Chapter 259

"Finally, you're back!" Ethan White's anxious heart settled the moment he spotted his younger sister. The station clock showed only ten minutes until departure—he'd been about to leave the three boys behind to search for her.

Luna White struggled forward, panting under the weight of her bulging bundle. Ethan hurried to take it, his arm dropping with the unexpected heft.

"What on earth did you buy?" he muttered, but the departure bell rang before he could ask further. The five of them scrambled to buy tickets and squeezed into the overcrowded carriage.

Every seat was taken. Quick-witted Ethan Jackson set their woven basket atop the engine cover, and the three boys immediately claimed this "prime spot." The driver barely glanced their way—as long as it didn’t interfere with maintenance, such things were tacitly allowed.

The carriage was packed tighter than sardines, the air thick with mingled odors. After over an hour of jolting along the potholed rural road, they tumbled out at their stop, thoroughly disheveled.

"Ugh—" The three boys crouched by the roadside, vomiting violently. Their first long-distance bus ride on such a rough road had been a trial by fire.

Back home, Luna Whitaker was gathering sun-dried bedding when she spotted them. She set aside her work and rushed over.

"Did you buy out the entire market?" she scolded, though her eyes sparkled with barely concealed delight.

Luna White's heart leapt. "Big sis, did you and Ryan Wallace reach an agreement?"

Luna Whitaker flushed and busied herself unpacking the New Year's goods from the basket. "Goodness! So much meat! You reckless girl, spending money the moment you earn it!"

"Sis—" Luna White linked arms with her affectionately. "Isn’t earning money meant to improve our lives? We had no choice before, but now that we can afford better, why keep suffering?"

Luna Whitaker sighed. "You're right, but... I'm just worried—"

"Worried about what? I'm here!" Luna White patted her chest. "Wait—you just said 'once we're in the city'... Does that mean you’ll come with me?"

Luna Whitaker nodded, though unease lingered in her voice. "But what about Samuel's schooling—"

"Leave it to me!" Luna White's eyes brightened. "The General promised to help with family arrangements. Sis, this is wonderful—you taking this step!"

The boys, drawn by the commotion, crowded around. "Mom! Are we really moving to the city?"

Ethan Jackson puffed out his chest. "Aaron and I can work! We heard factories are hiring—we'll get jobs when we're older!"

Watching her children's excitement, Luna Whitaker finally relaxed into a genuine smile. She knew it—a new life was about to begin.