That afternoon, Grandpa went back to work for the production team. Xiao Man closed the courtyard gate, then brought out her medical books and a rubber anatomical model to study under the pear tree. Hearing that Xiao Man wasn't at school, Grandma took a moment before it dawned on her: students didn't have class on Saturday afternoons.
So, Grandma shuffled into the house, pulled a bag of flour out of a wooden chest, and enthusiastically decided to teach Xiao Man how to make buns.
Xiao Man: ...
'Didn't we say we'd make the buns tonight?'
But she saw that Grandma was already fumbling to pour flour into the enamel basin painted with goldfish, so she rushed over to help. After putting away her books and the anatomical model, Xiao Man washed her hands. Following Grandma's chattering instructions, she mixed the water and flour in the correct proportions, then covered the bowl and placed it by the warmer side of the stove in the kitchen. With that done, she started preparing the fillings.
