Chapter 156: I'm Thinking of Kim Taeyeon

Early summer evening, the lights were just beginning to flicker on.

The rain had only just stopped. The air was filled with a damp, fresh scent. Puddles remained on the ground at the alley entrance, reflecting the streetlights like shards of glowing mirrors.

A gentle evening breeze carried the sultry heat typical of summer mixed with the coolness after the rain, rustling the branches in the villa courtyard.

Lin Yun'er had just closed the car door and hadn't yet had time to smooth out her skirt when the sound of another car pulling up echoed behind her, followed by familiar footsteps.

"Sister Yun'er."

Krystal's voice rang out as expected, her tone neither light nor heavy, like the tip of a needle pricking velvet, revealing neither joy nor anger.

Looking at her, Lin Yun'er wore her usual gentle smile, her tone mild. "Oh, Xiujing, you're here too? I thought you were busy filming your new drama lately."

"Same for you, Sister. Aren't you promoting your new drama?"

Krystal took two steps closer, looking up at her slightly. Her gaze swept from the other woman's face down to the shoes she had just changed into. "I just wrapped up on my end. You have a great complexion today, Sister. Have you been sleeping well lately?"

"Mm-hmm."

Lin Yun'er raised an eyebrow, her expression unmoved as she casually brushed back a lock of hair. "You know me, I've always been particular about skincare, and I'm quite strict about catching up on sleep. Can't let my condition slip."

"Mm, skincare is indeed important, especially for someone like you, Sister..." Krystal paused, her lips curling. "... who isn't in her early twenties anymore."

Lin Yun'er's smile didn't falter, but her eyes narrowed for a split second. "That's true. As one gets older, one learns how to handle people and things more efficiently and with less effort. Can't be like a child anymore; being too forceful often leads to the opposite result."

The air grew heavy for a moment.

The next second, the two locked eyes and laughed simultaneously.

"Ah, haha, it seems I still can't talk to you like this, Sister. It's so strange."

Hearing Krystal's reply, Lin Yun'er laughed along. "It is strange."

However, after saying that, Lin Yun'er looked deeply at Krystal. "You hide things very well, Xiujing. If it weren't for that meal last night, I wouldn't have been sure about this situation."

"Don't look at me, Sister. I only found out later too. I originally wanted to keep it hidden, but then..."

Krystal lowered her eyes and smiled, then looked up at the light glowing in front of the villa, a flash of calm and amusement in her eyes. "Still, this needs to be discussed properly with Lin Xiuyuan. He probably doesn't fully understand the situation; it's all a bit too detached from reality."

"True." Lin Yun'er nodded, as if ending this round of sparring. "Let's go. Xueli is cooking personally today; we shouldn't keep her waiting too long."

"Mm, it's been so many years, I don't think I've ever eaten a meal she cooked," Krystal replied softly, hiding unspeakable emotions beneath her calm tone.

"Everything will be fine." Lin Yun'er glanced at her sideways and gently took her arm. "Since this side can't be changed, then just help the Xueli on the other side live well."

The two walked toward the villa entrance side-by-side, their footsteps falling on the damp stone path with different rhythms, yet maintaining a magical, tacit synchronization.

The streetlamp overhead cast long shadows, like two lines intertwined yet ready to pull away at any moment.

"Sister, was it you who took the initiative last night, or him?"

"He's as dense as a stump. Was he the one who took the initiative with you?"

"Same. I originally just wanted to give him a reward, but I didn't expect to get so carried away afterward."

"This thing has more appeal than the Time Gate."

"I'm alright, though it was definitely his gain."

"Xiujing, it's hard to say who gained more from this. I don't believe you aren't tempted."

"... According to that guy's own words, he really seems to have become a succubus."

Amidst the banter, the two walked into the villa living room and chatted for a while on the sofa.

Suddenly, a door was pushed open. Lin Xiuyuan poked his head out, saw them, and waved. "Just arrived?"

"Mm."

"Perfect timing. Come over, Xueli has finished cooking. Let's eat."

A few minutes later.

The aroma of food filled the apartment's living room.

The dining table was covered in dishes. Amidst the rising steam, there was the spicy fragrance of chili and the savory scent of tofu stew—a familiar smell that made one's footsteps quicken.

