After dinner, they went home. Jiang Baiyuan tidied up the house. Ruyi, acting like a little adult, followed him around, fetching a broom one moment and a plastic bag the next, busily helping. When the cleaning was done, she was sweaty, and her face was flushed. Jiang Baiyuan carried her to the bathroom to get ready for bed, following last night’s routine: washing her face, brushing her teeth, and preparing the bathwater. Before letting her bathe, he washed her hair first. Ruyi’s hair was shoulder-length, black and shiny, very smooth. She inherited her mother’s good hair quality. Jiang Baiyuan couldn’t help but think of his wife’s long, silky hair that reached her waist. He had washed her hair a few times, especially when she was near childbirth, lying in the bathtub, her belly protruding through the almost transparent white dress, with gentle fetal movements as water flowed over her. Those were his happiest times. They were guarding and anticipating a new life together.
“Daddy, shampoo got in my eyes. Daddy, quick, give me a towel—” A sudden, urgent voice snapped him out of his reverie. Jiang Baiyuan hurriedly followed her command. He handed her a towel to wipe away the shampoo, then rinsed her face with water, apologizing profusely: “I’m sorry. Daddy’s so clumsy. Ruyi, are you okay?” Ruyi pouted, looking wronged: “Daddy was lost in thought again. Were you thinking about Mommy again?” Jiang Baiyuan lowered his head in shame. Memories were beautiful but also painful. They would occasionally surge into his mind, wreaking havoc, destroying the calm he tried to maintain.
