Chapter 557: Six on One
"What could happen to Big Bro? He could even take on a tiger," Jim Thorne said, reluctant to go. On such a hot day, he just wanted to stay home and cool off. He was also worried his little sister would get sunburnt.
"I miss Grandpa and Grandma."
Tang Xiao Nian just made up an excuse. Jim Thorne had no choice but to carry her on his back. Patrick Thorne picked a lotus leaf and placed it on Tang Xiao Nian’s head to shield her from the sun. Amanda Chapman came along with them.
It was the hottest part of the afternoon, and the four of them were steaming as they walked. Tang Xiao Nian’s face was flushed red from the sun, her body drenched in sweat. Patrick Thorne kept fanning her with a lotus leaf, even though he too was sweating buckets.
"Xiao Nian, next time you miss Grandpa and Grandma, do it at night, okay? Not during the day." Jim Thorne was so hot he felt like he was about to pass out, but he didn’t blame his sister—only the brutal sun.
"Jim, I can walk by myself."
Tang Xiao Nian’s heart ached for her third brother. The poor guy was on the verge of heatstroke. But Jim Thorne refused to put her down. The ground was as hot as a steamer basket, and he was convinced his sister’s soft, pale feet would melt. ’It’s better if I carry her,’ he thought.
After about an hour’s journey, they finally reached Xavier Village. Luckily, they had run into a popsicle vendor along the way. Jim Thorne generously treated everyone, spending two jiao to buy seven mung bean popsicles. He and Patrick Thorne each devoured one in a few quick bites, then immediately started on a second, swallowing them practically whole. The ice sliding down their throats was bliss, instantly chasing away the oppressive heat.
Amanda Chapman had two as well, but Tang Xiao Nian only had one. She didn’t dare have more; she had a sensitive stomach and eating too many cold things always gave her an upset stomach.
"Ah, that hit the spot."
Satisfied, Jim Thorne continued walking with Tang Xiao Nian on his back. At the entrance to the village, a few people were fighting. They didn’t look like they were from Xavier Village, and from the way they were dressed, they seemed to be adults.
"What are they doing? Fighting in this heat? Aren’t they afraid of getting heatstroke?"
Jim Thorne scoffed. He didn’t think much of it and had no intention of getting involved. But Patrick Thorne’s expression suddenly changed. He snatched a large rock from the ground, charged forward, and yelled, "Jim, you watch Xiao Nian and Amanda!"
Before Tang Xiao Nian could even react, Patrick Thorne had smashed the rock against the back of a man’s head. Blood immediately spurted out. She jumped in fright, her heart hammering against her ribs.
’What’s happening?’
But she quickly understood. The person being surrounded and beaten by five or six men was none other than Howard Thorne. His face was already battered and bruised. No wonder Patrick was so furious. Tang Xiao Nian was livid, too. ’Six against one! Those shameless bastards!’
"Shameless bastards! Six of them ganging up on Howard! Jim, go get them! I’ll watch Xiao Nian!" Amanda Chapman yelled, furious.
Jim Thorne was already itching for a fight; he was just worried about leaving the two girls. Tang Xiao Nian spoke up too, "My cousin and I will stay right here. Go get them, Jim!"
"Alright. Don’t you two go anywhere!"
Jim Thorne grabbed a rock and shot forward like a gale. When it came to brawling, he was easily the most savage of the three brothers. He fought with a reckless abandon that bordered on suicidal. Patrick and Howard always held back a little, afraid they might accidentally kill someone. Jim, on the other hand, was only afraid that he *wouldn’t*. He went for vital spots, smashing at heads and kicking at groins. In moments, he had taken down half of the attackers.
With the three brothers united, the six men were quickly overwhelmed. Before long, all of them were on the ground. They lay there, battered and bloody, curled up and crying out in pain, but their gazes were venomous and cold.
"Do you have any idea who I am? I’m the damn town mayor’s brother-in-law! You just wait!" one of the most badly beaten men threatened venomously. His face was so smeared with blood that his features were unrecognizable. Though he wasn’t short, the man was flabby and fat, built like a winter melon.