Dreaming Back to the 90s to Help My Dad Chase Away Rivals (BL)

Chapter 7: Defending the House (Part 1)

Translator: dapotaturs

Release Date: 03/18/2024

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Chapter 7: Defending the House (Part 1)

Nowadays, there's a joke circulating online about how people from the South, who haven't seen large public bathhouses, when studying in the North, would go to school baths wearing only their underwear...

As for the younger generation, Ning Xiaobei doesn't quite understand, but for those born in the 70s and 80s like him, public bathhouses are quite familiar.

Let's not talk about the tradition of men in the Jiangnan region who usually drink tea in the morning and bathe in the afternoon, or about the mixed bathhouse culture. For Ning Xiaobei, who grew up in the factory area, seeing naked people in the state-owned factory bathhouses didn't faze him.

The bathhouse at the Third Shoe Factory was a massive place with hundreds of people, and there were over a dozen masters for scrubbing and massaging. Though they didn't have fancy techniques like milk scrubbing or vinegar treatments popular in the North, the masters from Yangzhou were masters at back rubs and foot massages.

As they approached the bathhouse door, the blend of hot steam, soap, and shampoo wafted out, bringing back fond memories for Ning Xiaobei. He took a deep breath, following Ning Jianguo inside.

Inside the bathhouse, there was a lively crowd of people of all ages, many coming with their parents and children. Most of the people working in the factory lived nearby, so they were not only colleagues but also neighbors, a scene of warmth that would become rare in the years to come.

"Hey, how can this little comrade enter the women's bathhouse?"

As Ning Xiaobei followed his father towards the men's bathhouse, he heard a woman with red hair curlers and a headband calling out from behind them.

Ning Xiaobei turned back to see a boy about his age being led toward the women's bathhouse. Despite being much taller than him, the fact that he was being taken to the women's bathhouse puzzled Ning Xiaobei. And the woman leading him was someone he knew—she was Ma Zhiguo's wife, Liu Meifang!

"What's going on? My nephew is still young, and I'm worried about him going to the men's bathhouse alone, so I'm taking him to the women's bathhouse. What's wrong with that?"

Liu Meifang said confidently.

"Still young? He's almost as tall as me, not a little kid anymore. What's there to be embarrassed about?"

"The Red Sleeve" pointed at the boy and said, "And according to the factory rules, only immediate family members can enjoy the benefits. What's your nephew's status?"

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dapotaturs note: "red sleeve" (红袖) is often used to refer to a married woman. It originates from a historical context where women, especially married ones, would wear clothing with red sleeves as a symbol of their marital status and virtue.

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Seeing the commotion, more and more people gathered around. Several young female workers in their twenties were outraged to hear that such a big boy had almost entered the women's bathhouse and immediately started arguing with Liu Meifang.

"Oh, come on, he's just a kid, what does he understand? And are you worried that someone might take a look at him and find out whether he's got any flesh or not? Do you think you're so precious? Let me tell you, even if you beg us to look at him, we wouldn't bother."