Lin Lan took a peek at him and found him scribbling away. Then, she smiled and continued making the dumplings.
When they were almost finished with wrapping the fillings, Erwang said that he would man the stove.
Lin Lan insisted, “Go do your homework, your father will take care of it.”
Sanwang led Xiaowang and rushed out. Xiaowang was still holding onto his own dough ball in his hand for fear that it would fall. He had to grip it tightly, but not exude too much strength to the point of strangling the little bunny.
When he went out, he happened to see Xiaofu from the Second Family poking his head outside.
“What are you doing?” Sanwang asked.
Xiaofu pointed his finger in confusion, “Are you eating meat?”
Sanwang, “Of course, are you guys not eating?”
Xiaofu shook his head.
Sanwang, “We are eating dumplings.”
Xiaofu expressed his desire to have some.
Sanwang, “That’s not a good idea. Grandmother said that you all are not allowed to talk to my family, otherwise, she’s going to kick you out as well.”
Xiaofu pursed his mouth and stared eagerly into the courtyard gate, but the sight was merely limited to a wall.
He also wanted to eat dumplings.
Sanwang, “Do you remember that you secretly ate two-layered pancakes behind me and my mother’s back? And you even purposely gave us nothing but steamed cornbread.”
Sanwang, “That was really bad!”
Xiaofu, “Really bad!”
Sanwang was happy, “You wait for me; I’ll get one for you.”
He turned around and ran home. Lin Lan didn’t see him as he quietly took 3 raw dumplings and ran out.
Xiaofu was very eager to have them, gazing at the dumplings as if he was looking through them.
Sanwang handed him the dumplings, “Hey, don’t say I’m a stingy person alright? You take it back and let the Eldest Aunt steam it whilst cooking.”
Xiaofu nodded, took it quickly and ran away as soon as he got it.
Xiaowang watched him stuff the raw dumplings into his mouth, wondering, “Brother, can dumplings be eaten raw?”
Sanwang, “Of course not! You can’t eat raw dumplings; it will cause diarrhea.”
Xiaowang pointed to Xiaofu who ran away, “He…”
Sanwang took his little hand and sighed, “Let’s return home. He just came to ask for dumplings, so he won’t want to play with us. If grandmother were to know that he came here to play, she would definitely beat him up.”
Xiaowang went home with his brother.
Han Qingsong lit the fire whereas Lin Lan washed the chopping board, knives and chopsticks. Soon, the water was boiling and it was time to cook the dumplings.
The white and plump dumplings plopped into the water as if they were big white geese that lined up into a river. The food emanated a delicious scent and formed splashes of water drops.
Sanwang began to teach Xiaowang how to sing a certain tune, “A big dumpling, white and bright. With one side upright, it can swim, loves meat and bounces around with delight!”
But when Xiaowang sang along, it was really nice!
Everyone laughed and told Sanwang to stop screeching since it was so unbearable.
Lin Lan scooped up a big bowl of dumplings, and after looking at the amount, she decided that there should be enough for her own family.
She called Erwang and Maisui,”Silently, get Gumi and ask her to bring these dumplings back to eat.”
When they hadn’t separated their families, the Eldest Sister-in-law and Eldest Brother still treated them pretty alright. Things only became haywire when Old Lady Han intervened and made a fuss.