Chapter 124: Lin Xiaolu's Plans and Dalongzai's Birthday Gift (Seeking monthly votes and subscriptions)

Just as Lin Xiuyuan and Dalongzai and the others were playing freely in 2025.

On the 2013 side, Sulli also sought out Zheng Xiuyan, and they made an appointment for afternoon tea in a small restaurant on the second floor of a street in Cheongdam-dong.

And she arrived here early, ordering some snacks and desserts.

When Zheng Xiuyan and Lin Xiaolu arrived, she waved to the two at the door repeatedly. "Unnies, over here."

After they were seated, Lin Xiaolu took the lead in teasing, "What's wrong, Sulli? Didn't we just see each other yesterday? You miss us again?"

Sulli stuck out her tongue and laughed embarrassedly, saying, "We played too crazy last night, I forgot to tell you about Oppa."

"What happened?" Zheng Xiuyan looked at her.

Then Sulli told them about Lin Xiuyuan agreeing to go to Nihon with her, and looking at Lin Xiaolu with some worry, she said, "If it goes like this, Unnie YoonA, your acting class will probably have to be delayed for a while."

But Lin Xiaolu didn't take it to heart. "Don't think too much, we have a tour coming up, we're very busy, I probably won't have time to run over there anyway."

After saying this, her eyes seemed to narrow as she thought of something. "Besides, if that guy Lin Xiuyuan is over there, I can run over to Nihon to play with you guys, it's more convenient than going back to Seoul."

As she learned more about the popularity of the drama "The Heirs," Lin Xiaolu became even more reluctant to give up on it. Recently, she even heard that the news had been released, and many TV stations and companies were sniffing the scent of a hit drama, all crowding over.

This made Lin Xiaolu start to get nervous. Two months, not much, not little. In the last two nights, her mind was full of Lin Yun'er's advice to her from over there.

She was conflicted every night, almost suffering from insomnia every day.

Does she really have to experience it?

On the side, Zheng Xiuyan laughed. "Mm, it's fine, we don't have anything to run over there for the time being. We know all the major events we should know, just avoid them."

Actually, she held similar thoughts to Lin Xiaolu, always feeling that grabbing Lin Xiuyuan, this key, was better than anything else. So when Sulli finished listening to their answers, she immediately breathed a sigh of relief. "Then I'm relieved, I was afraid of hindering you unnies before."

"No, just keep him steady later, Sulli. Don't look at his age being older than yours, his personality is very impulsive. If something happens, you have to hold him back."

Perhaps it was the fight last time that really shocked Zheng Xiuyan, so she didn't forget to give Sulli another warning.

This precious thing couldn't have any problems, it was their guiding light for a bright future. Whether they could succeed or not all depended on him.

"Don't worry, Unnie, I will." Sulli nodded with a smile.

Talking to here, Lin Xiaolu suddenly asked, "When are you going to Nihon, Sulli?"

"I want to go next week. My recent work has stopped seven or eight out of ten. I'm preparing for the album comeback in July, and apart from rehearsals and recording, there isn't much work, so I want to take about a week to go see Hela Unnie."

As Sulli finished this sentence, Zheng Xiuyan and Lin Xiaolu exchanged glances.

Both of them had been to 2025 and knew the situation, so they understood very well what Sulli's mood was in wanting to find Goo Hara.

So, Lin Xiaolu blinked and said with a small abacus, "Then why don't you wait for me to go together? I happen to have some script issues I want to talk to Lin Xiuyuan about, and it just so happens I can stay there for a few days."

"Hm?"

Zheng Xiuyan was stunned. She knew how busy her second youngest's schedule was, how could she possibly free up time?

Perhaps seeing Zheng Xiuyan's eyes, Lin Xiaolu indicated, "Just discuss it with the company, treat it as an effort for sprinting for that female lead. I've recently realized why idols can't become actors, because we don't have time to delve into the script at all."

Speaking of this, her tone couldn't help but be a bit envious. "Look at Pei Xiuzhi, she stopped work directly to invest in filming, and her company was willing to invest in this effort."

Now even more so, after stepping onto the path of an actor, apart from some team activities and red carpet endorsements, Pei Xiuzhi basically had no commercial performances, all settling down, plus that bit of talent, her acting skills were getting better and better.

