[Chapter Six ] The Shocking Inside Story
Chapter 6: A Gentle Trap
18
Night fell quietly. At the entrance of the Forgotten Forest, within a stretch of shadow, Wilson wore a waiter’s uniform and held a wooden signboard in his hand. He planted the sign into the grass. On the sign, written in English, were the words: “The hotel is undergoing interior renovation; accommodation services are temporarily suspended.”
Wilson then unfolded an old spring mattress and laid it across the road, as if setting up a barrier. He reclined diagonally on the bed, holding a can of cold beer, sipping it leisurely, his eyes half-closed as he enjoyed the stillness.
Not far away, the Dragon Knight led a small squad of Imperial Guards out from the mural in Room 504. The Dragon Knight was disguised as Robert, while the members of the Imperial Guard had all changed into waiter uniforms. They quickly dispersed and began their operation to hunt down the evil spirits.
One waiter walked toward the fourth floor and suddenly encountered another waiter who looked exactly like him. He froze, unable to comprehend what he was seeing. The other figure moved as swiftly as the wind, circling behind him and striking the back of his head with one hand. The waiter instantly lost balance and collapsed to the ground, while the figure swiftly dragged him into a room and hid him without mercy.
The Dragon Knight, in the form of Robert, walked to the door of his room. Narrowing his eyes, he used a penetrating gaze to scan the interior. He discovered that the real Robert was in the bathroom, taking a bath. The impostor Robert immediately used a phasing technique to silently enter the room and hid behind a full-length mirror.
The real Robert emerged wearing a bathrobe, standing before the mirror and shaving. His eyes still carried a trace of relaxation. But when he saw, in the mirror, another version of himself standing with arms crossed and a cold smile, he was startled. He quickly stepped back, trembling as he asked, “You—who are you? Why are you playing tricks on me like this?”
The reflection sneered, pointing a finger at him, its voice cold: “I am your conscience! Robert, you have been working with the Andre Group and abusing innocent people, and yet you refuse to confess?”
Upon hearing “the Andre Group,” Robert immediately understood that the person before him must be an elite subordinate of Princess Maria. His heart began to race, and he decided to strike first. He threw a punch, attempting to shatter the figure in the mirror.
However, strangely, the mirror did not break. Instead, half of his right hand entered the mirror and was seized at the elbow by the reflection. Instantly, his arm went numb, unable to move.
The reflection’s gaze was sharp as a blade as it shouted coldly: “You monster! You are near death, and you still try to play tricks?”
“Please, please, spare me!” Robert pleaded in panic, his voice filled with fear.
The reflection’s expression remained stern, its tone unchanged: “Crushing you would be as easy as crushing an anthill. If you want to live, you must abandon the darkness!”
A storm surged within Robert’s heart. Knowing that refusal would likely mean instant death, he gritted his teeth and nodded. His voice carried helplessness and fear: “Yes, yes! I will change! I will serve the princess!”
A trace of satisfaction appeared on the reflection’s face. It extended a hand from beyond the mirror, offering a blood-red pill, and said firmly: “Good. You are wise. Swallow this Dragon Blood Pill and come with me to see the princess.”
Robert took the pill reluctantly and swallowed it without hesitation. His entire body trembled as he felt a strange force flow into him, as though his very life force were being dominated by the medicine.
“May I ask who you are…?” Robert asked cautiously, his voice trembling slightly.
The reflection smiled faintly and raised a hand to wipe across its face, revealing its true appearance. Its form was tall like a dragon, with scaled arms and a dragon’s head atop a human body. In that instant, Robert understood—this was the legendary Dragon Knight.
A mixture of awe and terror surged within him. A thought flashed through his mind:
“This conspiracy has only just begun.”
19
In the stillness of late night, Lin Xiaoyang was immersed in a deep dream. He felt as though he were floating in a boundless sea of clouds, surrounded by hazy light and shadow.
