Bai Li noticed a strange glint flash in Yu Qingqiu’s eyes and knew her question was ill-intentioned. However, Bai Li also wanted to smell the entire can of milk powder Shen Qionghua was currently drinking from, to determine whether only this cup was problematic or the whole can was tainted.
So, she went along with Yu Qingqiu’s words and replied, “Auntie, Li Li hasn’t smelled Grandma’s whole can of milk powder yet, so I don’t know!”
Upon hearing this, before the Yu family could react, Yu Qingqiu had already stood up, fetched a can of milk powder from the side of the living room, and brought it over. “Li Li, this is the milk powder Grandma has been drinking lately. Smell it and see if there’s a problem.”
Bai Li didn’t move at all. Instead, she blinked her big eyes at Yu Qingqiu, her expression carrying a hint of “Why are you just handing it to me like that? How silly of you.” “Auntie, Li Li can’t open the milk powder can. I can’t smell it.”
Yu Qingqiu’s smile stiffened. “Oh, it was Auntie’s oversight.” This little brat was so troublesome. What did it matter if she opened it herself? She had to make Yu Qingqiu do it. Just wait and see how she’d make this little brat lose face later.
Thinking about how, no matter what Bai Li said about the milk powder, she could make her lose face, Yu Qingqiu felt excited. Her hands trembled slightly as she opened the lid.
Yu Jianguo watched their interaction with a slight smile, feeling gratified. At his age, having achieved both fame and fortune, he enjoyed seeing the younger generation in the family getting along harmoniously. If Lixia and Qingqiu could forget what happened yesterday and get along as peacefully as before, that would be a good thing.
Watching Bai Li take the milk powder can from Yu Qingqiu with a beaming smile, her little face almost buried in the can, while Yu Qingqiu looked at Bai Li with concern, Yu Lixia felt uneasy. Based on her understanding of Yu Qingqiu and Wei Linlang, no matter what Bai Li said about the milk powder, the two would seize the opportunity to mock Bai Li. When that happened, her daughter would suffer again.
Thinking back to yesterday, when she heard the trafficker say her daughter was dead and had been discarded by him, that heart-stopping, suffocating feeling made Yu Lixia shudder with fear. She had almost lost her daughter.
If she hadn’t kept compromising, her daughter wouldn’t have been in danger. From now on, she must protect her daughter well and never let her suffer or face danger again.
With this thought, Yu Lixia unconsciously straightened her back.
Ignoring everyone’s thoughts, Bai Li pressed her nose close to the edge of the milk powder can, sniffed, then immediately moved the can away and exhaled forcefully. “Hmph! Hmph! Hmph!” Her features nearly scrunched into a ball.
When everyone saw Bai Li lift her head, they couldn’t help but laugh, unable to control the corners of their mouths, which all turned upward.
Yu Shi’an and Wei Linlang couldn’t hold back either and burst into loud laughter.
“Mom, Cousin Li Li looks so funny!” Yu Shi’an couldn’t resist, laughing as he rolled into Qin Xiuqiao’s arms.
Wei Linlang was even more unrestrained, pointing at Bai Li and laughing heartily. “Hahaha, Bai Li is so dirty, even dirtier than a little beggar…”
Before she could finish her sentence, Yu Qingqiu covered her mouth.
Seeing everyone laughing joyfully, Bai Li looked somewhat bewildered. Her puzzled gaze swept over Shen Qionghua, noticing her grandmother’s eyes were squinted with laughter, then turned to Yu Lixia.
Seeing her daughter’s jet-black eyes clear yet bewildered, her fair little face distinctly marked with a circle of milk powder, as if someone had drawn a circle with powdered milk, Yu Lixia couldn’t help but twitch the corners of her mouth, even as she tried her hardest to suppress her laughter.
Taking the milk powder can from Bai Li’s hands, Yu Lixia then pulled a handkerchief from her pocket and carefully wiped the milk powder from Bai Li’s face.
