Vernon Spann never would have imagined Phoenix Golding could be so heartless, willing to push her own daughter into a fiery pit. The woman was more venomous than a cobra.

If there was anything Vernon Spann was still attached to on Millstone Peak, it was his daughter, Jacqueline Spann.

Phoenix Golding looked at him mockingly. "If she weren’t my own flesh and blood, I’d marry her off right now. Those old bachelors wouldn’t mind how young she is, anyway. Raising her until she’s seventeen or eighteen to get married is already doing more than enough."

Vernon Spann clenched his jaw, his expression flickering, but he suddenly forced a smile. He stepped forward to help Phoenix Golding up, his solicitous manner a stark contrast to moments before. Phoenix Golding was incredibly smug. ’This man is completely in the palm of my hand. Even if I gave him wings, he couldn’t fly away. Hmph, what a spineless loser!’

The couple, seemingly close but emotionally distant, walked away arm in arm. With a tear-stained face, Ulysses Spann followed behind, gradually falling further and further back. He didn’t really want to go home just yet. ’Dad had to bottle up his anger because of Mom, so he’ll definitely take it out on me. I’ll go home later.’

Jacqueline Spann suddenly appeared, a basket of pig feed on her back. Her eyes were ice-cold, tear stains lingered at their corners, and a deep bite mark was imprinted on her lip. She had actually been there for some time but hadn’t wanted to reveal herself. By chance, she had overheard Phoenix Golding’s words, and they sent a chill through her entire being, like being thrown into an ice cellar—a cold that seeped from the very depths of her heart.

She worked so hard, without a single complaint, all in an effort to please her mother. But it was completely useless. Hearing Phoenix Golding speak about her in that tone just now hurt more than a knife to the heart.

’I’m her own daughter, too. Why does Mom have to be so cruel?’

Jacqueline Spann let out a self-mocking laugh, but her gaze grew colder, and her heart grew harder. She had to find a way to get out of Millstone Peak as soon as possible. Only by escaping her mother’s control would she have a chance to go to college.

’But how can I leave Millstone Peak?’

Earning money wouldn’t happen overnight, and she had no relatives in the city. Then, an idea struck Jacqueline Spann. She thought of her father, Vernon Spann’s, status as an "educated youth." Educated youth from other villages were gradually returning to the cities. If her father could go back to the city, she could go with him.

’Once I get to the city, there will be more opportunities. With my intelligence and talent, I’ll definitely be able to make something of myself.’

Jacqueline Spann’s spirits soared. With a new goal in mind, she decided she had to go and find out what procedures were required to return to the city.

Lost in thought, Jacqueline Spann didn’t notice Ulysses Spann huddled under a tree watching ants, and she went home alone. In truth, Ulysses Spann hadn’t been sad for long. He was quickly captivated by the ants. He even caught a caterpillar for them to carry, watching with great fascination.

Tang Xiaonan and Jim Thorne went out, baskets in hand. Phoebe Huxley had only stir-fried half of the pork liver; she had Tang Xiaonan take the other half to the Hawthorne family. Adrian Hawthorne had been bringing things over frequently lately, like pastries and candies. He never showed up empty-handed.

Phoebe Huxley was incredibly fond of Adrian Hawthorne now. She called him "Adrian," and her tone was far gentler than when she spoke to Jim Thorne.

The sky had yet to completely darken, and a cloud of mosquitoes buzzed annoyingly overhead. In her hand, Tang Xiaonan held a lit bundle of dried mugwort leaves. Billowing white smoke rose from it, driving the insects away.

Mosquito coils weren’t common back then, and the villagers couldn’t bear to spend money on them anyway. They had their own folk remedies. One was using mugwort leaves—the same kind used to make Qingming dumplings. When the leaves were tender, they could be used for snacks. But after the Qingming Festival, they grew rapidly, some reaching a meter high, and emitted a special, fresh fragrance that could drive away pests and mosquitoes.

The villagers would cut these leaves, take them home to dry, and tie them into bundles to be lit. The thick smoke that emerged was miraculously effective at killing mosquitoes, though it was quite choking. However, they would just place the mugwort in a room for about ten minutes, wait for the smoke to die down before entering, and then shut the doors and windows tightly. That way, they could get a peaceful night’s sleep.