Zhou Tongtong was chatting merrily with the two little cats when Xia Qing's gentle voice came from the direction of the kitchen.
"Tongtong, dinner's ready! Come eat!
Remember to wash your hands first. Lather up with hand soap, and make sure to wash your fingertips and under your nails too. No slacking off."
"Coming!" Zhou Tongtong immediately hopped down from the sofa, as light and nimble as a little butterfly, her skirt drawing a small arc through the air.
She dashed into the bathroom, turned on the warm water, squeezed out a little strawberry-scented hand soap, and rubbed her hands together again and again until they were soon covered in fine, silky foam.
She carefully washed her fingertips, beneath her nails, and her wrists. Afterward, she dried them with a pink towel, then skipped and bounced her way into the dining room.
Three dishes and a soup had already been laid out on the table. Steam curled upward, casting a hazy glow beneath the lights.
The braised pork gleamed a rich red, its fat and lean layers interwoven. Every piece was coated in thick sauce and sprinkled with a few bright green scallions, so appetizing it made one's mouth water at a glance.
The steamed mandarin fish was arranged beautifully, with shredded ginger and red pepper spread across its body. Its eyes were clear, its flesh snowy white and tender, and several cilantro leaves decorated the edges.
The stir-fried cabbage looked crisp and tender, its glossy green leaves still dotted with bits of minced garlic. It looked delicious just sitting there.
There was also a pot of milky-white pigeon soup, with several goji berries floating on top. Its rich aroma was so enticing that one could not help taking a deep breath.
Zhou Tongtong leaned her little head toward the