He really couldn’t understand it, how was the little dragon cub about to bite someone in the short time he’d looked down to read an autopsy report?
Fortunately, he moved quickly, grabbing thelittle cub just as he was about to fiercely pounce on the other child’s wrist.He shoved him into his coat, promptly stopping a tragedy.
However, he was still a half second late. Theattacking power of a dragon wasn’t anything to sneeze at. Even though it wasjust the tip of the tooth, the bratty child didn’t come out unscathed. Almost atthe same time he started crying, the marbles in his hand scattered.
The little dragon cub and Bai Huo’s movementswere so fast that the brat’s mother didn’t even clearly see what happened. Sheonly heard her child suddenly start bawling and thought that something hadirritated him, then hurriedly pulled out snacks and stepped forward.
Bai Huo half kneeled and threw aside all theclothes he’d just bought, while holding the file under one arm, he gently strokedthe little dragon cub’s head.
The little dragon’s tiny back trembled slightly.Under Bai Huo’s comfort, he gradually calmed down, but he also stopped moving.He was buried in Bai Huo’s chest, silent.
On the other hand, the bratty child wailedincessantly, more and more people were starting to gather around to watch.
After waiting for the little one in his armsto settle down, Bai Huo freed up a hand and, while protectively covering oneside of his body, reached for the bratty child’s wrist.
”Hey, what are you doing?” The brat’smother quickly shouted.
Bai Huo expressionlessly glanced at her, thelatter was stunned and didn’t speak again.
The child’s skin was very tender, the little woundon his wrist was particularly obvious. At this moment, it was already red andswollen. There was a circle of teeth marks near a blood vessel. The sharpest canineteeth had broken the skin, and there were two bloody holes. Bai Huo shot aquick glance at the top of the little baby dragon’s head, unable to help feelingsecretly scared. The little cub was still a baby, his masseter muscles were notfully developed, so they were not very strong. If he was just a month older,the bratty child’s wrist would’ve been savaged.
He seamlessly covered the wound with his palm,and when he moved it away, the child’s wrist had healed. Hidden under hiscuffs, four bloody holes appeared on Bai Huo’s wrist.
- Wound Transferal. One of the few remainingspells of the dragon race. They could transfer the wounds of others ontothemselves at the cost of the speller needing to bear twice the damage. In thewarring era, dragon parents frequently used this spell to aide in their cubs’survival. The size of the wound the speller could “absorb” wasdetermined by the speller’s abilities. It was rumored that those at the top oftheir cultivation could exchange lives. It’s “rumored” because no onehas ever achieved it so far.
Bai Huo’s movements were quick and natural, tooutsiders, it looked like he’d just held the child’s wrist and quickly lookedover it before letting go. The bratty child’s mother had an inexplicableexpression, assuming that she’d just run into a crazy guy, she side-eyed BaiHuo as she carried her child away: “There’s a screw loose…”
Bai Huo’s face was blank and innocent, he had justexperienced the fresh feeling of being a framed dad for the first time. Thinkinglike this, he found it kind of funny, and walked away to examine the littledragon, smiling: “Cub ah…”
Before he could start lecturing, Bai Huo’ssmile froze. The little dragon cub was lying on his shoulder, his eyes brimmingwith tears, biting his clothes. The tear beads resembled a broken line, slowlystreaming down.
This child’s crying was different from otherchildren. It wasn’t an ear-splitting wail, but extremely soft sobs, the discomfortof wanting to hold back his grief but being unable to. It was still crying, butthis way of crying was not only not annoying, it was particularly heart-breakingto watch.
Bai Huo’s mind was a mess of guilt, hewondered if his tone just now was too harsh. He hurriedly hugged the littledragon into his arms and gently rubbed his back: “Why are you crying, begood, don’t cry, I’m not blaming you ……”
It waspitiful Bai Huo’s first time being a dad, he softly coaxed for a long time, butthe child didn’t calm down. If the baby dragon wasn’t desperately clinging to hisshoulder while he cried, he would’ve almost been suspected to be a childkidnapper by the mall security guards.
”Are you cold, cub?” Bai Huo carriedthe little baby dragon out of the mall, as he walked farther away, the sobs onhis shoulders gradually subsided.
