Chapter 265

"Sweetheart, this stir-fried sweet potato vine is delicious," Michael said, taking a bite but keeping his eyes fixed on Emily.

Emily rolled her eyes. "Eat it or don’t. It’s good for you."

The two little boys, David and Tommy, were happily digging into the dish, their chopsticks clashing over the last bites.

"The college entrance exams are next month. You need to focus on math, physics, and chemistry," Michael said seriously, setting down his chopsticks.

"Yeah, yeah," Emily replied absentmindedly, her thoughts clearly elsewhere.

Suddenly, Michael leaned in close, lowering his voice. "Sweetheart, I was thinking—"

"Don’t even think about it!" Emily shoved him away. "You’re finishing this set of practice problems tonight!"

Michael pouted like a scolded puppy.

But when night fell and the house grew quiet, Emily still couldn’t escape his "clutches."

In the Johnson family’s living room, Margaret clapped her hands in delight as she read the telegram. "Finally, a job! They need to come back right away!"

Henry frowned. "Do you really think that boy will agree?"

"What kind of question is that?" Margaret glared at him. "Are you suggesting they should live apart?"

"I’m just worried—" Henry hesitated. In their community, men who married rural women were always the subject of gossip.

Margaret scoffed. "Is your pride more important than your daughter?"

The next day, the mailman’s booming voice echoed outside the courtyard. "Emily Johnson, telegram!"

Emily tore it open, her brow furrowing instantly.

"What’s wrong?" Michael asked, wiping sweat from his forehead as he returned from the fields.

"My mother says she found a job for us. She wants us to come back to the city." Emily handed him the telegram.

Michael read it in silence. "The exams are coming up..."

"I’ll send a reply tomorrow," Emily muttered, rubbing her temples in frustration.

The timing couldn’t have been worse.

When the Johnsons received Emily’s response, Henry nearly jumped out of his seat. "The college entrance exams? Have they lost their minds?"

"What’s wrong with taking the exams?" Margaret shot back. "If he gets into university, who’d dare laugh then?"

Henry opened his mouth but swallowed his words.

If that country boy actually got into college, where would that leave his pride?