Chapter 48 Asking Someone to Make Steamed Egg Custard

With no other choice, she could only lead An'an, who looked like a wilted little cabbage, back to the desolate educated youth compound, stumbling along the way.

In the kitchen, a few dark red embers still faintly shone from deep within the stove, emitting a faint glow.

Xu Zhili was overjoyed. The fire was still burning, saving her the trouble of starting it again. She could then make something for her younger brother to eat.

She looked at Li Chunyan, who was tidying up by the stove, and spoke in a soft, pleading voice: "Sister Chunyan, look... An'an is so hungry he can't stand it anymore. Since An'an came to the countryside with me, he hasn't had a proper meal. These past two days he's been so listless and can't eat anything. Thank goodness Aunt Wang felt sorry for him and secretly gave him these two eggs..."

She opened her palm, revealing two small, still warm eggs from the hen, and asked cautiously, "Could you please steam a bowl of egg custard for An'an? Just to tide him over."

Upon hearing this, Li Chunyan immediately put down the rag in her hand, her eyes softening like melting spring water, filled with heartache.

She walked a few steps to An'an, squatted down without hesitation, her gaze level with the little one's, her rough but warm hands gently stroking An'an's soft forehead hair, her voice so gentle it could melt hearts:

"Oh dear, my poor little one, is your stomach rumbling? Look how pale your face is! Don't worry, Sister Chunyan will perform a magic trick for you and conjure up a bowl of fragrant, tender egg custard. I guarantee our An'an will eat until her little belly is round and full!"

Xu Zhian's originally dim eyes suddenly lit up like a light bulb.

He nodded vigorously, like a chick pecking at rice, and unconsciously smacked his lips twice, as if he had already tasted the wonderful flavor.

Xu Zhili gently squeezed her younger brother's palm as a reminder.

An'an immediately looked up and called out in a clear voice, her voice trembling slightly with anticipation, "Thank you, Sister Chunyan! An'an... An'an loves steamed egg custard the most."

"Why are you being so polite with me?" Li Chunyan smiled as she stood up and deftly took the two precious eggs from Xu Zhili's hands.

She walked to the stove, picked up a large, rough porcelain bowl, and gently tapped the egg on the rim of the bowl—with a soft "click," the eggshell cracked open, and the bright yellow yolk, wrapped around the glistening egg white, slid "slipped" into the bottom of the bowl.

She picked up a pair of bamboo chopsticks, and with a quick flick of her wrist, the golden egg liquid swirled and blended in the bowl.

Xu Zhili wasn't idle either. She quickly squatted down in front of the stove, picked up the fire tongs, carefully brushed away the ashes to reveal the dark red embers underneath, and then skillfully added a few thin, soft, dry straws and a few small pieces of firewood.

"call--"

A flame leaped up joyfully, its orange light instantly illuminating her focused face and warming the cold stove.

The leaping firelight reflected in her eyes, and she couldn't help but think of the lively seafood in the space.

This time, it wasn't just craving, but a determination bordering on anticipation: An'an, just wait a little longer... I'll definitely raise you to be strong and healthy, and then... there will be plenty of lobsters!

“Xu Zhiqing, if you encounter any problems while raising An’an all by yourself, just tell me, and I will definitely help you.”

"Sister Chunyan, thank you so much. I will definitely come to you if I need anything."

Li Chunyan smiled and didn't say anything more. After stirring the egg mixture, Li Chunyan, relying on her experience, added some warm water to the bowl, along with a pinch of salt.

This is her secret to never failing at steaming egg custard. After stirring again, she picked up a small copper spoon and patiently and carefully skimmed off the tiny white bubbles from the edge of the bowl.

Finally, she found a plate of suitable size, placed it on top of the bowl as a lid, and steadily put it into the pot that was already steaming and bubbling.

"Xu Zhili, don't make the fire too big in the back, keep it low."

Li Chunyan stood by the pot like an experienced old helmsman, saying, "This steamed egg custard has to be simmered slowly over a low flame. You can't be impatient. Only in this way can it be steamed like tofu pudding, so that An'an can eat it smoothly and digest it easily."

Xu Zhian clung to her sister's legs like a little tail, her small body leaning slightly forward, her nostrils flaring as she tried to catch the increasingly clear and alluring aroma of eggs in the air.

He would occasionally stick out his pink little tongue and unconsciously lick his dry lips. His longing look made Xu Zhili's heart soften and ache.

She put her arm around her younger brother's thin shoulders and gently rubbed her chin against the top of his head: "An'an, be good, just a little longer, the steamed egg custard will be ready soon, it smells delicious."

Li Chunyan's eyes lit up: "It's done!"

She lifted the pot lid, and a large cloud of white steam billowed out, carrying scalding hot moisture.

She placed a damp cloth under the bowl, lifted the covered plate, and a perfect steamed egg custard was revealed: its color was a tender yellow like jade, its surface smooth as a mirror, and it trembled enticingly as the bowl was moved.

Xu Zhian could no longer control her saliva. She swallowed loudly and quickly with a "gulp," and her little body swayed slightly.

Xu Zhili quickly picked up a small iron spoon and gently scraped off a thin layer of warm egg custard from the coolest spot on the edge of the bowl. She carefully blew on it before bringing it to her younger brother's mouth: "Come on, An'an, open your mouth, slowly, be careful it's hot."

An'an eagerly opened her little mouth, like a fledgling bird waiting to be fed, and took the spoon into her mouth.

He squinted his eyes contentedly, his little cheeks bulging as he murmured "Mmm...uh..." with satisfaction, not forgetting to stammer, "So...delicious! So delicious, sister...thank you, Sister Chunyan!"

Looking at her younger brother's profile as he wolfed down his food with obvious satisfaction, Xu Zhili felt a mix of emotions.

For forty years, she lived alone in that dark and hopeless apocalypse.

With no family by his side, no friends to comfort him, and even food to survive in extremely scarce conditions, all he could see were ruins and wandering zombies.

But now, as Xu Zhili of this era, she has blood relatives by her side.

This feeling made her truly feel that it was wonderful.

If you have the chance to go to the cowshed and see someone who looks exactly like your mother from the apocalypse, even if she isn't your mother from the apocalypse, it can at least slightly fill the void of missing your mother's presence during the apocalypse.

A surge of heartwarming relief welled up inside me, almost bursting the dam of tears.

Li Chunyan watched the interaction between the siblings, her eyes full of warmth, and said in a gentle tone: "Xu Zhiqing, you are so good to An'an. It's not easy for you to take care of your younger brother. If you encounter any problems in the future, just let me know."

Xu Zhili smiled and nodded, "Sister Chunyan, thank you. If it weren't for your help, I was really afraid I wouldn't have been able to make this steamed egg custard well. Please don't hesitate to help me in the future if there's anything I can do to help."

Li Chunyan was the first person in the educated youth compound to show kindness to her and her younger brother.