"Thank you. I'm honored. At first, I thought you'd approached me on purpose. But after seeing your room, I think I understand why you were able to recite my paper word for word." Xia Shang honestly confessed what she'd thought when Xiangyi had first struck up a conversation with her. Still suspicious, Xia Shang had chosen to question Xiangyi as if she were a suspect.
But once she learned Xiangyi's motives were entirely innocent, Xia Shang had even begun to feel a little fond of her, thanks to Xiangyi's admiration. That fondness was exactly why Xia Shang had agreed to talk with her now.
Xiangyi, however, wasn't happy at all. She didn't know how obsessed the original Xiangyi had been with her idol. "Sorry... for making you see all that embarrassing stuff."
Xia Shang seemed to think of something that made her laugh even harder, leaving Xiangyi a little awkward. She'd come to this world without even getting the chance to look around Xiangyi's home, let alone sleep there. But judging by Xia Shang's reaction, Xiangyi figured there must have been plenty of embarrassing things to make someone as composed and restrained as Xia Shang act this way.
The more Xiangyi thought about it, the more embarrassed she felt. Xia Shang kept smiling, looking almost bewitching. That beauty seemed somewhat at odds with Xia Shang's aura, yet somehow the two came together perfectly. Bathed in moonlight streaming through the window, she was especially captivating.
Two Stunning Beauties
Before they'd gone much farther, a server stepped in front of them.
"Sorry, the members-only area is just ahead. You can't go in without a pass." Somehow, they'd wandered right into the members-only section.
"Members-only area?" The term was unfamiliar to Xiangyi. The server nodded. He didn't look down on Xiangyi for her ordinary clothes, and explained, "That's right. It's a special section of our Ocean Hotel for important guests. Because of its exclusive nature, it isn't open to the public."
Xiangyi thanked him for the explanation, saying, "Oh." At first, she'd thought he was simply well-mannered. But then the server focused his attention on Xia Shang, and Xiangyi suddenly realized there might be another reason.
"This should do, right?" Xia Shang really did take out a golden card. The server beamed. "I knew it was you, guest. I thought you looked familiar."
With that, his explanation made perfect sense. After confirming the membership card was genuine, he stepped aside. He then scanned his fingerprint and iris, and only after all that did a concealed door slowly open.
Xiangyi was a little astonished. She looked around. The place was already spacious enough, but she had no idea how it had been designed to conceal such a large area beyond the visible space.
She gazed around in curiosity. Xia Shang stood nearby, seeming to understand how she felt.
"Sorry, I'm just curious," Xiangyi said apologetically. Xia Shang kept smiling and led her onward.
The interior was even more luxurious, with beautiful paintings covering the walls and piano music drifting through the space. A variety of buffet dishes lined the side, all made with top-quality ingredients.
Xiangyi hadn't thought Ocean Hotel would be quite so upscale, but this place had changed her understanding. She was even more baffled by the inexplicable luxury in Ocean City.
What's more, she saw several Chosen Ones strolling around boldly. Their expressions and demeanor were completely unlike the passive, disadvantaged position Chosen Ones occupied in Ocean City.
"What on earth is going on?" Xiangyi couldn't make sense of how this world had changed. Xia Shang had already brought over a glass of juice and said with a smile, "Some things don't need to be understood in such detail."
Xia Shang didn't intend to explain. Yet she'd brought Xiangyi to this unfamiliar place and was watching her with such an intrigued expression, as if Xiangyi were some kind of test subject. Xia Shang had worn that same expression many times before, but Xiangyi still didn't understand why.
So she'd have to find the answer on her own.
With that in mind, Xiangyi sat down and studied everything around her.
The paintings on the walls were relatively old-fashioned, and the food laid out nearby all had a special energy signature. The exercise equipment was top-of-the-line. Xiangyi didn't recognize any of it, but she could tell it had been designed specifically for Chosen Ones.
Judging by its layout, the whole place looked like a playground built just for Chosen Ones. But getting in must have cost a fortune, so the people allowed inside were probably important figures.
Women like Xia Shang, for example, who were both Chosen Ones and had powerful connections, would be granted the privilege of entering.
