Juhua was overjoyed, quickly taking it while ushering her inside to sit down. "Are you very busy?" she asked. "I suppose so. If your mother goes out to work, you're left all alone, aren't you? Having to cook and do laundry... It must be exhausting."
Liu Xiaomei's round face was flushed from running. She laughed, "It's not too bad. It isn't the busy season yet, but we're getting ready—my dad is soaking the rice seeds today. My mom's at home, so I quickly snuck out for a bit. She knew I was coming to see you, so she didn't stop me!"
Juhua glanced outside and said to her, "It's still a little cold right now. In a while, when the wild bamboo shoots start sprouting on the mountain, let's go up and gather some. They're best stir-fried with pickled vegetables, and even more fragrant if you toss in some shrimp! We can also pick some mugwort to make sweet green dumplings—they have such a lovely, fresh aroma!"
