CHAPTER 734: CHAPTER 773: A WARM AND COZY NIGHT

"James, this..." Aunt suddenly become a little hesitant.

John Brown hurriedly said, "Aunt, just say whatever you want to say. What’s our relationship? No need to be so formal."

Aunt said somewhat awkwardly, "Well, it’s like this. It’s the off-farm season now, and Little Leo from your Aunt Mary’s family and our Little Charlie have nothing to do. Your Aunt Mary and I discussed whether you could help them find a job. They usually just do odd jobs, earning very little, and mainly not making any progress. I see you are doing really well, so I wondered if you could guide them. I know it might be difficult for you; just give it a try. Whether it works or not, your Aunt Mary and I won’t hold it against you."

John Brown smiled faintly and said, "Aunt, I thought it was something important. This is not difficult to handle. The company I work for is in need of many employees right now. Little Leo is quite straightforward; he might not do well at other things, so he can be a security guard at our company. Although it’s not a hugely successful position, our company has pretty good benefits, and earning over three thousand a month shouldn’t be an issue."

Aunt was delighted and said, "Over three thousand, that’s already quite a lot. That kid, Little Leo, except for having strong arms, is not good at anything else. If he can earn over three thousand a month, your Aunt Mary will be overjoyed, and in a few years, he might get a wife."

"As for Little Charlie, I see this kid is quite slick. After he gets married and finishes his honeymoon, he could try working in sales and purchasing at my company. If he does well, he’ll earn more than a security guard."

Aunt immediately said eagerly, "What honeymoon? We don’t have money to send them on trips. Arranging the marriage already drained me and your uncle-in-law of everything. Without earning money, what do they have to spend? Let Little Leo follow him back then."

Emily Berns saw James Brown and Aunt chatting happily, so her tension wasn’t so serious. She turned her body and said to Aunt, "Aunt, there’s no problem with your own son but being in such a hurry might upset your daughter-in-law. If you chase away the nodal officer right after the wedding, won’t the bride be lonely?"

Aunt nodded repeatedly, "That’s right. Our daughter-in-law is also quite fierce. If that’s the case, there might be a fight."

Emily Berns continued, "I think it would be better to let them rent a house in the city together. This way, the couple can be together. Oh, James, you can arrange a job for Little Charlie’s wife at the company too. Wouldn’t that be much better for both of them?"

James Brown said, "That’s actually a good idea. Let’s do it. I’ll arrange for both Little Charlie and his wife to join the company."

Aunt was overjoyed but quickly worried, "James, arranging for three people at once won’t affect you, will it?"

James Brown smiled and said, "It won’t. Our company is short-staffed, and Little Charlie and the rest won’t be there to slack off; they need to work hard. I can get them into the company, but it’s not for them to have an easy time."

Aunt nodded repeatedly, "That’s settled then. Let them work in a big company. If they don’t work hard, you can reprimand them. Even if you give them a thrashing, they won’t dare say a word."

Aunt laughed, "Look at you, they’re my brothers. How could I not take care of them? Just relax."

"Alright, then I’ll be leaving. You guys go to sleep."

Aunt left in high spirits, while Emily Berns smiled and said, "The taste of family ties is truly wonderful. In our family, we don’t have such feelings. Helping them out makes me very happy."

John Brown also smiled and said, "Yes, it’s been a year since I came back, and I haven’t visited or helped them; I really owe them."

"That’s all on you. I’m telling you, we need to visit during festivals in the future. It’s so lively and warm here; I really like this family atmosphere."

"I like it too."

Both were immersed in the embrace of family affection, and for a moment, they even forgot they were sharing the same blanket.

"Oh dear, why did you come into my blanket? Get out." Emily Berns moved her arm and accidentally touched John Brown, instinctively let out a cry, and pushed him away.

John Brown rolled out and said awkwardly, "I forgot while talking to Aunt just now. I’m not trying to take advantage of you."

After they talked, both suddenly froze. Before Aunt came, Emily Berns had let John Brown sleep with her, but now she had driven him out, making Emily a bit frustrated. It was truly her instinct just now.

John Brown also found it amusing, never expecting Emily Berns to be so shy sharing a bed. He couldn’t help teasing, "We already have a daughter together, what’s there to be shy about?"

Emily Berns spat at John Brown and said fiercely, "You scoundrel, stop with your snarky comments. Tonight, you’re sleeping outside, don’t come in, or else I’ll never forgive you."

