The day father and daughter returned, Li Xiu'e and Grandma Liu were busy in the kitchen, slaughtering chickens and fish, steaming buns, stir-frying vegetables, and letting out plumes of blue smoke from the chimney. The aroma of stewed meat wafted out from the courtyard, drawing the curious gaze of nearby neighbors.
"Sister Su, what delicious dish are you stewing that smells so wonderful?"
Li Dashan's wife, attracted by the fragrance, opened the courtyard door with a smile and walked into the kitchen. She eyed the stove full of meat and vegetables, pinched a piece of cured meat and put it in her mouth, chewing while asking, "What's the special occasion today? So many dishes are prepared?"
Li Xiue's eyes were filled with joy: "Sister Qiao is coming back, her dad went to the county to pick her up, and they should be home by dusk."
"Ah, our village's female scholar is back!"
