Byron Thorne said irritably, "You’re staying at my house, and you’re offering to provide your own food? Besides, Mr. Tate is here. Who’s going to spread rumors?"

Shane Thorne shook his head, still feeling it was improper. However, Byron Thorne had a point. With Old Master Tate around, there likely wouldn’t be any major issues.

"Brother," Shane Thorne said, his expression solemn but with a hint of excitement, "the little girl has Spiritual Energy. You have to raise her well. We’re counting on her to bring honor to the Thorne family! We finally have a chance to turn our fortunes around."

"You think I don’t know that? As long as the little girl can get into a school, I’ll support her education even if I have to sell everything I own."

Byron Thorne grew even more excited. ’A lucky charm blessed by a divine being is my very own granddaughter! Who could possibly be as fortunate as me?’

However, he had other ideas—

"Shane, I think Jim and the other two will be successful, too. The other day, Jim recited the entire Song of the Solar Terms from memory. Mr. Tate even praised him for being well-rounded. You were wrong about him."

Byron Thorne glanced at Shane Thorne, slightly displeased. ’I’ve already made up my mind. As long as my grandchildren can make it through school, I’ll work these old bones to the grave to support them. Who knows, if we get ridiculously lucky, the Thorne family might produce four university students!’

’If that day ever comes, I’ll burn a tractor-load of gold Dollars for the ancestors, to make sure they’re living in comfort in the afterlife.’ 𝓯𝙧𝙚𝒆𝙬𝙚𝒃𝙣𝙤𝒗𝓮𝓵.𝙘𝙤𝙢

Shane Thorne’s eyes filled with doubt. "Mr. Tate really said that?"

’I’ve never seen any academic side to that little rascal Jim,’ he thought. ’The troublemaker side, on the other hand, he has in spades.’

"Mr. Tate said it with his own mouth! Jim, come over here and recite a classic poem for your Uncle Shane."

Byron Thorne was displeased. How dare Shane doubt his grandson’s abilities? He immediately called Jim Thorne over to show off his true skills.

Now with plenty of performance experience under his belt, Jim Thorne was much bolder. He fluently recited "Prelude to Water Melody," his voice so clear and loud that even people walking up ahead could hear him. They couldn’t help but marvel, thinking that the little tyrant Jim Thorne had really turned over a new leaf. Just listen to how smoothly he recited that poem!

Shane Thorne’s expression softened. Reciting a poem wasn’t a monumental achievement, but compared to Jim Thorne’s previously dreadful academic record, this performance was extraordinary. It was like watching someone who’d been paralyzed for years suddenly take a single, small step—a complete and pleasant surprise.

"Excellent, excellent. Mr. Tate truly is a master teacher; he could carve something from a piece of rotten wood. Jim, you must study hard under him."

Shane Thorne was in high spirits. He affectionately patted Jim Thorne on the head. ’Byron was right,’ he thought. ’Maybe Jim really will amount to something after all!’

Jim Thorne was a bit dazed, but also delighted. ’This is the first time I’ve ever gotten this kind of special treatment! In the past, Uncle Shane would just shake his head every time he saw me and wouldn’t even want to talk. Now he’s patting my head and telling me to study hard. I feel so flattered!’

In a moment of excitement, Jim Thorne couldn’t help but declare, "I’ll definitely study hard and aim for a good score on the midterms!"

The little girl had said those exact words to him a couple of days ago. Back then, he’d let them go in one ear and out the other. But now, spurred on by Shane Thorne’s praise, a light-headed Jim Thorne blurted them out. The moment he did, he regretted it.

Shane Thorne was even more pleased. His pats turned into gentle stroking, and he rubbed Jim Thorne’s round head a few times. "Good, you have ambition. Your Uncle Shane will be waiting. As long as you pass every single subject on your midterms, I’ll reward you with a big pork knuckle."

Though he was filled with regret, Jim Thorne’s eyes lit up at the mention of a big pork knuckle. His head went fuzzy again, and he thumped his chest, guaranteeing, "I’ll definitely pass. No problem!"

"Jim has really matured. A year older makes all the difference! Byron, Raina, you two are truly blessed!"

Everyone else chimed in with praise. Byron Thorne and Raina were beaming with delight, their faces full of pride. Jim Thorne opened his mouth, but swallowed the words, ’I might be a few points short...’ A sense of panic began to set in.

’A passing grade is sixty. That’s such a high score,’ he thought, panicking. ’Am I really capable of that?’