“Charlie…”
Up ahead, Charlie stopped in his tracks.
Su Fan’s attention was drawn to the young man talking with the officer ahead.
The other party had long hair and a rather youthful face — he looked like he might only be a middle schooler, but his physique was actually quite sturdy, impossible to conceal even under thick clothing.
“Jacob, how have you been lately?”
“Everything’s been pretty good… but I heard something happened to Bella. How is she doing now?”
Jacob’s worry was written all over his face.
Charlie stroked his beard.
“She did run into some trouble… but she’s safe now, and it’s all thanks to him.”
As he spoke, Charlie shifted aside so Jacob could see Su Fan behind him.
“And this is…”
“His name is Su Fan. He’s here traveling, and he happened to save Bella…”
Upon hearing that Su Fan had saved Bella, Jacob’s expression brightened, and his eyes took on a somewhat eager look.
“Thank you for stepping in when Bella was in danger. Nice to meet you — my name is Jacob.”
When Su Fan saw him extend his hand, he gave it a polite shake.
But in his heart, he couldn’t help recalling the plots of the last two films in the Twilight series.
This cheerful, smiling guy in front of him was the female lead Bella’s childhood friend, who had harbored feelings for her since they were young.
But unfortunately, Edward was Bella’s destined one, so Jacob had always been at a disadvantage.
Even so, he refused to give up — right up until the couple had a child of their own, and he was overcome with pain.
But that pain didn’t last long, because his imprinted soulmate was about to be born.
That’s right — the girl destined for Jacob was actually Renesmee, the daughter of Edward and Bella.
When Su Fan, this horror movie enthusiast, saw this in his previous life, he was genuinely shaken by this piece of Western women’s fiction.
Someone who wanted to tear his rival apart — and within the span of just one movie, they became father-in-law and son-in-law.
The woman he had once deeply loved became both his mother-in-law and his best friend’s… well, close companion.
And the key point was — when they interacted, there wasn’t the slightest sense of anything being off…
Maybe the ethics of Western long-lived beings are just different from ordinary people’s.
“I’m very familiar with the mountains and scenic areas around here, and I happen to have free time recently, so I can be your free tour guide. I guarantee I’ll show you the best scenery Forkes has to offer.”
“Take him up on it, Su Fan. His family has lived here for generations — you could say they’re the go-to experts on the Forkes mountain area.”
Charlie suggested from the side.
With both of them being so enthusiastic, Su Fan had no choice but to nod and agree.
The next day.
“Although Forkes is close to Seattle, it’s actually quite near the national forest park…”
“The constant rainy, overcast weather might take some getting used to for people who love sunshine, but it has its own special charm.”
In the early morning mountain forest, Jacob and Su Fan walked into the woods together.
The former patiently explained the local customs, culture, and history, and even helped Su Fan carry his things — truly a qualified guide.
“Su, didn’t you bring professional hiking gear?”
Jacob looked at Su Fan curiously.
He had grown up here and could walk the rugged mountain paths as easily as flat ground, but the other man looked like nothing more than an art student who’d come to sketch — and yet he’d shown up in casual clothes.
“I actually know a little bit about wilderness survival and mountain climbing.”
“I see.”
Hearing that, Jacob didn’t ask any more questions.
Because he’d noticed that no matter where he walked, the black-haired young man behind him could always maintain an appropriate distance and keep up.
For a moment, his competitive spirit was ignited, and he gradually quickened his pace — until he was practically sprinting through the forest.
He wasn’t without worry that Su Fan might get lost and fall behind, and he kept looking back for that reason.
But the other man remained unhurried, not even breathing hard.
“Alright, you really are a wilderness survival master.”
Jacob panted, giving Su Fan a thumbs-up — only to see the other man suddenly turn his head and look in a certain direction.
He followed his gaze, and before long, he saw a group of people walking toward them from the dense forest.
Cameras, sound equipment — all kinds of professional gear were present.
In the middle was a group of men and women in full gear.
They were talking loudly while casually tossing their trash into the forest.
Leftover snacks, used face wipes, empty plastic bottles…
“These are the TV station people and crew who arranged to come film a wilderness survival reality show…”
Jacob, who felt a close connection to nature, had a visible look of displeasure on his face at their behavior.
Su Fan, however, spotted a familiar figure among them.
Unlike the many crew members who looked like they were on a casual outing, this person was very alert, scanning the surroundings — and soon noticed them, immediately pulling out binoculars.
After seeing that familiar calm face, the person became visibly excited and actually left the group to head straight toward Su Fan.
Megan.
That young actress who had once been caught up in the Freddy nightmare killing incident.
Perhaps because she was participating in a reality show, she wasn’t wearing the heavy makeup she’d had when they first met, revealing that she was actually quite young.
“Master Su Fan!”
Hearing that long-unheard title, Su Fan’s eyelid twitched involuntarily.
She stumbled and staggered her way to Su Fan.
After confirming up close that unique, distinctive face, Megan’s expression lit up with delight.
“I never expected to run into you here.”
“Mm.”
Su Fan nodded blandly.
“You two know each other?”
Jacob’s gaze bounced back and forth between Su Fan and Megan.
“We’ve met once.”
Su Fan’s cool response didn’t dampen Megan’s enthusiasm.
“Master Su Fan is still the same as ever.”
After the incident ended, everyone had tacitly agreed not to mention Su Fan’s existence to anyone else.
But that didn’t stop them from digging for information through various channels.
Megan, for example, had watched the treasure appraisal program that featured Su Fan.
And that had sparked her idea to collaborate with the TV station that produced the show.
She never expected that there would actually come a day when she’d see Su Fan again.
While the two were briefly chatting, the production crew not far away also began moving toward them.
“Megan… who are these two…”
A middle-aged woman stepped out from behind the group and asked.
“This is the person who appeared on the treasure appraisal program the station produced before…”
Megan had only gotten that far when the middle-aged woman remembered.
But the look she gave Su Fan was far less friendly.
He had clearly used Rachel’s words to decline their show’s invitation — and yet here he was.
Had he changed his mind and decided to ride their popularity?
Of course — without exposure, fame fades quickly.
The title of “young antique appraiser” was, in the end, nothing but a flash in the pan.
Still, this kind of move was rather cheap.
Not a single frame of camera time for him.
