Fantasy Novel:

Paradise Hotel  10

【IX】Old Love and New Love

29

In early summer, Lake Lucerne looked like a brilliantly colored painting. Tiny ripples shimmered across the surface, reflecting the green mountains on both shores. A gentle breeze drifted by, carrying the fragrance of flowers and grass through the air. Fallen petals floated down and scattered across the lawn, adding a touch of dreamlike beauty to this earthly paradise. Lin Xiaoyang and Huang Minhwa rode a tandem bicycle, leisurely making their way through the picturesque scenery. The landscape around them seemed like a beautiful scene inside a picture frame. They slowed down, taking in every splash of color and every play of light and shadow along the lakeside.

Huang Minhwa leaned slightly toward Lin Xiaoyang, an intoxicated look in her eyes. She said softly, “People here really do have such a relaxed pace of life. It feels as if every day is a vacation.”

Lin Xiaoyang smiled and nodded, adjusting the speed of the bicycle so that it moved more steadily. He glanced at Minhwa, a touch of emotion in his eyes, and said gently, “Yes, Minhwa. Maybe we’re just used to Taiwan’s crowded urban lifestyle, always rushing around like chickens with their heads cut off. But here, the Swiss seem to understand better how to enjoy every moment. Maybe this is what life is supposed to be like.”

Huang Minhwa lowered her head and looked at the road beneath them, an unconscious smile appearing at the corners of her lips. “You’re right. I’m still slowly getting used to the pace of life here.” She paused for a moment, a thoughtful look flashing across her eyes before she turned her gaze back to Lin Xiaoyang. “But actually, I really like this kind of life, too. There’s something about the atmosphere here that makes people feel especially relaxed and at ease.”

Lin Xiaoyang gave a soft laugh. “I used to travel to Hualien and Taitung quite often. The pace there is somewhat similar to this place. People aren’t in a hurry. They live according to their own wishes. There’s actually something quite charming about that way of life.”

Huang Minhwa’s eyes lit up as she turned toward Lin Xiaoyang excitedly. “Hualien and Taitung? I go there all the time! The scenery is wonderful, especially the places that are perfect for sketching from life. They’re definitely among my favorite travel destinations.”

Lin Xiaoyang nodded slightly, admiration in his eyes. “I know you love to travel. You came all the way from Paris by yourself, so it’s obvious how much you love exploring the world.”

Huang Minhwa smiled softly, a faint blush appearing on her face. “Yes, I like adventure, and I like learning, too. Speaking of which, did you know there are still so many places worth visiting around here? They’re absolutely beautiful.”

Lin Xiaoyang let out a soft sigh, a trace of regret in his eyes. “Indeed, there are so many beautiful places around here. But there are some things going on at the hotel lately, and I can’t leave.”

Huang Minhwa frowned thoughtfully. “It sounds like you’re pretty busy. After all, you’re the owner. You can’t just put your work aside to keep me company.”

Lin Xiaoyang smiled slightly and pursed his lips. “Yes. These are things I have to handle myself.”

Huang Minhwa’s expression became slightly more serious. “Actually, sometimes I feel like there’s something strange about the atmosphere here, too. That mural, meeting my grandfather so unexpectedly... These experiences and coincidences feel like something out of a fantasy novel. And you seem to have so much on your mind. You always look a little troubled.”

Lin Xiaoyang took a deep breath and gazed toward the mountains and water in the distance. His voice was low. “Minhwa, I don’t want you to get involved in any of this. Nothing here is as simple as it appears on the surface. I want you to stay away from any unnecessary trouble.”

Huang Minhwa looked quietly at him, a trace of understanding and concern in her eyes. She gently reached out and took Lin Xiaoyang’s hand, looking at him tenderly. “Big Brother, although I can’t completely understand everything, I hope you’ll lean on me a little more. If you’re willing to tell me what’s going on, maybe I can help carry some of the burden.”

Lin Xiaoyang was slightly stunned. Then a faint smile appeared on his face as he lowered his head and looked into Huang Minhwa’s sincere eyes. “Thank you, Minhwa. Just knowing that you care this much is enough for me.”

He gently lowered his head and kissed Huang Minhwa softly on the forehead. A warm smile appeared on her face. The two of them continued walking quietly along the lakeside, listening to the breeze and the sound of the water lapping against the shore, as if the entire world around them had fallen silent at that very moment.

30

One morning in early May, gentle sunlight streamed through the window of Room 505, illuminating the quiet space. Huang Minhwa packed her belongings into her suitcase one item at a time, a slight reluctance showing on her face. Lin Xiaoyang and Huang Lihua stood beside her, and the emotions intertwined among the three of them quietly flowed through this brief farewell.

