DLRC – Chapter 28 Cranberry Cookies

It really was the authentic taste of pure milk—not bitter, not even a little bit.

It seemed like the little guy wasn’t used to drinking fresh milk for the first time.

Yu Wei let out a gentle sigh. “It’s okay. If it tastes bitter, we’ll just drink less. You can have only half today. This thing is called milk. It’s very good for your body, and drinking it helps you grow taller, you know?”

Milk is extremely nutritious. From infants just a year or two old to middle-aged people in their forties and fifties, everyone needs calcium supplementation.

And milk is very rich in calcium—it’s also the cheapest and most effective source of it.

For a child like Yu Hui, who was at a prime age for growth, it was the ideal food.

So regardless of whether he liked it or not, Yu Wei was going to make sure he drank it.

If he wasn’t used to it at first, he could start with smaller amounts. Once he got used to it, she wanted him to have at least one bottle a day. It was an advantage for boys to grow taller.

So Yu Wei asked again, “Do you want to grow tall?”

“Yes.” Of course he did. He wanted to be very, very tall—taller than Mom. That way, no one would ever bully them again.

So, holding his breath, Yu Hui actually finished the entire bottle of that “bitter” milk. Yu Wei quickly popped a small piece of sweet steamed bun into his mouth to neutralize the taste.

Come to think of it, she hadn’t liked drinking pure milk as a child either. She thought the taste was off. But once she grew up, she grew to love it—drinking at least one bottle every day.

“Alright, go grab your toys and play for a bit. Mommy’s going to make some cookies.”

Yu Hui climbed down from the dining chair and went to look for toys, while Yu Wei entered the kitchen to start baking.

She had all the necessary ingredients and tools ready—even the packaging bags were prepared. She planned to make cookies to give to the neighbors.

It was her first day here, and it was important to get along with everyone. It didn’t cost much, and she could use this small gesture to earn goodwill. After all, she’d be raising Yu Hui on her own and would need the support of these long-time residents.

Cookies were one of the easiest things to bake, and Yu Wei was more than familiar with the process. In just a few minutes, a batch was ready.

The little guy was very curious about the oven that had suddenly appeared in the kitchen. He abandoned his panda toy, brought over a small stool, kicked off his shoes, and climbed up to lean on the kitchen counter, watching Yu Wei sprinkle flour and knead the dough on the cutting board.

The fluffy white dough, like chubby little babies, was rolled and kneaded by Mommy’s hands into long strips, then sliced into small round pieces.

Then he watched as Mommy pulled out a shiny tray from the square box and neatly arranged each little round piece on it.

Once the tray was full, Yu Wei slid it into the oven, closed the door, and turned the knob halfway. The oven whirred to life with a soft hum, and Yu Hui leaned in, eyes wide, peeking curiously inside.

Everything was so new to him—it left a vivid, colorful impression on his little heart.

The mother and son sat outside and waited for about 15 minutes. When the oven let out a ding, they were both startled into motion.

“Careful. Huihui, stay back a little so you don’t get burned.”

Yu Hui obediently took a few steps back, watching closely as Yu Wei opened the oven. Instantly, the sweet and fragrant aroma flooded the small kitchen.

It was a kind of sweetness he had never smelled before. The irresistible scent surged into his tiny nostrils, whetting his appetite even though he hadn’t taken a bite yet. It was deeply enticing.

“Mama.” Yu Hui couldn’t help himself. As soon as the tray was placed on the kitchen counter, he hurried over, tiptoeing up to stare intently at the milky-yellow cookies.

He stared and stared, unconsciously opening his little mouth slightly. The cookies had gone in pale white—how had they come out golden yellow?

They also smelled even better now. Although he had just eaten a steamed bun, he suddenly really wanted to taste one of these cookies.

Saliva was already flooding his mouth. Yu Wei chuckled softly, picked one up and tested the temperature. It wasn’t hot, so with gloved fingers she pinched a cookie and brought it to the little one’s lips.

Yu Hui immediately opened his mouth wide, afraid she wouldn’t get it in fast enough. Once the cookie entered his mouth, it was fragrant and crumbly.

This batch Yu Wei made had a texture similar to shortbread—crispy on the outside, soft inside, with a bit of sandy melt-in-your-mouth feel. Yu Hui squinted happily, savoring the cookie until it was all gone.

Seeing how satisfied and curious he looked, Yu Wei stifled a laugh and handed him a palm-sized plastic bag with a small handful inside.