Lin Yun'er sat down first and smiled at Xueli, who was bustling about. "Xueli, I'm really surprised. You actually know how to cook, and it smells so good."

Xueli smiled gently. "Since I haven't had much work lately, I specifically asked V Ma to teach me. Since I'm idle anyway, I might as well learn a skill. Plus, it's not good for Oppa to eat takeout all the time, so it's perfect for me to cook."

Hearing this, Krystal picked up a piece of tofu and took a bite. She nodded. "It really does taste like V Ma's cooking. I haven't seen her in a long time."

Xueli couldn't empathize with the separation of the group, but she could offer Krystal a hug and smile. "You comforted me before, telling me not to overthink things. How come you're the one getting emo now, Xiujing? V Ma is fine; if you want to see her, just go. Action is the most important thing."

Lin Xiuyuan added rice and laughed. "Xueli, she's teasing you. As far as I know, the two of you just met and had a meal at the beginning of the year, and you haven't stopped chatting."

"Ah, Xiujing~ You've become bad."

"Xiuyuan, don't you dare expose me."

Amidst laughter, everyone took their seats.

The warm yellow light fell on everyone's faces like a soft mist. After the stove was turned off, the house became quiet, with only the sound of cutlery clinking and soup bubbling floating in the air.

Several pairs of chopsticks darted between plates, and the steam from the tofu stew swirled, as if heating the very air.

Lin Yun'er placed a piece of pork belly into Lin Xiuyuan's bowl and smiled. "This is your favorite, right, Xiuyuan? You always order it at restaurants. Now that Xueli has made it for you, eat more."

At the same time, Krystal gave Xueli a piece of tofu and smiled as she chatted about her recent work.

Light laughter occasionally rang out at the table, along with small moments of silence, like a quiet peace. No one was in a hurry to leave, and no one fought for words; they just shared a meal in a casual, gentle way, as if time had slowed down by half a beat.

At this moment, Lin Xiuyuan brought up the content of the investment company he had discussed with Park Ji-yeon that afternoon.

"By the way, Xueli, Ji-yeon told me about the investment company this afternoon. When did you all invest money without telling me?"

Lin Xiuyuan, who had just scooped a spoonful of soup and handed it to Lin Yun'er, said slowly, "And I really didn't expect you to have already negotiated the script with the TV station in such a short time. That's too fast."

Lin Yun'er sprinkled some scallions into the soup bowl. The soup was just boiling, and she blew on it gently before handing the bowl to Xueli.

Xueli took it, thanked her with a smile, and then turned to look at Lin Xiuyuan with a slightly complaining tone. "We were busy while you were having fun with Xiujing and Sister Yun'er in 2025, Oppa. You weren't here, so we didn't have the time or opportunity to notify you."

With that, she pursed her lips and smiled, looking at Lin Xiuyuan with bright eyes. "Oppa, I'll be cooking here from now on. You can keep ordering takeout if you want, but don't blame me for not warning you—the smell of food doesn't wait for anyone."

As soon as she finished speaking, Krystal and Lin Yun'er exchanged a look, as if they had a tacit understanding, and then laughed out loud together.

"Haha, don't worry, Xueli," Lin Yun'er said. "I'll keep an eye on him and force him to come over for meals more often."

"Exactly, stop slacking off on the other side." Krystal added.

The group laughed and chatted about the script again.

When Lin Yun'er heard that they were planning to have "this side's" Krystal play the lead role, her eyes widened. "This drama requires weight gain, right? Xueli, Xiujing, you're being too ruthless, aren't you? Picking on little Xiujing?"

"It's for the character, Sister. It wasn't just my decision; Xiuyuan was involved too."

Krystal didn't want to take the blame and shifted her gaze directly to Lin Xiuyuan.

Lin Xiuyuan, who was burying his head in his food, was called out. He quickly put down his chopsticks and waved his hands with a smile. "Oh, it should be fine, right? Don't actors always do that? Gaining or losing ten pounds shouldn't make them frown."

"Xiuyuan, the little Xiujing on this side is an idol first and foremost." Hearing his implication, Lin Yun'er immediately laughed.

Xueli followed suit, her eyes curving into crescents.

Only Lin Xiuyuan looked at Krystal, his gaze intense, making her look amused. "Why are you looking at me? You know why I became an actor, and you don't have to tell me I'm getting old."

