Chapter 173

"Mom, try this spiced pork." Emily Johnson picked up a glistening slice and placed it in Mary Stone's bowl.

Mary took a bite, her eyes lighting up instantly. "This flavor is even better than Old Zhang's recipe!"

The rich aroma of meat filled the yard. Emily and Michael Stone were busy curing the meat over the fire, beads of sweat forming on their brows from the heat and smoke.

"Emily, if you smoke it any longer, it'll get too dry," Mary advised, circling the smoking rack. "The spiced pork needs another two days to air-dry."

Emily wiped her hands. "You're right. Michael, turn the fire down a little."

"Got it!" Michael quickly adjusted the flames.

At dinner, John Stone Sr. was invited to taste the results. The table was laden with stir-fried cured meat and dried vegetables, a platter of spiced pork, and homemade sausages—all fragrant and tempting.

"Dad, try this." Emily served her father-in-law a piece of spiced pork.

John chewed thoughtfully before nodding in approval. "Excellent! Even better than what they sell at the Supply & Market!"

"Of course. Would my wife's cooking ever disappoint?" Michael grinned, stuffing another slice of cured meat into his mouth.

Mary watched the young couple with a pleased smile. "Emily, where did you learn to cook like this?"

"From a book," Emily replied modestly. "I was afraid I'd ruin good meat on my first try."

"Nonsense!" Mary clapped her knee. "This is good enough for a holiday feast!"

After dinner, Emily offered to send some meat home with her in-laws, but Mary waved her off.

"No need. Michael brought us some just the other day—we still have plenty left." She turned to leave.

"Mom, have you finished that jar of malt extract?" Emily asked.

Mary paused, her expression complicated. "There's still some left... but your eldest brother's family..." She sighed and didn't finish.

Emily understood. Since the family split, Elizabeth Stone had grown increasingly distant from her in-laws.

After seeing them off, Tommy suddenly tugged at Emily's sleeve. "Mom, can we give some meat to Charlie's family?"

Emily knelt to meet his gaze. "Tommy, how about I tell you a story first?"

Both boys gathered around eagerly.

"Once, there was a kind farmer who saved a frozen snake in the snow..."

As night deepened, the glow from the hearth flickered across their faces. Emily spoke softly, and the children's expressions shifted from innocence to solemn understanding.

"So, helping others is good, but you must also learn to protect yourselves," Emily said, ruffling their hair. "Just like our cured meat—if the wrong people knew about it..."

"They'd steal it!" David gasped, clutching her arm.

Tommy nodded vigorously. "Then we won't tell anyone!"

Emily smiled in relief. She didn’t want her children growing up naive enough to be taken advantage of.