Chapter 178: Everyone Present (Seeking subscriptions and monthly tickets)

Night falls, and the starlight descends quietly.

After showering, Dalongzai stands before the bathroom mirror, her wet, long hair draping over her fair skin, faintly revealing her slender neck.

After glancing at herself in the mirror, Dalongzai smiles slightly, picks up a towel to wipe away the water droplets, then slowly combs through her hair, finally tying it into a crisp high ponytail.

In an instant, the cute and charming aura of Dalongzai in the mirror shifts; with the ponytail tied up, her eyes immediately take on a sharp edge, and a charming smile curls at the corners of her lips.

She returns to the bedroom and walk-in closet, pulling out a striped shirt and pairing it with a well-fitting pair of jeans, perfectly accentuating her mature, "big sister" aura.

A pair of pearl chain earrings dangle down, shimmering with elegant luster as she turns; she turns slightly, her eyes filled with confidence and allure.

Echoing this scene is Li Juli before the mirror in her apartment.

Standing before the full-length mirror at home, her outfit compared to her usual mature and seductive "big sister" style appears much younger and more vibrant.

Her elegant long hair is tied into a playful bun at the back; though slightly messy, it possesses a youthful freedom, radiating the unbridled spirit of youth.

A simple white T-shirt paired with ripped jeans, this fresh and natural look makes her appear like a ray of sunshine—both a city girl and possessing an unpolished, innocent aura.

Meanwhile, having just finished rehearsals, Kim Taeyeon quickly returns to her apartment and dives into the bathroom to wash away the fatigue of the entire day.

Half an hour later, she stands before the mirror, a hint of melancholy in her eyes.

However, the fatigue on her face has been washed away, and after a simple makeup routine, her complexion has regained its charming luster.

Taking one last look at herself in the mirror, Kim Taeyeon turns back to the bedroom and changes into the outfit she had already picked out:

A form-fitting knit vest, understated yet carrying a hint of sexiness, paired with tight jeans, the waistband slightly rolled to reveal her slender, graspable waist.

Her delicate fingers slide lightly over the curves of her waist, and she smiles slightly, her eyes crinkling with a bit of playfulness.

The sporty-style small undergarment subtly outlines a fashionable charm with her movements.

After tidying up, the three of them quickly pack all their belongings; Dalongzai hangs her bag on her shoulder, and Li Juli puts on her most comfortable sports sandals.

Kim Taeyeon drapes a jacket over her shoulders, shielding a few patches of fair skin.

Soon, the three of them walk out of their apartments one after another, feeling the freshness and slight chill in the night air. The neon lights of the streets decorate the night in colorful hues, and occasionally a few cars drive by, leaving trails of light.

Their footsteps are light and rhythmic, as if they have become a unique part of the scenery in this city night.

Not long after, the three of them get into their respective cars, starting from their three different apartment complexes in Seoul and driving straight toward Lin Xiuyuan's small tavern.

Besides them, two other cars set off from different locations, driving in the same direction.

Unlike them, Krystal doesn't need to spend time traveling, as she is already in the villa next to the tavern.

Having just showered, she walks with an alluring gait toward Lin Xiuyuan, who is sitting on a small sofa in the corner of the bedroom.

Her damp hair falls naturally over her shoulders; she wears sexy black lace lingerie, faintly revealing her charming curves. Under the dim, warm light, it appears even more translucent.

The sound of her light footsteps makes the air in the bedroom feel even more tense and silent, as if an undercurrent is surging.

Finally, she stops a short distance from Lin Xiuyuan and smiles lightly, a trace of playful light flickering in her eyes. "Xiuyuan, do you like it?"

"It's a bit too revealing."

Despite Lin Xiuyuan saying something extremely proper, his eyes betray his words and intentions, staring straight at Krystal, barely willing to blink for even a second.

It is mainly because Krystal is slowly bending down; the movement, though unhurried, intentionally maintains a light yet highly seductive posture.

Her smooth back curves slightly under the light, the lines fluid and graceful. The black lace lingerie faintly reveals her silhouette, and a faint fragrance permeates the air, causing Lin Xiuyuan's breathing to stall for a few seconds involuntarily.

