Strictly speaking, Xavi is not technically an orphan because he has legal guardians and relatives.<br>That is his father’s second wife, to put it simply—his mom-in-law.<br>Indeed, a mom-in-law…<br>However, such topics never surfaced in Xavi’s words or his life.<br>Looking at the woman who tirelessly worked day and night for him, trying her best to offer him motherly love, Xavi had a relatively accepting attitude.<br>Of course, if this woman—his legal “mother”—was not in the prime years of her life, Xavi thought he might feel more inclined to call her 'mom.'<br>Humans are creatures who either adapt to sadness or avoid it altogether, just as they adapt to the people around them.<br>Theoretically, no one truly longs for loneliness.<br>"But why do I crave it?"<br>Xavi scribbled the word “Out” on a sticky note, slapped it onto the refrigerator door, and headed out before the day turned unbearably hot.<br>It was the weekend, and with no classes at university, he just wanted to be alone. That was all.<br>...<br>...<br>The morning streets were already buzzing with life.<br>Perhaps it was because it was a weekend, and people were eager to head out early.<br>Fathers with daughters heading to play, elderly couples strolling along the riverside hand in hand, others seizing the weekend to exercise and feel the vitality of life, while some began their day's work.<br>Various people appeared and vanished within Xavi's sight, like actors on a grand operatic stage, seemingly born to play their roles as the finest performers.<br>Xavi was used to observing but not speaking, wanting to delve into what others were thinking but unwilling to get too close.<br>What could it be?<br>A belated period of youthful confusion and contradictions?<br>He just wanted to be alone. That's all...<br>The nearby streets began to grow livelier, and Xavi shook his head as he walked toward the pedestrian shopping street that likely hadn’t officially opened yet.<br>At that time, it would probably be quieter. He might even spot one or two passersby to observe in peace.<br>Plugging in his headphones and listening to some not-so-popular tracks, Xavi unconsciously wandered onto the shopping street.<br>As he expected, most shops were either unopened or half-open, with the few exceptions selling breakfast items like bread.<br>Xavi bought two buns and settled on a bench at the edge of the street. It seemed no one particularly paid attention to him, even though he appeared quite peculiar sitting alone.<br>—‘Buyers Club 66’—<br>The name suddenly came into Xavi’s view.<br>While he wasn’t one to remember every detail around him, such an unusual shop name should have left at least some impression, right?<br>The sign was pieced together from individual letters, the storefront a wooden structure. On the left side hung a European-style oil lamp, and on the right, a relatively clean display window.<br>He could barely make out some small ornaments in the window, which piqued his curiosity and subtly drew him inside.<br>Elegant dolls dressed extravagantly, a tiny clock that seemed to have stopped ticking, an artwork resembling a bear's claw, and a tattered but oddly alluring fisherman's hat.<br>“Guest, would you like to step inside and have a look?”<br>Just as Xavi stood by the window, examining the peculiar decorations, a voice suddenly spoke from beside him.<br>It was a girl with an unusually pale complexion, seemingly around his age.<br>Black and white, the eternal hues of Victorian Gothic Attire, lent the girl an air of morbid beauty. Xavi didn’t linger on these details, however.<br>What truly caught his attention were her sapphire-blue eyes—utterly captivating, like gemstones imbued with a mysterious charm.<br>They felt like whirlpools.<br>By the time Xavi came to his senses, he was already inside this peculiar club. He couldn’t even recall how he had entered.<br>It felt like a scene transition in a movie—sudden and inexplicable.<br>“Guest, please have some tea.”<br>The girl with gemstone-like eyes, dressed in the Gothic maid uniform, gracefully served Xavi a cup of herbal tea.<br>“Roselle tea can help you feel at ease. Only when you're at ease can you truly discern what it is you need.”<br>“Oh… Is it just you running this place?”<br>Xavi couldn’t think of much to say. Since he had inexplicably walked in, he decided to go with the flow. Window shopping without buying anything wasn’t all that rare.<br>Yet, this bizarre shop stirred an unusual curiosity within him.<br>Though he had entered, he still had no idea what this place actually sold.<br>“No, the owner will soon come to discuss with you,” the girl replied with a faint smile before disappearing into the back room.<br>The owner? A quirky boss, perhaps?<br>He chuckled softly to himself.<br>Shaking his head, Xavi began examining the store's interior.