It was most prudent to let Er Bao go with Cai Qing alone. Er Bao was calm and steady; whatever he promised, he would do. Most importantly, Er Bao could resist temptation and would certainly not be swayed by the Old Master's words.
However, if Da Bao were to go along, the outcome would be uncertain, and he might not be able to return for a while.
"Mother..." Da Bao, like a spoiled child, clung to Feng Jin, his small head nuzzling against her.
But Feng Jin remained unmoved, reaching out and pulling the clinging Da Bao off her. "Mother said no, and it's no."
Da Bao's little face immediately drooped. He sat dejectedly on the chair, arms crossed, his small mouth pouting as if he were angry.
"Young Master, would you like to eat a honey tangerine?" Chu Qing offered a peeled honey tangerine, trying to tempt Da Bao. As expected, it captured Da Bao's attention.
He snatched the honey tangerine from Chu Qing's hand and stuffed it all into his mouth. The sweetness of the tangerine instantly captivated his taste buds, and he kept asking Chu Qing for more.
"Eat a little less. Your stomach will hurt if you eat too much," Feng Jin was always helpless about Da Bao's gluttony.
Compared to Er Bao, who could resist any temptation and only ate a few bites of even the most delicious food, Da Bao was indeed a stark contrast. Where there was no comparison, there was harm. They were worlds apart.
They were twins, yet their personalities differed so much. Could it be a gene mutation?
Er Bao's disposition was exactly like Ling Mo Han's. But Da Bao didn't resemble her either. Could it be that Da Bao had a gene mutation?
"Mother... Mother..." Da Bao tugged at Feng Jin's hand for a long time before pulling Feng Jin's thoughts back to reality.
Feng Jin's eyes lowered slightly. Looking at the face that was an exact replica of Ling Mo Han's, she thought that if it were a gene mutation, he wouldn't look so alike. The thought was immediately dismissed from her mind. Then, what was wrong...
"What is it?" Bringing her thoughts back to the present, Feng Jin lowered her gaze and asked Da Bao.
Da Bao extended his chubby little hand. On his palm lay a peeled but somewhat mushy honey tangerine. "Mother... Eat, I peeled it for you..."
She then realized that Da Bao had peeled the tangerine for her. Feng Jin quickly reached out and took it. She examined it, thinking it was definitely Da Bao's handiwork in such a mess.
"You peeled this."
Da Bao nodded obediently, looking at Feng Jin appeasingly. He kept urging, "Mother... Eat... Eat..."
Feng Jin's heart was immediately softened by Da Bao's subtle action. With a smile on her lips, she popped the mushy tangerine into her mouth.
The sweet flavor spread through her mouth. This was the sweetest honey tangerine she had ever eaten.
"It's delicious, thank you, baby."
Feng Jin bent down to meet Da Bao's gaze, affectionately ruffling his hair, her eyes filled with love.
"Eldest sister-in-law, you're quite patient today, and your attitude towards Da Bao is so gentle."
Ling Wan walked over gracefully, a faint smile on her lips as she looked at Feng Jin. It was the first time she had seen her eldest sister-in-law speak so gently to Da Bao. Previously, they would exchange only a few words before she would scold Da Bao severely. Today was indeed surprising and made her marvel.
"Auntie... Auntie..."
Da Bao shouted excitedly and then unleashed his most formidable pouncing skill, lunging directly at Ling Wan.
Having learned from previous encounters, Ling Wan seemed to have anticipated this. She quickly subdued Da Bao, holding him tightly in her arms, thus avoiding the fate of being knocked over.
"Da Bao, you seem to have gotten a little fatter. Auntie can barely hold you anymore."
Ling Wan had to exert considerable effort to lift Da Bao. The little fellow was growing so fast. Before long, she wouldn't be able to hold him.
"Tall... Tall..."
Da Bao grumbled a little indignantly, pointing at his head and gesturing upwards. He wasn't getting fat; he was clearly growing taller.
If word spread that he was getting fat, he would be laughed at. He was a future handsome man.
Ling Wan was amused by his seriousness and could only humor him, saying, "Okay... Okay, you're growing taller, not fatter."
After holding him for a short while, Ling Wan's arms felt sore. She had to put Da Bao down and rub her arms to alleviate the ache.
"Da Bao, don't cling to Auntie for hugs anymore. You've grown so tall now, Auntie can hardly carry you."
Feng Jin bent down, pointed at Da Bao's nose, her eyes full of affection. It wasn't just Ling Wan; even she herself could barely lift Da Bao these days.
The little fellow could eat, sleep, and grow so well. It wouldn't be long before she too couldn't carry him.
"Tall... Tall... Daddy..."
Da Bao hopped joyfully, continuously pointing upwards, expressing his desire to grow as tall as his father.
"You need to eat more to grow as tall as Daddy," Feng Jin said with a hint of helplessness. She now realized that Da Bao deeply admired Ling Mo Han.
Sometimes, she would repeat something dozens of times, and Da Bao wouldn't even glance at her. But as soon as Ling Mo Han said it, Da Bao would obey immediately.
"Alright, go play. We'll go out together when Er Bao returns."
"Okay!" Da Bao responded excitedly and immediately darted off as fast as his legs could carry him, disappearing from sight in an instant.
"Eldest sister-in-law is going out. It seems I've come at an inconvenient time..."
"You've come at the perfect time. Let's go out for a stroll later. You haven't been out in a long time either, so it's a good chance to relax."
She was already finding it boring to take just the two children out. Now, Ling Wan had appeared right on cue. It was truly a case of "no coincidence leads to no story."
Ling Wan hesitated for a moment, nervously twisting her handkerchief. After a pause, she said faintly, "But, eldest sister-in-law... I still have to... I still have to..."
"I'll speak to Auntie. I'll say I insisted on dragging you out, and I don't think Auntie will blame you. Just accompany me out for a walk."
Feng Jin took Ling Wan's hand, determined to have Ling Wan accompany her.
"Then... Alright then..."
Ling Wan hesitated, but she couldn't refuse Feng Jin and finally agreed. She hoped her mother wouldn't be angry later.
If she really got angry, then... then she would have to sacrifice eldest sister-in-law. It was her only recourse.