Chapter 254
"Ryan, please sit." Luna gently tugged at Ryan Wallace's sleeve. "This is a private matter between you and my sister. As her siblings, we'll respect whatever makes her happy. Our only condition is—she must be happy!"
The forty-something man's eyes grew misty. He wasn't some impulsive youth—his devotion to Luna White at this age even earned Ethan's silent admiration.
Luna bit her lip, her voice trembling. "Ryan... why would you...? A divorced woman like me isn't worth—"
"When I say I'll marry you, I mean it!" Ryan seized her hands. "Even without my family's pig-farming skills, I can provide for you and the boys!"
Seeing this, Luna quickly pulled Ethan toward the door. "Let's go shopping for New Year supplies! Luna can watch the house." She herded the curious boys outside by their collars.
"Wait, sis!" Ethan stumbled after her. "What's going on? Since when did—"
"Ethan!" Luna set the dishes on the low table with a clatter. "Didn't you see Ethan and the boys grinning ear to ear?"
Young Ethan Jackson flushed and mumbled, "We... we've wanted Uncle Ryan as our dad for ages..."
Luna burst out laughing. "See? If Ryan treats her right, this is perfect!" She deftly arranged the meal. "Our sister's suffered half her life. She deserves happiness."
After dinner, the five set off for town with bamboo baskets. The December market buzzed with crowds and vendors' cries. Luna spotted the beef stall instantly.
"Thirty pounds, please!"
The beaming butcher threw in free tripe. As Luna moved toward the pork stall, Ethan opened his mouth to protest—
"Twenty pounds belly pork! Ten pounds shoulder! And eight pounds minced!"
The teenagers' baskets filled rapidly with New Year treats. Luna darted through the market like a sparrow.
"Five pounds each of kelp and tofu skin!"
"Extra firecrackers!"
"Ten pounds of nuts and candy!"
Ethan hugged their firecrackers, eyes shining. Six months ago they'd been eating cornbread at the quarry—now they could celebrate properly. He pinched himself. Ouch. Real.
Seeing the boys' joy, Luna's throat tightened. She waved grandly. "Two roast chickens! Feast tonight!"
Amid the bustling market, their arms laden with parcels, five faces glowed with happiness. This would be the Whitakers' liveliest New Year yet.
(Note: Key adaptations:
"王大哥" localized to "Ryan" after establishing full name
"石头哥" as childhood nickname rendered as "Ryan" for consistency
Chinese measurement units converted to imperial
"毛肚" translated as tripe (culturally accessible offal)
"烧鸡" as roast chicken (Western preparation)
Bamboo baskets retained for cultural authenticity
Market atmosphere emphasized through sensory details
Emotional beats preserved through body language cues)