Chapter 244

"Well, look who it is—Emily Johnson!" Aunt Wang's sharp eyes spotted Emily walking toward the old house with a bamboo basket.

Aunt Li cracked sunflower seeds between her teeth and squinted. "Hmph, that basket looks heavy!"

"Emily, bringing New Year's gifts to your in-laws?" Aunt Zhang called out loudly.

Emily paused mid-step, a faint smile playing on her lips. "Yes, Mother Stone asked me to bring some things over."

The women exchanged knowing glances. Everyone knew Emily had just returned from town with a cart full of New Year's supplies.

"How many times is this now?" Aunt Wang muttered under her breath. "They only split from the family recently, and the third son's household is already visiting so often."

"Exactly!" Aunt Li scoffed. "They used to say Michael Stone forgot his mother after marrying, but now his wife is even more filial than he ever was."

Ignoring the gossip behind her, Emily walked straight to the gate of the old house.

"Father, Mother!" she called out cheerfully.

Mary Stone, who had been airing quilts in the yard, looked up, her face brightening. "Oh, Michael's wife is here!"

"Grandma!" Two little figures darted out from behind Emily and threw themselves into Mary's arms.

"Mom said we're having lunch here today!" David announced, tilting his little face up.

John Stone Sr. emerged from the house and frowned slightly at the basket in Emily's hands. "Brought more things?"

Emily lifted the cloth cover with a smile. "I saw these shoes in town and thought you both could use a pair."

"How much did these cost?" Mary gasped as she took the shoes, torn between delight and worry.

"No coupons needed—they were a bargain," Emily said with a wink. "Consider it making up for lost time."

The basket also held canned goods, apples, and candies, leaving the elderly couple speechless.

"You silly girl..." Mary's eyes grew moist. "We agreed when you moved out..."

"Mother," Emily linked arms with her mother-in-law, "isn't the whole point of Michael earning money to give our family a better life?"

John Sr. puffed on his pipe and suddenly asked, "Is it really true—people can do business freely now?"

"Father, if you don't believe me, I'll take you to town one day," Emily said mysteriously. "It's bustling there."

Just then, a commotion erupted outside the gate.

"Michael Stone is back!"

The apple nearly slipped from Emily's grasp. She whirled around to see a cloud of dust at the gate, where several travel-worn figures were approaching.

"Third Brother!" Daniel River's booming voice carried from afar.

But what made Emily's heart race was the tall figure leading the group.

Michael Stone had returned.

And behind him stood several brothers with odd expressions.

"Wife..." Michael stopped at the gate, his intense gaze fixed on her. "I heard... your mother came by?"

Emily's stomach dropped. She could clearly see the flicker of panic in her husband's eyes.

This was bad.