Chapter 7: Bath Time
In the north, it often snows in winter, especially in mountainous areas where the snow can accumulate to half a meter deep. During the coldest days of winter, it was no longer possible to conduct frequent training exercises in the mountains. The soldiers in the camp began to have more academic classes added to their schedule. Every evening, they would gather, bringing their own small stools and notebooks, to attend classes in the conference room. Mi Zehai was in charge of this work, and when Bai Jingrong had free time, he would also come to observe their progress. The soldiers’ morale was high and enthusiastic.
Bai Jingrong was very satisfied. Noticing that Mi Zehai didn’t have many books, he made a special effort to get some military theory textbooks left over from last year’s military academy class from an old friend. These were internally published by the military, and some even had key points highlighted, making them very useful. At the same time, besides military theory, subjects like Chinese and politics, which were part of the unified exam, also had to be studied. Mi Zehai took the lead, checking notebooks every weekend and even grading them. A few new recruits were already starting to stand out with good results.
Mi Zehai was very pleased about this. He had been leading soldiers for several years, and seeing the men under his command succeed was as gratifying as if he himself had earned the honor.
None of this had much of an impact on Mi Yang. At four months old, his range of activity was very limited. The farthest and most frequent place he went was to little Bai Luochuan’s home.
After a while, Mi Yang noticed that the barracks were being cleaned and red lanterns were being hung up. Everyone’s faces also started to look festive and cheerful.
Cheng Qing pulled his little scarf up a bit higher, kissed his ice-cold little cheek, and said with a smile, “It’s almost the New Year. This is Yangyang’s first time celebrating the New Year!”
Mi Yang blinked his eyes. The New Year is coming.
Mi Yang spent the Spring Festival of 1989 in the military camp. By the time he was old enough to remember things, his impression of life in the barracks was no longer that vivid. He only recalled a few uncles from his father’s hometown who often came to see him, bringing him malt sugar crisps covered in sesame seeds and one or two toys. Experiencing it all over again so earnestly gave him a sense of novelty.
During this time, Cheng Qing was learning to knit from Mrs. Bai. She didn’t have much yarn, so she unraveled an old sweater, planning to knit a new, stylish one as a New Year’s gift for Mi Zehai in the next few days. He was always on the front lines leading his soldiers, and his clothes were worn to shreds.
Mrs. Bai had also come here because she didn’t want to be separated from her husband, specifically bringing their child along to accompany him. Life in the barracks was lonely, and having Cheng Qing as a companion to chat with made it more interesting. Moreover, Cheng Qing was sensible and reasonable, so Mrs. Bai was happy to spend more time with her. It wasn’t just about knitting; as the two of them sat together, they gradually started talking about more things, and their bond grew much stronger.
Mi Yang’s routine was even simpler. He would bring his own baby bottle, occasionally have a few sips stolen by little Bai Luochuan, and then practice his grip strength by trying to snatch it back. That’s basically how his mornings went.
Little Bai Luochuan had started teething. Tiny, rice-grain-sized white teeth had emerged, and he loved to gnaw on things.
Mi Yang’s bottle had suffered quite a bit; he had gone through three nipples this month alone. But there was no stopping this little robber. Even when Mrs. Bai gave him a new bottle, it was no use. The little young master was convinced that whatever Mi Yang had in his hands was better. Even if Mi Yang was just gnawing on his own hand, he could sit beside him drooling with envy. One time, he even took a bite of Mi Yang’s hand. Mi Yang, not one to be outdone, first “pfft-ed” at him, then let out a wail and started fake-crying for the adults—Bai Luochuan was six months old, and he was four. Who cared about losing face by crying? A wise man doesn’t fight a losing battle; retreat is the top priority.
Today was the same. Mi Yang was gulping down his milk while warily eyeing little Bai Luochuan. However, the little demon was being held and fed egg yolk. It was probably his first time trying it, and he was eating with such relish that, for once, he wasn’t paying attention to the bottle.
After Cheng Qing finished feeding them, she waited a moment and then asked, “Sister Luo, should we start now?”
Mrs. Bai nodded. “Alright.”
Before Mi Yang could figure out what was happening, he and little Bai Luochuan were carried into the inner room. In the center of the room was a small bathtub, with a small tent-like structure propped over it to prevent heat from escaping. Mi Yang only had time to kick his feet before his own mother deftly stripped off his clothes and placed him in the tub. With a “plop,” a naked little Bai Lu-ochuan was also placed inside, sitting in the tub with him, face to face, eye to eye.
Mi Yang turned to leave, but as a baby, his ability to resist was less than that of a cat. He was quickly held down and scrubbed clean.
The little young master opposite him was clearly not a first-timer at this kind of bath. He played as he was being washed, giggling happily.
Cheng Qing wrapped Mi Yang in a thick, fluffy towel and carried him to the bed. While getting out a set of new clothes, she teased him, “It’s the New Year! We’re taking a bath and wearing new clothes. Isn’t Yangyang happy?”
Mi Yang wasn’t particularly happy. He thought the usual wipe-downs with a warm towel at home were just fine. This was his first time soaking in a tub, and it was with Bai Luochuan, which couldn’t help but remind him of the time they had soaked in a hot spring together in their previous life. Back then, the young master Bai was at the peak of his temper, at his most rebellious and unafraid of causing trouble. He had brought a starlet to a party, and the starlet was outside, crying and making a scene like the world was ending. The young master Bai, with a sour face, occupied one side of the luxurious, spacious hot spring pool while he occupied the other, neither of them speaking. Mi Yang was awkward, not knowing what to say. The young master Bai was drinking iced wine, his eyes dark and unreadable, lost in thought…
Just as Mi Yang was lost in thought, a chubby little face suddenly appeared before him, grinning and revealing little white baby teeth as it giggled at him.
To be fair, Bai Luochuan had been handsome from childhood to adulthood. With a face like that, he could have easily starred in a milk formula commercial.
After his bath, the little young master Bai was a soft, dewy bundle. His baby-fat cheeks were plump, and his snow-white skin was so fair it practically glowed like a peeled egg. He sat there, playing with a building block and babbling “yiyi yaya.” The soft hair on his head, which had been hastily dried, stuck up on both sides.
Mi Yang was dressed much faster than him. He was already wearing his little padded trousers, and Cheng Qing was putting him in a pair of overalls, which looked especially cute.
Mrs. Bai noticed and said, “Oh, Yangyang’s outfit is quite pretty. Is it new?”
Cheng Qing said shyly, “I made this myself. If Sister Luo likes it, I can make a set for Luochuan too. It’s quick to make clothes for children. I can rush it in the next couple of days, just in time for him to wear new clothes for the New Year.”
Mrs. Bai didn’t stand on ceremony with her and nodded with a smile. “That would be wonderful. There are no shopping malls around here. I was just worrying about what to dress the baby in for the next few days.”
