Chapter 170: Lin Xiuyuan's Super Big Gift (7K, asking for subscriptions and monthly tickets)

On an afternoon in June 2025, the sunlight in Seoul finally pierced through the clouds, spilling obliquely into the bedroom of this high-rise Apartment.

Having just woken up, Dalongzai lay on the soft mattress, yawning while lazily picking up her phone.

Her slightly messy hair hung between her shoulders and the pillow, and her slightly hoarse voice carried the languor of someone who had just woken up.

Soon, Dalongzai, holding the phone, leaned against the headboard, her brows gently smoothing out as she smiled and muttered to herself, "It seems I haven't seen Xiuyuan for a few days."

As soon as she finished speaking, her fingertip tapped lightly on the call list, dialing that number she knew all too well.

Beep... beep... beep...

The phone was answered before it had rung many times. However, what appeared in her ear was not the familiar voice of Lin Xiuyuan.

"Hello, Xiuyuan is sleeping."

It was a woman's voice, and it was the kind that was intertwined with both weariness and a smile, sweet to the point of being cloying.

And... it was also a bit familiar.

Hearing the other person's voice, Dalongzai froze, her hand holding the phone moving away unconsciously as she glanced at the number on the screen.

She subconsciously thought she had dialed the wrong number, but the other person's reply was so strange.

"Taeyeon unnie?"

After confirming that the number was correct and the voice in her ear was also correct, Dalongzai couldn't help but speak up to confirm, her tone carrying a hint of disbelief.

"Mm, it's me."

Kim Taeyeon on the other end of the line laughed easily, with a hint of subtle teasing, "Zhiyan, Xiuyuan didn't rest well last night and just fell asleep. Is there something you need him for?"

As soon as these words were spoken, Dalongzai's entire face darkened; although Lin Xiuyuan was not her possession, in terms of intimacy, it wouldn't be an exaggeration to call them lovers.

So, hearing the words "last night" and "didn't rest well" combined, she immediately imagined quite a few scenes in her mind.

She even took the time to analyze how much hidden meaning might be contained in Taeyeon's words.

But Dalongzai didn't explode immediately; instead, her tone shifted, and she laughed softly, "Oh, it's nothing, unnie. I just wanted to ask him where he put my bath towel before he went home last time; I can't find it. Since he's asleep, I won't wake him. Let him get some good rest."

This answer made Kim Taeyeon look down at the sleeping boy beside her, a hint of a smile flashing in her eyes, "Mm, then later when he wakes up, I'll have him call you back."

"No need, unnie, I'll look for him later. Goodbye, unnie~"

"Mm, alright."

As the call ended and the phone was moved away from her ear, the smile on Dalongzai's face faded bit by bit.

She wasn't angry, though; she just looked down at the phone screen with some confusion, her fingertip pausing for a few seconds on the "Call Ended" interface.

Then, taking a deep breath, she turned over, got out of bed, and walked barefoot across the floor into the walk-in closet.

Dalongzai was not someone who would sit and wait for an explanation, nor was she someone who would let her emotions control her.

A few minutes later, when she walked out of the walk-in closet again, she had changed into a form-fitting sleeveless top and high-waisted white pants, her posture sharp as she walked to the balcony to gaze at the Han River in the distance.

The sunlight slanted onto the tattoo on Dalongzai's shoulder, and those faint lines seemed to brighten along with it.

A moment later, the corners of her lips curled into an ambiguous smile, and she muttered to herself, "Taeyeon unnie, tsk, Xiuyuan~ you'd better not be too tired."

After saying this, Dalongzai called Li Juli, and upon hearing that she was still hanging out with Xian Enjing today, she immediately asked for an address, turned around, and headed out.

Inside the Villa on the other side.

After hanging up the phone, Kim Taeyeon also smiled as she put it down, took a blanket from nearby, and gently covered Lin Xiuyuan, who was still fast asleep.

Then she walked into the Kitchen to get something, and after coming back out, she rummaged through the cabinets nearby.

After going in and out several times, she finally got everything settled.

