It wasn't a full pouch's worth, not even half, but it was enough for the three little girls to play with.
Looking at the boiled galaha beside him, Zhao Jun picked one up, grabbed a small knife from the stovetop, and gently scraped its surface.
Just then, Jin Xiaomei came out with a string of dried red chili peppers. She placed them on the stovetop and said to Li Baoyu, "Baoyu, roast these peppers in a bit. Mom's going to make some chili oil for our dumplings tonight."
"You got it!" Li Baoyu immediately agreed.
That evening, the two families gathered together. Zhao Youcai, Wang Meilan, Li Dayong, and Jin Xiaomei started a game of mahjong, while the three little girls played galaha on the kang.
Meanwhile, Li Baoyu was trying to rope Zhao Jun into playing cards with him and Li Ruhai.
Seeing Li Ruhai's eager expression, Zhao Jun shook his head to himself. 'Silly kid,' he thought, 'your brother is just waiting to trick you out of the thirty-odd yuan in your pocket.'
