Chapter 880 - 882: A Scene that Stings the Eyes_1
Jiang Yichun wanted to stop, but Little Dengdeng was either shy at this moment or found it ticklish as his little belly squirmed and his legs kicked out energetically. With no other option, Jiang Yichun had to steady his son to prevent him from falling off the couch.
Lin Hanlan ceased speaking as well and took her snow-white handkerchief, dampened it with water, and began to wipe Little Dengdeng’s bottom. The handkerchief, intricately embroidered with orchids, soon took on a light yellow tinge as she cleaned.
Since Lin Hanlan had lent a hand, Jiang Yichun felt it would be inappropriate to maintain a harsh tone and politely said, "Thank you."
Bai Ruozhu swiftly treated Tu Bai’s wound and rewrapped it. Concerned about Li Jingwei outside clamoring to inspect the injury and fearful he might utter disrespectful words towards Bai Ruozhu, Tu Bai said to Tu Ying, "I don’t feel very well, and there’s nothing more for us siblings here anyway. You go ahead and accompany our big brother back."
Supporting him, Tu Ying said, "Alright, we’ll head back first. Ruozhu, you need to give it your all later."
Bai Ruozhu smiled, "I’m just making up the numbers. I’ll tell you about my results in mounted archery later."
After Tu Ying and Tu Bai left, Li Jingwei hurriedly followed them, and Lin Xufei greeted Bai Ruozhu before returning to the competition ground.
Bai Ruozhu, concerned about Jiang Yichun and the child fetching something, decided to check on the VIP seats. But as she walked, she passed by the resting room where Jiang Yichun had taken his child to change steps and heard laughing from Dengdeng inside. She quickened her pace instinctively.
Without a doubt, the little rascal had either peed or pooped, necessitating Jiang Yichun’s abrupt departure from his seat to change the nappy.
Approaching the door, she caught a foul smell. As the child’s food was not mixed, the poop was not overly smelly, but Bai Ruozhu had an especially keen nose.
The mother, naturally accustomed to it, approached with a smile. What she saw was this—
Jiang Yichun was holding the child while a woman next to him cheerfully wiped the child’s bottom. They coordinated seamlessly, resembling a couple jointly caring for their child, even though Lightning stood by, looking highly embarrassed. Yet, this scene still pricked at Bai Ruozhu’s eyes.
She cleared her throat as she entered. Hearing her voice, Jiang Yichun turned with the start of someone shocked, looking over nervously. The way he looked made Bai Ruozhu feel he was somewhat guilty.
"Achun, how could you let Miss Lin help? Look, you’ve dirtied her handkerchief. You really don’t know how to be polite," Bai Ruozhu said with a smile and mirth in her eyes as she walked over and stood between the two, blocking their hands.
She casually took a dry cloth and, with one hand, snatched her son’s little feet from Jiang Yichun’s hands. Any mother knows that changing a diaper is something many can manage on their own.
Jiang Yichun saw the faint smile on Bai Ruozhu’s face, yet her eyes were cold and stern. He opened his mouth intending to explain, but in the end, he closed it again.
With Bai Ruozhu’s temperament, the more he spoke at the moment, the more it would backfire.
Lin Hanlan didn’t seem embarrassed at all. She threw the soiled handkerchief into the water, stepped back with a chuckle, and asked, "Sister-in-law is skilled indeed. We were all flustered just now. Brother Yichun is still not good at taking care of the child alone. How come you didn’t bring a wet nurse with you?"
Bai Ruozhu didn’t acknowledge her and focused on folding Dengdeng’s diaper as if she hadn’t heard a thing.
The diaper she prepared for Dengdeng wasn’t folded into a long strip and passed under the child’s bottom like those generally used at the time. Instead, she layered a cloth with a piece of gauze, the gauze folded into a triangular shape and fitted under the child’s bottom, and wrapped it up like a modern disposable diaper. The front was secured with a peculiar item made of leather in the middle and equipped with small claws on both ends.
