Chapter 144: Animal World

2025, Villa.

As a door was slowly pushed open, Lin Xiuyuan, who hadn't been seen for a long time, finally arrived in 2025 again.

Having just arrived here, his first priority was to plug in the phone that had automatically shut down due to being on standby for a long time.

Then he walked into the master bedroom bathroom to take a good shower. When he came out again, he casually picked up the fully charged phone to check the messages from the past few days.

And then he was a bit surprised.

Originally, he thought the volume of messages would be the highest from Krystal or Dalongzai, but unexpectedly, the ones who sent him the most text messages were Li Juli and Kim Taeyeon.

On the contrary, Krystal and Dalongzai only sent a few text messages, talked about the situation over the past few days, and there was nothing else.

Besides that, there were also messages from Sunny and Xian Enjing. They had heard that Lin Xiuyuan had "lost contact," so they sent a greeting message out of curiosity.

So after reading through these messages, Lin Xiuyuan pondered for a moment, simply turned on the group messaging function, and casually sent a unified text message to all contacts in his address book: I'm back.

However, less than two seconds after the message was sent, a reply popped back quickly.

Lin Xiuyuan lowered his head to look, and he was instantly dumbfounded.

Jessica:?

Then Lin Xiuyuan hurriedly checked the numbers he had sent the group message to. Sure enough, he, who was too lazy to select, had directly pressed 'select all,' and then this happened.

Following that, several more message sounds rang out; Dalongzai, Krystal, and Xian Enjing all sent responses.

Dalongzai: What a coincidence, my plane just landed. Xiuyuan, where are you?

Xian Enjing: Welcome, welcome.

Krystal: You stay in the villa and don't you dare run off.

After looking at the responding messages, Lin Xiuyuan first replied to Jessica: Sent by mistake, sorry.

Then, just as he wanted to give Dalongzai an honest answer, he thought of Krystal's words, so he replied: That really is too coincidental. I also just arrived not long ago and am preparing to go eat with a friend.

Finally, there was Krystal's message. He smiled and replied: Why would I run off?

Completely unaware that there was any problem, he thought Krystal wanted to find him for something, or planned to go to 2013 to find Sulli.

It was precisely this innocent and defenseless mindset that laid the groundwork for the "tragedy" that followed.

Just like that, another forty minutes or so passed. Lin Xiuyuan, who had eaten a lot of all-natural, additive-free food recently, hurriedly ordered a lot of fried chicken and grilled skewers with pure additives and no natural ingredients, intending to reward his stomach.

During the waiting period, he was also chatting via text with Dalongzai and others, and by the way, rounded off the lie about the "friend."

And following the arrival of the takeout, Krystal also rushed in from outside.

On the sofa, Lin Xiuyuan looked back at Krystal who had entered from the door behind him, his face full of joy, and he laughed happily, "Long time no see, Krystal. You came just in time. I ordered some food; let's eat together."

"I have to go to Busan in an hour; there's no time."

Krystal said while walking in quickly, her tone calm but revealing urgency.

"Hmm?"

This made Lin Xiuyuan, who had just opened the takeout packaging, a bit surprised, "Ah, then why did you run over here? Is there something urgent?"

"It is indeed urgent."

As soon as the words fell, before Lin Xiuyuan could react on the sofa, Krystal had already rushed over in one step.

She was dressed simply and neatly today, a white jacket draped over her shoulders, a clean white T-shirt and denim skirt underneath, and a pair of sneakers on her feet—fresh and capable, looking as if she had rushed straight over from the airport.

But the aura she had when rushing toward Lin Xiuyuan was not light at all.

"Wait a minute, what do you want to do?" Lin Xiuyuan, seeing Krystal rushing over, just wanted to get up, but had already been fiercely pressed back by her.

"Don't move." Krystal gritted her teeth, directly straddling his thighs, and pressed him into the soft sofa, "Let's clarify one thing first: did you do something to let me down?"

"Huh??"

Lin Xiuyuan was truly dumbfounded. What thing to let her down?

He hadn't even had time to pick up the grilled skewers from the takeout before being nailed to the sofa. Could Krystal be referring to the Lin Xiaolu issue?

If that were the case, he hadn't crossed the line either.

So he hurriedly shook his head, "Holy crap, I didn't. You know I just got back; I haven't even left the door, and I haven't even eaten the takeout yet."