Suddenly, a figure appeared within the dream. It was a middle-aged man in an elegant suit, his gaze gentle yet profound, standing by the bed and smiling at him.
Lin Xiaoyang was startled. The man before him was Huang Lihua. His figure, in the dim light, seemed to carry a mysterious aura, causing unease in Lin Xiaoyang’s heart.
“Thank you for helping me establish a foundation that has benefited many students,” Huang Lihua said in a deep and powerful voice, as if piercing through the mist of the dream and reaching Lin Xiaoyang’s heart. “My granddaughter, Huang Minhua, will apply for the foundation’s scholarship. Next spring, in March, she will come to the shores of Lake Lucerne to paint and will stay at the Paradise Hotel.”
Lin Xiaoyang frowned slightly and opened his eyes, asking drowsily, “I understand. Do you want me to go back and take your granddaughter away from the hotel?”
The dream felt increasingly strange, as though he had been drawn into an unknown conspiracy.
Huang Lihua shook his head gently, a meaningful smile appearing on his face. “No. I want you to return to the shores of Lake Lucerne and help me manage the Paradise Hotel.”
Lin Xiaoyang widened his eyes in surprise. “You want me to become the boss of a group of vampires?”
Huang Lihua’s smile remained gentle, but his eyes flashed with determination. “Of course not. Renovate the hotel, recruit new staff, and reopen it to provide accommodation for traveling artists. More importantly, you must help take care of my granddaughter, Huang Minhua.”
Huang Lihua’s calm tone left Lin Xiaoyang at a loss. He stepped back slightly, eyes wide, trying to process everything. Huang Lihua then handed him a beautifully wrapped envelope. Inside, there was the sound of solid objects colliding.
“Inside is a savings account and a book of traveler’s checks. From now on, you are the owner of the hotel—and the husband of my granddaughter, Minhua.”
“But I have never met your granddaughter Huang Minhua. How can I make such a rash promise?” Lin Xiaoyang asked, his voice filled with confusion as the envelope in his hand seemed to grow heavier.
Huang Lihua smiled mysteriously, his eyes glowing. “Your marriage with Minhua was destined long ago. In fact, you should have met her before. Think carefully. By helping me, you have also helped yourself. I will cast a spell to grant you some of my painting abilities. When you wake up, you will be able to attract Minhua’s attention with these skills.”
He then placed a photograph into Lin Xiaoyang’s hand. It was a candid photo of a girl. Her long hair flowed like a waterfall, her features delicate and graceful, her gaze carrying an indescribable charm that could move the heart.
“Use this photo to draw a charcoal sketch of her. After the hotel reopens, frame it and place it at the entrance. She will become curious and enter the hotel to stay.”
Lin Xiaoyang unconsciously touched the photograph. A strange sense of familiarity surged within him, as though he had already met her before.
Then he suddenly recalled Huang Lihua’s final words:
“You will stay in Room 504. Do not touch the mural on the wall. That is my entrance and exit. During the day, I will come out for a walk.”
Huang Lihua’s figure began to blur. He murmured a spell, and the room was instantly filled with a thin layer of luminous mist. Before Lin Xiaoyang could react, Huang Lihua vanished, leaving behind an eerie silence.
As morning light streamed through the floor-to-ceiling windows, Lin Xiaoyang slowly awoke and stretched. As he stepped out of bed, his gaze fell upon a kraft paper envelope on the desk, and his heart skipped a beat.
Inside were all the items he had seen in the dream: a set of keys, a French property deed, a savings account, and a book of traveler’s checks.
Most striking was the photograph of Huang Minhua. Her long hair flowed gracefully, and her eyes carried an indescribable allure. Lin Xiaoyang’s heartbeat quickened uncontrollably. The feeling—both familiar and unfamiliar—made him pause.
He examined the photograph again and again, murmuring softly,
“Is this girl… my future wife?”
He felt an unknown force stirring deep within him, making it impossible to look away.
After a moment, he gently set the photograph down, took a deep breath, and walked toward the bathroom to wash up.
