Chen Lan quickly washed up and then picked up the wailing infant that her mother, Wen Rou, had handed her.
"Hey! How strange! The crying baby immediately stopped when I held him and started nuzzling into me. Is he looking for food?"
Chen Lan was taken aback! The days of feeding a baby felt so distant, she could barely remember. Her daughter had stopped breastfeeding around ten months old, and that was decades ago... Lost in thought, the baby grew impatient and started crying loudly again!
Liu Mama quickly handed over a warm towel. "Here, Madam. Please use this warm towel first."
As Chen Lan applied the warm towel to the baby's cheeks, she said to Liu Mama, "Mama, I was breastfed by you. Please treat me like your own daughter and call me Lan'er! Or Xiao Lan is fine too."
"But how can that be?" Liu Mama hesitated, glancing at Chen Lan's mother, perhaps worried she would be displeased.
Wen Rou immediately chimed in, "Sister Liu, you grew up with me and accompanied me when I married into the Chen family. We've been together for decades and never parted. I've always considered you my own sister. Listen to Lan'er; no more 'Missus.' Call her Lan'er!"
Liu Mama's eyes reddened, and she repeatedly agreed, "Mm! Mm! Okay! Okay! Lan'er!"
Chen Lan said happily, "Ah! Ah!"
The brisk mother-in-law urged, "Quick! Quick! My precious grandson, my darling, is unhappy! He's about to throw a tantrum! We need to satisfy his craving and let him have his fill. Hurry!" With a wave of her hand, she said, "Come, come, my dear relative, let's go out. This child is too shy."
Wen Rou followed her out, muttering, "This child, already a mother of two, is still so sentimental! Really! Dear relative, thank you for your understanding. My child is young and doesn't know any better, please help guide her patiently." Wen Rou walked alongside, being solicitous and polite.
Watching their retreating figures and hearing Wen Rou's careful, gentle voice and actions, Chen Lan's eyes welled up. Her once proud and aloof mother, like a secluded orchid, learned and virtuous, detached from worldly affairs, was now sacrificing everything for her daughter to have a good life and please her mother-in-law. All dignity, self-respect, and pride were cast aside for the sake of her children.
Chen Lan silently vowed to do everything in her power to ensure Wen Rou lived a peaceful, happy, and worry-free life for the rest of her days. She would also help her mother raise her two younger brothers, educate them well, and help them become useful talents for the country.
The impatient baby in her arms began to whimper while suckling, likely due to insufficient milk and the effort involved.
Chen Lan mentally willed herself to open the shopping app on her phone. She quickly browsed the formula section and found a domestic brand, the best-selling one suitable for infants under three months old. She swiftly ordered ten packs. As soon as she submitted the order, a delivery notification popped up: the goods had arrived at the warehouse. She clicked on the warehouse, then 'extract,' and the items immediately dropped onto the bed.
Chen Lan quickly picked up a pack and opened it, inhaling the rich, fragrant milky scent. The kraft paper packaging was blank. Among the pile of formula, Chen Lan spotted a pink and a blue milk bottle. "Good heavens! What a pleasant surprise! The manufacturer is so thoughtful! This solves a big problem for me."
She hurried to call Wen Rou back. Wen Rou and Liu Mama entered together. Wen Rou asked, "Are you full already?"
Chen Lan replied, "Not full, he's whimpering because there isn't enough milk!"
Wen Rou said, "I'll quickly make some thick rice soup, or he'll fuss again. Oh dear, it's such a bother! It's so hard to find even a milk goat now. My precious darling will go hungry!"