Chapter 169

In the early morning Jeonju, the air was moist, and the horizon was tinged with a layer of gray dawn.

The car was as silent as ever, only the hazy rain curtain outside the window pattered against the car window, the fine rain sound seemed to replace language, spreading in the silence.

"It's raining."

Lin Xiuyuan looked at the blurred glass, raised his hand to turn on the wipers, brushing away the rainwater so it wouldn't block Kim Taeyeon's view.

"Xiuyuan..."

At this time, Kim Taeyeon spoke gently, her voice extremely light, almost drowned out by the rain outside the car.

"Mm?"

Lin Xiuyuan turned his head to look at her, but found her gaze still fixed on the street corner ahead, as if waiting for a figure that should have appeared long ago.

Then, Kim Taeyeon, who slowly turned her head to look at Lin Xiuyuan, murmured to herself, asking with slightly red eyes: "Do you think this rain, is it raining for me?"

But she got a very realistic answer, only hearing Lin Xiuyuan reply: "What are you thinking, it's just a typhoon day."

This answer made Kim Taeyeon stunned, obviously not expecting him to explain it this way, neither gentle nor poetic, nor comforting herself.

So she couldn't help but laugh out loud: "Yah, you are so straight, can't you be a bit more romantic?"

"I'm exhausted, can't be romantic."

Lin Xiuyuan, who had stayed up all night and had been sitting in the driver's seat, had bloodshot eyes at this time, and was very tired.

"Then do you want to nap." Kim Taeyeon asked with concern.

"Forget it, I'm afraid you'll open the car door and jump down." Lin Xiuyuan shook his head.

"Then you can turn off the engine." Kim Taeyeon was a bit depressed.

"I'm afraid you'll smash the glass."

Now Kim Taeyeon had nothing to say, because if there really was a chance, she probably really would smash it.

The rain outside the window became denser, hitting the glass, and the sound made was like the emotions accumulated in her heart, unable to be completely released.

Gradually, the raindrops blurred the world outside the car window again, and also blurred Kim Taeyeon's vision.

At the same time, her emotions also gradually sank, as if even her heartbeat was taken away by the sound of the rain. Until the wiper swept across the glass again, clearing the blur, returning a clear picture to her, and also seemed to wipe away the thick fog on her heart.

Time passed slowly, soon jumping past 7 o'clock in the morning; don't know if it was because of the rainy day or what, the expected figure didn't appear on time.

It wasn't until another period of time passed that Kim Taeyeon finally saw the familiar figure appear at the entrance of the residential area.

Still that old coat, still that upright back, just looking a bit younger than in her memory, with a bit more vitality.

Following the appearance of that figure, Kim Taeyeon's gaze also began to follow the other party tightly, and her heartbeat accelerated involuntarily.

Her fingers gripped the seat armrest tightly, and fine sweat seeped from her palms.

The only remaining bit of reason was warning her crazily: don't get out of the car.

She could only hide in this car, like a bystander, quietly watching her father in front of her, just like watching her own past years, flowing away bit by bit from before her eyes.

"Xiuyuan..."

The next instant, Kim Taeyeon's voice carried a faint tremor: "He's walking over."

Lin Xiuyuan, who was watching her appearance, didn't speak, just gently held Kim Taeyeon's soft little hand, his strength firm, as if giving her a bit of courage and support.

And at this moment, Kim Taeyeon's heartbeat almost stopped; she saw her father approaching step by step, as if coming through the years.

That was the years of her growing up, the companionship she thought would never be absent.

Soon, Kim Taeyeon's father walked to the front of the car, and she stared tightly, with a thought in her heart: that was to take off the hat on her head, don't let the brim block her view.

But she, who had already taken off her sunglasses, if she took off her hat again, she would inevitably be recognized with a high probability.

So she didn't dare, and Lin Xiuyuan didn't let her.

Until her father walked to one side of the car head and passed by side-by-side with the vehicle, she finally couldn't help but lift the brim slightly, gazing through the dark glass.

She saw that still young face, those eyes full of spirit.

That was the father she had looked up to every day, but now he treated her like air.

Thinking of this, Kim Taeyeon's chest suddenly tightened, as if blocked by something, and her breathing began to become difficult.

At this time, her hand couldn't help but reach toward the door handle.

She wanted to get out of the car, wanted to throw herself beside him, wanted to hug him, wanted to say many, many things, wanted to chat about many, many things.