"The company's focus is different."

Zheng Xiuyan sighed slightly after hearing Lin Xiaolu's resentment, and Lin Xiaolu also indicated she understood, then said, "But you have to give me some time."

"Mm, then ask. This drama is really worth it." Zheng Xiuyan nodded.

Opposite, Sulli also chimed in, "That's right, I stayed up late to finish watching it recently. Actually, there aren't many places that really need acting skills, just crying scenes and arguments between the male lead and male supporting roles need a little bit, as for the rest, as long as you don't make mistakes, that's fine."

Actually, in terms of acting skills alone, Sulli was much better than Lin Xiaolu and Zheng Xiujing, and I don't know if it had anything to do with her childhood experience, but her emotional expression and delivery were above those two.

The only pity was that there was no good script, so slowly, she was submerged by the younger ones behind her.

But it's fine now, she no longer cares about the identity of an actor or idol.

She just wants to be happy and live well.

"Mm, I know, I've been thinking about this recently." Lin Xiaolu replied softly.

She knew very well that if she could catch this express train this time, her future path would be able to go faster and faster with the help of the "God's perspective," without waiting for the next "opportunity vent."

So all these problems seemed to revolve back to the advice Lin Yun'er gave her over there.

Experience school, success takes off.

Acting school, she doesn't seem to have any acting skills.

Whenever she thought of the latter, Lin Xiaolu was so angry, both angry and annoyed.

Angry at the other party, and annoyed at her own incompetence.

Then, Sulli pulled Lin Xiaolu to discuss some topics about acting, and Zheng Xiuyan couldn't get a word in, so she sat there drinking coffee, eating desserts, and thinking about what to do next.

Just like this, another period of time passed, and as the discussion between Sulli and Lin Xiaolu began to get louder, Zheng Xiuyan interrupted their conversation.

"Alright, alright, put these topics back to the tavern to talk about. You two are almost about to argue now, if you get photographed, you'll be on the news again."

"Unnie, we aren't arguing, just debating."

"Exactly, exactly."

However, after the topic was interrupted, Lin Xiaolu and Sulli also paused the discussion, started eating something to replenish their energy, and chatted about some interesting things recently.

Not long after, Zheng Xiuyan got up and left early. After all, she still had to confirm the design drafts she brought earlier.

She planned to take advantage of this wave of her peak popularity to completely build the reputation of "genius designer," and when the subsequent settlement was enough, it would be the time for her to take off.

And Sulli and Lin Xiaolu continued to stay and discuss the itinerary for Nihon, discussing which day to set off and which day to return.

After talking for a long time, Lin Xiaolu, who couldn't make up her mind, picked up her bag and got up. "Forget it, let's talk to Oppa and the others directly when we get back to the company. Let's go, Sulli."

Sulli opposite didn't say much, got up and left the restaurant.

Lin Xiuyuan was completely unaware of these things at the moment.

At this time, he was still in the swimsuit party in 2025, admiring the ups and downs.

2025.

Hillside villa.

Lin Xiuyuan, who had just been called out by Dalongzai, hadn't even sat warmly on the stool before he was driven to work by Li Juli.

Great physique, looks sunny, clean temperament—so what.

One of the main reasons for calling Lin Xiuyuan over for this swimsuit party was that they lacked a barbecue chef.

You couldn't let a group of sisters in bikinis do it themselves, it was too undignified.

So when Lin Xiuyuan heard this explanation, he immediately looked toward Dalongzai, who didn't dare to look him in the eye out of guilt and jumped directly into the pool, using the white waves to repay the "true love fan's" dedication.

Seeing this scene, Lin Xiuyuan understood. With a wry laugh, he stood up and stepped on his flip-flops to the terrace by the pool.

While wiping the water droplets on his hands, he looked at the multifunctional barbecue grill not far away that was clearly a new arrival.

"This thing is a bit complicated—"

As a person of the "old era," Lin Xiuyuan still frowned when facing these high-tech things, muttering to himself.

Xian Enjing next to him had already brought over a pile of meat and marinated ingredients, and also called Sunny and Li Juli to help. The three of them were wearing cool swimsuits, draped in bath towels, surrounding the stove as if they were watching some big project.

