Feng Jin's hand, which was cutting fruit, paused slightly, a flicker of displeasure crossing her eyes. She felt a pang of discomfort at Ling Mohan seeking her out.
Her temper had not fully subsided. She was deeply dissatisfied with Ling Mohan's behavior of hiding and being unseen for an entire day, and now she didn't wish to see him.
"Perhaps the Young General truly had something to discuss with you. The maidservant didn't have time to ask further before Lu Shi had already vanished."
"Mother... sweet... eat..."
Da Bao, holding a half-eaten apple, presented it to Feng Jin, raising it high and attempting to feed it to her. He now simply felt that anything delicious must first be offered to his mother. Without any preamble, he began to pester Feng Jin to eat.
Cornered by Da Bao, Feng Jin had no choice but to take the apple and take a bite. The sweet, luscious juice spread through her mouth.
She had to admit, Da Bao was quite the discerning little foodie; he always selected the sweetest apples.
"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 contentedly, eating heartily.
Chu Qing, carrying a full basket of fruit, was about to step out when she spotted Ling Mohan's figure appearing at the doorway. She quickly bowed, "Greetings, Young General."
Upon hearing the commotion, Feng Jin turned her head. Upon clearly seeing the person who had arrived, the smile on her lips gradually faded. She shot Ling Mohan a fierce glare and then turned her head away, continuing with her own tasks as if she hadn't seen him.
Faced with Feng Jin's silent treatment, Ling Mohan's face showed a hint of awkwardness. However, knowing he was in the wrong, he approached Feng Jin with a fawning expression, attempting to make his presence known repeatedly. But, as expected, he was met with utter disregard.
Fortunately, Da Bao was very perceptive. He grabbed Ling Mohan's hand and nudged him towards Feng Jin, "Daddy... help... Mother..."
Da Bao spared no effort in pushing Ling Mohan towards Feng Jin, truly exhausting himself for the sake of his parents' relationship.
Ling Mohan, highly pleased, ruffled Da Bao's forehead. "As expected of my good son, you've done wonderfully."
Er Bao watched the unfolding events with a cold eye, showing no inclination to get involved. He continued to obediently pick fruit.
These thankless, strenuous tasks were best left to those willing to do them; he wouldn't bother.
"Let me do it. You go rest." Ling Mohan reached out to take the work from Feng Jin's hands, but his hand was directly slapped away.
Feng Jin shot the man a glare and said crossly, "Don't you know the saying 'a good dog doesn't block the way'? Why must you be an eyesore here? Truly thoughtless!"
Mysteriously reprimanded, Ling Mohan stood there somewhat awkwardly, not daring to move.
Da Bao helplessly rested his forehead on his hand, casting a scornful gaze at his own father. He had gone to such lengths to create an opportunity, yet this was the outcome. He was truly useless, unable to even coax a woman.
Shifting his gaze to Er Bao, who merely stared blankly and continued to work, he finally understood where Er Bao's unyielding nature came from. It was precisely from his father.
Ling Mohan sighed helplessly, then sat by the side, obediently closing his mouth. At this moment, it was best for him to speak less.
Feng Jin continued with her work, occasionally stealing glances at Ling Mohan. Seeing him standing there unmoving only made her angrier.
He was truly too obedient. When she told him to roll aside, he truly rolled aside and didn't even budge.
Her anger intensified, and Feng Jin vented all her frustration onto the fruit in her hands. The originally intact apple was directly cut into several pieces by her knife.
The loud sound made Ling Mohan's heart tremble. He cautiously observed Feng Jin's expression.
Upon meeting Feng Jin's fiery, warning gaze, his mind immediately jolted. He quickly realized what was happening and immediately stood up, taking all the items from Feng Jin's hands. He began working tirelessly and without complaint.
Only then did Feng Jin's anger subside somewhat. She sat down on the lounge chair, poured herself a cup of clear tea, and began to sip it leisurely.
Compared to Ling Mohan's diligent labor, Feng Jin at this moment truly resembled a landlady.
Especially when Da Bao placed a peeled orange into Feng Jin's mouth, the image became even more vivid.
"Daddy... work... work."
Da Bao, hands on his hips, glared at Ling Mohan and shouted angrily. His little demeanor was truly full of imposing presence.
"You brat, are your skin itching for a beating!"
Ling Mohan put down his work and was about to grab Da Bao when he heard Feng Jin's soft, warning cough. This made him retract his advancing steps, and he resumed his diligent labor.
Feng Jin looked at Ling Mohan's performance with satisfaction. At last, he had some sense. He was behaving quite well now.
"Go get some water and water those two trees on the east."
"Fertilize the flowers on the west."
"Also, the vegetable patch over there needs loosening."
...
Feng Jin wished she could have Ling Mohan complete all the chores in one go, giving instructions tirelessly.
Fearing further angering Feng Jin, Ling Mohan dutifully followed all her instructions and worked without complaint.
He even refused Lu Shi's offer of help, preferring to do it himself to avoid Feng Jin finding any excuse to trouble him again. Then he truly would have no explanation, even with a mouth.
"Young General, why don't you let your subordinate do it? You can rest for a while, and the Madam will not blame you."
Lu Shi, seeing Ling Mohan drenched in sweat while he sat leisurely, felt extremely uncomfortable, as if a thorn were in his back, making him feel utterly uneasy.
"No, I'll do it myself. You go rest."
Ling Mohan refused Lu Shi's offer without hesitation and continued his diligent work, not even daring to slack off for a moment.
After a moment's pause, Feng Jin's conscience also stirred. She walked to Ling Mohan's side, looking at the man covered in sweat, and said helplessly, "Alright, stop working. Sit down and rest. Have some tea."
If she truly worked him to exhaustion, she would ultimately have to take care of him laboriously. That would be like lifting a rock only to drop it on her own feet, a complete loss.
"It's alright, I'm not tired. You go rest. I'll finish all the work here for you today."