Yet Huang Lihua’s mysterious words continued to echo in his mind.
Silently, he made a vow—no matter what, he would uncover the truth behind all of this himself.
20
The Louvre in Paris, as always, exuded a captivating charm. In the long white corridors, soft footsteps echoed gently, and priceless works of art hung all around, attracting visitors from all over the world.
Lin Xiaoyang stood before an Impressionist oil painting, concentrating intently on the world of interwoven colors on the canvas. His gaze wandered among the vibrant artworks, but the surrounding noise was gradually interrupted by a familiar scent of perfume, causing him to frown slightly.
The fragrance was fresh and sweet, carrying a subtle floral note. He could not help but turn his head to look. Not far away, a woman with golden hair draped over her shoulders was strolling through the exhibition hall. She wore an elegant off-white dress. Although there were many visitors moving about in the crowd, her confidence and refined temperament made her stand out distinctly.
Lin Xiaoyang froze. A strange sense of familiarity rose in his heart. This familiarity came not only from her scent, but also from the slight Eastern charm in her profile. His gaze lingered for a moment on her golden hair and delicate features, and a name surfaced in his mind: “Huijun?”
He instinctively walked toward her. His footsteps echoed softly on the floor as he gradually approached her from the front, carefully examining her facial features. His heart began to beat faster uncontrollably. “No way… those features really look alike…” he thought to himself, and a trace of anticipation unconsciously appeared on his face.
Gathering his courage, Lin Xiaoyang took a deep breath, slightly opened his mouth, and asked in English, “Excuse me, are you from Taiwan?”
Hearing his voice, the woman turned slightly. A calm smile appeared between her brows and eyes. Her tone was composed and confident, with a hint of playfulness. “I understand Chinese, sir.”
Upon hearing this reply, Lin Xiaoyang was taken aback. The sense of familiarity he had expected was shattered in that instant, and confusion filled his heart. “Sir? Why does her voice sound exactly like Huijun’s? How is that possible? Could she really be Huijun?” His mind was in chaos. He could not help but wonder, “Why does she seem completely unfamiliar with me?”
He frowned slightly, trying to sort out his thoughts, and said softly, “Miss, I’m sorry. I mistook you for an old friend of mine…”
The woman did not seem offended. Instead, she gave a reserved smile, one that resembled a familiar memory. “Sir, I often encounter this kind of approach,” she said lightly, her tone teasing, with a hint of curiosity in her eyes.
Lin Xiaoyang immediately felt embarrassed. He unconsciously touched his hair, his cheeks slightly flushed. Forcing a smile, he hurriedly apologized, “Sorry, I got the wrong person.” He inwardly regretted his behavior, feeling somewhat awkward.
He stepped away a few paces, then turned back to look at her figure from behind. Her steps were light as she moved through the crowd, seemingly unaware that Lin Xiaoyang’s gaze was following her every movement. Although confusion still lingered in his heart, he knew that he could not continue to question her any further. Despite the lingering sense of familiarity, he understood that he could no longer break through the distance of unfamiliarity between them.
He slowly moved his feet, still unable to resist glancing at her from time to time. Yet he knew that perhaps this encounter was nothing more than a fleeting intersection between two strangers, leaving behind only a brief memory in this ancient museum.
21
On the bustling shopping street, crowds of pedestrians moved back and forth, and the shops on both sides of the street glittered with dazzling lights.
Annie walked lightly along the sidewalk, wearing an elegant white dress, with a luxurious designer handbag hanging from her wrist. Her steps were calm and unhurried. Her golden hair fluttered gently in the breeze, drawing the casual attention of passersby.
Lin Xiaoyang quietly followed behind her, lowering his head and pulling down the brim of his cap slightly, trying not to attract attention. From time to time, his gaze swept toward Annie. His heart was filled with uneasy questions, yet he did not dare to approach her directly. Whenever Annie stopped to look at the shop displays, he would unconsciously slow his pace, keeping a certain distance.
