The brook babbled, ripples washing over the smooth-worn stones, shimmering with a soft luster.
In the water, a playful boy was frolicking, splashing around. But getting carried away, he slipped with a splash and struggled to get up several times without success.
A middle-aged man at his side laughed heartily, intentionally letting the boy flounder for a while before reaching out his large hand to pull the boy out.
The boy was clearly annoyed, desperately slapping at the water, splashing the man beside him to soak him through and find some emotional balance.
The middle-aged man didn't seem to care and just stood there, grinning.
Alongside the stream, a solitary man with a distant look passed by the father and son without purpose. After seeing them, he paused slightly, his pupils contracting...
The middle-aged father felt someone on the bank and turned around. His complexion turned ashen the moment he saw the stranger, hurriedly shielding his child.
