Chapter 629: Goldie Thorne Becomes a Hot Commodity

Raina had also boiled water and was serving it to everyone. Meanwhile, Byron Thorne sat in the very front with a few of his old buddies, watching with rapt attention. He had probably forgotten all the tough words he’d said before.

Tang Xiaonan had no interest in the monotonous programs. After watching for a little while, she started yawning and fell asleep nestled in Felix Thorne’s arms. As for the villagers, who were watching TV for the first time, they didn’t head home until the broadcast ended at half past nine, still wishing there was more to see. It was the first time everyone on Millstone Peak had collectively stayed up so late. Usually, the villagers would chat for a bit after dinner before going to bed, rarely staying up past nine. Many even turned in as early as seven or eight.

"Be careful! If you drop it, I’ll break your legs!"

Byron Thorne watched with his heart in his throat as Goldie Thorne moved the television. However, his anger had long since faded. It was actually quite nice having a TV at home, especially when the envious looks from everyone else put him in an exceptionally good mood.

"Dad, the TV’s pretty great, huh?" Goldie Thorne teased.

Byron Thorne snorted coldly, gave him an annoyed glare, then turned and walked back to his room with his hands behind his back.

Goldie Thorne grinned so wide his eyes narrowed into slits. ’He just knew his parents would love his new treasure.’ When his father was watching TV earlier, he hadn’t even blinked. Still—

"OW!"

Goldie had just finished setting up the television when Raina smacked him with a feather duster. He jumped up in pain. "Mom, what’s wrong with you now?"

He was baffled. ’Weren’t you perfectly happy watching TV a moment ago? What’s this sudden fit about?’

"Give me all the money you have on you, or I’ll skin you alive!" Raina glared coldly at her prodigal son. ’This little brat definitely has more money on him,’ she thought, ’and a lot of it.’

"There’s really none left! I spent it all on the TV! Search me if you don’t believe me!"

Goldie Thorne willingly emptied his pockets, revealing not a single cent. Raina searched him from head to toe, not even sparing his crotch, which made Goldie terribly embarrassed. He hunched over and tried to dodge away. "Mom... I’m a grown man now! Aren’t you embarrassed?"

"Embarrassed my ass! I gave birth to every inch of you, so what’s the big deal if I touch you a little? Now listen, you’re not to leave the house for the next few days. Stay put. There’s a girl coming for a matchmaking meeting."

Finding nothing after a full search only made Raina angrier. There was nothing she could do about Goldie for now, but her determination to find him a formidable wife grew even stronger. ’Tomorrow, I’ll go hurry things along,’ she resolved. ’We’ll arrange the meeting as soon as possible, and if it goes well, we’ll get it settled.’

"I’m not going! I want to marry a girl from the city... Ouch..."

Before Goldie Thorne could finish, he felt a few more whacks. He glared at Raina, furious but not daring to talk back.

"You think a city girl would even look at you? Just behave yourself!"

Raina swatted him viciously a few more times without mercy. ’Over a thousand yuan, all gone. Even breaking this little brat’s legs wouldn’t be enough to vent my anger.’

Having submitted to Raina’s tyranny, Goldie Thorne actually did stay obediently at home. It wasn’t that he didn’t dare go out; the house had just been incredibly lively these days, practically turning into a home theater. Every day at six o’clock sharp, villagers would arrive to watch television, bringing their own teacups and stools. Some even brought sunflower seeds. It was more bustling than a trip to the cinema.

Goldie Thorne was the designated technician, responsible for tuning the channels, so he couldn’t leave anyway. Besides, for all his talk about marrying a city girl, he was also secretly curious about what the girl his mother had arranged for him to meet looked like. ’If she’s pretty,’ he mused, ’I wouldn’t mind giving it a shot.’

These days, the Thorne family home was livelier than the town market. They quickly became the most talked-about family in Clearspring Township. Word that the Thornes had bought a television spread to the other villages, and everyone was green with envy. Matchmakers even began showing up at their door unprompted, ready to introduce potential partners to Goldie Thorne. They came with photographs, letting him pick and choose like an emperor selecting his concubines.