《天堂旅館》長篇奇幻愛情小說

【九】舊愛與新歡

29
初夏的琉森湖宛如一幅色彩斑斕的畫卷，湖面上微波粼粼，映照著兩岸青山的倒影。微風拂過，空氣中彌漫著鮮花和草地的芬芳，落英繽紛，飄飄然地點綴在草地上，為這片人間仙境增添了幾分夢幻。林曉陽和黃敏華騎著協力車，悠閒地穿行於這片如詩如畫的景致中。四周的景色如同畫框內的美景，他們放慢了車速，欣賞著湖邊的每一抹色彩，每一處光影。

黃敏華微微倚向林曉陽，眼神中流露出陶醉的神情，她輕聲說道：「這裡的人們生活步調真是悠閒，感覺他們每一天都像是在渡假。」

林曉陽微笑著點點頭，調整了腳踏車的速度，讓車輛更加穩定地行駛。他瞥了敏華一眼，眼中帶著些許感慨，語氣溫和：「是啊，敏華。可能是我們習慣了台灣那樣擁擠的都市生活，總是忙碌得像無頭蒼蠅一樣。但在這裡，瑞士人似乎更懂得怎樣享受每一刻，生活本來就該是這樣。」

黃敏華低頭看著腳下的路，嘴角不自覺地露出微笑，「你說得對，我還在慢慢適應這裡的生活節奏。」她停頓了一下，繼而眼中閃過一絲思索，目光再度落回林曉陽身上，「但其實我也很喜歡這樣的生活，這裡的氛圍讓人感覺特別自在。」

林曉陽輕笑一聲，「以前，我常去花蓮、台東旅行。那裡的節奏也和這裡有些相似。人們不急不躁，隨心所欲地生活，這種生活方式其實挺迷人的。」

黃敏華眼睛一亮，轉向林曉陽，興奮地說：「花蓮、台東？我常去！那裡的風景真好，尤其是拍攝寫生的地方，絕對是我最愛的旅行地點之一。」

林曉陽微微點頭，眼神帶著幾分欣賞，「我知道你喜歡旅行，從巴黎來到這裡，能單獨走那麼遠，可見你有多熱愛探索世界。」

黃敏華輕輕地笑了，臉上有一抹略帶害羞的紅暈，「嗯，我也喜歡冒險，還有學習。說到這裡，你知道嗎？這附近還有很多值得一遊的地方，真是太美了。」

林曉陽輕輕嘆了一口氣，眼神中帶著些許遺憾。「的確，這裡的確有許多美麗的景點。但最近旅館裡有些事情，我無法離開。」

黃敏華若有所思地皺了皺眉，「聽起來你有些忙，畢竟你可是老闆，沒辦法放下工作陪我。」

林曉陽微微一笑，撇撇嘴，「是的，這些事情也只能我親自處理。」

黃敏華的表情變得稍微嚴肅了些，「其實，我有時候也覺得這裡的氣氛有點奇怪。那幅壁畫、那不期而遇的爺爺…這些經歷和巧遇就像是奇幻小說裡的情節。而你，看起來心事重重的，總是有點不輕鬆。」

林曉陽深深吸了一口氣，望向遠方的山水，語氣低沉，「敏華，我不希望你被捲入其中。這裡的一切都不如表面看上去那麼簡單。我希望你能夠遠離那些不必要的麻煩。」

黃敏華靜靜地看著他，眼中閃過一絲理解和關切，她輕輕地伸出手，輕握住林曉陽的手，溫柔地注視著他，「大哥，雖然我無法完全理解，但我希望你能多依賴我。如果你願意說出來，或許我能幫你分擔一些。」

林曉陽微微愣了一下，隨後露出一抹淡淡的微笑，低頭看著黃敏華那雙誠懇的眼睛，「謝謝你，敏華，能有你這樣的心意就足夠了。」

他輕輕低下頭，柔和地在黃敏華的額頭上輕吻了一下。黃敏華臉上浮現出一抹溫暖的笑容，兩人就這樣在湖邊靜靜地走著，聽著風聲、湖水拍打岸邊的聲音，彷彿周圍的世界都在此刻安靜下來。

30
五月初的早晨，陽光溫柔地灑進505號房的窗戶，照亮了四周安靜的空間。黃敏華將行李一件一件地收進行李箱，臉上浮現些微不捨。林曉陽和黃立華站在她身旁，彼此交織的情感在這短短的告別中悄悄流動。