John Brown daring not to tease Emily Berns any longer, quickly said, "Alright, alright, I’ll sleep outside. Go to sleep, go to sleep."

The room soon fell silent with only their breathing audible, but Emily couldn’t fall asleep no matter what. On the day John took his daughter away, they had all shared a bed, but her emotions were too painful back then for her to think much of it. Now, however, the conflict between her and John had lessened, and she couldn’t help but let her thoughts wander.

"What if this jerk sneaks into my blanket once I fall asleep? If he does something to me, what should I do? Should I agree or refuse? I do want to be with him, and if he makes a move, I should agree, right? But... why should he have his way without considering my dignity?"

Emily pondered back and forth but dared not move, fearing John might realize she wasn’t asleep, which would be quite embarrassing. However, after a long time, John hadn’t moved towards her. In fact, she could hear him snoring, which made Emily feel both disappointed and annoyed.

"This jerk can actually fall asleep. Am I that undesirable? Why doesn’t he have any thoughts about me?" Emily angrily turned her back, watching John sleep soundly on his back, feeling even angrier, wanting to kick him awake.

But as she continued to watch John, her anger gradually subsided, eventually turning into tenderness. If she could end every day of her life this way, watching him sleep next to her, that would be a blissful life. Though John remained distant, they were now sharing a bed, and John’s family already considered her his wife. In future interactions with relatives, John would have to bring her along, providing them with many opportunities together. Surely, he wouldn’t forever deny her as his wife.

Unable to resist, Emily stretched out her hand to gently touch John’s arm, immediately feeling a chill. This startled her because the heated bed beneath them was warm, but without a blanket, it felt somewhat chilly in the room. If he slept like this all night, it would be a wonder if he didn’t catch a cold.

Biting her lip, Emily scooted closer to John’s side, sat up, and gently pulled the blanket over him. Then she lay back down next to him, under the same blanket but without any physical contact.

Suddenly, Emily felt a sense of fulfillment as if their relationship was wrapped together by the blanket. She sweetly smiled at John and then closed her eyes. After a while, she drifted off into sleep.

John slowly opened his eyes, turning to glance at Emily, sighing quietly in his heart. Emily indeed appeared different from before, becoming a rather fine girl. Being cold and hot with her seemed quite unfair, considering all she’d endured for him. Why couldn’t he accept her?

John couldn’t figure out why and decided not to dwell on it, choosing instead not to continue sleeping and remain under the blanket with Emily.

In the middle of the night, the heated bed gradually cooled down, leaving the blanket less warm. Instinctively, Emily snuggled closer to John. Feeling it immediately, John hesitated but allowed Emily to hold on to him. After all the hardships Emily suffered, he couldn’t bear to push her away now.

Before four o’clock, a knock on the door awakened both Emily and John.

"James, it’s time." came Aunt’s voice from outside.

John quickly responded, "Got it, we’ll get up right away."

"Alright," Aunt replied, then left without entering the room.

Emily, with a flushed face, curled up under the blanket and mumbled, "Didn’t I say not to come into my blanket? Why did you sneak in again?"

John looked at Emily’s embarrassed face, unwilling to reveal the truth, exaggeratedly saying, "I have no idea. Maybe I got too cold and sneaked in, but I assure you, I didn’t do anything."

"Hmph, how dare you," Emily thought, relieved that John hadn’t discovered she was the one who proactively covered him with the blanket; otherwise, his head would swell with pride. She pushed John and said, "Hurry up and get my clothes."

John agreed, sat up, fetched both their clothes, and swiftly dressed himself. Seeing Emily still lying there, he asked, "Aren’t you going to get dressed?"

Embarrassed, Emily was just in her bra and underwear, too shy to dress in front of John. She let out a huff and said, "Finish dressing and get out."

John couldn’t help but smile, seeing Emily’s coy demeanor, and gave a soft laugh.

"What are you laughing at?" Emily snapped, glaring fiercely at John, then suddenly threw back the blanket and sat up, saying, "Don’t think I’m scared of you seeing. It’s not like you haven’t seen before."

John quickly turned his head away, which made Emily feel quite smug. She taunted, "Why don’t you dare look? I’m your daughter’s mom, after all. We’re like an old married couple."

John gave a dry laugh, quickly dressed, and said, "I’ll go wash my face first, you hurry up too," and then slipped out.