Fantasy Novel:

Paradise Hotel  11

【10】The Love Triangle Mystery in Paris

32

The afternoon sunlight poured down like a waterfall, filtering through the branches and leaves of a row of mahogany trees and casting a soft glow into the lobby. Patches of light danced across the floor, constantly shifting with the gentle breeze. On a sofa along one side of the lobby, Huang Lihua and Lin Xiaoyang sat quietly. The air was filled with a faint fragrance of wood and tea, creating a peaceful and leisurely atmosphere.

Lin Xiaoyang gently unfolded a letter, leaning slightly to one side as his eyes rested on the joint invitation from the directors of the Paris museums. His fingers unconsciously brushed the edge of the paper, as if searching for some kind of answer. He raised his head and looked at Huang Lihua sitting on the sofa, a trace of confusion flashing in his eyes. “I’m the one who received this invitation. Why don’t you go?”

Huang Lihua smiled faintly, casually picked up the teacup from the table, and took a small sip. Sunlight streamed through the window and fell across his face, making his features appear even more profound. His expression remained calm and composed. “You go. Take some pictures and bring them back for me.” His tone was casual, but there was a meaning in his eyes that was difficult to put into words.

Lin Xiaoyang frowned, raising his eyebrows half-jokingly. “Senior, you’re the main attraction at such an important event, aren’t you? With the museum opening and so many artists and celebrities there, shouldn’t you be the one to attend in person?”

Huang Lihua gently set down his teacup and smiled faintly, a confident look of someone who had seen through the ways of the world flashing in his eyes. “If I show up at the event, I’m afraid it could cause quite a stir. Those reporters, seeing someone my age, might turn me into some kind of supernatural sensation in the news, just like those works of art.” He waved his hand, looking particularly relaxed, his tone carrying a hint of humor.

Lin Xiaoyang helplessly spread his hands and smiled faintly, although his expression still showed some uncertainty. “But all you have to do is show your face. You can simply refuse all interviews. That shouldn’t be such a big problem, should it?”

Huang Lihua shook his head and smiled casually, though his eyes held an unmistakable determination. “Things won’t be as simple as you think, Xiaoyang. Don’t make things difficult for me. This time, let me have you go in my place.” The firmness in his tone left Lin Xiaoyang with nothing more to say.

Lin Xiaoyang shrugged, a helpless smile appearing at the corners of his mouth. “All right. Since you’re so determined, Senior, I’ll go.” He put down the invitation in his hand, sat up straight, and set his questions aside for the moment.

Huang Lihua nodded slightly, a gentle look flashing in his eyes. “When you get to Paris, remember to take some time to see Minhua. And when you encounter Qiu Shenzhi, be careful how you deal with him.” His tone became low and solemn, as though he were warning him about something extremely important. “That man is meticulous and unfathomable.”

Lin Xiaoyang paused for a moment, took a deep breath, and nodded gently, his expression becoming more serious. “I’ll keep both of those things firmly in mind, Senior. Don’t worry.” His voice was low and resolute, as though he had sensed a hidden threat in Huang Lihua’s warning.

Huang Lihua gently moved the teapot aside, smiling faintly, though his eyes concealed a wordless concern. “I hope you’ll come back safe and sound.” His gentle tone carried a deeper meaning.

Their eyes met, and for a moment, the air seemed to freeze. Huang Lihua stood up and walked toward the window, gazing at the blue sky outside. Lin Xiaoyang remained where he was, determination flashing in his eyes. He knew that this journey was not merely an artistic exchange, but also a trial of the soul.

He turned toward Huang Lihua and gave him a slight nod, his voice low but filled with determination. “I’ll take care of everything, Senior.” He then turned and walked toward the lobby entrance with the invitation in hand, his footsteps steady.

Huang Lihua’s gaze remained fixed on the view outside the window until Xiaoyang’s figure completely disappeared through the doorway. The corners of his mouth lifted slightly, resembling a faint smile, yet it also seemed as though he were concealing words he had never spoken.

33

As soon as Lin Xiaoyang arrived in Paris, while the chill of the airport wind had not yet faded, his phone rang. It was Annie calling. Her voice was lively and friendly as she invited him to dinner.

