After bringing the ceramic bottle home, Su Liyun told no one about it. Only she and Jiang Ruotang knew about that night's expedition. Yet she couldn't fathom why the shopkeeper hadn't charged her for the bottle. Could it be because of the character "Su" engraved on it? But the man was merely a stranger who'd seen her twice—how could he possibly know her family background?
From that day onward, Su Liyun studied the ceramic bottle almost daily. Outwardly, it appeared ordinary—like a small vase—yet its interior held an uncanny quality, as if it were a bottomless pit concealing countless secrets.
That night, Su Liyun sat at her desk as usual, scrutinizing the ceramic bottle. Suddenly, it trembled. Dazed, she thought perhaps her hand had slipped. Seconds later, a dark shadow flashed before her eyes—exactly like the one she'd glimpsed in the shop that night. Though both glimpses were fleeting, Su Liyun felt certain the shadow was familiar, as if she had seen it somewhere before. Just as she pondered this, that familiar yet mysterious voice reached her ears once more: "Some things... you will learn in time. There's no need to rush." Su Liyun glanced warily around. "Who... who are you!?" But no reply came. She silently turned her gaze back to the bottle, where the character "Su" once again caught her attention. She decided to start her exploration from this very character.
Su Liyun reasoned that the school library might hold historical texts or ancient manuscripts, perhaps offering clues. The following afternoon, she slipped away during break to visit the library. This was her first time entering the school's library, and she expected this peculiar school's library to be equally unusual. As she pushed open the library doors and stepped inside, she saw students studying all around her. Rows of bookshelves displayed various volumes, and everything appeared perfectly normal—just like any other library. Su Liyun found the history section and searched the shelves carefully, but no matter how she looked, she couldn't find any ancient texts. Instead, the shelves were filled with modern history books and textbooks.
After searching unsuccessfully, Su Liyun decided to ask the librarian. The librarian informed her that accessing the school's ancient texts required submitting a special application for permission, and the results would take about a week. Upon hearing this, Su Liyun filled out the application form right there in the library.
That evening, back at her residence, Su Liyun followed her usual routine: finishing her homework before continuing her research on the ceramic bottle. Deep in concentration, her phone on the desk began to vibrate. With weary eyes, Su Liyun glanced at the screen. The word "Sister" flashing there made her eyes widen in shock. After a few seconds, she slowly answered the call. "Sis... Sis?" Su Mingyue's voice sounded rushed on the other end, with the faint sound of a drawer sliding in the background. "Liyun, are you okay abroad? Mom was organizing Dad's study yesterday and found the longevity lock you wore when you were little. She suddenly started talking about you."
Su Liyun's fingertips tightened slightly. She remembered that longevity lock; a tiny "Su" character was engraved on its body. It had vanished suddenly when she was ten. Her parents had only said it was lost accidentally, and when she pressed them, she was scolded for being inconsiderate. "Is that so?" she replied flatly. "I'm doing fine. I've gotten used to everything at school." Su Mingyue seemed to exhale in relief. "As long as you're doing well, we're at ease. Take good care of yourself over there." Su Liyun heard her sister's concern on the other end of the line, but before she could fully absorb it, she thought she caught faint murmurs in the background. "She probably won't notice over there... that lock..."
"Hello? Li Yun, can you hear me?" Su Liyun snapped back to reality at her sister's voice. "Ah... yeah, I can hear you, sis. I was just lost in thought." "Oh my gosh, you scared me. I thought we'd lost the connection." And so, Su Liyun and her sister talked for a long time. It felt as though the once-distant sisterly bond had grown a little closer in that moment.
After hanging up, Su Liyun recalled the faint murmurs in the background. The lock? A longevity lock? After much deliberation, she decided to visit the study and ask her foster father if he knew anything about the ceramic bottle. Perhaps she could also search the study for clues related to that "lock."
Arriving at the study door, Su Liyun knocked tentatively. Moments later, her foster father opened it. "What is it? Where did you get this ceramic bottle?" He immediately noticed the bottle in her hands. "The shopkeeper gave it to me. I wanted to ask if you know anything about it." "This bottle... it resembles a Su family heirloom. May I take a look?" Su Liyun handed the bottle over without hesitation, eager to uncover its hidden secrets. "The engraved 'Su' character... it's indeed the Su clan's heirloom!" Su Liyun's eyes widened. "Heirloom? Why would my family's heirloom be in some strange shop? And how did you recognize it?" Her mind was suddenly flooded with questions.
The foster father hesitated before speaking. "Ten years ago, my good friend Liu Laogen and I were exploring historical sites on Buqiu Mountain. Back then, we first heard tales of the Su clan. I suspect Old Liu recognized your lineage because he was deeply fascinated by the Su clan back then. He studied relentlessly day and night, and for years, he's been searching for people with Su blood."
"Then why never tell me? Why is Uncle Liu's shop so mysterious and peculiar?" Countless questions swirled within Su Liyun's mind. Her foster father sighed. "I didn't want these trivial matters to affect you. His shop started out as an ordinary stationery store, but later, for some reason, Old Liu seemed to have learned something—or perhaps it was influenced by your school—and he became like a different person. He was completely absorbed in himself, day and night, researching obscure things. I sensed it might be related to the Su clan, but I didn't know the specifics. Anyway, after that, I rarely had contact with him. As for not telling you, I didn't want you entangled in these complex matters too soon." Su Liyun frowned, her confusion unabated. "Then what secret does the Su clan hold? And why did this heirloom end up in the shop?" The foster father shook his head. "I'm not entirely sure either. I only know the Su clan was once shrouded in mystery, as if some unknown events had unfolded. This heirloom might have been lost during some upheaval." Suddenly, Su Liyun remembered the longevity lock and hurriedly asked, "Have you ever heard of a longevity lock?" The foster father frowned. "A longevity lock? What is that?"
"It was an ornament my parents gave me when I was little. They both told me it was a lock with a special meaning. Later, for some reason, it suddenly disappeared. My parents just said it might have been lost accidentally. But just now, my sister called to say Mom found it again while cleaning the room. It makes me think this lock might not be ordinary." The foster father pondered for a moment. "I've never heard of this longevity lock, but since your parents said it held special meaning, it might be connected to the Su clan." Su Liyun's heart stirred. She decided to thoroughly examine the longevity lock once she returned home for the holidays.
After leaving the study, Su Liyun returned to her room and picked up the ceramic bottle again, examining it closely. Suddenly, her phone buzzed with a text from Jiang Ruotang: "I think I've found some clues about that night at the shop. Meet me at the usual spot tomorrow." Su Liyun's heartbeat quickened as she replied with a simple "Okay."
Lying on her bed, her mind raced with thoughts—the ceramic bottle, the longevity lock, the secrets of the Su clan, and that mysterious shadow and voice. It all felt like a tangled mess, and she longed to untangle it quickly.