“She’s nothing but a troublemaker,” the women gossiped, their voices dripping with disdain. “Too delicate to lift a finger and do any real work. Raising a daughter in the countryside isn’t about pampering her like a princess. Unlike her cousin Rosalie, who’s naturally gifted for academics, Scarlett barely managed to scrape through middle school before dropping out. She doesn’t try hard herself but is excellent at reaping the fruits of others’ labor.
“Remember when the county sent its last batch of city intellectuals a few years back? Larkspur Village got one—a good-looking, hardworking young man. He was serious about improving himself, working hard in the fields while keeping up with his studies. Naturally, studious people attract one another, so he and Rosalie end up together.
“This year, the two of them got into university simultaneously and officially announced their relationship to their families. That’s when Scarlett couldn’t take it anymore—jealous of her cousin’s success and her good man, she tried to steal him! Can you believe it? In broad daylight, she stripped naked to seduce her cousin’s fiancé!”
“The poor man was so upright that he actually escorted the naked Scarlett back home!”
“And when she couldn’t get her cousin’s fiancé? Didn’t she hook up with Zack from the neighboring village?”
“When her cousin didn’t even blame her, and the rumors spread, the elders scolded her. What did Scarlett do? She made a big show of trying to ‘end it all’—banging her head against walls and threatening to jump into the river!”
“It was all for show. She didn’t succeed, of course, and the Whitaker family kicked her out. Even her mother was dragged down by her, and the two of them had to move back to the Miller family. Poor Elizabeth, her daughter’s scandal brought so much shame to her family!”
The women’s gossip wasn’t just about the events—they painted vivid, humiliating pictures. Their words were entertainment, their laughter cutting through the fields as the men nearby chuckled, finding the whole tale amusing. Scarlett’s scandalous deeds had become the perfect fodder to lighten the workday.
Leo found it unbearable to listen. The girl who had stunned him with her beauty and poise during their first meeting at the noodle stall had such a wild and sordid reputation. It rivaled even the most notorious city girls back in the capital.
*Couldn’t she at least keep a lower profile?* he thought.
And that story about stripping naked to seduce her cousin’s fiancé—did she really have to do it in broad daylight? Couldn’t she have waited until it was dark?
Leo didn’t dare look at Kay’s expression.
Kay squatted silently by the roadside, listening intently. By the time their legs had gone numb, and the gossip finally wound down, Kay stood and motioned for Leo to get in the car. Still, he said nothing.
Leo thought, *Kay finally decides to pursue someone, and it turns out to be Scarlett Whitaker. He must be feeling awful right now.*
Out of consideration, Leo resolved never to bring up Scarlett’s name again. Kay didn’t pass through Greenfield County often; he’d forget about her in time.
Back at the guesthouse, Leo began packing to check out, but Kay stopped him.
“What are you doing?”
“Uh,” Leo replied cautiously, “aren’t we heading back to the capital? If not tonight, then early tomorrow? There’s no point staying here any longer.”
Kay lit a cigarette, the thin veil of smoke shrouding his face and making it hard to read his expression.
“Who said we’re leaving? Put your stuff back.”
Leo was dumbfounded. *He still doesn’t want to leave?*
“You’re not planning to confront her, are you? Kay, listen to me—don’t. Women are masterful liars!”
But Kay remained unmoved.
“You’re going to find Zack for me tomorrow,” Kay instructed calmly. “He’s from Stonebank Village. You won’t have trouble locating him.”
Leo realized Kay wasn’t giving up.
“Are you not coming with me?”
Kay shook his head. “Your sister-in-law will be selling eggs in the county tomorrow. I don’t want her overworking herself.”
Leo’s jaw dropped.
He’d thought Kay planned to confront Scarlett, but it turned out he was just worried about her being too tired. Scarlett had been selling eggs on her own just fine before! Leo decided it wasn’t worth arguing. Fine, he’d find Zack. Maybe another day here in Greenfield County would convince Kay to let this go.
The next morning, Leo drove to Stonebank Village bright and early. The village, named for its stone-lined riverbank, was in the same direction as Larkspur Village. Meanwhile, Kay waited at the usual roadside spot.
Sure enough, Scarlett arrived on her bicycle before seven.
“Kay!” she called out, braking as she approached.
She hadn’t expected to see him again and was surprised he hadn’t been scared off by her reputation.
Men who didn’t care about a woman’s reputation fell into two categories: those who loved deeply, valuing the woman herself above all else, and those who were just looking for fun, with no intention of marriage.
Scarlett wasn’t sure which type Kay was, but so far, he had shown her nothing but respect. She decided to treat him as a friend for now.
“You’re early again,” Kay remarked.
Scarlett nodded. “I’m not selling eggs in Greenfield County today. I left early to make a trip to the capital.”
