Chapter 542: Butterfly Effect
This trip to Tristone was a last resort. Ever since he took that whipping for Phoenix Golding, his health had deteriorated significantly. He was already half-dead to begin with, and now what little life he had left was gone. He couldn’t do any heavy labor.
Besides, now that he and Phoenix Golding were divorced, he no longer had any connection to the Golding family, so he’d lost the special treatment he used to enjoy. Easy jobs wouldn’t fall to him, and he couldn’t handle the heavy ones. Staying on Millstone Peak was a death sentence. It was Jacqueline Spann who came up with the idea for him to go to Tristone and find Bernice.
Jacqueline fumed internally. ’What a useless piece of trash. No wonder Phoenix Golding looked down on him.’ But she didn’t let it show on her face. Smiling, she said, "Auntie is your own sister; how could she possibly ignore you? She even sent me money! She’s a wonderful person. Dad, you have to get along with her and help her out. Auntie is short on help right now."
They had exchanged a few letters, in which Bernice had described her current situation. Her business was doing very well, but she didn’t have any trustworthy help and was completely overwhelmed. As long as Vernon Spann was even a little diligent, he would surely be able to please Bernice. Once Vernon had laid a foundation, he could come ask Phoenix Golding to let Jacqueline go to him.
This gave Vernon Spann a renewed sense of confidence. He clutched the ten yuan in his hand—the travel money Jacqueline had given him. He truly hadn’t expected his daughter to be in contact with his sister, let alone that they were getting along so well.
"Dad, you have to come back for me soon! I’m scared... scared Mom will sell me off!" Tears streamed down Jacqueline Spann’s face.
Vernon Spann wiped his eyes as well. "Just hang on for a couple more years. Dad will definitely come for you."
’He figured that no matter how monstrous Phoenix Golding was, she would still wait a few years before marrying their daughter off. That meant he still had time. His daughter would be safe until she was at least eighteen, or fifteen at the absolute worst. That gave him at least five years to make something of himself. It should be enough.’
The father and daughter waved goodbye. Vernon Spann, carrying a simple travel bag with his back hunched, slowly walked away. Only after he had completely disappeared from sight did Jacqueline Spann turn around. She stood there alone for a while longer, then suddenly broke into a smile.
Tang Xiaonan was facing her directly and saw her smile with perfect clarity. There was no trace of the sadness Jacqueline had shown earlier; the smile on her face was nothing but triumphant. Only after Jacqueline had left did Tang Xiaonan and the others emerge from behind the tree.
"What was she smiling about? That was so creepy," Amanda Chapman said, looking puzzled.
Tang Xiaonan shook her head; she didn’t know why Jacqueline was smiling, either. In fact, she was more curious about this aunt. From the sound of it, she was doing very well for herself—well enough that Vernon Spann was going to her for refuge, and Jacqueline wanted to go too. ’But why has this aunt never shown up before?’
"Come on, let’s go!"
Amanda Chapman pulled her along, and Tang Xiaonan pushed the matter from her mind. ’Jacqueline can’t really cause any trouble now. She’s not in school and has no opportunity to start a business. Barring any surprises, her fate should be the same as most girls on Millstone Peak: get married when she’s old enough, have children, and live the life of an ordinary farmer’s wife.’
But she still had a sliver of worry. ’I just have a feeling that mysterious aunt is going to cause some trouble.’
’Besides, the book never mentioned this aunt—not even once. Could this be another butterfly effect I’ve caused?’
’I’ve influenced other people and events, so of course Jacqueline Spann would be affected too. No matter who this aunt is, I will do everything in my power to stop Jacqueline from rising to the top. As long as I’m here, Jacqueline will remain an ordinary person.’
’That woman is the type who becomes vicious and arrogant the moment she gets a little power. She has to be suppressed.’
The two of them were sweating profusely from their walk. Traveling in this scorching heat was a total pain, and Tang Xiaonan felt like she was about to explode. Fortunately, they came across an ice pop vendor along the way. He was on a bicycle with a box wrapped in a thick quilt strapped to the back, riding from village to village hawking his goods. White sugar popsicles were two cents apiece, and mung bean popsicles were three cents. Those were the only two options, as the villagers couldn’t afford anything more expensive.