American comics farmer: start by adopting the villain savior.

Chapter 123 Divine Capital: Brother, shall we rob this place?

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Communication was unilaterally cut off by the "Divine Capital," which had overthrown the Heavenly Gang.

Salafir was somewhat sullen for a moment.

Meanwhile, Clark and Lana, sitting next to him, got along very well and laughed continuously.

They were completely immersed in the little world they had created.

Even the usually well-behaved and sensible Salafir couldn't help but puff out her cheeks as she watched herself being 'left out', her little face filled with a hint of grievance at being ignored.

But the next second, he suddenly felt his body lighten, and his vision abruptly rose—

A warm and strong hand gently lifted him up and placed him steadily on a broad and sturdy shoulder.

It's Clark.

"brat."

Clark's voice, tinged with laughter, came from below. He turned to look at his younger brother perched on his shoulders. "You're the one who called us out, and now you're keeping quiet. What does that mean?"

Suddenly being lifted high, Salafir was startled at first, then instinctively hugged Clark's head tightly.

However, upon hearing his brother's question, he gave a slightly embarrassed smile and muttered softly:

"I didn't... I just didn't want to interrupt your conversation."

"..."

Lana, who was walking beside her, heard this.

He lowered his head somewhat embarrassedly, his eyes pretending to glance at the roadside stalls, but the slight upturn of his lips betrayed his good mood.

Clark was both amused and exasperated by his younger brother's words, and gently patted his leg:

"You're so young but you're so clever! So, what exactly do you want with me? You're not just here to be your and Lana's bodyguard and car, are you?"

"..."

Salafir was speechless for a moment.

He glanced at Lana beside him, who was clearly concerned but trying to appear calm, and suddenly realized that Dior was sometimes right—

Clark, in some ways, is a complete idiot!
If I don't bring you here, how am I supposed to know which stall's stones will be effective for you?
He sighed silently in his heart.

But when he looked up, his face was filled with pure innocence. He blinked his clear, large eyes and gave the reason he had prepared beforehand:

"Pay for me."

"?"

Clark paused, a clear question mark appearing on his forehead, almost thinking he had misheard.

“Sarafil, you…”

He was somewhat incredulous. "Has my allowance run out again? My brother has to pay for every little thing I buy?"

"The week after next!"

Salafir immediately raised his voice, held up two fingers, and looked very serious:
“It’s Dad’s birthday! It’s his 40th birthday, a big milestone! I want to prepare a special birthday present.” His voice lowered, a little embarrassed, but his eyes were exceptionally sincere as he looked directly at Clark: “Brother, please help me. Just for Dad, okay?”

My heart was touched by my younger brother's eyes, which were full of filial piety and dependence.

Clark felt a sudden pang of tenderness, and his nose even started to sting.

“Saraphir…”

His voice softened slightly as he raised his hand to ruffle his younger brother's hair, but it only reached his knee. "As expected of you, always so thoughtful and considerate, I..."

He paused mid-sentence, a barely perceptible hint of embarrassment flashing across Clark's face.

"you……"

Sensing this slight unease, Salafir raised an eyebrow. "You haven't completely forgotten to prepare Daddy's birthday present for the week after next, have you?"

"cough!"

Clark coughed sharply and gave an awkward laugh.

"How...how is it possible!"

"I...of course I'm prepared!"

"However," he paused, then immediately masked his earlier hesitation with even greater enthusiasm, "since it's your kind gesture, then I'll pay for it for you this time! My brother and I will pick out the best one for Uncle together!"

Salafir glanced at her brother with annoyance, just about to expose his obvious bravado.

Lana, who was standing nearby, quietly interjected.

Her voice was gentle, her head tilted slightly, and her chestnut braid slipped down her shoulder.

"The week after next... is Uncle Locke's birthday, right?"

"Hmm." Clark nodded, answering naturally, and even turned to look at Lana, extending an invitation in a very straightforward manner: "Would you like to join us, Lana?"

"Uncle's birthday parties are always... well, rather quiet. It's more lively with more people."

He phrased it tactfully, but the implication was:
My uncle really doesn't have many friends.

But Lana had no idea what was behind it. This sudden invitation, which felt like a family gathering, made her face flush even more, and her heart began to race.

She lowered her head slightly, her fingers unconsciously twirling the chestnut curls that fell over her shoulders, unsure how to respond.

"?"

Seeing Lana's lowered head and flushed cheeks, Clark was a little puzzled and asked with concern:
"Lana, are you feeling unwell? Why is your face so red?"

"No...no!"