Yu Qingqiu had long been impatient beside them. While Yu Lixia was wiping the milk powder from Bai Li’s face, she smiled and asked Bai Li, “Li Li, is there anything wrong with this can of milk powder?”
Bai Li glanced at Yu Qingqiu, then turned her head away, refusing to look at her. Did she think Little Pi Xiu didn’t know she had just been laughing at Little Pi Xiu? “Auntie, you laughed at Li Li, so Li Li won’t tell you!”
Yu Qingqiu, choked by Bai Li’s words, grew a bit angry. “Li Li, Grandma drinks this milk powder every day. If there’s a problem, you must say so. You can’t keep quiet just because you’re upset with Auntie.”
Hearing Yu Qingqiu’s words, Yu Lixia, who was holding her daughter nearby, immediately frowned. “Qingqiu, even if you want to criticize Li Li, at least listen clearly to what she says before voicing your opinion.”
“You and Linlang put Li Li in danger yesterday. Li Li said she won’t forgive you, so it’s normal for her not to want to tell you. But Li Li hasn’t said she won’t share the results.”
“Li Li is still a child of just over three years old. She doesn’t have the messy, complicated thoughts you imagine.”
“Yes, yes, yes! Li Li just doesn’t want to tell Auntie!” Bai Li nodded vigorously beside them, agreeing with Yu Lixia, though inwardly she thought, Huh, Mom didn’t hold back with Auntie this time.
Seeing Bai Li nod like pounding garlic, Shen Qionghua couldn’t help but chuckle and spoke up to help Yu Qingqiu out of the awkward situation. “Then, Li Li, can you tell Grandma if there’s anything wrong with this milk powder?”
When Bai Li saw her grandmother asking her, she put on a serious expression for Shen Qionghua. “Grandma, this milk powder smells bitter. You shouldn’t drink it.”
Shen Qionghua was quite surprised to hear this. “Li Li, Grandma has been drinking this milk powder every day before, and it tasted fine—no bitterness. Could it have gone bad?”
As she spoke, she picked up the milk powder can from the table, examined the powder inside, and sniffed it just as Bai Li had done. “Li Li, this milk powder hasn’t gone bad. It smells the same as yesterday, with no bitterness.”
Then, she reached for the enamel cup, intending to taste the milk powder inside, but Bai Li pressed her hand down to stop her.
“Grandma, this milk powder has a problem. It can make people sick. You mustn’t drink it!” Bai Li opened her round eyes wide, looking earnestly at Shen Qionghua.
Yu Jianguo, who had been nearby, suddenly spoke up. “Ah Hua, since Li Li says the milk powder has a problem, you shouldn’t drink it. I’ll take this can to the office later and have someone test it.”
Bai Li hadn’t expected Yu Jianguo to be the first to believe her and was somewhat surprised, looking at him in astonishment. “Grandpa, you must have the uncles and aunties check it carefully. Li Li wouldn’t smell it wrong.”
Seeing Bai Li look up at him with such earnestness, Yu Jianguo felt delighted and couldn’t help but beckon to her. “Li Li, come over here by Grandpa. How about having breakfast with Grandpa?”
Bai Li slid off her stool with a “whoosh,” took off with her little legs, and “tap-tap-tapped” over to Yu Jianguo’s side. Without waiting for him to pick her up, she pushed off with her toes, trying to jump onto the stool.
However, the stools in the Yu family were high, and Bai Li only managed to give a slight jump, failing to get onto the stool, which made her frustrated as she reached out and patted the stool.
Stupid stool, why couldn’t it just shrink a little to let Little Pi Xiu get up?
Seeing Bai Li’s adorable appearance, the corners of Yu Jianguo’s mouth lifted once more. He reached out, scooped Bai Li up, and placed her on the stool, asking with a loving expression what she wanted to eat.
Sitting opposite, Yu Qingqiu watched Yu Jianguo shower Bai Li with affection and felt displeased. Raising her eyebrows, she suddenly asked Yu Lixia, “Sister, why did you harm Mom?”
If she was unhappy, no one else should feel at ease either.