"No, eat, eat." Lin Xiuyuan didn't dare to respond to that and lowered his head to eat.

At this moment, as the topic shifted, Xueli picked up the pomelo tea on the table and took a sip, but couldn't help but look at Krystal and Lin Yun'er sitting across from her again.

Their skin condition was simply too good—smooth, hydrated, and radiant, as if they were using filters that no one dared to use. It was completely different from their state a week ago.

In fact, from the moment they met, Xueli had vaguely sensed their change, but she hadn't been embarrassed to ask at the time.

At this moment, she finally couldn't hold it in and blurted it out.

"Sister, Xiujing... have you two been doing some high-end procedures in secret lately? Look at this skin, this complexion—how did you suddenly get so good? And I remember Sister Yun'er saying a few days ago that your schedule was chaotic and your face was about to explode."

Lin Yun'er was holding a soup spoon, paused when she heard this, and turned to look at Krystal, a mischievous smile rising in her eyes.

Krystal raised an eyebrow, put down her chopsticks, and slowly looked up at Lin Xiuyuan, her lips curling into a meaningful arc. "Right? You noticed it too, Xueli?"

Lin Yun'er smiled lightly, her tone carrying a hint of mystery. "Actually, we didn't go to any beauty salons, didn't get injections, and didn't drink any medicine. We've just been with someone for a long time, and our constitution has been adjusted."

Xueli blinked, not quite keeping up with the rhythm. "Someone?"

"Xiuyuan."

Krystal pointed at Lin Xiuyuan beside her, her tone casual.

"This person seems to have some kind of... how should I put it, 'strengthening' or 'purifying' quality in his body. Simply put, if you stay with him for a long time, you'll inexplicably... become fairer, more tender, younger, and even your sleep quality will improve."

"Really?" Xueli's eyes widened, unable to believe her ears. "What is this... the legendary living beauty device?"

"Look at Sister Yun'er." Krystal pointed calmly. "She said she had breakouts a few days ago. And now? Her skin is so tight I'm envious."

"Haha, just now at the spa, Sister Taeyeon kept staring at me and asked if I had changed my skincare products."

Lin Yun'er took over the conversation and laughed out loud. "I told her I changed my man, and she almost threw her face mask at me."

Hearing this, Xueli was torn between laughter and tears and turned to look at Lin Xiuyuan. "Oppa, this is too magical... what exactly is going on with your constitution?"

But she saw Lin Xiuyuan, who was just as confused as she was, looking a bit dazed and bewildered as he spoke.

"No, Krystal, Yun'er... are you two talking about a sci-fi movie or playing a game? How come I don't know about this constitution of mine?"

"It might not be so obvious if you stay together for a long time, but touch it and see."

Lin Yun'er, who was sitting close to Lin Xiuyuan, directly stretched her beautiful face in front of him, letting him touch it.

Lin Xiuyuan, however, guiltily glanced at Krystal's side.

But he saw Krystal smile slightly. "See for yourself before you say anything. I suddenly feel like this is pretty good; you won't be able to lie to people in the future."

Lin Xiuyuan, looking back at Lin Yun'er, actually discovered something wrong.

Because the fine lines at the corners of Lin Yun'er's eyes... were gone.

So he poked her cheek with his index finger and then stroked the corner of her eye—smooth, tender, and definitely not some lighting or makeup effect.

At this moment, Lin Xiuyuan instinctively looked at Krystal again, who leaned her head over, and the two locked eyes.

She even tilted her head down slightly and asked after a while, "Well? Do you see anything wrong?"

"Your big forehead is gone."

"Get lost~" Krystal rolled her eyes and pretended to be angry, pulling her head back.

"Really, Xiujing, your forehead is growing hair? Daebak, what's going on?"

Lin Xiuyuan, however, frowned and scrutinized Krystal, his brain spinning rapidly, starting to trace the various anomalies of this period.

From Krystal, to the Big Dragon Cub, and then Lin Yun'er's... extreme initiative last night.

A few seconds later, his expression visibly shifted from confusion to shock, his gaze darting between Lin Yun'er and Krystal's faces, as if confirming some terrifying conjecture.

Finally, his mouth opened slightly, and he pointed at himself, his voice rising a notch. "So these changes of yours... are because of me?"

