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The rice porridge pot in the kitchen was already empty, and only some congee remained, with Nanny Li and her daughter gnawing on cornmeal steamed buns and eating the congee. The cornmeal was of inconsistent color, clearly ground coarse with the corn cobs, not only unpleasant to eat but also rough on the throat. However, compared to the congee and rice porridge, it was much better, as at least the steamed buns filled their stomachs.
In a basket beside them lay four slightly yellowed white flour buns, indicating that Housekeeper Wang's people had arrived before Jiang Weiguo. Seeing Jiang Weiguo arrive, Nanny Li moved a stool for him and handed him a bowl: "Jiang is here, come and eat!"
Nanny Li's daughter held a steamed bun in her hand, gazing longingly at the white flour buns in the basket.