"Xiuyuan, do you know how to use it?"

Sunny squinted at him, while leisurely shaking the beer can in her hand.

"Men have a talent for this kind of thing."

Lin Xiuyuan, while bending over to fiddle with the charcoal fire, said righteously, "All it takes is a little time to figure it out."

Saying this, he waved his hand again. "You guys go play, I'll call you when it's time to eat in a while."

Xian Enjing and Sunny heard this and laughed as they left, jumping into the pool or finding someone to chat with.

Only Li Juli stood in place, arms crossed, sizing up his back.

"Xiuyuan, how come this sounds a bit like you're pushing yourself?"

"We'll see in a while, if I can't handle it, I'll put on my clothes and leave immediately."

He turned back and responded with a smile.

To this, Li Juli laughed, glancing at him.

Her gaze fell on his side profile outlined by the sun, especially the mermaid line that was faintly visible, and she couldn't help but look away slightly. "Alright, then don't burn it. If it's grilled well, there's a reward."

"What reward?"

Hearing this, Lin Xiuyuan immediately looked up at the other party.

Seeing Li Juli with her arms still crossed, when her arms were crossed, her chest was naturally lifted slightly, and as she turned slightly, shifting her center of gravity to one leg, her exquisite figure posed in a lazy yet highly provocative posture.

"We'll see after you grill it well."

Her tone was soft, and the tail sound was dragged very long, very alluring.

Lin Xiuyuan looked at her appearance of teasing and not teasing, and for a moment he didn't know what to say. His throat went dry, and he coughed. "Then I have to grill it well even if it kills me."

"Then you have to work hard."

Li Juli winked at him, then the crossed arms slowly lowered, taking the opportunity to brush the slightly wet hair by her ear, and turned to walk toward the edge of the pool. That back swayed in the sun, and the waist and hip curves were very alluring.

Watching the back go away, Lin Xiuyuan grinned. "This woman, she's deadly."

Then, start working.

Fortunately, although this multifunctional barbecue grill had a lot of high-tech products, its core was still charcoal grilling.

So as long as Lin Xiuyuan didn't need those high-tech things to help, using it purely as a barbecue rack was no problem at all. Soon, after he raised the charcoal fire, he looked at the ingredients and spices next to him, picked up a few beef skewers and put them on the stove to test his hand.

He had barbecued in the yard with family and relatives during festivals before, so his skills were still very proficient, but the spices here were different from those at home, so he had to try them little by little.

Just as he was focused on flipping the meat skewers, Dalongzai walked over.

Still in that three-point bikini full of teasing, draped in a thin gauze cover-up, her steps were leisurely, and she was carrying two bottles of lemon soda in her hand.

"Xiuyuan, has the barbecue started?"

"Testing my hand."

Lin Xiuyuan, who was flipping the beef skewers, replied, and then complained with amusement, "Zhiyan, next time you can just say you lack a barbecue chef, don't make me think too much."

Dalongzai, who heard this, laughed charmingly, pulled a stool and sat down next to him, her long legs shining faintly in the sun, and handed over a bottle of drink. "Then you've earned it, right? We have so many beauties here."

"If you put it that way, then it's indeed earned."

While speaking, Lin Xiuyuan also let go of his courage, looked sideways at Dalongzai sitting behind him.

The latter laughed and glared at him, but didn't make any cover-up movements, instead deliberately doing a stretching movement, the curve almost driving people crazy.

As the charcoal fire became more prosperous, the beef skewers previously put on began to sizzle, and a fragrance drifted out, attracting everyone lying in the distance sunbathing to look over.

However, seeing that Dalongzai was already sitting with Lin Xiuyuan, they withdrew their gazes one after another, chatting about some topics about the two, and their gazes were cast over from time to time.

Especially Sunny, this was the first time she learned the whole process of Lin Xiuyuan and Dalongzai knowing each other from Xian Enjing and Park Hyomin.

And from Li Juli's mouth, she got some scenes and situations of their subsequent contact.

So finally she gave her curiosity. "So Zhiyan, she took a liking to this little boy Xiuyuan, and wants to take a bite?"

Sunny didn't say she liked him, let alone feelings.

As Dalongzai, who had just divorced, what she could think of was indulgence, so she used the word "taste."

