Peculiar

A moment later, Li Zhiqiang shrugged, seemingly unwilling to let the tense atmosphere linger any longer, and was the first to pull out a chair and sit down. Although the others still harbored doubts, they had no choice but to take their seats one by one. The aroma of the dishes wafted through the air; each plate on the table was exquisitely prepared, the meat neatly sliced and vividly colored, and the fruit wine shimmered with an unusual glow.

Yet, despite the tantalizing scent, not a single person dared to be the first to pick up their chopsticks. The elderly man seemed to perceive their hesitation. Unhurried, he sat down and began to sample the food first. Watching the steam rising endlessly from the dishes and the old man devouring his meal with relish, Li Zhiqiang swallowed hard. Eventually, unable to resist any longer, he picked up his knife and fork, cut a piece of meat, and put it into his mouth.

As he chewed, his eyes widened slightly, a look of satisfaction spreading across his face. He swallowed the first bite in just a few gulps, as if some restraint had been lifted, and his movements grew hurried. He ate heartily, completely indifferent to the gazes of those around him. The others stared in amazement. Suddenly, Zhang Jingyi’s stomach let out an untimely growl. Her cheeks flushed; after a brief hesitation, she finally picked up her knife and fork as well.

After a moment’s pause, seeing the two without any adverse reaction, the others gradually relaxed their vigilance and began to eat too. As glasses clinked and the sounds of chewing filled the room, the atmosphere slowly lightened. Amid the noise, only Yun Xian and the little girl remained quietly seated. The little girl gently patted her doll’s back, as if the world around her was of no concern.

The enticing aroma seeped into Yun Xian’s nostrils, stirring a fierce hunger within her. She suppressed the pangs in her belly and fixed her gaze on Li Zhiqiang’s eating manner. The more she watched, the deeper her frown grew. Li Zhiqiang’s pace quickened; he seemed utterly immersed in the food’s deliciousness, not even bothering to wipe the meat juice dripping from the corners of his mouth. His lips moved rapidly, the sound of his ravenous chewing piercing the otherwise silent hall.

It was not only him; the others’ manner of eating began to seem strange as well. Their movements grew mechanical, their eyes vacant, as if eating was the only thing left to do. The food on the table was soon swept clean, plates in disarray, leaving only scraps of meat juices and remnants of fruit wine. Li Zhiqiang put down his cutlery, leaned back in his chair, oily traces still clinging to the corners of his mouth, his expression content yet dazed.

Zhang Jingyi let out a gentle burp, still not quite recovered from the frenzy of eating. Except for Yun Xian and the little girl, everyone else wore faces full of strange satisfaction. The elderly man leisurely picked up a napkin and wiped the corners of his mouth, his gaze sweeping across the faces before finally resting on Yun Xian and the little girl, who had yet to partake. He narrowed his eyes slightly, as if pondering something, but soon relaxed his expression and smiled calmly. “Since everyone has eaten their fill, allow me to show you around.”

With that, the old man rose and gestured for everyone to follow. One by one, they stood, their steps still somewhat unsteady. The villa’s decor was classical and luxurious. From the high dome ceiling hung several vintage chandeliers, casting a soft, amber glow. Thick velvet drapes layered over the windows, and the dark marble floor was covered with intricately patterned carpets. On the walls hung ancient oil paintings of various styles, the expressions of the figures obscure and inscrutable, their eyes seeming to follow the visitors wherever they went.

The elderly man walked ahead at a steady pace, his voice gentle as he spoke. “This villa is over a century old, but it was deserted for many years before I moved in. Over time, it has grown somewhat desolate.” The group followed silently, ascending the elaborately carved spiral staircase. The second-floor corridor was lined with walnut paneling, intricately carved and refined, the floor covered with thick carpets.

They toured the guest rooms and an art studio before arriving on the third floor. The corridor there was even more secluded and tranquil. Only three rooms lined this floor. After a brief introduction to two master bedrooms, they reached the end of the hallway. A door stood closed, starkly out of place. Unlike the other finely adorned doors in the villa, this one appeared distinctly old, the wood grain marked by the patina of age. The lock was long rusted, as if it had not been opened for ages.

Li Zhiqiang frowned as he stared at the door and was the first to ask, “What’s inside?”

The elderly man paused, then shook his head gently, maintaining a calm tone. “I don’t know. When I moved in, I found this door impossible to open. The key has been lost, and even locksmiths who tried to pick the lock were helpless.” His tone was natural, tinged with a hint of resignation, but a careful observer might notice a subtle flicker in his eyes as he spoke, as if deliberately avoiding something.

A moment of silence settled over the group. They exchanged glances, but no one spoke further. The old man cleared his throat, breaking the delicate tension. “Well then, it’s getting late. Let me take you to your rooms to rest.” With that, he turned and headed toward the stairs.

The rooms were assigned on the second floor, three guest rooms in total. Song Ran did not hesitate and entered one, shutting the door behind her, clearly unwilling to share. Yun Xian, Zhang Jingyi, and the little girl were placed in the same room.

Opening the door, a faint scent of sandalwood drifted out. The room was elegantly furnished, walnut furniture intricately carved, a thick and soft Persian rug underfoot. Deep velvet curtains layered with white gauze shielded the night outside. Through a narrow gap, the dense woods beyond were barely visible.

In the center stood a large European-style bed, ample enough for three. Above the carved headboard hung an aged landscape oil painting, its colors faded as if worn by time, yet still hinting at former splendor. The room also featured a private bathroom. The frosted glass door was half open, allowing a glimpse of the simple yet tasteful fixtures within.

Night deepened, and the room fell into silence, broken only by Zhang Jingyi’s intermittent snoring. The little girl lay beside Yun Xian, breathing evenly, seemingly fast asleep. Only Yun Xian kept her eyes wide open, staring up at the ceiling.

Whether it was the oppressive atmosphere of the villa or her instincts warning her, a deep unease lingered, denying her any peace of mind or restful sleep.

Morning light struggled through the thick curtain gap, casting a pale glow on Yun Xian’s face. She slowly awoke from a restless doze, the little girl beside her rubbing sleepy eyes.

Turning her head, she saw Zhang Jingyi still curled under the covers like a frightened snail, her breathing heavy and labored. Yun Xian hesitated but did not wake her, instead leading the little girl toward the bathroom.

The sound of rushing water filled the space, fog curling in the air. After rinsing her mouth, Yun Xian bent to wash her face when suddenly—“crack!”—a sharp, shattering noise pierced the morning calm.

Startled, Yun Xian looked up. The sound had come from inside the room. She hurried out of the bathroom to find Zhang Jingyi sitting at the vanity, her fingers gripping the edge so tightly that her knuckles turned white, her body trembling uncontrollably.