Proofreader: Sandra

Chapter 158

“The maximum wind speed at the center of Typhoon Gar has reached 60 meters per second, far exceeding that of the previous Typhoon ‘Rose’. It is expected to hit Nansha Island within four hours. Gar is enormous in size and has a wide impact area. Please make necessary preparations on the island.”

Almost simultaneously, everyone received this text alert, and their phones beeped.

In an instant, the sky turned a grayish-yellow, and rain began to fall. Although the rain wasn’t heavy, it was blown sideways by the wind, making it impossible to use an umbrella. The wind howled as it passed, causing the branches of some soft trees to snap with a crack.

The distant sound of crashing waves added to the atmosphere. Even though the typhoon hadn’t officially arrived, it already felt as though the world was about to be overturned.

Halfway up the hill, Lu Siyu glanced back. In just a short time, the rocky area where they had been earlier was already submerged by the sea.

The four of them ran as fast as they could, not daring to speak much, and within just a few minutes, they reached the entrance of the Happiness Inn.

Song Wen, pulling Lu Siyu along, was the first to arrive. He was wearing a waterproof hooded jacket, with the hood pulled over his head. Lu Siyu, whose clothing didn’t have a hood, had his hair plastered to his forehead in wet strands. The two girls looked rather bedraggled, with their hair and clothes soaked to the point where they could be wrung out.

The four of them stood outside the inn, sheltered under the eaves, and started knocking on the door.

Despite the inn’s somewhat tacky name, it was actually a well-constructed, three-story villa with a classic design. Calling it a guesthouse seemed an understatement; even calling it a hotel felt like a stretch. Perched on the cliff, the villa resembled a small castle.

After a brief wait, the door opened, and they were greeted by a kindly woman in her sixties, wearing an apron for housekeeping. She invited them in and then closed the door behind them.

The thick door immediately blocked out the wind and rain, giving them a sense of safety.

As they stepped inside, they saw a large curved staircase leading up to the second floor. Below the staircase was a circular lobby with sofas arranged in a circle.

The layout still reflected the attention to detail of the original owner, though the space now served as a lounge for guests.

The four of them, looking somewhat disheveled, began to wipe the water off their bodies and hair. Fortunately, Song Wen and Lu Siyu had prepared in advance for the typhoon, with waterproof clothing and backpacks. The two girls, however, weren’t as lucky and were worse off.

Just as Song Wen was about to inquire about checking in, he noticed someone peeking out from upstairs. From the second-floor balcony, a voice called down to them, “What took you so long?”

Looking up, they realized it was their teacher, Teacher Su.

Qiu Lan tilted her head up and asked, “Teacher, did you get our rooms ready?”

Teacher Su fished out two key cards from his pocket and waved them. The three of them had reserved two rooms in advance. Seeing the girls’ wet hair and clothes, he urged, “Hurry up and come inside to warm up and take a shower. Don’t catch a cold.”

The two girls quickly thanked him, rushed upstairs, and took their key cards to their room.

For a moment, only Song Wen and Lu Siyu were left in the lobby.

Lu Siyu wiped the water dripping down his face with the back of his hand and asked Song Wen, “Did you book a room earlier?”

Song Wen shook his head. He had followed Lu Siyu on this trip and hadn’t had time to make any arrangements.

The two stood in the lobby, waiting for the innkeeper to appear.

Song Wen took in his surroundings. He had already noticed upon entering that this guesthouse was built on a 100-meter-high cliff with the sea and cliffs as its backdrop.

The inn’s decor had a bit of a Scandinavian feel, with white and natural wood tones predominating. Beige curtains hung by the large windows, giving the place a simple and elegant look.

“Sorry for the wait. Are you both here to check in?” A chubby middle-aged man, who appeared to be the owner of the inn, walked out of a nearby room as he spoke.

Song Wen refocused and replied, “Yes, we need a room for the two of us.”

Lu Siyu said, “We’d like two of your best rooms, please…”

Before he could finish, Song Wen interrupted, “One room will do, with a king-sized bed. Make sure it’s a good one.”

Lu Siyu looked down without saying anything; after all, Song Wen was still carrying his bag.

