The Evening Routine: Bath Time and Bedtime Stories

In the evening, after dinner, Fu bao and Li Xiaolei played in the yard for a while and soon grew sleepy.

Seeing her yawn and rub her eyes, Mrs. Li walked over to scoop her up, saying affectionately, "Little one, feeling sleepy? Let's go take a bath and then off to bed!"

Fu bao, being a girl, didn't bathe outside like some of the other kids in the yard. Mrs. Li was concerned she might catch a cold bathing outside, so she prepared a wooden bathtub in the back room for her.

With the water already boiled, Mrs. Li poured some cold water into the tub first, then added the hot water. After testing the temperature to ensure it was just right, she set a small stool beside the tub, sat down, and cradled Fu bao in her arms, gently undressing her for her bath.

Fu Bao quickly responded, "Grandma, I'll wash myself."

"I used to have Grandma help me when I was five."

Mrs. Li was initially surprised, then burst into laughter, "You're getting so independent as you grow up! Alright, you can wash on your own."

At this time, Li Xiaolei ran in and said cheerfully: "Grandma, I want to wash with my sister!"

The old lady Li turned her head and glared at him, "Get lost! You're too old for that. How can you bathe with Fu Bao? Don't be shameless! Remember, you're a boy and Fu Bao is a girl. You can't bathe together"

"But, when we were younger, I used to bathe with Fu bao!"

Li Xiaolei was aggrieved. When he was younger, he used to bathe with Fu bao, and they would always have fun together, making Fu bao laugh. How come as they grow older, they are no longer allowed to bathe together?

Ever since he turned seven, Mrs. Li had stopped allowing him to bathe with Fu Bao.

"You know it was when you were younger!" Grandma Li scolded, a bit frustrated. "Get out quickly and don't peek at the girl."

Li Xiaolei stuck out his tongue, turned around obediently, and left.

Grandma Li gently patted Fu Bao's head and said, "Little one, wash yourself, Grandma is outside. Call out if you need anything, alright?"

"Ok!"

It was the first time that Fu bao took a bath by himself. Although it wasn't a difficult task, Mrs. Li was still not at ease. After waiting for a while, when she couldn't help but go in and take a look, she heard Fu bao's milky voice, "Grandma, I'm ready to wash!"

Fu bao emerged wearing a little pink skirt, with chubby cheeks, hands, and feet, and a slightly bulging belly, looking adorable.

"Such a big girl, bathing all by herself, how wonderful!" Grandma Li embraced her, overflowing with love for her little granddaughter. Smelling the faint scent of soap on Fu bao's body melted her heart completely.

She took Fu bao to the bed, pulled down the mosquito net, and meticulously checked for any mosquitoes or bugs. After confirming the absence of any pests, she tucked Fu bao into bed, covered her with a small quilt, and sat by the bedside, watching over her.

Only when Fu bao fell asleep, Mrs. Li would go to sleep, every night.

Fu bao slept with Li Xiaolei, but Mrs. Li was afraid that he might take up too much space, so she made him sleep on the edge of the bed, almost hanging off the side.

Mrs. Li turned a blind eye to this, considering that the boy was tough and wouldn't be afraid of falling. He wasn't as delicate as her little granddaughter, who needed to be handled with care.

If others were to see this, they'd probably find it odd again. The Li family always had its quirks!

For some reason, Fu bao slept very fitfully that night, with a vague feeling that something was about to happen.