Transmigrated as the Villain Boss's Precious Darling-Chapter 23: Honoring the Elders
The Millstone Peak Brigade was dominated by two large clans: the Thorne family and the Golding family. The two families were on equal footing, with power shifting back and forth. One year the Thornes would have the upper hand, the next it would be the Goldings. It was a constant seesaw.
At the moment, the Golding family had a slight edge.
This was because a Golding family had won the "Model Family" award for three years running. Each production brigade selected one Model Family, and the chosen household not only received some material rewards but also got to go to town to be commended by the mayor. It was considered the highest honor.
Miles Golding’s family had been last year’s Model Family. They were chosen because his parents were filial to their elders, always willing to help others, and were exceptionally well-liked in the village.
"I want the Model Family award... WAAAH... Daddy... I want it..."
Tang Xiaonan thrashed about wantonly, tears streaming down her face like an open faucet. Felix Thorne couldn’t care less about such empty honors. The prize was just an enamel cup and a towel—things he wouldn’t even spare a second glance.
As for going to town to receive a commendation from the mayor, Felix Thorne was even less interested.
The mayor was a childhood friend of his—a wimp he used to pin down and beat up as a kid. But somehow, that wimp had become the mayor. The thought of it left a strange taste in Felix Thorne’s mouth, and he had no desire to be praised by him. The whole idea felt incredibly awkward.
But his darling daughter wanted it. Felix Thorne’s head was starting to ache. He’d worry about the Model Family award later; the most important thing right now was to make his daughter happy. Besides, sending meat to his old folks was his duty as a son anyway.
"Daddy will go send it right now. Stop crying, sweetheart!"
Felix Thorne shot Phoebe Huxley a look. Though reluctant, Phoebe Huxley went along with it since her husband had given the word. She went to the kitchen and brought out a large bowl of steamed pork with egg. Tang Xiaonan sniffled. "And the large intestines."
She decided not to ask for the steamed bamboo shoots with cured pork.
’She was afraid it would break Phoebe Huxley’s heart to give that away too.’
Phoebe Huxley shot her a resentful glare before going back inside and returning with a bowl of pickled vegetables with fatty intestines.
"I’ll take it. Daddy, you eat."
Tang Xiaonan took the dishes from Phoebe Huxley’s hands, wobbling unsteadily. Alarmed, Jim Thorne took them from her. "I’ll deliver them!"
Her eldest brother, Howard Thorne, took the bowl of steamed pork with egg.
"Take those to Grandma and Grandpa, then come back and eat!" Felix Thorne said.
The two brothers nodded. Patrick Thorne decided to stop eating as well, picked up Tang Xiaonan, and the four siblings set off like a little army. The Thorne elders lived in the old family house, a few minutes’ walk away, past several other homes.
This was exactly what Tang Xiaonan wanted.
Most of the villagers were having their meals at this time. Many, however, had brought their bowls outside to eat, chatting while basking in the sun—it was the happiest time of day for the farmers.
It was currently the slack season for farming, so the brigade hadn’t started work yet. The villagers were all quite idle, gathered along the roadside. When they saw Tang Xiaonan and her brothers from a distance, they all paused for a moment. But when they noticed the dishes in their hands, the flames of gossip were instantly fanned.
"Howard, what dishes are you carrying there? Whoa... steamed pork with egg, and pickled vegetables with large intestines! TSK TSK, you Thornes really eat well. Are you bringing those dishes to us?"
A villager joked, and the others burst out laughing, though it was mostly a mix of envy, jealousy, and resentment.
They themselves didn’t dare to eat much of the cured pork they’d made during the New Year, saving it for the busy farming season. Now that there was no heavy work, they made do with radishes and greens. Not like the Thorne family, who had meat with every meal. It was enough to make one drool with envy.
Tang Xiaonan announced loudly, "Mommy said this is for Grandpa and Grandma!"
The air instantly fell silent.
Everyone’s expression turned strange, as if they had just swallowed a mouthful of chicken shit. They didn’t believe Tang Xiaonan’s words.
Phoebe Huxley and her mother-in-law were so estranged they might as well have been dead to each other. How could she possibly send such fine meat dishes over?
Had the sun risen in the west?