"So what if it's revealing? I'm not showing it to anyone else," Krystal says with a light laugh. "This is one of the gifts I specially picked out for you."

Krystal's eyes land on him, carrying a silent challenge. She knows very well that every movement she makes right now can have a strong impact on Lin Xiuyuan.

So, she smiles and reaches out a finger, lightly touching his shoulder, the warmth of her fingertip carrying endless temptation.

Just as the two intend to go further, Lin Xiuyuan's phone on the side suddenly rings, the sound breaking the silence.

At the same time, Lin Xiuyuan involuntarily swallows his saliva, his throat and mouth feeling slightly dry from excitement.

Krystal glances at the screen, smiles lightly, her eyes filled with a mix of provocation and tenderness, and then she slowly kisses his lips.

Only then does she slowly lift her head, pausing slightly before saying softly, "Alright, it's a call from Zhiyan. Answer it."

Having had his lips moistened, Lin Xiuyuan recovers slightly and answers the phone. "Hello, Zhiyan, how is it going?"

"Xiuyuan, is there any fruit left in the tavern?"

Dalongzai, who was driving over, has parked her car in front of a fruit shop. "I remember the tavern hasn't been open for a while. If there's no fruit, I'll buy some and bring it over."

"Buy some. I don't think there's any fresh stuff left, just some frozen ones."

After hearing this, Lin Xiuyuan doesn't think it's inappropriate for Dalongzai to spend money; he even orders some watermelon and coconut, preparing to make a few Watermelon Coconut drinks.

Dalongzai smiles upon hearing this, but adds, "Got it, but you have to make me something delicious later, otherwise I'll make you reimburse the bill."

"Buy it first and we'll see." Lin Xiuyuan laughs along.

After Lin Xiuyuan ends the call with Dalongzai and looks back across the room, Krystal has already changed her clothes, but the outfit surprises him.

A pair of pure cotton Adidas shorts with three stripes, paired with a gray base-layer short-sleeve shirt, and a dark blue denim jacket over it.

Who could imagine that underneath this plain, ordinary outfit, she is wearing such a sexy lingerie set?

The contrast is displayed to the fullest by Krystal at this moment, leaving Lin Xiuyuan stunned, his eyes widening.

A thought pops into his head: he wants to strip off this cotton sportswear and properly admire the lace-hollowed lingerie underneath; it is simply too captivating.

Krystal clearly notices Lin Xiuyuan's gaze, so she smiles, tucks her hands into the pockets of her denim jacket, and raises an eyebrow. "How is it? Not bad, right?"

"Zheng Xiujing, this contrast is a bit too tempting."

This is the first time Lin Xiuyuan has called Krystal by her full Korean name, which makes the corners of her mouth lift. She follows up, "Not calling me 'Noona' is one thing, but now you're calling me by my full name? Xiuyuan, you're getting wilder."

"Then would you rather I call you by your full name, or Krystal, or perhaps Good Do..."

"Get lost, shut up, let's go. We should get to the tavern and prepare; everyone else is already there, and we aren't."

Just as Lin Xiuyuan says this, Krystal immediately guesses what he wants to say.

So, she grabs the towel she just used to wipe her body and throws it at him. It lands right on his face, and a fragrant scent rushes toward him, instantly stopping his mouth.

She then laughs lightly. "Krystal, I remember you were the one who taught me to call you that."

"Still saying that? I didn't teach you; don't go around accusing people randomly."

"You clearly did."

"I was talking about you, I didn't tell you to use it on me."

"But your posture..."

"Shut up!!!"

"Hahaha."

Soon, the two of them walk out while arguing, taking only a few minutes to walk from the villa to the tavern.

As Krystal follows Lin Xiuyuan into the tavern, this is her first time entering since the renovation. She notices the warm, dim lighting has been adjusted, making the atmosphere of the tavern perfectly cozy.

Besides that, there is another difference: the record wall has something new.

Posters of vintage records have been hung up, as if quietly telling stories of the past.

The bar remains in its familiar layout, and the countless bottles on the shelves glow with a warm radiance under the light. Everything in the tavern makes one feel the quiet passage of time.