When Kim Taeyeon returned to the side of the sofa again and stared at Lin Xiuyuan, who had turned over, for a while, she left the items and a note on the coffee table, then stood up and slowly left the place.

Although there was no rehearsal today, the events of yesterday and this morning had given Kim Taeyeon too much of a shock; she urgently needed a private space to properly adjust her emotions and sort out her thoughts.

Time slipped silently from noon into the afternoon.

Sunlight slanted through the half-drawn curtains into the Living Room, spilling onto the edge of the sofa, outlining the wrinkles and light and shadow on the blanket with exceptional softness.

And Lin Xiuyuan, who had slept for the entire afternoon, finally woke up slowly in this warmth.

After waking, he turned over in a daze, his brows slightly furrowed, as if he hadn't completely broken free from the stickiness of his dreams.

But soon, upon discovering that the scent had disappeared, he opened his eyes.

As Lin Xiuyuan opened his eyes and looked, the sofa was already empty, save for himself.

Only a note and a thermos cup with warmth remained quietly on the coffee table, appearing particularly striking in the golden afternoon light.

Looking at this situation, Lin Xiuyuan slowly sat up, rubbed his temples, and then picked up the note to scan it.

"You sleep quite soundly, Xiuyuan~ I stayed at your place for a while, but I have to go back now.

I brewed you a cup of tea; it's Oolong Tea to help you wake up. Remember to drink some when you wake up; don't be all dazed again.

By the way, there's one more thing I have to tell you.

That is, while you were sleeping, Zhiyan called, and I answered it for you.

Then I had a 'little' confrontation with her, hahaha, I told her you were asleep.

So I'll have to trouble you to take the blame again, Xiuyuan (smile).

——Taeyeon."

After reading the note once, Lin Xiuyuan, thinking he had misread it, read it over again repeatedly.

Then he stared at the line "take the blame again" for two seconds, and finally couldn't help but cover his forehead with one hand, muttering lowly, "Did I recruit a member into the sect, or did I recruit a disaster?"

From the time he brought Kim Taeyeon in last night until now, not even twenty-four hours had passed, and he had already been teetering on the edge of social death twice.

After his speechless rant, Lin Xiuyuan leaned directly against the back of the sofa, took a deep breath, and picked up the cup to take a small sip of the Oolong Tea.

Because the tea was in a thermos, it was still warm despite the passage of time, and it was also slightly bitter.

At the same time, it seemed to be mixed with a familiar scent, just like the fragrance on her that was somewhere between perfume and body wash, lingering at the tip of his nose.

After taking two sips of the tea, Lin Xiuyuan stared at the thermos in his hand for a while, then shook his head and smiled, "Well, at least it counts as some consolation."

After muttering, Lin Xiuyuan, finally resigning himself to his fate, picked up his phone from the coffee table and dialed the contact name he had subconsciously avoided for a long time.

The phone had barely rung twice before it was answered instantly.

"Yo, Xiuyuan~"

The voice on the other end carried a hint of teasing amusement, the tone unhurried, "According to Taeyeon unnie, you were sleeping quite soundly."

Lin Xiuyuan closed his eyes, his fingers gently rubbing his brow; he didn't offer much explanation, simply asking, "Where are you? I'll come find you."

Facing Lin Xiuyuan's words, if Dalongzai were her younger self, she surely would have retorted: I'm not anyone to you, why come find me? Go find your Taeyeon unnie.

But she was no longer her younger self; although the big sister might tease the young man at times, she would absolutely never push away a young man she liked.

Thus, Dalongzai's voice remained light, yet carried a trace of an elusive smile, "Are you sure you want to come over? I have three people here; what will you do if you aren't enough to go around?"

Lin Xiuyuan's brows twitched, as if he had guessed something, "Juli and Enjing?"

"Impressive, Xiuyuan." Dalongzai chuckled, her tone pausing subtly, "I hadn't even told you yet, how did you know? Don't tell me you've been hiding some little story with Juli unnie behind my back."

"Uh... that really isn't the case."

Lin Xiuyuan was truly at a loss for words now.

