Chapter 57: Azure Waves Rise, the Blue Whale Retreats

“Sunshine, blue skies, turquoise sea, the most beautiful sunsets—a paradise for photographers...”

“This place captures the endless longing people feel for the Aegean Sea. This is the Santorini of China, the utopia of Dali…”

“Graceful curves, flowing lines—here the beauty of natural forms is celebrated. The architecture rises with the mountains, stretching into a dynamic and dreamlike settlement, where careful planning allows a sense of organic growth...”

“White romance—pure, dreamlike; earthy tones—natural and profound, lending the architecture a sense of weight and cultural depth. Exposed volcanic stone and simple thatched roofs mingle with freely winding steps and garden walls. Against the vast blue sky, the Cangshan Mountains and Erhai Lake merge seamlessly, as if this were a kingdom from a fairytale…”

“Flowers bloom everywhere, cacti ornament the terraces—every corner breathes a poetry of facing the sea, where spring warms the flowers…”

“Strolling through the City of Utopia in Santorini, a figure in a fluttering white dress steps onto the water, flying toward Erhai Lake…”

Lin Shenlu tapped out word after word on the screen.

These were the stories he had lived through in recent days.

Stories of Santorini Utopia in Dali.

A settlement as free and full of longing as the Aegean itself.

“The wishing fountain carries countless serendipitous encounters, each coin a hope, a tale waiting to unfold…”

“I tossed a coin into the fountain, wishing that here in Dali... I might see her again—the one who haunts my dreams…”

“That silhouette I cannot forget, no matter how many nights pass... Where is she? Is she well?”

“I believe, at this moment, we both face the same Erhai Lake, gaze at the same moon—yet we cannot hold each other close.”

...

Unnoticed, an hour had passed.

Lin Shenlu stretched, finally finishing his piece of over three thousand words.

This episode about Dali was nearly complete.

All that remained was to find An Muxi again and the final photographs of Rose Manor.

He read through the two thousand words he’d written earlier, now joined together.

It was close to perfect.

His abilities as a 4A-rated blogger were beyond question.

He had written masterful stories for others under a pseudonym for years. Now, writing his own, invested with real emotion, he felt he had moved even himself—and that was success.

The morning slipped quickly by.

Looking up, he saw the swing on the top floor swaying, a figure upon it—not Hailan Jing.

There were more tourists recently.

Besides those coming to visit the wishing fountain, take photos, and leave messages in the drift bottles, many went up to the rooftop just to change into a dress and film a video on the swing.

So the popularity of the Jinglu Hotel was never in doubt.

He glanced around—the outdoor areas were crowded, the infinity pool under construction was nearly finished, and the private gardens bustled with people taking pictures.

Ye Yaochen lay beneath a sun umbrella, the Cangshan Mountains and Erhai Lake as his backdrop, a pot of tea, a cigarette, quietly watching the stream of internet celebrities pass by.

It was a scene of pure contentment.

As night fell, stars and moonlight danced across Erhai Lake, the breeze and gentle waves lulling body and soul into tranquil dreams.

This place was truly wonderful.

Far from the city’s bustle.

Romance found in mountains and water.

Time flowed gently, and joy welled up from the heart.

Here was Utopia.

Lin Shenlu closed his laptop.

He stood and stretched, feeling the ache in his back from sitting so long.

“Mr. Lin… Mr. Lin?” Suddenly, someone was calling his name.

He turned to see the front desk clerk.

“What is it?” he asked curiously.

“Mr. Lin… have you seen Miss Jing?” she asked.

“No, we parted ways last night... Why?” Lin Shenlu was taken aback.

“She hasn’t been seen since this morning, and she’s not answering her phone… I’m really worried!” the girl said anxiously.

Lin Shenlu frowned. How could that be?

Surely nothing happened to her last night?

After they parted at the wishing fountain, she went to bed. Where could she have gone?

“This is my contact information. Let’s search together, and let each other know if we find her…” Lin Shenlu said.

...

“Have you seen Hailan Jing?” Lin Shenlu nudged Ye Yaochen, who was lying under the umbrella.

“Hey, she’s not my wife, you know… but you…” Ye Yaochen took off his sunglasses.

He hadn’t had a moment’s rest these days—after barely recovering, he was drained again, clearly worn out by Xiao Ai.

“Let’s hurry and look. If we can’t find her by evening, we’ll have to call the police—she’s missing!” Lin Shenlu said seriously.

“No way! Did something happen last night?” Ye Yaochen jumped to his feet.

“Keep your voice down—don’t cause a scene. Go look around, and let me know if you hear anything. I’ll go upstairs to find An Muxi,” Lin Shenlu said, patting his shoulder.

Upstairs, An Muxi had already left the swing and was lying quietly on a lounge chair, basking in the sun and peace.

It was her last day in Dali.

A rare moment of comfort and ease.

“Muxi!” Lin Shenlu called, hurrying up.

“Hmm? Lu’er?” An Muxi sat up gently.

“Have you seen… Hailan Jing?”

An Muxi shook her head softly.

“She’s missing—no one’s seen her since last night… I know it’s not really my responsibility, but still…” Lin Shenlu struggled to finish.

“Come on, I’ll help you look,” An Muxi said, standing up without hesitation.

...

Two hours later, after searching almost every corner of Utopia, everyone regrouped—still no sign of Hailan Jing.

“Still can’t get through to her?” Lin Shenlu asked.

“No one’s answering,” the front desk girl replied anxiously.

“Maybe she went out with those two guys from last night?” Ye Yaochen suggested. Two big spenders from the livestream had come yesterday—maybe they went gift shopping together.

“I called them. They’re in the old town—nowhere near Miss Jing…” the front desk girl said.

Lin Shenlu thought—if she hadn’t showed up since last night…

“Did anyone check her room?” he asked.

“We knocked many times… No answer.”

“So you didn’t actually go in? You have a spare key, right? Let’s check!” Lin Shenlu said.

They exchanged glances and returned to the hotel.

Hailan Jing was staying on the second floor, the room at the far right.

The front desk girl placed the key card on the lock.

Beep, beep, beep…

The door swung open.

A wave of damp, stifling air mixed with the heavy scent of alcohol poured from the room.

Lin Shenlu frowned.

Had she really drunk herself into oblivion?

They hurried inside.

“There she is!”

Amid the messy room, bottles of liquor, red wine, and beer were strewn everywhere—no one could tell how much she’d drunk.

There, Hailan Jing lay on the floor in a clinging white nightdress, her face pale, tousled hair covering half her face.

Her bare foot twitched—proof she was still alive.