黃立華拍了拍敏華的肩膀，語氣中透著一絲不捨和叮嚀：「回到巴黎，妳要照顧好自己，知道嗎？戶頭裡我幫妳存了一筆錢，生活所需隨時可以取用。」他語氣溫和，但語言中透露的無微不至的關心卻讓人感到溫暖。

黃敏華輕輕笑了笑，將眼神移向他，眼中充滿了感激：「爺爺，我都這麼大的人了，您就別再操心了。」她微微搖頭，似乎想把爺爺的擔憂一掃而空。

黃立華的眼神變得柔和，他伸手從桌上拿起一個精緻的檀木盒，盒蓋微微發亮，彷彿隱藏著某種神秘的力量：「這是給妳的。」他打開盒蓋，露出裡面一枚精巧的十字架，「這十字架，是瑪莉亞公主要我交給妳的。它的法力能保護妳不受邪惡的侵犯。」

黃敏華接過十字架，手指輕觸過那冰冷的金屬，正打算細看它的細節時，林曉陽輕輕按住她的手腕，眼神中帶著一絲堅定：「等妳爺爺走了再戴上它。這十字架的法力可能會傷害到妳爺爺。」他的語氣雖平淡，但眼中的深意無法掩飾。

黃敏華愣了一下，望向曉陽，眼神帶著一絲疑惑：「你這麼說，是不是暗示我，爺爺他…？」

黃立華微笑，打破了沉默，他語氣平靜卻又充滿了淡然的力量：「敏華，我和你們的確是不同類。」他說這句話時，眼中帶著一絲看透一切的睿智。

黃敏華終於釋懷，笑著點了點頭：「原來如此。明年春天，學校放假，我可以再回來這裡渡假嗎？」

黃立華點了點頭，露出慈祥的笑容：「當然可以，到時候這裡應該已經恢復平靜了。」

黃敏華的眼神略顯憂慮，微微低頭，手指緊緊握住十字架，輕聲說道：「我已經寫了封伊妹兒告訴爸媽，和爺爺重逢的事。爸媽很訝異，說他們很想立即過來見爺爺，但我知道這裡可能不平靜，所以我暫時沒有讓他們來。」

黃立華的目光柔和，微微點頭：「嗯，遲早都要見面的，不必急於一時。你們有些貼心的話要說，我就先回去休息了。」

他站起來，走向門口，轉身看向兩人，微笑道：「晚安。」隨後，他離開了房間，留下兩人靜靜地站在原地。

房間內的空氣似乎有些凝重，林曉陽看著敏華，欲言又止，眼中掩不住的情感如波濤洶湧。黃敏華察覺到他的不安，笑意盈盈地看向曉陽，柔聲問道：「大哥，你想對我說什麼？」

曉陽的臉頰微微泛紅，心跳不由自主地加速。他的嘴巴張了張，卻又沒能說出完整的話語。敏華的眼中閃過一絲靈光，她輕輕一笑，語氣俏皮又帶著一點試探：「我猜，是想說：我喜歡妳，敏華吧？我沒猜錯吧？」

曉陽一愣，隨即露出一抹苦笑，點了點頭，眼中充滿了無奈與喜悅交織的情感。他低下頭，輕聲說道：「我…我確實是這麼想的。」

敏華的笑容更加燦爛，她毫不猶豫地伸出手，輕輕牽住曉陽的手，指尖的溫暖讓兩人之間的距離瞬間縮短：「這段日子和大哥相處，我能感覺到你對我的心意。」她的聲音低沉而溫柔，語氣中帶著一絲深情。

曉陽的心跳加速，他的目光不自覺地落在敏華的眼睛裡，仿佛這一刻只有彼此存在。他的聲音充滿溫柔與堅定：「我會在這裡等妳回來，敏華。」

黃敏華的眼中有些濕潤，她點了點頭，然後主動伸出雙臂，將曉陽緊緊擁入懷中。兩人深深地吻在一起，時間仿佛凝固。曉陽的心中一片空白，彷彿有一道光穿透了他的靈魂。他的腦海中迅速閃過一個接一個的畫面——這些，似乎是他前世的記憶。

