[Seven] Xiaoyang’s Predestined Woman

Lin Xiaoyang returned to Lake Lucerne, where Paradise Hotel’s doors were locked. The stone statues in the garden had been removed.

Xiaoyang unlocked the door and moved his belongings into Room 504, then went down to the lobby, where Wilson appeared at the entrance.

Wilson said in halting Chinese: “Boss, I’m here to apply for a job.”
Xiaoyang, surprised, said: “I just got back from Paris, and here you are.”
Wilson: “Huang Lihua notified me.”

Xiaoyang, puzzled: “Huang Lihua? Didn’t he turn into a stone statue?”
Wilson, mysterious: “Some friends and police rescued him.”
Xiaoyang: “Is he healthy?”
Wilson: “Yes, he’s well and nearby for travel.”
Xiaoyang: “Good. I need a manager; you can handle it?”
Wilson, confidently: “Yes, Boss.”

Xiaoyang continued: “I’ll need more staff; will you recruit them?”
Wilson: “No problem, Boss.”
Xiaoyang: “Preferably young staff; after reopening, I want a lively atmosphere.”
Wilson: “Understood, Boss.”

Xiaoyang: “You know this place; I want to renovate the hotel. Can you find workers?”
Wilson signaled OK: “Sure, I have friends; I’ll bring them.”
Xiaoyang: “Learn Chinese fast. In the next few days, help move Huang Lihua’s artworks, pack them; I’ll notify museums in France to collect them.”
Wilson: “Boss, leave a few for decoration?”
Xiaoyang: “Good idea. I’ll select some. I’ll return to Paris soon to discuss the collection with museum directors. In my absence, we’ll stay in touch via video.”
Wilson: “Okay, Boss.”

With a phone and camera in his pocket, Xiaoyang rode a bicycle along the lakeside road to a small park with an open-air stage. About two hundred spectators watched performers mimic birds, frogs, dogs, car horns, and brakes. Xiaoyang photographed and enjoyed the show.

Next, acrobats juggled bowling balls and spun discs. Xiaoyang took more photos. As he was leaving, the young mimic approached: “Are you Mr. Lin?”
Xiaoyang: “Yes, I am.”
“My name is Adornod. Nice to meet you!” they shook hands.
Adornod: “Someone told me you’d give me a job.”
Xiaoyang: “Oh? Who?”
Adornod: “Mr. Huang, an old artist.”
Xiaoyang: “All right! Come to Paradise Hotel; I’ll give you a job. See you later.”

Back at the hotel, Wilson and Robert bowed. Xiaoyang, surprised: “Why is the old manager here again?”
Wilson: “Boss, I found Robert. He’s reformed; he knows this place and can help.”
Xiaoyang: “Fine, I respect your arrangement.”

He saw Huang Lihua reading coffee by the lake. Approaching him, Xiaoyang happily said: “Nice to see you again!”
Huang: “Who did you meet in Paris?”
Xiaoyang briefly summarized his meetings with three museum directors.

Huang, pleased: “Thanks for your efforts, Xiaoyang. My granddaughter, Huang Minhua, will appear the day after tomorrow.”
Xiaoyang: “Oh? How do you know?”
Huang tapped his temple, smiling mysteriously: “My sixth sense tells me. Draw her portrait these two days and place it at the entrance.”
Xiaoyang: “Got it.”
Huang: “When Minhua arrives, bring her into the mural to meet me. I’ll convince her this isn’t an illusion.”
Xiaoyang: “Understood.”

In the evening, a Chinese girl with a backpack arrived at the front desk—not with long hair, but wearing overalls and a short crop, appearing boyish. She used gestures to communicate with the receptionist, pointing at two sketches by the entrance.

Minhua approached Xiaoyang, asking: “Excuse me, are you…?”
Xiaoyang smiled: “I’m Lin Xiaoyang, the hotel owner.”
Minhua asked about the sketches. Xiaoyang said: “I made them.”
Curious, she asked how he had her photo. Xiaoyang glanced toward a corner for Huang Lihua, who was not present.

