The Book

The soft click of the door signaled her entry, and a gentle voice greeted Lina with a warm, "Welcome."

It was a routine she had come to cherish. After her long day of classes, Lina would often stop by the small, cozy bookstore nestled on the corner of her street. Living alone in her quiet apartment, the stillness sometimes felt overwhelming, and books had become her constant companions, filling the silence with stories, characters, and distant worlds. She found comfort in the familiar scent of paper and ink, the warm lighting of the shop, and the gentle murmur of turning pages as other visitors quietly browsed.

Today was no different. Lina walked slowly through the aisles, her fingers lightly brushing the spines of various books. She wasn't looking for anything in particular, just something to pass the time, as she often did. After a few minutes, a title caught her eye: "The Success of Xiao Hua." The cover was simple but striking, with a delicate illustration of a young woman standing at the edge of a forest. Curious, she pulled the book from the shelf and examined it more closely. The summary on the back piqued her interest, promising a tale of resilience and personal growth.

Lina carried the book to the counter, where the elderly man who owned the shop stood behind the register. He was a familiar face, one she had grown accustomed to seeing during her many visits. "Sir, is this a new release?" she asked, holding the book up for him to see.

The old man glanced at the cover and smiled warmly. "Yes, it just came out. My daughter wrote it, actually. She loves stories like this."

Lina's eyes widened in surprise. "Really? Your daughter wrote this? That's amazing!" Her curiosity deepened, and she felt even more compelled to read it now.

The old man's smile grew wider, his pride evident. "You've been a regular here for quite some time, always buying books. How about I give this one to you as a gift?"

Lina quickly shook her head, waving her hands in protest. "Oh no, there's no need for that. I can't possibly accept it for free."

But before she could stop him, the man had already wrapped the book neatly and handed it to her with a wink. "Consider it a thank-you for always supporting my store. Please, enjoy it. And come back anytime."

Flustered but touched by his generosity, Lina thanked him profusely before leaving the shop, the book now clutched tightly in her hands. She walked home with a small smile on her face, feeling lighter from the kind gesture.

Later that evening, after a long shower to wash away the fatigue of the day, Lina found herself lying in bed. Though she tried to relax, sleep was elusive. Her mind kept wandering, unable to settle down. Her eyes drifted to the nightstand, where the newly gifted book rested, still wrapped in its delicate packaging. She hesitated for a moment but eventually reached for it.

As she unwrapped the book and opened it to the first page, the story immediately pulled her in. She found herself completely engrossed in the tale of Xiao Hua—a young woman struggling against the odds, determined to carve out her own path whatever the cost. However, as she read further, Lina noticed something strange: a character named Lina appeared in the story.

At first, it seemed like an odd coincidence, but as she continued reading, the unsettling similarities grew. This "Lina" was making all the wrong choices, throwing away opportunities that the real Lina thought she would have handled much better. Frustrated, Lina muttered to herself, "She has everything going for her, but she keeps messing it up. I would never be that reckless."

Page after page, she watched her namesake's life unravel until, in a cruel twist of fate, the character Lina was cast aside by her adoptive family and tragically died in a car accident. Lina sighed heavily, shaking her head. "I saw that ending coming from a mile away." Disappointed with how things turned out for the character, she decided to call it a night, setting the book down on her nightstand.

She switched off her bedside lamp, snuggling into her blankets, determined to get some rest. But her sleep that night was restless, filled with strange dreams she couldn't quite remember upon waking.

When morning came, Lina awoke feeling unusually refreshed, though something about the sensation seemed off. She kept her eyes closed for a few more moments, savoring the feeling of comfort that enveloped her. "I haven't felt this good in a long time," she mused to herself. But as she shifted slightly in bed, a peculiar thought crossed her mind. This bed... it doesn't feel like mine.

Her eyes shot open, and a wave of panic washed over her. The room around her was completely unfamiliar luxurious, elegant, but definitely not hers. Large windows let in soft sunlight, illuminating rich, velvet curtains, an intricately designed ceiling, and antique furniture. Lina's heart raced as she tried to make sense of what was happening.

"Where am I?" she whispered, her voice trembling with confusion. She sat up abruptly, taking in her surroundings, but nothing looked remotely familiar. Panic rose in her chest as she stumbled out of bed and rushed to a nearby mirror. The reflection staring back at her was her own, but there was something distinctly different about her appearance. Her clothes, the room everything seemed foreign.

Just then, memories—vivid and strange—began flooding her mind, none of which belonged to her. Images, thoughts, and experiences that weren't hers overwhelmed her senses. She clutched her head, trying to sort through the confusion, but it was no use. After a few moments of trying to piece things together, the realization hit her like a punch to the gut.

She slumped against the wall, her eyes wide with shock. "Seriously? Did I just become that Lina from the book?"

A mix of disbelief and frustration surged through her. This couldn't be happening. How had she ended up inside a story she had just read last night? It felt ridiculous, surreal. She looked around the grand room again, this time with fresh understanding.

Her heart pounding, she stood up and screamed, "Damn it! Of all people... why me?!"