Chapter 636: Your Young Lady Scatters Wealth

The matchmaker was related to the Hollis family, so she naturally had Beatrice’s best interests at heart. This distant niece of hers was pretty, but she was also arrogant and restless. She was getting older by the year; if this dragged on any longer, she’d really have trouble finding a husband.

Beatrice glanced over at the television. The brand-new screen was like a mirror, clearly reflecting her image. She also saw the bicycle parked by the door, which was obviously new as well. Her interest was piqued again, so she nodded. ’It’s just a few quick sweeps anyway.’

After a brief moment, Raina picked up a broom and dustpan and handed them to Beatrice with a smile. Goldie Thorne was not happy about this and tried to stop Raina—it just wasn’t right to make a guest do chores. But Byron Thorne smacked him and shot him a fierce glare, and Goldie didn’t dare say another word.

Beatrice went into the courtyard to sweep, and she really did just give it a few quick passes. She was careless, not even holding the broom correctly. It was obvious at a glance that she’d never done any real chores at home. Raina’s dislike for her grew. ’I’m looking for a daughter-in-law, not some goddess to worship. The Thorne family can’t afford a pampered princess like her.’

After sweeping up some leaves, Beatrice didn’t bother to collect them with the dustpan. Instead, she swept them directly out of the courtyard and onto the road. Tang Xiao’nan didn’t understand what her grandma was up to. ’What could she possibly learn from watching someone sweep the floor?’

But she soon understood Raina’s intention and was filled with admiration. Her grandma was truly a brilliant woman.

When Beatrice finished sweeping, she casually leaned the broom against the wall. It wasn’t balanced properly and fell to the ground. She only glanced back at it, not bothering to pick it up. Raina’s expression soured even further, and the matchmaker’s heart sank. She frantically tried to signal Beatrice with her eyes. ’She won’t even keep up appearances. Does she really think she’s some pampered princess?’

The matchmaker’s eye was practically twitching by the time Beatrice reluctantly went to pick up the broom. But she was already grumbling internally. ’These country bumpkins and their stupid rules. I have a job! Even as a temp, I’m better off than that jobless Goldie Thorne. The Thorne family really thinks they’re something special. Hmph!’

Raina pulled the matchmaker aside and handed her a red envelope with one yuan inside.

"I’m sorry, but we’re not good enough for her. Thank you for all your trouble."

The matchmaker grew anxious. "But they seemed to be getting along just fine! What do you mean you’re not good enough for her? Don’t give me that. Just tell me the truth, what aren’t you happy with?"

"It’s not really that your niece is a bad person," Raina said. "It’s just... she’s a spendthrift. In our family, we sweep inward. We call that ’gathering wealth,’ and it’s why our family has become more and more prosperous. But your niece? WHOOSH! She swept everything straight outside. That’s called ’scattering wealth.’ Even if we had mountains of gold and silver, it wouldn’t be enough for her to waste."

Raina’s stern, righteous explanation left the matchmaker dumbfounded. ’How have I never heard of that before?’

But it did sound like there was some truth to it. Beatrice really was terrible with money; her monthly salary of over ten yuan was never enough, and she was in a lot of debt. Plus, it was true that the Thorne family was becoming more and more prosperous. ’Could it really have something to do with sweeping?’

The matchmaker was instantly filled with regret. She swept outwards at home, too! ’No wonder my family keeps getting poorer. I’ve been sweeping all our good fortune away! This won’t do. As soon as I get home, I’m setting a new rule. From now on, we must sweep inward. Maybe our family will get rich, too!’

Believing she had just discovered the secret to wealth, the matchmaker’s mood instantly improved. She no longer cared about Beatrice’s marriage prospects. If the Thornes didn’t want her, so be it. She would just go back and tell Beatrice’s parents the truth. It wasn’t like she could force the Thorne family to take her.