Transmigrated as the Villain Boss's Precious Darling-Chapter 112: Spring Has Come
"Grandpa Tate, I think it’s best if you stop teaching Jacqueline Spann English from now on," Adrian Hawthorne suggested. "The political climate is still uncertain. It’s better to be safe than sorry."
The old man nodded. Even if Adrian Hawthorne hadn’t said anything, he would have stopped teaching anyway.
If he were to get into any trouble, his old bones wouldn’t be able to take the strain.
"What’s the situation in Wraven right now? Are the authorities strict?" the old man asked, getting down to business.
Adrian Hawthorne pulled out some movie stills for *Painted Skin* from a black bag. Although they were just black and white photos, the exquisite makeup and costumes of the Portloria actors gave the stills a unique appeal. The old man’s eyes lit up, and he blurted out, "Where did you get these photos?" (Color photos only became popular after the 1980s; before that, they were almost all black and white.)
"Wraven has started showing the Port Krol movie *Painted Skin*. These are the movie stills. They sell for twenty cents each, or fifty cents for three. A lot of people are buying them. I did the math—it’s very easy to make around twenty yuan a day, maybe even more."
The old man was so excited he rubbed his hands together. "Will the picket patrols try to arrest you?"
"They’re around, but they aren’t strict. They mostly turn a blind eye when it’s kids. It’s very safe. Grandpa Tate, spring has arrived." Adrian Hawthorne’s expression was filled with unconcealed excitement. He had finally seen this day come.
Even if his father never came to get him and his mother, he was no longer afraid.
The old man grew even more excited. He was thinking on a grander scale. The country was starting to develop its economy, which meant his time to finally put his skills to use was coming. Fifteen years. He had finally waited for this day.
’Thank goodness I’m still alive and well. Thank heavens!’
"Speaking of which, we really should thank that little lass," the old man said with feeling. "She might not have intended to, but she helped us a great deal."
If it weren’t for the half-sheet of newspaper Tang Xiaonan used to wrap her rice cakes, how would they have known that the world outside was undergoing such earth-shattering changes? Moreover, if Tang Xiaonan hadn’t arranged for her third brother to keep an eye on things at home, Adrian Hawthorne wouldn’t have been able to go into the city without any distractions. That girl deserved the top credit.
Adrian Hawthorne suddenly remembered the bruise on the chubby girl’s arm, and a fresh wave of guilt washed over him. ’I should have bought two bags of pastries today. I’ll buy more next time I go to the city. Once I start making money, I’ll pay for all of little Tang’s snacks from now on.’
Clayton Xavier had a hearty dinner at the Thorne family’s home, and Howard Thorne rode him back on his bicycle. The ride was much faster, taking only half an hour. From a distance, he saw his mother, Verna Golding, looking out for him at the village entrance. A warmth flooded his heart. No matter how late he came home, his mother would always leave a light on for him.
"I’m here. Thanks, Brother Howard."
Clayton Xavier hopped off the bike and thanked him. Verna Golding walked over, a little surprised to see Howard Thorne, and smilingly invited him in to sit for a while.
Verna Golding’s family was from Millstone Peak, and she and Phoenix Golding were paternal cousins within five degrees of kinship. However, Phoenix was graceful and well-spoken, and since childhood, she had always outshone the plain-looking and tongue-tied Verna. That was why Phoenix was able to marry the man of her choice, a stay-behind educated youth named Vernon Spann, while Verna had married into the Xavier family, who had a poor political background.
"It’s too late, so I won’t come in."
Howard Thorne got back on his bike and headed home. Verna Golding asked with concern, "You must be starving. The food is keeping warm on the stove. I’ll fry an egg for you."
"I already ate at Uncle Felix’s place," Clayton Xavier said, his tone a bit helpless. "Aunt Phoebe gave me a lot of meat. I’m really full."
The Xavier family had always followed the rule of only eating until one was seventy percent full at dinner. But Phoebe Huxley had been far too hospitable. Not only had she served him a huge bowl of rice, but she also kept piling meat onto his plate—real, thick slices of it. He had eaten at least ten pieces. For the first time in his life, Clayton Xavier had eaten until he was completely stuffed.
