"Little Wen, are you home?" Sister Chrysanthemum hollered as she stood outside Su Wen's house. Su Wen usually left the courtyard door open during the day, so the house would not be so hot. It so happened that when Sister Chrysanthemum shouted at the gates, she saw Su Wen sweeping the floor.
She quickly let herself into the compound.
"Sister Chrysanthemum, what brings you here?" Su Wen put down her broom. "I was just about to go to your shop to discuss business with you! I was hoping to ask if you'd agree to supply the family with oil, salt, sauces, and vinegar so we would not need to go to town to buy them." Since Sister Chrysanthemum owned a small shop selling basic goods, it would only be right for her to patronize her neighbor over those in town.
It was all part of building a strong rapport with one's neighbors.
"I heard that your Third Aunt's family is also opening a small shop?" Sister Chrysanthemum blurted, stung by Su Wen's innocuous remark.
