Chapter 1: The Unfamiliar Call

Chapter 1: The Strange Phone Call

Lu Anzhi stepped out of the Jinzhou District subway station in Haidu City and took a deep breath.

After three years, he had finally returned.

Three years ago, he had traversed into this world, untethered and alone, and began his journey in this very city—embarking on a life of writing novels and traveling. Living off royalties earned from his stories, his footsteps had carried him across every continent, allowing him to experience the customs and landscapes of distant lands.

It was the journey he had always dreamed of in his previous life. Back then, the world was vast and money scarce—he could not afford even a knife for the road. But after crossing into this world, by writing novels never before seen here, he was finally able to realize that dream.

Of course, three years of travel was not enough to set foot on every corner of the world; there remained many sights yet to be seen. But isn't it true, even the traveler must pause to rest along the way?

So he returned to where his journey had begun, intending to rest for a while and pursue something new.

A ringtone chimed.

Lu Anzhi took out his phone. An incoming call was marked "Real Estate Agent."

He answered, holding the phone to his ear.

"Hello, I'm the owner of the shop on Jiu'an Road. I wanted to confirm—are you sure you're interested in purchasing my shop?"

"Of course I'm sure. Haven't we already discussed this?"

"Yes, I just wanted to confirm. When will you be able to visit the shop?"

"Is tomorrow morning at nine okay?"

"That works. Tomorrow at nine, I'll wait for you at the shop."

After hanging up, Lu Anzhi hailed a taxi, heading straight for Jiu'an Road and checking into a hotel.

Three years of writing had seen him seize the moment, publishing several books in line with the latest trends, earning a decent sum. Two of his novels even sold their copyrights, leaving him with a considerable surplus after covering his living and travel expenses.

Now, having returned to Haidu, he planned to use his remaining funds to open a bookstore.

Here, property prices had yet to soar. He had enough to buy a street-front shop and renovate it for his store.

This, too, was a cherished dream from his previous life. But with the advent of the internet, opening a physical bookstore was no easy feat—especially since he didn't want to sell exam prep books.

Life and finances had never allowed such romantic indulgence before.

But this life was different. He had money.

Lu Anzhi had already decided on the name for his bookstore: "Three Flavors Book House." The name was a silent tribute to his past life, though no one in this world would understand its meaning.

In front of the Jiu'an Grand Hotel on Jiu'an Road, Lu Anzhi paid the cab fare and got out. Seeing the hotel, newly renovated after three years, a wave of nostalgia washed over him.

His predecessor had been an orphan. When Lu Anzhi first crossed over three years ago, the original had just graduated from university. As an adult, he could no longer stay at the orphanage.

With average grades, he had found work as a waiter at this very hotel. One night, after fainting unexpectedly, Lu Anzhi arrived in this world.

During his spare time, he wrote his first novel, then quit his job to travel. Now, three years later, he found himself back where it all began. He might as well stay here.

He checked into the hotel. The front desk staff and waiters had all changed—there was no one he recognized. Taking his room card, he felt a strange sense of déjà vu.

The room number was "8808."

Three years ago, his predecessor had been escorting a drunken female guest to her room. She had pulled him down by accident, causing him to hit his head and lose consciousness—his life in this world coming to an abrupt end.

When Lu Anzhi crossed over, he had groggily tried to leave, but the woman dragged him back. In that daze, half-resisting, half-accepting, he had spent the night with her.

He vaguely remembered her being very beautiful.

But having just arrived in this world, his mind was in a fog—he couldn’t recall the details.

When he awoke the next morning, she was already gone. He ended up having his pay docked for missing the night shift, and was also charged for a bedsheet.

What a coincidence—"8808" again.

But the room had since been renovated; it was unrecognizable. There was nothing worth reminiscing about.

Dusk settled outside. He put his luggage down, planning to find a quick dinner before returning for the night and handling business about the shop tomorrow.

As he was about to leave, his phone rang again.

He checked the caller ID—it was an unfamiliar number.

Lu Anzhi hesitated, then answered.

"Hello, is this Mr. Lu Anzhi?"

The voice belonged to a woman, pleasant to the ear, speaking with a hint of formality and nervousness.

"This is he. May I ask who’s calling?"

A soft sigh sounded over the phone, as if she were relieved. "I’m sorry to bother you. May I ask where you are? I’d like to meet you."

No introduction...

Lu Anzhi frowned. "What is this about?"

"It's inconvenient to discuss over the phone. May we speak in person?"

Her tone was earnest, not like a scammer.

But then again, who says a scammer can't put on a convincing act?

After a moment’s thought, Lu Anzhi said, "I'm on Jiu'an Road in Haidu, just about to go out for dinner. If you really have something to discuss, come by the Jiu'an Grand Hotel. I’ll call you once I’ve chosen a restaurant."

"All right. As it happens, I’m also nearby. I’ll wait for your call," she replied sincerely.

Lu Anzhi hung up, still puzzled.

A scammer wouldn’t risk meeting in person. If not a scam, then who could it be?

Did the editors at Maple Tree Press leak his information?

Unlikely. After three years working together, he trusted their professionalism.

Finding no answer, he stopped thinking about it. He left the hotel and chose a popular restaurant nearby, settling into a corner seat.

No matter who the caller was, it would be difficult for them to try anything in such a bustling place.

With that in mind, Lu Anzhi called back: "I’m at Xu’s Home Cooking, just east of the Jiu'an Grand Hotel. I’m by the window, in the farthest corner, wearing a white athletic T-shirt."

"Okay," the woman replied hurriedly, then hung up.

Lu Anzhi ordered two cups of tea and waited. Before long, two figures—one tall, one small—sat down across from him.

He looked up in surprise.

Opposite him sat a woman in a long black dress, her figure elegant, her exposed arms fair as carved jade.

Her hair flowed over her shoulders, a mask covering half her face, but the smoothness of her forehead and the clarity of her large eyes hinted at an extraordinary beauty.

Beside her, a tiny girl pressed close, blinking her big eyes in curiosity at Lu Anzhi.

He was a little bewildered.

Why did both the woman and the little girl, big and small, feel so strangely familiar?

(End of chapter)