Feng Jin watched Cai Qing's hurried departure, her beautiful brows furrowing slightly. What was wrong with Cai Qing, running so fast?
Was she truly uncomfortable if she wasn't causing trouble for a day?
Feng Jin sighed helplessly, putting the handkerchief in her hand into the last layer of her makeup box.
She noticed the half jade pendant placed beneath the makeup box and picked it up. This half jade pendant was given to her by Cui'er, but she didn't know who held the other half.
This truly worried her to death. She couldn't just carry half a jade pendant and search for people all over the streets.
Forget it, she'd just let fate decide. If they were destined to meet, the owner of this jade pendant would naturally appear. If not, even if she racked her brains to find them, she wouldn't see a single soul.
Once she made peace with it, Feng Jin stopped dwelling on it. She hung the jade pendant on her waist, placing it in a conspicuous spot to make it easier to find.
She had been so busy with these troublesome matters that she hadn't properly seen her two children for days. Now, she missed them dearly and got up to check on the little ones.
As soon as Da Bao saw Feng Jin, his face lit up with joy. He babbled vaguely, "Mama... Mama... hug..."
Toddling, he ran towards Feng Jin. Only when Feng Jin picked him up did he laugh contentedly, giggling.
In contrast, Er Bao looked at Feng Jin and Da Bao embracing each other with envy in his eyes. A hint of loneliness flashed in his eyes, and he lowered his head in disappointment.
Feng Jin saw all these unintentional little actions.
Er Bao's temperament and disposition were exactly like Ling Mo Han's – too reserved and introverted, keeping everything bottled up inside. If he didn't express his emotions like this, he would surely suffer losses when he grew up.
To maintain their mother-son bond, it all depended on her single-handedly. Holding Da Bao in one arm, Feng Jin bent down and reached out to pick up Er Bao.
The two children were no longer light. Holding one in each arm was quite tiring. After only a short while, her arms became sore and painful, and she couldn't bear it. She quickly put the two little ones down. Raising children like this was truly exhausting.
It would be so much better if she had a stroller, Feng Jin thought. A stroller that could push two babies came to mind. She would have to draw up the design when she got back and find a skilled craftsman to make it. It would be more convenient to take the two little ones out in the future.
"Mama... hug... baby... hug..."
As soon as Feng Jin put Da Bao down, Da Bao pouted with dissatisfaction and complained. He even kicked his little legs from time to time to express his displeasure.
Er Bao, standing beside them, frowned at Da Bao's useless behavior, his eyes filled with disdain.
"Alright... alright, Mama will hug you."
Feng Jin quickly hugged Da Bao, gently comforting him. The situation with Da Bao and Er Bao now clearly illustrated the saying: "The squeaky wheel gets the grease."
Da Bao, who could act spoiled and cry, always received attention immediately. Er Bao, who was too calm and reserved, was often overlooked intentionally or unintentionally.
"Do you want Mama to hug you?" Feng Jin couldn't bear to neglect Er Bao, always wanting to treat them equally. What Da Bao had, Er Bao would not miss.
However, sometimes, even when Feng Jin tried to be fair, Er Bao didn't care.
When Er Bao saw the hand Feng Jin extended, his expression was very calm. He glanced at it faintly, then withdrew his gaze, not really caring.
Being ignored like this, Feng Jin's outstretched hand dangled awkwardly in the air. The corners of her mouth twitched uncontrollably. Was this the consequence of acting presumptuously?
The little rascal gave her no face at all. Feng Jin reached out and pinched Er Bao's cheek: "You little rascal, you don't even let me hug you. Do you really think I like hugging you so much? Just keep learning from your dad, and you'll be destined to not find a wife when you grow up!"
A few years later, Feng Jin would regret what she said today. The outwardly cold Er Bao was actually very popular with girls, and there were countless little girls who followed him around every day.
Er Bao's small face contorted as Feng Jin pinched it, but he still stubbornly refused to show any expression.
Feng Jin was helpless. She gave up on Er Bao, letting him develop as he pleased. As for the lively Da Bao, she could cultivate him well; he would surely be a great menace in the future.
"You're quite biased, only caring about Da Bao and not Er Bao."
Ling Mo Han arrived just in time to see Feng Jin affectionately holding Da Bao, while Er Bao was left alone on the bed, looking quite pitiful.
"Your second son is exactly like you. I want to get close to him, but he just doesn't respond. You're both like dogs, biting the hand that feeds you, unappreciative of kindness!"
In her opinion, Er Bao's behavior was entirely due to Ling Mo Han's poor example, with the lower beam being crooked, the upper beam followed suit. Er Bao was just imitating his father.
"You're clearly biased and just making excuses for yourself."
Ling Mo Han insisted on Feng Jin's favoritism, walked to Er Bao, and didn't forget to sow discord: "See? Your mother only likes your brother and doesn't come to hug you."
Er Bao looked at Ling Mo Han with a blank expression. The two faces, almost identical, stared at each other. For a moment, the father and son didn't know what to say to each other, falling into a brief awkward silence.
Feng Jin couldn't bear to watch the father and son continue their awkward standoff: "How long are you two going to stare at each other? If you have nothing to say, then don't say anything."
With their similar personalities, she didn't know what useful words they could possibly exchange if they were together, other than staring blankly at each other.
"You little rascal, I've never seen you smile at me. I wouldn't be surprised if someone thought I had done something to you!"
He had never seen Er Bao smile and had even doubted whether Er Bao knew how to smile.
"It's all because of you," Feng Jin snorted.
What a good child, but he had to take after Ling Mo Han. She truly felt like Er Bao had been born in vain.
"Has he..."
Ling Mo Han looked down at Er Bao's face, which was carved from the same mold as his own. Just looking at their faces, they did seem quite alike.
But he felt there were still some differences, yet he couldn't pinpoint where they were.
"Not only similar, but it's not an exaggeration to say they're identical."
Some people would believe the father and son were the same person. She hoped Er Bao would be more likable than Ling Mo Han when he grew up.
Feng Jin looked helplessly at the father and son. Letting them continue their conversation would be pointless; it would only make them more withdrawn.
"Give Er Bao to me, and you go hug Da Bao. If you keep hugging him, Er Bao will forget how to speak."