Chapter 16 The Big Shot

"Absolutely, I won't disappoint you!" Kenneth declared confidently. He planned to buy some nets and fishing gear later. If he couldn't even catch a fish, then he would be damned. "All right then." "Ms. Galasso, could you move the car? I need to head back." "You do it." Daniella handed Kenneth the keys, wanting to test him. "Are you sure? Aren't you worried I'll crash it?" "If you crash it, then so be it." "Fine." After taking the keys, Kenneth skillfully backed the car out and parked it in an empty spot next to the shop. "This guy! He's really something," Daniella thought to herself. She knew that someone who had just learned to drive wouldn't be able to handle a Mercedes so smoothly, as the gear shift is different from regular automatic cars. Kenneth must have experience driving a Mercedes. "Ms. Galasso, just wait for me tomorrow." "Sure, drive safely." As Kenneth left, Derek approached him, handing over a business card and five hundred in cash. "Hey, buddy, sorry about earlier. Here's my card. If any of your friends want to buy a bike, send them my way. And this is five hundred. I overcharged you earlier." "Mr. Liu, there's no need for this. I'll take the card and recommend your shop to friends looking for a bike. Your prices are fair." With that, Kenneth drove off, leaving Derek stunned. He could not help but be impressed that Kenneth could stay so low-key despite knowing someone like Daniella in this town. He thought Kenneth was incredible. "What do you think of this young man?" Daniella asked Derek. "Well, he's humble and unassuming, with an indescribable quality. I can't quite figure him out, but I admire him," Derek replied cautiously. He wasn't sure of Daniella's relationship with Kenneth and didn't want to say anything that might get him into trouble. "Hmm, get me a cargo bike just like his." "Got it!" Daniella's gaze lingered in the direction Kenneth had gone. Her grandfather had left for the city this morning. Before leaving, he reminded her that the family-arranged marriage was imminent and told her to return home to get married. But she had other plans. If she was going to marry, it had to be with someone she loved. After seeing Kenneth, she had a big idea. But Kenneth was utterly unaware of all this. Instead, he drove his brand-new cargo bike to the fishing gear shop. He spent fifteen hundred on three large nets, some fishing tackle, and bait. With only two thousand left in his pocket, he headed home, feeling satisfied. A group of middle-aged women gathered at Brighter Valley's entrance to gossip about something. When Kenneth returned with a new cargo bike, they all stood up to get a better look. "Goodness! Isn't that Ken?" "Yes, it's the college graduate who studied abroad!" "Did he buy that cargo bike?" "I heard from my relatives in town that those cargo bikes are expensive. Each cargo bike costs over ten thousand!" As Kenneth passed by the group of women, a woman in her mid-thirties waved him down. Her name was Petunia Levine, and she was Aidan Cadman's wife. Aidan and Jacob were relatives, so Petunia could be considered Kenneth's cousin-in-law. "Ken, you're quite the big shot now, buying a cargo bike worth over ten thousand just two days after returning to the village," Petunia said enviously. "Hello, Mrs. Cadman. This is mainly because our village lacks convenient transportation connections. Plus, I might have to go to the town more often, so buying a vehicle was necessary." "Wow, everyone in the village says you'll stay here and help us all get rich. Is that true?" Petunia asked, hitting the key point. "Yes, Ken, we're all very interested. We've been farmers all our lives, not well-educated, but we work hard. If you have any good ideas, you must share them with us," said another woman, Arlene Dandy, who was five years older than Petunia and a senior member of Brighter Valley's Women's Union. As soon as she spoke, the other women praised Kenneth with cheerful smiles. "Yes, Mrs. Cadman, Mrs. Dandy, you hit the nail on the head," Kenneth said after a moment of thought. "I have some ideas, but it depends on whether you trust me." "Ken, what are you saying? You're the only highly educated person in Brighter Valley who's studied abroad. If we don't trust you, who else can we trust?" "Ken, tell us if you have any money-making ideas. We're all willing to work hard!" Petunia and Arlene spoke on behalf of the other women, expressing their eagerness to hear his plan. They were ready to support him wholeheartedly. "Mrs. Cadman, Mrs. Dandy, my idea requires quite a few people. Can you gather some folks and come to my house later? I'll explain everything in detail," Kenneth said, already having a plan in mind. He intended Petunia and Arlene to gather the women of Brighter Valley so that he could teach them the skills needed to harvest medicinal herbs. He was sure they could make money as long as they trusted him. "Of course, Ken! We'll be there!" Petunia said excitedly. They were willing to attend his lesson first; they could always leave later if it didn't work out. "Mrs. Cadman, my only condition is that only one person from each household can come; it doesn't matter whether it's a man or a woman." "Sure, we'll follow your instructions," Petunia assured him. After giving his instructions, Kenneth rode to Michael's house. Rosaria had just returned from working in the fields. She was stunned to see Kenneth arrive in a brand-new cargo bike. "Ken! Why did you buy a bike? That must have been expensive!" Rosaria exclaimed, feeling a mix of shock and dismay. Now that Kenneth has a cargo bike, he wouldn't need to borrow theirs anymore. Unfortunately, her family still needed many things. If he didn't come by, she would have to spend a lot of money to buy them herself. "I need it for some projects that require frequent trips to town. Having a vehicle makes it more convenient," Kenneth explained as he opened the cargo hold at the back of the cargo bike. "Aunt Rosa, I've got everything you asked for. I bought ten pounds of lard and all the sauces and spices you needed." "You're such a dependable kid," Rosaria said with a smile, though she was inwardly distressed. "Kenneth, you bought a cargo bike? What's all this? Did you buy these for us?" Michael asked, returning with a bundle of fodder for the horses. His expression darkened when he saw Kenneth carrying several bags into the kitchen. His wife must have told Kenneth to buy something. "Rosaria!" he bellowed. "What are you yelling about? I'm going to sweep the floor," Rosaria quickly retreated. Michael had scolded her for taking advantage of Kenneth, and she didn't want to be the target of his wrath again. "Uncle Mike, calm down!" Kenneth said, stepping in front of Michael as he dropped the fodder and grabbed a stick, ready to storm into the house. "Ken, it's my fault. Let me deal with her first, and then we'll settle this," Michael growled. "Uncle Mike, if you do that, how can I face anyone in the village?" Kenneth pleaded, trying to prevent any further escalation.