Nancy Thorne unwrapped the paper bag of candy. Inside were all sorts of colorful sweets, but one familiar wrapper brought back a flood of memories.

"Mom, it’s White Rabbit!"

Nancy Thorne held up the candy for Phoebe Huxley to see. Both Felix Thorne and Phoebe Huxley were shocked. Assorted candies mixed with White Rabbit weren’t cheap—at least 1.20 yuan a catty, and you couldn’t always find them for sale.

Nowadays, you couldn’t get White Rabbit candy even if you had the money. Even locals in Tristone needed ration coupons for it, and purchases were limited. Any family that could dissolve White Rabbit candies to make a drink was undoubtedly part of the elite. (Milk was scarce in the seventies and eighties, and it was said that five White Rabbit candies could be dissolved to make a cup of milk, as the candy back then was made with real, pure milk powder.)

As for the cities surrounding Tristone, it was even more impossible to buy White Rabbit candy. At most, you could buy assorted candies that might have some mixed in. Getting two or three White Rabbit pieces in a catty of candy was considered great luck.

"They don’t sell the White Rabbit candies on their own, only in the assorted mix." Adrian Hawthorne looked a little sheepish. He hadn’t been able to keep his promise.

"The assorted candies are delicious! Thank you, Mr. Hawthorne."

Nancy Thorne unwrapped a piece of nougat. ’The White Rabbit candies are too much of a luxury; I should save them and savor them slowly. Nougat is delicious too.’

"Buying such expensive candy... you’ve spent too much."

The smile on Phoebe Huxley’s face grew even kinder. She found herself liking Adrian Hawthorne more and more. ’What a sensible child.’

Adrian Hawthorne smiled, said his goodbyes, and headed home, taking a basket full of fresh, tender choy sum with him. As soon as the weather warmed, the choy sum shot up like crazy, tender and sweet. Phoebe Huxley grew so many vegetables she couldn’t possibly eat them all, while Rosalind Green never had enough—and hers never tasted as good as Phoebe’s.

Byron Thorne and Goldie Thorne were also about to leave. Byron glanced silently at the eggs on the table, planning to grab them on his way out. ’They were his payment for the medicine, so he was entitled to them.’

But—

Just as Byron Thorne reached out, Phoebe Huxley’s huge hand shot out and took the eggs. Byron, who had only managed to extend his fingertips, immediately snatched his hand back. He gave a small laugh to hide his embarrassment and departed with a reserved air.

Goldie Thorne walked in front, with Byron Thorne behind him. As they crossed the threshold, Byron, seething with frustration, lurched sideways and knocked Goldie off balance. Goldie fell to his knees, crying out in pain. Only then did Byron Thorne feel satisfied. He slung his medicine box over his shoulder and ambled home.

A baffled Goldie Thorne got up with his nephew’s help. He rubbed his knees, grimacing in pain, and limped his way home, completely unaware that an even fiercer storm awaited him there.

Meanwhile, Phoebe Huxley was lecturing Felix Thorne. "You ride that bike and don’t earn a single cent. That boy pays one yuan for every ride, and he brings us all these things. Only an idiot would refuse to lend it out! From now on, you listen to me on this. You can ride the bike less. Walk more; it’s good exercise."

"It’s my bike, and I can’t even ride it?" Felix Thorne’s face was grim. He didn’t want to earn this money at all. ’What if the bike breaks?’

"Don’t you have to go to work? A big lug like you riding it is what’s ruining the bike! Haven’t you seen how the tires practically go flat the second you sit on it?"

Phoebe Huxley rolled her eyes in annoyance. ’Such a grown man, and so clueless. Money is practically being handed to him and he won’t take it. Dumb as a rock.’

Felix Thorne sullenly shut his mouth. Of course, it wasn’t because he agreed with Phoebe Huxley, but because Nancy Thorne was glaring at him, her cheeks puffed out. He didn’t dare provoke the girl, and he certainly didn’t dare provoke Phoebe Huxley. After all, Felix still had a guilty conscience about that business with Phoenix Golding yesterday.