Several days passed since the dung-throwing incident, and the village had quieted down again. However, Linden’s mother and Phoebe Huxley had become mortal enemies. They would roll their eyes at each other on sight, and Linden’s mother had tried to get revenge several times, but the quick-witted Phoebe never let her succeed.

As the farm work eased up, Felix Thorne’s business got busy again. Many families were rushing to hold their weddings before May, as almost no one held celebrations during the summer months of June, July, August, or September. Most tried to get them all finished before then.

These past few days, Felix Thorne hadn’t been doing farm work. Instead, he was butchering one pig a day, earning more than he would in the fields. Naturally, the family’s meals became much more substantial. This time, without any prompting from her daughter, Phoebe Huxley took the initiative to give some meat to her in-laws. The bond between her and her mother-in-law had grown as close as that of a mother and daughter, which made Byron Thorne very pleased.

As evening fell, Felix Thorne hurried home on his bicycle. In the bamboo basket on the back were some meat, offal, and his butchering tools. Today’s pig had been quite fat, so Felix’s share of the meat was larger than usual. He had a pig’s liver and a set of large intestines. The client hadn’t wanted the lungs, so Felix brought those back too. Byron Thorne’s lungs were weak, and there was a belief that eating lungs helped strengthen one’s own. A soup made from cleaned pig lungs would be good for his father’s health.

He was still a few miles from Millstone Peak, so Felix Thorne pedaled a little faster. He had managed to get some White Rabbit candies today, and he knew his little girl would be thrilled. But a voice calling out from behind him made his expression darken, and a complex look entered his eyes.

Phoenix Golding caught up on her bicycle, its back seat empty. She was on her way back from running errands in town when she happened to spot Felix Thorne—and the meat in his basket. An idea immediately formed in her mind. Her family hadn’t had meat in a long time, and she hadn’t run into Felix at all recently. Today, she’d finally caught him.

What she didn’t know was that Felix Thorne had been deliberately avoiding her, turning away whenever he spotted her from a distance. She was no longer the idealized love of his youth; now, she was more like a thick glob of phlegm stuck in his throat, sickening him.

"Felix!"

Phoenix Golding called out with a beaming smile, oblivious to the change in Felix. She was feeling quite pleased with herself, her eyes fixed on the meat in his basket. She couldn’t help but swallow. She was sure that with no one else around today, Felix would give her a generous portion.

"Been out butchering a pig!"

Phoenix Golding started to sense that something was off about Felix. ’Why isn’t this butcher saying anything? And he’s giving me such a strange look.’

"Yeah," Felix finally grunted, sizing up Phoenix Golding with a cold stare. This woman, whom he had once genuinely loved, now filled him with nothing but disgust.

Phoenix Golding frowned slightly, suppressing her annoyance. She forced a smile and said, "Yuhai was just saying yesterday he wanted some fresh pork wontons. It’s a good thing I ran into you today."

After speaking, she stared at Felix. ’I’ve already made it so obvious, so why isn’t this butcher doing anything? He’s just standing there like a block of wood.’ Her frown deepened, and her contempt for Felix grew. ’He’s so dim-witted. He can’t even compare to Frederick Thorne.’

"You want to buy some meat?" Felix finally asked.

Phoenix Golding was delighted and a little smug. ’This oaf isn’t completely stupid after all.’ She nodded. "Give me two pounds, then."

"The price of meat has gone up recently. Without ration coupons, it’s one-twenty per pound. Two pounds will be two-forty," Felix said, his face devoid of expression.

The color drained from Phoenix Golding’s face. "Why do I have to pay?" she blurted out.

"Why shouldn’t you have to pay? Did you think you were getting it for free?!"

Felix sneered, shooting her a disgusted look. He got back on his bike and started to ride away, unwilling to waste another breath on this hussy. He needed to get home and make his little girl happy.

Phoenix Golding hurried after him. "But I never had to pay before! Is it because of Phoebe Huxley? Is she in charge of you now?"