Lin Xiuyuan, who was hurriedly defending himself, even pointed to the things on the table.

Krystal stared into his eyes for two seconds, then suddenly laughed, the corners of her mouth hooking into a curve that was cold yet sweet, "Really didn't?"

"Really."

"Do you dare to swear?"

"I swear."

Krystal laughed "heh," and then in the next second, she suddenly leaned down and fiercely bit Lin Xiuyuan's lower lip.

"Ugh—are you crazy!"

He wanted to dodge, but Krystal didn't give him a chance at all.

One hand pressed against his chest, while the other hand supported the back of the sofa, pinning him firmly in place.

"Since you said you didn't do anything guilty, then what are you dodging for?"

She said softly, but her lips were pressed even closer, as if punishing him, and as if collecting a debt.

Lin Xiuyuan's brain short-circuited for a moment. Krystal's familiar fragrance rushed toward him, carrying a bit of fresh sweat, and the body temperature she had brought from rushing over from outside, all wrapped around him.

He tried to raise his hand to support her, but as soon as he moved, Krystal pressed his hand back, "Don't move, you still owe a debt."

"Wh—what debt?"

"A youth debt."

As soon as the words fell, she leaned down again and kissed him thoroughly.

This time there was no hesitation; it was a thorough, aggressive biting and occupation.

At this moment, Krystal's movements were more aggressive than ever, carrying a suppression and explosion under her self-restrained calmness as an older sister, like a surprise attack, and like a declaration of war.

At this moment, Lin Xiuyuan's brain was buzzing; he didn't have time to respond at all, only caring about opening his mouth to respond, and as a result, he was thoroughly teased by Krystal's tongue tip.

"Holy crap... how can you..."

He opened his mouth with intermittent breaths, and his whole body was almost pressed into the sofa by Krystal.

"Lin Xiuyuan—" Krystal's tone deepened, stopping halfway through the kiss, "Let's do an experiment."

"Ah?"

Lin Xiuyuan was instantly alert, but before the words left his mouth, Krystal had already leaned down again.

On the highway.

The four members of Tara, who were returning to the company, were all sitting in an MPV, chatting and laughing about the work and interesting things of the past few days.

"We can rest again next, right?"

"Is this called resting? This is called having no work, Hyomin."

"You can rest, but I have to join the crew to film."

The three voices chatted enthusiastically, but only Dalongzai was staring at the phone screen in a daze, until Xian Enjing looked at her, "Zhiyan, what are you doing?"

"Nothing, that guy Xiuyuan isn't replying to my messages again. I originally wanted to find him to go out for a late-night snack."

As Dalongzai said this, Li Juli, who knew the situation, was directly speechless, "Zhiyan, although I know you've taken a fancy to this little boy, you have to be reserved. He's eating with friends; if you keep clinging to him like this, you'll annoy him."

"Unnie, you're wrong about that. Our Zhiyan is so good, how could she annoy anyone? It must be that the other party has a problem with his brain."

Park Hyomin raised her eyes and smiled from the back, then looked at Dalongzai, "But Zhiyan, you are indeed a bit too proactive.

You have to pull, you have to seduce the other party."

"Really?"

"Really."

What they didn't know was that at this moment, Lin Xiuyuan was being "hooked" until he couldn't breathe.

In the villa living room, the air became increasingly thick.

Krystal huddled in Lin Xiuyuan's arms, her hair brushing against his neck, the fresh, cool scent she had brought from the car having long since been softened by body temperature.

She suddenly raised her head again, staring at Lin Xiuyuan's face.

"Xiuyuan, did you really not do anything bad?"

Krystal, who spoke in a low voice again, had a probing yet sharp sharpness in her eyes.

Lin Xiuyuan was stunned, but still shook his head.

He really hadn't crossed the line with Lin Xiaolu; he even admired his own self-control on this point.

Krystal didn't answer, just slowly lowered her head and kissed him again.

This time, it was no longer like an interrogation, nor was it a punishment, but a declaration through and through.

Her lips kissed eagerly and with fire, as if wanting to extract an answer from his breath.

Lin Xiuyuan was kissed until he was panting slightly, his chest vibrating. Just as he wanted to respond, his hands were restrained by Krystal again and pressed to the edge of the sofa.

