Chapter 7 – Xiao Bao, You’re Really Spineless

Da Bao also recalled the sensation of being hugged by Xi Youyou just now. Her arms were soft, and his whole body was wrapped in warmth.

It actually felt pretty good.

But…

After thinking for a moment, Da Bao spoke with a reluctant expression: “Xiao Bao, don’t be so easily fooled. She might be faking this change. What if she’s scheming something else in her heart?”

“We have to stay on guard and not be tricked by her!”

Xiao Bao thought it over and felt that Da Bao had a point. She nodded in agreement.

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After Xi Youyou finished everything, she went to sleep first. Anyway, in a short period of time, their impression of her probably wouldn’t change much.

It would probably take a while for them to feel that she had truly changed, right?

All she needed to do was take care of what she ought to do.

While she slept, the two little ones waited for over twenty minutes. Then Xu Xiu and Jiang Fenglin returned from outside.

Jiang Fenglin stayed outside to wash up, while Xu Xiu pushed open the door and entered the room.

“Grandma!” Xiao Bao excitedly crawled out of bed. “Today, Comrade Xi Youyou gave us a bath. My whole body feels warm! She even put some nice-smelling cream on me and my brother—she rubbed it all over our bodies!” As she spoke, she rolled up her sleeve and held it up to Xu Xiu for a sniff.

Xu Xiu did catch a faint fragrance. She remembered that face cream—Xi Youyou used to be unwilling to use it on the kids.

She hadn’t expected her to actually apply it to their entire bodies.

It really did seem like she had changed.

“Then be good and go to sleep.”

“Our whole bodies smell good!”

Xu Xiu praised them and urged them to go to sleep quickly. The two little ones giggled and only then closed their eyes.

Maybe they were just too happy—after closing their eyes for only a short while, they fell asleep.

When Jiang Fenglin came in, Xu Xiu recounted the whole thing to him.

“Let’s keep watching for now.” Jiang Fenglin also believed that recognizing one’s mistakes and changing was the mark of a good child, but he still felt it wasn’t that simple. Even if everyone else could lower their guard, he needed to keep his wits about him.

If anything went wrong, he could still step in.

Of course, he thought this change in the kids was wonderful. After all, they had never experienced a mother’s love growing up. But one still had to stay cautious.

“I can’t speak for other things, but this time, I’m sure Youyou has truly changed. If you don’t believe me, just wait and see!” Xu Xiu huffed and pulled open the covers to lie down.

Truthfully, even she didn’t know why, but she had a strange, inexplicable feeling deep in her heart—a strong belief that Xi Youyou would truly change.

Jiang Fenglin didn’t overthink it either. After resting for a while, he also got into bed.

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The next day.

Xi Youyou still got up early the next morning to make breakfast.

Yesterday, she had cooked some noodle dough for breakfast. Today, she used spiritual spring water to make a pot of porridge, adding a bit of fried dough and vegetables. When it was finished, it gave off a fragrant aroma.

The two little ones were a bit braver than the day before. Even though Xu Xiu and Jiang Fenglin hadn’t come out yet, the children had already dressed themselves and slipped outside.

Seeing that Xi Youyou was still in the kitchen cooking, they quickly shouted loudly: “Grandpa, Grandma! Come eat breakfast!”

After coming out and washing up, Xu Xiu entered the kitchen cheerfully, holding the children’s hands. Xi Youyou had already served the porridge.

“Dad, Mom, I just made a bit of plain porridge this morning.” Xi Youyou said politely. “Let’s have it with some pickled vegetables. I’ll try making something else later today.”

Xu Xiu responded with warmth: “Alright!”

In the past, Xi Youyou had also addressed her like that, but every time, it had been with a harsh and unpleasant tone. Since yesterday, her voice had become soft and gentle—it sounded so pleasant.

Xu Xiu had even been thinking about it in bed last night. She thought, as long as Xi Youyou could treat the two children better, it wouldn’t matter too much if her attitude toward the two elders remained average.

But Xi Youyou was being kind to both of them as well.

The porridge smelled wonderful. After the two little ones sat down, they would occasionally look up at Xi Youyou.

