Chapter 493: The Millennial Bronze Coffin

This incident had a profound and lasting impact on Shui Miao’s inner world.

His father had imparted so much to him that it would take time to fully understand and digest it all.

Yet at this moment, Shui Miao had cleared away all his inner doubts and felt calm and grounded.

Even the previous confusion about his dream, where he was a Yuan Shen (spiritual avatar), now made sense. He thought it might have been a test from his father, a way to examine his choices between good and evil. If there was another explanation, it could only be an illusion created by his inner demons—a hint from his father. Only by holding firmly to kindness and never wavering could he find peace, overcome any obstacle, and ultimately achieve victory in all endeavors.

This transformation in mindset made Shui Miao seem much more mature.

At just twenty years old, he now possessed the composure of a man in his seventies or eighties. It was a treasure, a great gift bestowed by his father.

After leaving the room, Shui Miao didn’t join the group of beautiful women to chat.

Instead, he went to the balcony and started talking with his mother.

Yang Min, with a gentle and loving expression, held Shui Miao’s hand and sat with him on the wooden sofa. They didn’t speak much, just sat in the sun, looking up quietly at the sky.

Shui Miao glanced at the sky, then at his mother, and suddenly had a thought. His eyes sparkled as he softly asked, “Mom, did you know all along that Dad was going to the Immortal Realm?”

Yang Min smiled at Shui Miao and reached out to stroke his head. “Child, in fact, more than a month ago, your father brought me to find you. What you dreamed was actually a sincere effort by your father. You must be a good person. My health is fine, and I won’t need your care for the next twenty years. You should go ahead and pursue your own life, and live well—your mother will be at peace knowing that.”

“So it really was exactly as I thought…”

Shui Miao couldn’t help but smile.

He himself didn’t know why he smiled—perhaps it was a smile of relief after finally knowing the truth.

Yang Min looked at Shui Miao and suddenly furrowed her brow slightly. “But child, there’s one question you’ve considered, right?”

“What question?” Shui Miao’s heart stirred.

“The question of who you truly love—Chenxiang, Lin Qing’er, or someone else?” Yang Min cared deeply about this. As parents, they always worry about such things when their child grows up.

Shui Miao shook his head. “Chenxiang is my sister, and my feelings for her are purely familial, not romantic. It’s the same with Lin Qing’er; it’s more like friendship, not love. I don’t know why, but I feel like I’ve never met the one who truly moves my heart, and I don’t even want to think about it. What I care about more is living a simple and peaceful life.”

“How can that be!”

Yang Min frowned deeply. “Honestly, could it be hereditary? Your father was obsessed with cultivation, and now you are too?”

Shui Miao scratched his head. “Mom, I don’t think I’m that into cultivation anymore.”

“Right, you say that with your mouth, but deep down, you still think that way. Sigh!” Yang Min couldn’t help but feel frustrated. “Well, maybe you’re just too young. We’ll talk about this again in a few years. Go on, go chat with your sisters. Don’t always stay alone—it makes you more and more like your father.”

※※※

Shui Miao instinctively stood up and walked away.

It felt like he was a child who had done something wrong.

Being scolded by his mother was a new experience—his heart was in a tangle, unsure whether it was unease or happiness.

Just as Shui Miao was going downstairs, he ran into Lin Qing’er coming out of the bathroom.

“Little brother, are you busy? If not, come chat with us.”

Lin Qing’er, like a mature older sister, pulled Shui Miao’s arm and led him into a room. Shui Miao took a special look at Lin Qing’er. Her face no longer showed the shyness and sadness he remembered. Instead, she was cheerful, warm, gentle, and kind.

The room was large and served as a study.

The walls were covered with pink wallpaper. In the center was a set of leather sofas arranged around a coffee table filled with candies and snacks. A group of beautiful women were chatting idly, discussing where they would go for dinner and what they would eat. When they saw Shui Miao enter, they all stopped talking. Chen Meiling smiled brightly and rushed over, pulling Shui Miao to sit beside Zhang Hanya.

Although it was just a small gesture, Shui Miao could already see his sister’s intentions in her eyes—she seemed to want to bring him and Zhang Hanya closer.

Zhang Hanya also seemed to have an interest in getting to know Shui Miao better. She scooted slightly to the side, her face blushing slightly, and her movements became somewhat shy.

Lin Qing’er sat on the sofa nearby, handed Shui Miao a banana, and curiously asked, “Shui Miao, tell us, how did you come to know about us?”

Everyone turned their eyes to Shui Miao, listening intently.

Shui Miao looked fair and delicate, like a porcelain doll—lovable and endearing to everyone, even the beautiful women.

Putting the banana down, Shui Miao smiled slightly. “Actually, it’s nothing much. I just had a very long dream. Maybe I shouldn’t talk about it—it might reveal some secrets that could affect Dad negatively. Let’s change the subject. Sister Qing’er, can I ask you a few questions instead?” Shui Miao was completely at ease, shifting from being passive to taking the initiative in the conversation.

“Sure, go ahead and ask,” Lin Qing’er smiled warmly at Shui Miao.

Everyone was curious too—what kind of questions would Shui Miao ask when meeting them for the first time?