But in the end, Kim Taeyeon's hand still couldn't push open that car door.

Because Lin Xiuyuan beside her had already tightly grabbed her little hand, and the other hand circled her waist, fixing her in the car seat.

"Just take a quiet look." He whispered in Kim Taeyeon's ear, "In other words, the current you is like a ghost overlapping with Kim Taeyeon, do you really want to scare him?"

After saying this, Lin Xiuyuan hugged her tightly again, making her not make impulsive moves.

And following the completion of the sentence above, the tears in Kim Taeyeon's eye sockets finally slid down silently at that moment.

This time she didn't choose to cry out loud, just quietly watched her father's receding back, watching him walk out of her sight step by step and disappear at the corner.

Until that familiar figure completely disappeared before her eyes, a tear overflowed from her red eye sockets again, sliding down gently.

Then she turned her head to look at Lin Xiuyuan, her eyes carrying a bit of confusion and powerlessness.

And that tear sliding from the corner of her eye was like a pearl carrying countless memories, sliding along her cheek, and finally falling into his arm.

"Can we wait a while longer?" Kim Taeyeon asked hoarsely, "I want to see him one more time."

"Look then, as long as you don't get out of the car and rush in front of the other party, anything is fine." Lin Xiuyuan nodded.

But the other party's next sentence made him unable to help but laugh: "Xiuyuan, I... want to go to the bathroom."

"Then let's leave for a while."

Lin Xiuyuan, who had already opened a room in a nearby hotel, was quite familiar with this situation, after all, no one can go without a bathroom for several hours.

A few minutes later, Lin Xiuyuan, who had gone around a street, parked the car at the back door of the hotel, and then took the fully armed Kim Taeyeon around the hotel lobby and walked up the stairs at the back to the room on the second floor.

After entering, Kim Taeyeon went straight into the bathroom, and Lin Xiuyuan hurriedly turned on the TV and turned the volume to the maximum.

Otherwise, that pattering water sound, who knows if it was the rain outside.

Soon, Kim Taeyeon, who had solved her physiological problem, came out, looked at Lin Xiuyuan, and then looked at this somewhat dilapidated hotel environment: "Xiuyuan, do you know, this is the first time I've stayed in such a poor hotel room."

"This is a guesthouse, not a hotel." Lin Xiuyuan corrected.

And Kim Taeyeon had already walked lightly to the guest room window, looking at the familiar glasses shop not far away through the glass, her expression dazed, a hint of emotion and calmness appearing in her eyes.

After another while, she looked at Lin Xiuyuan who had just come out of the bathroom and suddenly said: "Xiuyuan, why don't we just stay here? You can also rest well... at worst, use a rope to tie me up."

Lin Xiuyuan was stunned and laughed: "This makes me sound a bit perverted."

Kim Taeyeon also realized where something was wrong, pursed her lips and smiled, a hint of relaxation appearing at the corners of her eyes.

And Lin Xiuyuan took the opportunity to say: "It's not that I don't want to hide here, it's just too troublesome. If we really get checked, that would be a big deal."

"You'll get checked in the car too." Kim Taeyeon retorted.

"Checking the car or something, I can rush the checkpoint."

Facing the retort, Lin Xiuyuan explained: "Because normally if you slip away, they won't chase the car immediately, because that would cause a bigger accident, most of them come to catch people the next day."

Speaking of this, he paused: "But by that time I have already sent you back, so there's nothing to worry about, at worst I'll be caught and squat for a few days. But you can't even slip away if you get checked in a room, after all, these aren't those mobile homes, there's no secret room to hide in at all."

Facing Lin Xiuyuan's statement, Kim Taeyeon stared at him with those somewhat red eyes, and after a long while, smiled: "So experienced, Xiuyuan, do you often do this, and those secret rooms, don't go there, it's dirty."

"Don't slander me, I just know it from watching videos, I didn't go." Lin Xiuyuan hurriedly explained.

"Better be."

Kim Taeyeon curled her lips, then said in a low voice: "Let's go, go back to the car, my emotions are much better now... wait for him to come back and take one more look, and then we'll go back to Seoul."

Looking at Kim Taeyeon who said these words, Lin Xiuyuan was a bit shocked: "Ah, I thought you were going to watch for a whole day, no, you're better so quickly?"

To this, Kim Taeyeon replied seriously: "I need to go back and make a plan, replace the Kim Taeyeon here with me, and then I can appear in front of my dad openly."

