After rowing a lap on the lake and returning to shore, the old boatman looked at the lantern at the bow and cheerfully spoke in dialect to the two people. Lucas Quinn didn't understand; he only heard Charlotte Allison reply, "Alright, we'll go over and take a look. Thank you."
The old man waved his hand with a hearty smile and asked in dialect, "Can you understand our dialect, are you a local? You don't quite look like one."
Charlotte Allison replied in standard Mandarin, "I am a local, just don't often live around here."
"Do you live nearby too? My house is also here, just over there in that courtyard. I know all the neighbors around here and have never seen a family with such a handsome youngster like you. Whose child are you?" The old man said with a surprised and cheerful smile in imperfect Mandarin.
"My home is by the Allison residence, but I don't come back to live often."
