Mountain City Milk Powder

The two chatted for a while and parted when they reached a fork in the road.

Shen Moxi rode her bicycle at a leisurely pace, looking around as she went.

"Old Zhang, we really have sold out of Mountain City Milk Powder. We have none left. If we had any, I'd give it to you. You know how close we are."

A woman's loud voice suddenly rang out, and Shen Moxi looked toward its source.

A middle-aged man stood sighing outside the supply and marketing cooperative. Shen Moxi's curiosity stirred, and she got off her bicycle and pushed it over to listen.

It turned out that the man wanted to buy Mountain City Milk Powder, but supplies were so limited that people with power and influence had bought it all before it could even be put on display. He was a regular customer at the cooperative and often came to buy it for his child. This time, he had happened to come when it was sold out.

"My child only drinks this. What am I supposed to do without it? My wife won't stand for it either." The man scratched his head anxiously.

"Brother Old Zhang, there's nothing we can do either. Those are big leaders with power and influence. How could we turn them down? How about making do with a tin of malted milk?" The saleswoman was helpless too.

"No, no. My child is terribly picky. Malted milk won't do." Old Zhang shook his head.

An idea struck Shen Moxi, and she hurriedly searched the system for Mountain City Milk Powder. She had completely forgotten that milk powder existed in this era, or she would have given it to Xiao Xuan long ago. Malted milk wasn't as nutritious as milk powder.

Her search actually turned it up. This system really was fucking powerful. No wonder that fellow Xiao Tao was so haughty.

Shen Moxi silently ordered four bags of Mountain City Milk Powder through the system, then bought a small black cloth bag and put them inside. She sneaked a look around and, seeing that no one was paying attention to her, quickly took out the black cloth bag and held it in her hand.

Just then, the man sighed and left. Shen Moxi hurriedly pushed her bicycle after him. Once they reached a less crowded spot, she saw that he was about to turn a corner and quickly called out, "Brother Zhang, up ahead! Please wait."

Hearing someone call him from behind, the man surnamed Zhang turned and saw a pretty young woman pushing a bicycle. He stopped dubiously and pointed at himself. "Comrade, are you calling me?"

Shen Moxi smiled and nodded. "Yes, Brother Zhang."

Zhang Yongcai walked over. "Comrade, what can I do for you? We don't know each other, do we?"

Shen Moxi stopped her bicycle. "We don't, but I can help you. I saw you outside the supply and marketing cooperative just now. You were worried because you couldn't buy Mountain City Milk Powder, weren't you?"

Zhang Yongcai's eyes lit up, and he stepped closer excitedly. "Yes, comrade! Do you know where I can get Mountain City Milk Powder?"

Shen Moxi raised the small black cloth bag in her hand. "I have some here. I only just bought it through a connection myself. I saw how anxious you were, so I came over. I can spare you two bags."

Zhang Yongcai looked at the cloth bag in her hand as though he had seen the God of Wealth and rubbed his hands together. "Really? That's wonderful! Young comrade, thank you so much. How much are you selling it for? I'll take two bags."

When Shen Moxi had left the cooperative, she had glanced at the price label: three yuan fifty a bag.

Shen Moxi thought for a moment and said, "The cooperative charges three yuan fifty a bag. You can give me four yuan. After all, it took a lot of trouble to get it through my connection."

Hearing that it was only fifty cents extra, Zhang Yongcai thought he would have bought it even for a yuan more. Afraid she might change her mind, he hurriedly nodded and began taking out his money. He counted out eight yuan and handed it to her. "Count it, comrade. That's eight yuan."

Shen Moxi took it without counting and put it into her shoulder bag, then took two bags out of the cloth bag and handed them to him. "Here you go. You can find me at the Reluctant to Part with Clothes Clothing Store on West Street. I own it. If you run out and can't buy any more, you can look for me there."

Zhang Yongcai took them with both hands and nodded. "All right, all right. Thank you, young comrade. My name is Zhang Yongcai. I work at the railway bureau. If you ever need help, you can come to me."

