Chapter 182: The Rising Designer Star Zheng Xiuyan

One day in June 2013.

The tavern was missing the figure that usually stood behind the bar, but although Lin Xiuyuan wasn't there, he was replaced by Sulli's slender figure.

And sitting in front of the bar were the familiar few people, Park Ji-yeon, Xian Enjing, and Zheng Xiuyan, just Lin Xiaolu wasn't there.

That was because she went to Jin Enshu's side to study the script.

After all, in a while, Lin Xiaolu would officially meet everyone in the crew. Although she had grasped her personal emotions by taking the shortcut of the "experience school," she was still a bit immature in detail processing, so this period of time was just right to polish it.

"Zhenli, your bartending technique is still a bit short of heat compared to Oppa."

Park Ji-yeon, who took a sip of the wine in the glass, immediately lay on the bar, looking at Sulli with a smile and teasing.

"Then don't drink what I mix, go find Oppa."

Sulli pretended to be angry and replied, laughing, and was about to reach out to grab the wine glass in front of Zhiyan.

Park Ji-yeon was so scared that she hurriedly hugged the glass and leaned back, laughing. "Hee hee, no, it's delicious, it's delicious~"

At this time, Zheng Xiuyan, who had closed the notebook from the sofa behind, also came to Xian Enjing's side, and after looking at each other with a smile, looked at Sulli and asked, "So Sulli, you mean, that guy Lin Xiuyuan's time gate has evolved again?"

Today's gathering was organized by Sulli, with the purpose of reporting the situation of this "time gate" to the members of the 13 small team.

At the same time, she also put forward a suggestion she thought of: that is, to let Lin Xiuyuan find time to go to everyone's respective apartments or residences to locate them, of course, on the premise of safety first.

In this way, whether it's dining or meeting in the future, as long as everyone coordinates the information, they can completely use the shuttle of the time gate to directly avoid the eyes of the media and fans, without worrying about any problems again.

So after listening to Sulli's statement, Zheng Xiuyan immediately closed the computer and leaned over, both shocked and vaguely expectant.

"Mm, amazing, right, Unnie." Sulli blinked proudly and poured her a glass of ice water by the way.

At this time, Park Ji-yeon also had a little resentment in her tone. "Sure enough, living close is good. If it weren't for you, Zhenli, saying these problems, we wouldn't know."

"Oppa didn't mean not to say it, mainly because you are too busy, either rehearsing or filming, and you can't make an appointment."

Facing Park Ji-yeon's complaint, Sulli also defended Lin Xiuyuan a little, and then smiled. "And now I've told everyone, so in the future, if Oppa doesn't have time or opportunity to find you, I'll say it for him."

"Secretary assistant, right." Park Ji-yeon raised an eyebrow and teased.

"Wrong, it's a little traitor." Sulli grinned, her tone playful.

Everyone was stunned after hearing this, and then laughed into a group.

The atmosphere became more relaxed, and they sat in front of the bar drinking, while starting to seriously discuss the specific situation of this time gate upgrade, and whether it was possible to pre-set certain entrances or set up secret passages.

After thinking for a while, Zheng Xiuyan suddenly turned to look at Sulli. "When Lin Xiuyuan comes back next time, tell him to locate my apartment too."

"What if you are not free then, Unnie." Sulli asked.

"I'll give you the password, you can go over by yourselves."

When saying this, Zheng Xiuyan's eyes narrowed slightly, and after a while, she opened them slowly, and her determination was already made.

At this time, Xian Enjing on the side chatted with Zheng Xiuyan about some news she had caused recently. "Xiuyan, those clothes and bags of yours have started to appear in a lot of news and some magazine forums. Is this your money, or did those media write it automatically?"

Recently, as Zheng Xiuyan frequently appeared in clothes and bags she "designed" at the airport or in private occasions, and these items could not be found in the market, it triggered great attention and speculation.

Thus, her "designer" identity also surfaced, officially opening the prelude.

One report after another landed on the news homepage, and the content was full of praise for her design concepts, interpretation of color application, and admiration for her personal aesthetic taste.

These news, under the catalysis of Zheng Xiuyan's popularity, soon spread to the entire Hallyu fan group, and further amplified her influence and popularity.

During this period, SM Company was not without intervention.

They tried to take the initiative to talk to Zheng Xiuyan, hoping to launch a clothing brand in the name of "cooperation" to mass-produce her design products.

But because Zheng Xiuyan neither used the brand to cash in nor registered an independent trademark, all products at this stage were "self-produced and self-used," so the company simply couldn't find a suitable and correct position to interfere with this problem.

But it was a pity that Zheng Xiuyan, who had already seen through these routines, directly declined them, and even blocked all possible excuses on the grounds that the patent did not belong to her alone.