Minhua asked: “Your…?”
Xiaoyang, suddenly recalling a figure: “Could you be the art teacher who substituted my class at Pinglin Middle School three years ago?”
“Ah! You are Teacher Lin! How did you come here?” Minhua recognized him.
Xiaoyang: “I’m traveling in Europe and stayed here.”
Minhua: “But you said you’re the owner?”
Xiaoyang: “A curious story; stay first, I’ll explain later.”
Minhua: “Alright! Fate brings us together. I don’t know this place, so I’ll intrude for now.”

Xiaoyang signaled the desk. Margaret, the receptionist, approached.
Xiaoyang: “Margie, help her with her luggage to Room 505. She’s an old friend from my hometown. She can stay as long as she likes; all food and necessities are free.”
Minhua, surprised: “Why treat me for free? We aren’t even… acquainted.”
Xiaoyang, mysterious: “Tonight, I’ll take you to meet someone; then you’ll understand.”
Minhua: “Who?”
Xiaoyang smiled: “Let me keep it a secret for now. Margie, care for her daily needs!”
Margaret: “Yes, Boss. Miss, please follow me.”

[VIII] The Astonishing Truth

At night, Minhua arrived at Room 504 as agreed.
"Teacher Lin, who are you taking me to see?" she asked.

Lin Xiaoyang replied, "Minhua, I told you—you’ll be very surprised. I’m taking you to meet Huang Lihua, your grandfather whom you’ve never met."

Huang Minhua blinked in shock. "Huang Lihua? Are you sure he goes by that name?"

Lin Xiaoyang remained calm. "Yes, I’m sure."

Minhua said, "Huang Lihua is indeed my grandfather. I’ve only seen his photos in my father’s albums. My father said he went to study in France, and a few years later, lost contact with the family."

"Your grandfather has been staying at this hotel all along. When I traveled here and checked in, if it weren’t for him saving me in time, I might have become a vampire," Lin Xiaoyang explained, and Minhua was astonished.

"A vampire? Don’t joke around and scare me," Huang Minhua said, shivering.

Lin Xiaoyang became serious. "I’m not joking. Last year, when I checked into this hotel, the innkeeper and the staff were all vampires. I didn’t know at first. Your grandfather couldn’t bear to see me suffer the same fate, becoming a vampire, so at a critical moment, he warned me to leave."

Minhua looked puzzled. "Hearing this, I have to meet my grandfather. You’ve really piqued my curiosity."

"Alright, I’ll take you to see him. Follow me," Lin Xiaoyang said.

They arrived at the mural Open-Air Concert.

"Huang Lihua lives in this mural," Lin Xiaoyang said.

Minhua covered her mouth in laughter. "Lives in a mural? Don’t tease me—how is that possible?"

"This mural leads to another world, and the artist is Huang Lihua himself. But let’s not talk about that yet. I’ll take you in now," Lin Xiaoyang said.

He tapped the mural three times with his finger. A voice came from inside: "Come in! I’ve been waiting for you."

Lin Xiaoyang recognized the voice—it was indeed Huang Lihua. Gradually, a door opened in the mural. Xiaoyang held the terrified Minhua’s hand and stepped through the threshold.

Inside, the garden courtyard overflowed with music and laughter. A band played lively dance music while couples twirled gracefully. Elders and children chatted happily at a café, enjoying desserts and drinks.

After a while, Minhua regained her senses. "Wow! This is like the legendary Peach Blossom Land!" She seemed enchanted. "At first, I thought it would be terrifying."

Huang Lihua approached them and shook Xiaoyang’s hand warmly. "Follow me."

Minhua looked at Huang Lihua’s profile, thinking, Is this really my grandfather? He looks so much like the photo… and he seems so young.

They followed Huang Lihua through narrow streets to a three-story garden villa. Shrubs formed fences, and lush plants surrounded the property, giving it an elegant, tranquil feel.

Xiaoyang asked curiously, "Senior, why is time reversed here compared to our world?"

Huang Lihua squinted and smiled. "Have you never heard of how humans and ghosts live separate paths? That way, we don’t interfere with each other."

Xiaoyang nodded. "I almost forgot that you are…"

"Don’t scare my granddaughter," Huang Lihua signaled. Xiaoyang understood and quickly changed the subject.

