Chapter 45: Chapter 45: The First Flying Experience
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"Regardless, thank you for your generosity, Mr. Luthor."
Hearing this, Lionel shook his head helplessly. "It seems, Mr. Podrick, you still have some opinions about me."
"No, I just think, Mr. Luthor, that your agricultural fund should help farmers who need it more than I do."
Peter glanced at Jonathan, who was working on repairing the roof in the distance. "Like Jonathan. He's planning to take out a bank loan. I think your fund could ease his troubles."
Lionel looked over at Jonathan and nodded. "Of course, I'd like to help Mr. Kent as well."
He then pulled out a business card and handed it to Peter. "This is my personal card. If you have any questions, feel free to call."
Peter took the card with a nod. "Thank you, I will."
"Perhaps we've had some misunderstandings, Mr. Podrick." After handing over the card, Lionel coughed slightly. "Previously, one of my employees caused some friction with you over the farmland acquisition. I apologize for that—I've dealt with the employee who acted on his own."
He referred to the time when Luthor Corporation tried to strong-arm him into selling his farm.
"It's alright."
Of course, Peter didn't believe it was the employee's idea alone. Based on Lionel's past behavior, it was likely the employee acted under his orders. Observing Lionel now, Peter wondered if the sly old fox had ulterior motives—or maybe he was just interested in the marshland Peter had recently acquired. Peter knew Lionel had tried to buy it from the mayor's office, only for him to beat him to it.
Setting aside these suspicions, Peter's expression turned serious as he addressed Lionel.
"Some people in town may misunderstand you, Mr. Luthor, and think poorly of you, but I think there's a difference between a poor reputation and actual wrongdoing. Don't you agree?"
Lionel hesitated. "…Are you complimenting me or criticizing me?"
Realizing Peter's subtle jab, Lionel laughed awkwardly. "As a businessman, sometimes you end up at odds with the majority, even when that's not your intent."
As they talked, they noticed Martha approaching. After a few more words, Lionel took his leave.
Watching Lionel walk away, Martha turned to Peter, surprised. "Was that… Lionel Luthor?"
"Yep. This Metropolis banker wants to fund the rebuilding of my farm, but I don't need it."
He turned to Martha. "Compared to me, you need the help more."
Martha, touched by Peter's words, responded, "Thank you, Peter. I don't know how to express my gratitude."
"It's nothing, Martha. We're family. But—there is one issue—you'll have to convince Jonathan."
Peter sighed. "He's not exactly eager to accept the Luthor family's help."
"Yes, I don't want their help."
On the drive back, after Martha mentioned Lionel's offer of the agricultural fund, Jonathan shook his head. "We'll manage."
Martha sighed. "You're still so stubborn, Jonathan."
"In fact, last night's situation with Horace made me realize a lot of my own faults."
Jonathan drove on, "I'll correct them as best I can, but in this matter, it's not about being stubborn. The Luthor family is always cunning. If we accept their help, we might lose something more valuable down the road."
Hearing this, Martha nodded, acknowledging her husband's perspective.
As they neared Kent Farm, Martha noticed something unusual.
"Jonathan, stop the car!"
"What is it?"
Jonathan stopped, looking at his wife with confusion.
Without a word, Martha opened the car door and headed toward a patch of grass.
Jonathan followed her, only to find an animal's skeleton lying on the ground. He froze.
It seemed the animal had died some time ago, its body reduced to white bones. The surrounding grass had turned yellow, and the entire area appeared desolate.
"Is this a coyote?" Jonathan crouched down, inspecting the bones. "But why did it decompose so quickly?"
Puzzled, he added, "We didn't smell anything foul when we passed by here."
Martha was equally baffled.
After a moment, she stood up and looked towards the setting sun. The fading light cast a cold, bleak feeling over her.
The next day.
At Smallville Elementary School.
Clark was about to stuff his backpack into his locker when he heard a familiar voice behind him.
"Hi, Clark!"
Excited at Lana's voice, Clark accidentally twisted his locker's latch right off. Trying to hide the broken latch, he quickly moved his body to cover it.
"Hey, Lana."
"Are you alright, Clark?" Seeing his uneasy expression, Lana asked with concern.
"Uh, I'm fine—just a bit of a fever I guess..?"
Lana nodded, accepting his explanation. "I heard Uncle Peter's farm got hit by something yesterday. Is he okay?"
Clark, not wanting to admit that he and Azu had caused the damage, replied vaguely, "Uh, yeah, he's fine."
"That's good," Lana sighed in relief.
Just as Clark gathered the courage to continue talking to her, Lana's friends arrived.
"See you later, Clark."
Lana waved at him, linking arms with her friend as they walked away.
"See you."
Watching her leave, Clark murmured to himself.
Disappointed by the failed attempt, Clark remained in low spirits even after school ended.
Azu, however, didn't notice Clark's mood and was full of excitement.
"Clark, let's race to the farm!"
"Maybe next time."
"You scared?"
"Scared of what?"
Azu grinned. "Scared you're slower than me."
"I'm way faster than you!"
Clark's competitive spirit flared up. "I can even outrun lightning!"
"Oh yeah? Prove it!"
Falling for Azu's taunt, Clark lined up next to him, ready to race.
"On your mark… go!"
With Azu's shout, the two shot forward like arrows.
Fueled by pride, Clark immediately took the lead.
The two kids sped along, creating trails of lightning as they ran faster than humanly possible.
Seeing he was falling behind, Azu gritted his teeth and pushed harder.
"I'm faster than you!"
Azu yelled, pouring every ounce of strength into his sprint.
Suddenly, a shadow flashed past Clark. To his shock, he watched as Azu's feet lifted off the ground, and he began "flying" forward.
Stunned, Clark stopped in his tracks, staring in disbelief.
The next second—
"Aaaah!"
Azu plummeted from the air, crashing into the farm's windmill. With a deafening crash, dust and debris exploded around the site of impact.
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