Zhang Huai wiped his face with a cloth and said, "We can't strip any more bark from the willows in the village—we took too much last time. Tomorrow, let's find a spot farther away. We can strip some from the foot of the mountain near Tiaozi Pond."
Seeing they were both soaked in sweat, Juhua urged them, "You two should hurry and clean up. I'll head back first and have Mom boil a pot of water so you can take a bath. Change out of those wet clothes, or you'll catch a cold."
Zhang Huai bent down to gather the sharp stones Juhua had tossed aside, putting them in the bamboo basket and clearing the path. "I won't stay for dinner," he said casually. "I'll just head home to wash up. That way I won't have to worry about a change of clothes."
Juhua paused for a moment, then looked at him and said softly, "I can just have my brother find you some clothes to change into. You shouldn't go home without eating. It's not good to go on an empty stomach."
