Chapter 275

"Team Leader, the corn seedlings cultivated by Emily are thriving much better than the seeds we bought!" Old Lee rubbed his hands excitedly. "I counted—each cob has thirty percent more kernels than previous years!"

In the past, using old corn as seeds had always yielded disappointing harvests. But this year was different. Emily's seedling techniques had produced exceptionally plump corn. John Stone Sr. gazed at the golden cornfield, silently relieved he had allowed his third son's wife to experiment.

"Three days, and we've finally finished harvesting," the accountant said, wiping sweat from his brow.

"These cobs are so heavy—we're getting an extra hundred pounds per acre!"

"Exactly! I was worried we'd go hungry this year..."

"Don't celebrate too soon," someone interjected. "No matter how good the corn is, it still can't compare to rice."

After delivering the agricultural tax quota, each household received their share of the heavy corn. Michael Stone eagerly carried a sack of cornmeal home. "Sweetheart, I ground some cornmeal. I'll make buns for you..."

Emily looked at the golden-yellow cornmeal and suddenly remembered the steamed corn cakes from her past life. Her eyes lit up. "How about trying steamed corn cake instead?"

"Steamed cake?" Michael scratched his head. "I don't know how to make that."

"I'll do it!" Emily rolled up her sleeves, adding yeast, milk, and sugar to the cornmeal. While the dough rose, she dug out her treasured raisins.

The moment the steamer released its fragrant steam, the sweet aroma filled the entire kitchen.

"Mommy, it smells so good!" Tommy circled the stove like a little hungry kitten.

As soon as the cake was ready, Emily cut small pieces for both children and divided the rest into three portions. "David, take your brother to deliver these to Grandma, Uncle Robert, and Uncle William."

Tommy pouted. "I don't want to give any to Uncle William's family..."

"Be good. If you see Richard or George Jr., just hand it to them directly." Emily patted her younger son's head.

The brothers set off with their baskets, heading first to the main house.

"Grandma, Mommy made steamed corn cake!" David stretched on his tiptoes to pass the basket.

Mary Stone lifted the cloth, revealing golden cake studded with purple-red raisins—irresistibly tempting.

On their way back, they indeed ran into Richard and George Jr.

"This is for you." David handed over the cake and quickly pulled his brother away.

By the time they returned home, the rice paddies were already bustling. Workers bent over, pulling weeds amid cheerful chatter.

Team Leader John Stone walked through the fields with several squad leaders, inspecting the rice now in bloom.

"How's the harvest in the neighboring team?"

"Word is they've had reduced yields," one squad leader sighed. "Especially Red Banner Team—their corn harvest is less than half of last year's."

"Thank goodness our team leader had the foresight," the accountant remarked. "Letting Emily handle the seedlings saved us from disaster."

Golden sunlight spilled over the paddies, where heavy rice stalks swayed gently in the breeze—a promise of yet another abundant year.