Chapter 129: Design??

Inside the restaurant.

"This is called concern."

"Pfft, concern your head."

Jessica listened to Lin Xiuyuan's words and found it quite funny, so she retorted.

Then she rolled her eyes at him, pointed to another place, and continued, "By the way, Taeyeon was here just now so I couldn't ask, what's up with your hair? How did you end up dyeing it blonde?"

"Doesn't it look good?" Lin Xiuyuan raised his hand to touch his head and asked back with a smile.

Jessica had originally wanted to roast him a couple more times, but as her gaze followed the blonde hair down to Lin Xiuyuan's smiling face, she suddenly heard the sound of her own heartbeat.

How could it not look good?

It was just that she had always been stubborn, so she turned her face away and hummed, "I'm asking why you suddenly thought of dyeing your hair."

"Zhiyan dragged me to the beauty salon to get it done. I originally meant to just get a haircut, but when I woke up from a nap, it had turned into this little yellow mop."

"Little yellow mop?" Jessica was stunned.

As she was currently cramming Huaxia internet slang, she almost immediately associated it with certain "special meanings." She moved her foot and kicked him under the table, "Get lost, are you really bringing your fetishes into real life?"

Lin Xiuyuan looked innocent, "Huh? What did I say?"

When he noticed Jessica's gaze fixed firmly on the blonde hair atop his head, he finally realized and couldn't help but laugh, "Hey, hey, what are you thinking about? I didn't think in that direction at all."

Jessica wanted to say a few more words, but Kim Taeyeon happened to return at that moment. Seeing the two of them staring at each other in a mysterious manner,

she couldn't help but smile, "What are you two doing?"

"Nothing, let's eat." Although Jessica was frustrated, she still cared about Lin Xiuyuan's face.

Kim Taeyeon didn't ask further, but as she sat down, she looked at Lin Xiuyuan, "By the way, Boss Lin, what do you think I should do about my situation?"

Lin Xiuyuan was looking down at his food; he raised his eyes and smiled, "You're asking me?"

"Yeah, aren't you—"

"I've just become a doctor through long-term illness. I've had similar symptoms before, which is why I could tell."

He said this with a smile, then his tone became more serious, "However, I suggest you go to the hospital for a proper check-up. While the symptoms aren't severe yet, taking some medicine will suppress it. Don't wait until you have acute gastroenteritis and can't even stand up straight; that would be troublesome."

Jessica, sitting beside them, nodded as well, "That's right, Taeyeon. Since you have nothing to do tonight, I'll take you for a check-up in a bit."

"Ah, no need, I'll go in a few days." Kim Taeyeon, not expecting Jessica to say that, waved her hands repeatedly.

But in the end, she couldn't resist the other's persistence and had to compromise.

She then looked up at Lin Xiuyuan, smiling with a tone of regret, "I originally wanted to say that since I'm free today, I'd go sit at your tavern, Boss Lin, and have a drink, but it seems there's no chance now."

Lin Xiuyuan couldn't bring himself to refuse, so he immediately smiled, "It's fine, you can still come over after the check-up. Although you can't drink alcohol, I have plenty of other beverages there."

Jessica made the final decision, "Then you come to the hospital with us too, just in time to help us run errands."

"No, aren't you going to a private hospital? Why would you need someone to accompany you or run errands there? Who are you trying to fool?"

Lin Xiuyuan replied while eating.

But in the end, he was still dragged along by Jessica.

When he saw the doctor arrange a series of tests for Kim Taeyeon, and the final conclusion was indeed similar to his previous judgment, Kim Taeyeon couldn't help but look back at him.

Her eyes held a bit of surprise and appreciation, sparkling.

Later, when Lin Xiuyuan saw the bags of "medicinal juice" the doctor prescribed for Kim Taeyeon, although he didn't say anything, he had already sentenced these things to "death" in his heart.

In his view, these so-called "Korean herbal medicinal juices" were not as effective as the herbal tea brewed back home.

For minor ailments like spleen and stomach coldness or heavy dampness before they become serious, drinking a few bottles of exclusive herbal tea would show results very quickly.

Or simply eating lamb and beef for a week would immediately make the body much stronger.

But he didn't tell Kim Taeyeon any of this; he only mentioned it to Jessica while the other was getting checked.

After all, the two had just met, and his words didn't carry much weight; it was better to let Jessica remind her, and whether she listened or not would be up to her.

After the check-up, the three walked out of the hospital; it was already eight o'clock in the evening.

The neon lights on the street had lit up, colorful and vibrant.

