This sister-in-law's last name was Huang, her name Cuifen.
Huang Cuifen's hand had been chopped off by someone.
"It's all because of poverty!"
Huang Cuifen couldn't hide her hand and could only shrink her fingers self-consciously.
Tang Chuxia couldn't guess how poverty had caused this, but she could understand Huang Cuifen's feelings.
When cooking, Tang Chuxia didn't ask further, but instead changed the topic, asking about the fruit trees planted in the courtyard; Huang Cuifen followed along introducing them, even saying she would send some fruits over next year.
Tang Chuxia didn't take it seriously; after all, they lived far apart, and it was just politeness.
Huang Cuifen made noodles with gravy because Tang Chuxia had brought cured meat and flour. The gravy was made with cured meat sauce, sprinkled with green onions, and complemented with Huang Cuifen's own cooked salty vegetables.
It was particularly good with rice.
