Fantasy Novel:

Paradise Hotel  9

【Eight】The Shocking Inside Story

27

Night fell, and a mysterious atmosphere lingered inside the quiet hotel. As agreed, Minhua gently pushed open the door to Room 504. The dim yellow light inside, softened by the curtains, appeared gentle and hazy. She stepped inside and stood by the door, asking softly, “Teacher Lin, who are you taking me to see?”

Lin Xiaoyang rose from beside the table and tilted his head slightly, a mysterious smile curling at the corners of his mouth. “Minhua, I told you, youre going to be very surprised. Im taking you to meet your grandfather, Huang Lihua, whom youve never met.”

Minhua froze. She frowned slightly and stared at Lin Xiaoyang in confusion. “Huang Lihua? Are you sure he says hes Huang Lihua?” There was a trace of disbelief in her voice.

Lin Xiaoyang remained calm, the corners of his lips lifting slightly, as though he was not surprised by Minhuas question at all. “Yes, Im sure.”

Minhua suddenly stepped backward, her eyes widening as confusion swept through her mind. “Huang Lihua really is my grandfather. Ive only seen photographs of him when he was young in my fathers photo album. My father told me that he went to France to study, and a few years later, he lost contact with his family.”

Lin Xiaoyang sighed softly, a trace of remembrance appearing in his eyes. “Your grandfather has been living in this hotel all along. When I came here traveling, if he hadnt stepped in to save me in time, I would probably have become a vampire by now.” His tone was calm, but every word seemed to reveal an unspoken danger.

A look of shock flashed through Minhuas eyes. She instinctively felt a chill run down her spine and said uneasily, “A vampire? Dont scare me with a joke like that.”

Lin Xiaoyangs expression darkened, becoming serious. “Im not joking, Minhua. Everything Im telling you is true. When I stayed at this hotel last year, the manager and the waitstaff here were all vampires. At first, I didnt realize it. But your grandfather couldnt bear to see me become like them, so at the critical moment, he warned me to leave immediately.”

Minhua was stunned for a moment, completely bewildered. “After hearing you say all that, I have to go see my grandfather. Youve really aroused my curiosity.”

Lin Xiaoyang chuckled softly, his gaze firm. “All right. Ill take you to see him right now. Follow me.”

He turned and led Minhua out of the room. They walked through the dim hallway and eventually arrived before a huge mural. In the painting, several musicians were performing outdoors, and the melodious music seemed to flow out from the mural itself.

“This painting.” Lin Xiaoyang pointed to the mural, his tone becoming low. “Huang Lihua lives inside this mural.”

Minhua froze and let out a soft laugh. “Lives inside this mural? Come on, youre kidding. How could that be possible?”

Lin Xiaoyangs expression did not change, and a hint of mystery entered his voice. “This mural can lead to another world, and the artist who painted it is your grandfather, Huang Lihua. Dont ask so many questions yet. Ill take you inside.”

Minhua was stunned. She still could not completely believe what she was hearing, but Lin Xiaoyang had already reached out and gently tapped his fingertips against the mural.

“Tap, tap, tap.” Following the three crisp knocks, a faint echo came from within the mural. “Come in! Ive been waiting for you.”

Minhuas heartbeat quickened. Her eyes widened even further, shock and curiosity mingling across her face. Lin Xiaoyang turned back with a reassuring smile and gently took her hand. “Dont be afraid. Follow me.”

The texture of the painting gradually twisted, revealing the outline of a door. The door slowly opened, and a faint light seeped through the opening, carrying a strange, irresistible allure. Holding Minhuas hand, Lin Xiaoyang led her step by step through the doorway and into an entirely new world.

Minhuas heart was filled with mixed emotions, yet her steps gradually became steadier under Lin Xiaoyangs guidance. She had no idea what she would encounter next, but at that moment, she could only follow Lin Xiaoyang into the unknown realm.

28

The garden courtyard inside was filled with cheerful music and carefree laughter. The air seemed saturated with a certain kind of magic that made everyone present unable to resist being swept up in it. In the courtyard, a band was playing a rhythmic dance tune, its music flowing as smoothly as water. The trees on either side swayed gently, while sunlight filtered through the branches and leaves, casting dappled patterns across the ground that seemed to dance along with the dancers steps. Men and women moved in pairs, the silhouettes of dresses and suits interweaving in the sunlight. Their steps were light, like spirits carried along by the music.

Not far away, at a café seating area, several elderly people and children sat together, chatting and laughing. Delicate desserts and steaming drinks were arranged on the table, while the aroma of caramel and coffee filled the air, making it impossible not to relax.

Led by Lin Xiaoyang, Huang Minhua stepped into this strange scene. After hesitating for a moment, she finally spoke softly, a look of amazement appearing on her face. “Wow! This place is just like the legendary Peach Blossom Spring!” She took a deep breath, the shock still not having completely faded from her eyes, and said in disbelief, “At first, I thought this place would be terrifying, but it turned out to be such a dreamlike place.”

