Feng Qingxue had only been gone for a little while when the sight of Fubao crying her lungs out at home in the absence of her mother was found. Lying on the bed and sobbing, Du Xiaotao, no matter how much he tried to soothe her, failed to do so, sweating in desperation.
And Xibao? He just sat beside his sister, patting her while consistently saying, "Sis, don’t cry, don’t cry, okay!"
Various toys and treats were piled up beside Fubao but none could capture even a glance from her.
So, when Du Xiaotao spotted the silhouette of Feng Qingxue returning, he let out a big sigh of relief, "My dear sister, you’re finally back. Hurry, come and comfort your little girl. She has been crying since you left, and I’m completely at wit’s end."
Feng Qingxue quickly set down the first aid box and stood at the edge of the bed clapping her hands, "Fubao, Fubao, has Mommy come back?"
The crying paused, and Fubao turned over and got up, her little arms stretched out, toddling towards Feng Qingxue with shaky steps. As she got close, she flung herself forward, "Mommy!"
Feng Qingxue held her, wiped her tears, and kissed her several times, "Fubao, what are you crying for?"
"Mommy!" Fubao lay on her shoulder, incredibly aggrieved.
Xibao, a bit jealous, immediately stood up, stretching out his arms, "Mommy, I want a hug too!"
Feng Qingxue was taken aback for a moment, "Alright, Mommy will hug Xibao too."
Thus, with one hand embracing her daughter and the other hand around her chubby son—who was standing on the bed, a simple hug was possible since he couldn’t tell the difference between a hug and an arm around his shoulder.
Seeing this, Fubao turned her head and began pushing Xibao away, "Mommy!"
"My Mommy!" Xibao also tried to push his sister away. His hand reached Fubao but then he thought better of it and withdrew it, his little face taking on an unhappy expression, "Sis, Mommy is mine. Go away!"
Fubao’s response was to bury her head in Feng Qingxue’s arms and firmly refuse to budge.
Watching them, Xiaotao laughed, "So young and already vying for attention? Xibao, do you get upset when your sister competes with you for Mommy’s love?"
"Sis is bad!" Xibao complained, pointing at the food and toys on the bed, "Baby good!"
"Yes, our Xibao is the best." Feng Qingxue kissed him several times, "How about Aunt Xiaotao and I take you and your sister out to play? Let’s see if Daddy has gotten back!"
"Daddy!" Fubao’s response was immediate.
Once outside, Fubao wanted to walk on her own. Holding Feng Qingxue’s hand on one side and Xibao’s on the other, she took careful and tremulous steps forward, moving so slowly it seemed an age to travel just a few meters.
Impatient, Xibao called out to Aunt Xiaotao, and when Du Xiaotao approached, he took her hand to lead Fubao instead.
"And what will you be off doing?" laughed Du Xiaotao.
"Play!" Xibao pointed towards the open space ahead filled with children of various sizes. Little Stone was the most conspicuous among them, animatedly talking to a group of boys who were following him.
Xibao ran up to join in the fun, only to run back moments later, a look of terror on his face.
"Mommy, Mommy, there are worms in the belly, worms in the poop, Baby wants candy too!"
Feng Qingxue immediately knew Little Stone was telling his tale of a tummy ache followed by expelling roundworms after eating Pagoda Sugar. She looked down and told Xibao, "Baby is a clean and good baby; there are no worms in your tummy or poop. They won’t bite Baby!"
"Bite... bite Baby?" Xibao crossed his arms over his chest, stepping back in alarm, his fright intensifying.
With a little bald head and that expression, Du Xiaotao couldn’t help but laugh until her stomach hurt.