It was still snowing outside, Bai Huo turned hishead to look. The little guy had cried himself to sleep, lying on his shoulder,softly breathing, two teardrops stuck on his long eyelashes.
Every time the little cub was in his embrace, hewas especially quick to fall asleep. Bai Huo finally noticed this; it seemsthat his hugs gave the cub an unlimited sense of security. He had been selfishand unscrupulous for so many years, but the appearance of this child unexpectedlymade him feel unclear and heavy emotions.
He remembered a report he’d read before, itsaid that in everyone’s early childhood, the brain remembered the bodytemperature and breath of the ones who gave the child a sense of security. Thisfirst memory would be rooted in the depths of their souls, affecting the restof their lives. Even when pursuing a mate, they would subconsciously choose amate that closely approaches that ideal body temperature and breath.
The report was very professionally written, BaiHuo didn’t know if it was all nonsense, but he still felt very happy when he thoughtof how great an impact he would have on this child’s future. It maderestraining himself from playing mahjong these past few days not seem like sucha big deal.
”Grilled eel! Very tasty! Hey handsome guy,don’t you want one? These are the last two, once it’s sold out, I’m closing shop.”A young, fat hawker on the side of the road called out to Bai Huo with a smile.
Smelling the aroma, Bai Huo remembered that theyhadn’t eaten anything yet. He walked over to take a look: “Hey, isn’t thisobviously cutlassfish?”
Exposed, the fat boss didn’t feel embarrassedat all, he waved his big hand: “Eel, cutlassfish, it’s all the same fish, andkids love to eat it all the same, hehe.”
Bai Huo saw that the fish was still fresh, sohe didn’t argue with him: “Whatever, give me the two, no spicy sauce.”
His injured wrist had been pressed on duringthe whole journey, while fishing out his money, Bai Huo frowned very lightlyand carefully moved the little dragon to his other arm, carefreely tugging hislittle tail.
This little guy wasn’t very big, but his bitesure does hurt.
*
Bai Huo had just carried the child home, hisseat barely starting to warm up, when Lin Ke called him.
”Director Bai, how quickly can you comeover here? Ling-jie’s about to destroy the bar!”
Bai Huo handed one of the grilled fish to the fat bird and opened a beer,taking a slow drink, then he asked: “What happened?”
”That professor something you broughtover last time, h-h-he… he woke up!”
”It’s been a few days; he should beawake.” Bai Huo said, “Just give him something to eat, make sure you don’tstarve him to death.”
”…”
”Not that!” There was a sound ofsomething breaking and Lin Ke dodging, “Ling-jie, Ling-jie shifted infront of him!”
Bai Huo paused, then he resealed the beer bottleand asked: “What happened to He Ling?”
”I can’t explain, anyway, come quick.”Lin Ke wailed in panic. “If you don’t come, our hideout will disappear.”
Bai Huo face palmed: “Ok, ok, ok, waitfor me.”
Hanging up the phone, Bai Huo walked into hisbedroom and searched under the bed, he grabbed a small pill bottle and shovedit into his pocket.
The little baby dragon was still asleep on thesofa, he had turned back into a smoky gray dragon cub. The fat chicken satnext to him, swallowing the tail of the cutlassfish, then it stared at the otherfish on the table.
”Clang”, a glass soup bowl felldown, promptly blocking the line of sight between the fat bird and the cutlassfish.
”What the hell!” The fat bird cursed.
”One per person, this one is his.” BaiHuo patted the fat bird’s cheek with a grin. “I’m going out, if you behavewell at home, I’ll give you a banquet when I get back.”
The fat bird angrily flew up to the lampshade:“Stingy!”
Bai Huo leaned over to look at the sleepingface on the sofa, the little cub had cried himself exhausted, he shouldn’t wakeup for a while. But just in case, he took off his coat and scarf, placed the scarfunder the little dragon’s head, and wrapped the coat around him, ensuring thatthe little guy was surrounded by his scent.
He still felt a little uneasy leaving likethis. Before leaving the house, he repeatedly warned: “Don’t bully him, ifthere’s something, just wait for me to come back.”
”Humph.” The fat bird tsundere-lyflicked his tail at him, ignoring him.
*
When Bai Huo arrived at the underground bar,it was already cleared out. Only Lin Ke was left, hiding in fear behind thewindow curtains, only his eyes exposed.
