"Him again? That beast! It was him who caused the death of—" Lady Huang hadn't finished speaking when several children's voices echoed from the courtyard: "Mom—Is the food ready? We're starving!"
A few children, about the same age, ran in noisily.
Two boys and one girl, their small faces under the straw hats were sun-darkened, and their clothes were soaked with sweat.
Once inside the courtyard, the two boys were not particular and grabbed a dipper to gulp down water until their bellies were round.
The only girl, more refined, went to the kitchen, poured some boiled cooled water from the teapot, drank it, and came out looking puzzled: "Mom isn't in the kitchen, and she hasn't cooked; has she not returned yet?"
Lady Huang walked out from the house, looking dislikingly at her own brood: "Alright, I'll cook. April, come give me a hand."
The girl called April answered crisply, and began assisting Lady Huang.
