Chapter 254

Margaret Johnson rummaged through her drawers and pulled out eight hundred yuan—her secret stash of savings. She planned to use the money to find a job for that son-in-law she couldn't stand.

"Eldest daughter, go ask around for me," Margaret said, stuffing the crumpled bills into her daughter's hand. "If he can drive a tractor, learning to drive a truck shouldn't be too hard."

Emily's elder sister clenched the money, her heart heavy. "Don't worry, Mom. I'll talk to him as soon as I get home."

"Your husband has worked hard."

"We're family. No need for formalities."

By evening, Emily's sister and her family of five had returned home. She immediately told her husband about the plan.

"Your younger sister is already married?" Her husband was surprised—the cheerful girl from his memories still seemed so vivid. "I thought she was still in the countryside."

Emily's sister sighed. "She's been married for years now. Two sons. Mom said it was our sister-in-law who secretly signed her up back then..."

"Sister-in-law?" His eyes widened. "She did that?"

"Mom wanted to give the job to Emily, but Emily refused unless she could bring her husband and kids back to the city." She rubbed her temples. "Even temporary jobs are hard to come by now."

Her husband thought for a moment. "Let's ask around first. With so many educated youths returning to the city, jobs are scarce."

"That's all we can do."

Meanwhile, Margaret had already started cleaning the house. She planned to move her youngest daughter's family in as soon as her eldest daughter and son-in-law moved out.

Emily's sister-in-law was fuming. Right before the New Year, her in-laws were kicking them out—and they hadn't even been assigned a house yet!

"Mom, we'll move as soon as we find a place," she said through gritted teeth.

Margaret didn't even look up, simply hugging her grandson and kissing his cheek. Her indifference toward her daughter-in-law was no longer concealed.

Stone Village

Ever since their first night together, Michael Stone had been pestering his wife every evening.

Emily Johnson couldn't even focus on her books. She glared at him. "I need to study for the college entrance exams. I don't want to get pregnant."

She gave him a pointed look.

Though Michael longed for a daughter, he obediently nodded. The next day, he rode his bicycle to town and returned with a box of contraceptives.

"Sweetheart, it might feel a little uncomfortable," he mumbled, his face red.

Emily nearly choked when she saw the box.

"I meant for you to restrain yourself!" she hissed.

Michael pretended not to understand, leaning in to kiss her. "The grapevines are sprouting. Want to go see?"

"Don't change the subject!" She pushed him away. "What about you? Are you taking the exams too?"

"I'm not smart enough..."

Emily narrowed her eyes. Then, abruptly, she said, "My parents want me to return to the city. What do you think I should do?"