”Director Bai, here, here!” He hastilywaved at Bai Huo.
”Oh my, whoever provoked her certainlydidn’t have a small temper.” Bai Huo tip-toed across the room, barely findinga path not covered in broken glass.
”Exactly, this started thisafternoon.” Lin Ke lamented. “They’re in the private room, I don’tdare go look.”
Bai Huo sniffed the air, besides alcohol,there was another strange smell: “You started making durian wine?”
”No,” Lin Ke had a complicated lookon his face. “That’s urine.”
Bai Huo: “?”
“This morning, the professor you brought wokeup, and Ling-jie remembered that he was a zoologist. I don’t know why, but shewas very happy… Although I say that she was happy, she was still expressionless.Then she immediately shifted, and demanded that the professor tell her whatcreature she was, or he wouldn’t get any food.”
Bai Huo: “……”
Look at what happens when children get lonely.
“That professor was also weird. He obviouslylooked so professional, who would’ve guessed that he’d be so terrified inside ofLing-jie, he’d pee himself all day.” Lin Ke talked non-stop, “Youknow Ling-jie has mysophobia, so she was especially angry…”
Bai Huo suddenly felt matchless sympathy forthe professor.
”Hold this.” Bai Huo tossed thesmall pill bottle to Lin Ke, “Make the professor smell it later.”
”What’s inside?” Lin Ke was curious,he opened up the bottle and sniffed, “Smells good.”
”Amnesia Powder.”
The private room door wasn’t closed.
He Ling was wearing a black gauze skirt, itlooked as if her inky black long hair had crossed past her waist. On her head,two long horns stood almost as tall as her, the visual effect was veryshocking. This was the horn of an adult dragon. The girl was crouched on thefloor, tilting her head at the middle-aged man cowering in the corner of the room:“How can I talk if I’m a dragon?”
”Human, you’re a human…” The professorcried.
”Well if I’m a human, why do I havedragon horns?” The 13-year-old Lolita’s face was full of innocence.
”Dragon, you’re a dragon…”
Lin Ke leaned in, staring blankly at thebottle in his hand: “What’s in this? Smells good.”
”Amnesia powder.” Bai Huo circledaround the private room, contrary to his expectations, there was no strangesmell in the room, but looking at the professor’s appearance, that probably wouldn’tlast long.
Bai Huo turned around and found Lin Keblocking the door, he held the bottle and asked: “What’s in this? Smellsgood.”
”…” Bai Huo grabbed the pillbottle away from him, and said with a headache, “No more sniffing.”
”But what’s inside…”
”Amnesia powder!”
”…Oh.”
”He Ling,” Bai Huo walked over and blockedthe emotional professor’s line of sight, then he kicked him. The lattertwitched, and fainted, “Stop playing around with him.”
He Ling expressionlessly changed back into herhuman form, then got up and walked into the lounge: “Boring.”
Bai Huo ordered Lin Ke to clean up the mess,dragging the fainted professor into the bathroom.
Lin Ke turned his head and noticed the four bloodypuncture wounds on Bai Huo’s wrist. He couldn’t hold it in, asking coyly:“Director Bai, your wrist…”
Before Bai Huo could open his mouth, Lin Keblushed deeply, and rushed to say: “I know, I know you have a unique hobby.But I want to remind you, please be moderate ah, too much of that is not goodfor your health.”
Bai Huo: “…”
Only Godknew what Lin Ke was thinking in his heart at this time: Director Bai’s Dom isreally terrible, last time it was chain play, this time is vampire play, tch, theycan’t be an average person, I should go take a look at them someday.
”Dragon…” The professor in BaiHuo’s hands murmured, almost foaming at the mouth. “It’s a firedragon…”
Bai Huo examined his semi-unconscious face,gradually frowning.
*
The chef came out with four large dishes: apot of Lamb Spine Hot Pot, a pot of Mao’s Red Braised Pork, a pot of Cumin Gristle,and a pot of Emerald & White Jade Soup.