敏華察覺到曉陽的異樣，放開他，輕輕拉住他的手，低聲問道：「大哥，你怎麼啦？表情突然變得好古怪呢！」

曉陽有些羞愧地笑了笑，臉上帶著一絲苦澀的笑容：「沒事，剛才我被妳給…電到了。」他的語氣帶著一絲調皮，又有些無奈。

黃敏華嬌羞地笑了笑，語氣柔軟地說：「這是我的初吻耶！大哥。」她的臉頰微紅，語氣中滿是甜蜜。

曉陽調皮地挑了挑眉，微笑著回答：「我也是。」他的眼神帶著一絲輕鬆，但內心卻被這份情感填滿。

黃敏華的眼神疑惑地凝視著曉陽：「我不信！大哥，你騙人！以你的外表和條件，肯定是許多女孩心中的白馬王子。」

曉陽笑了笑，語氣輕鬆：「好吧！我招了，這是我一千零一次的初吻。」他的語氣帶著一絲逗趣，似乎在輕描淡寫中透露出一些真心話。

黃敏華睜大眼睛，假裝生氣地說：「齁！一千零一次？你騙人！」她的臉上充滿了笑意。

曉陽也不甘示弱，笑著說：「妳是我第二個吻過的女孩，真的就這樣。」

黃敏華瞪大了眼睛，頗為好奇：「那麼，你初戀的那個女孩呢？」

曉陽的眼神變得有些黯淡，他低下頭，語氣低沉：「前年，她和我起爭執後，隻身來歐洲自助旅行，沒多久就失去音信，連她的家人至今也還在找她。我來歐洲旅行，本來是想來找她，但…」

黃敏華沉默片刻，隨後問道：「但是，她一直沒出現？」

曉陽重重點了點頭，臉上寫滿了未曾釋懷的痛楚：「嗯。」

黃敏華見曉陽如此痛苦，輕輕放下手，眼中帶著無比溫柔的理解。「你，還很愛她？」

曉陽的眼中露出一絲無奈的悲傷，輕輕點頭：「嗯。」

黃敏華淡然一笑，眼中帶著一股成熟的平靜：「好，如果她真的出現，我會祝福你跟她的，這是我和你的約定，大哥。」

31
這晚，夜色悄然籠罩了整個小屋，淡淡的月光透過窗簾縫隙灑進來，照亮了床上翻來覆去的黃敏華。她的雙眼睜得大大的，眼前空無一物，卻無法平靜下來。她的心像被某種無形的力量牽引著，回想起了與林曉陽的對話。

她輕輕把被子拉緊，雙手交握在胸前，思緒如同潮水般湧來。林曉陽曾說過，那些話像一把鑰匙，無形中打開了她心中的某個角落。她輕聲自語：「前年，她跟我起爭執後賭氣，隻身來歐洲自助旅行，沒多久就失去音信，連她的家人至今也還在找她。我會來歐洲旅行寫作，原本也是想來找她，但是…」

她側過身，望著窗外漸行漸遠的月光，心頭彷彿有一股暖流在湧動，「大哥真的如他所說的那樣，是個鍾情的男人嗎？」她微微皺眉，手指輕觸嘴唇，若有所思，「可是他又為什麼要編造謊言來哄我呢？如果那個失蹤的女孩真的回來了，我是不是該毫不猶豫地離開？」她的眉頭緊蹙，隨後又輕輕嘆了口氣，「但為什麼我一定要退讓呢？」

她無力地將頭埋進枕頭，閉上眼睛，試圖讓自己平靜下來。但腦海中的疑問與掙扎卻如影隨形，無法放下。

而此刻，林曉陽也不比她好過。書桌上散亂的紙張與筆記本彷彿成了他思緒的象徵。他坐在椅子上，背靠著桌子，手肘支撐著頭，眼神空洞，像是被困在一場無聲的風暴中。他回想起和黃敏華的對話，那些話像釘子一樣在他的心中打下深深的印痕。

他低聲喃喃自語：「我來歐洲旅行寫作，原本也是想來找她，但...」他抬頭望向牆上的一幅風景畫，畫中的遠山與湖泊靜謐而遼闊，與他此刻的內心狀態截然不同。這一刻，他彷彿看見了自己內心的拉扯——一個是無法放下的舊愛，一個是讓他再次心動的黃敏華。

他無力地把手指輕輕拂過桌面，那些過去的記憶像潮水一樣湧來，難以擺脫。心裡的痛楚和愧疚不斷地交織，讓他無法清晰思考。最終，他放開手，長長地嘆了口氣。
「我到底該怎麼辦？」他喃喃自語。
那份深深的矛盾與迷惘，像是一條無法跨越的鴻溝，讓他的心沉重無比。

【Nine】Old Love and New Love

29

In early summer, Lake Lucerne looked like a colorful painting. Gentle ripples shimmered across the surface, reflecting the green mountains on both shores. As a breeze passed by, the air was filled with the fragrance of flowers and grass. Fallen petals drifted down and scattered across the grass, adding a touch of dreamlike beauty to this earthly paradise. Lin Xiaoyang and Huang Minhua leisurely rode a tandem bicycle through this picturesque scenery. The surrounding landscape was like a beautiful scene inside a picture frame. They slowed down, admiring every splash of color and every play of light and shadow along the lakeside.

