Chapter 55
"It's still early. We'll need to sleep through another night before getting home," Michael Stone sighed, unconsciously rubbing the bandage on his wound.
After two days and nights on the train, they'd only covered half the distance.
"Does it still hurt, Michael?" Charles Clark asked with guilt in his voice. If not for rushing home, Michael would still be recovering properly in the hospital.
"Should we change the dressing?" Charles added hastily before Michael could respond.
"No need. Get some rest."
The train compartment finally quieted down, leaving only the rhythmic clatter of wheels against tracks.
———
Emily Johnson thought herself an early riser, but when she opened the door, she found her mother-in-law had already swept the courtyard clean.
"Mother Mary, you're up so early?"
As Mary Stone was about to leave, Emily cut in: "Have breakfast here. I'll make it right away." She hurried toward the kitchen before her mother-in-law could refuse.
Noodles would be quickest. She fried four eggs for the four of them.
"I can eat at home..." Mary followed her into the kitchen.
"Mother, stay and eat here," Emily insisted firmly, continuing her preparations. Mary had no choice but to help stoke the fire, watching her daughter-in-law skillfully fry eggs and boil noodles.
"My parents sent plenty of food and money. Michael also stocked up on fine grains before leaving," Emily said while cooking. "These noodles look white, but they've actually gone slightly moldy. We should finish them quickly."
Moldy? Mary sniffed suspiciously.
"I didn't seal the bag properly. They got damp," Emily continued smoothly without batting an eye. "You don't mind, do you?"
Having lived through famine years, Mary wouldn't fuss over such things. "Of course not."
After the noodles were ready, Emily woke the two little ones. David and Tommy ate with relish, but Mary grew increasingly puzzled—where was this supposed moldy taste?
Looking at the snow-white noodles and golden fried eggs in her bowl, Mary understood perfectly. This wasn't about spoiled food—it was her daughter-in-law's clever way of ensuring she ate well.
"It's getting late. I should head back," Mary said, putting down her bowl. "If the Wilsons come making trouble, call for me."
"Understood, Mother." Emily obediently saw her mother-in-law out.
Returning inside at just seven o'clock, Emily clapped her hands. "Come, let me teach you the Three Character Classic."
"Yay!" The two boys gathered around excitedly.
"Men at their birth..."
"Are naturally good..."
Their childish voices echoed through the morning courtyard.
Meanwhile at the main Stone household, Elizabeth Stone was cooking sweet potato porridge in the kitchen.
"Grandma's back!" Lily exclaimed upon seeing Mary enter, showing no surprise.
Grace bounded over. "Grandma, breakfast is almost ready!" These past two days following Grandma to Aunt Emily's had brought many treats. Last night when their parents gave them biscuits, they'd proudly boasted about all the delicious things they'd eaten at Aunt Emily's.