Chapter 150

"Sis, I'm going to get some meat. Let's make dumplings for lunch," Luna said, dusting flour off her hands. "Ethan rarely comes home, so we should make something special. I'll get the meat and stop by Godmother's to pick some chives and fennel—we can make two different fillings."

Maya was spreading out the bedding on the kang and nodded in agreement. "Take the money from my chest and get plenty of meat. Captain Andrew is here today too—let’s treat it like an early New Year’s feast."

Luna didn’t take her sister’s money, pulling out five dollars from her own savings instead. Maya needed to keep her emergency funds.

The butcher’s shop at the village entrance was unusually lively. The village loudspeaker had announced early that morning that fresh pork was available. Meat was hard to come by these days—even at the market, it was rare to see any.

"Dr. White, you’re here!" The butcher greeted Luna warmly. "How much do you need? I’ll pick out the best cut for you."

Luna asked for three pounds of well-marbled pork belly. The butcher refused to take her money at first, only reluctantly accepting after she insisted. He even pressed a pig’s stomach and some intestines into her hands.

"I can’t take these..." Luna protested.

"If you refuse, you’re insulting me!" The butcher scowled. "You saved my child’s life—this is nothing in return."

With no choice, Luna accepted and headed to her godmother Clara’s house.

"Godmother, Ethan’s back. We’re making dumplings for lunch—you, Godfather, and Lily should come over," Luna called from the edge of the vegetable patch.

Clara was feeding the chickens and waved her off. "You siblings should enjoy your reunion. We shouldn’t intrude."

"I already bought three pounds of meat!" Luna blinked. "If you don’t come, I’ll bring the dumplings to you."

"You stubborn girl!" Clara laughed, cutting a generous bunch of chives and fennel. "Fine, fine. Lily can go help you first."

Lily skipped along with Luna back home, announcing as soon as she stepped inside, "Maya, I’m here for free food!"

Maya was kneading dough and chuckled. "Perfect timing—help me chop the filling."

Luna soaked the pig’s stomach and intestines in a basin, making Maya frown. "Those are a pain to clean."

"Don’t worry, I have a trick." Luna smiled mysteriously, sprinkling cornmeal into the water. "This’ll get them clean—no smell at all."

The three girls bustled around the kitchen, the sounds of chopping and laughter drifting far beyond the house. The old locust tree in the yard rustled, as if keeping time for their family feast.