The next morning, the old lady rose at the crack of dawn to make breakfast. She considered that Xiao Hu probably hadn't eaten much meat, and a rich, heavy meal would surely upset his stomach. So, she swapped the braised beef she'd planned for stir-fried pork with wood ear mushrooms. Musing that the boy likely hadn't had anything good to eat in years, she then beat five eggs and steamed a large bowl of egg custard.
When breakfast was ready, she went into the room to wake everyone.
Yuan Si, after all, had a job now, so she had already kicked her old habit of sleeping in. As soon as the old lady called, she would get right up.
"Hurry and get up," the old lady said, sitting on the edge of the kang. She'd called her grandson several times already, but Xiao Hu remained bundled in his quilt, fast asleep.
