The main hall opened into a spacious front room where several of the uncles sat on round, woven-straw stools. They placed stacks of joss paper on a round tree stump and used wooden mallets to strike iron, tile-shaped punches, perforating the sheets before sealing them into packets.
Great-Grandpa, his hair and beard completely white, sat at a small square table writing on the blessing packets. A large wicker basket beside him was already full of them.
One of the aunts brought over two bamboo chairs, smiling in greeting. "Auntie, Lin Lan, have a seat."
"Thank you," Lin Lan said with a smile, handing the joss paper and candy to her aunt.
When Great-Grandpa saw the Old Madam arrive, he set down his brush and smiled. "Ah, you're here!"
The Old Madam smiled and nodded. "You're busy, Brother. Please, don't mind me."
"Great-Grandpa!" Lin Lan called out.
Great-Grandpa looked at Lin Lan. "You're from the youngest son's family? You look... different from before."