Because if there were something, he could at least say a few words or offer an explanation, but there really was nothing between them.

In reality, Dalongzai had known ever since she saw Li Juli in the afternoon that this unnie of hers had suffered a Waterloo at the hands of her own big golden retriever.

So, upon hearing the reply, she didn't choose to keep pressing, but instead shifted the topic, saying slowly, "Considering you called me the moment you woke up, fine, I'll spare you this time."

"How did you know I called you the moment I woke up, Zhiyan?" Lin Xiuyuan asked curiously.

"Because I had already sent you the address, you little Chu Nan."

"……"

Lin Xiuyuan paused for two seconds, finally looking up at the ceiling and letting out a sigh filled with a sense of destiny, "You guys, one after another, sigh, wait there, I'll be there soon."

"Mm, take your time, drive carefully, we aren't in a rush to go back."

After hanging up the phone, Lin Xiuyuan leaned against the sofa and fell into a brief contemplation.

Ever since discovering his 'Medicine Dregs' constitution, Lin Xiuyuan had been avoiding all sorts of things; although he had indeed enjoyed it during that time, he always felt something was a bit strange in his heart.

But after experiencing and witnessing the incident with Kim Taeyeon and her father this morning, he suddenly realized.

A month ago, after learning about the Time Gate, he had been brave enough to charge at Zheng Xiuyan.

Why was he being so timid now? What was he afraid of?

Having this constitution was clearly a good thing; wouldn't it be satisfying to be with more beauties?

Why think so much? Just go for it.

Rather than being conflicted, it's better to be carefree.

As for the harvesting yin to replenish yang, just ask yourself: is it satisfying or not? That's all that matters.

Even if it meant dying from 'immediately crazy' (death during intimacy), it would still be a carefree life.

So Lin Xiuyuan looked down at his little brother and asked seriously.

"Is it satisfying?"

"It's satisfying."

……

……

June 2025, in the suburbs of Seoul, a little past 5 PM.

Lin Xiuyuan was driving that familiar Mercedes-Benz SUV, heading all the way toward the location Dalongzai had sent, in the direction of the coastline.

The sunlight was slanting down from the west, and the clouds on the horizon were plated with a layer of pale golden warm light.

The surface of the sea was shimmering, and the sea breeze poured in through the gaps in the car windows, carrying a hint of saltiness and the warmth unique to summer.

And his destination this time was actually an open yet relatively secluded river mouth.

The shore there was a fishing area paved with concrete that extended outward, and under the enclosure of the breakwater, it was as calm as a mirror.

A lighthouse stood quietly in the distance, and at this moment, a camping table and a few picnic chairs had already been set up on an open space by the shore.

There were also half-eaten snack bags on the ground and a few fishing rods stuck into the cracks of the concrete, outlining a cozy and casual afternoon scene.

The three figures sitting in this scenery at this moment also had their own distinct appearances.

Xian Enjing was wearing a sports jacket, her head lowered as she stared intently at the water, holding a fishing rod in her hand, as if trying to use her spiritual power to summon the fish to take the bait.

Li Juli was sitting at an angle, stuffing a piece of cheese cracker into her mouth while glancing toward Dalongzai from time to time.

And Dalongzai was wearing the same outfit as before, only with an added baseball cap.

She held the phone she had just hung up with one hand, propping up her chin, while the other hand held a fishing rod, her eyes half-closed, a smile lingering at the corners of her mouth.

Seeing Dalongzai hang up the phone, Li Juli was the first to lean over, her eyes shining, "How is it? Is Xiuyuan coming over, Zhiyan?"

Dalongzai didn't rush to answer, instead shaking the fishing rod in her hand, saying with a smile in her eyes, "He already called, and I already sent the location over, what do you think, unnie?"

Hearing this, Li Juli instantly perked up, quickly stuffing the cracker in her hand into her mouth and leaping up, her milk-bun cheeks and hair strands jumping along with her.

Then she looked down at her outfit, which was wrapped tight for sun protection, "No, I have to get in the car and change."