<br>The style seemed to carry on from the oddities displayed in the window: peculiar, mismatched items that somehow didn’t feel out of place. Instead, they exuded an enigmatic charm.<br>The seating area for guests resembled the fortune-telling rooms he had seen in Western films—dimly lit, with actual candles mounted on candlesticks instead of electric lights.<br>Clearly, the owner had put quite some thought into the décor.<br>The wait exceeded Xavi's expectations, but his curiosity kept him patiently seated while his attention was drawn elsewhere.<br>On a display shelf nearby sat two beads, mounted on a stand, one above the other. Crimson as if they were gemstones, encased within a delicate glass container.<br>For some reason, Xavi imagined them as moons in a night sky. But the thought of two crimson moons in the sky made him chuckle at the absurdity of it.<br>“Do you fancy the 'Blood Moon'?”<br>Finally, a new voice broke the silence, distinct from the girl’s. It must have belonged to the elusive owner.<br>Xavi turned to see a sharply dressed middle-aged man—foreign, judging by his appearance.<br>Unlike the maid, his eyes were a murky gray. And yet, his fluency in the local language was impeccable. If not for his looks, one might not have guessed he was a foreigner.<br>And, admittedly, he was an extraordinarily handsome gentleman...<br>“I’m just looking,” Xavi instinctively replied.<br>Both the owner and the maid exuded a sense of mystery that intrigued Xavi.<br>The owner smiled faintly, moving to the display shelf and carefully retrieving the glass container.<br>Looking at Xavi, he said, “These 'Blood Moons' once belonged to an Ancient Tribe of the Americas. Among this tribe, when someone experienced unbearable sorrow, rage, or even joy, their eyes would transform into these stunning crimson orbs. Under the moonlight, they radiated a mesmerizing glow. Of course, this tribe met its demise… all because of these beautiful eyes. These may very well be the only 'Blood Moons' left in the world.”<br>Eyes?<br>Xavi froze, feeling as though he’d been sold a wildly fabricated tale. Even more absurd was the fact that he had listened all the way through.<br>But the owner’s peculiar storytelling intrigued him, so Xavi asked, “If they’re so precious, how much are you selling them for?”<br>The owner chuckled. “That depends entirely on the price you’re willing to offer. Because this is the Buyers Club 66… Anything you desire can be yours, provided you pay the appropriate price. And as a rule, we do not accept any form of currency.”<br>So… a proprietor of peculiarities running an eccentric shop?<br>“Not interested?”<br>The owner, undeterred, carefully replaced the artifact before warmly gesturing for Xavi to sit back down. “Then let’s discuss what you’d like to purchase.”<br>“What I’d like to purchase…” Xavi chuckled, “I don’t even know what this place sells.”<br>Shaking his head, Xavi stood and said, “My apologies. I don’t think there’s anything I want to buy. Of course, this shop is quite unique. If I have time, I may drop by again.”<br>“You can buy anything, as long as you’re willing. Anything at all can be purchased… provided the price is right. Now, tell me, what is it you truly desire?”<br>The owner sat quietly, exuding extraordinary confidence and wearing a serene smile as he watched Xavi.<br>Today didn’t seem as dull as usual.<br>Looking into the owner’s eyes, Xavi found himself momentarily lost.<br>What do I truly desire?<br>Without realizing it, Xavi pondered this question… The surroundings grew increasingly quiet, so tranquil that it brought him an unexpected sense of peace.<br>This place… it felt like another world. While he could see the pedestrians outside, they seemed utterly oblivious to the shop’s existence.<br>Silently watching, observing, lingering…<br>“This place… I want… this place,” Xavi muttered, voicing his thoughts.<br>Of course, it was only a single, fleeting moment. He abruptly snapped out of it, realizing the sheer absurdity of the situation. Cold sweat broke out all over him.<br>The owner’s expression shifted, a blend of delight and anticipation, but above all… an urgency that brooked no delay.<br>“Esteemed guest, one of the rules of the Buyers Club 66 is this: Once you declare what you desire, the transaction process begins. If you fail to state what you wish to offer, I shall determine the price myself. Therefore… as you wish, I shall sell you the Buyers Club 66, with your freedom as the barter.”<br>The world seemed to flip upside down, the surroundings swallowed by darkness.<br>Before Xavi, an Ancient Scroll unfurled itself. He couldn’t read the text upon it but could distinctly see his name beginning to inscribe itself, letter by letter.<br>Then, it ignited.<br>Burning rapidly.<br>Darkness consumed him.)
