Chapter 246
At the break of dawn, Luna White was awakened by rustling noises in the yard. Rubbing her eyes, she saw her eldest sister, Luna Whitaker, already bustling around the stove.
"Sis, why so early?" Luna asked, pulling on her coat as she stepped outside.
Luna Whitaker wiped the sweat from her brow. "We're selling the pigs today. Need to get ready early." She tossed more firewood into the stove. "Didn't feed them last night, so I'm giving them some water this morning."
Ethan White returned from the backyard, his pants still flecked with grass. "All four pigs are lively. Each must weigh at least three hundred pounds."
The three children were up too. Ethan Jackson rubbed his hands excitedly. "Mom, can we pay for Sam's tuition after selling the pigs?"
Luna Whitaker smiled and nodded. "Not just tuition—we'll get you all new clothes too."
Just then, footsteps sounded outside the gate. Ryan Wallace entered with a short, stocky man in tow.
"Ethan, this is Mr. Sun," Ryan introduced. "He's here to buy pigs."
Ethan quickly offered a cigarette. Sun took it, but his eyes kept drifting toward Luna Whitaker.
"Heard you're quite the pig farmer, Miss Whitaker?" Sun exhaled smoke rings.
Luna Whitaker smiled shyly. "Learned it all from Ryan."
The group headed to the backyard pigpen. Sun's eyes lit up at the sight of the four plump, healthy pigs. "Wow, these are well-raised!"
He sidled up to the pen, then suddenly reached out and pinched Luna Whitaker's arm. "You're quite the capable woman!"
Luna Whitaker stiffened, stepping back half a pace. Ethan instantly moved between them. "Mr. Sun, keep your hands to yourself while inspecting the pigs."
Sun chuckled awkwardly, withdrawing his hand. "Just got carried away. These pigs are impressive."
Ryan stood nearby, his fists clenched tight.
"Alright," Sun pulled out a calculator. "I'll take all four at ninety cents per pound."
Luna Whitaker was about to agree when Ryan suddenly spoke up. "Wait. I'll pay ninety-five."
Sun's face darkened. "Ryan, that's not how we do business."
"Highest bidder wins—isn't that what you taught me?" Ryan smirked.
Luna sensed the tension and subtly tugged Ethan's sleeve.
"Fine! Ninety-five it is!" Sun gritted his teeth.
"A dollar," Ryan said calmly.
Sun's face turned livid. "Ryan! Are you trying to screw me over?"
"Mr. Sun," Ethan interjected smoothly, "how about we sell two today and save the rest for later?"
Sun shot Ryan a glare, spat out "Ungrateful wretch," and stormed off.
The yard fell silent. Luna Whitaker wrung her hands anxiously. "What do we do now...?"
"Don't worry," Ryan said suddenly. "I'll take them. At a dollar twenty."
Luna's eyes widened in surprise. Ethan studied Ryan thoughtfully.
"That's... too generous," Luna Whitaker stammered.
Ryan's gaze softened. "Consider it a New Year's gift for the kids."
A small smile curved Luna's lips. It seemed today's sale wasn't just about pigs after all...