So, upon entering, Krystal first walks toward the wall covered in records, her gaze wandering over the covers of classic albums, her fingertips lightly brushing the edges of each record, as if picking her favorites.

Then, she turns her head slightly to look at Lin Xiuyuan, who is already busy at the bar, a smile on her lips. Suddenly, she points to a classic album on the wall and says, "Xiuyuan, this record looks pretty good. Where did you find it?"

Lin Xiuyuan looks up at the wall and says immediately, "Park Hyomin gave it to me."

"Park Hyomin? Hey, Xiuyuan, can you change your 'XP' (fetish/preference)? Don't mess around."

Hearing this name, Krystal immediately thinks of some unpleasant situation, frowns slightly, and warns Lin Xiuyuan by looking back at him.

Lin Xiuyuan laughs helplessly. "What are you thinking? It was just a normal opening gift. Last time she came over, she said it wasn't good to come empty-handed, so she brought a gift later—just a few records."

After saying this, he continues to wash the cocktail shaker, his movements clean and crisp, each rinse accompanied by a slight, crisp sound.

"Oh, that's good, that's good. Don't get too close to her."

"Got it, you're nagging."

As he prepares the base liquor and organizes the ingredients, Krystal finally picks out a record she likes and places it on the turntable.

She then turns and walks to the bar to sit down, resting her chin on her hand while watching the busy boy with a smile, letting the familiar melody slowly permeate the tavern.

The notes ripple in every corner like water waves, and the air in the tavern seems to be rendered by these notes, mixed with Krystal's scent and playfulness, making the whole tavern even more interesting.

Just then, the familiar electronic sound and wind chime sound come from the tavern door, and Kim Taeyeon pushes the door open and walks in.

After entering, she scans the tavern space, her gaze quickly landing on Lin Xiuyuan, who is busy mixing drinks at the bar.

Seeing him focused on mixing, a warm smile rises in her eyes, and she walks over slowly.

She quickens her pace, like a light breeze, carrying an indescribable sense of familiarity.

"Hi, Xiuyuan, Krystal."

Kim Taeyeon calls out softly, her tone playful. "Is the drink ready for tonight? If it's not enough to drink, I'm going to file a complaint against this tavern."

Seeing Kim Taeyeon, Krystal asks with some surprise, "Noona, why are you here so early? Weren't you rehearsing until night? I thought you would arrive much later."

"I came over after finishing work and taking a shower. Anyway, staying at home is just staying at home, might as well come out and sit for a while."

After saying this, Kim Taeyeon thinks of something and holds up what she is carrying. "Here, Xiuyuan, this is a bottle of Louis Royer brandy someone gave me. It's been sitting at home for a long time. It's a waste to keep it there, might as well bring it to you."

"Why give it to me? It's a pity to use this for mixing drinks. Just drink it straight."

Lin Xiuyuan takes the bottle, checks the situation, and smiles slightly. "This wine has a fruity aroma and is smooth on the throat without going to the head. It's very suitable for you ladies to have a small drink during a private gathering. That's probably what the person who gave it to you thought, too."

"Forget it, I rarely drink at home anyway. Just keep it here; I'll come over when I want to drink."

After hearing Lin Xiuyuan's explanation, Kim Taeyeon doesn't intend to take the bottle back, but turns to look at Krystal, her eyes filled with inquiry. "Krystal, although I haven't seen you for a while, how come your little face doesn't show your age at all?"

"Noona, I got medical aesthetics done." Krystal is very pleased with this, so she smiles and gives a casual excuse.

Talking about medical aesthetics, Kim Taeyeon immediately becomes interested, and the two huddle together to chat enthusiastically.

Lin Xiuyuan takes the opportunity to open the Louis XO, drops three small ice balls into the glasses, and pours a little for them to taste.

Not long after, the roar of a car engine comes from the tavern door again. Dalongzai and Li Juli arrive almost at the same time, followed by Sweet Enjing, who is one minute later than them.

This makes Dalongzai, who just mentioned fruit, immediately look back at the car. After a glance, she shows a smile and greets them. "Noona, why are you so punctual too?"

