Chapter 12 Trouble-free Card

Three days later, at the Bureau of Investigation's awards ceremony.

"Don't get nervous when you get on stage."

Bai Chuan was carefully adjusting Chen Xuan's collar.

"Why should I be nervous? I'm not the one receiving the award."

Hearing this reminder for who knows how many times, Chen Xuan felt somewhat helpless.

The reason he was at the awards ceremony today was simply to play the part of a flower delivery tool on stage.

One of the investigators who had burst into his home that day was receiving an award for excellence.

As the subject of their most recent operation and a minor, it was remarkably fitting for him to assist in the awarding.

Well...

Although they were slightly late that day, it wasn't because they were slow, but because he had resolved the Lamp Demon crisis so quickly.

After all, from when they received the text message to when they stormed in, it was less than 10 minutes.

After the incident, to apologize, the team members pooled together some money and gave me a few sets of test papers, promising that if he had any doubts on the path of a Spirit Binder, he could consult them for free guidance at any time.

Considering the promise of free guidance, he was willing to let bygones be bygones. When presenting the flowers later, he would surely have to express his gratitude passionately.

The more he praised the investigators for saving people from distress, the more it would contrast with how serious the consequences of negligence were from the Demon Spirit breeding base that lost one of their spirits. Maybe he would even get some more compensation.

Regrettably, the insurance compensation for accidents at the Demon Spirit breeding base where the spirits' escaped was significantly lower than the failsafe insurance for Spirit Binders. No matter how much he tried, he probably just barely get a hundred thousand. He couldn't get rich overnight...

"... Ah, dear Officer Wang! It was you! You who stepped forward when I needed help the most! It was you who! In my extreme fear and helplessness, disregarded your own safety! Let me express my deep gratitude again, your kindness and courage will be forever engraved in my heart."

After Chen Xuan read his prepared speeches with ups and downs, he presented the flowers with a bright smile, made a 90-degree bow, then returned backstage, leaving the stage to Officer Wang.

Once backstage, he noticed a young man with white hair, wearing flip flops, a floral shirt, and beach shorts as if he were on vacation. He gave Chen Xuan a big thumbs up with a light chuckle:

"You're quite a character, able to deliver such words without blushing or missing a beat."

"Thank you for the compliment, are you interested in swimming or fitness?"

Chen Xuan sincerely took out a flyer from his pocket and handed it over.

After the awards ceremony, he was off to the mall to start today's part-time job. Getting the word out early was better.

"That would be great, I've been feeling off lately and really need to get some exercise..."

The white-haired youth could not help but laugh as he took the flyer. However, when he absent-mindedly noticed the crisscrossing lines of Chen Xuan's palm, he was momentarily stunned.

He then looked up in surprise at Chen Xuan's face for a while before uncertainly asking: "Did you know a boy with sharp teeth?"

"Yeah, my brother, he's sitting down there now."

Chen Xuan responded casually, but quickly realized something was off. Raising an eyebrow, he questioned: "Have you met us before?"

The time when he had the most contact with strangers throughout his life was probably before he turned ten.

During that time, the orphanage had often been visited by volunteers and couples looking to adopt.

This young man, despite his white hair, looked to be no more than twenty-seven or eight.

Obviously, if he had met him before, it must have been as a volunteer.

"I've met you. Back then, you were only this tall."

The white-haired youth gestured to his waist, "The boy with shark teeth, he took a sweet out of my pocket with a gleeful smile, turned around and gave it to you."

Speaking of this, he couldn't help but feel nostalgic. "Time flies... How was the family that adopted you later on? Should be fine, right?"

"..."

Chen Xuan tightened his lips and was silent for a while before replying: "We weren't adopted."

Under normal circumstances, with both brothers healthy and decent looking, it should be impossible for all the other children with similar conditions to be adopted, while they were left behind.

So there must be some special reasons.

For example, the lines on his palms were different from others.

Most people would only have three or four deep lines on their palms, while the rest were light.

But on his own palms, all the lines were deep, as if they were cracked, intricate and complex, like mountain ravines.

Once, a couple who liked him quite a bit became superstitious and took him to a fortune-teller to try to read his lines.

However, the old man took one look and immediately started packing up, cursing under his breath about bad luck.

This scared the couple so they quickly took him back to the orphanage and left without even picking another child.

As for Bai Chuan, his outgoing and lively personality usually drew the attention of couples looking to adopt.

But once they noticed his unusual shark-like teeth, their smiling faces usually stiffened.

After all, a child who looked like an angel but had teeth that only a demon would have was indeed startling.

However...

Once, a couple who weren't that particular hoped that after Bai Chuan had his teeth sharpened and straightened, they would adopt him.

But when they arrived at the dental clinic, Bai Chuan inexplicably ran away and nothing came of it...

"You weren't adopted?"

The white-haired youth seemed surprised, "That doesn't seem right, you both have good temperaments."

Chen Xuan just huffed and didn't say anything.

Seeing this, the white-haired youth didn't press further. Instead, he pulled out a small golden snake curled up in his trousers and said, "Snake, give me two golden scales."

"Hiss..."

The little snake struggled to open one slitted sleepy eye and irritably twisted its body.

With a couple of crisp snaps, two golden snake scales were shot into the air, swelling up against the wind.

The white-haired youth lifted his hand and the fist-sized scales were held in place, quickly melting into liquid.

Afterwards, the two balls of golden liquid seemed to be beaten by an invisible hammer, constantly deforming. Finally, they became two golden plaques without any decoration.

"These two 'Trouble-free Cards' are a gift from me to you and your brother."

The white-haired youth smiled as he handed Chen Xuan the golden plaques, "I hope to see you again in the future."

"Uh... Thank you."

Chen Xuan, somewhat dumbfounded by this spectacle, unconsciously nodded his head.

Seeing the white-haired youth about to leave, Chen Xuan, thinking the man was also here to deliver flowers, couldn't help but ask, "Aren't you going on stage to deliver flowers?"

"No, off to work on my fitness now."

The white-haired youth put his hands in his pockets and walked away without looking back.

But there seemed to be a hint of heaviness in his voice...

...

As the awards ceremony was drawing to its end, a few investigators in the audience couldn't help but whisper:

"Wasn't there a rumor that Deputy Jiang happened to be passing through Furong City? Supposedly, he was going to make a speech. How come it's almost over and he hasn't shown up?"

"Perhaps he couldn't make time for it. After all, things aren't quite settled at the South Heavenly Gate lately."

"Sigh, what a pity, we really wanted to experience what the King level Spirit Binder's aura feels like up close..."