Her gaze wandered around her, and both her body and mind seemed immersed in this unreal world. Seeing her expression, Lin Xiaoyang could not help smiling slightly. “I know this is hard for you to understand. Everything here is strange, but youll gradually get used to it.”

Suddenly, Huang Lihua walked over from among the crowd. He smiled as he approached with steady steps, a profound light in his eyes. He reached out and warmly shook Lin Xiaoyangs hand, his voice carrying a sense of long-lost familiarity. “Come with me.” His voice was low, yet it carried a reassuring strength.

Huang Minhua looked at him, a trace of confusion flashing through her eyes. She unconsciously tilted her head and carefully studied this man who looked remarkably similar to the grandfather in the photographs she remembered. She thought to herself, “Is this really my grandfather? Why does he look so much younger than he did in the photographs?” Her lips pressed together slightly as an inexplicable emotion welled up inside her.

Huang Lihua seemed to notice her gaze. He turned back and smiled gently. “You want to ask why I look so young, dont you? Youll understand everything later.” He led them through narrow streets and alleys, each step seeming to lead deeper into an unknown world. Huang Minhua unconsciously quickened her pace to follow him.

Soon, they arrived in front of a three-story garden villa. Dense shrubs surrounded the villa, their branches and leaves lush and abundant, while the fragrance of flowers filled the air. Flowers and trees were scattered gracefully throughout the grounds, and the occasional song of birds could be heard from the garden, giving the entire place an atmosphere of quiet elegance. Sunlight streamed through gaps between the leaves, and dappled shadows danced across the pathway, as if every stone slab had been given a life of its own.

Looking at the beautiful scene before him, Lin Xiaoyang suddenly felt puzzled. He stopped and could not help asking, “Senior, why are day and night reversed here compared with our world? Why does everything feel so unreal?” His voice carried a trace of confusion.

Huang Lihua narrowed his eyes slightly, a faint smile appearing at the corners of his mouth. “Havent you heard the saying, ‘The living and the dead follow separate paths’? This way, we wont interfere with each other.” He waved his hand lightly, as though that one sentence had explained everything.

Lin Xiaoyang nodded slightly, a look of understanding appearing in his smile. “Thats right. I almost forgot that you are...” He deliberately stopped before finishing, avoiding touching upon the painful past that neither of them wished to discuss.

Huang Lihua glanced at him and said casually, “Dont scare my granddaughter.” He gave Lin Xiaoyang a meaningful look, and Lin Xiaoyang immediately understood. He changed the subject. “Minhua, let me introduce you. This is Huang Lihua. He says youre his granddaughter.” There was a slightly playful tone in his voice.

Huang Minhua was still somewhat timid. She lowered her head, wanting to speak but swallowing the words back. Her hands were gently clasped in front of her chest, and a hint of unmistakable shyness appeared on her face. Her eyes lingered on Huang Lihuas face, and suddenly her heartbeat quickened. Her lips trembled slightly as she asked almost to herself, “Are you really my grandfather?”

Huang Lihua smiled gently at her, his voice warm and reassuring. “Its our first meeting. Its natural that it may take some getting used to.” His smile helped Minhua relax somewhat.

However, Lin Xiaoyangs attention was drawn to a painting on the wall. He walked over to it and pointed to the signature in the lower-right corner. “Ive seen this person before.” His voice carried a trace of puzzlement.

Huang Lihuas gaze sharpened, and he seemed somewhat uneasy about the painting as well. He asked curiously, “Youve seen Qiu? Where?”

Lin Xiaoyang lowered his head in thought before answering, “By the Seine in Paris, in a riverside park.” As he recalled what had happened, a trace of uneasiness rose in his heart.

A bitter smile flashed across Huang Lihuas face, and his gaze grew deeper, as though he had fallen into some distant memory. “Trouble is coming! Qiu will definitely return here. This August, before Friday the 13th, we probably wont have any peace from then on!” he said in a low voice, his tone carrying a faint warning.

Lin Xiaoyang could not help frowning after hearing this. “How could that be? That old Mr. Qiu told me that you used to be the teacher who taught him to paint.” He felt that the situation was far more complicated than he had imagined.

At that moment, Huang Lihua suddenly reached out and gently brushed Minhuas face. The gesture was gentle yet carried a certain irresistible power. Lin Xiaoyang was startled and could not help shouting, “My God! What did you do to Minhua?” His voice was filled with shock and confusion.

Huang Lihua smiled faintly, his expression calm. “Dont worry. I just used a spell to immobilize her temporarily so that she cant hear our conversation from this point on. There are some things she shouldnt know, and she doesnt need to get involved.”

Lin Xiaoyang was still puzzled, confusion written all over his face. “Why cant you let Minhua know? Shes your family!” he insisted.

A trace of concern flashed through Huang Lihuas eyes. He replied softly, “As long as Minhua doesnt know whats happening, she wont be drawn into this. Im doing this because I want to protect her.” His tone was steady, but the deeper meaning behind his words remained difficult to fathom.