"Don't move." She said softly, like a cat luring prey in the night, her tone gentle but filled with aggression.

"What are you—" His breathing was a bit unstable.

Krystal didn't answer, but directly supported her body and sat on top, her knees kneeling on both sides of his thighs, her whole body leaning down and pressing him, that cold face now carrying a temptation that made people unable to resist.

She kissed his forehead, kissed the corners of his eyes, then the tip of his nose, and finally landed on his lips again.

Lin Xiuyuan subconsciously wanted to take the initiative, but as soon as he raised his hand, Krystal, as if she had expected it, held his wrist in reverse.

She chuckled, "Didn't you say you wouldn't run? Then don't move, let me confirm."

"Confirm what?"

"Confirm whether there is anyone else's scent on you."

She said it seriously, but with a warmth that made people imagine things, and in the next second, her actions followed suit to fulfill the promise.

She lowered her head and kissed his collarbone, kissed the fabric on his chest, like a little wild cat with a keen sense of smell, persistently and seriously checking her "territory."

Lin Xiuyuan was made to lose his direction for a moment by her suddenly erupting control. He was clearly feeling the pleasure, but his sanity couldn't distinguish whether he should enjoy it or reflect on it.

By the time he finally supported himself and sat up, Krystal had already been kissed back onto his lips by him.

"Don't tease me." He said with heavy breaths, "Krystal, what's wrong with you today?"

"You want to know?"

Krystal raised an eyebrow, and in the next second, she was picked up by him around the waist, and the two fell onto the sofa. The moment the soft cushion sank, the air in the living room was suddenly ignited.

Lin Xiuyuan bit her earlobe and said in a low voice, "Nonsense, you have to let a person know how they died."

The takeout was still left by the table, the fragrance drifting, but no one cared anymore.

The TV automatically lit up, and after the screensaver ended, it jumped to the default channel—"Animal World."

On the screen, a male lion was launching a fierce attack on a female lion.

The narrator explained in a low and slow voice:

"In order to ensure the right to reproduce, the male lion will show a strong possessiveness toward the female lion. Usually, such behavior will last for several hours, or even a whole day."

Krystal turned her head to look at the TV and suddenly laughed out loud.

"Xiuyuan, you say—" She said with unstable breath, "Are we—like that pair of lions now?"

"Then which one do you want to be?" Lin Xiuyuan pressed his palm against her waist, his voice also becoming low and hoarse.

"Of course, the one who is more proactive."

As soon as the words fell, she directly turned over, and once again, that aggressive posture appeared on him.

The white jacket on her body had long since slipped to the ground, leaving only the white T-shirt and short skirt being squeezed and deformed bit by bit during the constant shifting.

On the sofa, Lin Xiuyuan's forehead was already oozing sweat, his breathing a mess.

Krystal, however, seemed not afraid of being tired at all; on the contrary, the more she suppressed, the more invested she became.

On TV, the lion had already bitten the female lion's neck.

On the sofa, Krystal also seemed to hear a hint and bit Lin Xiuyuan's shoulder.

"I really didn't do anything wrong," Lin Xiuyuan said, raising his hands high to indicate.

"Then be obedient." Krystal's voice was like a knife wrapped in honey, "Let me finish confirming."

Her movements became increasingly crazy, as if wanting to take back everything owed over these past few days.

Her fingertips brushed across his clothes, as if pressing a little puppy into a territory that belonged only to her.

And Lin Xiuyuan had no room to fight back during this period.

Under such circumstances, time seemed to be stretched very, very long.

But in reality, by the time the two finished, late night had just arrived.

When everything finally stopped, Krystal lay on him, panting heavily, the corners of her lips slightly curled, as if she had fought a beautiful victory.

Lin Xiuyuan lay sprawled on the sofa, looking at the ceiling with lifeless eyes, "You're crazy."

"That's it for today; I still have to work in a while."

Krystal said in a low voice, then leaned close to his ear and whispered, "I'll give you a day to think about it carefully: what exactly did you do to let me down? If you still can't remember when I come back from Busan, we'll do it again. Tomorrow night, I have plenty of time."

The narrator on TV continued:

"In the animal world, possession is not just a behavior, but an expression of instinct, declaring 'you are mine'."

Late night.

Inside a quiet apartment somewhere in Seoul.

Dalongzai, who was still in the car earlier, had now returned home and taken a shower by the way.

