“To the capital?”
Greenfield County was a district under Windford, which was adjacent to Harborfield, the capital.
Harborfield wasn’t far from Greenfield County, but most county residents rarely visited the capital unless necessary. Farmers mostly sold their produce in townships, with few venturing into the county seat, let alone the capital.
From this perspective, Scarlett Whitaker’s boldness was unusual.
“I thought you could still sell eggs for a few more days in Greenfield County. Why are you in such a hurry to go to Harborfield?”
Kay wasn’t criticizing her but genuinely curious about her motives.
Scarlett appreciated talking to intelligent people. Since her rebirth, her first meaningful conversation had been with her uncle William, and her second with Kay. Kay’s comment about egg-selling having limited prospects in Greenfield County reflected his sharp insight, and Scarlett didn’t hide her intentions.
“I’m going to Harborfield to scout the market. I also brought something else to sell, which doesn’t do well in Greenfield County.”
Kay glanced at her bicycle and peeked into the baskets. One side was covered with straw, protecting the eggs. The other basket, lined with waterproof plastic, contained something wriggling inside.
“Eels?”
Kay smirked. “Good stuff.”
The eels were clearly handpicked, each as thick as a man’s thumb. They were in their prime season, with tender and flavorful meat, on par with the 20-pound fish they had eaten earlier.
In the hands of a skilled chef, eels could outshine even the best fish.
“These wouldn’t sell well in Greenfield County. How did you…”
Kay trailed off mid-sentence.
He was about to comment on how she always chose challenging businesses. Selling eggs was already labor-intensive, and now she was venturing into live seafood, which was equally demanding. Then he recalled the rumors he had heard. Having been kicked out of her family, Scarlett likely had no money to her name. Apart from her uncle’s support, the Whitakers wanted nothing to do with her. Easy money-making ventures required capital and connections, both of which Scarlett lacked.
The thought left Kay unsettled.
It wasn’t that he believed the gossip, but seeing the scar on Scarlett’s forehead for the first time, he couldn’t help but think—how could someone so delicate endure such hardships?
Scarlett smiled, not pursuing the topic he had left unfinished.
“Collecting eggs and eels at the same time isn’t a hassle. These were accumulated over the past few days. Someone brought me 20 pounds of eels last night, so I figured I’d try selling them in Harborfield.”
“Do you know the way to the capital?”
Kay hit a sore spot.
Scarlett, being a small-town girl, had never traveled beyond Greenfield County. She had no idea how to get to Harborfield.
“I have a mouth, don’t I? I’ll ask for directions along the way.”
Road signs weren’t as plentiful as they would be in the future, but as long as she followed the general direction and asked people for help, she figured she’d get there.
Kay didn’t know whether to call her brave or naive.
People didn’t like traveling far back then for a reason—transportation was inconvenient, money was scarce, and the roads weren’t safe. Long-distance travelers rarely journeyed alone due to the risk of highway robberies. A moment’s lapse could cost both a vehicle and its driver. While public safety had improved since the start of the summer crackdown on crime, Kay still felt uneasy about Scarlett commuting between Wellwater Village and Harborfield regularly.
“Let’s go. I know the way. I’ll take you there today.”
“Kay, don’t you have things to do? I don’t want to trouble you.”
Kay lied without hesitation. “Leo went to visit a nearby relative and took the car. I have nothing to do today, so I might as well accompany you to Harborfield. Greenfield County is too small—boring, really.”
He deliberately stretched out his disdain for Greenfield County, sounding like a spoiled city boy.
Scarlett couldn’t help but laugh. Kay had already taken control of her bicycle.
“Hop on. I’ll give you a ride,” he said, patting the top bar of the frame.
Scarlett imagined the position—practically sitting in his lap—and waved her hands in refusal.
“I’ll sit on the back, thanks!”
“That’ll be bumpy, but suit yourself,” Kay said, smirking.
