Early the next morning, Old Li brought back the small intestines, pork belly, and ribs for the barbecue. Seeing no one in the house or kitchen, he went out to the backyard vegetable patch and found Lin Lan cutting chives.
"Lin Lan, I left the meat in the kitchen. I'm going to the restaurant to get the in-laws and the kids."
Lin Lan straightened up. "Okay. While you're at it, bring the barbecue spices and stuff, too. Wait for us on Limin Road, and we'll come pick you all up."
"Alright. Little Douzi is still sleeping. Remember to wake him up for breakfast," Old Li said before turning to leave.
Lin Lan checked the time. It was only a quarter past six. She brought over a small stool and sat down to clean the celtuce and chives. She trimmed the ends off the chives and tore the old outer leaves off the celtuce, keeping only the tender inner leaves to use for wrapping the grilled meat.