Sweet Enjing, who has turned off the engine and gotten out of the car, looks at the fruit in their hands and exclaims, "Wow, why did you buy so much?"

"Some are what I want to eat, some are what Xiuyuan wants. Noona, please help me carry some, it's so heavy."

Dalongzai just wants to hand the fruit to Sweet Enjing, but hears a response that leaves her dumbfounded. "I'll take one bag; I still need to keep one hand free to open the door later."

"Open the door? Open what door?" Dalongzai exclaims.

Then, together with Li Juli's equally surprised gaze, she watches Sweet Enjing walk to the tavern door, reach out to verify her fingerprint and iris, and then, after the "beep-beep-beep" sound of the electronic lock, the tavern door slowly opens.

Sweet Enjing pushes the door open gently, and the pleasant sound of wind chimes follows.

But also following is Dalongzai's breakdown. "Wait a minute, Noona, how can you open the lock of Xiuyuan's tavern?"

"Because I became a member."

For some reason, Sweet Enjing has become inexplicably relaxed since last night, and her speech carries a hint of provocation, making Dalongzai clench her fists. "No, I'm asking how you became a member of Xiuyuan's tavern."

"Because I caught a fish," Sweet Enjing answers with a smile, a hint of pride in her eyes. "Alright, let's go in first."

Although Dalongzai has many questions, discussing them on the street isn't realistic, so she and Li Juli have to walk into the tavern first.

When passing Sweet Enjing, Li Juli stares at her closely and drops a sentence, "Enjing, why didn't you tell me during the day?"

"You didn't ask me either," Sweet Enjing replies indifferently.

"Damn it."

Inside, the moment Dalongzai stands inside the door, her gaze immediately locks onto Krystal at the bar.

Following closely behind is Li Juli, whose gaze doesn't pause at all, as if she can instantly pierce through Krystal's appearance and see every subtle change.

Noticing their gaze, Krystal is stunned for a moment, then recovers, smiling and meeting their eyes.

The three pairs of eyes cross in the air, seemingly looking for something, and later they find that none of their faces have changed much.

They breathe a sigh of relief, the atmosphere is no longer tense, and it quickly returns to a familiar vibe.

"Zhiyan, Noona, you're finally here. What good things did you buy again?" Krystal breaks the silence first, her voice light and intimate.

Li Juli walks toward Krystal with a smile, looking curiously at the glasses in front of her and Kim Taeyeon. "Why did you come to the tavern so early? Have you already started drinking?"

She continues, "I was late because Zhiyan wanted to buy some fruit."

After speaking, she doesn't forget to greet Kim Taeyeon, and finally looks at Lin Xiuyuan with a squinting smile. "Good evening, Xiuyuan~"

"Good evening, thank you for your hard work."

Lin Xiuyuan, who goes up to take the fruit, nods with satisfaction after looking at the rich variety in the bag.

Now the ingredients for the fruit platter are complete, saving him from having to order takeout.

Sweet Enjing is the last one to enter. As soon as she enters, she greets Lin Xiuyuan first. "Xiuyuan, I'm here again."

"Welcome, welcome." Lin Xiuyuan, who has already taken the fruit to the bar, looks up and laughs.

At this moment, Dalongzai's voice follows. "Xiuyuan, how did she become a member? Is this the 'super gift package' you were talking about?"

"Yes, that's right."

Lin Xiuyuan nods; this is the excuse he and Sweet Enjing discussed, and it is indeed quite reasonable.

"No way, if I had known it was this, I would have gone fishing myself, Xiuyuan." Li Juli lets out a wail upon hearing Lin Xiuyuan's answer.

Equally depressed is Dalongzai, who hangs her head slightly and pouts; clearly, she is not satisfied with this answer.

Although it is reasonable, it is still a bit annoying.

The "winner takes all" rule is simply too unfair.

Just as they intend to continue discussing this gift membership, the tavern door is pushed open again.

The person who enters this time shocks everyone in the room, and everyone leans back slightly.

Only Kim Taeyeon, sitting on a high stool, looks at Jessica, who enters next to Lin Yun'er, with a slightly complex and pleasantly surprised expression.

(End of chapter)