Chapter 142

Michael Stone hurried back with the money from selling the ginseng, spotting his wife standing alone in front of the department store from afar.

"Emily!"

He rushed toward her in quick strides, his voice brimming with urgency.

Finally, he had arrived.

Emily Johnson quietly let out a sigh of relief.

"Let's grab a meal first, then catch a movie, and finally come back to buy clothes," Michael said excitedly, mapping out their plans.

"Alright," Emily agreed with a nod. Standing in front of the department store any longer, she was starting to feel uneasy under the gaze of passersby.

Michael led her confidently toward the state-run diner. Pushing aside the thick cotton curtain, warmth greeted them as they stepped inside.

"Braised pork and stir-fried greens," Michael ordered briskly.

It wasn't mealtime yet, so the place was nearly empty. The server soon brought out steaming plates of food.

"Try this braised pork—it's delicious," Michael said, placing a piece in her bowl.

Emily took small bites, savoring the rare treat of eating out. But before she could finish her bowl of rice, she was already full.

"Give it here."

Michael naturally took her bowl and poured the remaining rice into his own, eating heartily.

Emily froze.

He was eating her leftovers?

In the upbringing she had known, leaving food uneaten was absolutely forbidden. Yet this man before her didn't hesitate, eating as if it were the most natural thing.

"What's wrong?" Michael looked up at her.

"Nothing," Emily shook her head, a strange feeling stirring in her chest.

Leaving the diner, Michael took her to the cinema. They bought sunflower seeds and sodas before settling into their seats.

The film playing was The Landmine Warfare, and the theater was mostly filled with young couples.

"Not having any seeds?" Michael leaned over to ask.

Emily shook her head. The plain sunflower seeds held little appeal for her.

Two hours later, the movie ended, and their sodas were finished. Emily smacked her lips—the soda was cloyingly sweet, clearly made with saccharin.

"Come on, let's go buy clothes," Michael said cheerfully, pulling her toward the exit.

"But didn't you say we were out of fabric coupons?" Emily asked, puzzled.

"We have some now. Let's go." Michael gave her a mysterious smile.

At the department store, Michael acted as if he wanted to buy out the entire place, pointing at various outfits for her to try.

"This cotton jacket looks great!"

"This cashmere sweater is nice too!"

Emily quickly stopped him. In the end, she only bought one cotton jacket, along with two pounds of sponge cake and a bag of malt extract.

"Will there still be a bus back this afternoon?" Emily suddenly thought to ask.

If not, they'd have to spend the night in town.

Meanwhile, back at the old house, David and Tommy Stone were staring eagerly at the door.

"Grandma, aren't Mom and Dad coming back today?" Tommy tugged at Mary Stone's sleeve.

Mary patted her grandson's head. "They'll be back before dark."

"That long?" Tommy pouted. When they went to town before, they always returned by noon.

"Town is much farther than the village," Mary reassured him.

David held his little brother's hand tightly. "Mom and Dad won't leave us."