"From your little brother." Krystal stated bluntly.

Lin Yun'er, sitting to the side, laughed until she leaned against the back of her chair, her shoulders shaking.

Facing this fact placed before him, Lin Xiuyuan, who couldn't believe it, lowered his head and looked at himself, his tone full of shock. "WTF, for real?"

"Of course it's real, otherwise why do you think my skin condition has been so good lately?" Lin Yun'er nodded with a smile. "Haven't you noticed that Ji-yeon has also become fairer and more tender lately?"

Lin Xiuyuan looked at her, dazed. "So, Yun'er, were you aiming for... this last night?"

"Otherwise, I like you~"

Lin Yun'er teased him a little, but her smiling expression and gentle tone didn't look like she didn't like him.

Just as the three were chatting enthusiastically, Xueli sat there, still dazed, as if listening to a heavenly book.

"No, Sister, Xiujing, Oppa, what are you talking about? I don't understand a word."

Then, Krystal leaned into her ear and whispered for a long time.

When Xueli looked at Lin Xiuyuan again, her eyes had changed—a bit unable to look directly at him, and a bit of hidden little surprise and... scrutiny.

Finally, she let out a "Wow." "Daebak, Oppa, if this is true, have you become the Tang Monk meat from *Journey to the West*? Every woman wants to take a bite of you."

Lin Xiuyuan, "..."

"Something's wrong. Wait a minute, Krystal, I remember you weren't like this at the beginning. At that time..."

"I wore an umbrella at the time." Krystal was still Krystal, answering sharply. "I didn't wear one when I had my period later, and I didn't the night before last, so the effect appeared."

Lin Xiuyuan's eyes shook violently, and he turned to look at Lin Yun'er.

She was lowering her head to drink soup and said casually, "Oh, didn't I go up to your master bedroom to take a look earlier? I was thinking... whether I should experience this directly. It turned out I guessed right."

"Damn... you two, one calculated better than the other."

Lin Xiuyuan felt terrible, like a wild resource being hunted, his face full of shock. "This, this isn't right, how could you two plot against me like this?"

"Compared to this effect, what's the problem with taking medicine?" Krystal was calm. "You're still young and don't understand; you'll understand when you're a few years older."

"What is this, what kind of crooked logic is this." Xueli was torn between anger and laughter. "According to what you and Sister said, what would the effect be if it were with the younger one? Double the effect???"

"I don't know, do you want to try it?" Lin Yun'er looked at Xueli with a smile.

Xueli paused, her gaze instinctively looking at Lin Xiuyuan.

Lin Xiuyuan quickly raised his hand to interrupt: "Stop! End this topic! I'm still sitting here, and you've already started distributing me as a tool? Can you give me some time to digest this? My brain is a mess right now."

At this moment, Lin Yun'er suddenly seemed to remember something and pointed to the Time Gate at the other end. "Is it possible... that it has something to do with that door?"

The gazes of the few instantly converged there.

Krystal also nodded thoughtfully. "I've been watching some popular science videos about anomalous environments lately, saying that people who stay in special magnetic fields or time-displacement fields for a long time will undergo subtle changes."

"Time Factor."

Lin Yun'er added softly, "It might not be able to maintain a youthful state for a long time, but short-term 'rejuvenation' is possible. Xiuyuan, you've been traveling back and forth, perhaps carrying a part of a 'special constitution'."

"Wait... this is a modern urban drama, not a fantasy setting, right?" Lin Xiuyuan doubted life. "And don't you travel back and forth often? Why are you fine?"

"It's very obvious that you're the owner of that door." Lin Yun'er shrugged. "Besides, the Time Gate has already appeared, so this is nothing strange. However, compared to the people in 2013, your constitution is even more eye-catching to us than the Time Gate."

When saying this, Lin Yun'er looked at Lin Xiuyuan with eyes that were truly shining; she wanted to see exactly how effective it could be after verification.

Then Krystal added, her tone flat but impossible to ignore. "So, Xiuyuan, don't just focus on stealing bites in the future. This problem is neither big nor small. It's fine if just a few of us know, but it might be a bit troublesome if it spreads."

"I..."

Having his "romantic affairs" exposed to his face, Lin Xiuyuan's skin was ultimately a bit thin. He coughed lightly and lowered his head to continue drinking soup, as if that piece of pork belly had suddenly become extremely valuable for research.