Huang Minhua leaned slightly toward Lin Xiaoyang, her eyes showing a look of enchantment. She said softly, “The pace of life here is really relaxed. It feels like people here spend every day on vacation.”

Lin Xiaoyang smiled and nodded, adjusting the bicycle’s speed so that it moved more steadily. He glanced at Minhua, a hint of emotion in his eyes, and said gently, “Yes, Minhua. Maybe we’re used to the crowded urban life in Taiwan, always so busy that we’re like headless flies. But here, the Swiss seem to understand better how to enjoy every moment. Life is supposed to be like this.”

Huang Minhua looked down at the road beneath her feet, an involuntary smile appearing at the corners of her mouth. “You’re right. I’m still slowly getting used to the pace of life here.” She paused, then a thoughtful look flashed across her eyes. Her gaze returned to Lin Xiaoyang. “But actually, I really like this kind of life, too. The atmosphere here makes people feel especially relaxed.”

Lin Xiaoyang chuckled. “I used to travel to Hualien and Taitung quite often. The pace there is somewhat similar to here. People aren’t in a hurry or anxious. They live as they please. This kind of lifestyle is actually quite charming.”

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

Lin Xiaoyang nodded slightly, a hint of appreciation in his eyes. “I know you like to travel. Coming all the way here from Paris by yourself shows how much you love exploring the world.”

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

Lin Xiaoyang sighed softly, a hint of regret in his eyes. “Indeed, there are many beautiful attractions here. But there are some things going on at the hotel recently, so I can’t leave.”

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

Lin Xiaoyang smiled slightly and pursed his lips. “Yes. These things can only be handled by me personally.”

Huang Minhua’s expression became slightly more serious. “Actually, sometimes I feel that the atmosphere here is a little strange, too. That mural, and unexpectedly meeting Grandpa... These experiences and coincidences are just like something out of a fantasy novel. And you seem to have a lot on your mind. You always seem a little uneasy.”

Lin Xiaoyang took a deep breath and looked toward the mountains and waters in the distance. His voice was low. “Minhua, I don’t want you to get caught up in this. Nothing here is as simple as it appears on the surface. I hope you can stay away from those unnecessary troubles.”

Huang Minhua looked at him quietly. A trace of understanding and concern flashed in her eyes. She gently reached out and held Lin Xiaoyang’s hand, gazing at him tenderly. “Big Brother, although I can’t completely understand, I hope you’ll rely on me more. If you’re willing to tell me, maybe I can help you share some of the burden.”

Lin Xiaoyang was slightly stunned. Then he gave a faint smile and looked down into Huang Minhua’s sincere eyes. “Thank you, Minhua. Just knowing that you care this much is enough.”

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

30

One morning in early May, gentle sunlight streamed through the window of Room 505, illuminating the quiet space around them. Huang Minhua 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, the emotions between them quietly flowing through this brief farewell.

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

Huang Minhua smiled softly and turned her gaze toward him, her eyes filled with gratitude. “Grandpa, I’m already a grown woman. You don’t need to worry about me anymore.” She shook her head slightly, as if trying to sweep away all of her grandfather’s worries.

Huang Lihua’s expression softened. He reached over to the table and picked up an exquisite sandalwood box. The lid gleamed faintly, as if 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 Minhua took the cross, her fingers lightly touching the cold metal. Just as she was about to examine its details, Lin Xiaoyang gently placed a hand on her wrist, a trace of determination in his eyes. “Put it on after your grandfather leaves. The magical power of this cross might harm your grandfather.” His tone was calm, but the deeper meaning in his eyes could not be concealed.

Huang Minhua was stunned for a moment. She looked at Xiaoyang with a hint of confusion. “By saying that, are you hinting to me that Grandpa...?”

Huang Lihua smiled, breaking the silence. His voice was calm yet filled with a quiet strength. “Minhua, I really am different from you and the others.” As he said this, his eyes carried the wisdom of someone who had seen through everything.

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

Huang Lihua nodded, his face showing a kindly smile. “Of course. By then, things here should have returned to normal.”

A trace of worry appeared in Huang Minhua’s eyes. She lowered her head slightly, tightly gripping the cross in her hand, and said softly, “I already sent an email to my parents telling them that I reunited with Grandpa. They were very surprised and said they really wanted to come here immediately to meet Grandpa. But I know things may not be peaceful here, so I haven’t let them come for the time being.”

Huang Lihua’s gaze softened, and he nodded slightly. “Yes, you’ll meet each other sooner or later. 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. Turning back to look at the two of them, he smiled and said, “Good night.” Then he left the room, leaving the two of them standing quietly where they were.

The air in the room seemed somewhat heavy. Lin Xiaoyang looked at Minhua, wanting to speak but stopping himself. The emotions he could not conceal surged in his eyes like waves. Huang Minhua noticed his uneasiness and looked at Xiaoyang with a bright smile. She asked softly, “Big Brother, what do you want to tell me?”

Xiaoyang’s cheeks flushed slightly, and his heartbeat involuntarily quickened. He opened his mouth, but could not manage to say a complete sentence. A spark of insight flashed in Minhua’s eyes. She smiled softly, her tone playful yet carrying a hint of testing. “I’m guessing you want to say, ‘I like you, Minhua,’ right? Am I wrong?”

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

Minhua’s smile became even brighter. Without hesitation, she reached out and gently took Xiaoyang’s hand. The warmth of their fingertips instantly shortened the distance between them. “During the time we’ve spent together, Big Brother, I could feel how you feel about me.” Her voice was low and gentle, filled with a hint of deep affection.

Xiaoyang’s heartbeat quickened. His gaze unconsciously settled on Minhua’s eyes, as if at that moment, only the two of them existed. His voice was gentle yet firm. “I’ll wait for you to come back here, Minhua.”

Huang Minhua’s eyes grew slightly moist. She nodded, then took the initiative to open her arms and pull Xiaoyang tightly into her embrace. The two 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 rapidly flashed through his mind—these seemed to be memories from his previous life.

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

Xiaoyang smiled somewhat sheepishly, a trace of bitterness on his face. “It’s nothing. Just now, you kind of... shocked me.” His tone was slightly playful, yet carried a hint of helplessness.

Huang Minhua smiled shyly and said softly, “That was my first kiss! Big Brother.” Her cheeks were slightly flushed, and her voice was filled with sweetness.

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

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

Xiaoyang smiled, his tone relaxed. “All right! I confess. This was my one-thousand-and-first first kiss.” His tone was playful, as if lightly revealing a little of the truth beneath the joke.

Huang Minhua widened her eyes and pretended to be angry. “Oh, come on! Your one-thousand-and-first? You’re lying!” Her face was full of laughter.

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

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

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

Huang Minhua was silent for a moment, then asked, “But she never showed up?”

Xiaoyang nodded heavily, his face filled with pain he had never been able to let go of. “Yes.”

Seeing Xiaoyang in such pain, Huang Minhua gently lowered her hand, her eyes filled with extraordinarily tender understanding. “Do you... still love her very much?”

A trace of helpless sorrow appeared in Xiaoyang’s eyes. He nodded gently. “Yes.”

Huang Minhua smiled calmly, a mature serenity in her eyes. “Okay. If she really does come back, I’ll wish you and her well. That’s the promise between you and me, Big Brother.”

31

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

She gently pulled the blanket tighter, clasping her hands over her chest as her thoughts surged like a tide. Lin Xiaoyang had once said those words, and they were like a key that had unconsciously unlocked some corner of her heart. She whispered to herself, “The year before last, after she had an argument with me, she came to Europe alone to travel independently, and not long afterward, we lost contact with her. Even her family is still looking for her. I came to Europe to travel and write, originally because I wanted to find her, but...”

She turned onto her side and gazed at the moonlight slowly moving beyond the window. A warm current seemed to rise in her heart. “Is Big Brother really a devoted man, just as he said?” She frowned slightly, lightly touching her lips with her fingers, deep in thought. “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 brow furrowed 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, impossible to put aside.

At that moment, Lin Xiaoyang was no better off. The scattered papers and notebooks on the desk seemed to symbolize his thoughts. He sat in the chair with his back against the desk, his elbow supporting his head, his eyes vacant, as if trapped in a silent storm. He recalled his conversation with Huang Minhua. Those words were like nails, leaving deep marks in his heart.

He murmured softly to himself, “I came to Europe to travel and write, originally because I wanted to find her, 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 expansive, completely different from the state of his heart at that moment. At that instant, he seemed to see the struggle within himself—a love from the past that he could not let go of, and Huang Minhua, who had made his heart beat again.

He helplessly brushed his fingers lightly across the surface of the desk. Memories of the past surged like a tide, difficult to escape. The pain and guilt in his heart kept intertwining, leaving him unable to think clearly. Finally, he let his hand fall and released a long sigh.

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

That deep contradiction and confusion felt like an impassable chasm, weighing heavily on his heart.