“Don’t eat too many at once or you’ll get thirsty. Just try a few and then seal the bag, okay?” The plastic bag had a glue strip for sealing, so it could be closed after snacking.

Yu Hui nodded and took it carefully.

He knew—his new pants had a big pocket. He decided to eat three cookies now, and then put the rest in the pocket.

“Let’s go. Time to deliver cookies with Mommy.”

After happily finishing three cookies, Yu Hui mimicked the way Mommy sealed the bag, then gave his pocket a light pat to acknowledge its new contents.

That little gesture made Yu Wei stifle a laugh. Carrying three bags of cookies in one hand and holding Yu Hui’s hand with the other, they made their way to the apartment at the far end of the third floor.

There were five households on the third floor. Besides her own, there were three occupied neighbors. The one on her left was the sweet-looking petite woman from yesterday; the others, she didn’t know yet.

She knocked on one of the doors, and after two or three minutes, footsteps sounded from within.

The door opened to reveal a little girl, about eight or nine years old, with slightly yellow-toned skin and two braided pigtails hanging over her shoulders. She wore a light gray synthetic summer outfit—the most common kind. She looked curiously at Yu Wei and her son.

“Who are you?”

Yu Wei smiled gently and handed over a bag of cookies. “Hello, I’m your new neighbor next door. Are you one of the kids who lives here?”

“Yes, this is my home.” The girl glanced at the cookies in Yu Wei’s hand, hesitated for a moment, then accepted them. “What’s this?”

“These are cookies. You can eat them. I made them myself for everyone to try.” Yu Wei glanced past the girl into the empty room behind her and lowered her head. “Little one, are your parents home?”

The girl brought the cookies to her nose and took a deep whiff. The dazed look in her eyes was amusing. “My mom and dad went to work.”

These cookies smelled so good. Her mouth was already watering… The air was filled with a scent that made her tummy rumble. Too delicious!

“Shule, who are you talking to?” Another little girl suddenly appeared from inside the room. As she walked closer, it was clear—these two looked exactly alike! But this one had a fairer complexion and her clothes weren’t as wrinkled.

“Sister, she’s the new neighbor. She brought us some cookies!”

Shule’s older sister walked over and took the cookies from Shule’s hands, turning the package over a few times in curiosity before looking at Yu Wei and giving her a sweet smile. “Thank you.”

Yu Wei was slightly surprised by the pair of twins and responded with a smile, “You’re welcome. When your parents get home, remember to tell them these cookies are from your new neighbor next door. I’ll head off now. Bye!”

“Okay, bye!” The two little girls happily waved at her and closed the door.

Holding Yu Hui’s hand as they walked back next door, she suddenly heard him ask in disbelief:

“Mama, those two Sisters…”

Yu Wei knew what he was trying to ask and explained, “Yes, two Sisters who look the same. They’re twins, so they look alike.”

“Twins…” Yu Hui didn’t really understand what that meant, but seeing two identical people still amazed him.

So strange.

Yu Wei knocked on the door of another neighbor’s unit for three or four minutes but no one answered. They were probably out or sleeping. She didn’t keep knocking and instead took Yu Hui to Ling’s room.

This time, the door opened quickly. It was the petite woman she had met the day before.

“Eh? Yu… Wei!” Chen Caiqian greeted, dressed in loose pajamas, her hair a little messy, rubbing her sleepy eyes as she looked toward the doorway.

“Caiqian.” Her name was easy to remember, and Yu Wei had recalled it right away. “Sorry, did I wake you up?”

“Oh, no.” She shook her head and opened her eyes wider. “I was just getting up.”

Yu Wei smiled and handed over the cookies in her hand. “I just made these, wanted to give you a taste.”

“Wow, they smell amazing.” The bag wasn’t even open yet, but the rich milky fragrance had already reached her nose. She opened the package, picked up a cookie, and took a bite. “Yum, it’s so sweet, so delicious…”

Crispy and slightly sandy in texture, her taste buds instantly lit up with the rich sweetness that lingered on her tongue, waking her up completely.

“Thank you, Yu Wei! These must have cost quite a bit.” She popped one after another into her mouth, quickly finishing a third of the bag, praising as she ate, “You’re amazing.”

These days, outside of stores, homemade cookies were almost unheard of. This new neighbor of hers was clearly something else.

“You’re too kind. It’s actually not much different from making steamed buns. Take your time and enjoy them. I won’t keep you—I’m off to the market.”

“Okay, bye-bye!”

“Bye-bye.”

After saying her goodbyes, Yu Wei returned to her room and took out a jar of cookies from the kitchen that she had prepared especially for the landlady, ready to head downstairs.