“Just a moment,” the middle-aged man said as he walked over to the reception desk under the stairs. After a few keystrokes on the computer, he asked, “How many nights?”

“Let’s book for one night first and then decide based on the weather,” Song Wen replied.

“Ah, it’s all because of this typhoon. But you don’t need to worry too much; typhoons are common here, and this inn is very sturdy. Let me have your IDs,” the man said. After registering them, he returned their ID cards and added, “I’m the owner of this inn. You can just call me Uncle Wang. Our rates are a bit high—980 yuan per night for a deluxe room. We also require a cash deposit.”

Song Wen took out his wallet, and Uncle Wang accepted a thousand yuan deposit, giving him a receipt in return.

Uncle Wang then handed them the key card for room 301 on the third floor.

As they had tracked water into the inn, the elderly woman who had let them in earlier quietly mopped up the floor, quickly restoring the lobby to its spotless condition.

Lu Siyu asked, “Do you offer meals here?”

Uncle Wang replied, “We only serve breakfast, and it’s fairly simple. If you’re looking for more substantial meals, you can visit the farm-to-table restaurant down the hill. They offer seafood, much of which is freshly caught by local fishermen. If that’s too far, you can try the popular cake shop just thirty meters from here. They have good cakes, as well as bread, light meals, drinks, and alcohol.”

That cake shop again—it seemed to be quite prominent on the island.

Song Wen said, “We’ll check it out later. What’s the name of the cake shop?”

Uncle Wang enthusiastically introduced, “It’s called Eden Cake House.”

Song Wen remarked, “That’s a fitting name.” It suited the island’s picturesque setting.

Uncle Wang nodded, “Our island’s tourism slogan now is: ‘Nan Sha Island, the Last Eden on the Sea.'”

Lu Siyu glanced out of the villa’s side window and spotted the cake shop’s red sign. He murmured, “It looks like the architecture is similar to this place.”

“You’ve got a keen eye,” Uncle Wang said, clearly enjoying the conversation. He continued, “Actually, that cake shop has a bit of history with this place. It was originally built along with this inn, intended as lodging for the butlers and maids. Later, when this place was converted into an inn, that building was turned into a restaurant. However, since we operate more like a family-run inn, we couldn’t manage everything, so we sold it to a local fisherman who turned it into a farm-to-table restaurant.”

Curious, Song Wen asked, “How did it end up becoming a cake shop?”

Uncle Wang replied, “It’s a bit of a story. When it was a farm-to-table restaurant, business was mediocre. About a year and a half ago, they hired a pastry chef and transformed it into a cake shop. Business picked up immediately, and even our inn saw an increase in guests.”

Song Wen nodded thoughtfully. It made sense—a cake shop on a remote island likely appealed to backpackers and those seeking a quaint experience, making it a unique attraction in itself.

As he spoke, Uncle Wang enthusiastically continued to introduce the island: “Here on Nan Sha Island, we have three famous spots: an alley, a cliff, and a beach. The alley offers visitors like you a chance to experience the local island life, with various tourist shops and farm-to-table restaurants. The cliff, where we are right now, is an all-in-one spot for dining, entertainment, and leisure. The weather may not be great today, but when it’s nice, this place is stunning—you can bask in the sun, watch seabirds, feel the sea breeze, and enjoy the island’s natural beauty. And the beach, well, it’s just outside—fine white sand with a few rocky shores. This place is a dream destination for many, so it’s no surprise that many guests return again and again.”

Song Wen asked, “I heard that back in August, a girl went missing around here?”

Upon hearing this, Uncle Wang’s expression changed slightly. He spoke quietly, “Yes, I remember—it was a young female student. When we were checking the rooms, we realized she hadn’t come back, so we reported it to the police. They investigated for a long time but couldn’t figure out what happened to her. In the end, they just took away her belongings.”

He sighed, “As business owners, there’s not much we can do when something like this happens. But don’t worry; this is a legitimate business, and we’ve only had one incident in all these years. If you need anything, just let me know.”

After completing the check-in process, Song Wen and Lu Siyu made their way up the grand curved staircase. The first floor housed the common areas and staff rooms, while Qiu Lan and the others were staying on the second floor, where the standard guest rooms were located. When they reached the third floor, it was clear that the accommodations were upgraded.

