"Hey!" Uncle Qiu responded, suddenly pausing, "Just the three of us?"
Nan Jiaojiao smiled, "Yes, just the three of us. You should sit down and eat with us."
Uncle Qiu's face was kind, and he looked at her indulgently. He waved his hand, "I won't sit, little miss. It's against the rules."
"What rules? The Qing Dynasty is long gone. Why stick to those outdated customs? She asked you to sit, so you should," Elder Nan scolded with a stern face.
Uncle Qiu laughed, his eyes curving, and sat down as instructed. Elder Nan scoffed, "We often eat together, and now that the girl is back, you're being all formal."
Nan Jiaojiao handed a green dumpling to Uncle Qiu, "Grandpa is right, Uncle Qiu. You're family too; you should sit here."
Uncle Qiu used both hands to take the dumpling and took a bite. Nan Jiaojiao had given him the traditional filling, catering to Elder Nan's preference for mild tastes, just right.