And Lin Xiuyuan, who finished listening to this sentence, almost broke into a cold sweat, his eyes wide: "Your idea is even more outrageous than watching your father for a whole day here, how could your face not be discovered by the Kim Taeyeon here, you'd be finished as soon as you go out."

"I'll wear a mask." Kim Taeyeon said righteously.

"You can't even do it if you wear a helmet." Lin Xiuyuan rolled his eyes: "Do you think your parents who have lived with you for decades can't feel a bit of something wrong? Then you underestimate them too much, your parents shouldn't be that incompetent."

Then he sighed softly: "Forget it, forget it, let's talk about this topic later, let's go down first."

Kim Taeyeon snorted, thinking about things silently, then followed Lin Xiuyuan to sit back in the car and returned to the previous position.

Fortunately, the parking space was still there, no one took it.

Unfortunately, the rain was getting heavier.

Then Kim Taeyeon couldn't help but worry about whether her father would get wet when he came back later, although she knew that for her father, this little rain was nothing.

Sure enough, about half an hour later, her father held that familiar umbrella and walked slowly home from the market direction again.

When passing by Lin Xiuyuan's car again, Kim Taeyeon in the car felt her eye sockets turn red instantly, almost collapsing again, but finally stabilized her emotions.

Then she leaned quietly on the seat, took a deep breath, trying to make herself calm down.

Finally, watching her father's figure gradually disappear into the depths of the residential area, she fell into silence.

Although she had painfully accepted reality, every emotion related to her father would always blow a hollow wind in her heart, making her feel the weight of loss once again.

Not to mention that now she could see him, that emotion could not be shared or told to others.

Taking advantage of this gap, Lin Xiuyuan leaned on the car chair and napped for a while, closing his eyes to rest.

Until around nine o'clock in the morning, Kim Taeyeon's father went out again, preparing to go to the glasses shop to open it.

Seeing that familiar back, Kim Taeyeon stared nervously at the front again, silently praying for him to walk slower, so she could take a few more looks.

However, just as they were staring at that figure, suddenly a girl ran out from inside the residential area and caught up with Kim's father.

Lin Xiuyuan's eyes widened, and he couldn't help but whisper in surprise: "Holy crap, Taeyeon? Why is she here."

Then he frowned, his gaze turned slightly toward Kim Taeyeon: "Didn't Xiuyan and the others say last night that there was an activity in Gimpo today? Do you remember this situation?"

Kim Taeyeon shook her head and responded in a low voice: "Don't remember... it shouldn't be a team activity."

Although her tone was calm, her heart was slightly shocked, thinking that the past 'her' could actually accompany her father during this time period.

At that time, the world hadn't collapsed, and everything was still running normally.

Seeing Kim Taeyeon fall into silence again, Lin Xiuyuan didn't ask any more questions.

Just started the car, went around a big circle from the back road, adjusted the car head, and before Kim Taeyeon's father and the 2013 version of Kim Taeyeon, parked the car on the side of the lane opposite the glasses shop in advance, waiting quietly for the arrival of that father and daughter.

Kim Taeyeon in the car stared fixedly at the front, until her father and the 2013 Kim Taeyeon walked past from the other side of the street.

Her father held an umbrella in one hand, with a gentle smile on his face, while the young-body Kim Taeyeon walked briskly beside him.

The rain threads hit the umbrellas of the two, but it didn't affect the atmosphere of this father and daughter at all.

The scene of fatherly love and daughter's filial piety appeared so harmonious, as if everything had returned to that family Kim Taeyeon was once familiar with.

Then, a complex look flashed in Kim Taeyeon's eyes in the car, the corners of her mouth pursed tightly, and an indescribable feeling welled up in her heart.

Envy, attachment, and a hint of jealousy.

That was the daily life she once had, and now she could only watch quietly through the glass.

Kim Taeyeon bit her lip, forcing herself not to look again, but her gaze still couldn't leave that familiar back.

Until the two walked into the door of the glasses shop, she slowly withdrew her gaze.

Then she turned her head to look at Lin Xiuyuan, her eyes complex: "Xiuyuan..."

Lin Xiuyuan, who heard the voice, looked at her, his eyes full of understanding and emotion, and sighed gently: "I know, you don't have to say it."

Just like in student days, seeing the person you like walking with someone else, you would always feel sour in your heart.

