Tang Xiaonan and Amanda Chapman went up the mountain and cut two baskets of grass. Tang Xiaonan carried only a small basket, but Amanda Chapman’s was more than three times bigger. It was a huge basket, so full of grass that it almost hid her from view, yet Amanda carried it with ease. For her, this level of labor was a piece of cake.

"Dad!"

Tang Xiaonan spotted Felix Thorne from far away and waved happily. Felix rode over, put the two baskets of grass on his bike, and lifted Tang Xiaonan onto the front crossbar. He took two White Rabbit candies from his pocket, gave one to Amanda Chapman first, and then fed the other to Tang Xiaonan.

"Thank you, Uncle."

Amanda Chapman grinned. ’My uncle looks fierce, but he’s actually very kind,’ she thought. ’He always shares his treats with me, just like he does with Tang Xiaonan. He’s better than my own dad. And Grandma, Grandpa, and Aunt Phoebe are great too. Even if they can be a little selfish, they’re so much better than my other grandparents. I wish I could live on Millstone Peak forever and never have to go home.’

"I want stir-fried pork liver."

Tang Xiaonan’s eyes lit up when she saw a bloody pork liver that had to weigh at least four or five pounds. Stir-fried pork liver was fresh, tender, and absolutely delicious.

Felix Thorne chuckled and nodded. "I’ll have your mom cook it."

Amanda Chapman watched the father and daughter with envy. Brian Chapman had never treated her this way. From him, it was always scolding or the cold shoulder; he wouldn’t even let her go to school. Yet her uncle couldn’t bear to say a single harsh word to his own daughter.

’But her cousin was smart, beautiful, and kind like Snow White, always saving her own snacks for her. Amanda adored her cousin. When she grew up and started earning money, she would buy tons and tons of sweets for her. She would also take good care of her grandparents and uncles.’

"Felix Thorne, you stop right there! Look at what your son has done!"

Just as they neared their front door, Phoenix Golding came chasing after them in a rage. Ulysses Spann was on the back of her bike, his face bruised and swollen, wailing his eyes out.

Felix Thorne frowned. ’This bitch just never quits.’

"Your Jim Thorne beat my Ulysses into this state! Look, he’s completely ruined his face!"

Phoenix Golding’s heart ached. Her son was the apple of her eye, just as Tang Xiaonan was to Felix Thorne. She had never laid a finger on him his entire life, and now that thug Jim Thorne had beaten him beyond recognition. She was determined to get justice for her son.

The corner of Tang Xiaonan’s mouth twitched. She silently gave her third brother a thumbs-up. ’That damn kid Ulysses Spann was asking for a beating,’ she thought. ’Serves him right!’

"My third brother wouldn’t hit someone for no reason! Ulysses Spann must have been asking for it again!" Tang Xiaonan declared loudly, without a twinge of guilt.

’You couldn’t afford a conscience when dealing with scumbags like Phoenix Golding and her family.’

"What business is it of yours when adults are talking? You little brat, do you have any manners? Didn’t your mother teach you anything?"

Old hatred and new anger all came to a boil. Phoenix Golding lost her composure, her face contorting with rage and losing all of its former charm. Felix Thorne spat with disgust, "You dare curse my daughter again? I’ll smash your mouth in!"

Tang Xiaonan’s eyes brightened. ’Holy shit! Has Dad finally seen this green tea bitch’s true colors? Is he finally seeing the light?’

Feeling fantastic, Tang Xiaonan took advantage of her powerful backing and made a face at Phoenix Golding, wanting to just infuriate the black-hearted, venomous woman.

"You must have a death wish, causing a scene right at my front door! Your son deserved the beating he got from my son! He was asking for it! He’s shameless, just like his mother. Sooner or later, someone’s going to beat him to death!"

Phoebe Huxley charged out, brandishing a spatula, and stood in front of Felix Thorne. ’Bullying my daughter right on our doorstep? They must have a death wish!’

’She wouldn’t mind skinning that vixen again!’