Chapter 267

"Michael, did your mother-in-law really find you a job?" Mary Stone eyed her youngest son with suspicion.

Last time the in-laws visited, they'd been so cold. What could have changed their minds so suddenly?

Michael rubbed his hands together, his dark face breaking into a grin. "It's true, Ma. But Emily said if I return to the city, I have to take David and Tommy with me."

"Is that so?" John Stone Sr. frowned around the pipe clenched between his teeth. "First, go check if there are any changes to this year's college entrance exam policies."

Amy Bright was hanging laundry in the yard when she heard Emily's voice call from next door.

"Amy, I'm going to town tomorrow. Want to come along?"

Wiping her hands, Amy recalled Emily's warning from their last conversation. After spring planting, the household did need supplies.

"I don't think I can make it..." she hesitated. "Be careful if you go alone."

Emily emerged with two small cloth bundles. "These are undershirts my mother sent. They're too small for me—you can have them."

Amy's face flushed crimson. She accepted the soft cotton, fingertips brushing against the thin padding inside.

"These...must have cost a fortune."

"Hardly worth mentioning." Emily waved her off. "If you feel bad, just gather some mushrooms for me sometime."

At dawn the next day, Amy hitched a ride to town on an oxcart. The village women chattered nonstop, baskets of eggs bouncing on their laps.

The Supply & Market swarmed with people. After waiting in endless lines, Amy finally secured oil, salt, vinegar, and soy sauce. As she stepped outside with her net bag, a cry rang out.

An elderly woman with silver hair lay sprawled at the foot of the steps.

"Dear, help me up..." The woman's gnarled hand trembled as she reached out.

Amy rushed forward. The woman's bony wrist dug painfully into her palm.

"Thank you..." The woman panted. "My house is just down that alley. Could you—"

An alley? Amy's stomach lurched. Emily's warning exploded in her ears: "Human traffickers always use children or elderly as bait."

"Sorry, Grandma! My village cart is waiting!" She wrenched free and sprinted away without looking back.

Rounding the corner, she glimpsed two hulking figures lurking in the alleyway. Her heart hammered like a drum, sweat drenching her back in an instant.

She never saw how the "grandmother" sprang up effortlessly the moment she fled, spitting toward the alley. "Another one got away!"