novelraw Chapter 69: Gossip
Chapter 69: Gossip
Hearing Leon’s reply, Emily couldn’t help but laugh.
“I know. After all, you’ve only been in Stardew Valley for a short time, yet so many people like you. For example, Gus. Sometimes he’ll chat with me about why he didn’t see you at the saloon in the evening. Even Willy, who only drops by for a drink once in a while, will ask Gus if you’ve been there recently.”
“But I think he seems to prefer making friends with girls.”
Abigail, full from the meal, leaned back in her seat and joined the conversation.
“I could sue you for slander, you know.”
Leon grumbled at Abigail’s ambiguous remark.
“Oh yeah? Then tell me—besides us, which boys in town around your age do you actually know?”
Abigail perked up, suddenly interested.
“Alex.”
Leon answered with full confidence.“And besides Alex?”
Abigail pressed.
“Clint.”
Leon added another name.
“Clint? Around your age? Leon, are you sure your eyes are working?”
Abigail almost slid off her seat laughing.
“Is Clint that much older?”
Leon was genuinely surprised. Sure, Clint looked a bit scruffy with that full beard, but he couldn’t be that old, could he?
Emily explained, “Clint’s actually close to our age, about three years older than me. He just looks a little more… mature.”
Upon hearing this, Abigail suddenly grabbed Leon’s arm and whispered in his ear, “Leon, let me tell you a secret—Clint has a crush on Emily.”
Leon rolled his eyes. Of course he knew. What surprised him was that Abigail knew too, which only made him more curious—did Emily know?
“So, Emily, you and Clint are pretty close, huh?”
“We’re friends, I guess. He often comes to the saloon for a drink, but he doesn’t talk much. He’s kind of solitary.”
Emily thought for a moment before answering.
“Just friends? Don’t you think he seems to like you?”
Abigail pressed on, her gossiping mode in full swing.
“Hahaha, is that so? I never noticed. Clint’s cute, but he’s not my type.”
Emily didn’t sound surprised. If Abigail could see it, of course she herself had noticed. In fact, that was exactly why Emily kept her distance—to avoid Clint one day misreading her kindness and confessing, forcing her to reject him and hurt this introverted young man.
Just as she said, Clint wasn’t her type.
“So what kind of guys do you like?”
Abigail continued prying, oblivious to Leon’s desperate looks telling her to drop it.
“I can’t say for sure… but if I had to give an answer, Leon’s type isn’t bad.”
Emily mused aloud as she drove, then glanced in the rearview mirror to catch Leon’s reaction.
Unfortunately for her, Leon’s expression didn’t change at all, leaving her a little disappointed.
As for Leon, he kept his eyes down and tried to blend into the background.
Abigail, on the other hand, was shocked by Emily’s answer and felt an odd, inexplicable sense of frustration.
The lively chatter died instantly. Emily focused on driving, Abigail leaned back in her seat staring blankly at the roof, and Leon turned his gaze to the scenery outside.
The view had changed drastically. The mountains and greenery were gone, replaced by endless golden sand dunes.
“Such a short distance, and the environment changes this much?”
Leon muttered.
“That’s because Stardew Valley is so close to the Calico Desert.”
Emily had heard his comment in the quiet car.
“No politicians in this country ever think about desert control projects?”
Leon asked.
“There’s no need. The Calico Desert covers a large area, but it’s not expanding. Stardew Valley has always been a natural barrier against it. That’s how it’s been since ancient times.”
Emily replied.
“I see… that’s good, then.”
Leon almost scoffed at that answer, but then remembered the legends and special existences in this world. Maybe desertification wasn’t a threat here after all.
He couldn’t help but feel wistful. If Blue Star had such unique terrain to keep deserts at bay, that would be wonderful.
Through the rearview mirror, Emily caught the complicated look on Leon’s face.
“You really care about the environment, don’t you, Leon?”
“Well, I am a farmer. My livelihood depends on the land, so of course I’d think about these things more than most. Is that so strange?”
Leon asked.
“Not at all.”
Emily smiled warmly.
“Most people today only take from nature without thinking about whether they’re damaging it. It’s rare to find someone with your sense of responsibility. I admire that.”
Leon just smiled and didn’t reply, turning his attention back to the rare desert scenery. This was his first time seeing a desert in real life.
Emily didn’t speak further either, just drove while occasionally stealing glances at Leon’s profile in the mirror—each time, a faint smile curved her lips without her even realizing it.
Meanwhile, Abigail had already fallen asleep. She wasn’t used to waking up early, and today’s early start had left her drowsy. Without Leon to chat with, she quickly drifted off.
At one sharp turn, Emily’s sudden steering made the sleeping Abigail topple sideways, landing squarely on Leon’s lap.
Leon considered waking her up, but when he saw her peaceful sleeping face—and remembered that she’d gotten up early to drive—he decided against disturbing her. Instead, he shifted slightly to make her more comfortable.
What Leon didn’t know was that Abigail had actually woken up just before she fell onto his lap. She was curious how he would react, so she kept her eyes shut, pretending to sleep.
She had expected him to nudge her awake. She hadn’t expected him to just let her stay like this.
Now, she didn’t dare get up—the position was far too intimate. But more than anything, she felt a quiet happiness.
Leon’s thigh was firm enough to be a little uncomfortable, but it gave her a strange sense of security. So she decided to just stay there and “sleep” a little longer.
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