At quitting time, Zhang the Second and Zhang Meili, the two sisters and their husbands, gathered in the small courtyard. Except for Zhang Guofu, who was in the provincial city, Old Zhang's family was reunited.
Today, Mother Zhang was in high spirits and, with her three daughters-in-law, steamed two large pots of white steamed buns. Of course, no matter how happy she was, there was no compromise on mixing cornmeal with the white flour.
She specially cooked a large pot of thick white rice porridge and stir-fried four seasonal vegetables, one potato stewed with dried wild rabbit, and one stewed fish. These six dishes were served in two plates each, two tables crowded in the living room, and the aroma filled the air. It made the children shout that today felt like celebrating the New Year.