Huang Lihua patted Minhwa on the shoulder, his voice carrying a trace of reluctance and concern. “When you get back to Paris, take good care of yourself, all right? I’ve put some money into your account, so you can withdraw it whenever you need it for your living expenses.” His voice was gentle, and the meticulous care expressed in his words was deeply comforting.

Huang Minhwa smiled softly and looked at him gratefully. “Grandpa, I’m not a little girl anymore. You really don’t have to worry about me.” She shook her head slightly, as if trying to sweep away all of her grandfather’s concerns.

Huang Lihua’s expression softened. He reached over to the table and picked up an exquisite sandalwood box. The lid glimmered faintly, as though concealing some mysterious power. “This is for you.” He opened the lid, revealing a delicate cross inside. “Princess Maria asked me to give you this cross. Its magical power can protect you from evil.”

Huang Minhwa accepted the cross, her fingers lightly touching the cold metal. Just as she was about to examine it more closely, Lin Xiaoyang gently held her wrist, determination in his eyes. “Wait until your grandfather has left before you put it on. The power of this cross might hurt your grandfather.” His tone was calm, but the deeper meaning in his eyes was impossible to conceal.

Huang Minhwa froze for a moment and looked at Xiaoyang with a puzzled expression. “Are you implying that Grandpa...?”

Huang Lihua smiled, breaking the silence. His voice was calm yet carried a quiet, detached strength. “Minhwa, I am indeed different from you people.” As he said this, there was a wise look in his eyes, as though he had already seen through everything.

Huang Minhwa finally understood and nodded with a smile. “I see. Next spring, when school is on break, can I come back here for a vacation?”

Huang Lihua nodded, his face filled with a kindly smile. “Of course. By then, things here should have settled down.”

A trace of worry appeared in Huang Minhwa’s eyes. She lowered her head slightly and tightly clasped the cross in her fingers. In a soft voice, she said, “I’ve already sent an email to Mom and Dad telling them that I’ve reunited with Grandpa. They were very surprised and said they really wanted to come over immediately to see him. But I know things here might not be peaceful, so I haven’t let them come yet.”

Huang Lihua’s gaze softened, and he nodded slightly. “Yes. You’ll meet each other sooner or later, so there’s no need to rush. You two probably have some heartfelt things to say to each other, so I’ll go back and get some rest.”

He stood up and walked toward the door. Then he turned around and smiled at the two of them. “Good night.” After that, he left the room, leaving the two of them standing quietly where they were.

The atmosphere in the room seemed somewhat heavy. Lin Xiaoyang looked at Minhwa, wanting to say something but unable to find the words. The emotions he could not conceal surged in his eyes like waves. Huang Minhwa sensed his uneasiness and looked at Xiaoyang with a bright smile. In a gentle voice, she asked, “Big Brother, what do you want to tell me?”

Xiaoyang’s cheeks flushed slightly, and his heart began beating faster against his will. He opened his mouth, but he could not manage to get the words out. A glimmer of insight flashed in Minhwa’s eyes. She smiled softly, her tone playful yet carrying a hint of testing. “Let me guess. You want to say, ‘I like you, Minhwa,’ right? Am I wrong?”

Xiaoyang froze. Then he gave a wry smile and nodded, his eyes filled with emotions that mingled helplessness and happiness. He lowered his head and said softly, “I... I really was thinking that.”

Minhwa’s smile became even brighter. Without hesitation, she reached out and gently took Xiaoyang’s hand. The warmth of her fingertips instantly brought them closer together. “During the time I’ve spent with you, Big Brother, I could feel how you feel about me.” Her voice was low and gentle, filled with affection.

Xiaoyang’s heart beat faster. His eyes unconsciously met Minhwa’s, as if at that moment only the two of them existed. His voice was filled with tenderness and determination. “I’ll wait for you here, Minhwa.”

Huang Minhwa’s eyes grew slightly moist. She nodded, then took the initiative to open her arms and pull Xiaoyang tightly into her embrace. The two of them kissed deeply, and time seemed to stand still. Xiaoyang’s mind went blank, as if a beam of light had pierced through his soul. One image after another flashed rapidly through his mind—these seemed to be memories from his previous life.

Minhwa noticed that something was wrong with Xiaoyang. She released him, gently took his hand, and asked in a low voice, “Big Brother, what’s wrong with you? Your expression suddenly got so strange!”

