443. Bathing

"Yes~ Mom just can't fall asleep," Bibi Dong responded to Qian Renjue's question, sitting cross-legged on the bed with a wistful expression.

She leaned forward slightly, resting her elbow on her knee and propping her face on her hand. Her purple eyes glimmered as they lingered on her two children.

With a warm smile, she said, "But now that you're back, I think I'll sleep soundly."

"Then, Mom, you should go wash up and rest early," Qian Renjue gently urged.

Bibi Dong shook her head slightly, her gaze resting on Qian Renxue. She spoke softly, "You go ahead, dear. I’ll chat with Xiao Xue for a bit."

As her words fell, Qian Renxue handed Qian Renjue the clothes he planned to change into, playfully stuffing them into his arms.

Patting his shoulder with a grin, she teased, "Hurry up and wash, then warm up the bed for us."

With that, she walked over to the bedside.

"..."

Qian Renjue glanced at the two women nestled together and could only nod.

"Alright~"

Click!

The sound of the bathroom door closing signaled Qian Renjue’s retreat.


---

On the bed.

Qian Renxue clung to Bibi Dong's arm, leaning in close to give her a goodnight kiss on the cheek. She then rested her head on her shoulder, nuzzling affectionately.

In a soft voice, she cooed, " Mom, how about we take a bath together later?"

"Sure~" Bibi Dong agreed with a gentle smile, her delicate hand reaching up to stroke Qian Renxue's face and give her cheek a playful pinch.

"I’ve never helped you bathe since you were little~"

"Haha~ So does that mean Mom is making it up to me now?" Qian Renxue teased with a sly glint in her eye.

"Let’s call it that," Bibi Dong said softly, her gaze filled with warmth and a trace of guilt.

Qian Renxue pursed her lips, her heart softening as she leaned into Bibi Dong’s side.

Gazing up at her with flushed cheeks, she said in a playful breath, "Then, shouldn’t Mom also make it up to Jue?"

"Xiao Xue! W-what nonsense are you spouting? Jue is already..." Bibi Dong exclaimed in flustered reprimand, her cheeks flushed, making her look even more stunning.

"Haha, I was just joking~" Qian Renxue laughed gleefully, imitating Bibi Dong's earlier tone.

Bibi Dong rolled her eyes in mock annoyance, sighing, "Xiao Xue, you’re too bold sometimes."

"Because you’re my mom~" Qian Renxue murmured, wrapping her arms around Bibi Dong’s, her voice soft and full of affection.

"..."

Bibi Dong was momentarily taken aback, then smiled gently.

Yes, Xiao Xue had always been strong-willed, much like herself.

She stroked Qian Renxue’s silky hair, speaking in a tender voice, "Alright, tell Mom what you two have been up to."

"Mm~"

Qian Renxue nodded slightly, closing her eyes.

Her soft lips parted, and the first sentence left Bibi Dong momentarily stunned.

"We went to a hotel and took care of it."

"W-what?!"

"Pfft, haha! Nothing like that, Mom. We brought the Zhu family’s young lady along."

"Another woman?!"

"It’s not what you’re thinking, Mom. We were handling business."

"What kind of business requires going to that kind of place?"

"..."


---

Qian Renxue animatedly shared their recent experiences with Bibi Dong, showcasing her playful charm and storytelling skills.

Not even fifteen minutes had passed when Qian Renjue, fresh from the bath, emerged from the bathroom amidst the lingering steam.


With damp golden hair draped over his shoulders and dressed in black sleepwear,
Qian Renjue gently ran his fingers through his wet hair as he gazed at the mother and daughter lying on the bed.

“Mom, Sister, I’m done,” he said softly.

“Mm~”

Bibi Dong, lazily embracing Qian Renxue by the waist, responded with a hum.

In a gentle tone, she instructed, “Help Mom get her clothes first.”

“And mine too,” Qian Renxue added, snuggling into Bibi Dong’s soft embrace.

“...”

Qian Renjue sighed deeply, shaking his head in resignation. Without answering, he walked toward the wardrobe adjacent to the two women.

Feeling a bit awkward, he rummaged through it, though thankfully it wasn’t too messy. With Ah Yin’s assistance, he quickly found what he needed.

At that moment, Bibi Dong and Qian Renxue sat up, holding hands and stepping onto the floor barefoot.

They exuded the aura of inseparable sisters—elegant, noble, and utterly dazzling.

“You seem reluctant,” Bibi Dong teased, pinching Qian Renjue’s cheek gently, her delicate brows arching as if expecting a reaction.

“Not at all. See? I brought them over,” Qian Renjue replied, holding up the clothes in his hands with a wronged expression, blatantly denying his discomfort.

“Hmph~! I can tell you’re just pretending!” Qian Renxue huffed, raising her hand to summon a Sacred Flame.

The flame transformed into a small, snake-like form and began circling Qian Renjue, drying his long, golden hair in no time.

“Thanks, Sister,” Qian Renjue muttered, forcing a sheepish smile.

Qian Renxue’s demeanor softened as she patted his shoulder and teased, “No need to thank me. That’s what sisters are for.”

Qian Renjue blinked, slightly confused, feeling that the pair were acting oddly.

Bibi Dong, on the other hand, smiled warmly. She reached out to touch Qian Renjue’s golden hair, still warm from the drying.

“Don’t rush off to bed just yet,” she advised.

“Hm?”

Though puzzled, Qian Renjue obediently nodded.

Qian Renxue took the clothes from his hands with a grin, linking arms with Bibi Dong as they headed toward the bathroom together.

“Did Sister and Mom plan something?” Qian Renjue murmured to himself, scratching his neck before shaking his head. Deciding not to overthink it, he strolled to the bed and sat down.

He retrieved a hefty Encyclopedia of Soul Master Curiosities from his system space and began flipping through its pages.


---

The room grew quiet, save for the soft rustling of pages being turned.

From the bathroom, however, came the lively sounds of water splashing and hushed conversations.

Through the frosted glass, two silhouettes could be seen—one washing the other’s back, rinsing their legs, and gently lathering shampoo into their hair.

Over an hour later, the misty bathroom air revealed Qian Renxue helping Bibi Dong into her clothes with thoughtful care. Hugging her from behind, she teasingly said:

“Mom~ You could just grab your sword and charge out if needed.”

“No need for that,” Bibi Dong replied, shaking her head with a soft smile, a hint of anticipation glimmering in her eyes.

“I know Jue well. He yields to softness, not force.”

“That’s not true, Mom. He responds to both!” Qian Renxue laughed mischievously.

“That only applies to us,” Bibi Dong quipped with a knowing look.

“Fair enough~”

Their quiet whispers didn’t carry outside the bathroom.

Qian Renjue, still immersed in his encyclopedia, remained oblivious as he continued reading.

Click!

The bathroom door creaked open, and a wave of warm steam rolled out.

Delicate, misted footprints appeared as bare feet stepped onto the ground.

A graceful figure moved toward Qian Renjue, each step leaving damp impressions on the floor.

Plop!

The muffled splash of water caught Qian Renjue’s attention, prompting him to look up.

The sight froze him in place.

Fresh from the bath, Bibi Dong’s radiant complexion was adorned with a healthy, rosy flush. Her graceful features exuded a noble elegance, while her eyes brimmed with maternal warmth.

Wearing a robe, her perfect figure crouched by the bedside, radiating an unparalleled charm.

Before her rested a basin of steaming water, its gentle ripples reflecting the room’s soft glow.