Annie followed behind Huang Meihua, eager to try as well, so Zhang Hongmei took her to wash her hands.

"Grandma Wang, I'll make dumplings with you too."

“Okay, let’s make them together today. If our Annie can make them, we’ll cook them for her. You’ll definitely think they’re delicious.”

"Okay, okay, I want to eat the dumplings I made myself."

Zhang Hongmei laughed from the side, "Annie, are you really that confident you can make them? Dumplings are meant to be boiled in water. If you don't make them properly, they'll leak out and turn into flat pieces when they're cooked."

Is that really the case?

"Hehe, your mother is right, but I believe my Annie is capable and will definitely be able to finish it."

"Yes, Annie, you need to have confidence in yourself and not be scared," Zhang Hongmei encouraged the little girl, but she was determined not to discourage her enthusiasm.

Five women were making dumplings in the kitchen, their laughter occasionally punctuated by Annie's frustrated complaints.

Zeng Zhongkang felt there was no use for him anymore, so he went back to carrying his computer.

It took more than an hour to wrap these dumplings before they were cooked, and Annie's face was covered in flour. She looked like a little cat covered in flour.

Zhang Hongmei took her hand and led her to stand in front of the mirror. "Annie, look, don't I look like a big tabby cat?"

"Hehe, it really does look like it."

"But my Annie is the best. She can make dumplings by herself now. Although they don't look as pretty as your two grandmas', they're definitely not as good as you at five years old!"

"Really?"

"Of course, you can go and ask if you don't believe me."

When the dumplings were ready, Zeng Zhongkang looked at the ball-shaped dumpling in front of Annie without saying a word. He could roughly guess that Annie had made it herself.

Zhang Hongmei suppressed a laugh and asked, "Annie, do you think your dumplings are delicious?"

"Yes, of course, Mom! I'll definitely wrap them better next time!"

“Yes, that’s right, you must have ambition.” Zhang Hongmei seized every opportunity to instill positive ideas in Annie.

After lunch, Huang Meihua didn't rush to leave. Instead, she and Wang Xinyi went back to their room to rest. Annie hadn't taken a nap that day, so even though it was getting late, Zhang Hongmei still coaxed her to sleep for a while. Zhao Haozheng would be there that evening, and they would probably have a lot of fun, so she wasn't worried about the little girl not sleeping.

"Mom, I saw that Aunt Chen prepared a lot of meat? Is it for us to eat tonight?"

"Yes, Mom's friends might come over for dinner."

"Is it the friend who came with her mother?"

"Yeah, ten people are coming today? It's going to be very lively at home. Okay, close your eyes now, let's sleep for half an hour."

Zhang Hongmei coaxed Annie to sleep before going to the study to read.

When the time came, I woke the little girl up and let her play on the computer for an hour.

"Annie, can you play by yourself in the study? Can I go downstairs and keep your grandma and the others company?"

"Okay, I'll go down by myself when the time is up."

Zhang Hongmei went downstairs, but Wang Xinyi and Huang Meihua hadn't come out yet, nor had they knocked on the door. Instead, they were sitting on the sofa reading. It's the same wherever you are.

At that moment, a rich aroma of meat wafted from the kitchen.

"Aunt Chen, the meat smells especially good today."

"Right? I bought some star anise from the market. I don't know how you can find this kind of thing here. But the people who bought the star anise are from our country, and the two of them looked very destitute."

"Oh? Then next time you see someone talking about it, ask about the situation. If we can help, then lend a hand."

“I asked around, and they said they were like me, coming here to seek refuge with relatives, but they couldn’t find them and didn’t have the money to buy a boat ticket back, so they’ve been wandering here ever since.”

"Oh, observe them. If they are honest people, you can arrange for them to work on a farm or ranch. At least they will have a place to stay and won't go hungry or cold."

"Yes, I see them every day. Whenever they sell something, if it's something we can use, I always buy it from them."

I think they're all pretty down-to-earth.

“Okay, let’s wait until Mr. Zhao comes back and have him talk to them. If they want to go back to China, I’ll pay for their boat tickets.”

Zhang Hongmei heard the noise in the living room; it turned out that Wang Xinyi and the other girl had come out.

"Godmother, please finish your meal before you leave? A group of Chinese people might be coming to our house tonight; they're the ones who came with us."

Huang Meihua shook her head. "No, let's meet again another time!"

"Please wait a moment, the braised pork will be ready soon, you can take some home with you."

"Sure, I think Yunfang's braised pork smells especially good today."

"Yes, she met a couple at the market, also from our country, who were very poor. Godmother, if they don't want to go back to their country, then arrange for them to go to a ranch or farm."

"Okay, I understand. Everything's arranged here. Adding two more people is fine too, so don't worry. Besides, it's just arranging their food and lodging; there won't be any problems."

Wang Xinyi went to the kitchen, and soon Shen Yunfang came out with a small bowl of braised pork.

"Sister Huang, the meat is cooked. Please take it home and enjoy it at your leisure."

"Okay, I'll make them stewed potatoes and meat tonight."

"Hongmei, I'm heading back now. Please tell Annie."

"Okay, I understand. She was playing a game and was probably too focused. Otherwise, she would definitely have come down to see you off."

"Hehe, Hongmei is a very responsible mother, she's already protecting her. Don't worry, I know my granddaughter."

Zeng Zhongkang also came out of the room and said, "Aunt Huang, please take care."

Zhang Hongmei and the others saw Huang Meihua off. Then they went back to their own business.

Zhang Hongmei did not go upstairs, but sat on the sofa, and Zeng Zhongkang did not go back to his room either.

"Hongmei, I've figured out something. When do you have time to take a look?"

"can I see?"

Zeng Zhongkang smiled and said, "Of course, I'd like you to help me improve it."

"Okay, let's talk about it after school on Monday afternoon. Annie should be coming down soon."

"Okay. If it works out, can you send him back to his country?"

"Of course, don't worry, it will definitely reach the leader."

"Yes, I believe you."

Just then, Annie came downstairs and said, "Mom, it's time."

“Great, my Annie is very trustworthy. The timing is perfect.”

Annie smiled shyly; it was the first time someone had praised her for being trustworthy.

"Uncle Zeng, shall we go out and play?"

Zhang Hongmei checked the time. "Okay, but it'll be an hour, because we might have guests coming over, and we can't be back too late. Is that alright?"