Not to mention that now it was Kim Taeyeon's reunion with her deceased father, but now she could only watch her young self being close to the other party, while she couldn't get close and couldn't experience it.

That kind of impact was something outsiders couldn't understand.

After getting the answer, Kim Taeyeon didn't continue to speak, just buried her face in her palms, closed her eyes, and took a deep breath, wanting to suppress that surge in her heart.

The car fell into silence, only the sound of light rain outside, and the occasional sound of pedestrians' footsteps, filling this short gap.

At the same time, the 2013 Kim Taeyeon inside the glasses shop quietly took a look at the car outside the door.

That Land Rover was too conspicuous, even rare in Seoul, and even rarer in Jeonju.

And she clearly remembered that she seemed to have seen this car at the entrance of the residential area just now.

Just right, a hint of suspicion couldn't help but arise in her heart: Could it be that someone is following me?

As the leader of Girls' Generation, she naturally had the confidence and reason to suspect the abnormality in this.

"Go, let's go see."

The young-body Kim Taeyeon, who murmured to herself, walked out of the glasses shop decisively, preparing to approach that car.

While walking, she comforted herself in her heart: It's broad daylight, and it's not a TV show, who would kidnap her on the street? Anyway, it's fine if she doesn't get close.

However, just as she stepped out of the shop door a few steps, the atmosphere in the car suddenly became tense.

Only to see Lin Xiuyuan staring at the outside of the car, while whispering: "Holy crap, Taeyeon, quick, quick find a place to hide. Kim Taeyeon is coming over, trouble, seems like the car was recognized."

"Ah, then where should I hide?"

Kim Taeyeon didn't react for a moment, just wanted to turn around and drill into the back seat, but looked out the window, and her face changed instantly.

Because the young-body Kim Taeyeon had already crossed the road without hesitation and was walking toward the Land Rover.

In a hurry, a flash of inspiration hit Kim Taeyeon's mind, and she threw herself onto Lin Xiuyuan's thigh, burying her whole body on it.

This sudden action made Lin Xiuyuan stiffen all over, petrified on the spot.

The other party was too close, the soft hair, the warm breathing, and that distance that was ambiguous to the extreme, all surrounded him overwhelmingly, causing his heartbeat to soar.

But Lin Xiuyuan still pretended to be calm, quickly pressed the car window, and waved at the young-body Kim Taeyeon who was walking to the front of the car: "Hey, Taeyeon..."

The young-body Kim Taeyeon paused, stopped, and a flash of surprise crossed her face: "Xiuyuan, why are you here?"

Her tone carried obvious surprise, and her eyes were also a bit more relaxed.

"Yeah, what a coincidence." Lin Xiuyuan managed to squeeze out a smile: "Didn't expect to run into you here."

"Coincidence my head, this is my family's glasses shop, you wouldn't be here to play, would you." The young-body Kim Taeyeon rolled her eyes, then continued to walk forward.

And at this moment, Kim Taeyeon, who was lying on Lin Xiuyuan's thigh, had a face already red like a ripe apple, her whole body nervous and not daring to move.

Then she tried hard to hide her face deeper, her legs straightened, clamped tightly, and even her breathing became light.

She didn't really think that she would hide from "herself" in such a posture, and the breath and body temperature on Lin Xiuyuan also made this cramped space filled with an ambiguous atmosphere that made people blush and heartbeat.

And following the approach of the young-body Kim Taeyeon, she also quickly saw the scene in the car: it was a fair-skinned girl, lying on Lin Xiuyuan's thigh.

Instantly, the young-body Kim Taeyeon's expression stiffened, she was stunned for a full two seconds, then suddenly retreated two steps, her tone carrying obvious panic.

"Sorry sorry, I didn't expect you to be here..."

Before she could finish speaking, she had already turned around with a red face, and ran back to the glasses shop as if fleeing in panic.

The car finally became quiet, Lin Xiuyuan slowly raised the car window, and let out a long breath.

Kim Taeyeon, who was lying down, also slowly raised her head, a hint of slyness added to her eyes, and the corners of her mouth lifted gently.

Her heart was still thumping, the action just now made her both shy and excited, and a blush appeared on her face unconsciously.

"Now she misunderstood, I'm finished." Lin Xiuyuan leaned his head on the back of the chair, talking to himself with a bitter smile: "In broad daylight, in the car doing this kind of posture... she must think of me as a pervert."