Even so, Xia Shang wouldn't have brought an ordinary person like her here just to show off. Xiangyi felt that Xia Shang's goal was more complicated than she'd imagined, even if she still didn't know what it was.
"Looks like you've figured out a few things, but you're not sure yet." Xia Shang smiled faintly and took a small sip of the drink in her hand. It had an enticing aroma, with a hint of alcohol. Her posture relaxed, though she sat a short distance from Xiangyi. It reminded Xiangyi of how a therapist sat across from a patient during a consultation.
In that instant, Xiangyi realized this was a trap designed to lead her on. Xia Shang hadn't said all those things earlier to befriend her. She'd been preparing for this psychological session. In fact, it wouldn't be an exaggeration to say that Xia Shang intended to hypnotize her and find out why Prince Qin had become the way he was.
All that mystery was meant to distract Xiangyi, so she wouldn't have the mental space to deal with what was most pressing.
"You..." Xiangyi parted her lips slightly. Xia Shang leaned closer, her cheeks flushed, her beauty even more astonishing. It made Xiangyi's thoughts falter. The hand Xia Shang had so carefully kept from touching her suddenly came to rest on her waist. Then she tapped Xiangyi's back a few times.
The taps were rhythmic. Xiangyi had no idea what they meant, so she stayed still. Xia Shang leaned closer, giving off the impression that she was flirting with Xiangyi.
The sparse crowd around them seemed entirely used to seeing two women together like this. But then the server who'd been standing far away earlier suddenly approached with a tea tray.
"Close your eyes." Xia Shang's voice continued, carrying a strange, irresistible magic. Xiangyi saw that she'd put on the thin silk gloves she'd noticed earlier.
Her movements were gentle, and her lips drew closer and closer.
Closer... just a little more, and Xiangyi could kiss this stunning flower fairy. The moment the thought formed in Xiangyi's mind, she felt the pressure at her waist. Xia Shang suddenly shoved her away with the hand that wasn't wearing a glove, and the sofa instantly crumbled into dust.
Xiangyi looked up and saw that the silent attacker was the server who'd opened the door for them.
Xia Shang had already walked over and pulled her to her feet. Though their opponent was right there, Xia Shang smiled and said, "Didn't you ask me whether I'd be scared?"
Xiangyi hummed in reply, but Xia Shang said nothing more. Golden light appeared in her eyes again. She moved with her usual graceful composure as she quickly approached the server.
The server's body split open, transforming into a full-fledged monster.
Its mouth stretched incredibly wide, making it look like a knockoff of the Black and White Impermanence. Acid dripped from its mouth, and it reeked of rotting flesh. It was still silent and incredibly fast, but in front of Xia Shang, its terrifying appearance didn't match its strength at all.
Xia Shang easily dodged every attack. With a light touch of her right hand, she made the man see some kind of hallucination. His whole body began to convulse. Then he started biting and chewing on his own arm. Blood gushed out, making the whole scene disgustingly horrific.
Xia Shang remained unfazed and quickly dialed a number on her phone.
A short while later, several people entered through another door. Wearing special uniforms, they easily tied up the monster and carried it away.
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I Just Feel Like Something's Not Right?
The monster still didn't say a word. It only stared at Xiangyi for a few moments, as though trying to etch her image into its memory. Noticing this, Xia Shang blocked its view, her voice turning cold. "She's just a passerby. If you have a problem, come to me."
At Xia Shang's answer, the monster gave a strange smile and began humming a tune. It was so out of tune that it only made the scene more chilling.
The cleanup was incredibly quick. Just as Xia Shang was about to explain things to Xiangyi, a man who seemed to be in charge came over with a smile.
"Impressive as always, Professor Xia. You caught this Chosen One in no time at all. But how did you realize he was here?"
Xiangyi's newly formed understanding of the world was overturned again. What she thought she understood was only what she thought she understood. Xia Shang's motives were a complete mystery, and Xiangyi had no way to figure them out.
"It just so happens that he knows me well." Xia Shang's answer was just as vague. Apparently worried that her gloves were dangerous, she took them off as soon as she was sure the Chosen One couldn't move. Her expression and tone remained the same as always, but the man seemed to regard Xia Shang as a goddess and continued praising her.
