Chapter 1 — Going Thousand Years Later

On the southern outskirts of the city, a thousand-year-old tomb was excavated, and then... I suddenly became famous. Just because I have the same face as the female owner in the painting found in the tomb. Since then, a series of strange events continuously happened in my life. I always see a young master wearing a moon-colored long robe. He told me that... in my previous life, I was his wife.

1

When my circle of friends on social networks exploded, I was still working overtime at the company. A series of WeChat messages and calls poured in. My phone vibrated wildly as if possessed, almost making me drop the cup of coffee in my hand. I opened a short video link sent by a friend. Then I discovered a news that was causing chaos all over the internet - The southern suburbs of the city unearthed a thousand-year-old ancient tomb, and archaeological experts published an AI-rendered painting of the female owner of the tomb. And I—looked exactly like the ancient woman in that painting. My first reaction was that it was interesting, quite fun. Staring at the painting on the screen, it truly feels like looking into a real mirror. But I didn't think too much, I packed my things and prepared to leave. Anyway, I understand clearly—this fever will subside soon. Until then, I was still me, an ordinary office worker with nothing special.

2

It was already late when I got home from work, and there were only a few people on the bus who came home late like me. The small screen on the car's ceiling was also broadcasting news about the excavation. Experts in the program said that the tomb dates back to about a thousand years ago, initially identifying it as belonging to the Northern Song period. The scale of the tomb is extremely massive, with countless rare treasures buried in the tomb, proving that the owner is definitely a person of noble origin. Based on the excavated skeleton, experts determined that when she died, the female owner was only about twenty years old. In the past, girls all got married early, and she was probably no exception. Moreover, she is also the main wife, her position is official and well-respected. In the past, people attached great importance to the main family, especially in noble families, and husband and wife often had the custom of being buried after death. But in this stone coffin, besides the remains of the female owner, there is absolutely no trace of her husband. The tomb has great historical research value. Currently, the archaeological team is continuing to investigate the identity and life of the female owner, and will continuously update the progress. The news ended, leaving only the sound of the wind whistling through the window of the car speeding into the night. I couldn't help but open the restored photo of the female owner. The bus passed through rows of streetlights and the variegated shadows of sycamore trees, suddenly a strange feeling arose in my heart. I quietly looked at the eyes in the photo, for some reason I felt an indescribable insecurity, as if those eyes were holding all my thoughts tightly. Luckily, the car just arrived at the station. I shivered in surprise, quickly put my bag on, got out of the car, and hurried home.

3

I have walked the road from the bus stop to the apartment complex countless times, but tonight I felt scared for the first time. Even though I see things online as just a coincidence, when it comes to myself, I still believe that it's better to believe something than nothing. Just thinking about this, I raised my head—my steps suddenly stopped. On the sidewalk, about fifteen meters away from me, there was a figure wearing a moon robe standing quietly. He was wearing a long robe, his hair was tied in a high bun, secured with a jade hairpin, his elegant appearance seemed like he had stepped out of an ancient painting. In this quiet night, his appearance became even more out of place. My legs felt like they were filled with lead and I couldn't lift them up. A stream of coldness rose from the marrow of my bones. He stood facing me, not moving for a long time. Under the yellow streetlights, the shadow of the variegated sycamore trees made that person's face even more unpredictable, but I knew - his eyes were resting on me. All kinds of thoughts swirled in my head, wondering if anything would happen if I turned around and ran away. At this moment, from the beginning of the street, a couple of men and women walked and talked. My tense heart immediately subsided, like a drowning man grasping for a stake, my grateful eyes looked towards them. When I turned around—the figure in front had disappeared. He came without a trace, left without leaving any afterimage, just like a ghost...