Lin Xiuyuan glanced at the two behind him and asked casually, "It's getting late, do you still want to come over and sit at my place?"

"Let's go, we'll sit for a while before leaving." Jessica nodded.

"It's fine, I also happen to want to take a look." Kim Taeyeon echoed with a smile.

Since both had said so, Lin Xiuyuan didn't decline further; he turned, got into the car, and led the way to his small tavern.

Before long, Kim Taeyeon followed the two and stepped into the 【Jieyou】 tavern, which she had only heard about from a few members, for the first time.

However, she didn't stand at the door muttering about "Jieyou" like her 2025 self.

After all, she was currently at the peak of her career; her popularity, looks, and physical state were all at their best.

The only trouble was probably that there wasn't enough time.

When she got busy, she really wished she could split a day into four parts.

As Kim Taeyeon walked through the door, the first thing she saw wasn't the cozy decor or the lights at the bar, but the small stage facing the entrance.

There were several musical instruments on the stage—drums, a keyboard, and a microphone—all complete, quiet yet full of stories.

"Wow, Daebak—" she exclaimed in a low voice, her eyes brightening, "There's even a stage?"

As her exclamation faded, Lin Xiuyuan's laughter followed, "A tavern without a stage, how could it have any atmosphere without some music?"

This remark directly made Kim Taeyeon reveal her signature "ajumma laugh," laughing so hard that Lin Xiuyuan was momentarily stunned.

After all, in 2025, he had almost never heard the Kim Taeyeon over there laugh so unrestrainedly; it was as if she had lost a lot of her defenses and a lot of her worries.

Jessica had already sat down on a high stool at the bar, looked up at Lin Xiuyuan, and then said to Kim Taeyeon, "Come on, mix me a drink. Anyway, Taeyeon can't drink, so you'll be driving later, Taeyeon."

"Sure, actually I want to drink too, what a pity."

Kim Taeyeon, who had walked to the edge of the stage and fiddled with a few instruments, ran her fingers over the guitar strings and keyboard, then looked at the microphone, as if touching some familiar sense of belonging.

Only after finishing this round did she return to the bar to sit down, answering Jessica while carefully examining the space.

It had to be said that whether it was the area, the lighting, or the overall atmosphere and sense of privacy, this 【Jieyou】 tavern made her very satisfied; it was very suitable for gatherings among friends like them who couldn't be seen in public.

Lin Xiuyuan stood inside the bar, mixing drinks with a smile, and spoke up, "Next time."

Hearing this, Kim Taeyeon blinked and said teasingly, "Isn't this a membership-only place? If Xiuyan doesn't accompany me next time, I probably won't even be able to get through the door."

Lin Xiuyuan wanted to pretend he didn't hear that, but he couldn't be that thick-skinned, so he looked up to answer.

Who would have thought Jessica would beat him to it, "Taeyeon, there is actually one way for you to become a member here."

""

"Oh?" Kim Taeyeon was genuinely interested, "What way?"

"Go back and beat that woman Jin Xiaoyuan up, then I'll recommend you for membership."

Her tone was light and casual, yet carried a hint of vengeful joking.

And she was only responsible for recommending; as for whether the gatekeeper Lin Xiuyuan was willing to nod, that wasn't her concern.

Fortunately, Kim Taeyeon wasn't stupid; upon hearing this, she revealed a bitter smile, "You two should really talk it out. Xiaoyuan knows she had a problem later on, there's no need to make the relationship so stiff."

Jessica shook her head directly, even roasting Kim Taeyeon a little, "Like you, scold them first to vent and then turn back to reason and ease the relationship?? I can't do that, I'm not the leader."

"You can do that, but I can't."

Kim Taeyeon looked deeply at Jessica, then at Lin Xiuyuan, and finally sighed softly.

Jessica then expressed, "That's why when Teacher Li Xiuman asked me if I wanted to be the leader, I refused directly. This position of taking the blame, whoever loves to do it can do it."

In reality, the company's initial choice for leader before debut was Jessica.

After all, considering she was only a month older than Kim Taeyeon at the time, and the majestic aura she had that suppressed all the trainees in the company, she fit that role better.

And Kim Taeyeon was participating in the debut as a solo singer at the time, so she hadn't considered the leader issue at all.

It wasn't until Jessica politely declined that the company followed the age order and placed this heavy burden on her shoulders.

As the two talked about the past, Lin Xiuyuan had already pushed a cocktail to Jessica and mixed a glass of freshly squeezed fruit juice with ice and honey for Kim Taeyeon.

After finishing everything, he looked at them and asked softly, "Do you want to listen to some music?"

