Part 2
A year ago, when his father was dying, he told Louis that the Johari family had once been a prominent family. However, the family had fallen on hard times later on.
Even so, they possessed a treasure. No matter how desperate their circumstances became, that treasure would be passed down from generation to generation.
"Huh?" This was the first time Louis had ever heard about it, and he immediately grew curious. "What treasure?"
Louis's father shook his head.
"I don't know either. My father once said it was a rare treasure that could change one's fate. Its price couldn't be called expensive. It would be more accurate to say it was priceless."
"Then where is this treasure now?"
"In our house."
"In our house? Isn't that..."
Louis's father shook his head again.
"You foolish kid, don't get excited so quickly. Don't forget that I don't even have the money to treat my illness. Clearly, this treasure isn't like what you're imagining—something that can turn into money whenever you want it to."
Louis felt that his father's words made sense. Even so, he was even more confused. His father possessed a priceless treasure, yet didn't have any money for medical treatment. What had really happened?
"Louis, listen carefully to what I'm about to say."
"Mm-hmm."
"The treasure is hidden on the shelf beneath my bed. You can find it easily. The box is a wooden box that's almost rusted through. But you have to remember! It's a mystery box and can't simply be opened. If you force it open, something terrifying will happen."
"What terrifying thing?"
"I don't know. This treasure has been passed down through the Johari family for generations, and no one has ever dared to open it. Even if they did, no one had the ability to open it. Louis, you're the smartest child I know. I believe you'll definitely find a way to solve that mystery box."
"Mm, I understand."
Not long after Louis learned this secret, Louis's father passed away.
Now, Louis had suddenly remembered the matter. Of course he wanted a treasure with the power to change his fate. Louis didn't ask for much. He only wanted enough money to be with the woman he loved.
Louis entered his father's bedroom. He moved the bed and found a shelf behind it that concealed the treasure.
It really was a box that was almost completely rusted. Even so, it was still extremely sturdy.
A mystery box was a box that could only be opened by following a predetermined sequence. The design of a box like this was incredibly clever. Its opening buttons were also extremely well hidden. Even after opening one stage, people would be at a loss when it came to opening the second, third, and fourth stages.
According to his father's words, this box had a history of roughly a thousand years. Over such a long period, countless people must have tried to open it, but they had all certainly failed.
Louis thought to himself, Could I really open this box? This isn't a matter of whether I can or can't. I absolutely have to open it! I want to change my fate!
All night long, Louis kept trying to open the hidden lock on the box.
Of course, he failed. The sky had already begun to brighten, so he fell asleep for a while. After waking up, Louis examined it again and continued until night fell without realizing how much time had passed.
Louis slept for a while again. Then, after waking up, he stayed up all night once more. Even so, he still couldn't open the mystery box in the slightest.
His exhaustion, combined with his disappointment, made Louis feel even worse.
Louis suddenly grew furious. He thought, The treasure is right inside this wooden box, yet I can't get it out? This makes no sense!
If he hadn't already stayed up for two nights, Louis wouldn't have suddenly lost control. He even forgot his father's warning and threw the mystery box onto the floor.
A loud crash rang out. The rusted wooden box shattered from the impact. Then, a jade ring faintly emitted a green glow from within the wooden fragments.