Li Dayong, Zhao Jun, Li Baoyu, and Jie Chen ate in the east room, while Wang Meilan and Jin Xiaomei ate with the three little girls in the west room.
The women and children had smaller appetites than the men, so they finished quickly.
After dinner, Zhao Hong and Zhao Na started clamoring to go home. It was past nine, and with full bellies, the two little girls were getting sleepy.
Wang Meilan didn't wait for Zhao Jun and Jie Chen. She let them continue eating at the Li family's home while she got Zhao Hong and Zhao Na ready to leave.
Seeing that Wang Meilan was leaving, Jin Xiaomei hurried to see the mother and her two daughters out. Just as they reached the door, Wang Meilan suddenly stopped, pointed to a plate of steamed cakes on the stove, and asked Jin Xiaomei, "Sister-in-law, could I take this?"
