Tang Xiaonan couldn’t help looking at Jim Thorne, wondering how he was going to get out of this lie. Phoebe Huxley had said earlier that morning that she wanted to get a dog, but she hadn’t found the right one yet. However, their maternal grandfather’s dog was about to have puppies, so the family would have some soon.

Jim Thorne said calmly, "Oh, the dog from my dream. His name is Bowy, and we were super close. He ate with me, slept with me... a real shame he fell to his death in my dream last night. Tonight, I’m planning to dream him back to life."

Tang Xiaonan’s eyes widened. ’Holy shit, he can even talk his way out of that? My third brother is incredible!’

The villagers burst out laughing again. Someone teased him on purpose, "Jim, what’s the good in dreaming about a dog? Why not dream about a wife? Wouldn’t it be nice to have a wife eat with you and sleep with you?"

Jim Thorne snorted dismissively. "What do I need a wife for? I can barely feed myself!"

"It’d be nice to have a wife to sleep with!"

"I’m a grown-up now; I don’t need anyone to sleep with me. It’s way more comfortable sleeping alone. You guys don’t know shit!" Jim Thorne scoffed. ’Right now, what I want most is a big bed all to myself, so I can roll around however I want, not like now where I kick my second brother every time I stretch my legs. It’s annoying as hell.’

"You silly boy, you don’t know the first thing about having a wife. Still just a kid."

The villagers laughed for a bit before hurrying off to work. Although Bowman Golding’s family was resentful, there was nothing they could do about Jim Thorne. They didn’t dare to fight him and couldn’t win a war of words, so they had no choice but to swallow their anger.

"Why won’t the heavens open their eyes and strike these animals dead with a bolt of lightning!"

Mandy York muttered resentfully. ’She definitely couldn’t win against the Thorne family on her own. Her only hope now was for the heavens to intervene and, ideally, strike down every last one of them, from the oldest to the youngest.’

"The heavens will strike your family down first!"

Tang Xiaonan had sharp ears and heard Mandy York’s muttering. She immediately shot back.

’Although Felix Thorne and Phoebe Huxley were aggressive, they never started trouble with anyone. In fact, they were always willing to help out their neighbors. It was just that Phoebe Huxley was so blunt; she’d help people but still end up offending them. Felix Thorne was the same way, which was why the couple didn’t have a great reputation in the village. But when it came to their character, they were far better than Sherman Golding’s family. If the heavens were really watching, they’d definitely strike the Goldings down first.’

Jim Thorne and Amanda Chapman, like a pair of lit firecrackers, also unleashed a torrent of abuse on Mandy York. With the three of them ganging up, the Golding family stood no chance and fled in defeat.

The other villagers roared with laughter. Having witnessed such a good show so early in the morning, everyone was in high spirits. No one thought Tang Xiaonan and the others were being disrespectful, because Mandy York’s family was even less popular in the village than Felix Thorne’s.

While Phoebe Huxley’s words could be harsh, she was generous and willing to lend a hand. Mandy York, on the other hand, was not only harsh but also stingy and mean-spirited, and would never dream of helping anyone with their work. Both she and her sister were the same. They were the type to hold it in even if they were bursting to pee, just to make it home—can’t let that good fertilizer go to an outsider’s field, after all.

People that petty and miserly would never be well-liked anywhere. Not that the two sisters needed friends; visiting each other was enough for them. There was also Phoenix Golding, who didn’t seem to mind them and would often take the initiative to come over for a chat.

Bowman Golding’s vile curses could still be heard drifting back. Jim Thorne grabbed a pebble from the ground and hurled it in their direction. The pebble skipped a few times near Bowman Golding without hitting him. Bowman Golding’s face darkened, and he looked ready to fight Jim Thorne, but Sherman Golding held him back with all his might.

"Look at his age, and look at yours! Now get to work!"

It wasn’t that Sherman Golding had suddenly gotten smarter; he was just afraid of being scolded by Jethro Golding. Besides, even he, as dense as he was, knew that an adult fighting a child would become the village laughingstock. There was nothing to gain from it, win or lose.