"Can we?" Kim Taeyeon looked up, pleasantly surprised.

"Of course."

Lin Xiuyuan nodded, walked out from behind the bar, and headed toward the wall covered in old records.

His gaze wandered among the records, and finally, he took down a vinyl of Zhang Guorong and carefully placed it into the gramophone.

As the needle dropped, a deep and melodious melody flowed out; the magnetic voice was as lingering as the night wind, spreading the scent of old times throughout the tavern.

Kim Taeyeon and Jessica's eyes lit up almost simultaneously. As legendary figures who swept across the Peninsula's music scene, Zhang Guorong was a name they couldn't avoid in their growth years, and naturally, he was their common idol.

The melody rose and fell gently; it was that song, "When the Wind Blows Again."

Although they couldn't understand the Cantonese lyrics, they could hum the melody accurately, as if these notes had long been deeply planted in the depths of their memories.

Kim Taeyeon listened with extra focus, as if she had been pulled back into a quiet and warm time capsule, tilting her head slightly,

humming along softly.

That line, "In the quiet night, I think of your support for me," although she didn't understand Cantonese, she had long memorized the melody, and when she hummed it, it carried a bit of inexplicable emotion.

"It's been a long time since I've heard this song—"

She turned to look at Jessica, her voice carrying a hint of nostalgic surprise, "The cassette tape my dad played in the car when I was a kid was this version. For a while, I listened to it almost every day."

"I've listened to it many times too," Jessica took a sip of her drink, her tone softening, "Actually, when I was a kid, I had a dream that I could also become a true superstar like Brother."

"Your popularity now is about the same."

Lin Xiuyuan happened to return from the gramophone and smiled as he took over the conversation.

Then he leaned against the bar, watching them quietly. After the chorus gradually rose, he looked at Kim Taeyeon and spoke slowly, "This song is actually very difficult, especially in high notes and emotional control. Many people sing it with perfect pitch, but the emotion just doesn't come through."

Kim Taeyeon, sitting beside him, seemed to have found a kindred spirit and nodded in agreement immediately, "Right! You're so right. Emotion is the key, but it can't be too outward; it needs to be restrained, like Brother, as if he wasn't using any effort but it hit right into the heart."

"And the placement of the turns, his way of using breath is also very special."

Lin Xiuyuan continued along her line of thought, "Especially the few lines in the chorus, he's actually using his diaphragm to push the air, not relying on his throat, which is why it sounds so light and steady."

Kim Taeyeon was stunned upon hearing this, a flash of surprise in her eyes, "How do you know that? Have you studied vocal music?"

Inadvertently, she didn't even notice that her conversation with Lin Xiuyuan had abandoned honorifics.

Lin Xiuyuan smiled without answering, slowly picking up a lemon slice to decorate the juice glass, and then said as if casually, "No, I just said it randomly. I was afraid you'd expose me for talking nonsense just now."

"Not at all, your commentary just now was very professional, exactly the same as what I was thinking. I feel like you're practically my mouthpiece."

Kim Taeyeon shook her head lightly, the shock on her face not yet faded, but her eyes held a bit more approval and surprise.

Jessica, sitting beside her, was quiet for a moment, looking down at her drink, only looking at Lin Xiuyuan with a subtle gaze.

Until Kim Taeyeon excitedly ran to the record wall to see what other records there were, she then looked at Lin Xiuyuan, "Where did you learn these things?"

Lin Xiuyuan looked at her, smiled, his tone calm but meaningful, "She from 2025 told me. Once when we met, we happened to talk about this song."

Actually, during those two meetings at the golf practice area, as idols, everyone would talk about music from time to time.

And Kim Taeyeon particularly liked to analyze singing styles and stage performance styles, and she had told everyone many similar techniques.

At that time, Lin Xiuyuan, as a bystander, didn't interrupt; he just remembered those words and then copied them here at this moment,

fiercely startling her younger self from 2013.

After explaining this, Lin Xiuyuan chuckled and added, "Look, I even know she likes her juice with ice and two spoons of honey."

Jessica, upon hearing this, subconsciously turned to look at Kim Taeyeon, who was holding the juice and looking at the records happily, and her heart suddenly trembled.

She turned back to look at Lin Xiuyuan, her eyes revealing a bit of complexity, "Are you here to conquer her with a book of answers? If you meet a few more times, I'm afraid you'll really be able to take her down."

Lin Xiuyuan shook his head, his tone flat but certain.

"Not necessarily. Favorability might be maxed out quickly, but after reaching a certain critical point, it's no longer something a prophet can control. Feelings and emotions, no matter which world they are in, are still so mysterious. In the end, it's just a head start."