After freshening up a little, he arrived at the restaurant on time. Candlelight flickered inside, while the soft murmur of conversation and the clinking of wineglasses echoed gently through the air. Annie was already seated by the window, wearing a simple yet elegant black dress, her hair loosely pinned up. A smile rested on her face, as though she had been impatiently waiting for him.

When she caught sight of Xiaoyang walking in with his luggage, her eyes lit up. She rose slightly from her seat and went toward him, greeting him gently with a playful note of concern. “Did you just get to Paris, Brother Lin?” Her voice was soft, with a touch of playfulness.

Xiaoyang placed his luggage beside the seat and gently sat down, nodding with a tired but warm smile. “Yeah! I haven’t even found a hotel yet.” His tone was relaxed. Compared with the pressure of work he usually carried, this gathering actually gave him a rare sense of ease.

Annie gently pushed the menu across the table toward Xiaoyang, gazing at him warmly. “Since you’re in Paris on business, why don’t you stay with me for a while? I rented a small apartment, and the guest room is empty.” She spoke naturally, yet there was a hint of anticipation in her voice.

A look of surprise appeared on Xiaoyang’s face. He frowned slightly, lowered his head somewhat awkwardly, and shook it gently. “Wouldn’t that be inappropriate? You’re a woman…” His tone was hesitant, and he seemed unsure how to respond to this unexpected kindness.

Seeing his reaction, Annie curled her lips into a relaxed smile and waved her hand lightly, her tone carrying a playful note. “I happen to be here for a fashion design exhibition these days. Having a man around would make me feel a little safer.” As she said this, there was an unspoken trust in her eyes, which made Xiaoyang feel slightly more at ease.

Xiaoyang raised his eyebrows and smiled, his tone becoming more relaxed. “All right! I’ll be your knight in shining armor.” He responded jokingly, with a hint of teasing in his voice.

Annie nodded gently and smiled at him, her tone seemingly concealing a little anticipation. “Brother Lin, I’ll wait for you to order.” Her voice was soft, as gentle as the Parisian night breeze.

Xiaoyang rubbed his stomach and laughed exaggeratedly. “Ha! I’m really hungry.” He glanced at the menu, but his thoughts had already drifted toward authentic French cuisine.

He ordered a simple French meal with juice. Annie then smiled faintly, as though she had noticed his hesitation, and could not help saying, “Brother Lin, you’ve come all this way and you’re my guest. Why are you being so polite with me?” Her tone was full of amusement, with a touch of helplessness and indulgence.

Xiaoyang smiled, a slightly sheepish expression on his face. “I’m not a picky eater, and I don’t eat that much. This is fine.” His tone was easygoing and sincere.

Seeing this, a mischievous light flashed through Annie’s eyes. She picked up the menu, marked several dishes, and then gently placed it at the corner of the table before pressing the service button. “Then I’ll add two or three of this restaurant’s signature dishes, and we can share them…” Her tone was casual yet playful, as though she had no intention of accepting Xiaoyang’s polite refusal.

Not long afterward, the server came over, collected the menu, and left a bill. Xiaoyang shook his head with a smile. “All right, then I’ll just make an effort to eat a little more.” His tone was relaxed, and he smiled as though he did not mind the change at all.

At that moment, Annie suddenly asked again, “Brother Lin, how long will you be staying in Paris this time?” There was a hint of curiosity in her voice, along with a trace of concern in her eyes.

Xiaoyang nodded slightly and answered quietly, “A few days. I’m attending an opening ceremony and meeting a friend.” He then gently rolled the stem of his wineglass between his fingers, his gaze drifting slightly into the distance, as though he were concealing something on his mind.

Annie frowned slightly and continued asking, “And after that?” There was a hint of anticipation in her voice, as though she did not want him to leave so soon.

A flicker passed through Xiaoyang’s eyes, and his tone remained calm, with a faint trace of thoughtfulness. “I’ll go back to Switzerland. I run a hotel over by Lake Lucerne.” He did not say much, but his tone conveyed a deep sense of belonging, as though the lake itself were his refuge.

Annie’s eyes widened as she looked at him with slight surprise, her tone carrying a playful note. “So you’re the owner?”

