Bathing the Kids

Chapter 11

Thinking of that she remembered the Loofah which could be used as a sponge for scrubbing. There's ashes left from the wood used to cook yesterday which is manageable for bathing. Turning back to the kids she said,

" You both stay here let me go get something in the mountain I will be back quickly". With that she left.

"What is she going to do again leaving us standing here". The younger one muttered dissatisfied. Although he tried to control it he had been excited when he heard his mother was going to bathe them. But now she left them disappointed.

The older one clenched his fist to control his emotions. Just like his brother he was also excited to take a bathe too. Although he tried to act nonchalant, he was looking forward to it but she disappointed them again. With that the light in his eyes dimmed and the both stood there in melancholy.

Few minutes into going into the mountains, Su Ying spotted the Loofah and made her way there grabbing enough for her to bathe and the also the kids. She started heading back. Arriving she saw the kids with their head dropped low looking like abandoned kids. Approaching them she questioned what happened.

"Hey, why are you both looking like your parents died while I just went in to get this to bathe you guys". She showed them they Loofah she got and the tensed up. Amused she decided not to tease them further before they water became cold. She could understand what they were thinking so she decided to explain to them to start giving them a sense of security.

When she explained what she went to do they were shocked then embarrassed for misunderstanding her. Blushing they both muttered and cleared their throats,

"We were not thinking anything".

After seeing how they both spoke simultaneously, she burst into laughter and pinched their cheeks calling them cute. Not knowing what effect her actions had in the kids she went in to get the wood ash to start bathing.

"Brother she called us cute and pinched our cheeks, She also wants to bathe us. Do you think she has changed?". The younger asked her brother.

The older was equally shocked too but he quickly recovered his composure and answered his brother's question "Don't be too excited. Maybe she is just pretending to be nice. Didn't you hear when she said she needed our help with something that's why she is being nice".

He knew it was cruel to tell his brother that but he preferred shattering his fantasies than being disappointed by their mother again. So to protect their selves he had to be harsh.

Su Ying came out again and called out to they younger one to enter the bucket to start bathing. He arrived and entered. Su Ying scooped water and started bathing him thoroughly leaving now spot untouched. Quickly the water turned black and she poured it away and scooped another one to continue bathing him. She bathed him thrice before she was satisfied.

"You can come out now so your brother can bathe ". Su Ying woke up the kid who was in a trance watching her bathe him. Recluntantly he stepped out to allow his brother bathe. The elder one seeing how gentle their mother bathed the younger one eagerly entered the bucket. Su Ying repeated the process and bathed the older one too. After that she poured the water away and got two willow sticks for them to brush their teeth while she washed their dirty clothes.

It dawned on her that the kids had only two clothes. She had already washed this one but thankfully the still had one more clothes. After brushing their teeth she led them inside to dress up before heading to the kitchen to start cooking. She boiled another water for plucking the pheasant feathers and went back to the children's room.

She brought out their clothes and placed it on the bed. The cloth was filled with patches but still wearable. After they were done she asked them to come drink water she got from her space. They children were weak and emaciated so she decided to start feeding them the space water to build their health.

They children obediently took the water from her and drank it. Their warriness and vigilance had already been reduced a bit. After drinking the younger one smacked his tongue in delight because of how sweet the water tasted.

"It tastes nice because I added some sugar to the water. So if you behave well and be good boys I won't only bathe you everyday but also give you sugar water to drink". Su Ying gently coaxed them. The kids looked at each other then nodded in agreement. It was now time to start cooking.