After a pause, Shui Miao asked, “Sister Qing’er, do you have a boyfriend now?”

“…”

Shui Miao asked such a question, and everyone was stunned.

Could it be that Shui Miao liked Lin Qing’er?

Even Chen Meiling was taken aback.

Lin Qing’er’s face turned red instantly. “That question seems a bit… but I can answer you. There is someone I like, but whether he counts as my boyfriend, I can’t really say.”

Shui Miao paused. “Is he still alive?”

“…”

Everyone was stunned again. How could Shui Miao ask such a question!?

Lin Qing’er was also momentarily shocked. She looked at Shui Miao with confusion. “Shui Miao, what exactly do you know?”

Seeing the change in Lin Qing’er’s expression, Shui Miao felt he must have hit the mark. He frowned slightly. “Sister Qing’er, I’m not entirely sure whether your current situation matches what I dreamed. But I truly hope it doesn’t. If it does, I hope you can forget all the unhappiness from the past and live in the present, just like the happy and cheerful you that we see now.”

“…”

Everyone looked at Lin Qing’er, whose expression was shifting between emotions.

After a moment, Lin Qing’er gave Shui Miao a bitter smile. “Shui Miao, you really are something. You’ve uncovered a secret I’ve kept deep inside! Fine! I promise you, sister Qing’er will never think of the past again. From now on, I will always be happy.”

“Shui Miao, what are you talking about?”

Chen Meiling suddenly couldn’t hold back and spoke up. “Your sister Qing’er’s current boyfriend is a returned overseas student…”

“No, Meiling, Shui Miao is right. My relationship with that overseas student is just an act.” Lin Qing’er waved her hand, interrupting Chen Meiling. “No one has ever known my inner feelings, but today Shui Miao has uncovered them. I’m truly happy about this. For you, my little brother, I will change. In fact, I’ve already been trying to change.”

“…”

Lin Qing’er had always appeared very cheerful and approachable in front of everyone.

This scene today was something none of them had ever seen before.

Shui Miao nodded and continued, “Also, Sister Qing’er, do you not manage the company much? If that’s the case, I suggest you pay attention to the management, such as Huang Fei and Gao Bo. They might be big rats. Oh, and there’s a head waitress in the catering department named Xiao Tang. She’s quite capable, but…”

“That’s amazing!”

Before Shui Miao could finish, Da Shuang interrupted in astonishment. “Shui Miao, you’re really incredible. You even know about our company matters. A month ago, we took the two people you mentioned, along with several others who were embezzling company funds, to court. Now Xiao Tang is our catering manager, and the entertainment department is now managed by Zhi Ling. Our company is now very professional.”

“That’s great! I don’t have to worry anymore.”

Shui Miao smiled easily, relieved that another of his concerns was resolved.

At that moment, Chen Meiling sat down beside Shui Miao. “Shui Miao, did you dream about me too?”

“Of course… Sister, your abilities are extraordinary. You’ve fully inherited Dad’s intelligence and wisdom. In the future, you’re sure to become a major figure in the Zhonghai business community…”

Shui Miao lavishly praised Chen Meiling, who was delighted by his flattery, and everyone else joined in the laughter.

In this way, Shui Miao quickly became part of the group. After chatting about some light topics, Zhang Hanya, who had been quiet all along, suddenly tugged on Shui Miao’s arm and softly asked, “Shui Miao Ge Ge, you’re so amazing. Do you know about the ancient bronze coffin that was unearthed near Jing Shui Village?”

Zhang Hanya’s father was the police chief, so she knew things others might not.

At the mention of Jing Shui Village and the ancient bronze coffin, Shui Miao immediately thought of the thousand-year-old female ghost from his dream.

“I don’t know. What exactly happened?”

Shui Miao asked curiously.

Everyone else also turned their eyes toward Zhang Hanya, equally curious.

Zhang Hanya blushed slightly and said shyly, “I heard it from my dad last night. He said during the Taoist temple’s expansion, construction workers unearthed a bronze coffin as big as a small boat. Experts were called in, and they said the bronze used in the coffin is about a thousand years old. It’s a thousand-year-old coffin. Now the coffin is stored in a warehouse, guarded by many police officers, and they’re waiting for more experts to arrive before opening it.”

“A thousand-year-old bronze coffin—what could possibly be inside?”

“What else could it be? Probably just some decayed bones and some burial artifacts. But those are antiques, worth a fortune!”

“If you could get just one of them, you’d be rich!”

“…”

The group of beautiful women began chattering excitedly.

But Shui Miao’s expression turned serious, and he was filled with suspicion.

In his “dream,” the thousand-year-old female ghost had been deeply entangled with him. She had gone to the Immortal Realm, and their unresolved issues had never been settled. Now Zhang Hanya had mentioned this matter—perhaps it was a warning. What must come will inevitably come. Since it couldn’t be avoided, it would be better to face it bravely. His father was so powerful; perhaps he had some connection with this ghost. She shouldn’t have any reason to harm him.

Shui Miao turned to Zhang Hanya and asked very seriously, “Can you take me to see that thousand-year-old bronze coffin?”

Immediately, everyone fell silent.

Zhang Hanya bit her lip, then nodded and softly said, “Okay.”