Fortunately, the two big sisters finished chatting about the topic and finally let him go, turning instead to chat with Xueli about Goo Hara's recent situation.

However, Xueli said that Hara was too busy recently to get away. But she would continue to contact her on Kakao and keep chatting, and when the time was ripe, they would lay things out and talk.

Krystal and Lin Yun'er saw that Xueli already had arrangements in her heart, so they didn't interfere much, just offered a few suggestions symbolically.

Afterward, the group ate quietly, and the topic gradually turned to some interesting things and the subtle changes brought about by the Time Gate.

The three chatted more and more happily, while Lin Xiuyuan sat there, his expression complex, looking left at Lin Yun'er, right at Krystal, and finally glancing down at himself...

He had no appetite for this meal, as if he were receiving a life reflection education the whole time.

As the night grew darker, after a short rest after the meal, Krystal got up and planned to go back because she had work to do tomorrow.

Seeing this, Lin Yun'er also got up, ready to leave together.

But when Lin Xiuyuan opened the door to send them back to the villa, the two discovered that he didn't intend to follow, just standing on the apartment side without moving.

This made Krystal narrow her eyes. "Xiuyuan, aren't you coming over to rest?"

"No, no, I should stay in the new place for a few days."

Lin Xiuyuan waved his hand quickly, looking serious as he made an excuse, when in fact he wanted to slow down and sort out the pile of strange things in his brain.

As soon as he said that, those teasing eyes looked at him at the same time.

Seeing that, he immediately closed the door and flashed away, his actions so decisive that Krystal and Lin Yun'er on the villa side were stunned.

A moment later, Lin Yun'er laughed. "Did we scare him?"

"Serves him right, who told him to ask me if I had done anything wrong and dare to open his eyes and talk nonsense." Krystal snorted, her tone full of disgust, but her tail end carried a bit of reluctance.

Just after snorting, she added worriedly, "He shouldn't have been scared, right? Don't let him really not come over."

"I was joking, Xiujing, you took it seriously."

"Then he..."

"Do you think he would leave Xueli alone?"

"Oh~"

Latest novel first release!

At the same time.

In the apartment on the 2013 side, Lin Xiuyuan, who had closed the door, looked back at Xueli sitting cross-legged on the sofa, his expression a bit awkward and his smile a bit guilty.

But Xueli didn't care about that. She opened her mouth and said, "Oppa, if Ji-yeon finds out that you... have a thing with the Big Ji-yeon on that side, she'll probably drag you to the Taekwondo hall to practice properly."

"Ah, not necessarily." Lin Xiuyuan was torn between laughter and tears. "It was her idea at the beginning, too."

"Haven't you noticed she's been unhappy lately?" Xueli laughed.

Lin Xiuyuan nodded. "A bit, that's why I didn't dare to say anything. That side was also an accident; I didn't expect the Ji-yeon on that side to be so manic, I..."

"Understood, Oppa, you're also a victim. Looking at the expressions of Xiujing and Sister Yun'er just now, I can see that age and physical state are really too important to them, not to mention there's also the divorced Big Ji-yeon—this is your XP, isn't it."

"Don't joke, I'm not thinking about that."

Lin Xiuyuan smiled lightly, picked up his drink, and took a sip. "That aspect... let it be natural. It will happen when the atmosphere is right; being deliberate is boring."

"Mm, Oppa, you're right to think that way. Anyway, you're not at a loss."

Seeing that Lin Xiuyuan's answer was still so carefree, Xueli felt much more relaxed. She had originally been worried that Lin Xiuyuan would feel resentful about Krystal and the others' "plotting," but hearing him say this, she let go of her heart.

Since it wasn't that, she was a bit curious. "Then what are you thinking about, Oppa?"

"Thinking about your Sister Taeyeon." Facing Xueli, Lin Xiuyuan didn't hide anything.

Then he talked about the things he chatted about with Park Ji-yeon at the KTV today, as well as some thoughts when Kim Taeyeon sang "Father," and finally said, "I'm thinking about whether to help her, but apart from this, it seems she doesn't have any other problems, right? Recently, I suddenly feel that calling too many people over might not be very good."