Xian Enjing, who was to the side, rolled her eyes at her appearance, "Calm down, unnie, don't scare Xiuyuan away again."

"Of course I know I need to be calm, but I can't calm down."

Li Juli held her chest, wearing a serious face of long-awaited anticipation, while her eyes stared straight at Dalongzai, who still had some therapeutic effect at this moment, "This isn't one of those lick-dog good men you can call anytime; this is a Great Medicine, a powerful tonic."

After finishing, Li Juli even winked at Xian Enjing, her expression making the other person's mouth twitch wildly, and she raised her hand to give her a light, mock slap.

"You just want to eat it yourself, don't wink at me. I still think what you said is a bit crazy, unnie; it's not that exaggerated, although Zhiyan's complexion is much better, it's not that exaggerated."

"Forget it, I'm too lazy to explain it to you."

Facing Xian Enjing's look of disbelief, Li Juli spread her hands innocently, offering no further explanation.

Instead, she leaned close to Dalongzai's side, asking in a low but excited voice, "Zhiyan, how are you planning to handle this? Are you going to tease him about Taeyeon's matter, or just play innocent and reel him in?"

Dalongzai answered directly, "Tease what, reel what in? Once Xiuyuan gets here, I'm just going to throw myself into his arms."

Xian Enjing, who was learning fishing techniques over there, turned her head abruptly, her face full of frustration, "Restraint, have some restraint, Zhiyan."

Upon hearing this, Dalongzai let out a snort of laughter, "I can't help it, Unnie, Xiuyuan smells too good, you don't understand."

Li Juli, who was nearby, leaned back directly upon hearing Dalongzai's tone and called out loudly, "Sigh, just how good does he smell? When will I be able to have a taste?"

"Unnie, can you make your voice any louder?"

Xian Enjing, who had just discovered that her bait had been bitten, hadn't even lifted her rod when the shouting in her ear scared the fish away; she was so angry she nearly shoved the fishing rod into the mouth of the person speaking, "Are you trying to scare away the fish in the sea, or scare away Xiuyuan who is about to arrive?"

Li Juli opened her mouth and made a "zipping" motion, but her eyes remained bright, as if she were ready to jump up at any moment to welcome the protagonist's arrival.

At this moment, Dalongzai, who was sitting on the outermost edge, smiled lightly and rested her chin on her hand, looking out at the water.

The breeze blew through the tips of her hair, and those eyes beneath the brim of her hat remained bright.

A long time passed again.

The sea breeze brushed against their faces, and the air was filled with the intertwined scent of seawater and sunshine.

In the distance, a familiar SUV slowly drove into the embankment area by the sea; the tires pressed against the concrete ground, making a slight friction sound, and finally stopped steadily not far from Dalongzai and the others, standing side-by-side with their two cars.

"He's here, he's here." Li Juli was the first to sit up straight, her eyes fixed on the car door, "I was really afraid he wouldn't come at the last minute."

And in the next second, Li Juli, who hadn't seen Lin Xiuyuan yet, watched as Dalongzai, who had been sitting steadily, suddenly paused in her movements.

Then, the fishing rod in her hand was thrown onto the ground to the side with a "clatter," and she stood up like an arrow released from a bow, running toward Lin Xiuyuan who had just stepped out of the car.

"Xiuyuan~"

That familiar female voice rang in his ears, carrying an undisguised joy and eagerness.

Lin Xiuyuan, who had just gotten out of the car, hadn't even reacted before he saw a figure pounce over; he instinctively opened his arms to catch her, and he had to step back to steady himself.

"Wait a second, Zhiyan, slow down."

Lin Xiuyuan spoke with a smile, but before he could finish his sentence, Dalongzai's arms were already tightly wrapped around his waist, her head buried in the crook of his neck.

Behind him, Li Juli said in shock, "Zhiyan is for real."

Beside her, Xian Enjing also had her mouth open, staring at that scene for a long while without closing it, and said in a low voice, "I thought she was just joking around with us."

