Many methods existed for Jason to find out what lay in the lake, but he didn't wish to provoke those things voluntarily. However, if someone actively sought him out or asked for his help, he would usually help them, especially if it was Joseph trying to find him something to do to solve his income problem, like acting as a medium. This was due to his nature as a spiritual practitioner, and he would also act when he encountered something himself.
This was what he meant when he told Joseph that he had work. Other than this, he did have a job that seemed to support his livelihood, which was hunting and giving the game to Joseph to sell for some money. Joseph once joked about him leading an Eskimo's lifestyle.
Many people in the small town were unaware of Jason's way of life because they didn't understand him very well. However, when Joseph's friends were in trouble, he would ask Jason for help, after gaining his consent.
These services, of course, came with a fee.
Just like the most common mediums in America. This was what Jason was now best at. But he only did so for the cases introduced by Joseph, he wouldn't easily agree to help an average person. This only added more to the mystery about him in the minds of the townsfolk.
Jason returned to his little cabin, only to see Joseph's pickup parked in front of his house, and Joseph and Lisa sitting on the porch, chatting. Seeing Jason's car pull in, they stood up, waved, and smiled.
Parking the car, Jason went up. Lisa opened her arms, gently embraced him, and whispered in his ear, "Thank you, Jason...I...I've always felt something for you..."
"Don't say that, we're good friends, aren't we? Your father and I are too." Jason gently patted her back, released her, and also hugged Joseph lightly.
"You know where I keep my keys." Jason took out the key from a potted plant next to the porch, opened the door, and let them in. He asked them to sit in the living room.
"If you've come to say thanks, it's not necessary. But if you're here for dinner, it's important to me. I haven't personally cooked for guests in a long time." Jason said as he moved into the kitchen and soon returned with two cups of coffee.
After so many years, he had become accustomed to treating guests with coffee, though he preferred tea for himself. However, there were very few types of tea available here and even online purchases were hard to deliver. Visits to the supermarket could only provide him with English black tea.
"I really intended to say thanks." Joseph smiled, knowing that Jason didn't care for formalities, "But Lisa insisted on coming. She's persistent about the things she decides, so... Anyway, Jason, I owe you a lot."
Jason sat down, took a sip of coffee, and looked at Lisa, "How are you feeling now? The police found Sean Brier's body. Everyone in town knows about it. What are your thoughts?"
"It's disgusting. I didn't see it myself, but hearing others describe it... I don't know what he encountered. It's like it was God's punishment..." Despite saying this, Lisa's face still couldn't hide her disgust. Yes, anyone who saw or heard about it would feel nauseous.
"Sit down for now. There's still some blueberry cake you brought last time. I'll prepare dinner!" Jason stood up and walked towards the kitchen, "It's in the fridge, help yourself."
Once Jason entered the kitchen, Lisa excitedly hopped over to the fridge and opened it, "Do you need my help? I can make salad or fry steak. What do you have here..." she said, moving closer.
"No, I don't need help." Jason glanced at her and shook his head, "Just sit in the living room."
Lisa, however, didn't seem to hear and walked to Jason. She suddenly reached out and wrapped her arms around his waist, pressing her face to his back, "I know you like me. You saved me twice, once when I was little and now... My father told me..."
Jason turned around, patted Lisa's head lightly and said, "Wait until you're 26 to say this to me. You know what I mean..."
Lisa looked at Jason, shocked, "Why 26? I'm old enough at 16. I know what I'm saying, and I know what I'm doing..."
"Don't test me in this way!" Jason looked at Lisa and frowned, "You need to realize that you're playing with fire. I don't like this, okay? And... I'm your father's friend. I've watched you grow up. That's it, okay?" He said, patting Lisa's shoulder lightly.
Lisa pouted and didn't say anything, she just turned and left.
This seemed like just a brief interlude. Jason never thought that Lisa would have such feelings. Maybe it was the spur of the moment. He had saved her twice and it was easy for her to develop inexplicable good feelings. Besides, Lisa had always seemed distant from him and didn't like to come over here, and they rarely interacted.
Dinner was simple, just a steak Jason fried, and his culinary skills were very average. Even after a hundred years, there was no improvement. He couldn't compete with Joseph, not even Lisa.
This young girl was good at cooking, at least Jason had eaten her dinner before. So while eating dinner, Lisa forked a piece of meat, frowned, and shook her head at Jason, "It's overcooked. The steak has lost its tender taste, and you added too many seasonings..." "Lisa—" Joseph called out to her, indicating that her behavior was rather impolite.
"I'm just stating the truth. Some people are hypocritical, always saying flattering things. You said the taste was great just now, but... Was it really that good, Dad?" Lisa looked at Joseph, then at Jason, "From now on, I'll cook dinner. You can either come to my house or I can cook here. It's your choice." The girl was indeed quite assertive.
Jason shook his head, "I won't choose either. Lisa, I don't like steak, I prefer Chinese food! That's the difference." He said this and continued to stuff the sliced beef from his plate into his mouth.
The dinner atmosphere seemed a bit tense, with Lisa leaving in a state of disappointment. However, the emotions of a sixteen-year-old girl tend to fluctuate, and Jason wasn't overly worried about it. He had experienced women liking him before, and while he didn't reject romance, he also didn't actively pursue it.
This was quite similar to the way of cultivation of his mentor, Lu Zu. Wealth, lust, and indulgence were taboos for cultivators, but not for Lu Zu. During his cultivation, these instead served as his aids. However, Jason didn't deliberately pursue such things.
After dinner, Lisa volunteered to wash the dishes, and Jason and Joseph sat in the living room drinking tea.
"Lisa confessed her feelings for me in the kitchen earlier!" Jason suddenly said to Joseph. His voice was soft, but it almost made Joseph choke on his tea.
Joseph's mouth dropped open, his face showing astonishment. Yes, he was shocked. This statement was too impactful for him. His hand, holding the tea cup, was stiff in the air.
"What? Can you repeat that?"
He stammered at Jason.
"Lisa just told me in the kitchen that she likes me and wants to be with me!" Jason's demeanor was calm, he even casually sipped his tea before gently looking at Joseph.
"Oh, my god—" Joseph finally reacted, placing his teacup on the table and clutching his chest, "How...how is that possible?"
Jason simply shrugged. Joseph fell into a state of near hysteria.
After a while, he managed to compose himself, staring straight at Jason, and asked hopefully, "So...what do you think? You won't agree, will you?"
Jason spread his hands and laughed, "Do you think I told you this in order for you to agree? I know how old I am, and she's only sixteen. Most importantly, she is your daughter, and you are my friend. I don't mind romantic relationships, but they have to be with the right person at the right time. Clearly, I'm not suitable right now."
Joseph let out a long sigh of relief and shrugged his shoulders, "I really don't know what to say. When I first heard what you said, I wondered, how should I address you in the future? Or how should we relate to each other? To be honest, you're a wonderful man, and I've always thought so, and Lisa..."
"Lisa is a child who hasn't grown up yet, right? I understand, don't worry. What you're worried about won't happen!" Jason picked up his tea cup, raising it to Joseph, "She will understand, she will come to her senses."
Before he could finish his sentence, a crisp sound came from the kitchen. The sound of a plate breaking.