Chapter 27: Chapter 27: Xu Shuhua’s Boldness

Yu Wei grabbed the candy and led his five younger brothers aside to share it out. Yu Hai quickly picked up a small stool and sat down next to Xu Shuhua.

“Mom, where did you go? And why did you buy candy?”

The Yu family always lived frugally—Xu Shuhua never splurged on candy for the kids. What was going on today?

Xu Shuhua shot Yu Hai a glance, then pulled back the floral cloth covering her basket a bit more and took out a tin can from inside.

The moment Yu Hai saw the can, his eyes went wide with surprise. “Malt... malted milk?! Mom, you bought malted milk?!”

“Look at you, making such a fuss! It’s just malted milk, so what? Why, am I not allowed to buy it? I bought it for Nuanbao. In a bit, go make her a bowl.”

“Okay! No need to wait, I’ll do it right now. Mom, you hold Nuanbao for me!”

As he spoke, Yu Hai placed Nuanbao in Xu Shuhua’s arms, grabbed the tin of malted milk, and headed for the kitchen.

They were talking in the courtyard, not far from the kitchen, and hadn’t bothered to lower their voices. The people cooking inside all heard them.

Before any of them could react, Yu Hai came rushing in, clutching the tin.

Chen Qiaoqin was the first to greet him. “Dahai, did Mom buy malted milk for Nuanbao?”

“That’s right! Quick, get me a bowl. Is there any boiled water ready?”

“Yes, yes, there is!”

Chen Qiaoqin turned to fetch a bowl, and Yu Hai took the chance to open the tin.

As soon as he lifted the lid, a rich milky aroma wafted out, making Yu Hai’s mouth water.

Malted milk was a real treat—five yuan a can, not something every family could afford.

Yu Hai was still admiring the can when Chen Qiaoqin brought over a bowl. He hurriedly took the little spoon from inside the tin, scooped out a spoonful, and put it in the bowl, muttering, “How many spoons should I use?”

Chen Qiaoqin had never had malted milk before either, so she didn’t know. She just added another spoonful for good measure, then carefully poured in some hot water.

As the hot water covered the powder, the sweet, creamy smell instantly filled the air.

Yu Hai and Chen Qiaoqin both took a deep breath. “It smells so sweet!”

It really was good stuff!

Without wasting time, Yu Hai handed the tin to Chen Qiaoqin, grabbed a spoon, and, stirring as he went, walked back out to the courtyard.

Yu Nuannuan had heard of malted milk before. Back in the sixties, seventies, and eighties, it was a famous nutritional supplement—her elders always said it was delicious.

She never imagined she’d get to taste it herself.

As Yu Hai approached with the bowl, Yu Nuannuan caught a whiff of the sweet aroma.

Xu Shuhua smelled it too. “That scent... you can tell it’s something good! Hurry, bring it over for Nuanbao to try. If she likes it, we’ll buy another can!”

Hearing this, Yu Hai was startled and nearly dropped the bowl. “Mom, buy more? It’s five yuan a can!”

“So what if it’s five yuan? As long as Nuanbao likes it, she can have as much as she wants!”

If his hands weren’t full, Yu Hai would have given Chen Qiaoqin a big thumbs up.

That’s his mom for you—her boldness was something else.

Yu Hai scooped up a spoonful, blew on it to cool it down, and held it to Yu Nuannuan’s lips.

Yu Nuannuan carefully leaned in and tasted a little. Her eyes lit up as she smacked her lips.

It really was delicious!

So much better than the bland, watery rice porridge she usually had!"

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