Kingdom of Heaven's

House was not a native of this village. He was a child born out of wedlock. His mother left him after receiving a sum of money from his father, abandoning him without a second thought. His father, a man who married into a wealthy family, severed all ties to his past to inherit his affluent wife's estate. Thus, House was cast out, left to fend for himself. This dilapidated house was provided by his father as a means to keep him at bay.

His father supplied him with enough money to live comfortably but severed all familial connections, even stripping him of the family name.

House, deprived of maternal affection, clung desperately to his father, but when he was sent to this remote village, he found himself in an endless cycle of attempts to reconnect, only to be met with rejection. His father remained unreachable, and House, consumed by despair, drowned his sorrows in alcohol. His demise was an accident; on a fateful day, inebriated, he stumbled into a roadside ditch and drowned.

Death turned House into a ghost, granting him clarity. Reflecting on his life, he was plagued with regret and spent his days consumed by remorse. He confessed that even in death, his father did not pay him a visit, deepening his sorrow.

As a ghost, he wandered the village, lonely and yearning for connection. Unfortunately, he could only appear at night, and those he encountered could neither see nor hear him. It wasn't until he met Zhao Lun and Maria, who could both perceive him, that he finally found a confidant. Unburdened by his secrets, House's lingering attachment to life dissipated, and he departed abruptly, leaving Zhao Lun and Maria startled by his sudden goodbye.

House's story resembled a melodramatic soap opera, leaving Zhao Lun unsure how to respond after hearing it.

"Ah, we still haven't collected the gift," Zhao Lun recalled. Despite his departure, House had left them a present.

The timing was just right to retrieve it.

Night fell, cloaking the village in darkness. The absence of streetlights rendered the place pitch-black, with only faint glimmers from the villagers' homes breaking the gloom.

"Follow quietly," Zhao Lun instructed Maria in a hushed tone as he led the way. Maria clenched her small fists in excitement and followed eagerly.

The weather was overcast, and the village plunged into darkness as soon as the sun set. Zhao Lun led Maria to a derelict courtyard and cautiously opened the gate.

"Brother... is this House's home?" Maria whispered, clutching Zhao Lun's shirt, her eyes darting around nervously. She was afraid of the dark, perceiving the shadowy house as a monstrous figure, and squeezed her eyes shut, seeking refuge behind her brother.

Zhao Lun felt the sweat on her palm as he held her hand. "Yes, it is. But with me here, you don't need to be afraid. House gave us permission to come." He understood her fear, having experienced it himself, and offered encouragement. Maria, brave and resilient, gathered her courage after his reassurance.

The courtyard, neglected since House's death, exuded a musty odor. Items lay broken and covered in dust, with many belongings pilfered by village children who sold the valuables in town for treats.

Zhao Lun was unfazed by the theft, as he had hidden the truly valuable items. The rest were insignificant trinkets.

He lit a candle, illuminating the dusty interior laden with cobwebs. Despite the eerie atmosphere, Maria found no sign of a gift.

"Brother?" Maria had dozed off when House spoke of the gift and was now puzzled by their treasure hunt.

"Be patient. We're almost there," Zhao Lun assured her, methodically following House's instructions to locate the hidden treasure.

In the wall, Zhao Lun discovered a concealed entrance. He removed the dusty floorboards, revealing a trapdoor beneath a layer of soil. Beneath the trapdoor, he found a subterranean space housing a single chest, heavy and cumbersome even for him.

Rather than use his mystical powers to effortlessly retrieve the chest, Zhao Lun relied on his strength, returning the bricks and floorboards to their original state before leaving no trace of their visit.

Maria, curious about the elaborate process, soon forgot her questions upon seeing the chest's contents and became elated. The night's adventure was an unforgettable thrill for her.

By the time they reached home, Zhao Lun was exhausted and regretted bringing Maria along. If he had been alone, he could have used his powers to transport the chest with ease.

The chest was unlocked and opened easily. Maria, having sneaked a peek earlier, was eager to confirm her discovery.

"Shall we open it?" Maria asked, eyes gleaming with anticipation.

"Go ahead," Zhao Lun replied.

Inside, they found no treasures, but stacks of banknotes. Fifty bundles of one hundred-pound notes, totaling fifty thousand pounds.

"So much money! We're rich!" Maria exclaimed, momentarily overwhelmed by the sight of so much money, the likes of which she had never seen.

"Is that all? If it's just money, why is the chest so heavy?" Zhao Lun wondered. Beneath the money, he uncovered three ornate boxes. Maria eagerly opened them to reveal a set of purple teapots and teacups, crafted in the shape of pumpkins with golden floral designs and lion motifs.

The second box contained a set of bamboo-shaped porcelain coffee cups, plates, and spoons, their delicate craftsmanship dazzling.

The largest box revealed an elegant set of tableware, including plates, bowls, and chopsticks, all made of pristine porcelain with a jade-like luster. The fusion of Chinese and Western designs made them exquisite works of art.

These porcelain sets, meticulously crafted for his father, remained unused due to his father's rejection. House, moved by Zhao Lun and Maria's familial bond, bequeathed them these precious items.

Maria was enchanted by the beauty of the tableware, holding them close with joy. Ever since her beloved bowl broke, she had yearned for something special. Now, these exquisite pieces filled that void.

"Alright, Maria, let's clean up and take a bath. Your face is all smudged like a little kitten," Zhao Lun teased, noticing the dust and cobwebs adorning her. Maria smiled, reluctant to part from the treasures but obediently followed his lead.