The landlady was a special case, different from the other neighbors, so her cookies couldn’t be the same. She had made half again as much and added bits of dried cranberries.

Unexpectedly, just as she reached the stairwell with Yu Hui, they ran into the neighbor who hadn’t answered the door earlier—still as flamboyantly dressed as the day before.

She was wearing a different outfit from yesterday but still a skirt—this time a midi skirt with a short top featuring butterfly sleeves. Her voluminous chestnut curls and bright red lipstick made quite an impression.

Even someone like Yu Wei, who had seen a lot in her life, couldn’t help but take another look.

It wasn’t that the woman was exceptionally beautiful—it was just rare to see someone dressed like this in these times.

Yu Wei didn’t pay her any more attention. She planned to deliver cookies to her later in the afternoon. For now, she continued downstairs with Yu Hui. At the front gate, Jiang Aihua was chatting with a few women. Seeing Yu Wei and her son heading out, she waved at them.

“Off to work?”

Yu Wei smiled with her lips closed. “Huihui, say hi to Grandma.”

Yu Hui, already familiar with the routine, obediently called out, “Hello, Grandma.”

“Aiyoh, hello to you too, what a sweet boy.” Jiang Aihua gave the mother and son a discreet once-over and said cheerfully, “You dressed him so nicely today!”

Yu Hui was already an adorable little dumpling, and after his mom had carefully dressed him up, he looked even cuter—melting the hearts of the women present.

As for Yu Wei, she clearly knew how to take care of herself. Even in such a conservative and drab era, she exuded a certain refined sensibility.

A crisp white blouse, neat and clean fitted pants, simple shoes, and her smooth hair falling over her shoulders—all paired with her delicate features. She was certainly eye-catching.

She smiled and handed the jar of cookies to Jiang Aihua. “Auntie Jiang, I made these this morning. Please try them.”

Jiang Aihua was taken aback and instinctively tried to hand them back. “Aiyoh, what’s this now? You shouldn’t have! Yu Wei, you’re raising a child alone—that’s already tough enough. Don’t give me cookies—keep them for your son.”

Such a big jar—it could probably last her several days. How could Yu Wei bear to give it away?

Still, even as she thought that, her impression of this single mother continued to improve.

Just look—her life wasn’t easy, and she still made the effort to bring cookies for an old lady like her. What a thoughtful girl.

“It’s fine. I made a lot. Yu Hui already had his share—these are specially for you.”

Jiang Aihua was overjoyed. Who doesn’t like generous people? She happily took the jar, turning it in her hands. The golden little round cookies instantly lifted her mood.

“Aihua, is this your new tenant?” a nearby woman asked curiously, then shifted her gaze to scrutinize the mother and son.

“Yes, just moved in yesterday.”

Jiang Aihua began introducing Yu Wei to everyone, especially since they had all just seen the scene. Though some were a little envious of her generous tenant, they smiled even more broadly on the surface.

Everyone began examining Yu Wei closely, their gazes full of curiosity.

“She’s got a kid, huh. Where’s the father?” one of them asked, despite already hearing Jiang Aihua say Yu Wei was raising the child alone. She just wanted to poke at her sore spot.

The atmosphere grew a little awkward. Jiang Aihua quickly joked to smooth things over: “Oh come on! Her man isn’t around—it’s not easy raising a kid by herself. We neighbors need to look out for her, right?”

“Of course! We old gals are known for our warmth and hospitality.”

Yu Wei smiled politely and asked Jiang Aihua, “Auntie Jiang, is there a market nearby? I want to buy some groceries.”

“Oh yes, there is.” Jiang Aihua thought for a moment. “Tell you what, I’ll take you there. I haven’t gone yet myself—we can go together.”

“Thank you, Auntie Jiang.”

“No need to thank me. Just wait here while I grab a basket.”

After bidding the other women farewell, Yu Wei followed Jiang Aihua toward the market. Along the way, Jiang Aihua, in a good mood, chatted with her and introduced her to the nearby streets.

“Don’t mind what my friends said earlier. They’re just nosy and blurt things out. Hope they didn’t offend you.”

Yu Wei softened her tone and said calmly, “Not at all. They don’t know my situation—it’s understandable.”

Even if she felt a little uncomfortable deep down, she couldn’t blame them for being gossipy. After all, it was true that her child didn’t have a father.

“That’s good. I knew you were a generous one—not the type to care about that kind of thing.”

Yu Wei smiled and continued walking beside Jiang Aihua.