Chapter 262

On the twenty-ninth day of the twelfth lunar month, Iris White and Henry Cooper returned home with their three children, weary from the journey but brimming with excitement. Their two vintage bicycles were laden with New Year's provisions, while the children squeezed onto the back seats, their cheeks flushed from the cold yet glowing with joy at being home.

Luna White nearly remarked on the excess of their belongings but bit back her words, remembering her younger sister's advice. As long as Iris was happy, what did it matter? She wasn’t the type to be wasteful.

"Big sis, I didn’t buy all this," Iris said, reading her sister’s thoughts. "Factory Manager Green insisted on giving them to me. When he heard Luna was back, he prepared these gifts. I couldn’t refuse—it was his kindness..."

Luna frowned slightly. "Such generous gifts—how will we repay them?" She worried her sister might feel indebted at work.

Luna smiled and linked arms with Iris. "Don’t worry, sis. The manager values my medical skills and wants to build goodwill. Later, we can send some of our homemade specialties back with Iris."

Iris’s expression darkened as she remembered something. "But it’s strange—William still hasn’t returned, and it’s already the twenty-ninth. Henry is frantic. Could you ask around when you go back?"

Luna found it odd too. William wasn’t the type to neglect his family—why hadn’t he even sent a letter? Everyone longed to return home for the New Year.

"I’ll look into it as soon as I’m back. You should also ask the folks from your factory—he must know someone there," Luna reassured her.

Luna brought out the prepared offering basket. According to their hometown tradition, the twenty-ninth was the day to visit their parents’ graves. The four siblings walked silently toward the back hill, their footprints marking the snow-covered path.

Kneeling before her adoptive parents’ graves, Luna bowed deeply three times. Their kindness had been as vast as the mountains and as deep as the sea. She lit incense, watching as the smoke curled upward.

Mom, Dad... we’re all doing well... she whispered in her heart. In the next life, I’d still want to be your daughter...

Meanwhile, at the Smith family villa.

Andrew Smith descended the stairs briskly, dressed in an olive-green military shirt. Today was the family reunion, but he had arrived too late the night before to see anyone.

"Dad, I’m back," he said, taking a seat at the dining table and biting into a fried dough stick.

Aunt Nian hurried over with a bowl of soy milk. "Andrew, there’s also red bean porridge..."

"Your red bean porridge is the best," Andrew said, making the elderly woman beam with delight.

He greeted his eldest brother, Andrew Sr., his sister-in-law, and his younger brother, Adrian, pointedly ignoring his stepmother, Evelyn Smith, who sat beside their father.

"Second Brother, why aren’t you greeting Mom?" Adrian frowned. Raised by Evelyn, he couldn’t stand any disrespect toward her.

Evelyn waved a hand, her smile gentle. "No need for formalities among family. Andrew, how long can you stay this time?"

"Returning to base on the fourth," Andrew replied flatly, his expression unreadable.

Mr. Smith set down his newspaper and fixed his second son with a stern look. "You’re not getting any younger. Your mother has arranged meetings with a few young women—take these days to see them."

Andrew’s grip on his chopsticks tightened slightly. So, this was his stepmother’s scheme. He glanced at his father, then at Evelyn’s unchanging smile, a cold smirk forming in his heart.

Beneath the surface of this family gathering, undercurrents swirled.