He had finished scrubbing the clothes and already carried them down to the river to rinse.
Juhua picked up Cong, wanting to take a stroll by the river, but when she saw Banli staring at her with pleading eyes, she dismissed the thought. She had Pu Pao help her move the little cart with Banli and Jing'er in it under the peach tree to the east. Pointing to the wild chrysanthemums at the base of the wall and the gnarled old tree root, she began teaching them words.
None of the babies were old enough to talk yet. No matter how much Juhua chattered until her mouth was dry, they just giggled happily, at most offering a few babbles and coos as if to humor the person talking their ear off.
Grandma Liu sat on a small stool, sewing a little piece of clothing. She would occasionally look up at the babies with a benevolent smile and say, "Young Madam, you have such patience, always teaching them like this. When they start talking, they'll surely know a lot of new words."