At this moment, she was huddled on the sofa, draped in wet hair, drinking juice while watching TV, looking lazy and comfortable.

The phone beside her suddenly lit up a few times. She didn't pay attention at first, until more than ten minutes later when she picked it up casually. She originally just intended to scroll through some videos, but unexpectedly saw that long-awaited text message.

So the corners of her lips raised, and a smile appeared.

Xiuyuan: Sorry, I was chatting with a friend just now and didn't notice the message. Zhiyan, have you returned home?

Dalongzai, who stared at the screen, just wanted to reply, but suddenly remembered that this wasn't the airport, nor was it in the car anymore; why waste time typing?

So she directly initiated a video call.

The person on the other end of the phone took a while to answer. The moment the screen lit up, what came into view wasn't Lin Xiuyuan's face.

But a wet tiled floor, the sound of water dripping and splashing, the bathroom filled with mist, and Lin Xiuyuan's voice could be vaguely heard, "I'm taking a shower, Zhiyan."

"Didn't you say you were chatting with a friend?" Dalongzai was a bit surprised.

"That was just now; I came back after chatting. I saw your message when I was charging my phone, but who knew you'd call directly." Lin Xiuyuan said, his tone carrying a bit of helplessness.

And Dalongzai, having heard the explanation, smiled, "Alright, I didn't notice your message just now either, so we're even."

Saying this, her eyes flashed, "But where is your camera pointing? Let me see you yourself; it's not like I haven't seen you."

"You want to see me taking a shower too?" A chuckle came from Lin Xiuyuan on the other end of the phone.

"Do you think I want to see you taking a shower?" Dalongzai hummed softly, "I want to see if 'my abs' have been lazy and slack."

Thinking of the scene where she used her tongue to "swim" on those abs a week ago, Dalongzai couldn't help but brighten her eyes, her smile carrying a bit more teasing, "Hurry up, don't dawdle."

Lin Xiuyuan chuckled on the other end of the phone, seemingly having no way to deal with her.

"You really want to see?"

"Nonsense." Dalongzai leaned on the sofa, sipping juice while raising her eyebrows to look at the phone camera, "It's not like I haven't seen them; what am I afraid of?"

"Alright—" Lin Xiuyuan sighed. In the next second, the screen finally slowly lifted from the floor. First, the mist-shrouded mirror appeared, and then further up, his appearance after just finishing a shower, with water droplets dripping from his hair.

The fair skin glowed with delicate light under the bathroom lights, water droplets sliding down his neck, passing his collarbone, chest, and then disappearing out of the frame.

Then the hand holding the phone lifted slightly, and the camera tilted down slightly.

Now Dalongzai narrowed her eyes, smiling like a cat, "Not bad, Xiuyuan. It seems you haven't wasted your physique during this time."

Lin Xiuyuan was amused by her tone, wiped his hair messily with a towel, and asked, "Satisfied now?"

"How could I be satisfied so quickly."

Dalongzai shook the phone gently, half-lying on the sofa, revealing her fair, tender thighs.

The camera also intentionally or unintentionally swept over the large short T-shirt she was wearing. Whether she was wearing pants underneath was unclear, but it made someone see it clearly.

Lin Xiuyuan squinted his eyes, "You're making a call dressed like this?"

"I'm in my own home; it's not like I'm going out." She replied as a matter of course, "And..."

Her eyes turned, she deliberately leaned close to the camera, her voice softening, "Seeing you like this now—I suddenly miss you a bit."

Lin Xiuyuan's hand movements stalled, his eyes flickering slightly.

"Just tell me if you're coming or not." Dalongzai, who suddenly changed the subject, was straightforward, "Come to my house, I'll dry your hair, and by the way..."

Her corners of her mouth carried a smile, and she raised a finger to crook it, "Let me swim again?"

"..."

Lin Xiuyuan coughed lightly, "It's a bit late, isn't it?"

"It's not late; nightlife has just begun." Dalongzai smiled, stood up, and started walking toward the bedroom, "I'll change clothes, wear something formal."

"Wear it for me to see?" Lin Xiuyuan teased on the other end.

"That depends on whether you come or not." She threw a sentence without looking back and turned into the bedroom.

In front of the camera, only the gently swaying curtain and her fair, tender legs that flashed by remained.