But under the temptation of William Harris, Emily ultimately gave up her insistence. She secretly glanced toward the kitchen and saw that Mom was still busy inside, so she opened her little mouth and took a bite of the fried egg. But the egg was very hot, making Emily open her mouth wide and wave her little hands nonstop, yet her small face was filled with happiness.

Clang!

Just as William Harris was feeding Emily the fried egg, the courtyard gate was suddenly slammed open.

Ryan Harris rushed in, stumbling and crawling, and didn’t even see William Harris before shouting loudly, “Big brother, something’s wrong, big brother, someone’s dead…”

Upon hearing this, William Harris quickly put down his chopsticks and stood up.

“Shouting so early in the morning, what’s all the fuss?”

Ryan Harris, panting heavily, ran up to William Harris, swallowed hard, and said in a trembling voice, “Big brother, someone’s dead, there’s a dead body at the village entrance.”

A dead body?

William Harris frowned, came down from the porch, and put on his shoes.

“What do you mean someone’s dead? Speak clearly, don’t be so flustered.

Brian Harris, you’re Dad’s attendant, the son of the county constable—if you can’t even explain things when someone dies, how will you accomplish great things in the future? Did you just say there’s a corpse at the village entrance?”

Ryan Harris’s face was pale, and he nodded repeatedly like a pecking chick.

“That’s right!”

He took a deep breath to steady himself, then said, “I went out early to head back to the county town, but not long after leaving the village, I saw a corpse lying across the road. Big brother, this is the first time I’ve seen a dead person, of course I’m scared.”

Robert Harris is the county constable, similar to a police chief in modern times.

As for Ryan Harris, he’s only thirteen. Even though he’s been an attendant for a year, he’s never truly participated in a case. All along, he’s played the role of a secretary, spending ninety-nine percent of his time in the yamen, and has never been to a crime scene. Now, suddenly discovering a corpse, it’s only natural that Ryan Harris feels inexplicably nervous and panicked.

At this moment, The Harris Family also came running out.

William Harris thought for a moment, then said to The Harris Family, “Aunt, keep an eye on Emily, I’ll go take a look with Brian.”

With that, he strode out, and Ryan Harris followed closely behind him. The two of them left through the main gate, one after the other.

Following the damp village path, the brothers quickly left the village, and about two li from the entrance, they saw the corpse Ryan Harris had mentioned.

By now, the small village was already in an uproar.

George was at the scene with several able-bodied young men maintaining order. When he saw William Harris approaching, he frowned and stepped forward to block him.

“Dalang, don’t go any further. I’ve already sent someone to the county town to report to the yamen. It’s best to wait for the officials to arrive.”

You’re Dalang, your whole family is Dalang!

William Harris really disliked being called ‘Dalang’, because it always reminded him of some unpleasant things.

But the problem was, it was a custom.

Even though William Harris was very averse to the term ‘Dalang’, there was nothing he could do.

“George Taylor, I just want to take a look, I won’t get in your way.”

In the past, George would never have allowed it. But he also knew that the former Annie Harris, after being struck by lightning, seemed to have become much clearer-headed. And just yesterday, he had subdued a rampaging bull and saved his son. Out of both reason and sentiment, George Taylor couldn’t keep blocking him, so he said softly, “Dalang, just be careful then.”

If you’d stop calling me ‘Dalang’, I’d thank your ancestors for eight generations!

William Harris stepped forward, but felt someone tugging at his sleeve from behind.

“What is it?”

He turned to look—it was Ryan Harris pulling him.

“Big brother, since George has already reported to the authorities, let’s not go and make trouble.”

Ryan Harris advised in a trembling voice, the swelling on his face still faintly visible, making him look even more pitiful.

William Harris sighed, “Brian, you’re an official’s man now… Don’t forget, you’re Dad’s attendant, everything you say and do represents Dad’s reputation. If you can’t even face a dead body, how will you help Dad solve problems in the future? I won’t bother with your past behavior, but now, don’t disgrace Dad.”

With that, he shook off Ryan Harris’s hand and walked toward the corpse.

Ryan Harris hesitated for a long time where he stood, but finally gritted his teeth and followed.

Annie Harris… no, big brother is right. Since I’ve become Dad’s attendant, I must uphold Dad’s reputation.

If he, Annie Harris, dares to go over, how can I be afraid?

Thinking this, Ryan Harris felt a bit braver.

But when he saw the corpse again, he still couldn’t help but run to the side, squat down, and vomit nonstop. This was the second time he’d seen a corpse, but this time the view was clearer and even more terrifying than before.

As for William Harris, he didn’t care at all, squatting down beside the corpse.

After all, he’d already lived a second life—he’d died once before, so how could he be afraid of a corpse?

The morning sunlight was especially bright, shining on the pale corpse, yet it gave off an indescribable chill.

He lay there stark naked, face up to the sky.