Simone carefully observed Mr. Nielsen's expression, and the revelation about ancestral graves did not surprise her.
She asked, "Has someone discussed this topic with you before?" Mr. Nielsen, not trying to hide it, nodded.
"Yes. My parents had consecutive accidents and ended up in the hospital. It was there that I met a geomancy master," he revealed. "He shared an interesting piece of wisdom, mentioning that if my philtrum turned black, my family would experience frequent mishaps. At first, I dismissed it as mere superstition."
"But when my son fell seriously ill and ended up in the hospital, I met him again. That's when I decided to take the initiative and inquire," Mr. Nielsen explained. "He revealed that there was a complication with my family's ancestral grave, and unless it was addressed, my wife would be the next to face misfortune. And soon after, the same fate would befall me," he added, acknowledging the unsettling prophecy.
"This time, I trusted his words and sought his help in examining our ancestral grave," he admitted, recognizing the seriousness of the situation. "Of course, I knew I had to compensate the geomancy master, so I asked him about the amount he considered suitable. Surprisingly, he declined any monetary compensation. Instead, he mentioned that he knew about my passion for collecting antiques, which was also an interest of his."
"He proposed an interesting arrangement—if he helped resolve the ancestral grave issue, he requested an antique as compensation. After careful consideration, I decided to bring him home to choose an antique as compensation," Mr. Nielsen recounted, emphasizing the significance of the arrangement.
"Little did I expect, the antique he chose happened to be a cauldron, a family heirloom that had been passed down through generations and required careful preservation," Mr. Nielsen revealed, acknowledging the unexpected twist in the story.
"At that moment, the thought of parting with it was unbearable, and I found myself hesitating," Mr. Nielsen admitted, recognizing his sentimental attachment to the cherished family heirloom.
Mr. Nielsen paused, then continued, "He didn't pressure me into making a decision; instead, he advised me to take my time and think it through. He left me with his contact information, assuring me that I could reach out if I decided to proceed, and encouraged me to give him a call."
"But he attached one condition—I had to use the cauldron as the designated compensation," Mr. Nielsen added.
"Afterward, the more I thought about it, the more uneasy I felt. I couldn't shake the feeling that this person had appeared too conveniently, as if he had known about the cauldron's existence in my family for a long time. But because it had been in my family for generations and unseen by anyone outside, it struck me as strange when he not only identified its location but also directed me to retrieve the cauldron," Mr. Nielsen pondered.
Mr. Nielsen turned to Simone and said, "My assistant contacted me to advocate for a male character's supporting role on behalf of one of your company's artists. Given your remarkable skills as a geomancy master, I thought it would be worthwhile to talk to you."
Having spent many years in the industry, he had seen many dark sides.
The seemingly coincidental arrival of the geomancy master made him skeptical, and he couldn't fully believe the situation.
Doubts lingered in his mind, suspecting that the other party might have hidden motives.
Impressed by Simone's proficiency in geomancy and mystical arts displayed during her livestream, he had a glimmer of hope. As a result, he scheduled a meeting with her to discuss further.
The meeting wouldn't have happened if Simone hadn't contacted his assistant first.
After his wife's unfortunate accident and hospitalization due to a broken leg, he proactively reached out to the geomancy master.
If the master proved effective in resolving his family's issues, he would reluctantly part with the cherished ancestral cauldron as a token of gratitude.
Ultimately, despite the sentimental value of the family heirloom, he realized that the well-being and lives of his family members were more important.
Nevertheless, he decided to proceed with the meeting with Simone.
During their meeting, even before he brought up the topic, Simone astutely sensed the underlying issue affecting his family.
This decision brought him satisfaction, as he was relieved that he hadn't canceled the appointment over the phone and had chosen to come in person.
Listening attentively, Simone furrowed her brows slightly and commented, "The appearance of this master does seem quite coincidental."
"May I see your cauldron?" She couldn't shake the feeling that the master had orchestrated everything with careful planning.
There was an air of assurance, as if he knew for certain that Mr. Nielsen had no choice but to seek his help.
In light of this, Simone's curiosity about the cauldron grew stronger.
Mr. Nielsen agreed, saying, "Certainly, let's go to my house now to examine the cauldron." Urgency crept into his voice, fueled by the series of accidents that had befallen his family members.
According to the master's words, what had happened so far was just the beginning.
If the ancestral grave issue was not addressed promptly, his family members would remain vulnerable to ongoing danger, the geomancy master had warned.
Simone nodded and said, "Alright, let's go to your house now. Mr. Crayson, are you coming with us or going back to the studio?" Mr. Crayson, too, was intrigued by his manager's geomancy skills.
Having only seen it during livestreams, he was eager to witness Simone's abilities in person.
Mr. Nielsen, a respected figure in the film industry, was highly regarded for his philanthropic efforts.
Year after year, Mr. Nielsen and his wife ventured into impoverished mountain areas, extending a helping hand to the elderly and offering support to children who couldn't afford education.
Their commitment to philanthropy extended to consistent donations to various medical charities over many years.
For a decade, they had maintained a steadfast commitment, avoiding high-profile publicity and instead displaying genuine sincerity without any theatrics.
Through this cauldron, Simone revealed the accumulated blessings of the Nielsen Family.
Thus, Mr. Nielsen's philanthropic efforts could be considered a long-standing family tradition.
This item could be seen as a high-quality magical tool, which explains the geomancy expert's keen interest in it.
When used in rituals, it possesses an extraordinary amplifying and empowering influence.
Upon hearing Simone's words, Mr. Nielsen suddenly understood everything that had been unclear before.
It was no surprise that the ancestral teachings of the Nielsen Family required each generation to engage in virtuous deeds, accumulate merits, and protect this cauldron.
As a result, this cauldron had been nurtured by the accumulated merits of their family for many generations.
"Master Gray, could you use your expertise to address the issue with my family's ancestral grave?"
Simone responded with a confident nod, saying, "Absolutely, I'm here to help."
Mr. Nielsen couldn't help but ask, "What are your terms for this assistance? Do you, by any chance, want to possess this cauldron?" If so, it would indeed put him in a difficult situation.
The internal debate continued: should he give in and hand it over or stand firm and keep the cauldron?
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