Scott hurried over and found five brand-new hundred-dollar bills stashed under the cutting board.

"Officer Chad, for just a few cherries, this is way too much."

Chad hadn't planned this with Molly. It was all her, sneaking over, grabbing his wallet, and leaving the money there.

"Molly really gets me, huh?"

Molly grinned, "Of course, only I truly understand you."

Looking for a lunch spot, Molly found a riverside picnic club on her phone.

Molly nibbled on her thumb, "Chad-"

"Henry's too young."

"He won't eat much anyway."

"The smoke will be strong."

Molly stopped pleading and got down to business, "Chad, if you take me to the picnic, I'll stay over at the Byrne family's house tonight."

Officer Chad, always ready to compromise, asked, "Where's it at?"

A half-hour drive later, they arrived at the bustling riverside, vehicles parked all around. It was a busy weekend. Walking down the slope, Andre carried his son and held his wife's hand, surrounded by dirt paths and the smoke from woodland barbecues. Kids played by the river, and a few high school students in uniforms were there too.

He always had a soft spot

came in handy, and Leo joked about Anya's blind

they didn't bring supplies, nearby vendors sold

food's freshness

things, and Molly found a spot to clear some stones. Mia, the mom, wandered around with her child, feeling the heat

a young man appeared with a donkey, setting a stove and charcoal on the

Mia asked,

cushion for the child to play on," the young man said, setting down the stove and making sure I was stable

unwrapping it and laying it on the ground, "Mia, let's put the child down

settled yet. I'll

man returned, both carrying skewers of meat and vegetables, placing

asked, "Young man, what's this river called? The current's pretty strong, and I've never heard of it before." He used to be a politician in Havenbrook, so he

on the cushion for her son to lie on. Anya, wielding insect repellent, sprayed it around

fish. His wife cooked it, and after eating, he went to his exams and topped them. On his way back, he remembered the fish and ate it again. Since then, it's said that eating fish from this river brings exam success. Gradually, it became known as Scholar's River. Every year around April and May, students and their parents come here for good luck. It's

paused her spraying to listen, turned to the young

believe. Most visitors these past few weeks have been high

sitting on the mat,

demeanor, as Mia remarked, "That explains all the

Hansen, "This used to be part of the neighboring county but was incorporated into Havenbrook during the expansion. It used

events, "This place is nice, with mountains, water, beautiful

just a legend? If it's true, I'll bring my grandson here to eat fish when he's taking his college entrance

Henry was later held across his dad's arms, instinctively clutching his dad's finger, miraculously calming into

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