Scarlett wasn’t someone to mess with.
Though she appeared delicate, she had already injured two of the thugs before being rescued.
At the police station, Kay and his friend took full responsibility, claiming they had been the ones to subdue the thugs. The police didn’t criticize them for their forceful actions; instead, they formally praised them:
“We’ve received instructions from the Ministry of Public Security. Greenfield County will fully cooperate with the crackdown on criminal activities. For current offenders, we will act swiftly and severely! You two comrades showed great bravery. We’ll be sending a commendation to your workplace.”
Kay’s gaze toward Scarlett carried a certain charm.
Scarlett, though inexperienced in relationships, had at least seen her fair share of flirtation. It was clear to her that Kay had a liking for her, and he made no effort to hide it.
She understood this world that valued appearances—her face made it hard for any man to dislike her. Unfortunately, it was also the reason for today’s trouble.
Kay and his friend, Leo, were her saviors. Scarlett was grateful and direct:
“Are you sure this won’t trouble you too much?”
“Not at all,” Kay replied. “We’ve been on the road for a few days and planned to take a break anyway. Dropping you off at home and returning to Greenfield County is no issue.”
Leo opened his mouth to protest but stopped himself.
Kay had never been this patient when talking to women before. Plenty of girls had chased after him, and he’d never given them so much as a second glance. He hadn’t mentioned wanting to rest in Greenfield County earlier, either. They were hauling a full load of goods, and the sooner they got back to the capital, the smoother this trip would be.
Leo stole a glance at Scarlett. She was stunning—had she managed to captivate the notoriously indifferent Kay?
He didn’t dare voice his thoughts and instead backed Kay up:
“Of course, it’s no trouble! It’s already so late—walking alone isn’t safe. What if those idiots have accomplices? Don’t worry; we’re not bad guys. The police station even has our records now!”
Refusing further would seem like treating her saviors as potential threats.
Scarlett glanced at the large truck, unsure where to sit.
Kay handed Scarlett’s bicycle to Leo. “You sit in the back and keep an eye on the goods.”
Leo’s heart sank.
But he didn’t dare argue with Kay and obediently put Scarlett’s bicycle into the truck bed. The truck was packed with boxes, and Leo struggled to find space to squeeze himself in. Scarlett considered offering to sit in the back, but she realized the cargo might be too valuable for them to trust her.
She climbed into the passenger seat, and the truck roared to life.
The road to Wellwater Village was rough, often precariously narrow, with the wheels skimming the edges.
Scarlett occasionally gave directions. Compared to her bicycle, the truck was much faster, covering in 30 minutes what would have taken her an hour cycling or two hours walking.
“That’s my house up ahead,” Scarlett pointed toward the village. “The road doesn’t go into the village, so you can drop me off here.”
Fields around the village were bustling with activity. With daylight quickly fading, workers rushed to load threshed rice into sacks and carry them home.
The village chimneys were already billowing smoke.
Families who usually ate two meals a day added a third during harvest season, ensuring each meal was hearty enough to sustain the grueling work.
Scarlett had planned to return earlier to cook dinner, but her time at the police station delayed her. She felt a bit anxious, and Kay noticed. As she got out of the truck, he suddenly asked:
“Are you going back to Greenfield County tomorrow?”
Most girls, after an incident like today’s, would have been too scared to continue their business. Even if they planned to, they’d take a few days to recover.
But Kay felt Scarlett wasn’t like most girls. Though she looked delicate, she had shown remarkable courage.
Sure enough, Scarlett didn’t hesitate:
“Of course. Are you staying at the Greenfield County guesthouse tonight? I’ll bring you breakfast tomorrow as thanks.”
Kay’s mischievous smirk softened into a genuine smile. He appreciated her thoughtfulness.
“Alright. But don’t leave too early—it’s not safe.”
Scarlett pushed her bicycle and headed home.
Leo sidled up to Kay hesitantly. “Kay, did you really fall for her?”
Kay snorted dismissively.
Leo groaned. Where’s the justice in this? He had been the one admiring Scarlett all along, only for Kay to swoop in and steal the spotlight!
