It's already past dinner time, and usually, at this point, Granny Zhang would stroll around the courtyard, scolding the daughters-in-law and sons in each room, enjoying her "empress-like" status. Only after her round of inspections would she return home, wash her face and feet, and go to bed. Sometimes, if she couldn't sleep, she would take a few puffs from her old man's cigarette, puffing out clouds of smoke, before going to bed again.
"Shh! The old witch is out," Tang Wanwan gestured to her brother, signaling him to keep quiet.
Tang Xiao Yi almost couldn't hold back his laughter upon hearing his sister refer to their grandma in such a way. Fortunately, Tang Wanwan covered his mouth in time, preventing Granny Zhang from discovering them.
A creaking sound came from the door, and an old woman with a hunched back emerged, wearing pointed cloth shoes, trousers tucked into socks, and walking slightly pigeon-toed.
