Chapter 247

At the New Year's Eve family dinner, Emily Johnson couldn't shake the feeling of someone's gaze lingering on her. She looked up and met Patricia Stone's unblinking stare.

"Is something wrong, Patricia?" Emily set down her chopsticks and asked softly.

Patricia quickly averted her eyes and forced a laugh. "You're too thin, Emily. Eat more meat." She plopped a greasy chunk of fatty pork into Emily's bowl.

Emily's brow twitched almost imperceptibly as she eyed the glistening meat. In these times, few could afford to gain weight, but Patricia's sudden concern felt suspicious.

"Thank you, but you should eat more too," Emily replied politely, discreetly pushing the fatty pork aside.

Across the table, Michael Stone noticed his wife's discomfort and wordlessly added some greens to her bowl. Emily flashed him a grateful smile—their silent understanding spoke volumes.

While cleaning up after dinner, Patricia sidled up to Emily, sniffing conspicuously. "What do you use on your face? You smell so nice."

Emily paused mid-task and glanced at her suddenly overly friendly sister-in-law. "Just vanishing cream and soap. Don't you use them?"

"Oh, we country folk can't afford such luxuries," Patricia said, rubbing her hands together, her eyes darting over Emily. "So... could you spare me a bar of that soap?"

Before Emily could respond, Mary Stone slammed a bowl down. "Patricia! Next you'll be asking the Supply & Market to hand over their whole store! Have you no shame?"

Patricia shrank back but persisted. "But Mother, I don't have the coupons—"

"No coupons, just cash," Emily said calmly, wiping her hands. "Last time I bought soap in town without coupons, it was two and a half yuan per—"

"That's robbery!" Patricia gasped, her face twisting. "You're cheating me!"

Elizabeth Stone shook her head in disbelief. Couldn't Patricia read the room, especially on New Year's Eve?

"If it's too expensive, don't buy it," Michael said coldly, stepping forward to wrap an arm around Emily. "Father, Mother, we're heading home."

On their walk back, Michael noticed Emily's silence. "Didn't eat enough?"

Emily shook her head. "I'm fine. I don't eat much."

"Let's go to town tomorrow," he said gently. "They've got sugar-coated haws, popcorn, and your favorite—"

"Any grilled meat?" Emily's eyes sparkled.

Michael blinked, then chuckled. "If you're craving it, we can make our own. There are rabbits in the hills—"

Emily burst out laughing. "I was just teasing. But..." She winked. "If we could have some, that'd be perfect."

They shared a smile, their footprints side by side in the snow. Meanwhile, back at the Stone house, Patricia kicked angrily at the snowdrifts...