Qian Renxue's Sour Remark

Mother had never bathed her.

Not even once.

Ever since she could remember, it had always been Nurse Zhou who bathed her.

Nurse Zhou's hands were very gentle, the water temperature was always just right, and she would always apply fragrant powder after every bath.

Sometimes she would wonder, when would Mother ever bathe her?

Even if it were just once.

She would definitely sit still and behave, without crying or making a fuss.

But it never happened.

Now, Mother was learning from Nurse Zhou how to bathe the little brother.

Her heart felt so sour.

It was as if someone had squeezed a sour lemon into her chest, making her whole body shrivel up from the bitterness.

Qian Renxue bit her lip hard, sobbing softly but not daring to make a sound.

She couldn't cry.

If she cried, Mother would be angry.

The last time she cried, Mother told her to go back to her own room without even sparing her a second glance.

But her tears wouldn't listen.

A tear rolled out of her eye socket and trickled down her cheek.

Qian Renxue hurriedly raised her sleeve and wiped the tears away vigorously.

But they kept flowing after she wiped them, and wiping them only made them flow more; her sleeve was soon soaked through.

She stood on her tiptoes, remaining where she was.

She dared not leave, nor did she dare to go in.

She could only listen from afar, her heart filled with jealousy and grievance.

Just then, the door opened.

After Bibi Dong finished learning the essentials of bathing, she walked out holding Luo Dong, then paused at the doorway.

She saw Qian Renxue.

That Little Girl of over three years old was standing not far outside the door, shoulders hunched, pressed against the wall, her eyes red and her sleeve soaked through.

Her lips were bitten white, tear tracks she hadn't managed to wipe away still hung on her face, and she hiccuped with sobs from time to time.

Bibi Dong's gaze lingered on Qian Renxue for a fleeting moment.

Then, she withdrew it.

She didn't say a single extra word.

She didn't look again, either.

Just like that, holding the Infant in her arms, she walked past Qian Renxue.

The sound of her footsteps gradually faded down the corridor.

Qian Renxue stood where she was, watching Mother's back grow smaller and smaller, further and further away, until it finally disappeared around the corner at the end of the corridor.

She finally let out the sour breath she had been holding in her throat; her entire body felt as if its strength had been drained, and she slowly crouched down against the wall.

The tears flowed again, more and fiercer than before.

But she didn't dare to cry out loud; she covered her mouth with her hands, her shoulders shaking as she sobbed.

The three-year-old Little Girl didn't yet understand what favoritism was, nor did she understand why Mother didn't like her.

She only wondered if she had done something wrong?

Was it that if she were just a little better, a little more obedient, Mother would treat her the same way she treated that little brother?

To bathe her with her own hands...

Nurse Zhou stood at the doorway, watching the Little Girl's back as she crouched on the ground crying silently. She opened her mouth as if to say something, but in the end, it was just a soft sigh.

Their relationship was too complicated; she was just an ordinary nurse and had no standing to intervene.

It was better to just do her own duty and not meddle.

Bibi Dong carried Luo Dong back to the room and closed the door behind her.

She went over the things Nurse Zhou had just said in her mind, then began to prepare.

A copper basin.

A pot each of warm water and cold water.

A soft towel.

Clean replacement clothes. Dry blankets for wrapping.

Everything was placed on the low table beside the bed, one by one, within easy reach.

Then she began to adjust the water temperature.

First, she poured in hot water, then added cold water.

She used the inside of her elbow to test the temperature.

Nurse Zhou said this skin was the most sensitive, more accurate than fingers.

The first time she tested, it was a little too hot. She added more cold water, tested again, and it was slightly warm, about the same as body temperature.

Just right.

She turned and began to unwrap Luo Dong.

Layer by layer, the cloth was pulled away, revealing his tender, white little body.

Luo Dong felt a chill and instinctively kicked his legs, letting out a soft grunt.

Bibi Dong paused.

Then she reached out, following Nurse Zhou's instructions.

One hand steadily supported Luo Dong's head and neck, while the other cradled his soft little bottom, lifting him from the swaddling clothes.

The infant's body was incredibly soft.

There was no support at the neck, and his little head could tilt to the side at any moment.

Bibi Dong's palm firmly supported the back of his head, daring not to slacken.

She brought Luo Dong to the copper basin, first dipping a soft towel in warm water and starting to wipe him from his face.

Her movements were very slow.

The pressure was very, very light.

The towel wiped his forehead, cheeks, chin, circled his eyes and ears, moving little by little over his delicate skin.

Then came his little neck.

Nurse Zhou said dirt easily hid under the neck.

She folded the towel into a small corner and meticulously cleaned every crease.

Luo Dong lay in Bibi Dong's palm, feeling the warm towel glide over his skin.

Not hot, not cold, with a gentle touch, it was so comfortable he almost let out a hum.

He looked up at Bibi Dong.

Bibi Dong lowered her head, her brow furrowed, her expression as focused as if she were completing an extremely intricate craft.

Her breathing was light, her hands steady and gentle, and she lowered her head to confirm she hadn't missed anything after wiping each spot.

Her usually cold face softened with a hint of warmth.

Her lips were slightly pursed, her eyes devoid of coldness or distance, filled only with complete concentration and seriousness.

A feeling Luo Dong couldn't quite describe welled up inside him.

This woman was truly learning and doing with all her heart.

Regardless of her initial motives, whether for strength or something else, every action she took towards him now was filled with a tenderness she had never shown anyone else.

But she was learning to be a mother.

After washing his face and neck, she moved on to his arms, belly, back, legs, and finally his little feet.

Every part was washed with utmost care, not even the spaces between his fingers were missed.

Finally, Bibi Dong wrapped him in the dry towel she had prepared beforehand.

From head to toe, he was snugly covered, with only his little face exposed.

Then she held him in her arms, gently patting his back.

Luo Dong comfortably yawned.

His body felt warm all over after the bath, and wrapped in the soft blanket, sleepiness washed over him like a rising tide.

Just then, the system panel lit up in both their minds simultaneously.

[Mission Complete]

[Reward Issued: Soul Power Level +1]

[Current Soul Power Level: Level 85]

Bibi Dong's arms holding Luo Dong tightened slightly.

Another level up.

From level 83 to level 85, two levels in one day.

This speed, throughout the continent's history, likely had no equal.

And now she could be sure that every task given by this system was real.

Every reward was a tangible increase in power.

Her gaze fell on Luo Dong's sleeping little face, complex emotions surging in her eyes.

There was excitement.

There was shock.

And there was a hint of maternal radiance, awakening within her as a mother, that she herself hadn't even noticed.