But I found both the retired soldier and the easel to be somewhat strange. The woman did not seem to be from Hua Xia, and the retired soldier's demeanor was very similar to someone I had met before, though I couldn't quite recall who.
Just as we were about to soak in the hot springs, Zhou Zijuan arranged rooms for us. She mentioned we could stay for a few days. Seeing no immediate tasks, I decided to relax with the Punishment for Sin group for a few days. Of course, we would return immediately if there was a case.
Liu Yuning and I entered our rooms first, followed by the others finding their own.
We hadn't intended to stay, so we didn't bring any clothes. However, the rooms were already prepared with plenty of clothing, including pajamas and outfits suitable for going out. That would suffice. Since it was only for a few days, we rested for a bit and then planned to experience a unique hot spring experience that night.
In room 201, Watanabe Yumi, the refined woman, entered her room. She observed the elegant and comfortable suite, with its exquisite wooden panels, plush bed, ornate European-style crystal chandelier, rose-pink walls, lively oil paintings, and a minimalist yet luxurious bathroom. Watanabe Yumi removed her white shirt and pulled off her skin-tight stockings. She then reached behind her, carefully unfastened the clasp of her cartoon bra, and tossed it onto the floor. Looking at the clothes scattered around, she lay on the bed, completely at ease.
It was only when she was alone that she could truly reveal her true self. Watanabe Yumi rubbed her neck, pondering how the hot springs would feel. She decided to take a bath first.
Watanabe Yumi entered the bathroom and turned on the shower. Warm water cascaded onto her fair, jade-like body. She turned the showerhead to its fullest setting. Warm water flowed from her silky hair all the way down to her feet. Her flawless skin exuded a unique fragrance, characteristic of Asian women. She smiled at her reflection in the mirror, but at that very moment, an urgent phone ring echoed from behind her!
She casually dried herself and returned to the room, discovering the phone call was coming from the landline. How could this be?
I just arrived here! Who would be looking for me at this hour? Could it be the staff of the hot spring resort?
Thinking this, Watanabe Yumi stepped on the clothes strewn on the floor and picked up the receiver. "Hello? Who is it?"
"It's me... Hehehehehe!"
Watanabe Yumi froze. That voice?!
"Do you still remember me? 13 years ago..."
"You are..."
"That's right, it's me. I've returned..."
Though only a few words, Watanabe Yumi felt as if a hand from the abyss had dragged her into a hellish realm, twisting and contorting her. She became like a walking corpse, her eyes vacant, her scalp tingling, her entire body trembling!
A searing current seemed to spread from her heart, numbing her internal organs and all her nerves.
Her breath was completely suppressed. Her pupils, gazing out the window, were infinitely drawn to some unknown distant point. Suddenly, a memory from long, long ago flashed through her mind...
At this moment, the voice, which seemed to have descended from a nightmare or hell, resounded again, untimely: "Don't worry! I won't let you die so quickly. You just need to do one thing for me! He Sheng..."
As Liu Yuning and I left our room, He Xin and Dao Zhiyong, along with others, also emerged. Xia Hou and Xiao Yuande, for once, seemed relaxed, wearing swim trunks, ready to experience the legendary Phoenix Hot Springs. However, I didn't stay with Liu Yuning and instead found an excuse to head to the couples' section.
I was alone, peacefully immersing myself in the warm spring water. Truthfully, I hadn't intended this. But just 10 minutes prior, I had received a plea for help from someone.
The couples' section usually had very few visitors, and right now, I was the only one here. When Watanabe Yumi appeared, I didn't open my eyes. She cautiously said, "He..."
I kept my eyes closed. "Are you sure you're being targeted by someone?"
"Yes, you're the only one here who can help me!"
"It's been 13 years. Did you do something wrong back then?"
"I didn't! It was a misunderstanding, and it had nothing to do with me. But that person is still watching me!"
"How can I believe you?"
"Do you think someone as frail as me could possibly..."
At this point, I opened my eyes and found myself less than half a meter from Watanabe Yumi, both of us submerged in the center of the hot springs. However, at that moment, my mind was elsewhere. Even as I looked at her fair collarbones and jade-like shoulders.
"He Sheng, you must help me!"
"Let's do what we can, but you also need to be prepared!"
"As long as you promise to help me, I can do anything for you, including..."
As Watanabe Yumi spoke, she suddenly made a move. Right in front of me, she removed her swimsuit. Though separated by the spring water, I could still feel the heat. "Miss Watanabe, please have some self-respect!"
"You have to help me!"
"Alright! Don't do this!" I felt this woman was quite problematic. She kept asking for my help, yet I sensed the situation was not as simple as it seemed. I even suspected she was deliberately collaborating with someone to do something on this island. So, I took a few steps back, maintaining a distance from her. "Regarding your situation, Miss Watanabe, I will handle it with discretion, but please don't overthink it. That's all."
I quickly exited the hot springs, returned to the edge, and walked towards my room.
This woman seems quite troublesome, but I can tell her request isn't baseless. She's definitely being targeted by someone, and that person is likely also at the hot spring resort. It seems I'll have to keep an eye out, otherwise, trouble might break out nearby.
Upon returning to my room, I assumed no one knew I had met Watanabe Yumi privately. However, the moment I entered, my ear was firmly grabbed by something like an iron hook. I turned back in surprise to see Liu Yuning's face, clouded with gloom, staring at me ferociously. She seemed to have returned to the room much earlier and ambushed me by the door, launching a surprise attack the moment I appeared.
"What's wrong!" I exclaimed in surprise.
"What's wrong? Aren't you going to ask yourself what you just did wrong? How long have we been married? And you, you... Good for you! It seems all men are like this..."
Hearing this, I knew exactly what had happened. It turned out Liu Yuning had seen me meeting with Watanabe Yumi. I quickly tried to explain, "There's a situation. I think this hot spring resort might be in trouble." I then relayed some of what Watanabe Yumi had told me to Liu Yuning, mentioning the incident from 13 years ago.