"Minhua, let me introduce you. This is Huang Lihua. He says you are his granddaughter."

Minhua looked shy and hesitated to speak.

Huang Lihua smiled. "It’s natural to feel a little uneasy at first."

Xiaoyang noticed an oil painting signed "Qiu Shenzhi" in the lower right corner. A figure flashed in his mind.

"I’ve seen this person," Xiaoyang said, pointing to the signature.

Curious, Huang Lihua asked, "You’ve met Qiu? Where?"

"By the Seine River in Paris, at a riverside park," Xiaoyang replied.

A faint grimace appeared on Huang Lihua’s face. "Trouble’s coming. Qiu will definitely return. Before Black Friday, August 13 this year, we won’t have peace!"

Xiaoyang asked, puzzled, "Why? Qiu said you were once his painting teacher."

At that moment, Lihua gently brushed Minhua’s face. Xiaoyang saw her expression freeze, and she became completely still. Instinctively, he exclaimed, "My God! What did you do to Minhua?"

"No need to worry. I used a temporary immobilization spell so she can’t hear what we’re about to discuss. There are things she doesn’t need to know or be involved in," Huang Lihua explained.

Xiaoyang frowned. "But she’s your family! Why not let her know?"

"By keeping her unaware, she won’t be caught up in trouble. I’m protecting her," Huang Lihua said.

Xiaoyang asked, "So, what do you want to tell me?"

"Qiu did learn painting from me, but he wanted to replace me," Huang Lihua said.

"Replace you? For what?" Xiaoyang asked.

"To take my place, he allied with Duke Anderson, becoming his minion," Huang Lihua explained.

Xiaoyang asked, "Qiu willingly joined Anderson? Is he an important figure here?"

"Anderson is an ambitious vampire in the dark world. This Paradise Hotel used to be under his control," Lihua revealed.

Xiaoyang finally understood the strange events that had occurred. "So it was his followers who turned you…"

"Yes. I became Anderson’s private painter. The duke is narcissistic and always wanted me to paint him. After Qiu joined him, he schemed to get rid of me. His plan failed and angered the duke, who exiled him to Paris," Huang Lihua said.

"But Qiu claimed you were dead and that he arranged your funeral. He even said your grave is…," Xiaoyang asked.

"I faked my death to trick him. I had warned the duke that Qiu wanted to harm me, and with the duke’s approval, I staged my death," Lihua explained.

Xiaoyang understood. "I see! So you were under Anderson’s control all along?"

"On the surface, yes. But later, Princess Maria’s aide Wilson brought me to the princess. I agreed to return to the hotel as a spy. The princess is the ally leader of the dark world. Duke Anderson is a long-time adversary. To strengthen his power, he often forces innocent people into his ranks," Huang Lihua said.

Xiaoyang asked, "But Qiu looks his age, why is that?"

"After being exiled, Qiu stopped taking anti-aging medicine, so he aged rapidly. That’s why I didn’t dare leave this place before," Huang Lihua explained.

Xiaoyang smiled. "I understand now. So, you’re telling me this secret because…?"

"Yes. From now on, the princess needs your help against the duke. You’ll be her right-hand man," Huang Lihua said.

Xiaoyang couldn’t believe it. "Why me?"

"You were David Philip, Captain of the Guards under King William, the princess’s husband, in your previous life. The princess found you through me and has high expectations. The duke was once defeated by you and fears you," Lihua explained.

Xiaoyang looked puzzled. "But I’m just a normal travel writer now…"

"You’re far from ordinary. Your potential is dormant. Once the seals on you are lifted, you’ll recall your past life and regain your abilities," Huang Lihua said.

Xiaoyang asked, "When will that happen?"

"I don’t know. But for now, you must protect Minhua. Don’t let her be in danger," Huang Lihua instructed.

Xiaoyang asked, "How? I can’t restrain her freedom."

"Just don’t let her go out alone. Stay in the hotel, she’ll be safe. The people under your command are the princess’s aides; they’ll protect her," Lihua said.

