Chapter 36: Unexpected Reunions and Hidden Keys

Before long, a figure clad in a crisp black butler’s uniform emerged from the throng.

The woman’s posture was impeccably straight, her red tie at the collar fastened with meticulous precision.

She swiftly made her way to the side of the twin girls.

The girl, adorned in a light pink dress, was the first to speak, inquiring, “Sister Ruilin, have you managed to glean any information?”

“My apologies, Miss, I have not yet uncovered a method of departure,” the woman, identified as Shen Ruilin, stated, offering a slight bow before continuing, “However, it was just suggested that our presence here might be connected to the prior ‘disappearance incidents.’”

“Understood,” Liu Zhi Nian responded with a subtle nod, then offered Shen Ruilin a gentle, appreciative smile. “You’ve gone to great lengths, Sister Ruilin.”

“It is merely my duty, Miss,” Shen Ruilin replied, stepping back to position herself beside the two sisters, her eyes vigilantly sweeping across their surroundings.

Upon hearing the phrase “disappearance incidents,” Liu Zhi Yi, who stood nearby, grew visibly more distressed, her hand instinctively tightening its grip on her sister’s sleeve. “Zhi Nian… do you think we might genuinely be trapped here forever…?”

“Don’t fret, Sister,” she gently reassured, “at the very least… we are safe for the moment, aren’t we?” As she spoke, her gaze ceaselessly swept across their environment—the azure sea lapped rhythmically against the golden beach, where various cars were parked.

In the distance, a dense rainforest stretched alongside strangely sculpted colossal rocks.

Her eyes continued to wander until they abruptly halted, fixating on a spot beneath one of the massive formations.

Nestled there was a white SUV, its frame concealed within the giant rock’s shadow, appearing starkly out of place among the other vehicles openly parked on the clearing.

Why would that particular vehicle be parked in such an unusual spot?

A flicker of doubt sparked within the girl’s mind.

Moreover… if her memory served her correctly, it seemed no one had ever disembarked from that very car.

“Sister Ruilin,” Liu Zhi Nian prompted, gesturing towards the SUV tucked beneath the colossal rock, “Did you happen to investigate that vehicle earlier?”

Following the direction of the girl’s pointed finger, Shen Ruilin glanced over, then shook her head. “My apologies, Miss, that was an oversight on my part.

I hadn’t noticed that vehicle until now.

Would you like me to go investigate it immediately?”

“There’s no need,” Liu Zhi Nian suggested, “Let’s go together.”

A confident smile then graced her lips as she declared, “My intuition tells me that the key to our departure might very well be concealed within that car.”

Meanwhile… Qin Jinxuan lay languidly half-reclined in the passenger seat, her eyes narrowed to slits.

Perhaps she truly was being subtly influenced by Cheng Lan’s disposition…

The girl, without hesitation, promptly shifted the blame to Cheng Lan.

Naturally, Qin Jinxuan was far from idle inside the car; at this very moment, she was operating at full capacity, ravenously absorbing Etheric Energy.

Having stumbled upon such a rare location brimming with Etheric Energy, wouldn’t it be an utter waste not to indulge in a proper “feast”?

Just as she was utterly engrossed in the absorption of Etheric Energy…

“Sister Jinxuan,” Lidoa’s voice, sweet as honey, drifted from the back seat, “Three individuals are now approaching our position.”

Qin Jinxuan instantly straightened her posture, her hand instinctively resting against the car window as she peered out through her sunglasses—

In the near distance, a pair of twin girls, clad in identical dress styles yet differing colors, led the way, trailed by a woman in a butler’s uniform.

The trio advanced with unhurried, measured steps, their destination clearly her exact location.

A sharp glint entered the girl’s eyes as she swiftly conjured a blade of ice, secreting it along the side of her seat, ready for any unforeseen contingency.

As the three figures drew progressively closer, Qin Jinxuan began to discern their appearances with increasing clarity—

Both twin sisters sported lustrous black hair, their striking crimson eyes particularly captivating.

The girl in the light pink dress, however, had added subtle red streaks to her hair, a faint smile playing on her lips, her gaze radiating an undeniable confidence.

Conversely, the girl in the light blue dress possessed a cascade of pure, ink-black hair, and was apprehensively glancing around, her face etched with palpable concern.

