Chapter 216

"Mom, what are you saying?" Emily's teacup slipped from her fingers and shattered on the floor.

Mrs. Johnson cast a cold glance at the broken pieces. "Was I unclear? That country boy isn't good enough for you!"

The steady patter of rain outside made the tension in the room even heavier.

"But..." Emily's voice trembled. "He treats me well..."

"Well?" Mrs. Johnson slammed her hand on the table and stood abruptly. "What can he give you? A rundown shack? A life of scraping by in the dirt?"

Emily bit her lower lip, tears welling in her eyes.

"Your father only married me because I was young and beautiful. And look at me now!" She pointed at the faded family portrait on the wall. "Is this the life you want?"

In the photo, a younger Mrs. Johnson smiled brightly. Now, wrinkles lined the corners of her eyes.

"Mom, times have changed..."

"Enough!" Mrs. Johnson cut her off sharply. "I've already arranged for you to meet the mayor's son next week!"

Emily jerked her head up. "I won't go!"

"You don't have a choice!" Mrs. Johnson grabbed her daughter's wrist. "I'd rather die than let you marry that penniless boy!"

The rain grew heavier, drumming loudly against the windowpanes.

Emily wrenched her arm free and dashed into the downpour. Rain mixed with tears blurred her vision.

In the distance, a figure holding a black umbrella anxiously scanned the area.

It was the young man she had secretly arranged to meet.

Mrs. Johnson chased after her to the doorway, her face turning pale at the sight.

"Come back here!" she screamed, her voice breaking.

But Emily was already running toward the figure under the umbrella, never looking back.

Through the curtain of rain, the distance between mother and daughter grew.

One resolute.

The other despairing.

Mrs. Johnson glanced back at little Tommy with reluctance, forcing a smile. "When spring comes, Grandma will take you to the city for a visit."

The oxcart swayed along the country road as Mrs. Johnson frowned, suppressing her discomfort. She stole glances at the cheerful villagers chatting around her and swallowed her complaints.

"Emily, is this your family?" asked a kerchief-wearing woman warmly.

Emily Johnson nodded slightly. "My mother. She came to visit but has to return for work—the factory's busy at year-end."

Mrs. Johnson straightened her posture and replied in perfect Mandarin, "Thank you all for looking after Emily these years."

The women immediately grew flustered, elbowing each other to speak:

"Michael treats his wife well—Emily hasn't worked the fields since marrying him."

"He tends their private plot himself."

"Won't even let her wash clothes!"

The cart creaked to a stop at the town entrance. Emily hopped down effortlessly and lifted David out.

"Mom, let's wait over there." She pointed to the bus stop.

Mrs. Johnson hurried after her, whispering, "Emily, you're smart enough to pass the entrance exams. Vocational school or college—either would get you a job assignment." She glanced at David trailing behind and gritted her teeth. "Don't throw your life away for some country man."

"Michael said he'd support me if I study," Emily replied calmly.

Mrs. Johnson's heart sank. Support? More like surveillance! She'd learned enough during her stay—divorced men with two kids rarely remarried, especially with family planning rumors circulating...

David clutched his mother's hand tightly, his little face tense. He understood Grandma didn't like Daddy and wanted to take Mommy away.

"The bus is here!" Emily waved as a dusty coach wheezed to a stop. The conductor bellowed, "All aboard for the county town—"

Mrs. Johnson was jostled onto the bus, only to find Emily and David settling in the back row.

"Tell me if you feel carsick." Emily popped an orange candy into David's mouth. "Suck, don't chew."

The conductor counted heads. "Kids pay full fare!"

"Three tickets." Emily paid without hesitation, earning a second glance.

The bus lurched along, passengers disembarking at intervals. By the county stop, David had gone pale.

"Let's get your train ticket first." Emily steadied her mother. "You need to catch the connection to the provincial capital."