Chapter 340: Chapter 340: A Heart of Flesh
But Byron Thorne’s attitude toward Amanda Chapman had changed. His granddaughter was diligent and clever, a girl of few words and much action. She was also well-mannered at mealtimes, eating whatever she was given, whether it was fresh greens or pickled vegetables. She did her chores without needing to be told, reminding him so much of a young Phoebe Thorne. He wasn’t made of stone, and he couldn’t bring himself to be harsh with a granddaughter who was tiptoeing so cautiously through life.
"My cousin went to Sixth Grandpa’s house to deliver a rabbit," Tang Xiaonan replied.
Shane Thorne’s eyes flickered. He was a little surprised to find he was also getting a rabbit, and he wondered who had arranged the list of recipients. It couldn’t have been Raina. His third sister-in-law was such a pennypincher she wouldn’t part with a single strand of rabbit fur, let alone generously give away whole rabbits.
It was probably Phoebe Thorne, he mused. His niece was quite savvy when it came to navigating social situations. Her only problem was her terrible luck—she’d married a worthless man. He had actually disagreed back when Byron Thorne chose Brian Chapman for her.
Brian Chapman might have had a public sector job, but a woman marries the man, not his position. If the man himself is no good, the best job in the world is useless. Times change fast. Today’s "iron rice bowl" could become a clay one tomorrow. You might not even be able to hold onto the bowl at all!
Think of all those prominent tycoons in Tristone. How could they have known things would turn out like this? Before, the richer you were, the more celebrated you were. Everyone wanted to be rich. Now, the poorer you are, the more honorable, and everyone is terrified of having money.
Life is full of unexpected changes, but as long as a person has real skill, they’ll have nothing to fear, no matter what happens. That’s why you have to judge a man by his character, not just his job. But Byron Thorne didn’t see it that way. He wouldn’t listen to Shane’s advice and insisted on marrying Phoebe Thorne into the Chapman family. A few years later, Byron Thorne came to regret it, but by then it was too late.
"Did your aunt have you deliver them?" Shane Thorne asked.
"Mhm."
Tang Xiaonan nodded. ’It was actually my own idea,’ she thought. ’While I don’t mind seeming like a prodigy in my studies, I don’t want to appear too precocious when it comes to social graces. I’ll just say it was Phoebe Thorne’s idea.’
Shane Thorne smiled knowingly. It was just as he’d expected. He knew the little girl couldn’t be that savvy; she was only six, after all.
Raina didn’t stay for dinner. She was going back to give Phoebe Thorne a piece of her mind. ’That little spendthrift! All she had to do was open her mouth and two rabbits are gone. Wouldn’t it be better to keep them for our own family to eat?’
Tang Xiaonan sat next to Byron Thorne at dinner. She loved steamed potatoes. The potatoes this time of year were delicious simply steamed and tossed with soy sauce. They didn’t even need peeling. As long as you scrubbed them vigorously while washing, the grit would rub off the thin outer skin. Even if a little was left, it was perfectly edible once steamed. No complex cooking was necessary; they were exquisite just steamed over a wood-fired stove.
The village chief’s wife was one of the best cooks in the village. Even when making the same dishes, hers were far more delicious than anything Phoebe Huxley or Raina could make. They were all simple, home-style dishes, but they filled the table: steamed river snails, dry-fried loaches, salt pork stewed with bamboo shoots, steamed crucian carp, scrambled eggs with luffa gourd, and another plate of steamed potatoes.
Tang Xiaonan’s favorite was the broth from the salt pork and bamboo shoot stew. She had two bowls of it, ate a few potatoes, and was full. Her eyes were bigger than her stomach, so she could only stare wistfully as the others continued to eat.
(The salt pork and bamboo shoot stew is so savory you’ll think you’ve died and gone to heaven. Especially when made with yellow-husked bamboo shoots and salt pork cured over the New Year. You don’t need to add anything at all—not even salt. Just let it simmer on low heat for an hour or two until the broth turns as thick and white as milk. It’s so good you’ll only wish your stomach was bigger.)
"We have to find out who reported us. Fourth Brother, go into town and ask around. My guess is it was someone from our own village," Shane Thorne said.
"Someone from our village? Surely not. Who would be that malicious?" Preston Thorne said with a frown.