Lana quickly shook her head, as if to hide her embarrassment.

Then she suddenly raised her head, pointed to a nearly empty stall in front of her, and said quickly:
"It's...it's right ahead! It's that old man's stall! The trinkets and pebbles he sells are all very delicate and exquisite."

"There are so many kinds! Let's go take a look!"

As she spoke, she almost jogged toward the stall, her steps as light as a startled deer.

Watching her hurried figure, Clark was still a little confused, but he didn't think much of it. He simply tugged at Salafir on his shoulder and followed after her.

Sitting on Clark's shoulders, Salafir looked down at the two people below, one flustered and the other bewildered.

He shook his little head helplessly.

He couldn't figure out what his brother was thinking.
-
The three of them arrived at the somewhat crowded antique stall.

The space in front of the stall was filled with all sorts of old objects.

Behind the stall was an elderly man wearing round-framed reading glasses, his eyes squinting into two narrow slits.

He was sitting leisurely on a small stool.

Upon seeing Lana, a familiar and kind smile immediately appeared on his face, and he greeted her:

"Little girl, you're here again today? What kind of treasures are you looking to find this year?"

Lana smiled gently, turned to the side, and her chestnut hair shimmered softly in the sunlight.

She introduced Clark, who had followed, and Salafir, who was on her shoulder:
“Clark, Salafir, this is Grandpa Zhou. I bought the green bracelet I wore last year from him.”

"Zhou?"

Clark tried to imitate Lana's pronunciation, but his intonation sounded somewhat stiff and awkward.

Salafir, perched on his shoulders, blinked and almost instinctively, clearly repeated:
"Zhou?"

Um.
His pronunciation was surprisingly standard.

However, both brothers found the pronunciation of the surname to be quite peculiar.

Yes...he...

Lana was about to speak further.

But then, Mr. Zhou, sitting behind the stall, smiled and took over the conversation, speaking in fairly fluent English:
That's my surname.

After he finished speaking, he pushed up his reading glasses.

His gaze first casually glanced at the tall and handsome Clark, then, as if drawn by something, slowly moved downwards.

The final image focuses on Salafell, who has been placed back on the ground by Clark and is standing quietly.

A fleeting hint of surprise crossed the old man's face, quickly transforming into a meaningful chuckle as he addressed Salafir:

"Kid, your pronunciation... is quite charming."

"Maybe you were born to learn Chinese. To be so accurate on your first try shows you have some talent."

“Chinese? Sir, could you be…” Clark asked curiously.

"Yes."

The old man introduced himself in a slow, deliberate tone:

"My surname is Zhou. I come from the far East and run a small antique shop in the metropolis."

"I occasionally come to Smallville to set up a stall, earn some extra money, and see a different view." "Oh~"

Clark and Salafir both exclaimed in sudden realization, their eyes clearly filled with curiosity about the 'East'.

Immediately afterwards, the two of them, with remarkable tacit understanding and almost in unison, asked the question with genuine anticipation:
"Then your cooking must be delicious!"

"..."

Mr. Zhou's smile froze instantly, turning into a speechless state of bewilderment.

"Stupid America. Stereotypes!"

He muttered something in Chinese under his breath, then shook his head, switched back to English, and waved his hand, saying, "Buy whatever you want. Feel free to look around and pick whatever you like."

"Three cuts for one, ten cuts for three."

Is there something wrong with this price?

But Clark didn't think much of it, he just nodded, gently patted Salafir's shoulder, and whispered:
"Sarafil, look, is there anything your uncle likes?"

"..."

Sarafiel didn't answer immediately.

He first cautiously glanced at Clark beside him, who seemed completely unaffected, even touching and looking at various old objects like a big child, clearly showing a strong interest in them.

Since the older brother didn't react.
The bracelet that Sister Nalan wore last time was just an accidental mishap...

The boy secretly breathed a sigh of relief, his tense nerves relaxing, but a subtle sense of loss still lingered.

He was already prepared.
As soon as they find those green stones, they have the 'Dragon Souls' secretly carry them into their spatial storage and hide them.

But now there's nothing.
How is he supposed to go to his father and claim credit now?!
With a helpless shrug, Salafir began to pretend to look around the stall.

She tried hard to make a serious expression on her little face as she made her selection.

He would pick up a copper bell and shake it for a moment, and then examine a small painted pottery jar closely.

After a while, he raised his head.

He spoke to Clark and Lana in a perfectly measured tone, tinged with disappointment and regret:

"Hmm...it seems like they don't have the one I'm looking for..."

