NABC Chapter 3: Sleep
Chapter 3: Sleep
For example, the Potter family, whose main businesses are horse breeding and flower raising, lives less than a mile apart from the Potter family.
The only good news is that, for some "unspeakable" reasons, the two sides don't interact much on a regular basis.
Moreover, Ms. Neil Porter had recently adopted her sister's orphan, so it's even less likely that she would have time to visit and maintain relationships with her neighbors.
……
On October 22nd, the weather was clear and cloudless.
"Knock knock knock..."
"Knock knock knock..."
Seven or eight melodious bells rang out from the town.
After a lengthy prelude to the annual harvest festival in Smallville, the event officially transitions into the much-anticipated American carnival phase.
Inside the farmhouse, which exudes a faint scent of pine resin.
Ms. Martha, who had dressed up carefully, arrived late and finally appeared before Lucas and Clark, looking several years younger.
"My sweet babies, do I look pretty?!"
This kind lady has weathered many storms, and you can see obvious crow's feet around her eyes, but her heart remains pure.
Upon hearing this, Lucas clapped his hands vigorously to show his appreciation, adding a few short, sincere giggles, which immediately made Ms. Martha overjoyed and her eyes glisten with tears.
Clark was much more oblivious; he stared wide-eyed for a long time, almost not recognizing his own mother.
Of course, this is not really Superman's fault.
After all, Ms. Martha almost never wears makeup on a daily basis, so you can imagine how poor her makeup skills are.
Jonathan, who doesn't usually pay much attention to his appearance, also did a simple grooming.
He changed into a clean and tidy plaid shirt, durable work pants, and neatly polished leather work boots.
Martha wore a thin knitted cardigan.
In addition, he was carrying a coarse cloth tote bag.
It was mainly used to carry snacks, fruits and vegetables, corn and wheat along the way, which were indispensable.
Every resident of the small town does this.
This is a tradition that Smallwell has continued for over a hundred years, as old as the scarecrow activity that naughty kids love.
It symbolizes bringing a bountiful harvest home and praying for a smooth and prosperous year ahead with abundant crops.
Given the couple's personalities, they don't really like joining in the fun; they prefer to stay on their own farm and listen to the crisp, melodious chirping of insects all around them.
That made them feel exceptionally secure.
But today is different.
With the added bonus of the Harvest Festival Carnival, Ms. Martha decided to take a family photo for everyone today.
She could already imagine how radiant her smile would be.
After half an hour.
They drove to the town center, and Jonathan and Martha each got out of the car carrying one child.
Lucas looked around.
The whole town was indeed decorated to be lively, with neon lights flashing everywhere and colorful light tubes hanging all over.
It's just that it's not very noticeable during the day.
Not far away, residents were preparing ingredients and props for the evening's bonfire party, while Methodist church members were organizing a charity sale.
They set up a large pine table in the very center of town, which was covered with all sorts of things, such as cookies, toast, homemade jam, honey, pickles, and handicrafts.
A priest wearing a dark blue clerical shirt was continuously spewing profanities.
Jonathan and Martha, both old-school Wesleyan members, naturally smiled and went up to greet them.
Lucas was uninterested and just joined in the fun passively.
He actually preferred the scarecrow prank segment.
After all, his younger brother later had the "great honor" of playing a live-action cosplay role.
It's important to understand that not everyone has such wonderful experiences that can greatly enrich one's life.
Unfortunately, this segment comes before the carnival and is still far from when the grand finale will be held.
After exchanging a few words, the Kents turned and left.
Before he had taken more than a few steps, Jonathan suddenly stopped and looked at a father and son getting out of a stretch Lincoln not far away.
The man was tall and slender, with meticulously groomed medium-length brown hair, a deep and cold face, prominent cheekbones, and narrow, sinister blue eyes that conveyed a strong sense of scrutiny and distance. He was clearly a very cunning and calculating person.
As for the child beside him, he was about seven or eight years old, thin, pale, and his eyes did not have much of a child's innocence; instead, they were gloomy and suspicious.
But what's most striking is that the other person's head is completely bald, with not a single hair on it, and even their eyebrows are just a faint layer.
The moment Lucas saw the father and son, their identities immediately came to mind.
The Luther father and son.
Not only did Jonathan spot Luther and his son, but Leno also spotted Jonathan holding Lucas in the crowd at a glance.
The man's eyes narrowed slightly, his gaze quickly sweeping over Lucas, lingering on Clark for a few seconds before returning to Jonathan, revealing a few enigmatic expressions.
Jonathan's gaze turned serious. He nodded to Leno and quickly pulled Martha away from where they were.
Leno remained expressionless and slowly withdrew his gaze.
"Father, it's so lively here, can I go play? Everyone seems so happy..." Seven or eight-year-old Lex asked cautiously.
Leno glanced at Luther silently and spoke coldly:
"Playing around is a pastime for mediocre people. The Luther family doesn't need such cheap pleasures and useless entertainment. I brought you here because I have serious business to discuss."
"Alright, Father."
……
In front of an old-fashioned photo studio with a somewhat dated facade.
Martha asked with some concern, "Jonathan, do you think Leno might already be suspicious of Clark...?"
"I'm not sure, but you know, at the time, no one except the other person had the ability to obtain valid identification for Clark."
I think if we hadn't saved Lex's life on the way, they wouldn't have agreed to our request.
Jonathan shrugged helplessly.
Perhaps Reno had long suspected Clark's identity.
But without evidence, the other party is unlikely to take any action.
Most importantly, even if they worry, they can't change anything.
Lucas listened silently to the couple's conversation and roughly pieced together the whole story—
On the night of the meteorite, the Kents not only found Superman, but also rescued Lex, who was unconscious, on the road.
Leno immediately promised to owe Jonathan a favor.
Later, the couple struggled to register Clark's household registration properly, so after much thought, they had to ask Lenno to forge a complete set of legal documents.
After taking the family photo, Martha took the whole family to the town's supermarket to buy some household items such as salt, sugar, and butter.
Jonathan bought some strong black coffee; sometimes when he's tired from work, drinking it helps him stay alert.
The family had just left the supermarket when a sudden commotion broke out outside.
There were police sirens, the wailing of ambulances, and intermittent cries.
Amid the commotion, paramedics hurried over from a distance carrying a stretcher. On it lay a disheveled, unconscious boy who looked to be thirteen or fourteen years old.