They had bought a portion of everything edible along the way. How could he be hungry so soon? Da Bao’s stomach was simply a bottomless pit.
Feng Jin turned to the second Da Bao beside her and asked, “Second Da Bao, are you hungry?”
Second Da Bao shook his head obediently. He was not like his gluttonous elder brother, always hungry. No matter how much he ate, he couldn’t feel full and would eventually become a big fatty. With such an elder brother, he truly felt his face had been lost.
“Mother… hungry…”
Walking to Feng Jin’s side, Da Bao tugged at her sleeve and said pitifully, with a hint of tears in his eyes.
“Let’s go eat.” After walking such a long way, she was also a bit hungry. Just eating snacks wouldn’t fill her stomach. If they didn’t let Da Bao eat his fill, they would all be bothered to death.
Upon arriving at the restaurant, they found a table by the window. As usual, Feng Jin ordered a portion of all the signature dishes.
When the dishes were served, Da Bao picked up his chopsticks and began to eat heartily. He couldn’t reach dishes farther away, so he simply stood on his chair to grab them, truly embodying the posture of a diligent eater. Feng Jin was amused by his behavior.
However, the surrounding patrons’ gazes were all directed towards them. Feng Jin felt a bit embarrassed and pulled Da Bao, who was standing on the chair, down. She forcibly sat him down. “Eat with manners. What does it look like to stand on a chair? We’re outside, don’t disgrace me.”
Her old face was truly about to be lost by Da Bao. Feng Jin busily served dishes one by one into Da Bao’s bowl, lest he continue to embarrass himself.
Looking at Second Da Bao sitting beside her, he ate gracefully and slowly, a miniature version of Ling Mo Han sitting there, creating a stark contrast with Da Bao.
Feng Jin was about to praise Second Da Bao, to set a positive example for Da Bao, when Second Da Bao suddenly stood up, picked up his bowl and chopsticks, and moved to a seat farther from Da Bao, muttering two words: “Embarrassing!”
If Second Da Bao weren't so small, she would truly think that the person who just walked past her was Ling Mo Han. Every move, every expression was exactly the same as Ling Mo Han, a living replica of Ling Mo Han, so incredibly alike.
The person in question, Da Bao, paid no mind to Second Da Bao’s mockery and continued with his meal.
“Everyone eat. If you’re still hungry, we can order more,” Feng Jin said to Ling Wan and the other two, who were as stunned as she was, urging them to eat quickly so as not to draw so much attention to Da Bao.
“Okay… we’re eating… eating…”
Ling Wan was also astonished by Da Bao’s appetite. It was far beyond ordinary. She guessed that she might not even be able to eat as much as Da Bao.
“Burp…”
After eating his fill, Da Bao let out a loud burp and patted his round belly with a look of satisfaction.
“Are you full?” Feng Jin saw Da Bao’s appearance and was certain he was full.
Da Bao nodded and patted his round little belly. “I’m full, Mother eat…”
He didn't forget to put the remaining food in his bowl in front of Feng Jin, claiming it was to avoid waste. Feng Jin was completely speechless at his frugality. Should she say he was thrifty and managed the household well, or that he was concerned about her? Even the leftovers were thought of for her.
“After eating, stand up and move around. You ate so much, aren’t you worried about getting indigestion? Get up and walk quickly to digest the food in your stomach.”