Xia Shang seemed to find the man too talkative, so she smiled and changed the subject. "Captain Shao, this Chosen One is an A-class wanted criminal. Are you sure you don't want to follow up?"
The man called Captain Shao immediately agreed. He then directed his subordinates to restore the scene to its original state. Soon, Xiangyi saw someone shine what looked like a ballpoint pen at the destroyed objects. They began to fuse back together at a speed visible to the naked eye, looking exactly as they had before. But on closer inspection, Xiangyi could see sticky fibers within, as if the device had only created the illusion that nothing had been damaged.
Xiangyi watched in amazement. Xia Shang looked at her and asked, "That didn't scare you, did it?"
Xiangyi shook her head. As she thought back to what had just happened, her attention had been drawn along by Xia Shang's every move. She wasn't sure whether the thing that had left the strongest impression on her was the fear or Xia Shang's closeness.
She was a beautiful, captivating woman who knew how to make use of everything around her. She was dangerous, yet had a charm that made people unable to resist her.
Xiangyi shook her head. "No. Honestly, I didn't even realize what was happening. I thought you'd brought me here on purpose because you were interested in me."
Xia Shang smiled. "I am interested in you."
Xiangyi had only meant it as a joke, but Xia Shang's answer caught her off guard. She looked at Xia Shang in surprise, though she understood that, given Xia Shang's character, her interest in Xiangyi definitely wasn't romantic.
"So, Professor Xia, do you want to study me?" Xiangyi couldn't imagine Xia Shang was interested in her for no reason, so she tried to guess why she'd approached her.
"I'd say I'm curious, but not curious enough to study you. Besides, I'm fascinated by how you used an inconspicuous little needle to turn Prince Qin into a vegetable." Xia Shang calmly explained what she found interesting about her. Xiangyi gave a bashful smile, and Hua Nu reminded her again.
Hua Nu: Flower Master, Xia Shang is the most difficult flower fairy you've encountered so far. She's perceptive and clever. If you stay together much longer, she'll discover that you and Hua Linglong are the same person.
Hua Nu's serious warning told Xiangyi just how difficult Xia Shang would be to deal with. Xiangyi naturally couldn't afford to underestimate her. After humming in acknowledgment, she focused on coming up with a way to talk herself out of it.
"Also, based on what I observed in your room, you seem to enjoy the process of solving cases. Your knowledge of psychology and the human body is quite limited. First, your student status wouldn't give you much extra money. Second, your aunt doesn't seem to like you reading about these things, so you hid them very carefully. Even I had to put in quite a bit of effort to find them." Xia Shang told her what she'd thought of Xiangyi's room, judging her to be quiet and observant.
But Xiangyi was now sharp-tongued and seemed very quick-witted. And since there'd been no progress in the investigation of Prince Qin, Xia Shang clearly wanted to use Xiangyi as a breakthrough and find out what was going on.
"I don't know either. By the time I realized what was happening, Prince Qin was already like that." Xiangyi pretended to be helpless, doing her best to mimic a trembling posture, hoping it would help her bluff her way out.
But Xia Shang dealt with all kinds of criminals without mercy. How could she be swayed by the fear of a young girl? She seemed ready to press her advantage and finish the interrogation, but a phone rang abruptly just then.
Xia Shang frowned slightly as she checked the caller ID, then finally went off to answer. Xiangyi breathed a sigh of relief and wondered whether she should make a quick escape. If she stayed any longer, she felt Xia Shang might use some special means to pry out the truth.
Hua Nu: Flower Master, don't worry. I have a medicine that can keep you from being controlled mentally for a while after you take it. Hua Nu immediately offered a solution. Xiangyi looked at her hands, but they were empty. She grew a little anxious.
Xiangyi: Then take it out! If she tries anything, I can fight back.
Hua Nu's smile stiffened slightly, but she still explained.
Hua Nu: Flower Master, this medicine is a little unusual.
Xiangyi: Does it kill you or something?
Xiangyi kept her guard up. Hua Nu's expression when she said that was strange, as if using the medicine were completely outrageous.
Just then, Xia Shang finished her phone call and started walking back toward them. The fragrance in the air grew stronger. She looked around, seeming ready to draw Xiangyi back into the atmosphere from earlier, resume the hypnosis, and extract useful information from her.
