Transmigrated as the Villain Boss's Precious Darling-Chapter 37: Desperately Wanting to Go to the City

A chill ran down Tang Xiaonan’s spine. It seemed every straw that was breaking Adrian Hawthorne’s back was somehow connected to the Thorne family.

’Her family really was... the bane of Adrian Hawthorne’s existence!’

"Mr. Hawthorne, have a rice cake... Oh no... they’re all dirty!"

Tang Xiaonan stared in dismay at the fried rice cakes and sweet potato crisps scattered on the ground. They were covered in dirt and completely inedible.

Old Master Tate picked up a few pieces, dusted them off, blew on them for good measure, and offered them to Tang Xiaonan.

Tang Xiaonan shook her head in disgust. "Dirty..."

Old Master Tate smiled. ’This little girl really is the Thorne family’s darling treasure. She’s never gone hungry a day in her life. Any other child would have picked it up and popped it in their mouth, even if it had chicken droppings on it, let alone a little dirt.’

"I’m heading home! Goodbye, Grandpa Tate, Mr. Hawthorne!"

Tang Xiaonan waved and skipped away. She had to find her grandpa, Byron Thorne, and also figure out a way to convince Adrian Hawthorne to go into town without any worries. ’So much to do!’

Old Master Tate picked up the food from the ground, wrapping it carefully in a piece of newspaper. ’Such a precious treat can’t go to waste.’

Adrian Hawthorne, however, felt a bit unsettled. ’Fatty Tang didn’t cause any trouble and even left more food? I’m not used to her being so well-behaved.’

"Don’t be so stern with the little girl all the time," Old Master Tate advised. "She used to be a bit mischievous, but she’s been very sensible and polite lately. She’s a good kid."

"Don’t be fooled by Fatty Tang. Her mood changes faster than the weather in June. You just wait and see!"

Adrian Hawthorne snorted and went back to hoeing the field.

’I saw through Fatty Tang’s true colors a long time ago. Hmph!’

Old Master Tate chuckled. ’How cunning can a six-year-old be? Kenneth is still just a kid himself; he just doesn’t seem to get along with her.’

He ate a piece of the rice cake. It was crispy and delicious. He hadn’t eaten anything deep-fried in ages. Oil was so expensive these days that people were reluctant to use it even for simple stir-fries. Only a family like the Thornes could afford to make such a luxurious treat.

Byron Thorne wasn’t home, and neither were Raina and Phoebe Huxley. Since Tang Xiaonan didn’t have a key, she headed for the village entrance. ’Grandma and Mom must have gone to the little river by the village to wash clothes.’

Sure enough, both Phoebe Huxley and Raina were there. A dozen or so women were squatting in a line along the riverbank. The THWACK-THWACK-THWACK of their laundry paddles beating against clothes mingled with the babbling of the stream, creating a cheerful, rhythmic melody.

There was also the sound of the women chatting and laughing, ducks QUACKING as they played in the water, and a few children running around on the bank...

The scene was brimming with the vibrant energy of everyday life, like a painting come to life.

"Third Grandma, was the meat from yesterday any good?" someone shouted.

Raina and Phoebe Huxley were separated by several other women. Raina glanced toward Phoebe, who happened to look up at the same moment. The mother- and daughter-in-law’s eyes met and held for a few seconds before they both quickly looked away, their expressions a little awkward. 𝒻𝘳ℯℯ𝑤ℯ𝒷𝘯ℴ𝓋ℯ𝘭.𝑐ℴ𝑚

Phoebe Huxley’s ears pricked up. ’If that old hag dares to say it tasted bad, hmph, I won’t hold back!’

’Those were two huge bowls of meat. Her heart still ached just thinking about it.’

"Of course the meat was good! Are you an idiot, asking such a stupid question?" Raina snapped back, drawing a roar of laughter from the others.

Phoebe Huxley, however, wasn’t satisfied with that answer. ’It was delicious because *I* cooked it! That old hag could never make something taste so good.’ Still, since Raina hadn’t insulted her cooking, she decided to be the bigger person and let it go.

"You’re the lucky one, Third Grandma. With a son who’s a butcher, you can eat meat with every meal. I saw your Felix’s courtyard is hung full of meat—enough to last a whole year!"

Iris’s voice was shrill, and Tang Xiaonan heard her from a distance. ’That woman is such a shit-stirrer,’ she thought, ’always trying to sow discord.’