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Zhao Li had barely gotten the chance to exchange pleasantries when Song Yunuan dumped the dried vegetables from her cloth bag onto the chopping board outside Sister Zhao's door.
As Zhao Li gazed at the pile of green, glowing string beans and the savory-smelling dried mushrooms, she knew such things were hard to come by these days unless one spent money to buy them from the countryside. But with strict fines for being caught, no one dared to take the risk.
"Little Nuan, you're being too polite," she said. "I'm at a loss for what to say. Thank you."
Song Yunuan chided, "Sister, don't be so formal with me. Otherwise, I won't dare to come for steamed dumplings next time."
Zhao Li was a straightforward person.
She invited the three siblings inside to talk and even offered to make them a drink of wheat and milk essence.
