Tang Xiao’nan had been conscious the entire time. She could hear everything around her with perfect clarity, but it was as if she were trapped in a nightmare—unable to make a sound or move a muscle, she could only panic in silence.

"Let’s take her to the clinic," Shane Thorne suggested.

As the most worldly and educated man on Millstone Peak, Shane Thorne had his own superstitions, but he still placed more faith in science—especially medicine. He figured the clinic was a little more reliable than the Kitchen God.

Besides, the soul-calling ritual had been going on for a while with no effect. They had to take her to the clinic. Any more delays and something serious could happen. After all, Tang Xiao’nan was a promising young talent in Shane Thorne’s eyes. She hadn’t even had the chance to bring glory to the Thorne family yet; nothing could be allowed to happen to her.

"Wait a little longer. I’m going to pray to the Kitchen God," Byron Thorne said, unwilling to give up. This method had never failed before. ’My heart must not have been sincere enough.’

"How did Xiao’nan get so scared? She seemed perfectly fine during the day!"

"Did she run into something unclean on the mountain? Maybe we should go up there and pray?" someone suggested. The moment she spoke, everyone started and glared at her. The speaker, an auntie from the same clan, realized she’d said the wrong thing and sheepishly closed her mouth, not daring to mention it again.

Engaging in "feudal superstition" was a serious offense. Although the Gang of Four had already been dismantled and things had relaxed somewhat, the people had been left as jumpy as birds startled by a bowstring. They were terrified the political climate might suddenly change again. It was better to be safe than sorry. Common folk didn’t dream of riches; they just wanted to live a peaceful life.

If they weren’t supposed to engage in superstitious practices, then so be it. Best to just listen to the authorities and not cause trouble.

"Watch what you’re saying! Be careful someone doesn’t overhear and report you. They’ll punish you by making you carry dung!"

The auntie who had spoken clapped a hand over her mouth, terrified, and shook her head vigorously. Her face was a ghastly sight; she was kicking herself. ’It isn’t even my kid in trouble, so why did I have to open my big mouth? If someone actually reports me, I’ll be in for it.’

Adrian Hawthorne found the whole scene rather amusing. ’Burning paper ingots on the mountain is a "feudal superstition," sure, but isn’t soul-calling the exact same thing? Phoebe Huxley’s shouting was so loud the whole village could hear it. These villagers are not only frighteningly ignorant but also charmingly simple-minded.’

Shane Thorne said irritably, "We’ve already performed a soul-calling, so what the hell is there to be scared of now? Let’s just get her to the clinic. Something’s going to happen if we wait any longer."

’These ignorant villagers are my own kinsmen, and not a single one of them is worth a damn,’ Shane Thorne thought with a pang of sadness. ’The Thorne family has no worthy successors. Back in the day, our family produced high-ranking officials. Now, we can barely count a few high school graduates, let alone anyone who’s ever left Vessaria. For most of these people, their entire life is confined to Millstone Peak and the surrounding villages.’

’Meanwhile, the Golding family, whose ancestors were nothing but beggars, had managed to produce several high school graduates in recent years—all of whom went to work in the city. Shane Thorne couldn’t stomach the humiliation. His Thorne family ancestors had been men of honor and prestige; how could those Golding paupers even compare? And yet, the Thornes were now being overshadowed by them. If the next generation failed to produce a promising scholar, the Thorne family would fall even further behind.’

’Shane Thorne pinned all his hopes on his six-year-old grandniece, Tang Xiao’nan. Of all the children in the Thorne family, she was the only one with real potential, the only one who could be properly cultivated. As for the others... sigh!’

After Byron Thorne finished praying to the Kitchen God, Tang Xiao’nan still didn’t wake up. He started to panic and finally decided to take Shane Thorne’s advice and bring her to the town clinic. In the ensuing flurry of activity, no one noticed Adrian Hawthorne off to one side.

Adrian Hawthorne quietly moved to Tang Xiao’nan’s side and took her ice-cold hand. For some reason, he had a strong feeling that the chubby girl had merely fallen into a deep sleep and that all it would take to wake her was a simple call.

"Tang Fatty, if you wake up, I’ll take you into the city to have fun!"