At that moment, Annie’s attention was suddenly drawn to a figure that appeared out of nowhere. It was a tall Black young man. He quickly passed by her side, a cunning glint flashing in his eyes. In an instant, he lunged forward, grabbed her handbag, and pulled her to the ground.
Annie cried out in shock, placing her hands on the ground as she tried to stand up. But the young man had already begun running in the direction where Lin Xiaoyang stood.
Lin Xiaoyang’s heartbeat quickened. Instinctively, he stepped into a firm stance, his feet planted like solid rock. His eyes locked onto the oncoming figure. His muscles tensed slightly, ready to strike.
The young man charged at him with lightning speed. But at the moment of impact, Lin Xiaoyang stood as immovable as steel. Fearlessly, he met the attack head-on. His strong body was like a boulder. The young man collided with him unexpectedly, instantly losing his balance and crashing heavily to the ground.
Without hesitation, Lin Xiaoyang stepped forward in a swift motion, bent down, and grabbed the young man by the collar with one hand. With a sudden exertion of strength, he effortlessly lifted the large man into the air. The young man dangled like a rag doll, his feet off the ground, his eyes filled with fear and helplessness.
Passersby stopped in shock, staring at the scene, whispering among themselves in amazement and admiration at Lin Xiaoyang’s strength.
With his other hand, Lin Xiaoyang firmly grasped the handbag and quickly retrieved it. Then, calmly, he pushed the young man backward. The man was thrown off balance, tumbling twice before crashing heavily onto the ground, rolling his eyes back as he lost consciousness.
The surrounding crowd erupted in exclamations and applause, cheering for Lin Xiaoyang’s bravery.
A trace of surprise and admiration flashed in Annie’s eyes. She carefully observed Lin Xiaoyang’s strong arms, and a faint smile appeared on her lips. Inwardly, she thought, “Yes, it’s you.”
Lin Xiaoyang walked toward Annie and gently handed the handbag back to her. His movements were smooth and controlled, as if everything were within his grasp.
Annie accepted the bag, her face full of gratitude, a soft light flickering in her eyes. “Sir, how can I express my thanks to you?” she said, lowering her head slightly, her tone sincere and gentle, her gaze meeting his.
Lin Xiaoyang smiled lightly and waved his hand casually. “It’s nothing. Miss, are you alright?” His voice carried a relaxed tone, as if what had just happened was merely a small episode in daily life.
Annie brushed the dust off her dress and smiled warmly, a hint of playfulness in her eyes. “I’m fine. But you saved me. Would you allow me to treat you to a cup of coffee as a token of my gratitude?” Her tone was soft and light, with a subtle sense of invitation.
Lin Xiaoyang paused for a moment, then curved his lips into a faint smile. He glanced around and said softly, “Then I won’t refuse.”
His voice was low and calm. Soon after, the two of them walked together toward a café at the corner of the street, an unspoken understanding and ease forming quietly between them.
22
In the corner of the café, soft lighting reflected off the coffee cups on the table, and the air was filled with a rich aroma of coffee. At the center of the table sat a pair of elegant porcelain cups, their white surfaces faintly reflecting the light. Annie and Xiaoyang sat by the window, facing each other. Annie gently held her cup, slightly lowered her head, and savored her latte, while Xiaoyang casually stirred the black coffee in his cup, occasionally lifting his head to meet her gaze.
Annie smiled, gently set down her cup, and spoke in a sincere yet relaxed tone: “Thank you for helping me out just now. It all happened so suddenly. My name is Annie.”
Xiaoyang smiled slightly upon hearing this, put down his cup, and replied in a relaxed manner: “You’re welcome, it just happened that I was there. Your name is Annie—it’s very nice. My name is Lin Xiaoyang.”