Xiaoyang laughed wryly. "So my team… were arranged by the princess?" He felt uneasy realizing everything that had happened since arriving was orchestrated.

"Don’t worry, they’re vampires who won’t bite. I’ll wake Minhua, and you can show her around," Huang Lihua said.

With a gentle touch, Minhua awakened. Xiaoyang held her hand, and they walked toward the bustling streets.

[IX] Old Love and New Affection

Xiaoyang and Minhua rode a tandem bicycle around Lake Lucerne. Autumn bathed the lake in colors, flowers and herbs falling like a paradise on earth. They strolled along the green shores.

"The locals live so leisurely, it feels like they’re always on vacation," Minhua said.

Xiaoyang smiled. "That’s because we’re used to Taiwan’s hectic life. The Swiss know how to enjoy life."

Minhua nodded. "I’m still adjusting here."

"I used to travel to Hualien and Taitung in Taiwan. The pace there is similar," Xiaoyang said.

Minhua said, "I often go to Hualien and Taitung too. I enjoy traveling, photographing, and sketching."

"That explains why you came alone from Paris," Xiaoyang smiled.

"My break ends in two weeks, then back to classes. Are there other sights nearby?" Minhua asked.

"Yes, but the hotel has been busy. Otherwise, I’d gladly be your guide," Xiaoyang said.

"I understand. You can’t abandon the hotel just to travel with me," Minhua said.

"This hotel has some thorny issues. I must stay," Xiaoyang explained.

"You run a hotel that feels… oddly mysterious. The mural and your grandfather—these coincidences feel like a fantasy novel. And you seem so burdened," Minhua said.

Sighing, Xiaoyang said, "I don’t want you caught up in anything, Minhua."

Minhua held his hand, gazing at him. "I want to help shoulder your burdens, if you’ll let me share your thoughts."

"Your care is enough, Minhua," Xiaoyang said, kissing her forehead.

In early May, Minhua prepared to return to Paris. In Room 505, Xiaoyang and Huang Lihua bid her farewell.

"Take care of yourself in Paris. I’ve deposited some money for you. Use it as needed," Huang Lihua said.

"I’m grown up, Grandpa. You needn’t worry," Minhua said.

"But you’re alone, studying abroad," Huang Lihua replied.

He handed her a sandalwood box. "Inside is a cross, given by Princess Maria. It protects you from evil."

Minhua reached for it, but Xiaoyang held her hand. "Wait until your grandfather leaves. Its power might harm him."

Minhua understood. "I see… so you and Grandpa are indeed different," she said.

"Can I return here next spring for vacation?" she asked.

"Of course! By then, it should be peaceful," Lihua said.

"I emailed my parents about reuniting with Grandpa. They were surprised and eager to come, but I held them back," Minhua said.

"They’ll meet eventually. No need to rush," Lihua said.

After Huang Lihua left, Minhua and Xiaoyang exchanged a long, tender look.

"Brother, you want to say something?" Minhua asked.

"I…," Xiaoyang faltered.

"You want to say, ‘I like you, Minhua,’ right?" she smiled knowingly.

They held hands and kissed deeply. Xiaoyang felt a surge of visions in his mind. Could these be my past life memories? Have the seals been lifted?

Minhua teased, "Brother, your expression is so strange!"

Blushing, Xiaoyang said, "I… just got electrified by your kiss!"

"It’s my first kiss, you know," she whispered.

"I know," Xiaoyang said mischievously.

"Impossible! With your looks, you must be every girl’s prince," she said.

"Alright! I confess, this is my 1,001st first kiss," he joked.

"You’re lying!" she laughed.

"You’re my second, truly," he said.

"And your first love?" she asked.

"Two years ago, we argued. She traveled solo to Europe and vanished. Her family still searches. I came to Europe hoping to find her, but…," Xiaoyang’s pain resurfaced.

"Do you still love her?" she asked.

"Yes," he whispered.

"And if she appeared, would you go back?"

Xiaoyang shook his head. "I don’t know… truly don’t know…"

Minhua calmly said, "If she appears, I’ll bless your reunion. That’s our pact, brother."

That night, both couldn’t sleep, each reflecting on the tangled feelings of old love and new affection.