After Swapping Identities With My Archenemy - Chapter 56

Chapter 56: The Eye in the Room

For some reason, Shen Wensi didn’t push her away. Her voice, sounding slightly dazed, echoed in Jiang Huaiyi’s ear: “What’s wrong?”

Jiang Huaiyi seemed to snap awake suddenly and pulled back her hands. An abnormal flush had risen to her cheeks. In her eyes, Shen Wensi’s face had become slightly blurry, and the lampstand on the table—which had been lying on its side—had somehow turned to face them directly.

Its ruby eyes flickered under the room lights. A glint of light slid across the gem surfaces, conveying a sense of sinister cunning.

Shen Wensi immediately sensed something was wrong. She whipped her head toward the lampstand, grabbed a tissue box, and slammed it down over the object.

Jiang Huaiyi felt a jolt go through her entire body. The world, which had been obscured by a hazy veil, became crystal clear the moment Shen Wensi covered the lamp. She was instantly pulled out of her trance. She warily moved further away from the table.

“There’s something wrong with that thing!” Her tone was certain.

Shen Wensi nodded, her hand gripping Jiang Huaiyi’s wrist to steady her. Jiang Huaiyi rubbed her nose awkwardly; the hug had been an accident—she had let her guard down and fallen for a trick.

“It’s the eyes,” Jiang Huaiyi said. “Should we pry them out?”

Shen Wensi shook her head. “This is a guide. We’ll just have to bring the cat along.”

Departure for Qinling

The next morning, more information appeared on the fine silk paper: a specific location in the Qinling Mountains, which appeared to be a mountain villa or resort.

Jiang Huaiyi packed her bags. Xiao Die (the cat) was surprisingly cooperative, letting herself be strapped into a harness and leaping onto Jiang Huaiyi’s backpack.

Shen Wensi walked down the stairs dressed in sleek, black mountain gear. She looked powerful and athletic. Her long hair was pinned back with a white jade hairpin. She handed Jiang Huaiyi a mobile phone and a rugged radio transceiver.

“Are you sure we shouldn’t call the others?” Shen Wensi asked as they got into a black luxury van.

“No,” Jiang Huaiyi replied, tugging at her seatbelt. “I don’t want to drag more people into this.”

“Too late,” Shen Wensi said as the car door opened at a crossroad.

Chu Lianxue, Mu Ze, and Song Rong piled in.

“How could you go to Qinling without us?” Chu Lianxue chirped. “I’ve never seen a River Dragon before!”

Song Rong smiled shyly. “My grandfather sent a map. He said if I want to go, my Uncle can lead the way. It seems many people are already gathering there.”

The Guesthouse at the Foot of the Mountain

After two days of driving, they reached a small county at the base of the Qinling Mountains. The northern winter was brutally cold. The roads were a muddy mess of melted snow and straw.

They checked into a strange guesthouse near the mountain pass. The town was filled with middle-aged men who didn’t seem like locals; they watched the newcomers with indifferent but cold eyes.

Inside the guesthouse, the lobby was partitioned into small bamboo booths. As they entered, the chatter died down. Malicious gazes followed them until they reached a corner booth.

A “man” with short hair and a rough face approached them. Song Rong called out, “Second Uncle?”

The person nodded, her voice raspy. “It’s me. My name is Er Shu (Second). My dad gave me a man’s nickname so people wouldn’t look down on a girl guide.”

Over a dinner of “Iron Pot Stew,” Er Shu warned them: “You’re new faces. Every family here is established. Be careful when you sleep tonight.”

When they asked why, Er Shu just left, leaving them in a chilling silence.

The Midnight Guest

By 1:00 AM, Jiang Huaiyi was alone in her room. The north wind howled outside, rattling the windowpanes. She tried to sleep, but a strange, damp draft kept blowing against her forehead as if someone were crouching by her bed, breathing on her face.

She tossed and turned, unable to find peace. Finally, she opened her eyes. The room looked normal, but she noticed Xiao Die sitting on the bed, staring fixedly at a small, glass-framed landscape painting on the wall.

Jiang Huaiyi felt a chill. She sat up, put on her coat, and crept toward the painting. She set her phone to speed-dial Shen Wensi.

Holding her breath, she reached out and pulled the frame off the wall. Behind it was a dark, thumb-sized hole in the masonry.

At that exact moment, the overhead light flickered. In the brief flash of brightness, Jiang Huaiyi saw it: behind the tiny hole, a pale, grayish-blue eye with no pupil was staring straight back at her.

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