Shen Moxi hadn't expected him to work at the railway bureau. Keeping her expression calm, she nodded. "My name is Shen Moxi. Well, Brother Zhang, I'll be heading back now."

"Yes, of course. Thank you, young comrade." Clutching the milk powder in both hands, Zhang Yongcai cheerfully headed home.

Shen Moxi rode her bicycle back to the shop too, though she was thinking of more ways to make money. She would have to ask Shen Tao about this one.

If Shen Tao knew their leaders well, she could secretly supply the cooperative with a batch of goods at a low price. The profits might be tiny, but even a mosquito was meat. Besides, she didn't have to spend money stocking up, so everything she made from selling would be profit.

At that thought, Shen Moxi felt delighted. She was another big step closer to buying a house in the Capital.

When she returned to the shop, it was at its busiest. Shen Moxi handed the cloth bag to Shen Tao to put in a drawer, then went to help.

They had recently brought in some new styles, and plenty of fashion-conscious men and women had come to buy them. The clothes were cheap and looked good, and most importantly, customers were allowed to try them on.

Where else could they get treatment like that? The salesclerks at the department store all looked down their noses at people. If you weren't well dressed, they wouldn't give you the time of day. Only people who dressed well and looked wealthy were worth a proper glance.

After two or three hours of work, the shop finally grew less crowded. Shen Moxi took out the milk powder and teased Xiao Xuan. "Xiao Xuan, Auntie bought you some milk powder. It smells lovely and tastes sweet. Want some?"

There was nothing the little foodie Xiao Xuan wouldn't eat or drink. He immediately nodded. "Drink... drink."

Shen Moxi held out her hand. "Come on. Auntie will take you to have some milk."

Xiao Xuan immediately climbed down from his seat and took her hand. "Go... go."

Seeing his son's complete lack of restraint, Shen Tao laughed. "Little sister, you're going to spoil him rotten."

Shen Moxi picked Xiao Xuan up. "Our Xiao Xuan is such a good boy. How could he be spoiled? He's only having a little more to eat and drink. You don't give your son enough attention as his father, so can't I dote on him a little more as his aunt?"

Shen Yuan laughed when he heard that. "Little sister, are you still looking for nephews?"

Shen Moxi burst out laughing. "I am! Second Brother, hurry up and call me Auntie, and I'll make you some milk."

Everyone roared with laughter. Shen Yuan used a bathroom break as an excuse to escape, then went to sort the clothes.

Shen Moxi made Xiao Xuan a cup of milk and had him sit on a stool. "Xiao Xuan, Auntie is going to make you something tasty. Will you be good and drink your milk here?"

"Yes! Eat... eat meat!" Xiao Xuan clapped happily.

"Oh, you little piggy. All right, Auntie will make you some meat. Be good, Xiao Xuan." Shen Moxi pinched his little cheek.

She rinsed the rice and set it cooking first, adding pumpkin, red dates, and rock sugar, then simmered it in a clay pot over low heat.

Then she took out some lean pork to make shredded pork in sweet bean sauce and braised pork. After a moment's thought, she bought a chicken breast from the system to make kung pao chicken, then stir-fried three vegetable dishes.

"Ah, I really miss my electric griddle. Making pancakes would be so quick." Shen Moxi sighed regretfully, then suddenly thought of something and slapped her forehead. "Why am I so stupid? Can't I just take it out while no one's around, make the pancakes, and put it away again?"

Shen Moxi clapped happily. "I'm so fucking smart!" With that, she bought an electric griddle from the system, quickly mixed the batter, and made thin pancakes.

Once she finished, she wiped the electric griddle clean and put it in the storage room. Looking at the basket of neatly arranged thin pancakes, she nodded in satisfaction. "Ah, there's just no helping being this clever."

Xiao Tao, who had been about to pop up, was utterly speechless upon hearing that. Does your mother know how narcissistic you are? ...((ᵒꈊᵒ᷅ ू‖))՞ Seriously, enough already.