Liu Xiaomei and Juhua chatted for a while. Seeing it was nearly noon, she put away her needlework and said her goodbyes, arranging with Juhua to go to Xiatang Market together in a couple of days.
Juhua continued her needlework until she finished a pair of gloves for Zheng Changhe. Only then did she rise to prepare a meal. Just as she looked up, she saw Zhang Huai walking in through the courtyard gate, a large package in hand and a smile on his face.
The big Black Dog was lying in the middle of the courtyard, sunbathing with the new little gray puppy. Hearing footsteps, it shot to its feet with a WHOOSH and charged toward the gate. The chubby little gray pup followed close behind, its short legs churning as it tumbled along like a rolling gourd, its whole body quivering as it ran.