"Fortunately, Oppa, you only had this idea recently, otherwise I would be gone." Xueli smiled faintly. 【178】 "Life and death are different. As for Kim Jonghyun, Xiaolu and Xiuyan are also in contact with him. If we look after him slowly, there shouldn't be any problems. So, I'm a bit hesitant about whether to pull Kim Taeyeon into the sect."

"That's not necessarily true, if it were me, I would also want to nourish the yang with the yin." Lin Xiuyuan shook his head and smiled, making a small joke, "It's just that looking at this situation, I have to be careful even when going for a massage."

After listening, Xueli pondered for a moment, her tone suddenly becoming firm. "Oppa, when you have hesitation about a problem, don't do it, otherwise you wouldn't have this thought."

"Mm?"

Lin Xiuyuan made a nasal sound, then couldn't help but laugh. "Kim Taeyeon is your roommate sister; I thought you would persuade me, Xueli."

"Emotionally, of course I want to help Sister Taeyeon, but the premise is that you are willing, Oppa."

Xueli looked at him, her tone calm and gentle. "If you refuse, Oppa, then I will definitely stand on your side. After all... you saved my life."

I don't know if it was an illusion, but Lin Xiuyuan always felt that since that trip to the cemetery, Xueli had changed completely.

It wasn't that she became distant or strange, but that kind of reassuring transparency.

Her eyes were no longer confused, and her temperament became more confident and calm.

Compared to the ignorant girl she once was, she was now more like a survivor who had been baptized, with a clear and firm heart.

But Xueli, after saying the sentence above, paused again. "No, it's saving me and Sister Hara, two lives, so no matter what, I will stand on your side, Oppa."

"Thank you, Xueli~"

"Hee hee~"

The two continued to sit by the small water bar, drinking slowly, chatting while letting time slip quietly into the night.

When they got up and prepared to return to their rooms, they walked to Xueli's door, and she suddenly stopped and turned to stand in front of Lin Xiuyuan.

Her small hands were behind her back, her body leaned forward slightly, and her smile was as gentle as the summer night breeze. "Oppa, I'm so happy tonight."

"Happy is good, rest."

Lin Xiuyuan also responded with a smile, his gaze instinctively sweeping over her, then falling back to her feet, always afraid that she would fall accidentally.

But Xueli suddenly spoke again. "Oppa, do you want to call me Peach?"

"Mm? Why?" Lin Xiuyuan was a bit surprised. He had called her Peach when he called Lin Yun'er on the villa side earlier; Xueli shouldn't have known that.

"Because, well... water peach."

Xueli held back her laughter, her cheeks flushing with a faint red, and her fingers gently supported the two water peach patterns printed on the chest of her pajamas.

Seeing this, Lin Xiuyuan was full of laughter. "Hey, still teasing me, I'm going to hit someone."

"No, hee hee~"

Xueli, who was giggling, turned to open the door, stepped in with one foot, then suddenly retracted it, leaned forward, and pecked him on the cheek before Lin Xiuyuan could react.

Then she threw down a sentence, "Oppa~ Good night~"

After speaking, she quickly drilled into the room, and the door closed with a "bang."

Leaning against the door, she panted lightly, her cheeks burning, and the smile she couldn't suppress carried a little shyness and heartbeat.

Lin Xiuyuan stood in place, shaking his head helplessly and gently, then turned back to his room, washed up, and fell asleep peacefully.

Early the next morning.

"Knock, knock, knock—"

A soft but undeniable knock on the door penetrated the quiet air in the house, waking Lin Xiuyuan from his dream.

"Oppa, get up, breakfast is going to get cold."

Xueli's sweet and soft voice came from outside the door, carrying a bit of playful dragging of the tail.

Lin Xiuyuan, who was lying on the bed, turned over, raised his hand to rub his forehead, and responded with a yawn. "Got it, coming."

Then he turned over and got out of bed, dragging his lazy steps to wash up.

A few minutes later, he put on a simple T-shirt and long pants and walked out of the room, his nose surrounded by a warm and familiar fragrance.

The morning sun slanted into the living room, falling on the wooden floor with a soft light, and Xueli had already set the breakfast by the dining table.

Fried eggs, bacon, French toast, and even a small plate of exquisitely arranged fruit slices, and even thoughtfully brewed a cup of honey pomelo tea.

