Free Web NovelChapter 382: Chapter 382: Old Hand
"Compensate for what? It’s just a few bucks. Let’s leave it at that. It’s good to help each other out when you’re away from home!"
Goldie Thorne took the man’s leather suitcase down and tossed Jim Thorne’s tattered schoolbag onto the upper bunk. Jim didn’t care; he could sleep on either bunk, so he let Goldie decide.
"Thank you so much. The name’s Marsh, Aston Marsh," the portly man introduced himself.
"I’m Thorne, as in the Saffron Dynasty. Name’s Goldie Thorne. This is my nephew, Jim Thorne, my niece, Tang Xiaonan, and he’s my cousin-nephew, Adrian Hawthorne."
Goldie Thorne introduced everyone in one breath. Tang Xiaonan’s lip twitched. ’People are so naive these days,’ she thought. ’He just met the guy and he’s already spilling our family’s details. Isn’t he afraid of running into a con artist?’
"So, Goldie, are you taking your niece and nephews out for a trip?" Aston Marsh asked with interest.
But he was more interested in Adrian Hawthorne and Tang Xiaonan. The plump little girl was pretty and adorable. It was a shame he didn’t have a daughter of his own; seeing other people’s cute girls always made his hands itch to pat their heads. As for Adrian Hawthorne, the boy wasn’t old, but he was unusually perceptive and didn’t seem like a child at all. ’This family is certainly interesting,’ he thought.
"That’s right. I’m taking them to see Capria."
"I’m heading to Capria too. What a coincidence."
Goldie Thorne’s interest was immediately piqued. "You’re going to Capria for fun too, Aston?"
"What time do I have for fun? I’m going there on a business trip. I’ll be back in a few days."
Aston Marsh was tight-lipped and didn’t discuss his work. Goldie Thorne took the hint and didn’t press further. Still, the two of them were very talkative. They could shoot the breeze all afternoon, and before they knew it, evening had arrived.
"Come on, let’s go to the dining car for a meal. My treat," Aston Marsh said with great enthusiasm.
"We can’t do that. The dining car is ridiculously expensive. We can’t let you spend your money," Goldie Thorne refused repeatedly.
Aston Marsh chuckled. "It’s not my money to spend. I can get it reimbursed when I get back. Let’s go. Don’t be so formal with me."
"Well... in that case, I won’t be polite! To be honest, I’ve never eaten in a dining car before. Today, thanks to you, Aston, I’m getting to see the world."
Goldie Thorne looked a little embarrassed, but he watched the corner of Aston Marsh’s eyes for any change in expression. If he saw even a hint of disdain, he would distance himself after this meal.
Aston Marsh laughed heartily. "My friend Goldie, you’re bound for great things in the future. Forget the dining car; you’ll be flying in airplanes, no problem."
Goldie Thorne was so happy his eyes narrowed to slits and he couldn’t stop grinning. This Aston fellow really knew how to talk. He, too, felt that he was destined for great things.
Adrian Hawthorne glanced at the towel Aston Marsh had hung on the bed frame, and the corners of his mouth turned up. ’I’m pretty sure I know who this Aston Marsh is now,’ he thought. ’He’s a seasoned traveler, definitely on the road all year round. Nine times out of ten, he’s a purchasing agent for a factory.’
The group went to the dining car. Aston Marsh was very generous, ordering a table full of dishes and a bottle of liquor. He and Goldie Thorne had hit it off immediately, and an afternoon of chatting wasn’t enough. After a few drinks, they started talking again. freewebnøvel.com
The food on the train was surprisingly good. There was meat, fish, and soup, and Tang Xiaonan ate quite a bit. But the meal was truly expensive, costing over eighteen yuan. For some people, that was a whole month’s salary. ’It’s easy not to feel the sting when you’re eating on the company’s dime,’ she thought. ’He definitely wouldn’t be so willing if it were his own money.’
Aston Marsh went to pay the bill and even brought back a bag of peanuts. They hadn’t finished the liquor, so they saved the remaining half bottle to continue drinking that evening.
"Goldie, my friend, you’re not being entirely honest with me. You’re not just going to Capria for fun, are you?" Aston Marsh said, a little drunk.
"You’re right. I won’t hide it from you, Aston. I’m hoping to find a way to get rich over there. Shh... don’t spread it around."
Goldie Thorne was also quite drunk, his eyes glazed over. He was spilling all his secrets without holding anything back. Tang Xiaonan grew a little worried and looked at Adrian Hawthorne. Seeing him completely unfazed, as if nothing was wrong, she felt relieved.
