Mary returned home, her forehead slick with sweat.
Seeing that the living room was empty, she went straight to the guest room. Inside, Kristen was lying on the bed, softly humming a children's song as she coaxed the child to sleep.
Mary quietly closed the door and went to the kitchen. Fortunately, there were still some dumplings left from earlier. She quickly filled a pot with water and set it on the stove. Her stomach had been protesting loudly the entire way home.
Once the dumplings were heated through, she carried them to the living room and sat down to eat.
After Kristen finished settling the child and came out, she saw Mary sitting at the dining table, eating without pause.
"Sister, didn't you bring enough dumplings for lunch?" Kristen asked in surprise.
Mary swallowed what was in her mouth and said with a wronged expression, "Don't even mention it. The dumplings were all eaten by the old factory director. I came back starving."
