Chapter 134

"Mom, I'm hungry," little Tommy tugged at Emily Johnson's sleeve, his eyes fixed on the braised pork belly that had just been placed on the table.

Before Emily could react, seven or eight pairs of chopsticks lunged toward the plate. In the blink of an eye, only a layer of glistening oil remained.

"That was way too fast!" She gaped in disbelief.

Michael Stone, quick as lightning, managed to snag a piece of meat from the chaos and swiftly dropped it into her bowl. "Eat up. Any slower and it'll be gone."

Emily looked down at the lone piece of meat in her bowl, then at the villagers devouring their food around her. A pang of sadness struck her heart.

"Sweetheart, stop staring. Eat," Michael urged, placing a piece of fish in her bowl. "I caught this from the river."

The moment the fish touched her tongue, Emily noticed the difference—firm, fresh, far better than anything bought in the city.

"Good?" Michael leaned in and whispered.

She nodded, but when she saw him reaching for more food, she grabbed his arm. "You eat too. Don't just focus on me."

"I'm used to it," he grinned. "Couldn't win fights for food as a kid. Now I finally can."

The words twisted Emily's heart. Memories of the original owner's abuse toward Michael flooded her mind, and her fingers tightened around her chopsticks.

"What's wrong?" Michael noticed her sudden tension.

"Nothing," she forced a smile. "Just... thinking how hard things must've been for you."

Michael blinked, then chuckled. "Having you and the kids now makes it all worth it."

Amid the noisy chatter of the feast, his words rang clear in Emily's ears. Her nose stung, and she quickly lowered her head to hide behind her bowl of rice.

"Mom, I'm full," David wiped his mouth and took Tommy's hand. "I'll take my brother out to play."

"Go ahead, but don't wander too far," Emily reminded them.

Watching the boys run off, Michael suddenly said, "Let's head back too."

"Now?" Emily glanced at the still-bustling feast.

"You barely ate anything," Michael stood up. "I'll make you something good at home."

Admittedly still hungry, Emily followed him as they left early.

On the way, Michael asked, "You're not used to fighting for food, are you?"

"A little," she admitted honestly. "In the city, everyone eats at their own pace."

"That's just how it is in the countryside," he said calmly. "Food is precious. The quickest hands get the most."

Emily suddenly understood why Michael was so skilled at grabbing food—it was a survival skill honed since childhood.

Back home, Michael immediately got to work. He dug out his treasured powdered milk and made her a warm cup.

"Have this to tide you over. I'll go buy a chicken to make soup."

Emily cradled the steaming cup, warmth spreading through her chest. This man, who hadn't eaten his fill either, still thought of her first.

Within half an hour, Michael returned with a plump hen. He deftly slaughtered and plucked it, shooing Emily out of the kitchen when she tried to help.

"Go rest. The fumes are strong in here."

Soon, the rich aroma of chicken soup filled the yard. Sitting outside, listening to the clatter of pots and pans, Emily felt an unexpected sense of peace settle over her.

"Mom, it smells amazing!" David and Tommy came running back, drawn by the scent.

"Your dad's making chicken soup," Emily ruffled their hair. "We'll have a good dinner tonight."

At the table, the family gathered around two simple dishes—yam and chicken stew, and stir-fried chicken giblets—yet they brought more satisfaction than the extravagant feast earlier.

"Slow down. No one's fighting you for it," Emily laughed as she watched the three of them wolf down their food.

Michael ladled her a bowl of soup. "Drink more. It's good for you."

That night, lying in bed beside Michael's steady breathing, Emily's thoughts swirled. This man, despite all the suffering he'd endured, still treated others with kindness.

The next morning, Michael set off into the mountains with his brothers.

"Be careful," Emily handed him hand-drawn sketches of medicinal herbs she'd stayed up all night preparing. "If you see any of these, bring them back."

Michael carefully tucked away the drawings and pressed a light kiss to her forehead. "Wait for me."

Watching them disappear into the distance, Emily suddenly had a feeling—this trip might change their fate.