The hallway was lined with plush carpets. Song Wen swiped the key card, opened the door, and placed their bags inside. He then turned around, and Lu Siyu followed him in, closing the door behind them, only to find himself pressed against the wall by Song Wen.

Song Wen kissed him briefly, then said with some dissatisfaction, “Why were you still thinking about getting two rooms?”

Lu Siyu, his breath a bit uneven from the kiss, lowered his head and replied, “It’s best to stay in one room and leave the other empty. Otherwise… the others will quickly figure it out.”

Song Wen felt slightly wronged but was eager to stake his claim. He pressed Lu Siyu harder against the wall, “Let them know, then. These tourists on the island probably won’t ever see us again after this trip. Just keep your identity hidden; there’s no need to be so cautious…”

Lu Siyu lowered his head, “I just feel like there’s something strange about this island, like I’m missing something.”

From the moment they arrived on the island to searching for Wu Hongyou, the journey had been full of challenges.

Song Wen released him and asked, “Your hair is a bit wet. Do you want to take a shower?”

Lu Siyu shook his head, “Let me tidy up first…” Then he walked over to rummage through his backpack.

Only then did Song Wen have a moment to take in the room. It was about thirty square meters, spotlessly clean, with a large bed in the center, covered with crisp white sheets.

The room was located at the corner of the villa, with windows on two sides. Though the windows were not large, they were divided into small panes, making them more secure.

Due to the typhoon, it had started raining just after 3 PM. Through the rain, Song Wen could see the rolling blue sea and the surging waves.

A small window beside the bed offered a view of some low-rise buildings below, including the popular cake shop. The shop’s white exterior was adorned with strings of orange-red lights, making it appear even closer from the window.

The larger window provided a view of the beach, where a tall lighthouse stood in the distance, not far from the shore.

If the weather were clear, this room would undoubtedly offer a perfect seaside villa experience.

Song Wen stood by the window for a while, pulling out his phone to check the status of the typhoon, but no matter how hard he tried, he couldn’t refresh the page. He frowned and said, “It seems there’s no signal here.”

Ever since they received the warning message about the approaching typhoon, the phone had lost its signal. Not only was there no network, but there was also no phone service.

Song Wen had been thinking about contacting the city bureau to give an update and perhaps call Xinchuan to inquire about the missing girl and the cake shop owner’s suicide. But now, it seemed that making any calls was out of the question.

Lu Siyu, however, wasn’t too concerned. He said, “It was working just a moment ago. Maybe the typhoon is affecting the base station. Once the storm passes, it should be fine.”

After fiddling with his phone for a while and realizing he couldn’t make any calls, Song Wen finally gave up. He remarked, “It must be the typhoon. Otherwise, how could this cliffside inn operate? Previous guests must have been able to use their phones and the internet.”

During this time, Lu Siyu had taken a pair of slippers out of his bag, along with a phone charger, and placed a set of pajamas on the bed. Finally, he retrieved a small black device, slightly larger than a phone, and turned it on. The device started beeping.

Lu Siyu walked around the room, paying special attention to the area near the mirror and the bathroom vent. It turned out he had brought a camera detector with him.

“You’re being overly cautious. I thought you were up to something else,” Song Wen said. “This place doesn’t seem like a shady operation. I think the inn is quite legitimate. The owner’s face doesn’t look like that of a bad person, and he didn’t give anything away when we asked him questions.”

Lu Siyu continued his inspection. “He did recommend that cake shop.”

Song Wen commented, “The cake shop’s good business brings him plenty of customers. They’re both in it together—when one prospers, the other does too.”

After thoroughly checking the room and finding nothing unusual, Lu Siyu finally relaxed. “Everything seems fine here.” He put the device back in his bag and said, “It’s always better to be cautious when traveling. A lot of inns nowadays have hidden cameras installed.”

Song Wen tilted his head, looking at him. “It sounds like you think something might happen here… something worth filming…”

Lu Siyu caught the implication, glanced back at him, and calmly licked his lips. “Captain Song, you’re overthinking it.”