Xiaoyang smiled faintly, his tone confident and composed. “Yes! You’re welcome to come visit me at Lake Lucerne.” He laughed softly, but there was a sincere invitation in his eyes.

34

Lin Xiaoyang followed Annie into the apartment building. It was a typical old Parisian apartment building, simple and unassuming on the outside, yet filled with a strong artistic atmosphere inside. Several brightly colored paintings hung on the hallway walls, while the floor was made of old wooden boards that gave off faint creaking sounds underfoot.

Annie gently pushed open a wooden door and said with a smile, “When you’re away from home, you keep things simple.” Her tone was relaxed, with a natural sense of ease, as though this were her own home.

Lin Xiaoyang looked down at his suitcase and nodded with a slight smile. He then placed his luggage on a chair beside the desk and looked around. The room was not large, but it was simply and elegantly furnished. The gray walls and wooden floor gave it a mature, refined atmosphere. Annie pointed toward a window and said, “This guest room faces the Seine, so it gets plenty of natural light.” She then smiled faintly and continued, “The bathroom is shared, and my room is right next door.”

Lin Xiaoyang walked to the window and gently pushed it open, breathing in the fresh night air. The Seine flowed quietly below, its surface shimmering faintly as the lights from the streets across the river reflected upon the water in golden ripples. Here and there, pedestrians strolled along the riverside walkway, while an occasional taxi passed by, leaving behind a trail of taillights.

Annie watched as Lin Xiaoyang quietly admired the beautiful view and said softly, “Go freshen up and get some rest first. I still have some work to finish.” After saying this, she smiled faintly and turned to leave, her footsteps light and her face carrying the natural ease and comfort shared only between familiar friends.

Lin Xiaoyang nodded and replied with a smile, “Okay.” He turned around and walked toward the desk, took his laptop out of his suitcase, and placed it on the desktop. At that moment, his movements seemed particularly relaxed, as though there were no need to hurry. The Parisian night had eased much of the tension in both his body and mind.

He then took off his shirt and suit pants and casually placed his leather shoes in the corner. As he loosened his belt, his gaze drifted into the distance, as though he were still savoring the beautiful view of the Seine. He then took his underwear and razor out of his suitcase and glanced toward the bathroom as he walked.

The bathroom door closed gently. Inside, the lighting was dim and soft, casting a warm glow across the smooth marble and reflecting his tired but peaceful figure. The faucet gave off a faint humming sound. As cool water flowed over his fingers, he took a deep breath, easing the fatigue of the day.

35

The morning sunlight streamed through the gaps in the curtains, and the soft light gradually dispelled the shadows in the room. Lin Xiaoyang opened his eyes groggily, stretched gently, and then turned over and got out of bed. He felt the freshness in the air and slowly made his way to the bathroom. The damp tiles made a faint sound beneath his feet. He turned on the faucet, letting the cool water run over his fingertips, took a deep breath, and gently patted his cheeks, becoming much more awake.

After washing up, he returned to the living room and saw that a simple breakfast had already been prepared on the dining table. A note was held down on the tabletop, the handwriting neat and clear, almost as though it were smiling at him. Lin Xiaoyang lowered his head to read it, and the corners of his mouth lifted slightly.

“Brother Lin, I had something to take care of, so I left first. Breakfast is ready. Call my cell phone this evening, and let’s have dinner together.”

He sighed softly, feeling a little wistful, and then sat down to eat breakfast. Sunlight streamed in through the window and illuminated the dining table, creating a warm and relaxing atmosphere. After breakfast, he quickly straightened up his clothes and chose a clean suit from the wardrobe. The fabric was soft and well-tailored, giving it an understated elegance. He skillfully put on the suit and tied his necktie, his movements radiating the confidence of a mature man.

He picked up the cell phone on the table and checked the time, then quickly called Huang Minhua. As the phone rang, Lin Xiaoyang leaned against the doorframe and glanced up at the view outside the window. He seemed slightly nervous, but his tone remained gentle.

“Minhua? It’s Xiaoyang…” He paused briefly and adjusted his tone. “Today is the opening ceremony of Senior Huang’s art museum. We’re meeting at the old railway warehouse. Is that convenient for you?”

