They were chatting casually over tea in the kitchen when suddenly, they heard Hua Erniang's voice rising from the courtyard.
"Eh, why are you back?"
Followed immediately by Jing Taihe's rather hesitant response, "Ah, there's a matter, is my little sister at home?"
Looking for her? Hua Xiaomai paused, her eyes darting around as she stood up and walked to the kitchen door, grinning at the courtyard, "Brother-in-law, are you looking for me?"
Jing Taihe glanced at her face, seeming a bit embarrassed, nodded slightly, and beckoned, "Little sister, come here, I have something to tell you."
As he spoke, he looked toward Luo Yuejiao, smiled apologetically, "Yuejiao, you're here too? I'm sorry, but there's something I need to discuss with your sister Xiaomai. Could you..."
"Oh!" Luo Yuejiao foolishly agreed, "Can I go stay in the vegetable patch then?" Without waiting for Jing Taihe's reply, she ran behind the house and began pulling at the grass.