After saying this sentence, Lin Xiuyuan didn't open his mouth again, just looked at Kim Taeyeon beside him quietly, his gaze carrying a bit of helpless smile.

The car was silent for a second, the air seemed to have stopped.

Until Kim Taeyeon suddenly laughed in a low voice, her voice carrying a bit of teasing: "Why, isn't it good to be a pervert, I like perverts."

Lin Xiuyuan's eyelids jumped, his breathing stagnated, and he looked at her with a complex gaze.

"You these few years..."

As soon as the words were out, Lin Xiuyuan stopped abruptly, wishing he could give himself a slap.

Those few years 25 years ago—was that something that could be mentioned casually?

And Kim Taeyeon widened her eyes, soon another smile rose, without the heaviness from before: "Xiuyuan, you react fast enough."

"Are we leaving or not, if we stay any longer, the Kim Taeyeon here will really think I'm a pervert, taking her as play."

Lin Xiuyuan, who hurriedly changed the subject, turned his head, and together with Kim Taeyeon beside him, looked at the young-body Kim Taeyeon standing at the entrance of the glasses shop; the other party's eyes hadn't left the car, as if thinking about something.

"Let's go."

Kim Taeyeon said softly, looking at the glasses shop that carried countless memories, her gaze softened: "Although it's not enough, one shouldn't be too greedy... I will come back again."

After speaking, her gaze was still looking at the kind figure walking back and forth inside the glasses shop, and the smile at the corners of her mouth became more and more cheerful.

Lin Xiuyuan didn't say anything more, just turned his head, started the car, and drove away from the glasses shop slowly.

Outside, at the entrance of the glasses shop behind the car.

The young-body Kim Taeyeon was still standing in place, watching the car that was gradually moving away.

Then she lowered her head slightly, a hint of confusion flashing in her eyes, and at the same time, some complex emotions were surging in her heart.

That scene just now was really too strange.

She clearly saw... in Lin Xiuyuan's car, a girl lying on his thigh.

Fair skin, blurred outline, and that intimate posture, all made her feel an indescribable awkwardness.

So Lin Xiuyuan came to my door... to do what?

Following me, playing some kind of Play game?

Thinking of a yellow game she had played with Sunny before, the young-body Kim Taeyeon couldn't help but widen her eyes.

Then she exclaimed in a low voice: "What's the situation?"

The young-body Kim Taeyeon, who thought of this, muttered to herself again, not forgetting to curl her lips with some disdain: "This broad daylight is a bit too excessive, Lin Xiuyuan... and you followed me, what do you want to do?"

She, who couldn't help but mutter, tried to digest everything just now.

But the more she thought, the more wrong it felt, so she subconsciously took out her phone, preparing to find someone to pour out this outrageous news.

Then she clicked on the contacts, quickly called Lin Xiaolu, her tone carrying a bit of weirdness and uncertainty.

The call was connected quickly, and Lin Xiaolu's voice came, crisp and loud: "Hello? Unnie, what's the matter?"

The young-body Kim Taeyeon frowned, adjusted her tone slightly, and lowered her voice: "Yun'er, are you free? I have something I want to tell you."

"Say it, why so mysterious?" Lin Xiaolu asked with a smile.

"I found out that Xiuyuan... Lin Xiuyuan seems to be a pervert."

"Ah?"

On the other side, Lin Xiuyuan drove the car out of the rain-fog-shrouded Jeonju streets and slowly merged into the highway to Seoul.

The wheels rolled over puddles, splashing water, and the wipers slid rhythmically, cleaning the fine rain on the windshield, but the entire car compartment was in sharp contrast to the gloom outside the window.

Don't know if Kim Taeyeon's emotions were released, or if she completely let go of something, she seemed much more relaxed along the way.

From the initial silence, to the later humming, to throwing out a few teasings and jokes from time to time, her state compared to the road here was simply like changing a person.

Lin Xiuyuan looked at her side face and sighed in disbelief: "Are you really okay with your current state? This emotional contrast is too big, right?"

"Of course I'm fine." Kim Taeyeon lifted her chin, smiling proudly: "The current me is Miss Taeyeon who has been reborn after soul healing."

"Healed after one meeting?"

Lin Xiuyuan laughed gently, just wanted to continue, but a phone call interrupted his thoughts.

It was Lin Xiaolu calling, and the car Bluetooth connected automatically soon.

