"Get out of my room immediately. There's no place for you here. Just go."
As the words fell, Feng Jin physically shoved Ling Mohan out, tossing his clothes and bedding along with him. It was as if she was determined to throw him out on the streets.
"It's late, and the weather is cold and bleak. You're kicking me out now, where am I supposed to sleep?"
Wearing only a thin inner garment, a gust of cold wind swept past. Even Ling Mohan, who possessed a robust physique, couldn't help but shiver.
Feng Jin was truly ruthless. Kicking him out at this hour, was she trying to end his life?
"Sleep wherever you want. I certainly don't have a place for you here. Pack your things and leave. Go as far away as you can. I don't want to see you anymore!"
Feng Jin sat on a chair, her anger palpable. Her mind was consumed by Ling Mohan's actions.
She would never forgive Ling Mohan so easily. Let him endure a period of sleeping alone; she could also have two days of peace, free from his disturbances.
"You really are kicking me out..."
Ling Mohan continued to shout from outside the door, unwilling to give up. He had wrapped himself in a quilt, which made him feel a little better.
If outsiders saw his current pathetic state, they would surely laugh themselves to death.
In this cold weather, it was impossible for anyone to stand outside for long. Only the heartless Feng Jin would disregard his life and cast him out.
After all the love he had for her, she would do something like this to him. Did her conscience truly not ache?
"Stop howling outside. If you dare say anything more disrespectful, you'll never enter my room again."
Upon hearing this, Ling Mohan, who had been incessantly chattering, immediately fell silent. He didn't want to remain a monk forever. If Feng Jin truly forbade him from entering her room, he would be in a truly miserable state.
It was better to keep his mouth shut for now; he couldn't afford to lose a greater gain for a minor one.
The noise from outside ceased. Feng Jin glanced towards the door. Ling Mohan was still standing in the same spot, not having left.
If he wouldn't leave, then let him freeze outside. A longer period of cold might clear his mind and make him understand what he should do.
Feng Jin made up her mind and promptly blew out the lamp, throwing back the covers and lying down in the warm bed.
Having someone to warm the bed in winter was indeed a good thing. If it were during the coldest part of the previous month, she wouldn't have had the heart to chase Ling Mohan out. But now, things were different. The weather was starting to warm up, and there was a charcoal brazier indoors, so Ling Mohan wasn't as indispensable.
As the room suddenly darkened, Ling Mohan's heart also sank. Now, he truly had no hope of returning to sleep.
He could only return to the study alone and make do for the night. It seemed he really needed to install a soft couch in the study, just in case of unexpected needs.
Familiar footsteps sounded from outside the door. Feng Jin opened her eyes, which had been half-closed. He had finally left. Now, she could continue with what she hadn't finished that afternoon.
Rising from the warm embrace of the bed, Feng Jin called all her girlfriends. A neat group of four, exactly enough to continue their mahjong game.
"Young Madam, shouldn't you be sleeping at this late hour? Are you sure it's okay for us to play now?"
Chu Qing's eyelids were already heavy with sleep. She had just drifted off when the Young Madam called her, saying there was one person missing for mahjong and it was her.
Her mind was muddled for a moment, and she fell for the Young Madam's trick, following along without a clear understanding. Now, she started to regret it. Wasn't sleeping in her warm bed better? Why did she have to play mahjong in the middle of the night?
"Of course. We'll play all night long today."
"All night? Eldest Sister-in-law..."
"Just sit here with peace of mind. I've already made arrangements for everything else. I've given instructions on what to say to the outside world. Just play with peace of mind; I've got this."
To ensure they could play to their heart's content, Feng Jin had handled all their affairs. There was no need for any worry whatsoever.
"Young Madam, this servant still has to..."
"Tomorrow's matters will be dealt with tomorrow. Let's get through today first, and then we'll discuss tomorrow."
Feng Jin waved her hand dismissively, not allowing anyone to persuade her otherwise. This opportunity that she had finally waited for, how could she give it up so easily?
The three women exchanged helpless glances and uniformly began to regret coming.
"Hurry up, Ling Wan, it's your turn to play."
Feng Jin kept urging them, not wanting to waste a single second.
They played until dawn broke and the sky began to lighten, only then did the group conclude their arduous night.
"Look at how exhausted you all are. Alright, alright, we'll stop here for today. You can all go back and rest. We'll play again tomorrow."
After playing for an entire night, she too was drained. She couldn't stop yawning and truly didn't have the energy to continue.
"Young Madam, please spare me. I really don't have the strength to play anymore."
Cai Qing looked listless, with two large dark circles under her eyes. It seemed as though she could fall asleep the moment a bed appeared.
"Eldest Sister-in-law, I can't either. I really can't continue playing."
Not only was she physically unable to endure it, but her wallet also couldn't withstand it anymore. It was truly going to collapse.
Feng Jin sighed helplessly. Look at them, what kind of mahjong partners had she found? They were already complaining about not being able to play after such a short time. It was truly boring. Moreover, after playing all night, whether winning or losing, she hadn't won much.
For the sake of future games, Feng Jin decided to take out all the money she had won and place it on the table.
"This is all I've won in total. I'll give it all back to you."
"Really?"
Cai Qing asked excitedly. She was the one who had lost the most. Upon hearing this, her eyes lit up with joy, and her bright gaze fixed on the scattered silver coins on the table, as if she was about to grab them.
"Take it. It's yours."
Feng Jin waved her hand indifferently. Look at their greedy expressions, she was truly amused by them.
Winning too much wasn't good either. If they stopped playing with her, who would she find?
"Thank you, Young Madam."
Once she confirmed, Cai Qing no longer stood on ceremony and directly began to take the money back. Overjoyed, she put the money back into her purse. The feeling of a full purse was truly wonderful.
"You're an incorrigible little money grubber."