Chapter 17: Do you want to go see her?

After finishing the last bite of his meal, Lin Xiuyuan put down his spoon, his gaze drifting unconsciously to the side.

Krystal, sitting next to him, had barely touched her chopsticks; she had spent the entire meal in a daze.

Having experienced this same state himself the first night he learned about the Time Gate, Lin Xiuyuan understood just how much of a shock it was, so he didn't disturb her.

After all, traveling to the future might just be a matter of shock and curiosity toward new things;

But returning to the past from the future makes information the least significant part.

The regret over things left undone in the past, or the heart-wrenching longing for certain people—that is the truly painful part.

However, having weathered many storms in her 30+ years, Krystal managed to digest this state within the span of a single meal.

Upon noticing that Lin Xiuyuan had finished eating, she asked, "Full?"

"I'm good, I can't eat too much."

"You should still eat more while you're young."

Krystal, who had intended to use this concern to close the distance between them, heard Lin Xiuyuan's reply: "Krystal, that remark reminds me of a term I learned in the future."

Krystal raised her eyebrows in curiosity. "What is it?"

Lin Xiuyuan couldn't help but laugh out loud. "You sound like a mom."

"Hey! Shut up."

Clearly, this starlet spent her daily life scrolling through Douyin, so her reaction speed to trendy internet slang was right on the front lines.

So much so that upon hearing Lin Xiuyuan's words, she reacted instantly, glaring in annoyance at this guy who spoke without thinking.

Although she was in her early thirties, she still had a very long way to go before reaching the 'mom' level—it might not even happen at all.

After scolding the young man, Krystal stood up. "Since you're full, let's go for a walk and help digest the food."

Lin Xiuyuan stood up as well and gestured toward the food in front of her. "I think *you* are the one who needs to digest; you barely ate anything."

"I have a drama to film when I go back, I can't eat too much, or I won't look good on camera."

As a photography assistant, Lin Xiuyuan could understand Krystal's explanation.

It was nothing more than the lens distortion principle; there was no helping that, it was a hardware issue, so the person in front of the lens just had to physically digest.

The two walked out of the private room, and as they prepared to leave the restaurant, Krystal asked the proprietress for a face mask.

It wasn't until they were walking into the rain under an umbrella that Lin Xiuyuan asked curiously, "How did you know the proprietress would have masks? This hasn't happened in your time yet, so it's not usually kept in stock."

"Because these masks are specifically kept for our group."

Krystal, having put on the mask, looked at the streets and shops around her—both familiar and strange—with a sense of emotion.

Because the umbrella was truly too small, as the rain intensified, her body leaned closer and closer to Lin Xiuyuan, eventually pressing right against him.

The soft sensation made Lin Xiuyuan unconsciously pull his arm away slightly, causing the umbrella to tilt, nearly getting them wet.

Fortunately, a slender, fair hand pulled the umbrella back in time. "What are you doing? You got me wet."

Krystal's eyes were full of light laughter as she spoke.

"I was afraid you'd think I was a pervert; I didn't mean to do that just now."

A young man is still a young man; although he liked it very much in his heart, his courage was tiny.

Krystal gave him a deep look upon hearing his reply. "Are you worried I'd think you were taking advantage of me?"

Lin Xiuyuan remained silent, which also served as an admission.

"Don't worry, it's just normal contact, it's not that exaggerated."

"Maybe we should just buy another umbrella on the side of the road."

Lin Xiuyuan certainly liked being pressed against a great beauty, but his body's instinctive reaction, along with his racing heart and blood, made him feel a bit awkward.

Seeing his current state, Krystal, who quite enjoyed the situation of teasing a young man, smiled and said:

"Forget it, I wanted to chat with you and get to know you anyway. Besides, the road is full of people hiding from the rain; if I get recognized and someone takes a photo and posts it online, wouldn't the problem be even worse? So just bear with it, young man."

Faced with Krystal's teasing and provocative words, Lin Xiuyuan couldn't help but feel puzzled.

"Can ten-plus years really change a person this much? The you I saw last night was very cold and reticent; you're completely different from the you now."

"Cold and reticent? That's just acting aloof. Hahahaha, but that's only because you aren't familiar with me yet. It should be much better once you get to know me."

Krystal gave a playful smile after making a small jab at her past self.

But soon she heard Lin Xiuyuan's voice. "Will you be like the you now?"

"How could that be?"

Without a hint of hesitation, Krystal shook her head. After a pause, she gave a scoff. "And it's best you don't become like me. You don't think this is my true nature, do you?"

The last sentence was Krystal's rhetorical question to Lin Xiuyuan.

The latter was stunned and replied very straightforwardly, "I don't know, I feel like it probably isn't."

Krystal smiled without a word upon hearing the answer.

The young man, not understanding boundaries, continued to press, "Then what is your true self like?"

"Want to know?" Krystal smiled along.

Seeing Lin Xiuyuan nod, she pursed her lips and smiled. "Depends on your performance, and let's see if there's a chance in the future. Let's get to know each other a bit more first; I wouldn't reveal my true nature to a young man I just met."

Under the dim streetlights, the two walked side by side, the rain hitting the umbrella and making a soft sound, like some kind of unspoken tacit understanding.

With the help of the curtain of rain outside, the narrow space under the umbrella seemed to pull them even closer.

Lin Xiuyuan suddenly slowed his pace, causing Krystal's softness to bump into his arm inadvertently.

She looked up, meeting his gaze just right.

In that instant, their eyes met. There was no uncomfortable desire in Lin Xiuyuan's eyes, only confusion and curiosity, while he gestured for her to look ahead.

Krystal turned her head, and her heartbeat suddenly skipped a beat.

Because on the side of a building not far away, a huge GG poster was hanging.

And the artist on that poster was none other than her late member, teammate, and dear friend—Sulli.

The girl on the poster was smiling sweetly, her eyes sparkling like stars, her sweet smile seemingly able to melt away all gloom.

A pink dress paired with soft wavy hair made the whole image as warm and bright as a spring flower.

Sheets of rain dripped down the edge of the poster, but it didn't affect that pure sweetness at all; instead, it added a touch of dreamy atmosphere.

It was at this very moment that Lin Xiuyuan asked softly, "Do you want to go see her?"

Esteemed bosses, brothers, and godfathers, please take a look here.

Because after 12:00 midnight tonight, this little newbie author's new book will be promoted, and after 12:00 midnight, the new book rankings will also be updated.

It's my rare first experience with a new book, so if you have time, I hope you can see if you can cast a monthly vote for this newbie's new book at a few minutes past midnight. Those who have the means can tip a dime or two to help this newbie's book go further~

I am endlessly grateful, and I will definitely repay you with explosive updates after the book is officially launched!!!!

(PS: I'm a bit worried you might forget, I'm thinking about whether to put the next chapter in the evening~~~~)

(End of chapter) ===== CHAPTER 18 =====