The next second, the burst of laughter from that side rushed over: "Hahaha, hahaha, Lin Xiuyuan, what exactly were you doing last night and just now, Taeyeon Unnie said you were following her."

Lin Xiuyuan was stunned, subconsciously glanced at Kim Taeyeon beside him.

Kim Taeyeon was laughing and shrinking in the seat, covering her mouth, waving at him, looking like "Don't interrupt, let her continue."

Helplessly, he had to ask again: "Anything else."

"And that is Taeyeon Unnie thought it was some rich second generation tracking her at first, but found it was you, and was actually a bit happy. But then she saw a girl in the car lying on your thigh, doing that kind of thing. Wow, you don't know what her first sentence was when she called, it was saying you are a pervert."

"Pfft——!"

This time, Kim Taeyeon in the passenger seat finally couldn't hold it, clutching her stomach and laughing, her whole body curled up in the passenger seat: "My god, did she really say that?"

Lin Xiaolu on the other end of the phone heard this familiar voice, and her smart little brain quickly confirmed that her previous guess was correct, so she followed and laughed.

"Of course, she said she originally wanted to call the police. Seeing it was you, Xiuyuan, she held back, but after seeing the scene in the car clearly, she wanted to call the police again, fortunately you ran fast, otherwise you would probably be squatting in the police station drinking tea by now."

Lin Xiuyuan sighed helplessly, his whole body seemed to have aged ten years in the rain and fog: "What exactly did I do wrong, this is clearly not my problem."

"Enjoying too much means you have to take the blame, Lin Xiuyuan, hanging up, I'm going to start getting busy."

Lin Xiaolu laughed while hanging up the phone.

As soon as the call ended, Kim Taeyeon smiled and wiped the tears from the corners of her eyes: "So, Xiuyuan, you are now a pervert who does play in the car in the eyes of the Kim Taeyeon here?"

"I just opened my heart to her a moment ago, and it was gone in the blink of an eye. Taeyeon, please respect the victim's mood."

Lin Xiuyuan replied seriously, trying to pretend to be wronged: "I'm blocking bullets for you, okay."

"Then do you want me to compensate you a bit?" Kim Taeyeon suddenly changed the subject, her voice gentle and carrying a bit of teasing.

"Compensation?" Lin Xiuyuan looked at her vigilantly: "What compensation?"

"What do you think?" Kim Taeyeon curled her lips and smiled, not saying anything more.

At this time, the rain outside was getting heavier, and the highway entrance ahead began to flash "Low visibility, pay attention to safety" prompts.

Seeing this, Lin Xiuyuan didn't dare to speed rashly, and finding that the service area ahead was not far, he turned on the turn signal and drove into the rest area to prepare for a short stay.

After the car stopped steadily, the rain and fog outside were hazy, the world was gray, and the raindrops hit the roof of the car densely, like a melody singing in a low voice.

Kim Taeyeon hugged her arms, looked at Lin Xiuyuan seriously, and suddenly said softly again: "Thinking about the situation just now, fortunately I reacted quickly, otherwise we would have had to kidnap her into the car."

"The 'reacted quickly' you mentioned is you throwing yourself onto my thigh?" Lin Xiuyuan looked at her with a bitter smile: "But I have now completely socially died."

"It's just dying in her heart."

Kim Taeyeon smiled and bit her lip, her eyes carrying a hint of slyness: "Besides, didn't I say I would compensate you."

Lin Xiuyuan raised his eyebrows: "So how exactly are you prepared to compensate?"

Kim Taeyeon didn't answer, but unfastened her seatbelt, a touch of emotion flashing in her eyes.

The next second, she suddenly jumped up from the passenger seat, straddled onto Lin Xiuyuan, and wrapped her arms around his shoulders, that warm fragrance instantly wrapping around him.

Raindrops hit the car window, as if accompanying this moment of beauty.

"Just like this." She said softly.

Then, without giving Lin Xiuyuan any chance to react, she leaned down and kissed him actively.

The moment the other party's lips pressed on, Lin Xiuyuan only felt his body stiffen for half a second, but that gentle temperature was too real, not allowing him to think at all.

And Kim Taeyeon knelt on his thigh side, her body leaning forward, her hands supporting his shoulders, kissing with extra dedication.

Although she didn't demand it hurriedly from the start, she pecked lightly first, then pressed tighter, as if testing, and as if confirming.