He frowned slightly, weighing the other person’s reaction in his mind. Minhua’s familiar voice came through the phone. Lin Xiaoyang gently nodded, seemingly hearing her response.

“Okay, then it’s settled.”

After hanging up, he took a deep breath, slipped his phone back into his pocket, and walked out of the apartment. The streets of Paris were still bustling that morning. Pedestrians moved about in small groups, and traffic flowed constantly. Yet amid all the noise and bustle, Lin Xiaoyang felt somewhat unsettled. He lowered his head once more to glance at his phone, filled with anticipation for the day ahead, yet also sensing a faint uneasiness.

36

Lin Xiaoyang entered the opening venue of the art museum, which was a carefully renovated old railway warehouse. Its exterior still retained the industrial style of the nineteenth century, giving it an old-fashioned yet unpretentious atmosphere. Inside, the warehouse was spacious, with sunlight streaming through the large windows and casting a golden glow across the wooden floor. The air was filled with the scent of fresh renovations. Exquisite works of art hung throughout the venue, displaying Master Huang’s paintings.

Before long, three museum directors—Louis, Jean-Pierre, and Dastini—came to welcome Xiaoyang. They smiled as they approached him, exchanged the customary cheek kisses, and greeted him fluently in French.

Louis extended his hand and shook Xiaoyang’s hand warmly. “Monsieur Lin, cet endroit a été choisi par nous trois. Bien qu’il soit un vieux dépôt, sa localisation est excellente, avec des lignes de transport déjà établies.”

Xiaoyang nodded, his eyes sweeping across the spacious interior. He was deeply impressed by the warehouse, which had preserved its old-fashioned character.

Jean-Pierre smiled and added, “Et nous avons refait toute l’installation de climatisation, pour contrôler avec précision la température et l’humidité, afin que les œuvres de Maître Huang soient correctement conservées.”

Xiaoyang smiled with satisfaction, his tone carrying a hint of gratitude. “The three of you have put so much thought into this. On behalf of Master Huang, I would like to express my appreciation to you.” He then turned and introduced Huang Minhua, who was standing beside him, to the three museum directors. “This is Ms. Huang, Master Huang’s granddaughter.”

The three museum directors took turns shaking hands with Huang Minhua and exchanged brief courtesies with her. Minhua smiled and responded gracefully, a hint of pride and honor visible in her eyes.

The opening ceremony officially began. Director Louis took the stage and delivered a concise yet enthusiastic speech. Afterward, he invited Lin Xiaoyang and Huang Minhua onto the stage and introduced them to the guests. After Xiaoyang gave a brief speech, the two of them joined the three museum directors in cutting the ribbon. As the ribbon-cutting ceremony concluded, the venue erupted in thunderous applause.

After the ceremony, Xiaoyang gently took Huang Minhua’s hand and led her through the exhibition rooms. They entered the exhibition area, where an impressive array of paintings surrounded them, displaying Master Huang’s exquisite works.

Huang Minhua carefully admired each painting and could not help exclaiming, “Je naurais jamais imaginé que les œuvres de mon grand-père seraient non seulement si variées, mais chaque pièce est réalisée avec tant de soin.”

Lin Xiaoyang nodded and replied with a smile, “Les œuvres de lancien maître, quand elles sont appréciées par trois grands conservateurs comme eux, elles doivent évidemment avoir quelque chose d’exceptionnel.”

Huang Minhua said thoughtfully, “Si je vivais jusqu’à cent ans, je doute que je puisse produire autant dœuvres aussi raffinées.”

Lin Xiaoyang smiled at her and said teasingly, “Si nous vivions vraiment jusqu’à cent ans, nous pourrions dessiner tous les jours, et à nous deux, on rivaliserait avec ton grand-père, non ?”

Huang Minhua gently covered her mouth as she laughed, a mischievous glimmer in her eyes. “Tu penses trop, si nous vivions aussi vieux, on ne pourrait même plus marcher, n’est-ce pas ?”

Their lighthearted laughter echoed through the gallery as they wandered among the paintings, as though time had come to a standstill and the world had been reduced to nothing but the art surrounding them and the profound emotions they shared.