Chapter 554: A Fresh Flower on Cow Dung
’But why... did she feel like her eldest brother was completely undeserving of such a fine young woman?’
’Would a fresh flower still bloom if it were stuck on a pile of barren cow dung?’
Felix Thorne also stopped and asked doubtfully, "First in the whole school, every year?"
"You mean last place, right?" Phoebe Huxley added. She sincerely believed that any girl who was actually at the top of her class wouldn’t give her eldest son the time of day.
"Isn’t Howard the one who’s always last?" Jim Thorne reminded him loudly, earning a fierce glare from Howard Thorne. "I ranked seventy-second in the school on this semester’s final exam."
"Your school only has two senior classes, with less than a hundred students total," Jim Thorne muttered, not daring to say it any louder for fear of getting a beating from his older brother.
"Big Brother has improved a lot! He used to be dead last, but at least he’s not at the bottom anymore," Tang Xiaonan praised him quickly. Howard Thorne’s expression finally softened a little. He shook his fist at Jim Thorne. ’I’m going to beat the hell out of that little brat when I get the chance.’
"Explain yourself. What the hell is going on?"
Felix Thorne barked, heading into the house with his leather belt in hand. Just a moment ago, Iris from next door had popped her head over the wall. ’She must be hiding at the base of the wall, eavesdropping. That gossip is so damned annoying.’
The family filed back into the house. Patrick Thorne, who was last, grabbed a shovel, scooped up a heaping pile of chicken droppings, and silently walked over to the wall. With a WHOOSH, he flung it all over to the other side.
"Ptooey! Ptooey... You damned little animal... You damned brat, I hope you die a horrible death..."
Iris’s curses could be heard from the other side of the wall. Patrick Thorne snorted in triumph, tossed the shovel aside, and went into the house. Iris’s shouts continued, on and on. She was covered from head to toe in chicken droppings, some of which were fresh and still warm!
Felix Thorne sent Jim Thorne to fetch Byron Thorne and Raina. An engagement was a serious matter, and the entire family had to be present. Phoebe Thorne also came over, her large belly preceding her. The whole family sat in formal silence, and the atmosphere was a little heavy.
"Why the sudden rush to get engaged? Can’t it wait until after the college entrance exams?" Byron Thorne asked sternly.
"Her stepmother is getting impatient. She’s forcing her to marry a gambling addict," Howard Thorne admitted. It was the kind of thing that couldn’t be kept secret.
Phoebe Huxley asked curiously, "What village is she from? What does her family do for a living?"
"She’s from Xavier Village. Mom, you know of them. She’s Shane Xavier’s eldest daughter, Kelley Xavier."
Tang Xiaonan breathed a sigh of relief. ’So it really is Kelley Xavier. I never thought my arrival would be the thing that brought her and my big brother together. This is wonderful news!’
Phoebe Huxley slapped her thigh and exclaimed excitedly, "You managed to snag Shane Xavier’s daughter?"
Felix Thorne rolled his eyes in annoyance. ’How can she use a word like "snagged"? It sounds so indecent.’ However, he knew Shane Xavier, and he was well aware that Kelley Xavier was an outstanding young woman, excellent in both character and academics. And it was true that she ranked first every single year.
So—
"You and Kelley Xavier are an item? She’s actually into you?" Felix Thorne was deeply skeptical.
’His eldest son, with that dopey way about him, wasn’t even worthy of carrying the girl’s shoes. Still, if what he said was true, Felix would definitely approve the match. A daughter-in-law this good was the kind you couldn’t find even if you searched with a lantern!’
Phoebe Huxley was equally skeptical. She sized up her eldest son with suspicion. "You didn’t actually take advantage of the girl, did you?"
Felix Thorne’s face turned grim, and he lifted his leather belt again. Howard Thorne’s scalp prickled. He shook his head frantically and swore, "I’d have to be an animal to do something like that! If you don’t believe me, ask Kelley when you see her. I just really like her! She’s smart, she’s beautiful, and she even tutors me. My grades only improved this semester because of her."
Dollar barked a few times from his spot on the floor, glaring at Howard Thorne with dissatisfaction. Howard patted the dog’s head and cooed a few gentle words. Dollar immediately snuggled against him, flopping over to expose his round belly. Howard chuckled and cursed playfully as he patiently gave the dog a belly rub, treating him like a king. Dollar grunted, groaning in pure bliss.