The butler woman trailing behind them had a neat, short crop of golden hair, her sharp, golden eyes conveying an inherent authority, commanding respect without a hint of overt anger.

‘Black hair, crimson eyes, twins…’

Qin Jinxuan mused inwardly.

‘Why do they feel so familiar, almost like acquaintances?’

The trio soon reached the vicinity of the vehicle.

The girl in the light pink dress stepped forward, offering a perfectly practiced, polite smile, and gently tapped on the car window with her finger. “Hello there, Miss.

Would it be convenient for us to ask you a quick question?”

Qin Jinxuan slowly lowered the car window, and as her gaze landed on the girl’s face outside, her eyes suddenly widened in astonishment. “Liu Zhi Nian?!”

Upon hearing her name called out so directly, Liu Zhi Nian paused, momentarily stunned, before she began to scrutinize the girl in the passenger seat with keen interest.

“It’s me!” Qin Jinxuan exclaimed, hastily removing her sunglasses.

“Qin Jinxuan?!” Liu Zhi Nian gasped, recognizing her childhood best friend, and couldn’t help but exclaim in shock.

Meanwhile, Liu Zhi Yi, upon hearing the familiar name, instantly shed her earlier somber mood, hurrying to the window with a voice brimming with joyful surprise. “Jinxuan! It really is you! Long time no see!”

“Indeed! It’s been far too long, both of you!” Qin Jinxuan replied, smiling and nodding in agreement.

“Jinxuan, who is that little girl in the back seat? She’s absolutely adorable!” Liu Zhi Yi’s gaze shifted, landing on Lidoa in the rear seat.

Even with the obstruction of sunglasses and a hat, the small portion of Lidoa’s face that remained visible still radiated an undeniable charm and cuteness.

“Ah…” Qin Jinxuan hesitated for a moment, then quickly clarified, “She… she’s my friend’s younger sister!”

“Hello, elder sisters, my name is Lidoa~” Lidoa chimed, peeking her small head out from the back seat and introducing herself with charming politeness.

Upon hearing the girl’s voice, Liu Zhi Yi felt her heart practically melt with sweetness. “Hello, little one, my name is Liu Zhi Yi; you can call me Sister Zhi Yi.

And this is my younger sister, Liu Zhi Nian.”

“Mhm, mhm! Sister Zhi Yi, Sister Zhi Nian, I’ve got it!”

“Jinxuan, be honest with me,” Liu Zhi Yi’s gaze suddenly sharpened, fixing playfully on Qin Jinxuan, a mischievous smile curving her lips. “Duo Ya, she wouldn’t happen to be your boyfriend’s little sister, would she?”

“Absolutely not!” Qin Jinxuan quickly waved her hands in protest, a faint blush creeping across her cheeks. “He’s… he’s just a regular friend.” She unconsciously twirled a strand of hair by her ear with her finger.

“Oh?” Liu Zhi Yi drawled, casting a suspicious glance at her. “A male friend, or a female friend?”

“A ma… male one…” Qin Jinxuan mumbled in a hushed tone.

“Hoho~” Liu Zhi Yi immediately adopted an expression that clearly conveyed, ‘I understand completely.’

Meanwhile, observing her sister and best friend engrossed in their lively conversation, Liu Zhi Nian offered a helpless smile.

“Alright, Sister, let’s not forget the important matter at hand,” she interjected, subtly coming to Qin Jinxuan’s rescue.

“Oh, right,” Liu Zhi Yi exclaimed, slapping her forehead as she quickly stepped back half a pace, willingly yielding her spot to her younger sister.

Qin Jinxuan secretly exhaled in relief, silently commending Liu Zhi Nian in her thoughts.

“Jinxuan,” Liu Zhi Nian leaned in slightly, a polite smile gracing her lips, “Do you have any idea what’s happening here?”

“I… I’m not entirely certain myself,” Qin Jinxuan replied, her eyes flickering almost imperceptibly as she spoke vaguely. “I was simply sitting comfortably in the car, not paying attention to anything, when suddenly I found myself… transported here.”

‘Transported?’

Hearing that particular word escape Qin Jinxuan’s lips, Liu Zhi Nian’s eyes subtly glinted, and the smile on her face deepened ever so slightly.

Her intuition had always proven remarkably accurate—and it seemed this car indeed held the key to their departure, indicating that her best friend surely possessed some crucial knowledge about this enigmatic place.