And on the other side of the car, Lin Xiuyuan looked down at the woman hanging on him like a cat and let out a helpless laugh.

"That's enough, Juli and the others are watching."

Dalongzai's body heat was transmitted through their pressed-together bodies, and he could hear the rhythm of her breathing in his ear; he could smell the scent on her, a mixture of sunshine, sweat, and a faint perfume.

It was that kind of fragrant, cloying scent unique to a mature woman in summer.

"You're wearing a bit too little, aren't you?"

Lin Xiuyuan, who had been gently stroking Dalongzai's smooth skin, lightly pushed her shoulders back.

Then he looked down and discovered she was only wearing a close-fitting sleeveless vest, her bare shoulders and arms tanned to a healthy honey-colored luster, "Playing out here like this, aren't you afraid of getting sunburned or being bitten by mosquitoes and insects?"

"I was in a hurry to leave, I didn't bring any."

Dalongzai was still hugging Lin Xiuyuan, smiling as she looked up, her eyes bright.

Lin Xiuyuan shook his head, turned to open the car door, took a thin jacket from the passenger seat, and draped it over her without hesitation, "Put this on, the wind is strong by the sea, don't catch a cold."

"Yes, yes, yes~ Dr. Lin is online."

Faced with this thoughtful care, Dalongzai looked obedient as she let Lin Xiuyuan fuss over her, even deliberately shaking her shoulders, smiling like a little fox that had just caught a toy.

At the same time, Lin Xiuyuan also leaned his head out and waved at Li Juli and Xian Enjing a few meters away.

"Juli, Enjing, good afternoon."

After coming back to her senses, Li Juli immediately waved her hand, "Come over and sit down to chat, Xiuyuan~"

Compared to Dalongzai and Li Juli, Xian Enjing was relatively calm; she just nodded and said with a smile, "Good afternoon, Xiuyuan, come over and fish with us."

Lin Xiuyuan smiled, then pulled Dalongzai over and walked toward them, while also unable to help but look left and right at the campsite the three of them had set up.

"You guys... what are you doing? Why did you come all the way to the seaside to camp?"

"This is our secret base; we're telling you this time, but you can't bring anyone else here."

Dalongzai explained in a light tone while pulling him toward the chairs, "Usually, if the weather is good, we come here to take pictures, catch the breeze, chat, and fish while we're at it."

"You guys actually know how to fish?" Lin Xiuyuan looked incredulous.

"Who said we need to know how?" Xian Enjing took over the conversation and rolled her eyes, "It's just for fun, to see who can catch something; we aren't counting on eating it."

"But didn't we just catch you?" Li Juli chimed in, teasing him.

This sentence made Xian Enjing look at her in astonishment; was she really that afraid that Xiuyuan would run away?

Fortunately, Lin Xiuyuan just gave Li Juli a meaningful look, then smiled and sat down on a chair with Dalongzai.

The sunlight shone down through the thin clouds, casting onto them, feeling very warm.

The group sat around the small camping table, the sunlight shining on the surface of the sea and on their smiling faces.

Dalongzai changed her posture to sit next to Lin Xiuyuan, resting her face on one hand to look at him, while using the other to keep stuffing fish skin snacks into his bowl, "By the way, Xiuyuan~ when will your Tavern be finished with renovations? It's been a long time since we've had a few drinks. Unnie went to check last time and said it didn't look like much work had been done?"

"Letting the smell air out; who opens for business right after finishing? Juli, that time you really had no choice but to go in," Lin Xiuyuan said with a smile while eating the snacks.

Then Li Juli also leaned over, resting her elbows on the edge of the table, and stared at Lin Xiuyuan with feigned seriousness, "So Xiuyuan, let's go over and have a few drinks in a while."

"No way, I just arrived here, and you're already telling me to go back and have a few drinks?"

Faced with Li Juli's offensive, Lin Xiuyuan calmly gestured to the surrounding environment, "Besides, if you want to drink, I think this location is more comfortable than the Small Tavern."

"How are we supposed to drive back if we drink here?" Xian Enjing reminded him.