Lin Hanlan, amazed, watched with curiosity. After all, her family didn’t have such a thing.
Jiang Yichun didn’t answer Lin Hanlan’s question. It was only when Bai Ruozhu finished her work and looked up that she showed a surprised expression and asked, "Did Miss Lin just speak to me?"
"Oh, I was just asking why you didn’t bring a wet nurse to help out. We have some very good wet nurses at home. Would you like me to send one over to help you for a while?" Lin Hanlan looked extremely enthusiastic.
No matter what, the other party meant well, but Bai Ruozhu, thinking back to what had happened before, couldn’t help feeling repulsed. She passed the matter back to Jiang Yichun, saying, "Achun is so fond of the child that he insists on taking care of him himself. There’s no use in me saying anything."
After speaking, she picked up Little Dengdeng and walked out of the house. Little Dengdeng hadn’t seen his mother in a long while and was so excited that he hugged her neck and even kissed her on the face.
Jiang Yichun certainly didn’t dare to upset Bai Ruozhu further, so he hurriedly said to Lin Hanlan, "No need, we are used to taking care of him ourselves. The child isn’t comfortable with others looking after him."
Bai Ruozhu didn’t mind them and continued walking forward. She still wanted to see the results of the archery competition.
"Eh, didn’t Miss Lin also participate in the archery competition? Why did you leave before hearing the results?" Bai Ruozhu suddenly stopped and turned to ask.
"My brother went to check on Tu Bai’s injury, and I wanted to follow him, but I somehow ended up walking this way and just happened to run into Brother Yichun," Lin Hanlan said.
Jiang Yichun’s eyes darkened slightly. He had taken the child and left mid-way through the event, so he didn’t know whether the results had been announced. Lin Hanlan herself had participated in the competition but had left suddenly. Maybe her appearance here wasn’t the coincidence she claimed it was?
Bai Ruozhu laughed quietly without exposing her. Lin Xufei had obviously gone in that direction; could Lin Hanlan’s sense of direction really be this poor? She’s from Xuanlang Academy, isn’t she familiar with the testing ground?
At this moment, the judges on stage loudly announced the rankings of the archery competition: First place, Tu Ying from Beiyu Academy!
The displeasure in Bai Ruozhu’s heart was instantly set aside. Somewhat excitedly, she wanted to tell Jiang Yichun, "Did you hear that? Tu Ying took first place!"
But remembering she was still upset with him, she instantly turned to her son instead and, shaking Little Dengdeng’s hand, said, "Dengdeng, did you hear that? Your Auntie Tu Ying got first place!"
Dengdeng didn’t understand, but seeing his mother so happy, he also joyfully waved his little hand and giggled.
The rankings continued to be announced, and soon, the judges mentioned Tu Bai’s name. With his steady performance, he secured fifth place!
Bai Ruozhu felt her eyes growing moist. Tu Bai’s efforts hadn’t been in vain. Although it was only fifth place, it was not for nothing; he had indeed earned some honor for the students. If he hadn’t been injured, his results surely would have been even better.
"Wow, Beiyu Academy got first place, and two in the top five, congratulations to you all!" Lin Hanlan cheerfully congratulated them.
"It’s the result of their siblings’ hard work," Bai Ruozhu replied cheerfully to Lin Hanlan.
Then, the judges announced the names of those who came in sixth to tenth place. Unexpectedly, Lin Hanlan and Bai Ruozhu were also mentioned—Lin Hanlan was ninth, while Bai Ruozhu was exactly tenth.
"Sister-in-law, you’re also amazing at archery. After the competition is over, shall we go hunting together one day?" Lin Hanlan asked enthusiastically.
"I’m not that good at riding horses, and besides, I have to take care of the child. Let Achun accompany you," Bai Ruozhu secretly rolled her eyes at Jiang Yichun.