As Annie listened to Xiaoyang’s name, the corners of her lips lifted slightly. A trace of curiosity arose in her heart toward this name that felt both strange and familiar. She knew very well that Xiaoyang had been following her all along, yet the street robbery incident had unexpectedly become the starting point of their acquaintance. She gently raised her eyebrows and asked curiously: “Judging from your moves just now, it seems you’ve practiced some Chinese martial arts?”
A hint of delight flashed in Xiaoyang’s eyes. He playfully raised his eyebrows, seemingly a bit proud of the question: “You saw through it. When I was young, I learned some Shaolin martial arts from my grandfather. Back then, I went through quite a bit of hardship.” He smiled slightly, his tone carrying a warmth of recollection.
A smile curved at the corner of Annie’s lips. She nodded lightly, appearing interested in this past: “Shaolin martial arts? That must be quite impressive.”
Xiaoyang paused briefly, then changed the topic: “Annie, are you traveling in Paris?”
Annie gently caressed the coffee cup in her hand, her eyes lowering slightly. After a moment of thought, she responded casually: “Yes, I’m traveling in Paris. The artistic atmosphere here makes me feel relaxed and delighted.”
Xiaoyang nodded, a trace of contemplation flashing in his eyes. Then he spoke: “Annie, you really look a lot like an old friend of mine.” As he spoke, he took out a photograph from his wallet. In the photo was a gentle-looking girl. Xiaoyang handed the photograph to Annie.
Annie took the photograph, her fingertips lightly brushing its edges. She gazed at the girl in the photo. Suddenly, fragmented images flashed through her mind, but those memories were as elusive as mist, impossible to piece together into a complete sequence. She frowned slightly, a doubt arising in her heart: “How is this possible…”
Seeing Annie’s expression become somewhat strange, Xiaoyang asked in confusion: “Annie, have you really never been to Taiwan?”
Annie shook her head, a faint smile appearing at the corners of her lips. A trace of disappointment flashed in Xiaoyang’s eyes, and he silently lowered his head.
Annie gently returned the photograph to Xiaoyang. Her expression softened, and her voice became low and steady: “The girl in the photo does indeed look very much like me. May I ask, is she your girlfriend?”
Xiaoyang was slightly stunned upon hearing this. Then a trace of nostalgia and pain flashed in his eyes. He took a deep breath and slowly began: “Yes, her name is Xie Huijun. Like me, she is from Taiwan. We were university classmates, and later we were in a relationship for more than four years. But one day we had an argument, and she left Taiwan in anger, saying she wanted to come to Europe to clear her mind. Since then, we lost contact. The reason I came to Europe is actually to find her.” His tone carried a trace of helplessness, and his eyes were filled with hope.
Listening to his story, Annie could not help but feel a sense of sympathy and emotion arise in her heart. She lowered her head and softly comforted him: “I see. Xiaoyang, I believe fate will surely help you, after all, you are so sincere.”
After hearing this, gratitude appeared in Xiaoyang’s eyes. He lifted his head and looked at Annie seriously: “Annie, may I come to see you often?”
Annie smiled lightly, a playful glint in her eyes. Without drawing attention, she handed the photograph back to him again, then said casually: “Of course. But I travel frequently and don’t stay in one place. If you want to find me, just call my mobile phone.” She took out a business card printed in both Chinese and English from her bag and handed it to Xiaoyang, her tone gentle and at ease.
Xiaoyang took the card, feeling a soft sensation at his fingertips. He looked up at Annie, a trace of excitement flashing in his eyes: “Annie, you’re from Shanghai? That’s not too far from Taipei.”
Annie smiled and nodded: “Yes.”
Xiaoyang gently put down the card, took a deep breath, and said with a hint of anticipation: “Once I finish what I need to do here, I will definitely go find you.”
The corners of Annie’s lips lifted slightly, a hint of challenge in her eyes: “Alright, I’ll be waiting for you.”
As their words intertwined and a silent understanding flowed between them, the distance between the two seemed to shorten. The café’s soft light illuminated their conversation, and also illuminated this unexpected encounter that had quietly become fate.
