Transmigrated as the Villain Boss's Precious Darling-Chapter 40: Soggy Biscuits
Raina nodded. She was actually quite fond of Jacqueline Spann and had even considered arranging a marriage between Jacqueline and one of her grandsons. However, it would be several years before Jacqueline was old enough.
"Hello, Ms. Spann."
Tang Xiaonan greeted her obediently. ’She’s the protagonist of the story, complete with a powerful halo. I can’t afford to offend her, but there’s no need to get on her good side, either. Adrian Hawthorne and Clayton Xavier are mortal enemies, and since I’m planning to stick close to Adrian Hawthorne, I need to draw a clear line from the start.’
’It’s best to keep Jacqueline Spann at arm’s length. Besides, in the book, the original "me" and Jacqueline didn’t interact much, except when it came to her death...’
Tang Xiaonan’s heart sank. ’The original owner of this body was only eighteen when she died. If fate remains unchanged, I only have twelve years left.’
’I’d better add another goal to the list: living a long and healthy life is a must.’
Jacqueline Spann looked at Tang Xiaonan with surprise. She had heard about the meat delivery from yesterday, but that was nothing. What truly amazed her was the change in Tang Xiaonan. This tyrannical, chubby girl seemed different in some way.
She was sure of it—Tang Xiaonan had changed. It was like she was a completely different person. This change made her feel a little uneasy. Jacqueline Spann smiled faintly and didn’t say much, but she made a mental note of Tang Xiaonan and the Thorne family. ’I’ll have to pay more attention to them in the future.’
Tang Xiaonan found it a little strange. The scrutinizing way Jacqueline Spann had just looked at her was unsettling. She really disliked being looked at like that. However, since she had no intention of getting involved with Jacqueline Spann, she didn’t dwell on it.
After getting home, Raina hung the laundry out to dry, then went upstairs to dig out some cookies she had stowed away at the bottom of a chest. Meanwhile, Tang Xiaonan searched the house for newspapers. Most of them were from last year; the most recent was a week old. She gathered all the papers from the past month, which only amounted to about ten issues.
"What are you doing with those newspapers? I need them for kindling," Raina said as she came downstairs.
"I want my brothers to teach me to read."
Tang Xiaonan had an excellent reason, and Raina smiled. "You study hard, Xiaonan. Become the top female scholar in the country, and Grandma will throw a big banquet for you."
None of her three grandsons were cut out for academics, so she was now pinning all her hopes on her little granddaughter. If she could get into college, that would be wonderful. She would absolutely have to throw a grand feast.
Tang Xiaonan puffed out her chest and solemnly promised, "Grandma, my brothers and I will all become top scholars."
’It wasn’t just about her; her three brothers had to study hard, too. Even if they didn’t go to college, being more educated was always a good thing. Books could make one wise and reasonable. The reason her three brothers were so hot-tempered was that they didn’t read enough.’
The smile on Raina’s face vanished. She forced out a few words of encouragement, but she’d long since given up on her three grandsons. Her eldest, Howard Thorne, hadn’t even tested into high school; he’d only gotten in because of his family’s "good class background." College was completely out of the question.
"Have a cookie."
Raina unwrapped the cookies. They were rectangular, a style very characteristic of the era, covered in tiny, dense holes and coated in a good amount of white sugar. But—
The cookies had gone stale. They were soft and mushy, like eating paste.
Tang Xiaonan took one bite and wanted to spit it out. She was extremely picky when it came to food. She wouldn’t have eaten these cookies even if they were free. Who knew how long Raina had kept them hidden away.
"It’s delicious! You have some too, Grandma."
Tang Xiaonan forced herself to swallow, then pushed the half-eaten cookie into Raina’s mouth, insisting she take a big bite. Raina, completely unaware of her granddaughter’s little scheme, felt her heart swell with warmth. ’What a good girl! Even when she’s eating a cookie, she doesn’t forget to share with her old grandma.’
"They’re a bit stale, but it’s no big deal. I’ll just dry them in the sun for a while."
Raina placed the cookies on a bamboo tray and set it in the courtyard to dry in the sun. She had it all figured out: she’d give her granddaughter one a day, and they would last a whole month!
Tang Xiaonan headed home with the newspapers. She didn’t throw away the rest of the cookie; instead, she went home and gave the chickens a little treat.
