Chapter 227

Emily Johnson picked up a sweet potato, weighing it in her hand. "Amy, look. My uncle and aunt give me ten pounds of coarse grain and ten pounds of sweet potatoes every year. These sweet potatoes—each one is so small and cute."

She then grabbed a handful of rice. "And this ten pounds of fine grain—every time I wash it, I find so many unhusked grains mixed in. It’s a bit troublesome, but at least it’s fine grain, right?"

Amy Bright’s eyes lit up. "I get it! Small sweet potatoes mean low yield, and so many unhusked grains in the fine grain means it wasn’t properly milled."

"Exactly!" Emily nodded in satisfaction. "Once people hear this, they’ll understand exactly what kind of people my uncle and aunt are."

Amy jumped to her feet, excited. "I’ll go try it!"

She dashed toward the brigade office, wiping tears as she ran. A few women lounging by the roadside perked up at the sight.

"Isn’t that the second Bright family’s girl? Why’s she crying like that?"

"Come on, let’s follow and see!"

Amy rushed to the brigade office door and dropped to her knees. "Brigade Leader, please help me!"

John Stone Sr., who was in a meeting, startled and hurried out with the other cadres.

"It’s all my fault—I can’t earn full work points," Amy sobbed. "Now my cousin is getting married, and I don’t even have money for the bride price..."

The gathered villagers erupted in outrage.

"That lazy Thomas Bright is scheming against his niece again?"

"Last time, he kept his daughter’s bride price—now he wants to sell his niece?"

Helen Carter, the women’s director, quickly helped Amy up. "Don’t be afraid, child. What did your uncle say to you?"

Amy lowered her head timidly. "Auntie, maybe... maybe you could find me a good match? Then... then there’d be money for my cousin’s wedding..."

"Outrageous!" An elderly woman slapped her thigh. "Thomas Bright is trying to sell his niece!"

"No, no!" Amy frantically waved her hands. "Uncle is so good to us! He gives Grandma plenty of food!"

Someone nearby scoffed. "Oh, please! Everyone knows he only gives the worst leftovers!"

Amy kept her head down, a faint smile curling at the corners of her lips.