Careful people will notice that if there is a particularly effective local deity, or a legendary great benefactor from ancient times, as long as they are enshrined by a temple, there will always be scriptures introducing them, saying that this deity is an incarnation of a certain Bodhisattva or a disciple of a certain Buddha, in order to attract followers.

This is also why, as an imported religion, Buddhism is even more popular than Taoism in the country. The two religions have completely different approaches: the former is non-contentious and passive, while the latter does everything possible to expand its own influence.

Laura Bennett naturally didn’t know that the reason for Brian Carter’s frown was her misunderstanding of Taoism, but upon hearing Brian Carter’s words, she understood that her little scheme had been seen through by this young man in front of her.

Since she had been seen through, Laura Bennett didn’t bother to beat around the bush anymore and said directly, “Brian Carter, I know that my husband made a promise to your master back then, but times have changed. Arranged marriages and betrothals are illegal now; marriage is about mutual consent.”

“Even if I agreed, the elders in the family—Grace’s grandparents on both sides—wouldn’t agree either.”

“Although social status isn’t as important as it used to be, you’re a smart kid, you should be able to see our family’s situation. Grace has been spoiled by her elders since she was little, and her monthly allowance is much more than an ordinary family’s annual income.”

“Brian Carter, aside from asking Grace to marry you, you can ask for anything else. As long as Auntie can do it, I’ll definitely satisfy you.”

Brian Carter listened quietly the whole time. Seeing this, Laura Bennett sighed inwardly. What good self-restraint—if it were any other young man, he’d probably already be angry and fallen out by now.

If his background were a bit better, maybe she would have given him a chance. Unfortunately...

“I understand everything you said, Auntie. Actually, the main reason I came this time was because my master asked me to visit Uncle Harris. But...”

Brian Carter didn’t finish the rest. If he told Aunt Harris now that his master said Uncle Harris would face a calamity this year and that he had come to the The Harris Family to help resolve it, Laura Bennett probably wouldn’t believe him.

After pondering for a moment, Brian Carter took out a wooden box from his coat. “This is something my master asked me to bring to Uncle Harris. Inside is a safety talisman. Please pass it on to Uncle Harris and have him keep it on him.”

Laura Bennett looked at Brian Carter in surprise. She hadn’t expected that after all she’d said, Brian Carter would still take something out. She looked a bit embarrassed, but still accepted the wooden box and examined it.

The wooden box was only palm-sized, but felt heavy in her hand. Out of curiosity, she opened it and found a silver-white triangular paper packet inside.

“Auntie, please don’t touch it with your hands. This safety talisman should only be handled by Uncle Harris and not by anyone else.”

Seeing Laura Bennett reaching out to take it, Brian Carter quickly stopped her. “This talisman can only be touched by the person who will wear it, otherwise it will lose its effect. Please remember this, Auntie.”

Laura Bennett withdrew her hand, feeling a bit annoyed. She didn’t really believe what Brian Carter said—wasn’t it just a safety talisman?

But then she remembered how Brian Carter could even say things like his master had ascended after passing away, so she just assumed Brian Carter was a devout Taoist who had been brainwashed, and didn’t take it to heart.

“My master’s instructions have been fulfilled, Auntie, so I’ll take my leave now.”

“You’re leaving already? Why not... stay for dinner?”

Laura Bennett hadn’t expected Brian Carter to be so straightforward, which made her feel a bit embarrassed. After all, he had come all this way to deliver a safety talisman, and she had just broken up a potential match. She felt a bit guilty.

“No need to trouble yourself.”

“Where are you going? I’ll have the driver take you. Here’s my phone number—if you need anything, just call me.”

This time, Brian Carter didn’t refuse. After getting into the driver’s car, they left the neighborhood.

“Sigh, I hope you don’t blame me. I’m just acting out of a mother’s selfishness. Who doesn’t want their daughter to be happy?”

Watching the car disappear from view, Laura Bennett sighed softly, then glanced at the safety talisman in the wooden box. She reached out to take it, but withdrew her hand halfway.

“No matter what, it’s a token of this child’s good intentions.”

Three hours later, the driver glanced at Brian Carter in the back seat, who had his eyes closed, and finally couldn’t help but ask, “Sir, where exactly are you going?”

He had already driven down this road twice, and had circled the nearby streets several times.

“Oh, just let me off here.”

Brian Carter opened his eyes. Seeing the driver looking at him in confusion, he smiled and said, “Are you wondering why I didn’t ask you to stop the car when we passed here earlier?”

The driver didn’t answer, but his expression showed that he did have this question.

“No reason, I just felt annoyed.”

After saying this, Brian Carter got out of the car directly. The driver, stunned for a moment, cursed “What a nutcase” and then sped off.

“Am I a nutcase?”