Chapter 9 Buying Beef

"Ms. Galasso, I don't have a bank card. Could you give me cash instead?" "Huh? Sure, no problem!" After a brief pause, Daniella readily agreed. It appeared her assumption was correct. Kenneth wasn't just innocent; he might never have ventured beyond the county before. Though she had offered Kenneth extra money, Daniella was rebuffed. Kenneth claimed it went against his principles... As she watched his lean figure gaze on the cargo bike disappearing into the distance, Daniella took a while to compose herself. "I hope you bring me some surprises soon..." After receiving the money, Kenneth headed straight to the supermarket to purchase vegetables and beef. He had noticed the spacious refrigerator at Casey's house earlier that morning, which still had room even after he added the meat. Leaving Brighter Valley for town wasn't an easy task, so he decided it wouldn't hurt to stock up on more meat. After purchasing the vegetables, he also picked up some pots and pans and other daily necessities. If the cargo bike could hold more, Kenneth would've bought more items. Loaded with supplies, he began his journey back. As he cycled past the sprawling Sagebrush Herbal Emporium, he decided to step inside, purchasing a collection of holistic healing tools and supplies. Upon his return to the village, it was already five in the afternoon. The journey had been arduous; Michael's cargo bike was on the verge of falling apart. "Kenneth! You're back! Oh my gosh, did you buy all of this?" Casey exclaimed, rushing over from the door to lend a hand as she eyed the cargo bike laden with supplies. She had been fretting about Kenneth all day and had skipped lunch entirely. "Now that I have some money, I can splurge a bit!" Kenneth grinned. "Did you manage to sell the fish, Kenneth?" Casey asked eagerly. "Absolutely! I sold it for more than fifty grand. Otherwise, I wouldn't be able to afford all of this," Kenneth replied. "You're incredible, Kenneth! You even bought beef! That's a lot!" Casey was astonished as Kenneth began unloading the beef. Fifty thousand was already a fortune in her eyes. "Oh, it's not. Look at how skinny you've gotten from not eating enough. You definitely need to eat more," Kenneth said warmly. "Oh, alright. Thank you, Kenneth," Casey replied modestly, looking down. She had been surviving on sandwiches for days. Moreover, she was always mindful of her past expenses. Her diet was clearly lacking... "Come on, help me steady the cargo bike," Kenneth called out. "Alright!" Once Casey had stabilized the bike, Kenneth retrieved the beef. "Wow! Kenneth, how much beef did you buy?" Casey hadn't eaten meat for a long time. She was taken aback by Kenneth's unexpected purchase of beef. "It's not that much. Mrs. Cadman has trouble getting around, and I'll worry about you if you're out. You both need better nutrition, so having more meat is fine," Kenneth explained earnestly. "Okay," Casey accepted humbly, resolving herself. At that moment, she made a firm decision: she would stay with Kenneth for the rest of her life! "I asked the vendor for a few pounds of beef. I'll give some to Mr. Bergstedt when I return his cargo bike," Kenneth explained. "Kenneth, you're so thoughtful!" Casey exclaimed. Kenneth merely chuckled as he carried the beef into the house. "Ken, did you buy this? How much did it cost? Our family..." Mrs. Cadman started to ask, and concern etched on her face. "Mrs. Cadman, please don't worry. I've returned after an arduous journey, and this is my gift to you. Don't bring up money. It isn't an issue for me," Kenneth interrupted gently. "But..." Mrs. Cadman was at a loss for words, touched by Kenneth's gesture. "Mrs. Cadman, please don't feel bad. You must eat more meat to recuperate and for a healthier diet. Once you're feeling better in a couple of days, I must commence treatment." "Alright. I understand." Once Kenneth packed the groceries into the refrigerator, he passed a paper bag to Kim. "What is this, Ken?" "Mrs. Cadman, this is the thirty thousand I promised you. When Woody comes again, give it to him. It's the initial amount Ron lent you. You don't owe anyone else money after this." "What?!" Kim could no longer control her tears when she saw Kenneth open the paper bag. Since Daryl passed away two years ago, Kim and Casey had been having a tough time. She could only take in the villagers' hurtful remarks and gossip regarding her and her daughter. "Ken, I don't know what to say. When I have money in the future, I'll immediately repay you." When Kim saw Casey enter, she instantly said, "Kim, come here and thank Kenneth. From now on, he's our family's benefactor." "Thank you, Kenneth." Casey was also incredibly touched when she saw Kenneth give her mother money. Her eyes were red. After over two years, there was finally a man to take care of her family again. Boo-hoo… "Mrs. Cadman and Case, don't say such things. If it weren't for Mr. Cadman back then, I might have starved to death. Now that I'm doing better, it's only right that I repay him," Kenneth said earnestly. "Alright! The Cadman family will never forget your kindness, no matter what. We'll definitely repay you for this. Isn't that right, Casey?" Mrs. Cadman affirmed. "Yes. Once I graduate, I'll work to repay you, Kenneth," Casey declared with resolve. "Okay, whatever you say, Case. I'll be taking these things home and returning the cargo bike to Mr. Bergstedt later," Kenneth agreed. "Alright, Kenneth. I'll start cooking. Make sure to come back for dinner," Casey insisted. "Haha. I'm glad I don't have to make dinner for myself today," Kenneth chuckled. "Kenneth, you always tease me. Go on with what you need to do," Casey said with a pout, refusing to engage further with Kenneth. The groceries at home had been bought by Kenneth, along with additional items like a new frying pan, a microwave, and various condiments. These daily necessities weren't just for Casey's family; Kenneth had bought them for himself as well. Once everything was stored away, Kenneth pushed the cargo bike towards Michael's house. Some villagers had gathered in Michael's yard. When they saw Kenneth approaching with the cargo bike from afar, they looked at each other and dispersed before he arrived. "Ken, you're back. How did it go? Did you sell that big fish?" Michael greeted him. "Of course I did! And for a good price too. Here, I brought some meat for you, Mr. Bergstedt. I hope you like it," Kenneth replied warmly, parking the cargo bike and handing over a few pounds of beef to Michael. "Huh?" Michael's eyes widened as he weighed the meat in his hands. It was a substantial weight, easily ten pounds or more. At current prices, a pound of beef was sold at around ten to thirteen. What Kenneth had given him was worth at least a hundred! Michael, who had worked as a steelworker in the city, was paid eighty a day. He knew the value of hard-earned money—the meat was equivalent to a day and a half of his former daily wage. "Ken! This is too much! I can't take it. It's too expensive," Michael protested, reluctant to accept the meat. "Mr. Bergstedt, please don't refuse. Otherwise, I won't feel comfortable borrowing things from you in the future," Kenneth insisted earnestly. "This young man..." Michael sighed, touched by Kenneth's gesture. "Huh? Ken's here. Why did you bring so much meat?" A plump woman emerged from the kitchen, eagerly taking the transparent bag from Kenneth's hand. Her smile never wavered. This was Rosaria Brigg, Michael's wife, who was of the same generation as Kenneth's parents. "Hello, Mrs. Bergstedt. I went to town and picked up some meat," Kenneth explained. "Alright. I'll start cooking. Kenneth, you must stay for dinner tonight," Rosaria insisted warmly. "This woman!" Michael muttered under his breath as he watched Rosaria hurry into the kitchen with the meat, his expression darkening…