Confirming that she could really embrace this brand new life, instead of being trapped in those painful memories of 2025.

A moment later, Kim Taeyeon's movements were no longer shy, but somewhat bold.

Following the other party's movements completely opening up, Lin Xiuyuan's hand that was originally holding the steering wheel also gradually loosened, then raised slowly, and pressed onto her lower back.

That soft curve passed through the thin fabric, gentle, vivid, like a glimmer of spring, waking him from the silence.

At the same time, when Kim Taeyeon felt that big hand press on, her heart jumped fiercely.

However, she didn't retreat, instead her body leaned closer, and the emotion of this kiss began to deepen between their lips and teeth.

The tip of her tongue swept lightly across his lower lip, then bit down slowly.

At this moment, Kim Taeyeon's emotions were like the rainstorm outside, pressing on the sky, accumulated for too long.

So this time she was active as if she wanted to stuff all the grievances and longing, regrets and desires she had suppressed in her heart over the years into this kiss.

And finally, she could stop forcing herself to cry, stop dodging and retreating, and stop pretending to be calm.

Following Kim Taeyeon truly "collapsing" in Lin Xiuyuan's arms, it was also the time she began to truly "approach" the other party.

And Lin Xiuyuan's hand moved slowly up her back, stopping at the position of her shoulder blades, as if wanting to press her entire body into his.

The other hand gently rested on the side of her thigh, feeling that layer of subtle trembling through the jeans.

Kim Taeyeon's body was very light, like a feather, but hot like fire.

Halfway through the kiss, she suddenly stopped, her forehead against Lin Xiuyuan's, breathing slightly, her lips still stained with his breath.

Lin Xiuyuan looked at her, his voice somewhat hoarse: "Are you... really okay now?"

Kim Taeyeon laughed gently, raised her hand to brush away the messy broken hair on her forehead, then hugged him decisively, her face pressed against the side of his neck: "Mm, now... it's really okay, Xiuyuan, I can really give myself to you."

"Don't mess around, rest for a while."

Kim Taeyeon smiled, nodded gently, then closed her eyes, quietly feeling the temperature coming from Lin Xiuyuan.

It was a warm peace of mind, as if penetrating layers of haze, gently pulling herself out of that torn memory quagmire.

The current her finally changed from that Kim Taeyeon who forever stayed in "regret" to herself who still possessed "now."

She could feel her heartbeat gradually stabilizing, no longer sobbing because of her father's back, no longer blaming herself because of the misses of the past.

And at this moment, in the arms of this man, she was caught without reservation, truly, and solidly.

"I always thought before, I couldn't face it again..."

Kim Taeyeon, who was speaking softly, had a tone of relief, and also carried a bit of attachment: "Didn't expect... I really did it."

Lin Xiuyuan didn't speak, just tightened his arms, hugging her tighter.

The rain outside was still falling, but between them, there was no chill.

That crying last night + the meeting this morning + the deep kiss just now.

After all this, Kim Taeyeon's whole person seemed to have loosened, and also seemed to have burned up.

Unloaded the defenses, ignited the courage, and finally allowed herself to stop living in the corner of memories, but to enthusiastically throw herself into the life in front of her.

The two hugged each other quietly like that, the temperature in the car rose slowly, not because the car was running the heater, but because of the breath between each other.

The rain outside was still falling, the sound of hitting the glass was dense and soft, like a curtain, separating them from this world, leaving only the breathing of the other party and the heartbeat when the chests were pressed together.

Lin Xiuyuan didn't move, and Kim Taeyeon didn't speak, as if after this deep kiss, both of them tacitly fell into some kind of tacit silence.

Her face was pressed into his neck, the corners of her mouth unconsciously raised a soft arc, her fingers grabbing a corner of his clothes, her fingertips curled, carrying a bit of greed and reluctance.

Until the sound of rain outside slowly became smaller, the pattering sound quietly retreated from the roof of the car, and the sunlight passed through the clouds, casting a bit of brightness.

Lin Xiuyuan then moved his shoulders gently and asked in a low voice: "Are we leaving?"

"Mm..." Kim Taeyeon responded, but her tone was lazy, as if still indulging in the lingering charm of the body entanglement just now: "Wait a little while longer, five minutes is enough."

Lin Xiuyuan didn't refuse, instead raised his hand to gently stroke the top of her hair, then leaned his forehead gently against her forehead.

