Chapter 124: The Small Town Buzzed with Festive Energy

On December 28th, the small town buzzed with festive energy.

Red lanterns adorned the plane trees lining the streets. Fresh holiday decorations graced every shop entrance. Upbeat seasonal tunes played on loop from supermarket speakers.

Helen Whitmore took one look at the long queue outside their neighborhood grocery and immediately steered toward the downtown hypermarket.

The underground parking was nearly full. After circling for ages, mother and daughter finally found a spot. The elevator doors opened to reveal a bustling holiday shopping scene.

Two giant red "Fortune" signs flanked the entrance. Shelves overflowed with gift baskets. Shoppers pushed carts through crowded aisles, their faces alight with seasonal cheer.

"Mom, original or spiced sunflower seeds?" Clara Whitmore held up two packages.

"Get both. Your father prefers the spiced ones." Helen added two nut gift sets to their cart.

Soon the cart brimmed with dried goods and fruit. In the snack aisle, Helen deliberately selected several boxes of imported chocolates for holiday guests.

While browsing condiments, Helen noticed their soy sauce was running low. She turned to consult Clara, only to find empty space behind her.

Retracing their steps past two aisles, she caught Clara sneaking premium ice cream bars into the cart.

"Mom!" Caught red-handed, Clara adopted a pitiful expression. "Just two? Please?"

Helen crossed her arms. "What do you think?"

"Then...one?" Clara attempted negotiation.

A single ice cream bar remained in the cart.

"That's so unfair," Clara grumbled. "It's the holidays..."

"One. Final answer." Helen remained firm.

"Helen?"

An unfamiliar woman's voice interrupted. Both turned to see a middle-aged woman in a beige trench coat. Her sleek bob framed gold-rimmed glasses.

"Phoebe, what a coincidence." Helen offered a professional smile.

"I didn't expect to see you here." The editor approached, her gaze lingering on Clara. "And this is..."

"My daughter, Clara."

"My, how she's grown!" Phoebe Ward examined Clara with surprise. "Last time I saw her, she was just a little girl."

Clara nodded politely. She noticed the editor's habitual glasses adjustment and unique silver ring.

"About our phone conversation this morning—have you decided?" Phoebe shifted topics abruptly.

Helen's smile stiffened. The realization struck Clara—this was the editor who constantly called her mother about deadlines.