Today's gym class at school was a bit different from usual. Typically, the children were noisy and playful, but today they gathered in a circle, occasionally letting out exclamations of "wow."
"My little brother is so cute," Yueyue said proudly, like a little rooster. "His cheeks are chubby and soft, just like a little patch!"
As she spoke, she pulled out her phone. Normally, elementary school students weren't allowed to bring phones, but Yueyue loved showing off. To let everyone see her brother, she had sneaked her phone out, filled with pictures of her baby brother.
"And you know, my little brother is also very cute when he's sleeping. If you put your finger in his hand, he'll grab onto it," Yueyue continued excitedly.
Although these were small things, Yueyue's enthusiastic storytelling captivated her classmates, who listened with rapt attention.
"Wow, Yueyue, have you ever held the baby?" Xixi asked, wide-eyed.
Yueyue's body stiffened for a second, then she raised her head high. "Of course! I'm his big sister, after all. Whenever I hold him, he stops crying and falls asleep right away!"
"I wish my parents would have a baby too!" one child exclaimed.
"Yeah, if I had a little brother, he could do my homework for me!" another added.
Hearing her classmates' comments, Yueyue relaxed and let out a sigh of relief. She had been lying; she hadn't actually held the baby yet. Her parents and grandparents wouldn't let her, afraid she might drop him.
Hmph! Yueyue pouted, kicking at the rubber track beneath her. She was determined to hold her baby brother one day.
---
That evening, Jada was putting the baby to sleep early, seizing the opportunity to take a bath herself. She still couldn't shower fully yet, but after being wrapped in blankets and wearing thick clothes all day, she was starting to feel uncomfortable and really needed to wash up.
Since it was still a bit too soon for a full shower, Ren had to help her wipe down. Normally, this wouldn't be necessary, but Jada's mom had gone back home to fetch some farm chickens to make chicken soup for Jada, so she wasn't around to help.
"Yueyue," Ren called his daughter, who was still watching her brother.
"What is it?" Yueyue walked over, clutching her cheese stick tightly, looking at Ren with big, innocent eyes. "You already had one! There are only a few in a bag!"
"Do you think I'm that greedy?" Ren glared at Yueyue, feeling his dignity was being questioned. He ruffled her hair and said, "Your brother is asleep, and I need to help your mom with her bath…"
Before he could finish, Yueyue looked puzzled. "Dad? Can't Mom wash herself?"
She glanced at Jada with a bit of disdain. Even though she didn't say anything, Jada could see the disdain in her daughter's eyes and found it both amusing and annoying.
"Now is a special time," Jada explained, "Mommy's body isn't ready yet, so Daddy needs to help me. I haven't had a proper bath in a while."
Even though it had only been a week, it felt much longer to Jada, who used to bathe every day. This whole situation was unusual for her, and she couldn't help but find it a bit ironic. Giving birth to Yueyue hadn't been this complicated.
However, she was happy to feel so cared for by Ren.
Ren smiled and said, "Now, I have a task for you, Yueyue!"
"Alright!" Yueyue straightened up, full of enthusiasm.
"Your brother is asleep, but I don't know when he might wake up. So while Daddy helps Mommy, you need to watch your brother and make sure he stays quiet. Can you do that?" Ren asked gently.
"Of course!" Yueyue shouted, raising her hand, only for Ren to quickly cover her mouth and glance at the sleeping baby. Seeing he hadn't woken, Ren sighed in relief.
"Shh!" Ren made a quiet gesture with his finger to his lips.
"Shh!" Yueyue imitated the gesture, whispering, "I'll do my best with Little White!"
"Woof!" Little White seemed to understand too, barking softly.
"Good luck!" Jada said, giving her daughter a thumbs-up before heading to the bathroom.
Yueyue sat by her brother's crib, smiling brightly at her mom.
---
"Can you close your eyes while you help me wash?" Jada asked after entering the bathroom and closing the door behind her.
"Why?" Ren laughed. "We're old married folks. Why are you shy?"
"It's just... my belly looks so bad now," Jada said, touching her stomach, which was now marked with stretch marks from the pregnancy.
Any woman would feel self-conscious showing her less-than-perfect body to her partner.
"Your belly looks bad?" Ren asked, his smile softening as he embraced Jada. "Silly, no matter how you look, I'll always love you. These marks are proof of what you've done for us."
Jada bit her lip, hesitating for a moment before saying, "Alright."
After a rustle of clothing, a beautiful figure stood before Ren, her body now marked by the trials of childbirth.
Ren knelt down, pressing his face against her belly.
"Let go! I haven't washed yet, I'm all dirty!" Jada protested, her face flushing.
But Ren held her tighter, ignoring her words. "Thank you for everything."
His warm breath on her skin made Jada's heart feel equally warm and full of happiness.
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