"What do you think you’re doing, Preston? I already told you she fell by accident! Phoebe didn’t do it on purpose. We’ll accept you docking her a day’s work points, but if you dare to dock half a year’s worth, I’ll start eating at your house every meal!"

Raina wasn’t having it. She stormed up to Preston Thorne and glared at him. Everyone else might be afraid of the village chief, but not her. After all, Preston Thorne had to call her Third Sister-in-Law!

Preston Thorne felt a massive headache coming on. He could manage the entire village, but he wouldn’t dare provoke this brazen sister-in-law of his, Raina.

"I never said I was docking them now. I said I’d dock them if she messes up like this again in the future. What are you shouting about, Sister-in-law?"

"Who’s to say she won’t fall again in the future? Can you guarantee you’ll never trip or stumble in your entire life? Anyway, if you dare to dock my Phoebe’s work points, I’ll move into your house to eat and sleep." Raina was not so easily fooled.

’That old bitch, Linden’s mother, is so damn despicable. Just the sight of her makes my blood boil. I can’t promise Phoebe won’t go splashing shit on her again.’

"Exactly. The paths between the paddies are really slippery. How can I guarantee I won’t fall?" Phoebe Huxley grumbled.

"What’s all this shouting for? Just walk a little slower in the future, and it’ll be fine. Your Uncle Preston isn’t so petty that he’ll spend all day watching to see if you fall. You disrespectful thing! If you talk back to your uncle again, I’ll tell your father."

Byron Thorne had hurried over, carrying his medicine box, and given Phoebe Huxley a harsh scolding. He then turned to Raina and barked, "Is dinner ready? Make a few extra dishes tonight. I’m having drinks with Preston and Shane."

"I know!"

Raina shot her old man a glare before scurrying home to cook. Phoebe Huxley pouted sullenly and went back to work. 𝘧𝓇𝑒𝑒𝑤ℯ𝑏𝓃𝘰𝑣ℯ𝘭.𝘤ℴ𝘮

"Preston, don’t stoop to their level. I’ll give them a talking-to when we get back. They’re getting more and more out of hand," Byron Thorne said, trying to placate Preston Thorne. Preston’s expression softened a bit; he had been in a very awkward position just a moment ago.

Tang Xiaonan walked over to Felix Thorne, tilted her head back, and pouted. "Daddy," she said unhappily, "that mean old lady was saying bad things about you. I hate her so much."

"What did she say?" Felix Thorne knew his daughter was talking about Linden’s mother. He was a little curious what bad things the old crone could possibly say about him.

"She said you’re shamelessly pestering Teacher Golding. Right, cousin?" Tang Xiaonan pulled in an ally, figuring another person would make her story more convincing.

Amanda Chapman nodded vigorously. "Right! She also said Uncle Felix is shameless and that Teacher Golding doesn’t even like him, but he pesters her every day. She called my aunt an ugly hag, and she accused Grandpa Byron of ’raking the ashes’—saying he’s sleeping with his daughter-in-law and that their grandson was born from it!"

"Grandpa," Tang Xiaonan asked innocently, "what does ’raking the ashes’ mean?"

Byron Thorne’s face was blacker than ink, and Felix Thorne’s wasn’t much better. They both regretted letting that damned old hag off so easily. Damn it, that woman’s mouth was fouler than a latrine; Phoebe Huxley hadn’t splashed her with nearly enough.

"That woman is spouting nonsense. Xiaonan, don’t listen to her. You too, Amanda," Byron Thorne said in a low voice. He hated the Golding family to the bone, but he was patient. He would wait for news from Goldie Thorne before making a move.

’I have to strike a snake at its most vulnerable point. Petty squabbles are pointless. I have to make sure the Golding family can never recover.’

Amanda Chapman went off to gather pig feed, but Tang Xiaonan refused to leave. She had another complaint to file.

"Daddy, I don’t want to go to school anymore. Everything Teacher Golding teaches is wrong."

’This stupid school was a total drag. Even if Phoenix Golding wasn’t the teacher, she’d have to find a way to drop out. In her past life, she was a university graduate, for crying out loud. There was no need to waste time in elementary school. She’d be better off making money!’

"How does Xiaonan know it’s wrong?" Shane Thorne asked with interest.

He had only caught half of the example Tang Xiaonan gave earlier.