"It's beautiful."
At Patrick Farm, Mark looked at the small fish glowing green in the fish tank.
When Peter returned from Smallville River, he casually caught two small fish irradiated by Kryptonite and threw them into the fish tank.
Mark asked Peter curiously and excitedly, "Dad, what kind of fish is this?"
Peter scrutinized the fish's appearance and said, "It should be a Chiselmouth fish."
The strangely shaped Chiselmouth fish were attracted, staring through the glass at Peter's finger touching the fish tank.
"This is my first time seeing this kind of fish."
Mark wanted to reach his hand in but restrained the impulse, looking up at Peter and saying, "Dad, is this a mermaid?"
"This is not a mermaid."
Peter shook his head, "Mermaids live in the sea."
"Then do mermaids really exist in this World, Dad?"
Mark continued to ask curiously.
Peter thought for a moment. Since Aquaman existed in this World, then mermaid creatures naturally existed.
It's just that these mermaids wouldn't grant immortality like the mermaids in stories.
Peter stroked his head and said, "Then you'll need to explore that."
Mark nodded, saying confidently, "If they really exist, I'll definitely catch one for Dad and keep it in the fish tank."
"Oh really? Then I look forward to it."
He really wanted to say to Mark, "Dad is already immortal, so can you catch a mermaid instead?" or something similar.
But considering how petty that would sound, he had to swallow the words he wanted to say.
"Dad."
Mark didn't know his Dad was thinking about all sorts of random things. He turned around and asked Peter with some confusion, "Didn't you say I wasn't allowed to expose my abilities with Clark? Why didn't you criticize us when Clark and I made a mistake?"
Looking at the small fish that almost made Clark sink to the bottom of the river, Mark recalled the scene from earlier in the day.
"Because you and Clark are still children, it's unrealistic to restrain you with adult rationality."
Peter said to him, "In the instant a crisis occurs, even adults can't make the optimal choice. Most people act based on deeply ingrained instincts. You and Clark just followed your inner instincts."
Mark scratched his head, a little confused by what he heard.
He thought for a moment and continued to ask, "Then why did Dad say that what we did was neither right nor wrong, but we would lose something?"
Peter looked at Mark's eager-to-learn face; this kid was now like Clark, having turned into a "hundred thousand whys."
"You and Clark chose to save people, but those you saved will be grateful, and they will also be afraid. When you are seen as an anomaly, it becomes very difficult to maintain your own mindset, and your peaceful life will be gone forever."
Mark nodded upon hearing this; he roughly understood what his Dad meant.
Dad meant that he would lose his current peaceful life.
"It's okay, as long as Dad is with me."
Mark felt this was no big deal.
Peter saw that Mark's face was no longer troubled, knowing that the kid had turned the corner.
"Alright, it's getting late, John, go upstairs and sleep."
He patted Mark's shoulder, telling him to go to bed.
"Okay."
Mark obediently nodded.
As he was about to go upstairs, he suddenly turned around and said to Peter with a determined tone, "Dad, if the school bus falls into the river next time, I won't save it, unless Dad is inside, then I'll save it."
"Thump! Thump! Thump!"
After Mark finished speaking, he ran upstairs.
Peter, standing by the fish tank, suddenly felt a complex mix of emotions.
Are you cursing me or saving me, kid?
The next day.
Clark and Mark were sent to attend psychological counseling organized by the school.
At Kent Farm, Jonathan and Martha were busy loading soybeans into the car's trunk.
While they were busy, an uninvited guest arrived at the farm.
"Mr. Kent, Mrs. Kent."
A young Black man wearing sunglasses walked into the farm and greeted the couple.
"You are...?"
Jonathan stopped what he was doing and looked at the stranger who had come to their door with surprise.
The young Black man took off his glasses, "I am Horry Hawkins."
Old Horry, having reverted to his youthful appearance, gave himself a fake name, "I'm from the Smallville Police Department, and I'd like to ask you some questions."
Saying this, he pulled out a fake Police badge, showed it to Jonathan briefly, and then put it away.
"I'd like to talk to you about yesterday's school bus accident. Is Clark not here?"
Seeing that the Police had come specifically for this matter, Martha cast an uneasy glance at her husband.
Jonathan patted his wife's arm and said calmly, "Our child was also a victim of the accident. He is currently undergoing psychological counseling. I think it's not suitable if you want to ask him some questions now."
"Uh-huh."
Horry nodded and said to Jonathan, "I'm not here to ask Clark for information, but you two."
"Us?"
In the living room, Jonathan and Martha exchanged glances.
Jonathan asked hesitantly, "What do you want to know, Officer Hawkins?"
Horry picked up his coffee cup and said unhurriedly, "I investigated the adoption records of the Smallville Orphanage six years ago. From April to July, only one female child was adopted."
He said, pulling out a printed data sheet and placing it on the table, "And according to the information you registered, you adopted a male infant from the orphanage in July six years ago, and the orphanage even provided you with proof."
"How strange!"
He took a small sip of coffee, "Why did you adopt a male infant, but the number of infants in the orphanage didn't decrease?"
Martha, hearing this, tightly gripped her husband's hand.
She knew the other party must have found something out.
Horry continued, "There's only one explanation: Clark was not adopted by you from the orphanage. You—both of you—lied."
Jonathan frowned, staring at the other party, "What are you trying to say?"
"Calm down, Mr. Kent, we are not enemies."
Horry put down his coffee cup, "I know Clark's extraordinary talent. He is destined to achieve great things and change this World. He shouldn't remain obscure on a farm."
Horry stated his purpose, "I can help him. Together, we can make this World a better place."
Jonathan shook his head, "I don't know what you're talking about, and besides, Clark is just a child. He's not as extraordinary as you say."
"We both know who he is, so there's no need to hide it from me, Mr. Kent."
Jonathan didn't wait for the other party to finish, suddenly stood up, and pointed at the door with a grim expression, "I think you should leave."
Seeing Jonathan issue the eviction notice, Horry slowly stood up, "What if I say no?"
Thank you all for your monthly votes and recommendation votes, I bow!
Thanks to "Capsized Goldfish" and "Jinyuan" for the rewards, I bow in gratitude! I am honored by your patronage!