Five minutes later, the two reorganized their emotions, returned to their normal appearance, restarted the car, and drove onto the highway for the return trip.

This journey, there were no tears, no silence, and no oppressive atmosphere.

Kim Taeyeon seemed much lighter, she leaned on the passenger seat, humming a song for a while, flipping through her phone to look at selfie filters for a while, and then turned her head to tease Lin Xiuyuan with a smile: "Next time you see the development of the other party, remember to tell me."

Lin Xiuyuan's mouth twitched: "Probably she will leave and turn around and walk away."

Kim Taeyeon laughed until she bent over.

Talking and laughing all the way, the two returned to Seoul like this.

When returning to the apartment, it was already approaching noon, the sky was completely clear, sunlight spilled into the room through the cracks in the curtains, giving people a gentle awakening feeling after a night of deep sleep.

Lin Xiuyuan looked at Kim Taeyeon's state, confirmed that her emotions were really recovered, and then walked into the kitchen to pour her a glass of warm water: "Want to take a shower first? Or go over there first?"

"Go over first." Kim Taeyeon took the water, took a sip, and picked up her phone to take a look: "Although I'm resting today, I'm afraid in case something happens and they look for me."

So just like that, soon the two stepped through the Time Gate and returned to the 2025 side.

Kim Taeyeon, who came over, looked at her phone, pursed her lips and smiled: "Haha, I was really overthinking, only Yun'er looked for me, asking if I'm awake?"

"This is asking if you're back, right." Lin Xiuyuan smiled.

"I know."

And Kim Taeyeon, after finishing speaking, looked at Lin Xiuyuan's bloodshot eyes, and also asked with some concern: "Alright, everything is settled now, the door is closed, Xiuyuan, you don't have to worry about me, take a good rest."

"I am indeed sleepy, then I'll go up and nap for a while, are you going back?" Lin Xiuyuan nodded.

However, Kim Taeyeon shook her head, then smiled and patted the sofa: "You just sleep, I want to stay a while longer, and then leave after watching you fall asleep."

"Ah, I'm not a child, no need." Lin Xiuyuan felt it was a bit strange, so he refused.

However, in the end, Lin Xiuyuan couldn't win against Kim Taeyeon, plus the back-and-forth running and emotional consumption of this night and day, his body and mind were extremely exhausted.

So soon he took off his coat, lay down directly on the sofa, closed his eyes, and fell asleep.

"I'm really sleeping now, don't laugh at me for snoring." When saying this, Lin Xiuyuan's tone already carried heavy sleepiness.

"Sleep, be good."

Kim Taeyeon smiled with curved eyes, her tone gentle as if coaxing a child: "I'm not recording, what are you afraid of?"

Lin Xiuyuan didn't respond, just "Mm" gently, and slowly sank into dreamland.

And the moment he closed his eyes, the tip of his nose vaguely lingered with a familiar and gentle fragrance.

That was the unique scent on Kim Taeyeon, carrying a faint perfume smell and the warm breath of skin, not strong, but enough to make people feel at ease.

And Kim Taeyeon sat quietly beside him, her fair legs pressed against Lin Xiuyuan's head, looking down at his sleeping appearance.

The other party slept very steadily, his eyelashes cast a layer of faint shadow, the corners of his mouth didn't smile, but his face was quiet and clear.

After this night, her gaze looking at Lin Xiuyuan also became much gentler.

A faint smile appeared at the corners of her mouth unconsciously, as if just looking at Lin Xiuyuan like this was enough to make people feel at ease.

"Just looking at you like this, how can it be so peaceful..."

Kim Taeyeon, who murmured in a low voice, was as if speaking to him, and as if confirming to herself.

Then she accompanied him quietly like this, watching, watching, the throbbing in her heart slowly turned into warm expectation.

Time passed quietly.

Suddenly, the phone on the coffee table vibrated slightly, and the ringtone broke the silence.

Lin Xiuyuan slept too deeply and was not woken up.

But Kim Taeyeon was startled, hurriedly reached out to pick up the phone, and carefully pressed the ringtone off.

Looking down, seeing that the caller ID was "Zhiyan."

Those bright beautiful eyes turned gently, then the corners of her lips raised a mischievous arc, she pressed the answer button, held the phone close to her ear, and said softly in a voice that was almost carrying a smile.

"Hello, Xiuyuan is sleeping."

(End of chapter)