Carefree Farmwife: Training the Husband, Raising the Bun - Chapter 65

Bai Lefu took the Rubik’s Cube, turned it around, and found it very fun. She couldn’t help but ask, “Huzi, how do you play this?”

Huzi’s eyes rolled. “Then from now on you’re not allowed to cry anymore. If you don’t cry, I’ll teach you how to play!”

Bai Lefu nodded right away, quickly asking Huzi how to play.

When Ying Su came in with the hot water, she saw the two children with their heads almost touching, playing with the Rubik’s Cube. Bai Lefu was turning it, and the little bun was pointing out directions at the side. The two of them looked very harmonious.

That scene made Ying Su’s lips curve into a smile. Before, she had thought that little bun’s temperament was a bit withdrawn, aside from playing with Dazhuang, he rarely interacted with the other children in the village. Now that she saw him getting along so well with Bai Lefu, she felt very pleased.

Ying Su poured the hot water, tested the temperature, and said to the little bun, “Stop playing, go take a bath first.”

The little bun answered, lifted his head, and said to Bai Lefu, “You keep playing. Don’t forget to use your brain. After I finish bathing, I’ll come back and teach you, let’s see if you can complete one side.”

Bai Lefu said with confidence, in a soft voice, “I’ll definitely be able to do it.”

Because the little bun had been influenced by feudal thinking, he always insisted on bathing by himself. He said men and women should be separate, so he never allowed Ying Su to help him.

The little bun went to his own room to bathe. Ying Su carried another bucket of water, set the tub in her own room, and called Bai Lefu over for her bath.

The little girl followed behind Ying Su, complaining, “Auntie, why is your family so poor?”

Ying Su was speechless. Before she could answer, the girl continued, “That family we ate with tonight, are they your relatives? Their food tasted awful, and it was so dirty! I want to eat the food from home.”

“Then go home and eat.” Ying Su replied flatly.

Bai Lefu didn’t understand people’s expressions, she was used to others watching her mood. She went on, “Auntie, why don’t you hire a maid? Things like making a fire should be done by servants. At home, the servants dress me and do everything for me whenever I say. Auntie, when Father comes, I’ll ask him to get you a few servants to wait on you.”

“Sure!” Ying Su thought to herself, might as well take advantage. Truly a young lady from a wealthy family, and already at this age she despises poverty.

“Auntie, these stools and tables in your house look decent, but the wood isn’t very good. At our home, the furniture is made of aloeswood, it smells so fragrant.”

The corner of Ying Su’s forehead twitched. “Bai Lefu, haven’t your parents ever taught you not to pick faults in other people’s homes?”

Bai Lefu looked blankly at Ying Su, then said, “Auntie, why are your clothes so ugly? The young ladies in Jiangnan are all wearing cross-collared satin brocade pleated skirts now. Tomorrow I’ll ask Father to buy you a few sets!”

Ying Su finally couldn’t hold it in. She grabbed the little girl by the collar and dropped her into the tub.

Bai Lefu was startled, splashing a couple of times in the water. She stood up, scrunching her little face, “How can you be so rough? Even our roughest maids are better than you—”

Under Ying Su’s cold glare, Bai Lefu finally realized and shut her mouth, lowering her head and pretending to play with the Rubik’s Cube.

“Huzi always bathes himself. You’re no exception. Wash yourself before the water cools, or else you won’t be allowed to go to bed!” Ying Su said expressionlessly.

She had originally intended to help the little girl bathe herself. But now? Sorry, she had no such mood!

Bai Lefu stared at Ying Su with wide eyes, disbelief on her face. After a long pause she muttered, “I’m only six years old, I don’t know how to bathe myself…”

“No one is born knowing how to do everything. If you don’t know, then learn. There’s always a first time.” Ying Su had no intention of serving a spoiled young miss. She had already done her good deed by saving the girl, and now by bringing her home, feeding her and housing her. Did she also need to wait on her hand and foot?

Besides, her own little bun had always been sensible. Ying Su never needed to fuss or worry about him, so she had no habit of serving children.

Bai Lefu set down the Rubik’s Cube, her little face showing grievance. “But at home there’s always someone to bathe me…”

Ying Su stripped off her clothes and smiled faintly, “Then you can go back home.”

Bai Lefu blinked her watery big eyes, tears welling up, looking pitiful. But Ying Su wasn’t soft-hearted in the least. “Crying won’t help. Otherwise, tomorrow I’ll just send you back to the yamen.”

Bai Lefu had never been treated this way before. She felt aggrieved to the extreme, and her young miss temper flared up. She said angrily, “How dare you treat me like this! I’m the Bai family’s young miss! If you dare mistreat me, I’ll have Father punish you!”

Ying Su laughed at that. This little girl really was spoiled, already so young and she knew how to bully people with her family’s power!

“You’re indeed the Bai family’s young miss. But right now, you’re in my house. What kind of young miss are you here? If everything has to be done for you, then why do you even have hands and feet?” Ying Su tossed the words over her shoulder and left the room.

Bai Lefu sat miserably in the tub, tears rolling down her cheeks. She cried while muttering, “You’re a bad person. I don’t like you anymore!”

After a while, Ying Su pushed the door open again. She brought in a set of Huzi’s clothes and placed them beside the tub. “Change into these after your bath.” She left again.

Bai Lefu cried for a while, but knowing Ying Su wouldn’t come in to help, she had no choice but to start bathing herself. While washing, she thought angrily that once Father found her, she would complain fiercely about this!

After the little bun finished his bath, Ying Su drew another bucket of hot water to wash herself. She didn’t bother worrying whether Bai Lefu had bathed properly or not.

When Ying Su came back out, Bai Lefu was already playing Rubik’s Cube with the little bun again. She was wearing Huzi’s clothes, which didn’t fit her at all. Since Huzi was two years younger and shorter than her, the clothes looked rather small.

Normally, with her spoiled young miss temperament, Bai Lefu would never wear such ugly, ill-fitting clothes. But now she knew that if she didn’t wear them, no one would care, so she obediently put them on.

When Ying Su came over, little bun’s attention instantly left the Rubik’s Cube. He smiled and said sweetly, “Mommy, are we continuing Journey to the West tonight?”

Ying Su nodded.

The little bun cheered, flipping onto the bed. Bai Lefu, sitting on the stool, looked longingly, she wanted to climb onto the bed like Huzi. But since she was still angry with Ying Su, she stayed seated on the stool.