Father and Son's Argument

On campus.

"Why do you all look so guilty whenever you run into Lana Lang?" Chloe pouted, one hand supporting Jino at the waist.

"Could it be that you all like her?" Little Black Pete imitated Sherlock Holmes, pinching his chin as he asked.

Once they were away from Lana Lang, the drained feeling vanished. Jino smiled, patted Chloe on the shoulder, straightened up, and glanced at Little Black Pete. "Maybe it's just your imagination."

At a school like Smallville High School, they practiced happy education, so students were free to do as they pleased in the afternoons.

Clark had originally planned to drive home with Jino, but Jino said he had something to do and left first.

So Clark could only drive home alone.

As he drove the expensive SUV, he even ran into Whitney and Lana Lang along the way. Whitney's jealous look greatly satisfied Clark's vanity.

The car stereo played a song called "White Flag." Clark bobbed his head to the music, one hand guiding the SUV toward his family's farm.

He had never felt so happy.

This expensive SUV was like a bomb that had disrupted his life, adding a little excitement and joy to his otherwise ordinary days.

Vroom!

Clark lightly pressed the accelerator, and the roaring SUV slowly pulled up in front of the fence.

Martha, who was tending the farm's hay with Jonathan, slowly raised her head. The middle-aged woman frowned slightly. "Jonathan, it seems we have a visitor?"

Not far away,

Jonathan, holding a pitchfork, looked toward the SUV parked in front of the house. His brows furrowed slightly when he saw the emblem on its hood.

The only people who could afford a car like that seemed to be the Luthor Family.

Could one of Clark's classmates have come looking for him again?

Although Clark was not home right now, Jonathan did not like Jino spending time with Clark.

But when the door opened and Clark, dressed in khaki jeans, appeared before Jonathan and Martha, both of them gaped.

"Clark?" Jonathan exclaimed in surprise, dropping his work and running toward him.

"Where did you get this car?" Jonathan tried to wipe away the ominous feeling rising in his heart. As he drew closer and saw the sleek lines of the red SUV, along with its brand-new tires stained with a little mud, Jonathan knew that he might have to run the farm for a hundred years before he could afford it.

"Clark?" Worried that father and son might argue, Martha hurried over as well.

The three stood on the grass of the farm. Clark awkwardly rubbed his hair, his gaze wandering as he said, "Yeah, a friend lent it to me."

"Clark!" Jonathan frowned at him. Having watched the boy grow up, Jonathan could tell at a glance that Clark was lying. He lowered his voice. "I want the truth."

Seeing that he could not hide it, Clark lowered the hand scratching his hair, drew a deep breath, and looked Jonathan in the eyes. "Fine. Jino gave me this car as a gift."

"Just as I thought." Jonathan sighed inwardly. His suspicions had come true.

Martha raised her brows and asked with a smile, "Was it because you saved Lex Luthor's life, so his brother gave you this big thing?"

"That's right." Clark eagerly said to Martha, "Mom, this car performs incredibly well. Our family needs it. It can help us transport goods and ease our financial burden. It—"

"Clark!"

Before Clark could finish, Jonathan immediately cut him off.

The middle-aged man frowned, his expression stern. "I know you really want this car, but you can't accept it."

"But it's their thank-you gift!" Clark frowned. "It's just a car, Dad!"

Clark did not understand why his father was being so stubborn.

It was something both sides agreed to, yet Jonathan insisted on stopping him.

"Just because you saved his life, you think you can accept his gift without any qualms?" Jonathan folded his arms, his expression grave. "What about next time? Clark, if you save someone's life next time and they don't reward you, what will you think?"

"That's not what I mean." Clark pressed his lips together.

"But that's human nature." Jonathan stared at Clark. "You can't guarantee that your emotions won't be influenced."

"Kindness should not seek repayment, Clark."

"But to the Luthor Family, this is nothing! Dad!" Clark could not understand Jonathan's reasoning and argued back. "Do you know what Jino wears? Even his clothes don't have brands. They're all custom-made."

"He's handsome, charming, and rich. I guarantee that ninety-nine percent of the girls at school like him."

"They only gave me a car. To the Luthor Family, it isn't expensive at all. It's practically like giving someone a cup!"

Seeing how emotional Clark was, Jonathan sighed, but he still held to his principles. He slowly shook his head. "I'm sorry, Clark. I know you're unhappy, and that's normal. Kids your age all want a car."

Listening to Jonathan, Clark took a deep breath and stared at his father. "So I can't accept this gift, right?"

Jonathan did not back down and nodded. "I'm afraid so."

"Fine, then I'll smash it!" Clark suddenly threw down his backpack. In an instant, he appeared in front of the SUV, raised his fist, and copied the way Jino had acted that morning as he swung it hard at the hood.

"Stop, Clark!" Jonathan was horrified and hurriedly rushed forward, trying to stop Clark's reckless act.

But how could Jonathan's speed compare to that of the Son of Krypton?

Before Jonathan had taken more than a few steps, Clark's fist had already landed on the hood.

Bang!

His fist smashed into the metal with a powerful gust of wind. The terrifying force made the hood emit a teeth-grinding screech.

The once-flat front end caved in visibly. A fist-shaped dent appeared in the metal, and the previously handsome hood became twisted and warped, as if it had been in a car crash.

"Clark!" Martha was frightened by what Clark had done as well. She cried out in panic, "Honey, don't do this!"

Hiss, hiss— It seemed that he had damaged some parts inside the vehicle. Thin wisps of black smoke drifted out from beneath the hood and rose into the air.

Huff... huff...

Having vented some of his anger, Clark's resentful heart regained a measure of calm. But when he saw the worried looks in his parents' eyes, Clark could not help loosening his fist.

"I refused Jino at first, but he said that if I didn't want it, I should smash it."

Clark shot Jonathan a resentful glance. "So I fulfilled your wish, Father!"

After saying that, Clark turned and ran out of the farm.

"Clark..." Jonathan started to speak, then stopped.

Clark ignored the calls behind him and ran faster.

Right now, he only wanted some peace and quiet.