Xiangyi: Hurry up. I think she's about to start again. While I still can, I can pretend to eat something.
Hua Nu: Flower Master, turn your back to Xia Shang and pretend you're eating something.
Xiangyi turned around at once, but Hua Nu still didn't have any medicine in her hands. Just as Xiangyi began to think she'd been played, Hua Nu suddenly leaned toward her.
Xiangyi saw the beauty mark beneath Hua Nu's eye more clearly. Then, in the blink of an eye, she felt something soft against her lips. The sensation deepened, and Hua Nu used a soft ruler to pry Xiangyi's lips apart. A sweet liquid filled Xiangyi's mouth.
It was sweet without being cloying, a little like honey, but with a hint of rose.
Hua Nu: Swallow it. This is my nectar.
So this was something Xiangyi had never known about. Hearing Hua Nu say that, she quickly swallowed the mouthful of honey. Flowers and flower people—but without bees to collect it, where did flower nectar come from?
But Xiangyi quickly realized that her interaction with Hua Nu had created the nectar through their lips as a medium.
And though Xiangyi was the Flower Master, she played a role much like a bee, working constantly to help the flower people bloom and grow.
Xiangyi suddenly felt a little sorry for herself. Just as the thought crossed her mind, Xia Shang grabbed her right hand from behind. In an instant, Xiangyi lost control of her body. Xia Shang then led her back to the sofa and pulled a card-like object from her bag.
Xia Shang flicked the card, and a notebook emerged from it. Before the card could hit the ground, Xia Shang picked it up and put it back into a small box. Xiangyi was astonished, feeling that this world's technology was much more advanced than she'd thought. But perhaps her expression was off, because Xia Shang's right hand stroked the top of her head again.
A force flowed from her head through her whole body. She felt more relaxed, as though she'd returned to the warmth and safety of her mother's arms. But because of Hua Nu's nectar, Xiangyi couldn't move, yet her mind remained perfectly clear.
Xia Shang's method was indeed hypnosis, but unlike the hypnosis used on Earth before, it could be either cooperative or forced. Xia Shang seemed to think they'd already wasted too much time, so this time she was using the forced kind.
Now that Xiangyi's expression finally looked right, Xia Shang sat down across from her and began asking questions.
Xia Shang: Age?
Xiangyi: Fifteen.
Xia Shang: Height?
Xiangyi: One meter sixty.
The questions followed a pattern of asking and answering. At first, they were all basic information meant to confirm Xiangyi's condition. Then Xia Shang's questions grew more complicated.
Xia Shang: When did you find out you were a Chosen One?
Xiangyi: About a month ago.
Xia Shang: What caused you to awaken?
Xiangyi: Because Prince Qin bullied Ningning.
Xia Shang: How did you fight back?
Xiangyi: I don't remember. When I came to, he was lying on the ground.
Of course, Xiangyi was making all this up while fully conscious. It let her avoid revealing the Flower God Ring and resolve Xia Shang's suspicions about her.
For someone as busy as Xia Shang, if Xiangyi dealt with her thoroughly this once, she wouldn't have to worry about anything else in the future.
Xia Shang continued writing, then repeatedly asked her the same few questions. Though Xiangyi was puzzled, she still answered as before.
Xia Shang: One last question. Is there someone you like?
Xiangyi: Yes.
Xia Shang: Who do you like?
Xiangyi: Xia Shang.
Of course, Xiangyi had only given that last answer to tease her and see if she could get an interesting reaction from the beauty.
Xia Shang simply smiled. After recording the answer, she stepped forward and lightly touched Xiangyi's shoulder. In an instant, Xiangyi felt the weakness leave her body, and she slowly opened her eyes, pretending to know nothing about what had just happened.
"I... what just happened to me?" Xiangyi asked in confusion. Xia Shang replied, "You were sitting here and suddenly fell asleep. I called you several times."
Xia Shang spoke calmly. An ordinary person would have been fooled without realizing it, but Xiangyi knew all too well how dangerous it was to be in front of Xia Shang. In Xia Shang's eyes, there were no secrets if she wanted to uncover them. But clearly, she couldn't use her ability too often—or perhaps there were risks to it. Otherwise, she wouldn't wear gloves or avoid touching people with her right hand.
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