Chapter 96

"Mommy, I want to sleep next to you!" Tommy clutched his pillow and scrambled onto the big bed.

Not to be outdone, David chimed in, "Me too!"

Michael Stone stood at the doorway, gripping his own pillow, frustration simmering inside him. He had finally managed to share a room with his wife under the pretense of fixing the leaky roof, only for these two little rascals to steal his spot.

Emily Johnson held a child in each arm, secretly relieved. This was better—she wouldn’t have to get too close to that man.

At the educated youth quarters, the commotion started at dawn.

"Sophia, you heading back to the city to visit family?" The old man driving the oxcart puffed on his pipe.

Sophia Green shoved her luggage onto the cart without looking up. "Family matters. Just going to check on them."

Olivia Brown, sitting beside her, shot her a puzzled glance. Weren’t they supposed to return to the city together? Since when was this a family visit?

"Olivia, did you bring your reference letter?" Sophia suddenly asked.

"Of course," Olivia patted her chest. "Took forever to get approved."

The oxcart creaked into motion. As the village faded into the distance, Sophia smirked. The Wang family? Michael Stone? Hah. Sophia Green wasn’t someone to be trifled with.

Back at the Stone household, Emily was busy airing out the heavy quilts.

"These are so heavy," she complained, rubbing her sore wrists.

Without a word, Michael took the bedding from her. "I’ll do it."

Once the quilts were hung, Emily was panting from exertion. David, ever thoughtful, handed her an enamel cup. "Mom, drink some water."

"Thank you, sweetheart." Emily ruffled his hair, warmth blooming in her chest.

Just as Michael climbed the ladder to repair the roof, their neighbor Margaret Miller came rushing over in a flurry.

"Emily! Big trouble!" Margaret slapped her thigh for emphasis. "That Sophia Green ran off!"

"What?" Emily nearly dropped her cup.

"Someone saw her this morning hauling bags onto the oxcart!" Margaret lowered her voice. "Old Mrs. Wang is fuming at home, cursing up a storm!"

Michael, still on the roof, tightened his grip on a roof tile until it nearly cracked.

"How did she get a reference letter?" Emily frowned.

"Heard she got it from the brigade leader, said it was a family emergency." Margaret scoffed. "Excuse my language, but that’s just a coward’s way out!"

David and Tommy perked up, their big eyes darting between the adults.

Emily gazed thoughtfully toward the educated youth quarters. Well, this was about to get interesting.