“I just care about Walter. He has a lot of professional courses and has dark circles from staying up late. Since he has to wash his own clothes anyway, I might as well help him with some chores… It’s no big deal; I’m used to it back home.”
Whitaker Rosalie’s roommates immediately fell silent.
Walter Janson was indeed impressive, ranking at the top of their college, and the professors in the department valued him highly.
Another roommate from the countryside spoke up for Whitaker Rosalie, “Isn’t that something we often did back home? In the dead of winter, the river freezes over, and we still have to break the ice to wash clothes. Our fingers freeze like carrots. Rosalie and her boyfriend support each other. Last time, I even heard someone say a girl confessed to her boyfriend, but Wang refused firmly and made his stance clear!”
Walter Janson was noticed by a senior from his department.
This senior was no ordinary person; she was the daughter of a professor at the university, coming from a well-educated family that was miles ahead of the Whitaker family from Larkspur Village in terms of family background. Moreover, the senior was not unattractive, with a fiery and outgoing personality. Naturally, someone like her would not keep a low profile about her interest in Walter Janson, even though everyone knew he had a girlfriend at the same school.
Whitaker Rosalie was a bit worried at the time, but her calm demeanor prevented her from questioning Walter Janson.
After two days of gossip, it was Walter Janson who took the initiative to bring it up: “I’ve made it clear to him that I already have a partner, and I can only thank her for her good intentions.”
“She won’t give up that easily, will she?”
Whitaker Rosalie finally asked, but Walter Janson took her hand, a hint of concern in his eyes for her frostbitten fingers:
“Whether she gives up or not is her business. I’ve already said I plan to take you home to meet my parents… Rosalie, our family is going through a particularly tough time right now. I can’t guarantee how long it will take to get out of this situation, but I will work hard to make sure you have a good life.”
This statement reassured Whitaker Rosalie.
Whitaker Rosalie knew Walter Janson well; he had already decided to take her to meet his parents, which meant their marriage was practically a done deal.
This outcome gave Whitaker Rosalie immense encouragement. Her belief that hard work would yield rewards was validated. What was a little money? Could washing two pieces of clothing in cold water during winter freeze someone to death? Not to mention the small acts of saving money, like having the school cafeteria help serve meals or buying Walter Janson braised pork. Each small act accumulated, changing Walter Janson’s attitude towards her.
After washing and drying her clothes, Whitaker Rosalie handed them to Walter Janson and tried to express her plans:
“Walter, I plan to go home for a visit during the break before we go to the farm to see Uncle and Aunt.”
Walter Janson nodded: “Of course, you’ve been away for a few months now; you should go back and see your family. You probably don’t have much money left, right? I’ve been saving my allowance these past few months to buy you a train ticket.”
Whitaker Rosalie had spent all her money on him, and Walter Janson was well aware of that.
Her support covered all his living expenses, allowing him to save his allowance, which he felt was only right to spend on Whitaker Rosalie.
Whitaker Rosalie did not refuse, though a hint of difficulty appeared on her face. Under Walter Janson’s questioning, she hesitantly said:
“My family sent me a letter saying that after we left, Scarlett caused a scene at home… I don’t know what happened, but my uncle and aunt got divorced, and my aunt took Scarlett back to her family. I’m worried Scarlett might not be able to cope.”
This was the first time Whitaker Rosalie openly mentioned “Whitaker Scarlett.”
Hearing that name suddenly made Walter Janson feel a bit dazed, and a beautiful, spoiled face flashed through his mind.
Whitaker Scarlett was truly beautiful, a kind of beauty Walter Janson had never seen in his twenty-plus years of life. She could light up the dreary rural life, making him feel that there was still hope even in his lowest moments—but “beauty” was ultimately useless; it couldn’t solve the problems of clothing and food, nor could it provide him with any extra help.
In the face of survival, love was not that important.
Whitaker Scarlett was not as virtuous as Rosalie, and being with Rosalie completely alleviated his worries.
A man needs a virtuous partner, especially when an equally outstanding woman is willing to be that partner; the sense of fulfillment is indescribable. Walter Janson suppressed the fluttering feelings in his heart:
“I’ve made it clear to her as well. If she can’t handle it, there’s nothing I can do; she’s just being willful.”
At that time, he was quite angry when he saw Whitaker Scarlett getting involved with a good-for-nothing and said some harsh words. Later, upon reflection, he realized that Whitaker Scarlett was not the type to fall for someone like Wesley… but the harsh words had already been said, and Walter Janson thought it best to let things be and cut off Whitaker Scarlett’s hopes.
