I'm Actually Panicking Because My Heart Doesn't Beat (GL) - Chapter 41

The paper was mostly blank, except for a doodle of a stick figure.

The figure had a big head, a small body, and limbs like toothpicks sticking out from the sides—basically, it looked like a giant cockroach.

Guan Xiaoxuan held the drawing, barely able to tell that it was supposed to be a middle-aged man.

The man had brown hair. Haohao had even drawn it in curly loops, trying to show that the man’s short brown hair was a bit naturally wavy and fluffy.

The eyes were shaded in light brown, and the face was kind of square-shaped—what people call a “national character face” in Chinese.

As for the rest of the features, Guan Xiaoxuan couldn’t really tell. But summing it up: brown hair, light brown eyes, square face, and a bit of natural curl to his hair.

She crouched in front of Haohao, frowning. “What is this supposed to be? It’s really hard to tell.”

Haohao snatched the drawing back, clearly unhappy, and tried to explain.

After a lot of back-and-forth, Xiaoxuan could kind of understand what he meant, but she still didn’t have a clear picture in her head.

Haohao looked frustrated too. He scratched his head and said, “Sorry, Sister Xiaoxuan. I don’t think I can help you more than this.”

Xiaoxuan didn’t blame him. She just sat on the floor with him, then pulled something out of her pocket.

It was Cheng Yi’s face mask, still cold to the touch. Xiaoxuan had been keeping it in her pocket all this time. She held it up and said to Haohao, “Let’s try something else. I’ll wear this mask and use your memory to recreate the man’s face.”

Even though the mask was meant for a woman’s face, Xiaoxuan didn’t need to change her body—just mimic the man’s face—so it was simple to do.

She put on the mask, and Haohao did his best to help. They adjusted it for about twenty minutes until Haohao finally nodded and said, “Sister Xiaoxuan, that’s it! That’s what he looks like!”

Xiaoxuan lit up inside. She took out her phone and opened the front camera.

On the screen was a man in his early forties, with wavy brown hair, light coffee-colored eyes, and sharp features. His brow ridge and nose bridge were both high. He was a pretty handsome older guy.

A mixed-race face, no wonder Haohao had trouble describing him.

Xiaoxuan stared at the screen and took a photo. Then she turned her head left, right, up, and down, snapping pictures from all angles, finally saving a few of the best ones.

She removed the mask, put away her phone and the mask, and stood up. “Thanks, you really helped me a lot today.”

Haohao breathed a sigh of relief. He looked up at her and said, “Sister Xiaoxuan, do you really have to find this man? I think he gave me that marble for a reason, but I can’t figure out what it is. You’d better not go near him.”

Even though Haohao was still young, he could sense danger.

Sure, Xiaoxuan had hit him before, but he knew he had done something wrong first, so he understood. Still, he didn’t want her to take any risks.

His worried expression moved Xiaoxuan a little, and she smiled gently. “I understand. I’ll only investigate him. I won’t actually make contact, so don’t worry.”

Then she took a box of snacks out of her bag. “You’re stuck here at the orphanage, but I’ll come visit often and bring you stuff you like. If you need anything, you can even tell me in a dream.”

Haohao’s eyes lit up at the sight of snacks. He hugged the box and grinned from ear to ear. “Sister Xiaoxuan, you’re the best person I’ve ever met!”

Xiaoxuan ruffled his hair and just smiled.

By the time she left the orphanage, it was already dark. She sat at the bus stop, looking at the photo of the man on her phone, lost in thought.

All of this was just a wild guess. She didn’t even know if anything supernatural was going on.

The problem was, she didn’t know enough yet. If the whole world was a fog, then she hadn’t even stepped into it—how could she hope to understand it?

But maybe this man in the photo was her way in.

With that thought, Xiaoxuan got on the bus home.

The bus was packed like a can of sardines. Xiaoxuan found a seat in the back, looking out the window at the grey-yellow sunset and the neon lights slowly blinking to life in the city.

Buzz—

Just as she was zoning out, her phone suddenly vibrated. She looked down and saw a message from Xing Tianqing.

The first thing was a photo. It showed several items: an ID badge, a pin, and most noticeably, a black leather trench coat off to the side.

Xing Tianqing: [Your application has been approved. These are your ID and uniform.]

Looking at the photo, Xiaoxuan finally relaxed. She was officially part of the Supernatural Bureau now.

Even though she was an off-the-books member, the benefits were the same as full-time employees. The only difference was no base salary, but she had flexible hours and great benefits—this was honestly the best side job she’d ever found.

She happily replied: [Thank you! We’re officially coworkers now!]

Tianqing replied quickly: [School’s out? I’m about to get off work. Want me to drop these off at your school?]

