bookcurios Chapter 516 Solve the Mystery
Chapter 516 Solve the Mystery
One day, Su Ming was studying a code book provided by Zheng Yaoxian in the courtyard when he suddenly heard Zheng Yaoxian say, "You have learned almost everything. The rest is your own path."
Su Ming sat at the stone table, his fingers unconsciously tapping the wooden surface, making a faint "tapping" sound. The autumn breeze blew in from the courtyard gate, bringing a hint of chill, further scrambling the swirling thoughts in his mind. A few days ago, he had brought back a seemingly insignificant item from a mission assigned by Zheng Yaoxian, but it was that very item that triggered a deep question in him.
It was an old copper pocket watch, its face intricately engraved with patterns. Its hands were frozen at a strange time, forever immobile. He initially thought it was just a prop for a mission, until he stumbled upon a small, hidden compartment nestled in a groove on the back of the watch. Hidden within was a thin slip of paper. The handwriting on the slip was scribbled, yet its contents seemed to reveal a secret.
"Do you think everything is the truth?"
The short line couldn't be any shorter, but to Su Ming, it carried a thick layer of provocation and doubt. He pondered the words over and over, his thoughts sinking into a bottomless quagmire. He wasn't sure if this was a test from Zheng Yaoxian, or if the mission itself concealed deeper complexities. Even more unsettling was the feeling that the pocket watch seemed to have a connection to Zheng Yaoxian's past.
"Doubt makes people sober, but when you are too clear-headed, it is easy to get lost." Zheng Yaoxian's voice suddenly sounded from behind Su Ming, interrupting his thoughts.
Su Ming came back to his senses and quickly stood up, his tone hesitant: "Sir, this pocket watch... is the meaning behind it related to our trip?"
Zheng Yaoxian approached slowly, his eyes glancing over the pocket watch without a flicker of emotion. He reached out and took it, weighing it casually for a few moments before placing it on the table. He said calmly, "It has nothing to do with the mission, but it does with you."
"With me?" Su Ming was a little confused. He didn't understand why Zheng Yaoxian was so determined to lead this mystery to him.
Zheng Yaoxian didn't answer directly. Instead, he sat at the table, picked up his pipe, lit it, and took a deep drag. Through the smoke, he murmured, "When you learn to observe the world with your own eyes, you'll discover that many things, seemingly useless on the surface, hold true answers. As for the meaning of the pocket watch—perhaps it simply wants you to know of its existence."
These words were like a cloud of fog, leading Su Ming's thoughts into deeper confusion. He gritted his teeth, trying to grasp more clues from Zheng Yaoxian's tone, but his demeanor remained as calm and indifferent as ever, making it difficult to grasp.
At night, Su Ming lay on his simple wooden bed, tossing and turning, unable to fall asleep. The words seemed etched in his mind: "Do you think everything is the truth?" What was the question about? He went over every detail of the mission countless times, seemingly leaving nothing out. But it was precisely this impeccable understanding that made him increasingly aware that something was amiss.
"Why is it related to me?" Su Ming muttered to himself, many images flashing through his mind. He recalled Zheng Yaoxian's scrutinizing gaze when they first met him, the fake game, and even the grueling training sessions. Zheng Yaoxian always seemed to be able to accurately predict his every move, as if he had already mastered his personality, habits, and even his way of thinking.
The next morning, Su Ming, looking tired, walked into the courtyard and found Zheng Yaoxian already seated at a stone table, a yellowed book in his hands. He hesitated for a moment, then asked, "Sir, what did you mean by yesterday? This pocket watch...what does it have to do with me?"
Zheng Yaoxian put the book down and looked up at Su Ming. His gaze seemed to penetrate his soul. "Do you really want to know, or are you afraid to know?"
Su Ming was stunned, speechless. He had never imagined the answer might frighten him, but now, he felt a tinge of unease. What was hidden behind that pocket watch? Was it some kind of warning, or perhaps fate?
Zheng Yaoxian sighed and said slowly, "What would you think if I told you that the time on the pocket watch represents someone's last moment?"
Su Ming's heart tightened, and he instantly understood the weight of these words. He didn't dare to think too deeply, but his intuition told him that this matter was definitely not simple. He asked tentatively, "That someone... is it you?"
Zheng Yaoxian smiled upon hearing this, a smile that carried the calmness of someone who had seen through life and death. "It wasn't me, it was you."
Su Ming's heartbeat suddenly accelerated as if struck by lightning. He stared at Zheng Yaoxian's face, trying to detect any sign of joking, but the other man's expression remained calm, without a trace of playfulness.
"You think everything is the truth, but the truth is often a disguise. The time on your pocket watch isn't just a reminder; it's a choice," Zheng Yaoxian continued. "If you can't see through its meaning, you might not be able to continue on your path."
Su Ming's mind was instantly in a tangle. Zheng Yaoxian's words made him feel as if he were standing on the edge of an abyss. If he wasn't careful, he would fall into endless darkness. He took a deep breath, tried to calm himself, and asked, "What should I do?"
Zheng Yaoxian stood up, walked over to Su Ming, and patted him on the shoulder. His tone was gentle but carried an undeniable power: "From now on, don't trust anyone, including me. Only you can solve this mystery."
By the time Su Ming emerged from Zheng Yaoxian's courtyard, the sky had turned cooler, and the evening breeze carried a chill across his face. He walked along a quiet path, his mind still troubled by the old pocket watch and those enigmatic words. He pinched the watch's rim, his fingertips feeling the slightly cool metal, as if it were alive, speaking silently to him.
"Don't trust anyone..." He repeated Zheng Yaoxian's warning in a low voice, his brows furrowed tighter and tighter. He didn't doubt Zheng Yaoxian's words, but he couldn't help but doubt himself. "If I can't even trust him, who can I trust?"
His stomach rumbled, and Su Ming realized he hadn't eaten all day. He gave a wry smile, his inner turmoil temporarily suppressed by simple physiological needs. He felt in his pockets. Although his money was running low, buying some bread shouldn't be a problem.
After turning a few alleyways, Su Ming arrived at a humble bakery. It was unassuming, with a rusty wooden sign outside and dust accumulating in the corners. Through the dimly lit glass windows, he could see a single middle-aged shopkeeper, bent over, fiddling with dough. The air was filled with the faint aroma of baking, inviting a sense of relaxation.