Chapter 2: The Box of the Luo Shu

The brother and sister glanced at each other, both barely daring to breathe as they carefully lifted the lid of the box.

When they saw what was inside, confusion spread across their faces.

Inside the box was a cloth pouch, filling the entire space. No wonder, when Cheng Xiangru had shaken the box earlier, there had been no sound at all.

The cloth bag was a dark red color, with what appeared to be some kind of pattern on its surface, though it was blurred and indistinct. When they brought it close to their noses, a strange fragrance wafted out.

How strange? Upon closer sniffing, it seemed to be mixed with a foul stench.

Frowning, Cheng Xiangru took out the cloth pouch and unfolded it layer by layer, like opening nested dolls, peeling away dozens of layers until at last he saw a circular jade pendant. The jade’s surface was smooth and rounded, bearing no inscriptions or patterns.

That’s it?

Nothing special!

The siblings exchanged a glance, unable to hide their disappointment.

Cheng Xiangru casually slipped the jade pendant into his pocket and returned indoors with his sister.

On the stove, water bubbled and boiled—the porridge was ready.

The brother and sister finished the porridge, licking their bowls clean before crawling back to the bed to huddle together for warmth.

Although the day had already dawned, neither had slept all night. They were utterly exhausted and terribly sleepy.

The little girl soon let out soft breaths of slumber, curling up like a small kitten.

Cheng Xiangru was also sleepy but tossed and turned restlessly. He kept pulling out the circular jade pendant to examine it again and again, but never discovered anything new.

Forget it. Let’s just assume that the thief father is dead.

Before drifting into a hazy sleep, Cheng Xiangru had already made up his mind: he would go to the city and sell the jade pendant, use the money to buy his sister some warm clothes, and also get some eggs to nourish her.

That jade pendant would be the thief father’s compensation to his sister.

Early the next morning, Cheng Xiangru clutched the octagonal metal box, held his sister’s hand tightly, and with the jade pendant safely tucked away, boarded a tricycle cart that took villagers to the market, setting off toward the city over the bumpy road.

Three hours later,

the siblings arrived at the antique street near the Immortal Bridge in Rong City.

It was approaching noon, and the Immortal Bridge area was somewhat quiet. Street vendors clustered together chatting and playing cards, shop assistants idly fiddled with their phones, and few people actively sought customers.

Old coins, vintage tickets, and all manner of strange curiosities were scattered everywhere.

In and outside the shops, there were unremarkable porcelain, lacquerware, and wood carvings on display.

“Boss, do you buy old items?”

Cheng Xiangru led his sister to a stall and cautiously presented the embossed octagonal box.

The stall owner was a middle-aged man with a square face. Sitting on a small stool, he was scrolling through short videos. Hearing Cheng Xiangru’s words, he glanced up without lifting his head and casually replied, “We buy anything! Old coins, silver dollars, ration coupons, or whatever else you’ve got?”

“This,” Cheng Xiangru said, handing over the embossed octagonal box.

Only then did the square-faced man look up, pocket his phone with one hand, and take the box with the other. After fiddling with it for a moment, he asked in puzzlement, “What’s this? Doesn’t look like an old item. Not worth much, I reckon.”

Cheng Xiangru was somewhat disappointed but took back the box, repositioned the embossed sphere, and demonstrated how to unlock and open it.

“Oh? Don’t tell me, this is actually quite interesting!”

The man’s expression brightened with interest. He took the box back and examined it again, then stood up and called over a few people nearby to see if they had ever seen such an item.

“Hey? What’s this thing?”

“Let me have a look!”

“...”

After a brief study, all of them shook their heads. They too claimed the octagonal box was a modern craft and not worth much.

Still, some found it amusing enough to pay thirty to fifty yuan to buy it as a toy for children.

Thirty to fifty yuan wasn’t much, but for Cheng Xiangru and his sister—who often had to endure going hungry—that was a significant sum.

Just as he was about to agree to sell the embossed octagonal box for forty-five yuan, a man’s soft exclamation sounded behind him.

“Luoshu Box? Who’s buying this?”

Cheng Xiangru turned around at the sound and saw three men standing behind him. One, a middle-aged man with a goatee, stared at the embossed box in the square-faced man’s hands with evident surprise.

“Boss Zhou! You know this? Tell us about it, let us have a look,” said a sharp-faced man with a sly grin.

Boss Zhou did not reply but wore a serious expression, furrowing his brows as he asked, “Who among you got this?”

The square-faced man smiled cheerfully, “Not sold yet. This is from the young brother here.”

Only then did Boss Zhou notice Cheng Xiangru and the sister hiding behind him. He scrutinized Cheng Xiangru several times, then cautiously asked, “May I ask your name, young brother?”

“My name is Cheng Xiangru.”

“So your surname really is Cheng...” Boss Zhou’s gaze became even odder, almost burning with intensity.

Cheng Xiangru instinctively stepped back a little, nodding cautiously, subtly positioning his sister behind him.

Boss Zhou appraised Cheng Xiangru and Cheng Yimo from head to toe, making Cheng Xiangru increasingly uneasy.

He withdrew his gaze and looked at the embossed octagonal box in the square-faced man’s hands, reaching out, “Let me see.”

Boss Zhou seemed to be someone of status. The square-faced man smiled obsequiously and handed over the box.

Boss Zhou inspected the spherical carving on the box for a while, then returned it to Cheng Xiangru with a smile, “Young brother, are you willing to sell it sincerely?”

Cheng Xiangru nodded and asked, “How much can you offer?”

“If you’re sincere, why don’t we talk details in my shop?”

“Alright!”

Clutching the embossed octagonal box and holding his sister’s small hand tightly, Cheng Xiangru followed Boss Zhou eagerly toward a two-story building bearing the sign “Gathering Fragrance Studio.”

The street vendors who had gathered earlier whispered to each other in confusion as they watched the siblings walk away.

Cheng Xiangru and his sister were led upstairs. Boss Zhou warmly brewed tea for them himself and even had his assistants wash some fresh fruit to place on the tea table.

The little girl’s eyes sparkled as she gazed at the shiny fruit but didn’t dare reach out, swallowing nervously.

Cheng Xiangru ignored caution, grabbing a bright red apple and placing it in his sister’s hands.

The little girl didn’t eat it but held the apple with both hands, shyly glancing at Boss Zhou across the table.

“Boss, how much will you pay for this box?”

Cheng Xiangru got straight to the point.

Boss Zhou smiled faintly, holding the teacup lid while pouring tea without looking up, “Let’s not talk about that yet. I want to ask if you’ve taken anything out of the Luoshu Box? Where is it?”

Cheng Xiangru had originally planned to sell the jade pendant but now hesitated. He shook his head, “There is a jade inside, but I didn’t bring it today. If you want to buy it and the price is fair, I’ll bring it next time.”

Boss Zhou’s movements paused subtly. He shook his head with a wry smile, “I dare not buy that.”

Cheng Xiangru was stunned. “What do you mean? Dare not buy? Are you joking with me?”

Boss Zhou pushed two steaming cups of clear tea toward the siblings, his smile fading as he fixed his eyes on Cheng Xiangru, asking seriously, “What about your parents?”

This question struck a nerve. Gritting his teeth, Cheng Xiangru said, “They’re dead.”

Boss Zhou shook his head, “Impossible. I don’t know about your mother, but I’m certain your father is not dead.”

“You know my father?” Cheng Xiangru was utterly astonished.