Four people sat around the square table, BaiHuo put down his wine glass, and said with indignation: “And that’s howyou were robbed! We’re heart-broken you met with this disaster. The three of uswill help you report this to the police. Just what kind of vile person brutallyattacks one of our nation’s intellectuals and undermines a police investigation!As new-age socialists with Chinese characteristics citizens, we must expressour strong condemnation…”
Lin Ke and He Ling looked at Bai Huo,thinking: This man is so f#cking shameless.
”Cough, cough,” The professor smiledcrookedly despite his bloody nose and swollen face, interrupting Bai Huo.“Thank you, little comrade, although I don’t remember anything, after hearingwhat you’ve said, I feel like I’ve experienced it myself. Aiyo, I’m so lucky ah, I was beaten by so manygangsters, but none of my limbs are broken. Except for my damp trousers, Idon’t feel uncomfortable anywhere else. It’s all thanks to you!”
Lin Ke couldn’t listen anymore: “Professor, shouldwe bring you to take a shower first or go straight to the police to report it? “
“Ah,no, no, no,” The professor said, frantically plucking a piece of braised porkinto his bowl, “You don’t need to send me to the police.”
Bai Huo keenly sensed that something was off: “What’swrong? Are you worried about the gangsters retaliating? Don’t worry, we’ll be…”
”Not that, not that,” The professorwaved repeatedly, seemingly finding the words difficult to say, after a while,he sighed, “That, the thing is, I’m not actually a professor.”
After hearing this, the three were stunned: “What?!”
“Hehe,my name is actually Ma Zhong, people call me Zhong Ye, my true identity isa geomancer. A few days ago, there was a vision here. I came here because I wantedto see if there was anything I could pick up from it…” Ma Zhong was alittle embarrassed, and said fretfully, “The real professor is my older cousin,Xiao Yi, you guys might’ve heard his name. I came here pretending to be him.”
Ma Zhong said while nibbling on the lamb,“I don’t want to bother the police again, especially since I’m not tooheavily injured. I’ve been missing for a few days. If the police haven’t beentrying to contact me, they must’ve already contacted my older cousin. If Ireport this to the police, won’t I just be delivering myself to them?”
Bai Huo thought in his heart, you’reoverthinking it, with Luo Wen Xu’s workaholic nature, he’s unlikely to haveever heard about your famous cousin, and it’s even more impossible for him to takeyou academics seriously. If you went missing for another month, he wouldn’teven notice.
However, he naturally wouldn’t say this outloud, only reminding: “That’s fine then, you should eat some more and restfor a night, we’ll send you back tomorrow.”
”Ah, little comrade, don’t go yet!” MaZhong carelessly wiped off the grease on his hands and pulled Bai Huo’s clothes.“Every meeting is fate, it’s hard to find a way to thank you for what youdid. Why don’t you let me divine the future for you?”
“Huh?” Bai Huo looked at where his dirty handgrabbed his clothes and raised an eyebrow.
Ma Zhong smiled like a rogue and loosened hishand: “Free of charge!”
”Thank you,” Bai Huo patted the oilyhandprint on his clothes. “But I don’t mix well with fortune-tellers, keepthe divination to yourself.”
”You’ve hit a calamity.” Ma Zhongsaid behind him, his expression profound.
One side of his face was purple-ish, the otherside was badly swollen. When paired with this face, this mysterious expression didn’thave the thought-provoking effect that it should have, it just looked ridiculous.
”Ha,” Bai Huo sneered. “Is it apeach blossom calamity?”
But MaZhong shook his head and looked at Bai Huo’s wrist: “Your next calamityis in five years, right?”
Bai Huo narrowed his eyes.
”The chains on your wrist, is it relatedto this?”
Bai Huo’s expression finally changed.
——————————————————————————————————-
T/N:
Smoky gray:the color of a German shepherd with a blue coat, like this
Whoever provoked her….: 谁惹她了，脾气不小啊 -not sure about thisone
Exactly: Could alsobe “That’s not it”. Idk why some Chinese words have opposite meanings. Seemscounter-productive.
No more sniffing: 再吸就没了– again sniff, at once to be dead (or cease to be). Hecould be saying he’ll kill him if he sniffs it again, or he could be saying thepowder will disappear if he keeps sniffing it. Idk I’m sleepy.
Ye: grandpa
Your next calamity is in five years: 五年一次 -could also be once every five years
Another prophecy.Will Bai Huo listen this time?Thanks for the translation