Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation

"Is it so? That's too bad. I was quite upset as all we received was nothing but hatred since we got here, sigh..."

Xu Lan's curious expression turned cold when he heard what Niu Si said. His face showed a mixture of complex expressions, filled with regret and unwillingness.

"Are you sure that he's not an actor? I really want to give him a 'Broom Award'," Sheng Ya grumbled.

"He's a police officer," Bai Wu looked towards Xu Lan and said in a lowered voice. It was common for police to interact with all kinds of people, that's he could observe people and judge a situation very well.

"Is he really your dad?" Sheng Ya asked.

"...Uhm," Sheng Ya did not miss that flash of sadness. It was as if a cruet had been knocked over inside her heart.

"He he, big brother, I see that you're quite honest. I'll tell you about it, but you cannot spread to the others. It's killing me to keep this as a secret!" Niu Si whispered into Xu Lan's ear sneakily.

"Hey, I don't want to hear it. I'm worried that I can't sleep at night!" Xu Lan pouted his mouth and shook his head in pretense.

Xu Lan's cold shoulder made Niu Si wanted to tell him more. He was suffering so much to keep that secret but Xu Lan ignored it and let Niu Si continue to bring them around Darkwater Town.

Short clay bricked houses were a common sight. The facilities were mostly from the 80s and the whole village was surrounded by a clear flowing river with a small stream passing through the middle. In the northern side, half of the Green Dragon Mountain was gone due to cultivation. The village was situated with the mountain as the supporting backbone and surrounded by greeneries and water. It was a nice and tranquil place.

"This place is not bad," Zhang Fei exclaimed in admiration sincerely.

"Of course!" Niu Si replied proudly while he rubbed his nose.

"That's all, we should go back soon. We'll come and sketch tomorrow," Bai Wu kind of understood Xu Lan's intention and said.

A bunch of people looked at each other. They were displeased that they had to return empty-handed. However, they dare not say much due to Bai Wu's elder status and walked back with their heads lowered.

"Huh? You guys are going back? I... I..." Niu Si was conflicted when he asked, while he looked at each of them coming over to him to bid farewell dejectedly.

"Hey, big brother, where can we take a bite? We're quite hungry after walking for half a day. Why not you lead us to the place?" Xu Lan walked over and hung a hand around his shoulder and asked.

"Sure! I know a place that offers cheap and authentic local cuisine. I'll bring you guys there!" Niu Si laughed openly.

The owner of the restaurant also sat down together to eat the local home-cooked food. They started chatting away after having a couple of drinks, from the four seas to heaven and earth. A few rounds later, they were back to Darkwater Town.

"It's f*cking strange. How can a person disappear into thin air after falling into the well?" Although Niu Si was high in spirit, he was a little sad when he talked about this.

"Shh... Niu Si, what nonsense are you talking about! Have you forgotten what the mayor said?" The owner pushed Niu Si's hand that he used to hold the wine and asked softly.

"Hey, Gan Er. If I don't tell, the rumors spread will be even stranger. It's still horrible just thinking about it. I can't even sleep properly at night. Furthermore, they're just here to sketch, what are you afraid of?"

Gan Er held his wine glass and remained silent. Niu Si's speech hit right to his heart. Xu Lan and Bai Wu looked at each other and smiled together.

There's something fishy about this.