Da Bao, startled, lunged straight into Feng Jin's embrace. The sudden pounce caught Feng Jin off guard, nearly sending her tumbling to the ground. Ling Mo Han, his eyes quick to react, steadied Feng Jin.
He angrily pulled Da Bao, who was still clinging to Feng Jin, away. "You are forbidden to pounce on your mother like this again. If you knock her over and she gets hurt, see how I deal with you!"
It was the first time Da Bao had witnessed his father fly into such a rage. No matter how mischievous and troublesome he usually was, Da Bao was still just a child at heart. He was so scared that he froze in place, lowered his head in a wronged manner, and dared not say another word.
"What are you doing, scaring him like that? Look at how frightened the child is."
Unable to bear seeing Da Bao wronged, Feng Jin felt her heart ache immediately. She pulled Da Bao into her arms and gently comforted him. "It's okay, see? Mother didn't fall. Father was just playing with you, he didn't really mean to scold you."
Da Bao, with a wronged look, buried his face in Feng Jin's shoulder and whimpered, "Mother, I'm sorry, I didn't mean to..."
"Alright... alright, it's fine. Mother knows you didn't mean to."
Feng Jin patted Da Bao's shoulder with a sigh. Da Bao's current state truly showed how wronged he felt.
She shot a reproachful glance at Ling Mo Han. Why had he gotten so angry at the child? Look at how scared he was.
"It's okay... it's okay..."
Feng Jin held Da Bao and soothed him for a long time before his emotions finally calmed down. Only after both children had fallen asleep did she slowly leave.
...
"Are both of them asleep?"
Ling Mo Han saw Feng Jin return and asked, putting down the scroll in his hands.
"They're both asleep. It took a lot of effort for them to finally drift off. They're getting more difficult as they grow."
Feng Jin stretched her tired muscles. It had been quite exhausting. The two children were becoming more demanding as they got older. If anything didn't go their way, they would throw a tantrum.
After coaxing them for a long time, she had finally managed to get the two children to sleep, which had worn her out. Her neck, arms, and back ached terribly; she was in great discomfort.
"I'll give you a massage."
He gently massaged Feng Jin as he pulled her to sit on a nearby chair.
"Here, a bit to the left..."
"A bit higher..."
"Press a bit harder here..."
Feng Jin comfortably enjoyed Ling Mo Han's service. If there was one thing he was good at, it was giving massages. With just a gentle press, she felt much better and less tired.
"How is it? Is the pressure right?"
Worried that the spot might not be to Feng Jin's liking, Ling Mo Han asked cautiously while massaging, ready to make adjustments if needed.
"It's fine, good..."
Feng Jin closed her eyes to rest, enjoying Ling Mo Han's service. It was truly comfortable.
After massaging for a while, the fatigue in her body had significantly lessened. Feng Jin then asked him to stop and rest.
"That's enough for now. You rest too."
The man stopped and, without complaint, brought her a cup of water. "This is the new tea brewed this year. Try it."
Taking the teacup and sipping it lightly, Feng Jin's mind was preoccupied with other matters. She wasn't in the mood for tea and put down the cup. Her gaze turned serious as she looked at Ling Mo Han, let out a soft cough, and began, "Why did you scold Da Bao like that just now? He's so young, and you were so stern all of a sudden. You'll frighten him."
The look on Da Bao's face was still vivid in her mind, and it made her heart ache.
She would feel bad for half a day if she scolded Da Bao once. Ling Mo Han, however, had been so indifferent in his scolding. Look at how scared Da Bao had become just now.
"It's all because that brat didn't know his limits and lunged at you like that. What if he had knocked you over?"
"What are you thinking? How old is Da Bao? How much strength can he have? And I'm not some frail person who'd fall over just because Da Bao pounced!"
She was amazed by Ling Mo Han's thought process. He was imagining things that weren't there, thinking that a light pounce could knock her over. Did he really think she was made of paper, ready to collapse with a gust of wind?
"What if... it's better to be safe than sorry. And... and..."
Ling Mo Han's words trailed off mid-sentence, leaving Feng Jin confused. She looked at him. "And what... finish your sentence!"
"And you might be pregnant already. What if you hurt the baby!"
Feng Jin's mouth twitched uncontrollably. Then, she slapped Ling Mo Han hard on the head.
"Is your brain filled with water? What nonsense are you spouting? And I'm not pregnant, understand!"
"That's not certain. I've been working hard during this time. If you don't get pregnant, then there's something wrong with you!"
Ling Mo Han strongly disagreed with Feng Jin. To have another cute daughter, he had been working hard lately. Perhaps the daughter was already in Feng Jin's womb, and she just hadn't realized it yet.
"Stop daydreaming. I don't plan on having another child right now. I don't want a son or a daughter!"
She stated her intentions clearly. Da Bao and Er Bao were already enough trouble. Now there was another child waiting to be cared for. If they had another one, she truly wouldn't be able to live.
She might as well tell Ling Mo Han to give up on his wish. Wanting a daughter was like trying to achieve the impossible, and it was more realistic to just dream about it, because anything could happen in dreams.
"I... I want a daughter!"
Ling Mo Han stated resolutely. His willful demeanor was indeed quite similar to Da Bao's.
"I'm not giving birth. If you want one that badly, then take another concubine and let her give birth for you. I wish you both a century of harmonious union and the birth of your precious child!"
"You... you..."
Feng Jin's words enraged him to the point where he couldn't speak. It felt like a large stone was lodged in his chest. Only Feng Jin could say such things, telling him to take another concubine.
She didn't want to have another daughter for him so badly that she would say something like that.
"I'll ask you one more time, are you really not going to give birth?"
"I... will... not... give birth!"
Feng Jin stated firmly. Her mind was made up, and Ling Mo Han couldn't persuade her with a few words.
"Then it's out of your hands!"
Ling Mo Han uttered the words and then slowly advanced towards Feng Jin.
"What do you want? You... don't come here, no... don't come near!"