In the evening, sure enough, after Qingmu and Zhang Huai finished their work, they set up a flat drying basket on the snow outside the courtyard. They scattered some corn kernels underneath and trapped dozens of sparrows. Even Zhang Dashuan and Zheng Changhe were beside them, acting as accomplices.
Juhua and Liu Xiaomei couldn't bring themselves to do the cruel work of killing the little creatures, so they had Qingmu and Zhang Huai boil a pot of hot water. They prepared the little sparrows, gutting them, then coated them in a layer of seasoning and flour and began to roast them just like they did with fish.
Zhang Dashuan laughed heartily. "Good thing I was home today, or I would've missed out on this treat! You all roasted fish last night and didn't even call for me and your father. So unfilial!"
Zheng Changhe chuckled. "If the two of us old geezers were to just sit there, the kids wouldn't be able to have any fun."
All the young people snickered at his words.
