As soon as they entered the kitchen, a warm, humid air enveloped them, thick with the rich fragrance of flour and cooking vegetables.
The kitchen was not large, but it was meticulously organized. Flames danced happily in the stove, casting a ruddy glow on everyone’s faces. Hé Yǔshuǐ stood before the counter, her apron tied on and her hands covered in flour. She was expertly rolling out dumpling wrappers; in her hands, they seemed to appear as if by magic—each one thin, round, and perfect. Mother Cheng stood nearby helping to wrap the dumplings. The ones she made varied in shape, yet each one carried the warm, unmistakable essence of home.
Wang Jianguo and Zhao Shuzhuo had already taken their seats at the dining table, surrounded by the others. The crowd’s gaze was like a spotlight, fixed squarely on them, full of anticipation and curiosity. Everyone waited for them to speak, to unveil the mystery of their trip and lead them into a captivating story.
Chapter 646