"Why go back? Let's camp here; wake up in the car and watch the sunrise."

"You make it sound easy, Xiuyuan, and besides, the sunrise isn't in this direction."

Dalongzai covered her mouth and chuckled, turning her head to watch Lin Xiuyuan's reaction.

Fortunately, Lin Xiuyuan's skin had long since become much thicker than before, and he smiled indifferently, "Then we'll just catch the breeze and wait until our heads are clear before going back."

"Then you can catch the breeze by yourself," Xian Enjing said with a squinting smile, "I still want to go home and sleep in a bed; the car is too uncomfortable."

At this time, Li Juli picked up a bottle of juice and handed it to Lin Xiuyuan, "Don't talk about it, we didn't bring any alcohol when we came here, just drinks and juice."

"Thanks." Lin Xiuyuan first took it, but the next second he turned and handed it to Xian Enjing, "I don't dare drink it; I'm afraid you all poisoned it."

"Yah, Xiuyuan~"

"Hahaha~"

The atmosphere suddenly became lively, the setting sun shining on the group, casting a warm glow around them.

And just as everyone was chatting animatedly, the fishing rod that Dalongzai had set up to the side suddenly wobbled.

Li Juli caught a glimpse with sharp eyes and exclaimed, "Hey, hey, hey, there's a fish, there's a fish!"

"Really?"

Dalongzai immediately jumped up and rushed over, fumbling to lift the rod, but unfortunately, she was a step too slow; the fish had already escaped.

Seeing this, Dalongzai wailed, "That was my first one today."

At this moment, Lin Xiuyuan also got excited; the urge to fish seemed to be engraved in a man's DNA, "Are there any extra fishing rods? I want to try too."

"Here, Xiuyuan~" Li Juli generously handed over her own, "I'm not fishing, you go ahead and play."

After taking the fishing rod, Lin Xiuyuan quickly arrived at the edge, and then Dalongzai and Xian Enjing followed him over.

Glancing at the pre-made bait prepared on the side, Lin Xiuyuan still attached it to the hook without any fuss; after all, it was just for fun, not professional.

However, a surge of emotion welled up in his heart, and his gaze shifted to the two people beside him.

"Zhiyan, Enjing, let's bet on who can catch a fish first."

"A bet? What's the stake?" Dalongzai's eyes lit up, staring straight at Lin Xiuyuan, as if she were already thinking of something incredible.

Xian Enjing nodded, "Sure, how do we play?"

"Whoever catches one first, I'll give her a super big gift."

"Okay, then I'll give one too." Dalongzai's eyes were shining.

Xian Enjing followed up, "Then I'm in too."

Thus, the impromptu fishing duel began.

Lin Xiuyuan sat down on a stool, looking at the calm river mouth in front of him, when a sudden wave of emotion washed over him, and a line of dialogue came to mind.

Think about it: a person lives to be a hundred years old, which is only a little over thirty thousand days.

What's more, most people's lives are only around seventy years; subtract ten years of ignorance and ten years of old age and infirmity, and only fifty years remain.

From these fifty years, subtract half for the night, and only twenty-five years are left.

Then, if you factor in the time spent on trivial matters, the time truly left for oneself is very little indeed.

And now, having already wasted over 20 years, how could he continue to squander it when he finally had the chance to live some exciting days?

Thinking of this, Lin Xiuyuan turned his head to look at Dalongzai on his left, Xian Enjing on his right, and then looked back at Li Juli, who was still tidying up snacks by the table.

"Juli, do you want to join in?"

Li Juli spread her hands, "Ah, I don't have a fishing rod anymore."

"Then how about you use mine?" Lin Xiuyuan smiled brightly.

Although Li Juli couldn't figure out what Lin Yi was up to, she liked things that didn't require effort and allowed her to take advantage of a situation.

Especially since it was taking advantage of Lin Xiuyuan, she nodded immediately, "Sure."

"Then it's a deal."

Lin Xiuyuan held the rod in one hand and laughed, "Three fishing rods; whoever catches a fish first, I'll give her... a super big gift."

(End of this chapter)