Kay’s words left no room for argument.
William found himself speechless.
Scarlett Whitaker thought to herself, This man is only 20 years old. Am I being pursued by someone so young?g
Kay’s youth reminded Scarlett of her own age—just 18. She had her whole life ahead of her to enjoy. This realization filled her with an inexplicable joy. The fish was also exquisite, showcasing the skill of the state-run restaurant’s chef. Perhaps a bit of arrogance from the staff was justified. After all, even in later years, renowned establishments often had difficult owners, yet patrons still flocked to them.
The paper-thin slices of fish were tender and free of any unpleasant odor. Yet, as delicious as the dish was, Scarlett reluctantly set down her utensils.
The meal wasn’t her main focus now. Kay’s sincere words deserved a response.
“Kay, please sit down while you speak,” Scarlett said.
Standing up made things too formal, almost like he was proposing to her uncle on her behalf.
“I hear the sincerity in your words, and I’d like to share my thoughts as well… You’ve probably heard about my awful reputation. Some things in life, I believe, need to be dealt with personally. Only by becoming stronger can I truly be unshaken by the filth others try to throw at me, right?
“I’m still living with my mother at my uncle’s house. I’m not sharing this to gain your sympathy—I know you genuinely want to help me. However, I’m not ready to consider personal relationships right now. I hope to grow and establish an independent, confident version of myself before pursuing a healthy, lasting relationship. Thank you, Kay, for your understanding.”
No matter how gentle the delivery, it was still a rejection.
Leo shrank into his seat slightly.
He thought to himself, *Kay has probably never been turned down like this in his life.*
Moreover, Kay hadn’t even been deterred by Scarlett’s tarnished reputation!
Leo braced himself for Kay to flip the table, but to his surprise, Kay simply looked at Scarlett for a moment before calmly sitting down.
“I understand what you mean,” Kay said with a smile. “We’ve only just met; there’s no rush. Don’t feel pressured about anything. Let’s interact as friends for now, naturally. Now, let’s enjoy the fish. The chef here really knows their craft!”
Leo’s jaw nearly dropped.
*He accepted the rejection? Just like that? Without any anger?*
If it were Leo in Kay’s shoes, he knew he wouldn’t have taken the rejection so calmly. Yet, Kay and Scarlett seemed to have cleared the air, and both behaved naturally. Kay was gracious, and Scarlett wasn’t overly reserved.
What’s more, Scarlett was unlike any girl Leo had ever met. She was the most confident and charming woman he’d encountered, yet she carried a refreshing straightforwardness rarely found in rural girls. Scarlett had a clarity and composure about her that made her unique.
*Not pretentious.*
The term popped into Leo’s mind.
*A village girl, yet so composed?*
He decided to distract himself by sipping on fish soup to process this surprise.
With Scarlett and Kay having spoken openly, William had no room to intervene further. After all, Kay wouldn’t stay in Greenfield County forever—he’d leave eventually. With that thought, William cheerfully focused on finishing the meal.
The 18-pound fish was polished off cleanly. At one point, Kay stepped outside for a cigarette, and by the time he returned, he had already settled the bill.
This left William a bit embarrassed.
“It’s no big deal. It doesn’t matter who treats whom, as long as the company is enjoyable!” Kay said casually.
His nonchalance was genuine; he clearly didn’t mind spending the money.
In an era when even buying eggs required careful budgeting, Kay’s generosity was rare. The waitress couldn’t help but steal glances at him, thinking to herself how extravagant this man from the capital was. *If only he were my boyfriend!*
But when she looked at Scarlett, she couldn’t bring herself to claim she was more attractive.
*No chance of stealing him now.*
As they left the restaurant, Kay asked Scarlett and William about their plans and offered them a ride.
Scarlett declined. “I need to buy a few things. You’ve already spent the whole day helping us—there’s no need to trouble yourselves further.”
Cars ran on fuel, and adapting to the frugal lifestyle of 1983 hadn’t been easy for Scarlett. She wasn’t at a point in life where she could enjoy car rides everywhere she went.
Kay didn’t press the matter. “Alright then. Uncle William, Scarlett, please take care on your way home. Leo and I will be in Greenfield County for another two days. Feel free to visit us at the guesthouse if you’re in town.”
Apart from calling William “Uncle,” Kay made no further advances. He and Leo took a separate path, leaving Scarlett and William on their own.
Once they were out of sight, William’s cheerful demeanor disappeared.
“These two might be smugglers, making a living by dancing on the knife’s edge. Who knows when they might end up losing both their lives and their money? Scarlett, don’t let that boy’s good looks and smooth talk fool you.”
Scarlett wasn’t entirely surprised.
Kay wore a Rolex, drove a truck with a reinforced cabin, and had an air of untamed confidence. Smuggling wouldn’t be too far-fetched.
“Uncle, how can you tell?” Scarlett asked, curious.
William chuckled, dodging the question. “Your uncle’s smart, of course. Now, what do you need to buy? Let’s get it done quickly and head home.”
Scarlett didn’t press the issue further. The two of them went to the department store in town. Greenfield County’s economy depended on two major factories, so the department store wasn’t large, nor was it crowded.
When William saw Scarlett heading toward the fabric and clothing section, he assumed she was planning to make a new outfit.
*It’s normal for young girls to like new clothes.*
A few dollars per yard wasn’t too much for William to afford.
Instead of using fabric, Scarlett pointed to a colorful bag with a small elephant logo.
“How much is this bag?” she asked the saleswoman.
The saleswoman, knitting a sweater, didn’t even look up. “Ten dollars each. They’re from the city, so they’re expensive.”
“I’ll take it. Please wrap it up!”
Finally, looking up, the saleswoman sized Scarlett up. She didn’t care who bought the bag as long as they could pay. After Scarlett handed over the money, she turned to William.
“Let’s go. Aunt’s expecting us for dinner.”
