Chapter 143: The Piglets Survive

Derek Harlan lounged in his new house, legs crossed and a grin stretching ear to ear. The place was finally his! Sneaking two ten-dollar bills from Calvin Ward’s drawer when no one was looking, he whistled a tune as he sauntered toward the gambling den. The wedding arrangements could be left to his family—he couldn’t be bothered.

Meanwhile, Elena Ward was busy packing. She’d be leaving for school in a week, with only ten days left to spend with her sister. But just as dawn broke, Luke Jackson burst into the room in a panic. "Mom! Aunt Elena! The pigs—something’s wrong with the pigs!"

Rose Jackson barely had time to slip on her cloth shoes before rushing to the pigpen, Elena Ward close behind.

The sight that greeted them was devastating. Five piglets lay sprawled on the ground, their weak whimpers barely audible. Elena’s legs nearly gave out—these were the family’s prized possessions, bought after half a year of scrimping and saving.

"Elena, what do we do...?" Rose Jackson’s voice trembled. If they lost this hundred-dollar investment, how would they survive?

Elena pressed her lips together. She could easily use her healing force to save the pigs, but she couldn’t be her sister’s free veterinarian forever. Raising livestock came with risks, and Rose Jackson needed to face them herself.

"Sis, go get Nolan Brooks!" Elena said decisively.

Rose Jackson snapped out of her daze and sprinted toward the Brooks household. Elena sighed as she watched her sister’s retreating figure. Livestock farming was no easy task. As the saying went, "Even a fortune can vanish with livestock." One misstep could mean total loss. But right now, her sister wouldn’t hear any of it.

Nolan arrived quickly. The moment he stepped into the pigpen, his brow furrowed. He crouched, checking the piglets’ eyes and prying open their mouths.

"Let’s try some medicine first," he said, pulling a paper packet from his pocket. "If they recover by morning, they’ll make it." His gaze swept the barren pen. "I told you to keep straw bedding in here."

Rose Jackson’s tears spilled over. "It’s my fault... I thought it was dirty, so I cleared it all out..."

Nolan shook his head. This wasn’t work meant for women. Before he could speak, Luke stepped forward. "Uncle, teach me!" The sixteen-year-old stood tall.

"Nonsense!" Rose Jackson wiped her tears. "I’ll do it!"

With a sigh, Nolan rolled up his sleeves and demonstrated how to pry open a piglet’s mouth to administer medicine. Rose Jackson paid close attention, but her fingers still got nicked by the pigs’ teeth.

After Nolan left, the family was subdued. Rose Jackson kept checking the pigpen, her heart heavy as she watched the listless piglets. Just days ago, she’d been brimming with ambition—now, the future seemed bleak.

At dusk, Nolan returned. This time, he guided Rose Jackson’s hands, teaching her how to dose the pigs properly. By the time they finished, both were drenched in sweat.

That night, Rose Jackson tossed and turned. At first light, she raced to the pigpen—only to find the five piglets scrambling for food, lively as ever. Her legs buckled, and she collapsed to the ground, laughing through her tears.

They’d made it over the first hurdle.