Chapter 651: Preparing to Go to School in the City

"I didn’t eat them. The chicken stopped laying eggs."

Jacqueline Spann kept dodging, her head lowered to hide the hatred in her eyes.

Linden’s mother pinched her even harder. "Bullshit! How could the chicken stop laying eggs? You little beast must have stolen them and eaten them, you’re just as heartless as that bastard father of yours! Sooner or later, I’ll deal with you!"

After another round of scolding and beating, Linden’s mother finally felt she had vented some of her anger. She kicked the sobbing Jacqueline Spann a few more times before striding away.

Jacqueline Spann climbed up from the ground. Her tears vanished instantly, and she stopped crying. She glanced coldly at Phoenix Golding’s room, then went to her own room and pulled out a jar from under her bed. Inside were more than a dozen eggs. She took three, went to the kitchen, boiled them, and ate them herself, not leaving a single one for Phoenix Golding.

’In a few days, I’ll sell the pig. The money from that should be enough for a month. If I still haven’t heard from my aunt in a month, I’ll go to Tristone to find her. Even if I can’t find her, I won’t come back. Tristone is so big; there has to be a place for me there.’

********

Around noon, Nancy Thorne and her family arrived in Vessaria. Phoebe Huxley and Felix Thorne were both a little excited. They hadn’t been to Vessaria for several years, as they usually went to Wraven for their shopping.

"Let’s go see the house! Where is it?" Phoebe Huxley asked excitedly.

She had specially changed into new clothes for the occasion: a moon-white shirt with a light gray Lenin suit over it. She had made it herself, but the design was by Rosalind Green. It was cinched at the waist, making her look slimmer. Her pants were also new—straight-legged black trousers, crisp and fresh. Dressed this way, Phoebe Huxley looked quite a bit more slender.

Felix Thorne was also in a new shirt and new pants. The entire Thorne family had gotten new clothes recently, but they rarely had a chance to wear them, usually saving them for trips to the city or visiting others.

"It’s over by Vessaria Middle School. Nancy, are you hungry?"

Patrick Thorne pointed the way and then rubbed Nancy Thorne’s stomach, worried his little sister might be hungry.

Nancy Thorne shook her head, but Jim Thorne yelled, "I’m hungry!"

But no one paid him any attention. Jim Thorne pouted and yelled again, "Mom, I’m hungry."

"If you’re hungry, go buy something yourself," Phoebe Huxley replied impatiently.

"I don’t have any money... OUCH..."

Jim Thorne had barely gotten the words out when his head was smacked. Phoebe Huxley’s huge palm was still raised in the air. Jim Thorne shrank back, neck pulled in, and mumbled, "I’m not hungry anymore..."

In truth, he still had a little money on him. His recent cram sessions had been quite effective. Old Master Tate had explained the meaning of "a cunning rabbit has three burrows" and also told him about a popular foreign investment principle—"don’t put all your eggs in one basket." Jim Thorne had taken it to heart, so when he hid his money, he had subconsciously split it into three different stashes.

The other two spots were also under his bed planks. It wasn’t much money, only about a hundred yuan in total, but it was better than nothing. Jim Thorne had learned his lesson and didn’t dare spend money in front of his parents anymore. He was afraid of attracting wolves.

’Specifically, that she-wolf, my mother. She’s too vicious. I have to be on my guard.’

"Why’d you think to buy a place over by the middle school? I heard it’s much livelier near the train station, and the rent is higher there too." Phoebe Huxley preferred the area around the station, but she was just thinking out loud. She was content just to have a house; anywhere was fine.

"I’m planning to test into a high school in the city, so having a house here will be more convenient," Patrick Thorne said nonchalantly. Phoebe Huxley and Felix Thorne were surprised yet again, finding it a bit hard to keep up with their second son’s pace.

’Why does he keep coming up with these ideas one after another?’

"You want to go to school in the city? What’s wrong with the school in town?" Felix Thorne asked.