Chapter 246
The bitter winter wind howled outside, but it couldn't mask the rich aromas wafting from the Stone family's courtyard. This was their first reunion since the household division, and the atmosphere buzzed with warmth.
"Emily, I heard you made quite a profit in the city?" Patricia Stone sidled up to Emily Johnson, her eyes gleaming with curiosity.
Emily paused while feeding firewood into the stove. She vividly remembered Patricia calling her a "city vixen" during their last altercation.
"What exactly would you like to know, sister-in-law?" Emily lifted her gaze, a faint smile playing on her lips.
Mary Stone slammed her cleaver onto the chopping board. "Patricia, you're here to help, not pry!"
Patricia shrank back and slunk away. Elizabeth Stone swallowed the questions on her tongue.
Outside, Michael Stone supervised the children hanging festive couplets. David stretched on tiptoe to paste the character for "fortune" while Tommy handed him glue.
"Robert, how's your leg?" Michael asked his eldest brother, seated nearby.
"Much better." Robert patted his thigh. "I'll manage the spring planting."
The scent of fried meatballs drifted from the kitchen, making the children salivate. David pulled White Rabbit candies from his pocket, sharing them with his cousins. Richard's eyes lit up as he accepted one.
"Thanks, little brother!" Richard blurted unexpectedly.
At lunch, the round table groaned with dishes—glazed braised pork, fragrant stewed chicken, golden fried twists, and radish meatballs. The children circled hungrily.
"Michael, did well on your trip?" William Stone asked between sips of liquor.
Michael placed chicken in Emily's bowl. "Enough for my wife to eat meat daily next year."
Silence fell. Patricia nearly dropped her chopsticks.
Emily ate delicately. David and Tommy mirrored her refined manners, abandoning their former wolfish haste.
"Putting on city airs..." Patricia muttered until Mary's glare silenced her.
Firecrackers popped outside while warmth filled the house. Michael studied his wife and sons, planning their future. Wherever Emily's university acceptance led, he'd follow.
This New Year carried uncommon warmth.