Xiaoxuan: [No need, I’m already on my way home. Don’t go out of your way.]

Tianqing: [Alright. Have you eaten yet? Want me to bring you something?]

Xiaoxuan thought for a second. [You’ve helped me so much—if anyone’s treating, it should be me. You choose the place. Let’s eat out when you get back?]

Tianqing: [Sounds good. I’ll head back now.]

When Tianqing saw the ‘OK’ emoji Xiaoxuan sent, she couldn’t help but smile.

Xiao An, who was watching her, commented, “Didn’t expect our bureau’s iron tree to bloom!”

Qiu Nan looked up, laughed, then quickly looked away.

But Zhang Jingshan, the big guy of the group, looked confused. “Iron tree? We have trees in the bureau?”

Tianqing shot them a glare. “Keep talking and you’ll all be pulling overtime this month.”

Xiao An stuck her tongue out and shut up. Qiu Nan leaned on her hand and looked at Tianqing. “Captain Xing, are you really dating that girl Guan Xiaoxuan? You’re really going out of your way for her, even delivering things personally. None of us got that kind of treatment.”

Tianqing answered calmly, “She lives right next door. Saves her the trip.”

Xiao An grinned. “Ah, so it’s the classic ‘proximity advantage’~”

Qiu Nan burst out laughing.

Tianqing didn’t bother arguing. Work in the bureau was always high-pressure and dangerous. If people wanted to joke around, she was fine with it.

After packing up her things, she said to the team, “No cases these next few days. Let’s have a get-together tonight or tomorrow. Give Xiaoxuan a proper welcome and introduce everyone.”

“Sounds good.” Everyone agreed without hesitation.

When she drove back to her apartment complex, she saw Guan Xiaoxuan waiting at her door.

Xiaoxuan was wearing a beige dress and smiled brightly when she saw Tianqing. “Captain Xing, you’re back!”

“Why are you waiting out here?” Tianqing grumbled, but couldn’t hide the smile tugging at her lips. She walked over, handed the bag to Xiaoxuan, and said gently, “The trench coat is in your size based on what you gave me. Try it on and let me know if it fits. I’ll exchange it if it doesn’t.”

Xiaoxuan pulled out her ID badge, studied it from every angle, and grinned. “Okay, I’ll go try it on. Captain, go take a break. We’ll head out to eat together later.”

She carried her stuff into the apartment across the hall, and Tianqing happily unlocked her own door to change clothes.

The black leather trench coat was sturdy—definitely good for winter wind.

As Xiaoxuan held it up, she started wondering what they wore in summer. Surely they didn’t wear this thing year-round?

Wouldn’t they melt in the heat?

While trying on the coat, she guessed the bureau probably had summer uniforms too. Just like government jobs used to—one set for winter, another for summer, and two more for spring and fall.

Looking in the mirror, hands in her pockets, Xiaoxuan thought the coat didn’t really go with her chiffon dress.

She’d have to buy pants and sneakers—or maybe cargo pants and black leather shoes. That’s what the other agents wore. It looked sharp and professional.

Thinking it over, buying new clothes would be another big expense. Luckily, she already had the most expensive coat, so the rest would just be new additions to her wardrobe.

After getting ready, Guan Xiaoxuan went downstairs with Xing Tianqing to eat.

There were a few decent restaurants near the community entrance. Guan Xiaoxuan wanted hotpot, so Xing Tianqing accompanied her. Their tastes were pretty similar, so eating together went smoothly.

While dipping meat slices into the broth, Xing Tianqing asked Guan Xiaoxuan, “How long is your holiday for Labor Day?”

“Five days,” Guan Xiaoxuan replied. She scooped out some meat from the spicy pot, rolled it in sesame sauce and chili paste, then popped it into her mouth. The hot, spicy beef nearly made her nose tingle from the aroma.

Seeing her enjoy it so much, Xing Tianqing laughed and added more meat to her pot. He said, “Perfect. Let me know which day over the next couple of days you’re free. Our team should get together.”

Guan Xiaoxuan nodded happily. “Sure! I’ll treat you then. Xing team leader, don’t even try to compete with me on paying.”

“Okay, I won’t fight you on that,” Xing Tianqing smiled at her. “But the money you spend treating us can be reimbursed since it counts as a department team-building expense.”

Guan Xiaoxuan was surprised, “Really? That’s allowed?”

“Of course,” Xing Tianqing said. “There’s a lot you’ll need to learn, and I’ll explain it all to you over time.”

Guan Xiaoxuan glanced at Xing Tianqing and smiled through the rising steam.

“Alright,” she said, picking up a cooked slice of meat and offering it to him. “When the time comes, you’ve got to watch my back.”

Xing Tianqing took the meat and chuckled, “Don’t worry, I’ll always have your back.”