Last night, they had discussed it under the covers, trying to figure out whether Xi Youyou’s change was genuine or fake.

So this morning, they kept sneaking glances at her from time to time.

Especially Xiao Bao.

In truth, the tenderness Xi Youyou had shown while bathing her yesterday had completely melted her heart. She already wanted to forgive her mother unconditionally.

She wanted to snuggle in her mother’s arms.

But her brother had made a good point too—so she had to keep observing.

Because she kept secretly watching, Xiao Bao was distracted while eating. Some porridge smeared onto her face.

Just as she noticed and was about to wipe it off with her hand, Xi Youyou gently held her wrist. “Wait, I’ll use a handkerchief to wipe it for you.”

She pulled a handkerchief from her pocket and softly wiped Xiao Bao’s face, then placed it back on the table.

Her movements were so gentle. Xiao Bao watched as her mother wiped her face, and an expression filled with emotion welled up in her eyes.

Her heart felt a little sour.

She truly wished her mother could always be this gentle. Her mother had been so kind just now.

She looked at Xi Youyou with joy brimming in her heart.

“All done. Eat up.” Xi Youyou said, ruffling Xiao Bao’s hair. Xiao Bao grinned and quickly slurped her porridge.

Da Bao, sitting beside her, let out a quiet snort. He even pouted a little.

His little sister was really too spineless—how could she be fooled this quickly?

Even though she hadn’t called her “Mom” yet, Da Bao could clearly see the emotion in Xiao Bao’s eyes just now.

If things kept going like this, and if Xi Youyou used a few more gentle tricks, Xiao Bao would definitely fall for her in no time.

Xu Xiu, on the other hand, looked proudly at her old man. She had said it—Xi Youyou truly wanted to change this time.

Jiang Fenglin pressed his lips together and said nothing, which earned him a glare from Xu Xiu.

Xi Youyou didn’t concern herself with what was going on between the elders. After everyone finished their porridge, she did just as she had yesterday morning—gathered the bowls and chopsticks and went to wash them.

Xiao Bao wanted to stay and accompany her, but Da Bao quickly ran over and pulled his sister away from the kitchen.

He whispered to her in a low voice: “Xiao Bao, you’re really too soft. I saw you smiling at her just now! We agreed to observe her and see if she really changed—you can’t let yourself be tricked!”

Was it really a trick?

Xiao Bao didn’t know. But deep inside, she had this strong feeling—she believed that Comrade Xi Youyou really would change this time.

She liked this version of Comrade Xi Youyou!

She also wanted to be like other children, snuggling in their mother’s arms. She wanted her mom to tie her hair in little braids, to wash her face, to play with her.

“Did you hear me?” Da Bao asked again.

Xiao Bao obediently nodded.

“Then go play. Just don’t let yourself be fooled again.” Da Bao instructed.

But the moment he finished speaking, before he even had time to react, Xiao Bao had already slipped back into the kitchen and gently tugged on Xi Youyou’s sleeve.

“Comrade Xi Youyou… can you wash our faces for us?” she asked in a small voice, head lowered, a little conflicted.

She really wanted to call her “Mom.” but the word just couldn’t come out.

Looking down at the small girl with her face tensed up, calling her “Comrade Xi Youyou.” Xi Youyou couldn’t help but burst out laughing.

“This is the first time I’ve found it so funny when you call me Comrade Xi Youyou.” she explained between laughs.

Xiao Bao’s face lit up, and she giggled sweetly along with her.

So that’s what it was. She had thought she was about to get scolded.

“Go on now. Once I finish washing the dishes, I’ll come out and wash you and your brother’s faces.” Xi Youyou said, ruffling Xiao Bao’s hair.

Xiao Bao loved the feeling of being touched by her mother. Instead of going out to play, she simply stayed nearby and waited quietly.

Of course, Xi Youyou understood why.

They had thought their mother didn’t love them anymore. Now, this sudden change had reignited their hopes.

How could they not be happy?

Xi Youyou felt happy too—but along with that happiness came a bittersweet ache.