Jessica was silent for a moment after hearing this answer, as if chewing on the words, and finally nodded lightly.

Then, as if sighing casually, but with a hint of belated relief, "Fortunately, I was the first person to come into contact with you, otherwise I'd start worrying about being designed by you."

At the same time,

in an apartment somewhere in 2025.

Dalongzai, Li Juli, and Xian Enjing, who had just parted ways last night, were gathered together again. At this moment, they were huddled in Park Jiyeon's apartment, eating desserts, drinking, and chatting about trivial matters.

As they chatted, the topic circled back to Lin Xiuyuan.

Looking at Dalongzai beside her, Xian Enjing asked tentatively, "Jiyeon, did you really do that with Xiuyuan last night?"

"Yeah, we slept together."

Compared to Xian Enjing's subtlety, Dalongzai was quite frank, nodding with a smile, "To be precise, it should be that I slept with him. In his words, it's 'Cao Fen,' and it felt unprecedentedly comfortable."

Once these words were out, Xian Enjing was speechless, while Li Juli's eyes lit up, and she leaned over excitedly.

"How was it? How was the taste? Xiuyuan's figure is so great, is he strong? Is he—also very sturdy?"

"Ah, Unnie!!"

Xian Enjing, who had just rolled her eyes, couldn't help but reach out to pull Li Juli.

On the contrary, Dalongzai answered happily, "Didn't I say it already? Unprecedented comfort. I actually feel like I made my move too late. If I had known, I would have tricked him home to look at photos the day we first met, wasting all these days for nothing."

"That exaggerated?" Li Juli couldn't help but swallow, her eyes starting to shine.

"Unnie, didn't you give me a gift?"

Li Juli nodded, indicating she remembered.

Dalongzai, thinking of something, found a metaphor, "That gift couldn't compare at all; the battery life couldn't keep up with our exercise time, which is a pity, otherwise it could have been even more comfortable later."

Once this sentence was out, Li Juli was laughing with her fists clenched, almost collapsing onto the sofa.

And Xian Enjing was completely speechless, burying her face in the cushion.

As a group member, Xian Enjing had thought she could keep up with Jiyeon in terms of "flirting."

But who knew that during this time, Jiyeon had first gotten married, then divorced, and now was letting herself go completely, leaving her streets behind.

Even Xiaomin had been surpassed; the only one who could compete with Jiyeon in this regard was Juli.

Although they rarely talked about it, once they did, it went straight to the sky.

Seeing the atmosphere drifting further and further away, Xian Enjing had to speak up to pull it back a bit, "Jiyeon, I want to ask, aren't you worried that Xiuyuan's so-called fan identity is a lie? I always feel there's something fishy, it's too strange."

Facing Xian Enjing's point, Dalongzai smiled brightly, "Unnie, I know what you're worried about; aren't you just worried about me being deceived again?"

Xian Enjing nodded, her expression quite solemn.

"But you actually don't need to worry too much," Dalongzai raised her glass and clinked it gently, "Even if he lied to me about something at the beginning, the time we spent together later, I was really quite happy."

She paused, looking at Xian Enjing with clear eyes,

"There's a saying on Xiuyuan's side: a gentleman judges by actions, not by heart. No matter what he thought at the beginning, or even what he thinks now, I don't care. If he makes me happy when he's with me and can coax me into being happy, then to me, he is a very good friend, a close friend."

"As for whether I'll be deceived later or what, that's all for later. Seize the present, and living the current life happily in a state of rare confusion, I think that's very satisfying."

"The beginning has passed, the end hasn't arrived, why not seize the present? So I only care about whether he can make me happy during this process."

After these words were finished, the room was quiet for a while.

And Xian Enjing's expression was hard to describe as moved or shocked; her voice even changed pitch slightly, "What if you really are deceived?"

Dalongzai tilted her head and smiled, "Then if it's nothing major, I'll give him a small punishment, a punishment that can make me happy."

"Then what if one day we know you've been deceived, been designed, should we tell you?" Xian Enjing pursued.

This time, Dalongzai was silent for a few seconds before speaking slowly, "If you really have to say—then it's best not to tell me."

Xian Enjing was completely puzzled, "Why?"

Only Dalongzai tilted her head and smiled somewhat indifferently, "Because that's the 'deception' you think; maybe I'm willing."

Xian Enjing wanted to say something else, but was gently pulled by Li Juli.

She shook her head at the other, signaling for the topic to end there.

Some answers don't need to be said anymore.