Transmigrated as the Villain Boss's Precious Darling

Chapter 377: Chapter 377: Preparing to Go to the South

On the way, Jim Thorne relentlessly tried to persuade Goldie Thorne to take him south. He was desperate to go out and see the world. After listening to Old Master Tate’s stories about the outside world for the past few days, Jim was no longer the simple country boy who only knew how to walk his dog and catch loaches. He wanted to venture out into the world, too. He dreamed of going to Port Krol, Veridia, Rome, Novaport... He wanted to visit every single city Old Master Tate had described.

"Uncle, I want to go, too! Take me instead of Third Brother. It’d be better, and I don’t even need a ticket," Tang Xiaonan chimed in. She also wanted to see what the south was like, especially the legendary Aethelburg. ’It’s probably just a small fishing village right now,’ she thought.

Furious, Jim snarled at Tang Xiaonan. ’You ungrateful little brat!’ Tang Xiaonan just made a funny face back at him, not the least bit scared.

"Do you think I’m going just to have fun?" Goldie said, trying to placate them. "I’m going on important business. You two be good and stay home, and I’ll bring back some tasty treats for you." His gentle tone was, of course, for Tang Xiaonan. With Jim, he usually just resorted to brute force.

"Why don’t you try convincing your parents first?" he continued. "Do you think this is just a trip to Wraven? Going south will take at least ten days, maybe even half a month. Do you really think your mom and dad will agree to that?"

Jim grinned. "Uncle, as long as you agree to take me, I have my ways of getting Mom and Dad to say yes."

Goldie rolled his eyes, not taking his nephew’s words seriously. "Alright, fine. If you can get your parents’ permission, I’ll definitely take you."

"It’s a deal! Pinky swear!"

Jim was ecstatic. He stuck out his pinky, afraid Goldie would back out of the deal.

Goldie scoffed but hooked his pinky with his nephew’s, humoring him. ’There’s no way they’d let him go for that long. They’d skin the kid alive.’

Adrian Hawthorne was already waiting at the gate. Dollar whimpered at his feet, wagging his tail and being as affectionate as could be. Over the past few months, Adrian had shot up and was now nearly as tall as Jim. He’d also gotten sturdier. The young teen’s face held a firmness and composure that belied his age, making it impossible to look down on him.

"Dollar, come here and eat your bones."

Rosalind Green called out in a soft, gentle voice. In the bowl were bones mixed with leftover rice and a bit of meat broth. Country folk weren’t particular about feeding their dogs—they just gave them table scraps, and the dogs still grew up with shiny, healthy coats. Dollar often ran over to the Hawthorne’s place by himself looking for food. Adrian was especially fond of him and would buy pork ribs every few days. Both the old master and Rosalind loved to eat them, and the leftover bones and broth were Dollar’s absolute favorite.

Dollar trotted over happily and began to eat with noisy slurps. After a few bites, he glanced around, his eyes full of vigilance.

Adrian patted his head. "Go on, eat up. No one’s going to take it from you."

Dollar nuzzled his hand affectionately before returning to his food, not looking up again.

"So that’s why he won’t eat his food at home," Jim remarked breezily. "He’s been coming here to feast. Don’t go making my Dollar a picky eater. Who can afford to feed their dog bones every single day?"

"I can."

Adrian replied coolly. ’He loved dogs more than anything. Once he was settled someday, he would definitely get a lot of them. He’d even build a whole building just for them to live in.’

Rosalind prepared the tea and then returned to her room, not emerging again. She was sewing clothes for Adrian. He had been growing so fast lately that his old shirts and pants had become too short and needed to be replaced.

"When are we setting off?" Goldie asked directly.

"Have you gotten your travel permit sorted out?" Adrian asked in return.

"Not yet. I can’t get the permit until you’ve set a date." frёeωebɳovel.com

"We can leave tomorrow or the day after. Go get your permit, and don’t mention that you’re going with me. I told the village chief that I’m going to Tristone to visit relatives," Adrian instructed.