Xiaoyang gave an embarrassed smile, a trace of bitterness on his face. “Nothing. I just got... shocked by you.” His tone was playful, yet carried a hint of helplessness.

Huang Minhwa smiled shyly, her voice soft. “That was my first kiss, Big Brother.” Her cheeks were flushed, and her voice was filled with sweetness.

Xiaoyang playfully raised an eyebrow and smiled. “Mine, too.” His eyes were relaxed, but inside, his heart was filled with this emotion.

Huang Minhwa stared at Xiaoyang skeptically. “I don’t believe you! Big Brother, you’re lying! With your looks and everything you’ve got going for you, you must be the Prince Charming of many girls’ dreams.”

Xiaoyang smiled casually. “All right, I confess. This is my one-thousand-and-first first kiss.” His tone was teasing, as if casually revealing a little truth beneath the joke.

Huang Minhwa widened her eyes and pretended to be angry. “Oh, come on! Your one-thousand-and-first? You’re lying!” Her face was filled with amusement.

Xiaoyang was not about to back down. He laughed and said, “You’re only the second girl I’ve ever kissed. That’s the truth.”

Huang Minhwa’s eyes widened with curiosity. “Then what about the girl you first fell in love with?”

Xiaoyang’s expression darkened slightly. He lowered his head, his voice becoming low. “The year before last, after she had an argument with me, she came to Europe by herself to travel. Not long afterward, we lost contact with her, and even her family is still looking for her. I came to Europe because I originally wanted to find her, but...”

Huang Minhwa was silent for a moment before asking, “But she never showed up?”

Xiaoyang nodded heavily, the pain he had never been able to let go of written all over his face. “No.”

Seeing how much pain Xiaoyang was in, Huang Minhwa gently lowered her hand, her eyes filled with profound tenderness and understanding. “Do you still love her very much?”

A helpless sadness appeared in Xiaoyang’s eyes. He nodded gently. “Yes.”

Huang Minhwa smiled calmly, a mature serenity in her eyes. “All right. If she really does come back, I’ll bless the two of you. That’s the promise between you and me, Big Brother.”

31

That night, darkness quietly enveloped the entire cottage. Faint moonlight streamed through the gap in the curtains, illuminating Huang Minhwa as she tossed and turned in bed. Her eyes were wide open, staring at nothing, yet she could not calm herself. Her heart seemed to be pulled by some invisible force as she recalled her conversation with Lin Xiaoyang.

She gently pulled the blanket tighter around herself, clasping her hands over her chest as her thoughts surged like a tide. What Lin Xiaoyang had said was like a key, silently opening a hidden corner of her heart. She murmured softly to herself, “The year before last, after she had an argument with me, she came to Europe by herself to travel out of anger. Not long afterward, we lost contact with her, and even her family is still looking for her. I came to Europe to travel and write, and originally I wanted to find her, too, but...”

She turned onto her side and watched the moonlight slowly disappear outside the window. A warm current seemed to rise within her heart. “Is Big Brother really the devoted man he claims to be?” She frowned slightly, touching her lips with her fingertips as she pondered. “But then why would he make up a lie to comfort me? If that missing girl really comes back, should I leave without hesitation?” Her brows drew together tightly, and then she sighed softly. “But why should I be the one to step aside?”

Powerlessly, she buried her head in the pillow and closed her eyes, trying to calm herself. But the questions and struggles in her mind followed her like a shadow, refusing to let go.

At that very moment, Lin Xiaoyang was having no easier time. The scattered papers and notebooks on his desk seemed to reflect the turmoil in his mind. He sat in his chair with his back against the desk, his elbow supporting his head, his eyes vacant, as though trapped in a silent storm. He recalled his conversation with Huang Minhwa, and those words had left deep marks in his heart like nails driven into wood.

He murmured to himself, “I came to Europe to travel and write, and originally I wanted to find her, too, but...” He raised his head and looked at a landscape painting on the wall. The distant mountains and lake in the painting were tranquil and vast, completely different from the state of his heart at that moment. At that instant, he seemed to see the struggle within himself—one side was the old love he could not let go of, and the other was Huang Minhwa, who had made his heart beat again.

He helplessly brushed his fingers lightly across the surface of the desk. Memories of the past surged over him like a tide, impossible to escape. Pain and guilt intertwined endlessly, making it impossible for him to think clearly. At last, he let his hand fall and released a long sigh.

“What am I supposed to do?” he murmured to himself.

That profound conflict and confusion felt like an impassable chasm, weighing heavily upon his heart.