Chapter 123: Chapter 123: Ginger Brown Sugar Water

“Byron Thorne would be a good fit.”

Adrian Hawthorne had to spell it out. He’d figured it out—you couldn’t be subtle with the Thorne family. You had to be direct, or they just wouldn’t get it.

Felix Thorne slapped his thigh hard. ’Of course! How could I not have thought of Sixth Uncle?’ he thought. ’Sixth Uncle has traveled all over, seen the world, and he’s got a silver tongue. If he goes to take charge, the Chapman family won’t dare to even squeak.’

Adrian Hawthorne let out a breath. ’Finally, they understand,’ he thought.

“I have things to do at home. I’m leaving.”

Adrian Hawthorne took his leave. He had to get back to developing photos. He needed to head to Vessaria before dawn tomorrow to sell them. Vessaria was about twenty miles away, a walk of over two hours. A pity he didn’t have a bicycle.

Phoebe Huxley came out of the kitchen holding a steaming bowl of ginger-brown-sugar water. Tang Xiaonan winced at the sight of the bowl, which was as big as a washbasin. She had Phoebe Huxley pour some into a small bowl for her and refused to drink the rest.

“Here, you drink it.”

Phoebe Huxley gave the remaining large portion to Adrian Hawthorne. ’He was in the water gathering snails so early in the morning, he must be chilled to the bone,’ she thought. ’That useless Rosalind Green would never think to make ginger-brown-sugar water for her own son.’

Adrian Hawthorne glanced at Tang Xiaonan, who was frowning as she drank the sweet water. ’The chubby girl went to the kitchen just now, and then Phoebe Huxley made this,’ he mused. ’She had it made but won’t drink it herself. This little girl always expresses her intentions in such a roundabout way.’

“Thank you.”

Adrian Hawthorne didn’t refuse. He drank the entire large bowl of ginger-brown-sugar water, and small beads of sweat formed on the tip of his nose. His body felt as warm as a furnace.

Felix Thorne brought out a cut of meat, but Adrian Hawthorne refused it and left with long strides. He hadn’t come over for meat; it was simply a matter of returning a favor.

“Send it over to the Hawthorne family later. Add some rice cakes too.”

After instructing Phoebe Huxley, Felix Thorne left with Goldie Thorne. He had to go speak with Byron Thorne. Only Byron Thorne could handle Shane Thorne.

Phoebe Huxley was in a good mood and acted even more generously. She packed a large piece of cured meat and a dozen or so rice cakes, telling Jim Thorne to deliver them. She didn’t want to deal with Rosalind Green. The woman was so delicate and pretentious, she just made you want to punch her.

Naturally, Tang Xiaonan went along, as did Patrick Thorne. He still needed to inspect his future brother-in-law.

The two brothers went to the Hawthorne house together, one carrying Tang Xiaonan on his back and the other holding the basket. Tang Xiaonan felt a little guilty. She had forgotten about the meat buns yesterday. She’d broken her promise.

“Third Brother, have some candy.”

Tang Xiaonan unwrapped a piece of candy and fed it to Jim. Seeing him grin from ear to ear, she said, “Third Brother, next time I go to the city, I’ll buy you lots and lots of meat buns.”

“Okay.”

Jim’s eyes curved into smiling crescents. Even if it was just an empty promise, he was happy.

’My sister only makes empty promises to me,’ he thought. ’Big Brother and Second Brother don’t even get empty promises!’

As soon as Adrian Hawthorne got home, he went to develop his photos. Last night, he and Old Master Tate had set up a darkroom. After practicing the developing process, he was starting to mass-produce them today. He had just gotten everything ready when he heard voices in the outer room.

“Mr. Hawthorne, open the door.” It was Tang Xiaonan outside.

The darkroom was in Adrian Hawthorne’s bedroom; he had partitioned off a small section to serve as the darkroom. Adrian Hawthorne opened the door and saw the familiar basket on the table. He had just sent it over with a half-basket of snails, and now it was back, filled to the brim.

“Mr. Hawthorne, what are you doing?” Tang Xiaonan asked, looking curiously at the small, black-cloth-draped room.

“Developing photos.”

Adrian Hawthorne let them in. His room was very simple, with only a bed, a table, and a chair. Neatly arranged books were on the table, many of which he had gotten from the scrap station yesterday. A thick book lay open on the table.

Tang Xiaonan was a little excited. ’The future tycoon really is a fast worker,’ she thought. ’He put his plan into action the moment he got back.’ Adrian Hawthorne took out a few photos he had developed yesterday. They were quite good. Patrick Thorne couldn’t help but look at him in a new light, his approval of this future brother-in-law rising sharply.

’And with this skill for developing photos, he’ll be able to make sure our Xiaonan never goes hungry,’ he thought.

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep