《天堂旅館》長篇奇幻愛情小說

【五】鬼帝安德森
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在西西里島的深邃山谷中，一座廢棄的教堂隱匿在濃霧中，周圍環繞著令人毛骨悚然的寧靜。這片被稱為「蝙蝠谷「的地方，充滿了古老的神秘氣息。陰森的墓地通道四通八達，像蛛網一樣交織著，通往一千多間墓室。每一間墓室裡，煤油燈閃爍著微弱的光芒，數十口通風井在沉寂中保持空氣乾燥。這裡，成群的蝙蝠在四周飛舞，而安德森的鬼帝大本營就在這片幽暗之地。
會場內燈光昏黃，潮濕的空氣中彌漫著塵土和油煙的氣味。安德森的核心幹將們已經聚集在大會議廳裡，站著的、坐著的，身上披著厚重的黑色斗篷，表情嚴峻。魯夫大法師坐在一側，臉上寫滿了冷靜和深思。女巫蘇美緊緊皺著眉，旁邊的幻影手喬治和剪刀手傑克，已經習慣了這緊張的氣氛。白狼、黑熊和鬼夜犬等幾位將軍也坐在安德森的周圍，等待著命令的傳達。
突然，門外傳來一聲沉重的腳步聲，一個鬼差信使走了進來。他的黑袍在昏暗的光線下似乎融入了周圍的陰影中。信使遞給魯夫一封信，魯夫拆開信封，裡面除了紙張，還有幾張照片。魯夫翻看著照片，眼神逐漸變得凝重。
他輕輕咳嗽了一聲，抬頭對信使說道：「回去告訴掌櫃，我會派人去查明真相，然後決定如何處理黃畫師。」
信使低頭，抱拳行禮：「是，主人。」
信使快速退了出去，魯夫將照片遞給蘇美。蘇美接過照片，細細端詳每一張，眉頭緊鎖。當她看著其中一張照片時，表情凝重，輕聲說道：「這位東方面孔的年輕人，感覺似曾相識，但一時想不起在哪裡見過？」
魯夫微微傾身，語氣帶著好奇：「蘇美，你的直覺果然敏銳。儘管我對轉世說持保留態度，但這位年輕人的五官和身形，確實有幾分像當年的侍衛長大衛·菲力。」
「大衛·菲力？」 安德森猛地站起身，聲音中充滿了憤怒與驚訝，「蘇美，使用你的水晶球，儘快查清楚這個年輕人的身份。」
在場的所有人都能感受到安德森話語中難以掩飾的怒氣。只有魯夫和蘇美清楚，安德森與大衛之間的仇恨有多深。當年安德森率領蝙蝠軍進攻天空城堡時，敗給了大衛的鐵血禁衛軍。若不是魯夫在關鍵時刻背叛，偷襲了大衛並將其斬首，蝙蝠軍的名聲早就毀於一旦。大衛的名字，是安德森無法抹去的恥辱，也是魯夫無法忘卻的情敵。
魯夫站起身，語氣平靜卻帶著決然：「陛下，不管這個年輕人是不是大衛轉世，我都會查明他的身份。」
安德森聽完，露出了滿意的微笑：「大法師一向行事謹慎。只要確認這個年輕人就是大衛，我們就該儘早除掉他，以免後患無窮。」
魯夫點點頭，沉思片刻後說道：「即使這個年輕人真的是大衛轉世，我們也應該盡最大努力爭取他。如果他反對我們，那我們就必須除掉他。但只要他不倒向瑪莉亞，我們就不必取他的性命，因為要是他奮起反抗，我們可能會付出沉重的代價。」
安德森聽後，哈哈大笑：「哈哈哈！魯夫法師真是老謀深算，什麼都能吃，唯獨不吃虧。」
「法師，我馬上查清楚這個年輕人在哪兒。」蘇美從懷裡取出一枚透明的水晶球，低聲吟唱咒語。很快，水晶球中投射出林曉陽的影像。
蘇美凝視著水晶球，聲音有些低沉：「這個年輕人正在乘火車旅行，沿途的風景像是接近巴黎的東區。」
魯夫點點頭，嘴角微微揚起：「他要去巴黎，這個線索就足夠了。我會派我的女徒安妮前去。」
蘇美微微挑眉，問道：「法師，難道你打算使用美人計嗎？」
魯夫冷笑一聲：「是的！我要讓安妮主動接近大衛，降低他的戒心。大衛是一個值得尊敬的對手，如果我們能爭取到他，就能削弱瑪莉亞的力量。」
安德森讚賞地點了點頭：「面對大衛這個強勁的對手，硬碰硬顯然是下策，法師的方法確實可行！」

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安妮輕輕推開魯夫的練功房門，微微彎腰，手掌輕觸胸前，行了個恭敬的禮。她的目光穩定，儘管心中隱隱有些波動。房內，魯夫盤坐在蒲團上，雙眼微閉，靜謐的氣氛中彷彿有某種無形的力量流動。他的身影在昏黃的燈光下顯得格外堅定，像是一座無法動搖的山。
魯夫輕輕睜開雙眼，視線冷冽地投向安妮，語氣卻透出一絲嚴肅與命令的氣息：「安妮，我要妳即刻去趟巴黎，執行一項任務。桌上有一只羊皮袋，裡頭有張照片和任務指示，妳按照指示行事。」
安妮微微低頭，手指輕觸桌面，心中默念著師父的每一個指示。她點頭應道，語氣堅定卻不失柔和：「是，師父。」 隨後，她伸手拿起桌面上的羊皮袋，沉甸甸的感覺，預示著這次任務的重大與險峻。
「妳到巴黎後」，魯夫的聲音再次響起，這一次他站起來，步伐沉穩，走向窗邊，望著外頭的街道，彷彿看透了一切。「去找到照片上的那男孩，主動接近他，和他成為情侶。」 他的目光冷鋒般刺穿了安妮的靈魂。「我要妳單獨行動，不得接觸我們在當地的任何堂口，以免對方起疑，這點務必切記！」
安妮的眼神無聲地回應了師父的嚴厲，她的心跳不自覺地加快，口中再次重複了一遍：「是，師父。」 她輕輕地鞠了一躬，手指微微顫抖地合上羊皮袋，隨即轉身離開練功房。她的步伐穩重而迅速，心中既充滿疑問，也隱隱有些不安，但她知道，這是她不能退縮的任務。
就在安妮轉身離開的時候，房門再度被推開，蘿娜和凱斯這對情侶檔走了進來，兩人一同低頭，雙手合十，向魯夫行了一個簡單而又恭敬的拱手禮：「Meister, wir sind hier.» (法師，我們來了。)
魯夫輕輕點頭，回應的語氣依舊冷靜如水，卻蘊藏著不容忽視的威嚴：「你們兩個，去趟琉森湖，暗地調查羅伯特掌櫃。他和黃畫師之間曾有些嫌隙，我想弄清楚羅伯特是否藉機公報私仇，真相查明後，按照指示處理。」
他遞給蘿娜一只信封，手指輕輕劃過信封上的印章，像是將一個命運的密碼交託給他們。蘿娜接過信封，眼中閃過一絲堅定，她和凱斯齊聲道：「領令，法師。」 隨後，兩人同時拱手作揖，再次離開。
魯夫站在窗邊，望著外面的陰霾天空，喃喃自語，語氣帶著一絲淡淡的感傷和無奈：「大衛，前世的恩怨，都過去了。如果你真的轉世，我不想你再度成為我的情敵。」

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林曉陽帶著黃立華畫作的底片和投影片，隨即搭上了前往巴黎的列車。列車穿梭在迷濛的煙霧中，窗外的景色變化無常，心中那份難以言喻的期待與焦慮交織在一起。當列車抵達巴黎時，時光彷彿被暫停，帶著對未知的渴望，他步出車站，踏上了這片承載著無數藝術夢想的土地。
他來到巴黎奧塞美術館，走進館長的辦公室時，已經有三位藝術界的巨擘等候。他們分別是法國三大公立和私人美術館的負責人。室內充斥著古老油畫的味道，氣氛恬靜而緊張，似乎每一幅畫都在低語著它的歷史與故事。
林曉陽輕輕地打開公事背包，從中取出幾大冊相簿和投影片，將它們小心地擺放在長桌上。每一個動作都顯得如此謹慎，彷彿這些畫作是他心中的珍寶，背後承載著一段不為人知的故事。
「請各位看一下，這是一位旅居瑞士的華人畫家，畢生的作品。」他語氣穩重，眼神中透露著某種堅定。
路易士館長翻閱著畫冊，眉頭不禁微微皺起，眼中閃過一絲驚訝和疑惑，手指輕輕觸碰畫作的畫面，試圖感知它的靈魂。「林先生，你說這是一個人的作品？」
「是的，他叫黃立華，目前住在瑞士。」
尚皮耶也在仔細端詳這些作品，眉頭一蹙，他的眼神在畫作上來回掃視，似乎在尋找著某個線索。他停下來，轉向林曉陽，語氣有些困惑：「他的作品水準相當高，素描、版畫、水彩和油畫應有盡有。可是我不懂，為什麼這位畫家前後期作品，落款日期竟然有八十年那麼漫長？」
林曉陽微微一笑，眼神依舊平靜，卻透露出一絲遺憾︰「這問題，很抱歉，我目前沒辦法合理回答你。」
羅浮宮的館長達斯丁尼也不禁皺眉，細細端詳著每一幅畫冊。他的手指輕輕撫過畫面，似乎能從畫布的質感中感受到畫家的心跳。「這位畫家天縱英才，實不可多得，堪稱是本世紀初最驚人的發現。林先生，我們需要三兩天時間，來鑑賞這批作品。」
路易士好奇地看著林曉陽，語氣中隱隱帶著些許探究的意味：「林先生，這批作品現在收藏在哪裡？」
「這批作品，目前收藏在瑞士琉森湖的私人旅館裡。」
尚皮耶輕輕敲了敲桌面，語氣中帶著一絲思考︰「這批畫作數量龐大，恐怕得分開收藏才容納得下。」
達斯丁尼則持有不同的看法，他的眼中閃過一抹果斷的光芒，語氣中透露著一絲深思熟慮的堅定。「我的想法是，不如特地闢建一座專屬美術館來集中收藏。」
路易士點頭表示贊同，語氣中帶著一種集體智慧的光彩。「這主意不錯，就由我們三方一起出資。」
尚皮耶轉向林曉陽，眼中充滿了期待與專業。「那麼，你需要我們提供你哪些協助？」
林曉陽稍微停頓，抬起頭來，看向他們的眼神中閃過一絲堅定的決心。「等我將這批作品整理好，會通知你們，屆時請你們派人員和車輛前來點收裝運。」
路易士點了點頭，語氣更顯專業與務實。「好的。這批畫作，你開個價碼，價錢最好是在我們三方共同集資，負擔得起的範圍內。」
林曉陽思索了一會兒，緩緩開口：「捐贈者希望收藏方能共同提出一筆資金，成立一個基金會，獎助前來學習藝術的華人青年，確實金額我會在問過當事人之後，再以電報告知各位。」
路易士聽後微微一笑，眼中流露出對這個提議的贊同，「這沒問題，基金會就委請您擔任管理人。」另外兩人也點頭附和。
在這一刻，三位藝術界的管理巨擘與林曉陽達成了共識，未來的合作之路，似乎已經鋪展開來。

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週末的塞納河畔，微風拂過，陽光灑落在波光粼粼的河面上。林曉陽隨意地走在步道上，靜靜欣賞著周圍的景致，心情頗為悠閒。忽然，眼前的河濱公園引起他的注意。人潮湧動，顯然是假日的跳蚤市場。攤位一個接一個，五光十色，堆滿了各式各樣的二手物品，數量多得難以計數，整個市集都充滿著尋寶者的呼吸。
林曉陽漫無目的地閒逛著，偶爾停下腳步，細細打量那些散發舊時光氣息的物品。他的步伐不急不緩，目光不時掃過那些古董和書籍，心中卻只是一片空白，沒有什麼特別的目的。
就在他覺得有些疲憊，正想找個陰涼處休息時，突然，幾個街頭畫家的畫攤吸引他的注意。他們正聚集在一處樹蔭下，為過路的遊客畫肖像。畫布上，一張張生動的面容漸漸成形，畫家們聚精會神，手中的筆似乎在與畫作的靈魂對話。
其中一位華人畫家的背影讓林曉陽的心跳瞬間加速。他穿著一身長袍馬掛，整個人看起來神秘而有些古老。他的身形和姿態讓林曉陽心頭一震，似乎是那個人——黃立華！「不可能吧，他怎麼會出現在這裡？」他心中疑惑，卻又難以抗拒那份瞬間燃起的興奮。
林曉陽小心翼翼地走近，注意到畫家的眼鏡形狀熟悉，無框的設計一模一樣。這一刻，他的心幾乎要跳出胸腔。隨著步伐輕輕靠近，他突然忍不住拍了拍畫家的肩膀，驚喜地喊道：「嗨！立華前輩…」
畫家聽到聲音，慢慢轉過身來。林曉陽愣住了，那是一張充滿皺紋的臉，白髮蒼蒼，與他記憶中的黃立華相差太遠。那個人似乎比他想象中的要老得多，但眼鏡和衣服的樣式卻完全一樣。
林曉陽臉色一變，急忙道歉，「對不起，我認錯人了！」他尷尬地笑了笑，臉上浮現出一抹微紅。這個畫家不過是與黃立華有幾分相似之處。
然而，那名畫家的眼睛中閃過一絲好奇，輕輕擱下手中的炭筆，語氣中帶著輕微的笑意，「小兄弟，你認得黃立華？」
林曉陽有些驚訝，仍然忍不住點點頭，語氣帶著一絲感慨，「唉！上個月，若非他捨身相救，我恐怕已經遇難了。」他的眼神中有些黯然，那段回憶仍然揮之不去。
畫家微微挑眉，目光更加凝重，隨即指了指身旁的長凳，「請坐，小姓邱，叫慎之，來自上海。你說黃立華救了你？怎麼回事？」
林曉陽隨著畫家的動作坐了下來，他略微停頓，隨後緩緩開口，說起了他在瑞士琉森湖的經歷，「是的，那時我住進一家非常詭異的旅館…那個地方充滿不尋常的氣氛，那時我才遇見黃立華。」他的聲音低沉，似乎還未完全從那次經歷中恢復過來。
邱慎之聽完，表情中明顯帶著懷疑，眉頭緊皺，「不可能吧？」他將手中的炭筆輕輕放下，目光鎖定在林曉陽的臉上，「黃立華是我的授業恩師，幾十年前就過世了，甚至是我親自辦理的喪禮。你怎麼可能會再見到他？」
林曉陽的心中也掀起了一股疑雲，他微微皺眉，「哦？是這樣嗎？」他不禁回想起那次和黃立華的相遇，心中充滿了困惑。
邱慎之的眼神更為堅定，他一語驚人，「黃立華已經死了，葬在那家旅館的墓地裡。如果你不信，我可以帶你去墓地看看。」
林曉陽不禁瞪大了眼睛，表情有些驚愕，「墓地？可是我前幾天才剛和他告別…怎麼會？」他忍不住低聲自語，心中一團亂麻。「黃立華曾告訴我，他在旅館裡遭遇了不測，但他並沒有死…他變成了吸血鬼。可是現在…邱慎之卻堅稱他已經死了，這到底是怎麼回事？」
邱慎之似乎察覺到林曉陽的疑惑，他繼續語氣堅定地說：「恩師就葬在那座旅館後方的花園裡。如果你不相信，等我這邊的工作忙完，我可以帶你去看看。我也已經好些年沒去祭拜過他了。」
林曉陽的內心依然充滿困惑，但他知道自己現在需要離開。「不，不用了。謝謝你的好意，我還有些要緊事需要處理，後會有期。」他站起來，微微一笑，隨即轉身離開。
邱慎之目送著林曉陽離去的背影，眼中閃過一絲疑慮。他的心中湧起一股不安，「這青年說他剛和黃立華分手？除非當年黃立華詐死欺騙我！嗯，我得找時間回去，弄清楚這件事。」

[Five] The Ghost Emperor Anderson

### 14

Deep in the valleys of Sicily, an abandoned church lay hidden in the dense fog, surrounded by an eerie silence that sent chills down the spine. This place, known as “Bat Valley,” was filled with an ancient and mysterious atmosphere. Gloomy cemetery passages extended in every direction like a spiderweb, leading to more than a thousand burial chambers. Inside each chamber, kerosene lamps flickered with a faint light, while dozens of ventilation shafts kept the air dry in the silence. Bats flew in swarms all around, and Anderson’s headquarters of the Ghost Empire stood in this dark and secluded place.

The hall was dimly lit, and the damp air was filled with the smell of dust and cooking oil. Anderson’s core lieutenants had already gathered in the main conference hall. Some stood, while others sat, all wearing heavy black cloaks and stern expressions. Grand Mage Ruf sat to one side, his face filled with calmness and deep thought. The witch Sumei frowned tightly, while Phantom-Hand George and Scissor-Hand Jack beside her had already grown accustomed to the tense atmosphere. Several generals, including White Wolf, Black Bear, and Ghost Night Hound, also sat around Anderson, waiting for his orders to be delivered.

Suddenly, a heavy set of footsteps came from outside the door, and a ghost messenger walked in. His black robe seemed to blend into the surrounding shadows beneath the dim light. The messenger handed Ruf a letter. Ruf opened the envelope, and inside, besides a sheet of paper, were several photographs. Ruf looked through the photographs, and his expression gradually became grave.

He gave a soft cough, then looked up at the messenger and said, “Go back and tell the innkeeper that I will send someone to find out the truth, and then decide how to deal with Huang, the painter.”

The messenger lowered his head and clasped his hands in salute. “Yes, Master.”

The messenger quickly withdrew. Ruf handed the photographs to Sumei. She took them and carefully examined each one, her brows tightly furrowed. When she looked at one of the photographs, her expression became solemn, and she said softly, “This young man with an Oriental face looks strangely familiar, but I can’t remember where I’ve seen him before.”

Ruf leaned forward slightly, curiosity in his voice. “Sumei, your intuition is indeed sharp. Although I remain skeptical about reincarnation, this young man’s facial features and build do bear some resemblance to David Feely, the former Captain of the Guards.”

“David Feely?” Anderson suddenly stood up, his voice filled with anger and surprise. “Sumei, use your crystal ball and find out this young man’s identity as quickly as possible.”

Everyone present could feel the anger that Anderson could barely conceal in his voice. Only Ruf and Sumei knew how deep the hatred between Anderson and David ran. When Anderson once led the Bat Army in an attack on Sky Castle, he was defeated by David’s Iron-Blooded Imperial Guards. If Ruf had not betrayed him at the critical moment, ambushed David, and beheaded him, the reputation of the Bat Army would have been ruined long ago. David’s name was an indelible humiliation to Anderson, and he was also the romantic rival Ruf could never forget.

Ruf stood up, his tone calm yet resolute. “Your Majesty, whether or not this young man is David reincarnated, I will find out who he is.”

After hearing this, Anderson gave a satisfied smile. “The Grand Mage has always acted with caution. Once we confirm that this young man is indeed David, we should eliminate him as soon as possible to prevent future trouble.”

Ruf nodded. After thinking for a moment, he said, “Even if this young man really is David reincarnated, we should make every effort to win him over. If he opposes us, then we must eliminate him. But as long as he does not join Maria, we do not need to take his life, because if he fights back, we may have to pay a heavy price.”

Anderson burst into laughter. “Hahaha! Mage Ruf really is an old fox. You can swallow anything except a loss.”

“Mage, I’ll find out where this young man is right away.” Sumei took a transparent crystal ball from inside her robe and began chanting a spell in a low voice. Soon, an image of Lin Xiaoyang appeared inside the crystal ball.

Sumei stared at the crystal ball, her voice somewhat low. “This young man is traveling by train. The scenery along the way looks like somewhere near the eastern outskirts of Paris.”

Ruf nodded, the corners of his mouth lifting slightly. “He’s going to Paris. That clue is enough. I’ll send my female disciple Annie.”

Sumei raised an eyebrow slightly. “Mage, are you planning to use the honey trap?”

Ruf gave a cold laugh. “Yes! I want Annie to approach David on her own and lower his guard. David is an opponent worthy of respect. If we can win him over, we can weaken Maria’s power.”

Anderson nodded approvingly. “Facing such a formidable opponent as David, meeting him head-on would obviously be the inferior strategy. Your method is indeed workable, Mage.”

### 15

Annie gently pushed open the door to Ruf’s training room, bowed slightly, and touched her palm to her chest in a respectful salute. Her gaze was steady, although there was a faint stir of emotion in her heart. Inside the room, Ruf sat cross-legged on a meditation cushion, his eyes slightly closed. In the tranquil atmosphere, it seemed as though some invisible force were flowing through the room. Beneath the dim yellow light, his figure appeared exceptionally firm, like an immovable mountain.

Ruf slowly opened his eyes and cast a cold gaze toward Annie. Yet his tone carried a hint of sternness and command. “Annie, I want you to go to Paris immediately and carry out a mission. There is a parchment bag on the table. Inside are a photograph and instructions for the mission. Follow the instructions.”

Annie lowered her head slightly and lightly touched the tabletop with her fingers, silently committing every one of her master’s instructions to memory. She nodded, her voice firm yet gentle. “Yes, Master.”

Then she reached out and picked up the parchment bag from the table. Its weight seemed to foreshadow the importance and danger of the mission.

“When you arrive in Paris,” Ruf’s voice sounded again. This time he stood up, his steps steady, and walked toward the window, looking out at the streets as if he could see through everything. “Find the boy in the photograph, approach him on your own initiative, and become his girlfriend.”

His gaze pierced Annie’s soul like a cold blade. “I want you to act alone. You must not make contact with any of our local branches, lest the other side become suspicious. You must remember this.”

Annie’s eyes silently responded to her master’s stern command. Her heartbeat involuntarily quickened, and she repeated once again, “Yes, Master.”

She bowed lightly, her fingers trembling slightly as she closed the parchment bag. Then she turned and left the training room. Her steps were steady and swift. Her heart was filled with questions and a faint sense of unease, but she knew this was a mission she could not back away from.

Just as Annie turned to leave, the door opened again, and Lorna and Keith, the couple, walked in. They lowered their heads together, clasped their hands, and gave Ruf a simple yet respectful salute.

“Meister, wir sind hier.”

Ruf nodded lightly. His reply remained as calm as water, yet contained an authority that could not be ignored. “You two, go to Lake Lucerne and secretly investigate Robert, the innkeeper. He has had some disagreements with Huang, the painter. I want to find out whether Robert is using this opportunity to settle a personal grudge. Once you uncover the truth, handle the matter according to instructions.”

He handed an envelope to Lorna, his fingers lightly brushing the seal on it, as though entrusting them with a code of fate. Lorna accepted the envelope, a look of determination flashing in her eyes. She and Keith spoke in unison. “We have received your orders, Mage.”

Then they bowed together in salute and left once again.

Ruf stood by the window, gazing at the gloomy sky outside, and murmured to himself, his voice carrying a hint of melancholy and helplessness. “David, the grudges from our past life are over. If you really have been reincarnated, I don’t want you to become my romantic rival again.”

### 16

Lin Xiaoyang took the negatives and slides of Huang Lihua’s paintings and immediately boarded a train bound for Paris. The train traveled through the hazy mist, the scenery outside the window constantly changing. In his heart, an indescribable mixture of anticipation and anxiety intertwined. When the train arrived in Paris, time seemed to come to a standstill. Filled with a longing for the unknown, he stepped out of the station and set foot on this land that carried the dreams of countless artists.

He arrived at the Musée d’Orsay in Paris. When he entered the director’s office, three giants of the art world were already waiting for him. They were the heads of three of France’s major public and private art museums. The room was filled with the scent of old oil paintings. The atmosphere was quiet yet tense, as if every painting were whispering its own history and story.

Lin Xiaoyang gently opened his briefcase and took out several large albums of photographs and a set of slides, carefully placing them on the long table. Every movement was extremely cautious, as though these paintings were treasures in his heart, carrying an unknown story behind them.

“Please take a look. These are the lifelong works of a Chinese painter who lived in Switzerland.” His tone was steady, and his eyes revealed a certain determination.

Director Louis flipped through the album. His brows unconsciously furrowed slightly, and a look of surprise and confusion flashed across his eyes. His fingers lightly touched the images, as though trying to sense their soul. “Mr. Lin, are you saying these are the works of one person?”

“Yes. His name is Huang Lihua. He currently lives in Switzerland.”

Jean-Pierre also carefully examined the works. His brows tightened, and his eyes moved back and forth across the paintings as though searching for a clue. He stopped and turned toward Lin Xiaoyang, his tone somewhat perplexed. “The quality of his work is remarkably high. He has everything from sketches, prints, and watercolors to oil paintings. But I don’t understand. Why do the dates in the signatures on this painter’s early and later works span as much as eighty years?”

Lin Xiaoyang smiled faintly. His expression remained calm, but there was a trace of regret in his eyes. “I’m sorry, but I currently have no reasonable way to answer that question.”

Dastini, the director of the Louvre, also could not help frowning as he carefully examined each album. His fingers gently brushed across the images, as though he could feel the painter’s heartbeat through the texture of the canvas. “This painter is a truly extraordinary talent, a rare find indeed. He could be called the most astonishing discovery of the early twentieth century. Mr. Lin, we need two or three days to examine and appreciate this collection of works.”

Louis looked at Lin Xiaoyang curiously, a hint of inquiry in his voice. “Mr. Lin, where is this collection currently being kept?”

“The collection is currently being kept at a private hotel on Lake Lucerne in Switzerland.”

Jean-Pierre lightly tapped the table, his tone thoughtful. “There are so many paintings in this collection that I’m afraid they would have to be divided among several locations just to accommodate them all.”

Dastini, however, had a different view. A decisive light flashed in his eyes, and his tone carried the firmness of someone who had thought the matter through carefully. “My idea is that we should build a dedicated art museum specifically to house the collection in one place.”

Louis nodded in agreement, his tone carrying the glow of collective wisdom. “That’s a good idea. The three of us can fund it together.”

Jean-Pierre turned to Lin Xiaoyang, his eyes filled with expectation and professional interest. “Then what kind of assistance do you need from us?”

Lin Xiaoyang paused briefly, then raised his head. A look of firm determination flashed across his eyes as he looked at them. “Once I have organized this collection, I will notify you. At that time, please send personnel and vehicles to collect, inventory, and transport the works.”

Louis nodded, his tone even more professional and practical. “All right. Name your price for this collection. The amount should preferably be within what the three of us can jointly raise and afford.”

Lin Xiaoyang thought for a moment before slowly speaking. “The donor hopes that the institutions receiving the collection will jointly provide a sum of money to establish a foundation to provide scholarships and assistance to young Chinese people who come here to study art. I will ask the person concerned about the exact amount and then inform you by telegram.”

Louis smiled slightly after hearing this, his eyes showing his approval of the proposal. “That won’t be a problem. We would like to entrust you with managing the foundation.” The other two also nodded in agreement.

At that moment, the three leading figures in the art world and Lin Xiaoyang reached an agreement. The path toward future cooperation seemed to have already opened before them.

### 17

On the weekend, a gentle breeze swept along the banks of the Seine, while sunlight fell across the shimmering surface of the river. Lin Xiaoyang strolled casually along the walkway, quietly enjoying the scenery around him, feeling quite relaxed.

Suddenly, the riverside park caught his attention. Crowds were everywhere, clearly indicating that a weekend flea market was underway. Stall after stall stood one beside another, colorful and overflowing with all kinds of secondhand goods. There were so many items that they seemed impossible to count, and the entire market was filled with the breath of treasure hunters.

Lin Xiaoyang wandered around aimlessly, occasionally stopping to examine the objects that carried the atmosphere of a bygone era. His pace was neither hurried nor slow, and his eyes occasionally swept over the antiques and books, while his mind remained blank, without any particular purpose.

Just as he began to feel somewhat tired and was about to find a shady place to rest, several stalls belonging to street artists suddenly caught his attention. They had gathered beneath the shade of a tree, painting portraits of passing tourists. Lifelike faces gradually took shape on the canvases, while the artists worked with complete concentration, their brushes seeming to converse with the souls of their paintings.

The back of one Chinese painter instantly made Lin Xiaoyang’s heart race. He was wearing a long robe and mandarin jacket, and his entire appearance seemed mysterious and somewhat old-fashioned. His build and posture gave Lin Xiaoyang a sudden shock, as though he were that very person—Huang Lihua!

“It can’t be. How could he be here?” he wondered, unable to suppress the excitement that suddenly surged within him.

Lin Xiaoyang cautiously approached and noticed that the shape of the painter’s glasses was familiar. The frameless design was exactly the same. At that moment, his heart nearly leaped out of his chest. As he moved closer, he suddenly could not resist tapping the painter on the shoulder and calling out in surprise, “Hi! Senior Lihua…”

Hearing the voice, the painter slowly turned around. Lin Xiaoyang froze. It was a deeply wrinkled face, with a head of white hair, so different from the Huang Lihua in his memory. The man seemed much older than he had imagined, yet the style of his glasses and clothing was exactly the same.

Lin Xiaoyang’s expression changed, and he hurriedly apologized. “I’m sorry. I mistook you for someone else!” He gave an embarrassed smile, a faint flush appearing on his face. This painter merely bore some resemblance to Huang Lihua.

However, a trace of curiosity flashed in the painter’s eyes. He gently set down the charcoal pencil in his hand and said with a faint smile, “Young man, do you know Huang Lihua?”

Lin Xiaoyang was somewhat surprised, but he still could not help nodding, his voice carrying a hint of emotion. “Ah! If he hadn’t sacrificed himself to save me last month, I probably would have died.” His eyes darkened slightly, as that memory still lingered in his mind.

The painter raised an eyebrow, his expression becoming more solemn. He then pointed to the bench beside him. “Please sit down. My surname is Qiu, Qiu Shenzhi. I’m from Shanghai. You say Huang Lihua saved you? What happened?”

Following the painter’s gesture, Lin Xiaoyang sat down. After a brief pause, he slowly began to recount his experience at Lake Lucerne in Switzerland. “Yes. At the time, I stayed at a very strange hotel… There was something unusual about that place. That was when I first met Huang Lihua.” His voice was low, as though he had not yet fully recovered from that experience.

After listening, Qiu Shenzhi’s expression clearly showed disbelief. His brows drew tightly together. “That can’t be, can it?” He gently set down the charcoal pencil in his hand and fixed his gaze on Lin Xiaoyang’s face. “Huang Lihua was my master, the teacher who taught me everything I know. He died decades ago. I was even the one who personally handled his funeral. How could you possibly have seen him again?”

A cloud of doubt also rose in Lin Xiaoyang’s heart. He frowned slightly. “Oh? Is that so?” He could not help recalling his encounter with Huang Lihua, his mind filled with confusion.

Qiu Shenzhi’s gaze became even more resolute. He dropped a bombshell. “Huang Lihua is dead. He is buried in the cemetery of that hotel. If you don’t believe me, I can take you there and show you.”

Lin Xiaoyang’s eyes widened, his expression filled with shock. “The cemetery? But I just said goodbye to him a few days ago… How could that be?” he murmured to himself, his mind in complete turmoil.

“Huang Lihua told me that he had met with misfortune at the hotel, but he hadn’t died… He had become a vampire. But now… Qiu Shenzhi insists that he is already dead. What on earth is going on?”

Qiu Shenzhi seemed to notice Lin Xiaoyang’s confusion, so he continued firmly. “My master is buried in the garden behind that hotel. If you don’t believe me, once I finish the work I have here, I can take you there and show you. It has also been several years since I last went to pay my respects to him.”

Lin Xiaoyang remained deeply confused, but he knew he needed to leave. “No, there’s no need. Thank you for your kindness. I still have some important matters to take care of. Until we meet again.”

He stood up and smiled faintly before turning and walking away.

Qiu Shenzhi watched Lin Xiaoyang’s departing figure, a trace of doubt flashing in his eyes. An uneasy feeling welled up inside him.

“This young man says he just parted ways with Huang Lihua? Unless Huang Lihua faked his death and deceived me back then! Hmm. I have to find some time to go back and get to the bottom of this.”