Chapter 298

Luckily, I still had the paper crane in my hand, which I could offer in return as a gift. The artist took the crane with a glimmer of surprise in his eyes. He smiled warmly and said, "This crane is exquisite, I really like it. Thank you for your gift. I hope we can become friends." We exchanged contact information, and the artist enthusiastically invited us to visit his studio. We saw even more of his work at his studio, each piece brimming with creativity and inspiration. It was as if every stroke and detail was infused with a piece of his soul. We chatted for quite some time, finding common ground in our shared passion for art. By the time we left the gallery, night had fully settled over the city. The three of us walked back to the dorm, the cool air brushing against our faces. Little did I know that I had unknowingly fallen into a carefully crafted trap. It wasn't until many years later that I would come to learn the truth—that the artist had intentionally drawn me in und