"Perfect timing, Oppa, the eggs are just fried and still hot." Xueli smiled and patted the back of the chair. "Sit down and eat."

Lin Xiuyuan walked over and sat down, picked up the teacup and took a sip. In the steam, he looked at the girl opposite, his tone full of smiles. "If your fans saw this, would I be smashed to pieces by their gazes?"

"Then hide well, don't let them find out, I don't want you to be smashed to pieces, Oppa." Xueli glanced at him, her tone light, but her eyes hidden with smiles.

"Sounds weird, like having an affair."

"If Oppa likes this setting, I can perform one for you."

Xueli raised an eyebrow, her tone carrying a bit of little pride. "I think my acting is better than Sister Yun'er's."

Lin Xiuyuan laughed. "Why didn't you say that last night."

"Didn't dare to say it to your face."

The two chatted one after another, the atmosphere was relaxed and pleasant, and they finished breakfast without knowing it.

Xueli got up to clean up the dishes, her movements were sharp, and she didn't forget to explain while washing the dishes. "By the way, Oppa, I'm going to the company for rehearsal at noon, and I guess I won't be back until the evening. Tonight's dinner..."

"I'll go to 25 for a trip, don't worry, I won't be hungry." Lin Xiuyuan nodded, his tone leisurely.

Ten minutes later, Xueli changed her clothes and prepared to go out. Lin Xiuyuan got up from the sofa and sent her to the door.

Xueli was about to push the door out, but stopped again, looked back at him, as if she wanted to say something but stopped.

"What?" Lin Xiuyuan asked.

"Nothing." Xueli showed a gentle smile. "Remember to eat lunch, Oppa."

After speaking, she closed the door gently.

The house returned to quiet again.

Lin Xiuyuan stood in place for a few seconds, then sighed lightly, turned and walked to the utility room next door, and pushed the door open gently, a familiar breath rushing to his face.

That was the air of 2025, with the warmth of summer sunshine and the rhythm of the city's rhythm.

After arriving at the villa, Lin Xiuyuan checked the calls and text messages on his phone for the first time. After learning about his "special" constitution last night, he felt that something must be going on today.

Sure enough, two calls and several messages from the Big Dragon Cub appeared on the screen interface.

Lin Xiuyuan smiled bitterly, his fingers hovering above the screen, hesitating whether to call back, but finally put it down.

"Forget it, wait a little longer."

Then he went to the computer room to properly check what the so-called "Time Factor" was.

He checked until noon.

During this period, Lin Xiuyuan read everything—videos, novels, forums, marketing accounts, and even flipped through a few clumsy papers, all of which he browsed through.

The final conclusion was only one: I don't understand, just lie flat.

So he clicked on the game, opened the interface, operated the character to start cleaning the backpack, and lay flat completely.

Just as he was planning to enter the dungeon, the phone rang.

Lin Xiuyuan, who thought it was the Big Dragon Cub, picked it up and showed a bit of surprise. "Eh~ Tai Xiao Ruan?"

After thinking about it, Lin Xiuyuan answered. "Feed~ Taeyeon."

"Xiuyuan, are you up yet."

The lazy voice of Kim Taeyeon came from the other end of the phone. She was lying on the bed, flipping through the comments on the tablet, and talking to him lazily.

She was wearing a simple camisole, and the sunlight penetrated into the bedroom, gently brushing her shoulders, making that piece of fairness slightly seductive.

Unfortunately, no one could appreciate it.

"Just up, what's the matter? Why do you have time to call me, you busy person?"

Lin Xiuyuan held the phone, muted the game on one side, and manipulated the character to find a safe corner to hide. The equipment in the backpack was all good stuff, and he would feel distressed if he dropped it.

"I'm a busy person? You are, right? Every time you reply to a message, you have to calculate it by the day." Kim Taeyeon laughed and fought back.

"That's an exception, a special situation."

Hearing Kim Taeyeon mention this, Lin Xiuyuan was no longer so straight-man, so he expressed. "Then, to express my apology, I'll treat you to lunch today, how about that."

Kim Taeyeon's eyes on the other end of the phone lit up. "Yo, Xiuyuan, you've opened up, who taught you this."

"It's like I was very wooden before, eat or not?"

