Chapter 387: Chapter 387: A New Year
"Alright, this has nothing to do with us. Patrol thoroughly tonight. Starting tomorrow, aside from patrolling and feeding the animals, you don’t need to worry about the greenhouses."
"The New Year is here! The New Year is here!"
"Are we getting a New Year’s bonus?"
Evelyn Ford smiled. "Yes, everyone gets one."
Back in the cabin, Evelyn Ford pulled out two large chests of jewelry, then dragged Ronan Kendrick over to help her choose. "Even though this stuff is worthless now, you know how women are—no one can resist the allure of jewelry. I’ve decided to give a small gift to every woman on the farm. Quick, help me pick some out."
Ronan Kendrick stared at the pile of glittering things, completely unfazed.
There was an art to picking the gifts. They had to be small and delicate, nothing too flashy.
"These pearls were originally for Serena Lynch." Evelyn Ford picked up a small box of pink pearls that had been taken from oysters they’d harvested on the island.
’She wondered if she’d ever see Serena Lynch and the others again.’ Evelyn Ford gently closed the lid. ’I’ll hold onto it for now. If we do meet again, I’ll give it to Serena then.’
"This colorful seashell is one-of-a-kind, so it’s for Wendy. I forgot where I scrounged up this bracelet, but it’s a perfect match for Wyatt Vaughn, so she gets this. This ring for Claudia Schultz, this bead for Zoe..."
After Evelyn Ford had assigned all the gifts, a question suddenly struck her. "What should I give the men?"
Evelyn Ford thought for a moment, then fished a box of old-fashioned razors out of her subspace. ’These should work. They probably need them.’
Ronan Kendrick stared at the bead in Evelyn Ford’s hand. "Are you sure they’ll all like these flashy but useless things?"
"When a person no longer has to worry about food and clothes, they start pursuing things that satisfy the soul. Jewelry can make a woman feel good. Besides, this stuff might come in handy someday, you never know."
Ronan Kendrick suddenly leaned closer to Evelyn Ford. "Then I’ll find you even more jewelry in the future to make you happy."
"Sounds good. I like diamonds. They’re so sparkly. They’re not just beautiful—you can use them as weapons."
Evelyn Ford had used a diamond to cut glass before.
Early the next morning, Evelyn Ford gathered everyone. Officer Graham first handed out the new quarter’s supply of clothes and toiletries, after which Evelyn Ford brought out a small box.
"Wow..."
Seeing what was inside, all the women had the same reaction: eyes shining, completely surprised and delighted. There weren’t many women on the farm: Wyatt Vaughn, Claudia Schultz, Wendy, Penelope Parker, Claire Moss, Aunt Crane, Christina Thorne, Zoe, and Evelyn Ford herself, making nine in total.
"Quiet, everyone. These are the gifts I’ve chosen for you. And yes, the men get something too. I’ve got old-fashioned razors, but if you don’t want one, you can trade it for a small accessory. You can give it to your female family members when you’re reunited with them."
Evelyn Ford distributed the items. "Everyone’s gift is different. I’m handing them out at random."
Before the apocalypse, this stuff would have been worth something, but now you probably couldn’t even trade it for a single sweet potato.
Many of the male workers also traded for a piece of jewelry. Only Officer Graham, Peter Owens, Taylor Vance, and Zion Lowell took the razors.
Ian Yates got a bead. After stringing it onto a hand-woven cord, he immediately brought it back to Evelyn Ford.
"Evelyn, this is my gift to you."
The cord it was on was one he’d braided himself. It wasn’t very good-looking, but the design was rather unique.
"For me?"
Ian Yates was a bit awkward. "I’m sorry, I don’t have anything right now, but I wanted to give you a gift in return."
Evelyn Ford didn’t accept it. "Just keep working hard on the farm. You don’t need to give me a gift in return. Once your voice finishes changing, you might start growing a beard. How about I trade this for a razor for you?"
Ian Yates was devastated. "I’m not going to grow a beard! It’s too ugly!"
He was in the middle of his voice changing, so his voice was a bit raspy and he sounded muffled when he spoke.
"I’ll give you a better gift in the future."
Evelyn Ford smiled, not taking him seriously.
Ronan Kendrick stood off to the side without saying a word. You could tell he was not in a particularly good mood.
With the gifts distributed, everyone got to work. Evelyn Ford had Nathan Xavier and Drako hang the New Year’s couplets. Officer Graham took Peter Owens to slaughter the chickens and sheep. Evelyn Ford and Ronan Kendrick lit one string of firecrackers, saving another for that night.
Christina Thorne and Claudia Schultz were both surprised to receive gifts, especially since they’d only recently arrived at the farm and had already caused so much trouble.
"Leader, I can’t accept these." Christina Thorne came up to Evelyn Ford and tried to return the pair of earrings she’d been given.
"Ever since I arrived, I spent the first month bedridden. The farm gave me food, a place to live, clothes, shoes, and medicine... I can never repay that debt. If I take this too, I’d be far too greedy."
’Evelyn had no idea how much of this jewelry she had stored in her subspace. It was better to give some away and make people happy than to let it collect dust. Christina was a sensitive soul, still burdened by guilt and feeling she could never repay the farm’s kindness. Accepting another gift would only make her feel worse.’
Evelyn Ford understood her feelings, so she took the earrings back.
"If they make you feel uneasy, then my gesture has had the opposite of its intended effect. Christina, since you’ve decided to stay, you shouldn’t feel so burdened. You’re still young and have your whole life ahead of you. Let the past go. I know you’re a very hard worker. Don’t put so much pressure on yourself."
Christina Thorne’s eyes welled with tears. "Leader, besides Claudia, you’re the kindest person I’ve ever met."
"What, am I not good to you?" Aunt Crane leaned in.
"And me? Am I not good to you?"
Christina Thorne’s face flushed. "You’re all very kind. Thank you."
"Oh, don’t be so formal. We women have to look out for and help each other."
Aunt Crane put on the necklace Evelyn Ford had given her. She looked as if she were ten years younger, unable to hold back the smile spreading across her face. "I never thought I’d get to wear a diamond necklace in my lifetime. Does it look good?"
"It looks great."
Everyone said in unison. Aunt Crane covered her mouth as she laughed. "Leader, this is only the second piece of jewelry I’ve ever received in my entire life. I’m going to treasure it. I’ll even take it to the grave with me."
Evelyn Ford was surprised; she and Aunt Crane were on the exact same wavelength.
"Aunt Crane, who gave you your first piece of jewelry? Was it your husband?" Wyatt Vaughn asked, her curiosity piqued.
"Hardly. Aside from handing over his pay, that man never gave me a single gift in his life. My first piece of jewelry was a gold-inlaid jade bracelet my parents gave me for my wedding. I later gave it to my daughter when she got married."
As Aunt Crane spoke, her voice grew choked with emotion.
"I never thought I’d receive a second gift in this lifetime."
"Leader, thank you." With that, Aunt Crane suddenly hugged Evelyn Ford.
Evelyn Ford smiled and hugged her back. "Aunt Crane, I’ll have another gift for you next year."
Aunt Crane laughed through her tears. "This hug is more than enough."
More than a gift, what she really needed was that hug.
