The kitchen was cramped; a single stove and a water vat took up most of the space, and the walls were blackened and greasy from years of smoke and fire.
If she hadn't needed to cook tonight, she would have thrown out the ladles, water scoops, and bamboo strainers hanging on the walls. Taking advantage of the empty room, she used dish soap to scrub the pots, pans, and basins vigorously, then boiled them in hot water for half an hour. She poured laundry detergent onto the floor, scrubbing and mopping until the greasy feel was completely gone, and only then did she prepare to make dinner.
Outside, the clattering noises of the renovation work blended with the crisp, rhythmic sound of her chopping vegetables, making for a strangely harmonious atmosphere.
Chapter 92