"Eat, why not eat? But I'll choose the location, how about that." Kim Taeyeon expressed.

"Can, you decide."

Lin Xiuyuan knew she was afraid that the restaurant he chose was not hidden or safe enough, so he saved some heart and agreed directly, which also saved him the time to search for restaurants online.

So, a few words decided on lunch, the kind that "starts immediately."

After hanging up the phone, Lin Xiuyuan didn't be vague, got up directly, took the car key downstairs, got in the car, and went straight to the location sent by Kim Taeyeon.

When he arrived at the restaurant, it was only 20 minutes later, but it took ten minutes to find a parking space.

Finally, Lin Xiuyuan, who was annoyed by shopping, simply found a place at the entrance of an alley nearby and threw the car there.

Fine or something, just let it be, and ask Kim Taeyeon for reimbursement when the time comes.

After parking the car, Lin Xiuyuan followed the address to the restaurant.

This restaurant is located on the rooftop of a building and is a real membership place that does not accept non-member customers.

If it weren't for Lin Xiuyuan saying Kim Taeyeon's name, he really wouldn't have been able to get in.

And when the waiter heard that he was "Kim Taeyeon's friend," there was obvious curiosity in his eyes, but he didn't ask much and respectfully took him to Taeyeon's position before leaving quietly.

There was no photo-taking, no gossip, and no extra stay throughout the whole process. It was conceivable that the staff here had long signed various confidentiality agreements.

Seeing Lin Xiuyuan arrive, Kim Taeyeon also blinked and couldn't help but laugh. "Eh? Xiuyuan, why are you later than me?"

"Can't find a parking space, circled a few times." Lin Xiuyuan answered a bit depressed after sitting down.

Kim Taeyeon laughed when she heard it. "Ah, sorry, I forgot to tell you that some of the parking lots here have exclusive parking spaces for restaurants."

"It's okay, you reimburse me if I really get a ticket later."

Lin Xiuyuan took a sip of lemon water, his gaze sweeping around.

Although it is on the rooftop, it is separated into private spaces by parasols, plus the unique decoration and soft light layout, the overall atmosphere is extra comfortable.

Suddenly, his gaze caught a familiar figure, and he let out a light "Eh." "Eh, that is..."

Kim Taeyeon looked in the direction of his gaze and responded with a smile. "Oh, it's Zhuxuan, you should know her, right?"

"Mm, know her."

Lin Xiuyuan nodded.

He promised to send her a small gift before, but he has been dragging it until now.

After saying that, Lin Xiuyuan withdrew his gaze and turned to look at Kim Taeyeon opposite. "Taeyeon, is your tour over? Why are you so free to ask me out for dinner."

"It's not over, just a halftime break. Can't I find you for dinner when I'm free?" Kim Taeyeon looked at Lin Xiuyuan interestingly.

"That's not it, just a bit curious."

"What's..."

Just as Kim Taeyeon wanted to continue speaking, she was interrupted by the ringtone of Lin Xiuyuan's mobile phone on the table opposite.

She saw at a glance that the mobile phone screen flashing on the screen was a selfie.

Very familiar, it's Li Juli.

Lin Xiuyuan laughed, made an apologetic expression to her, turned and answered the phone. "Feed~ Juli."

Laughter came from the other end of the phone, carrying a bit of joy. "Xiuyuan, I see you~"

(End of chapter)

I promised to send the other party a small gift before, but it has been delayed until now.

After finishing speaking, Lin Xiuyuan withdrew his gaze and turned to look at Kim Taeyeon opposite, "Taeyeon, is your tour over? Why are you so free to ask me out for a meal."

"Not over, just a halftime break, can't I find you for a meal when I'm idle?" Kim Taeyeon looked at Lin Xiuyuan interestingly.

"That's not it, just a bit curious."

"What..."

Just as Kim Taeyeon was about to continue speaking, she was interrupted by the ringtone of Lin Xiuyuan's phone on the opposite table.

She caught a glimpse of the flashing phone screen, and the caller ID was clearly a selfie.

Very familiar, it was Li Juli.

Lin Xiuyuan chuckled, made an apologetic expression at her, and turned to answer the phone, "Hello, Juli."

Laughter came from the other end of the phone, carrying a bit of joy, "Xiuyuan, I see you~"

(End of chapter)