4

I spent the whole night in anxiety and insecurity. When I woke up in the morning and was getting ready to go to work, my boss called and said he would give me a few days off. The fever about ancient tombs is much bigger than expected. My daily life photos were posted online by bad guys, and are currently spreading across social platforms. The popularity of this news is even more exaggerated thanks to mysterious elements. Many people have created all kinds of wild theories, some even wrote a thrilling past life story just for me. If I go out now, even if I get to the company safely, I will definitely be surrounded like a celebrity. My boss did this because he wanted to be good for me, but even if I took time off from work, I still needed to go out and buy things. I don't know if I'm too suspicious, but along the way, I always feel like something is following me. However, every time I turned my head to look, I couldn't find anything. I didn't dare stay outside for too long. After buying things, I hurriedly went home. As soon as I entered the door, before I could even let go of the knob, a feeling of insecurity hit me, sending chills down my spine. That thing… probably followed me inside. I've lived alone for many years and have gotten used to the quietness of the apartment. Therefore, I can immediately feel any excess existence in the house. In my mind, the figure of the man in ancient uniform that I met last night at the bus stop immediately appeared in my mind. Could it be… it's him?

5

To confirm my guess, I decided to do an experiment. While cooking, I pretended to accidentally spill a layer of flour on the floor. After pouring, I didn't clean up at all, still maintaining a calm expression, but the corners of my eyes were always glued to that area. Soon, a series of footprints began to appear on the white powder. It walked halfway and seemed to realize that it had been exposed. It immediately stopped, the next footprints were no longer printed on the floor. And then... disappeared. But I got the answer I needed. In that moment, a chill ran from the tips of my fingers to the roots of my teeth. I instinctively wanted to rush out the door. But then reason immediately pulled me again—he could follow me into the house, so where else could he not follow me? More importantly, if it discovered that I was aware of its existence, what would it do to me? My mind was chaotic, my heart was pounding, fear spread like an underground wave.

6

Report to the police? I will definitely be considered crazy... Fear filled every corner of my head. Finally, I cowered like a panicked cat or small dog, instinctively looking for a tight place to hide. I took a pair of scissors, walked into the bathroom and locked the door. At this point, I realized it wasn't following me. A fleeting feeling of safety made me temporarily relax a bit. But I don't dare go out anymore. I texted the only person I could confide in—Nghi Dung, telling her to come find me at home. She didn't answer on WeChat but called directly. Just when I was stressed to the limit, the phone suddenly rang. I was startled and reflexively swung my hand—the phone fell to the floor. I fell to my knees, my back sliding along the cold wall, my head hitting the toilet wall so hard, the pain was so dizzy. I quickly covered my mouth with my hand, not daring to make a sound. But unfortunately the noise just now was too loud—enough to attract that thing outside. I opened my eyes wide, my body stiffened, my heart cold as ice. Behind the bathroom curtain... a pair of legs appeared. It's a man's foot. He wore a pair of white shoes embroidered with silver thread, clean, noble, without any dust. His steps when entering were very hurried, as if he was worried about me. Now, he stood right outside, just a thin curtain away from me, his silhouette vaguely printed on the pale fabric. Sure enough, it was the person I met last night... My heart beat so fiercely, it was almost about to jump out of my chest.

“Hehehe.”

A clear, gentle voice rang out. I was stunned—this voice was strangely familiar. At the same time, a hand slowly reached out, touched the edge of the curtain, and gently pulled it aside. Light poured in from outside, erasing the darkness. I held my breath, forgot all fear, raised my head— Waiting for the moment I saw his face.

7

It was a face I seemed to have seen somewhere before. Not at all as scary or gloomy as I imagined, on the contrary, he has a handsome appearance, a noble demeanor, exuding an elegance that perfectly matches his long robes. Furthermore, his eyes looked at me—completely without malice. I raised my head to look at him, and in my vague memory suddenly appeared the image of pale purple flowers blooming on the tree branches. Falling flowers, scattered fog. In a quiet pavilion, he held a brush, occasionally glanced at me, slowly drawing ink... The phone suddenly rang again, more intensely. I momentarily lost focus and reflexively glanced down at my phone lying on the floor. By the time I raised my head again— He was gone.