Lana felt a little embarrassed upon seeing this.

I felt that I had provided incorrect information, which had made the little guy's expectations unrealistic.

"Grandpa Zhou." She smiled apologetically at the old man and said gently, "The green stone bracelet I bought from you last year... do you really not have anything similar? Or maybe some other unique stones of other colors?"

"That kind of stone..."

Old Zhou stroked his gray beard and slowly shook his head. "You don't see that often, young lady."

He seemed to be reminiscing, his gaze drifting into the distance:
"I remember……"

"I found it by chance near the farmland outside the town when I set up a stall here a few years ago."

"It was just a small piece, a vibrant green, and quite pretty. I took it home and carefully polished it for three days and three nights before turning it into that bracelet."

"Later, we couldn't find them anymore; it seems they were collected by someone with ulterior motives."

That's not true.
I have a whole box of them at home.

Salafir snorted inwardly, but still managed to feign disappointment.

but
Looking at him like this, Old Zhou's old eyes flashed with a sly glint.

"That kind of rare stone is no longer available."

"But the problem isn't too big."

He abruptly changed the subject, deliberately drawing out his words to whet the appetite of the listener.

Then, as if by magic, he suddenly pulled out a rather old-looking wooden box from behind him!
"This old man has also collected some other things."

As he spoke, he flipped his wrist, turning the box upside down—

"Clatter!"

A crisp, pleasant collision sound rang out!
Colorful gemstone jewelry, shimmering with various lusters, cascaded out like a waterfall, instantly covering a corner of the stall!
It reflects a dazzling light under the sunlight!

Red like fire, pink like the sunset, black like depth, orange like warmth, gold...

Like a piece of gold.

In short, it had all kinds of colors, instantly attracting the attention of the three people.

"Brother."

Even the "Divine Capital" whispered in Salafir's mind: "We... robbed this old man, didn't we?"

"So many stones... sparkly..."

"..."

Ignoring the "Divine Capital," Salafir's gaze quickly swept over the dazzling ornaments.

Bracelets, necklaces, rings, earrings...

They come in various materials and are all quite exquisitely crafted.

But after looking around, he quickly lost interest.

Indeed, they come in all colors.

But there was one thing he truly wanted to eliminate...

The stone that Dad mentioned was harmful to their family.

However, he wasn't interested, but his brother, who was standing next to him, was extremely interested in this sudden 'rain of gems'.

Clark crouched down, curiously picked up a ring inlaid with a red gemstone, examined it against the sunlight, and then looked up and said:

"Sir, these..."

"Is it really only ten dollars to choose any three?"

He found the price unbelievably cheap.

"I will never cheat the old or the young." Old Zhou cleared his throat and said in a deep voice, "That means I, Zhou, never cheat the old or the children in business."

"oh--!"

Clark nodded in sudden understanding, a look of admiration on his face.

seriously.
This Mr. Zhou speaks in a manner similar to Uncle Locke.

They all like to use those ancient Eastern idioms.

presumably
Is this the common wisdom among wise men?
How could such a wise person possibly lie?!
"Then I'll take these three!"

As Clark spoke, he enthusiastically picked up three rings from a pile of jewelry—

Red, pink, and black.

Then, as was his habit, he reached into his jeans pocket...

As a result, the movement suddenly froze!
Oh no! Where's my wallet?!
He gasped, then suddenly remembered that he had rushed out of the house too quickly to get to town.

I left my wallet in the pants I changed into yesterday!

I only have a few pitiful coins in my pocket right now!

“Sarafil, I…”

An embarrassed look instantly appeared on Clark's face.

My immediate thought was to ask my younger brother for help, hoping the little guy might have some spare change to tide me over.

However, before his embarrassed words could even finish, Lana, who had been observing him closely, had already chuckled softly.

She gracefully opened her small wicker handbag, took out a few banknotes, and said softly:

"Clark, let me do it this time."

“How can that be?” Clark instinctively refused.

“It’s alright.” With that, Lana handed nine dollars to Old Man Zhou, who was pouting behind the stall, then turned to Clark, her voice tinged with a hint of playfulness, “I haven’t properly repaid you for saving me by the river last time.”

"Consider this... as a partial repayment."

She blinked. "Next time I have time, I'll formally treat you to a meal and pay off the rest of the 'debt'."

"..."

Looking into Lana's smiling eyes, Clark touched his empty pockets.

I simply couldn't bring myself to refuse.

His face flushed, and in the end, he could only sigh helplessly and accept the kindness.

"Thank you, Lana."

(End of this chapter)