Song Wen leaned back in his chair and said, “We can worry about that later. Dry your hair first; you don’t want to catch a cold.”

With that, Song Wen got up, fetched a towel from the bathroom, and pulled Lu Siyu over to sit in the chair. He took off Lu Siyu’s glasses and started drying his damp hair.

Lu Siyu continued, “What about dinner? Should we check out that cake shop later?” Although Song Wen had brought some emergency rations, they were meant for contingencies.

Song Wen hummed in agreement, not stopping his actions. “We’ll probably have to eat there. Plus, we can ask around. After hearing so many stories on the way here, I’m curious about that cake shop. If the rain isn’t too heavy, I brought a raincoat.” They were already tired from the journey, and lunch hadn’t been great. If they didn’t have a proper dinner, Song Wen worried that Lu Siyu’s stomach issues might flare up again.

As Song Wen dried his hair, Lu Siyu couldn’t see anything. He reached up to grab the towel covering his head.

With his eyes covered, Lu Siyu’s hand brushed against Song Wen’s. Their hands touched briefly, and Lu Siyu, slightly flustered, lowered his hand.

Song Wen paused for a moment, then lifted one side of the towel. He looked down at Lu Siyu, whose hair was now half-dry. At that moment, Lu Siyu tilted his head up to meet his gaze.

Lu Siyu’s hair, after being dried, was messy, completely unlike his usual neat style. He looked like a ruffled rabbit, and from this angle, his long eyelashes, fair and flawless skin, and delicate features stood out even more.

Song Wen couldn’t resist gently pinching his chin, remarking, “You look so well-behaved, but why don’t you ever listen?”

Lu Siyu looked back at Song Wen. Song Wen had taken off his jacket and was only wearing a T-shirt. With his shallow breathing, Lu Siyu could trace the muscle lines under his clothes, catch the scent of him, and feel the warmth of his fingertips.

In the past, whenever Lu Siyu looked at Song Wen, he always felt a bit guilty, as if Song Wen was someone unattainable. But now, he finally felt close to him.

Lu Siyu’s heart was pounding, shedding his usual cold demeanor, and he confessed honestly, “Officer Song, there’s nothing I’m hiding from you anymore.” Afraid that Song Wen wouldn’t believe him, Lu Siyu earnestly added two more words, “Really…”

Every time Song Wen heard him call him “Officer Song,” it would stir something within him. He continued, “From now on, you’re not allowed to run off on your own, not allowed to neglect your health, not allowed to disregard yourself, and not allowed to make decisions without consulting me.”

Lu Siyu softly responded, “Okay, I’ll listen to you.”

“If you disobey again, I won’t let it slide so easily. Next time, I’ll spank you,” Song Wen whispered in his ear. After everything they’d been through, facing life and death together, he finally had him in his arms.

This encounter felt like a dream to Song Wen, and to make sure the person beside him was real, he leaned in and lightly pecked Lu Siyu’s lips.

This time, Lu Siyu didn’t flinch or refuse. He gently pressed the tip of his right index finger against Song Wen’s chest, through the thin layer of skin, feeling the heartbeat beneath. The organ was alive, pumping red blood, which fascinated him. He couldn’t help but lick his lips.

Song Wen grabbed his wandering right hand, “You little fox, I ought to cuff you to the bed, so you can understand how that feels…”

Lu Siyu looked at Song Wen and slowly unbuttoned the first button of his shirt with his left hand. With that motion, the red mole on his neck and his slender collarbone were exposed.

The room in the inn was dimly lit. Perched on the cliff as it was, even with the curtains open, no one could see in.

Song Wen released him, leaned down, and let his heated palm slide down Lu Siyu’s butterfly-like shoulder blades, finally resting at the side of his waistline.

Following his movements, Lu Siyu reached out with both hands and wrapped them around Song Wen’s neck.

Song Wen lowered his head and bit down on the red mole on Lu Siyu’s neck.

In the unfamiliar inn, for a moment, it was as if an unquenchable fire had been ignited.

This was a paradise far removed from the world. Ever since Adam and Eve tasted the forbidden fruit, there was no longer any place for worldly constraints or taboos.