Beside, Xian Enjing didn't answer, but looked at Dalongzai who was chatting and laughing with Lin Xiuyuan. Her spirit was much better than before, but the luster that once existed in her eyes was still missing.

"I don't know, maybe."

Park Hyomin followed Sunny's curiosity, glanced at the two over there. "But I think it doesn't matter, seeing her so happy now, as long as that boy isn't very bad."

"Shouldn't be, otherwise Xiujing and Yunsi probably wouldn't approach each other, let alone join his small tavern membership." Thinking of the big boy Lin Yunsi asked Kim Taeyeon to bring over to meet her, Sunny helped out a little.

"Mm, Xiuyuan's personality is quite good, at least it looks pretty good so far, and he's Zhiyan's 'true love fan', shouldn't be a bad man."

At the same time, Li Juli also said a good word for Lin Xiuyuan, and even gave a conclusion. "At most he's greedy for Zhiyan's body, but looking at that physique, Zhiyan seems to earn more."

"Hahaha, Unnie, what kind of conclusion is this, how can you say that." Park Hyomin laughed crazy.

"Isn't it, that physique, the flatness of the impact, just thinking about it is terrifying."

Xian Enjing couldn't watch this anymore, and shouted with a laugh, "Unnie, stop talking, people are standing right there."

She was worried that if she didn't pull Li Juli back, her Unnie would really say anything.

But Li Juli was still outputting, "What are you pretending for, look at Xiuyuan over there yourself, I don't believe you aren't moved."

With this sentence, several people looked over one after another.

In front of the barbecue stove over there, Lin Xiuyuan was standing there shirtless, wearing only a pair of light-colored casual shorts, and a pair of black flip-flops on his feet.

Sunlight came from high above, plating a layer of delicate luster on his slightly wheat-colored skin, and the well-defined shoulder, back, and arm lines looked particularly powerful in every movement of flipping the meat slices.

The hot flames were quietly licking the grill, and the few wisps of charcoal smoke that occasionally burst out made his figure look looming.

Sweat dripped slowly from his temples, down his chin into his collarbone, then all the way along his chest, finally disappearing into the ravine interwoven between the mermaid line and the shark muscle.

And he seemed completely unaware, just lowering his head and focusing on flipping the ingredients on the grill, his brows and eyes revealing a clear seriousness.

Li Juli was leaning under the parasol, and after she finished speaking, her gaze never moved away from that slightly sweaty upper body. "Don't you think Xiuyuan's physique is too foul?"

"A bit."

"Indeed very eye-catching."

For a while, several people were silent for a moment, nodding one after another.

After a while, Dalongzai returned to the middle of the group, and then was immediately surrounded by Park Hyomin and Sunny, pulled into the water and started a new round of frolicking.

When she went ashore again, Xian Enjing, who hadn't been in the water much, suddenly opened her mouth. "By the way, Zhiyan, what kind of gift do you want most for this birthday? Tell me, let's see if we sent the right one to you."

"Gift?"

Dalongzai, who put on the bath towel again, repeated softly, her eyes wandering for a moment.

A moment later, she smiled, smiling as brightly as before. "Mm~ actually I don't want anything, everyone can agree to wear swimsuits and accompany me to go crazy like this, I'm already very happy."

"How can this be called going crazy, we also had a lot of fun." Sunny immediately answered, her emotional intelligence was ahead of the crowd from beginning to end.

"Exactly, exactly." Then her screen also nodded.

Dalongzai, who was comforted, laughed even more happily, her peripheral vision suddenly reached the boy in front of the barbecue stove, and she laughed as she looked.

With a curve on her lips, she replied softly, "If I have to say the gift I want most, well, it's over there."

Everyone was shocked, looking in the direction of her gaze.

Lin Xiuyuan stood in front of the charcoal fire, sweat like silk, gaze firm, movements proficient.

The youthful contour outlined by light and shadow was just like the most moving heat wave in summer.

"I think, the birthday gift I want most tonight—is him." ===== CHAPTER 125 =====

Lin Xiuyuan stood before the charcoal fire, sweat like silk, his gaze steady, his movements practiced.

The silhouette carved by light and shadow was like the most heart-stirring heatwave of summer.

"I think, the birthday gift I want most tonight... is him."