Chapter 624: The Big 17-Inch TV

The five bills were new, but they carried a peculiar ’fragrance’ that assaulted the senses. It was impossible to tell how much of Goldie Thorne’s foot odor had seeped into the paper. Byron Thorne fanned the bills out. The joy of having fifty yuan made the old couple forget the smell, and they couldn’t bear to part with them.

Goldie Thorne’s face was ashen, while Byron Thorne was triumphant. ’Heh, I knew this little rascal had a secret stash,’ he thought.

But the moment he stepped out of the room, Goldie Thorne’s smug expression returned, and he even started humming a little tune. He had let his father find that fifty yuan on purpose. ’It was a classic case of sacrificing the pawn to save the king.’ If he didn’t give his old man a little taste, there was no way he could’ve protected the bulk of it.

Tang Xiao’nan’s eyes darted around. She ran over, hugged Goldie Thorne’s arm, and whispered, "Little Uncle, what kind of treasure did you buy?"

"You’ll find out in a few days." Goldie Thorne still wouldn’t say, his expression growing even more pleased with himself. His treasure was a real treasure, one that would make the entire village die of envy.

Tang Xiao’nan pouted and said deliberately, "Then I’ll go tell Grandpa that Little Uncle has a lot more money."

’The money in the sock was clearly just a diversionary tactic. Little Uncle has made a lot of money from retail sales lately, and he even went to cities like Aurelia and Veridia to fulfill some big orders. Adrian Hawthorne did a quick calculation; he should have earned at least a thousand yuan. How could he possibly have only one hundred and fifty? The bulk of the money was definitely hidden away by Goldie Thorne.’

Goldie Thorne panicked and quickly hugged Tang Xiao’nan, trying to placate her with a smile and sweet words. "Be a good girl, Xiao’nan. That’s all the money I have. Little Uncle is saving it to buy you tasty treats."

"Then tell me what the treasure is, and I won’t tell Grandpa," Tang Xiao’nan stated her terms. Her curiosity was piqued, and she knew she wouldn’t be able to sleep well until she found out.

Exasperated, Goldie Thorne gave up and pinched Tang Xiao’nan’s nose. His little niece was the cleverest one in the whole family; nothing got past her.

"It’s a television set. A big, 17-inch one. Don’t you tell your mom and dad, you hear?"

Goldie Thorne whispered in Tang Xiao’nan’s ear. Tang Xiao’nan blinked. ’Holy crap, that really is a huge treasure! A television set back then was rarer than a BMW. Looks like my little uncle made a ton of money!’

"Little Uncle, give me ten yuan, and I won’t tell Grandpa."

Tang Xiao’nan held out her hand with a grin, openly extorting him. She had given all her allowance to Amanda Chapman, so she needed to get some more.

"You little extortionist!"

Goldie Thorne laughed in exasperation and swiped Tang Xiao’nan’s nose a few more times. Then, he reached his hand into his crotch. Tang Xiao’nan’s eyes nearly popped out of her head. ’What kind of crazy move is this?’

But she soon found out. Goldie Thorne pulled a crisp ten-yuan bill from his underwear pocket, flicked it once, and then handed it to Tang Xiao’nan. "Take it. Spend it wisely. Your little uncle is almost broke."

Tang Xiao’nan accepted the bill with a look of disgust. Even the fragrance of money couldn’t cover up the stench clinging to it.

"Little Uncle, how many days has it been since you bathed? You stink!"

"Then give it back if you think it stinks!"

Goldie Thorne reached out to snatch the money back, but Tang Xiao’nan darted away in a flash. She made a face at him. ’No matter how bad it smells, it’s still money. I don’t mind! I’ll just swap it with Second Brother for a clean one later, hehe!’

「A few days later.」

Goldie Thorne returned, all cloak-and-dagger. He had intentionally come back in broad daylight, and the conspicuous box on the back of his vehicle drew the attention of the entire village.

"Whoa, is that a television? It’s so big... That must have cost a lot of money, right?" Someone recognized the words on the cardboard box. It was definitely a television set.

Instantly, the village was in an uproar. The Thorne family actually bought a television!

They must have struck it rich.