"The Upper Room fried two types of meatballs," Lady Zhang said after a glance. One was the same as the ones Lian Manman and the others had made, and the other was made with eggs and flour mixed into dough balls.
Lian Manman also tried one and felt that both were quite tasty, although the tofu vermicelli meatballs were not as tender and soft as theirs.
"It's because we used more starch," Lady Zhang said. 'Starch' here is a countryside colloquialism, referring to various types of starches.
...
With the main dishes prepared and only a few stir-fried dishes left to make, Lady Zhang sent Xiao Qi to check on the dining preparations in the Upper Room.
"We'll eat once the Upper Room starts serving," Lady Zhang said.
Xiao Qi came running back, reporting that the Upper Room had started stir-frying dishes, and Lady Zhang then began to cook.
While they were still stir-frying the dishes, the sound of firecrackers burst forth outside, mingled with the cheers of Si Lang and the others.