Chapter 12 Resentful Townspeople

Kenneth's gaze swept across the landscape, taking in the diverse assortment of herbs growing in some areas and the concentrated patches of single varieties in others. Among these, American Ginseng and Echinacea stood out, their abundance and exceptional growth patterns marking them as the finest wild specimens. American Ginseng and Echinacea were common herbs, yet their demand in the market was immense. This meant these wild herbs could be sold directly once harvested and minimally processed! A smile spread across Kenneth's face. The sight before him was a treasure trove of wild herbs – a goldmine, as one might say. As long as he could secure a reliable sales channel, he was certain to make a substantial profit! After contemplating, Kenneth set down his basket and dug into the soil with a small hoe. In no time, the basket was overflowing with his harvest. Less than two hours after setting out, Kenneth returned. Casey was still cleaning the medicine cabinets, and her meticulous approach was evident in her every movement. With a smile, she scrubbed diligently, pulling out each cabinet and wiping every surface inside and out. During his absence, several people came to seek and clarify doubts. They all inquired about similar things, wondering if Kenneth was planning to stay in the valley permanently and become their doctor. Others asked if Kenneth intended to run for valley chief, improve Brighter Valley, and help the townspeople out of poverty. "Hey, Ken! You're back! There were quite a few people here earlier," Casey greeted Kenneth playfully as he returned with a bundle of grass. "Well, did they come to ask me about being the community doctor?" Kenneth inquired. "Yes! Did you let it slip that you will stay here and be the community doctor?" Casey asked. "That's right. From now on, I'll be the community doctor of Brighter Valley!" Kenneth declared with a smug grin. "Wow! That's fantastic! Oh, but someone just asked if you have any plans to help the townspeople out of poverty?" Casey relayed the message. This was what Casey was worried about as well. After all, Kenneth's serendipitous tuna catch was a stroke of luck, but how could Kenneth singlehandedly ensure that everyone could achieve the same and catch something of that size and value? In her opinion, it would take nothing short of a miracle. Casey couldn't help but wonder who had spread the false hope. What if Kenneth couldn't deliver? Wouldn't that just lead to gossip and resentment towards him? "Oh, really?" Kenneth speculated that it was probably Michael, whom he had visited the previous night to spread the word about his interest in becoming the community doctor. Perhaps the man had also taken the liberty of exaggerating Kenneth's capabilities, subtly hinting to the townsfolk that Kenneth was their salvation from poverty's clutches. "Hey, this is no joke! If everyone assumes you're here to stay as their savior, and you don't come through, you might end up being resented. "Casey cautioned. Casey had experienced the community's harsh judgment firsthand. Back in the day, Casey's father ventured out of the valley to seek better opportunities and earn a living. With his kind heart, he promised to take some fellow townspeople along to share in the prosperity. Unfortunately, he failed. And their family was shunned soon after that. Following her father's passing, the townspeople' animosity had intensified. Not only had they continued to isolate the family, but they had also resorted to spreading malicious rumors, accusing her father of practicing black magic. How absurd was that! "Well, let the rumors fly because I'm going to do something big here!" Kenneth declared. With a plan in mind, Kenneth decided to visit the county town to secure a partnership with a buyer for his herbal remedies. Once he had a partner on board, he would need a significant workforce to harvest the precious herbs. Relying solely on his own labor would be inefficient and yield meager profits. It simply wasn't worth the effort. "Wait, you're not serious, are you?" Casey exclaimed, startled by her brother's announcement. "Absolutely! I'll be heading to the town in a bit. Is there anything you need me to bring back for you?" Kenneth inquired. "Oh, no need," the girl replied. "Just come back as soon as you can. I'll have dinner ready for you." "You got it!" Kenneth affirmed. He removed all the herbs from the basket, leaving only the American Ginseng and Echinacea. After cleaning the rest of the herbs, he spread them on the ground to dry in the sun. "Mr. Bergstedt, I'm here to borrow your cargo bike again," Kenneth greeted the elderly neighbor. "He's not home, Ken! But feel free to take the cargo bike," Michael's wife, Rosaria, replied. Michael was out working on the farm. Seeing Kenneth with a basket on his back, Rosaria asked him what he was up to and learned he was going to town for errands. "Ken, my vegetables won't be ready for harvest for a few days. Could you buy me a few pounds of cauliflower and some green beans?" Rosaria asked. "Sure thing. Just give me the list, and I'll pick them up," Kenneth replied. "And if you find some olive oil, could you grab ten pounds? We're running low on cooking oil," Rosaria added, straightforward as always, especially since Kenneth was borrowing her cargo bike. "No problem. If you need olive oil before lunch, feel free to swing by my place and borrow some from Casey. She's usually home," Kenneth suggested. "Oh, okay..." Rosaria couldn't help but feel a bit sheepish at Kenneth's generosity. He was too gracious and accommodating. "The money might have to wait until Mr. Bergstedt gets back..." "No problem. We can sort that out later. No hurry!" Kenneth waved off Rosaria's hesitation. "Alright then. Have a safe trip!" Rosaria agreed. Rosaria resolved not to reimburse Kenneth for the money. If he ever asked about it, she'd chalk it up to the cargo bike's upkeep, depreciation, and other related expenses. Kenneth, naturally, had also seen through Rosaria's little maneuver. Since she'd wed Michael and relocated to the valley, she'd ceaselessly taken advantage of the townspeople. An hour and a half later, Kenneth pedaled his cargo bike from Brighter Valley and arrived at the county town. With no cargo on his cargo bike, he zoomed through the winding roads, arriving at Sagebrush Herbal Emporium in record time. Just the day before, he had been there for silver needles. Of course, Kenneth's first encounter with this apothecary had been a decade ago. As a young boy, he often accompanied his grandfather on their walks to the county town, selling batches of dried herbs at this shop. Legend had it that Sagebrush Herbal Emporium's headquarters were in the state capital, a sprawling business firmly rooted in Hollow Springs. Sagebrush Herbal Emporium had always been a fixture in the community. Behind the counter, a young woman was engrossed in her phone as she explored the world of herbal remedies. She looked about Casey's age, her slender frame draped in a dress of a tranquil azure hue. The garment hugged her curves, accentuating her mature charm. There was an undeniable serenity about the young woman. Her dress clung to her curves, showcasing her figure to its best advantage. Her sparkling eyes, cherry-red lips, and graceful movements created a striking image of innocence. "Hey, boss," Kenneth greeted casually. "Hey, over here. What can I do for you? Dr. Gavin's out at the moment, so no consultations right now," Leticia responded, her gaze still fixed on her notes. "Oh, Dr. Gavin's not in? Then can you do the honors and talk business, Kiddo?" Kenneth's use of "Kiddo" drew Leticia's attention. She finally put her phone down and looked up at him. She was momentarily stunned by his appearance. Kenneth was already a heartthrob, and his smile was like a burst of sunshine. Leticia's anger almost melted away. "Who are you calling Kiddo? I'm already twenty years old this year! And besides, this store is mine. And you're asking if I can talk business? Tsk!" Leticia pouted and said.