The facts were indeed so. Although these design drawings were "designed" by Zheng Xiuyan, she added Lin Xiuyuan's name to the patent.

Not for anything else, just for this reason and excuse.

After SM found out clearly, they could only choose to retreat, just symbolically warning her: "Don't bypass the company to do things that are hard to explain, it's not good for anyone."

For this kind of reminder with a "threatening taste," Zheng Xiuyan naturally couldn't be bothered to pay attention.

Knowing the future trend, she no longer loved to tear her face with the company, but she would never eat a dumb loss.

Anyway, it was still that sentence, as long as there is no actual interest relationship, no one can say anything about her.

I don't sell, don't cooperate in production, and don't independently found a brand, what do you use to say about me?

Use me to borrow the popularity of the combination to raise the popularity of "design" to talk about things? Then I wear clothes I designed and it's against the law?

Is there a conflict in terms of endorsement and economic contract? Is it a non-compete contract?

And there is the voice within the team.

When you all borrow the popularity of Girls' Generation to engage in side businesses, open trendy brands, and pave resources for relatives and friends.

Have I questioned anyone?

Have I said that you consumed the popularity of Girls' Generation?

Now just because I wear clothes I designed myself and carry a bag I designed, you jump?

If you can't see it, you can directly overturn me, provided that your own butt is not crooked.

I have a clear conscience, and I'm afraid that you will break your face without knowing it.

And this remark of hers was the rhetoric she directly retorted to when she was nagged by several members who loved to chew their tongues, and at that moment everyone was quiet instantly.

No solid reason, no clear mistake, even if someone was dissatisfied in their heart, they couldn't make trouble at all.

Zheng Xiuyan knew clearly that the reason why the 930 incident in another time and space broke out was because she really gave people a handle at that time.

But now it is 2013, and she, who has come back to life, has been careful and cannot repeat the same mistakes.

During this period, she acted neatly, decisively, and even had a kind of sharpness and unyieldingness when she returned to the beginning of her debut, and even the sense of proportion between seniors and juniors was grasped to death.

Respectful, but also arrogant.

The internal atmosphere of the entire Girls' Generation was faintly tense as if it had returned to the high-pressure and high-light stage before and after the "Black Ocean."

During this period, Kim Heechul, Lee Donghae, and others also specifically came to Zheng Xiuyan to chat, wanting to ease the atmosphere for her, so that everyone's atmosphere would not be so stiff.

But when she analyzed the overall situation without reservation, a group of "Blue Family members" who were used to seeing wind and waves immediately understood the truth.

Although it was not convenient to stand in line publicly, they were not idle.

First, they persuaded Xiuyan not to be too impulsive, and then turned back to privately beat several "people with ulterior motives."

The palm and the back of the hand are meat, and this is all they can do.

Of course, if they really want to stand in line, they are not unwilling, they just feel it is unnecessary.

Oh, except for Kim Heechul.

Kim Heechul directly pointed at some people and scolded, and after scolding, everyone's atmosphere immediately eased back.

"Some are propaganda resources I found myself, but most are not. After all, it is now the peak of my popularity, and the lens originally pays attention to me. It can only be said that the time is just right now, a little too aggressive earlier, and a little too late later, it is not so easy to start."

Hearing Xian Enjing's curious question, Zheng Xiuyan answered frankly, and she had nothing to hide from these members of the tavern.

And the word time made Xian Enjing frown slightly, thinking of the scene where she grabbed Lin Xiuyuan's collar that night.

The situation she expected at that time was actually not much different from the meaning of Zheng Xiuyan's words just now.

If Lin Xiuyuan could open the door two years earlier, perhaps their T-ara's fate would be completely different.

Even if it was a victim of the struggle between the upper levels, if there was no exact "line head" and "handle," the object of sacrifice might not be them, and the victim might be transferred to other combinations.

Unfortunately, everything is a foregone conclusion.

Xian Enjing understood that the past could not be changed. The only thing she could do now was to work hard to make money, make money as soon as possible, and hold her future and old age firmly.

Thinking of this, she couldn't help but look at the few people sitting in front of the bar.

One is the future female president Park Ji-yeon, one is the potential screenwriter Sulli, and Zheng Xiuyan, a rising designer star.

Suddenly, Xian Enjing was a bit confused.

What about herself? What should she do next?

Just when Zheng Xiuyan and others were gathering in the tavern in 2013, Lin Xiuyuan, who was far away in the Maldives in 2025, finally climbed up lazily in the morning when the sun filled the window sill.

Not long after the two simply washed up, a gentle knock came from outside the door.

Subsequently, the villa's personal butler pushed the door and entered, placing breakfast on the round table in the living room calmly and elegantly.

The exquisite island-style breakfast was paired with freshly squeezed fruit juice and freshly brewed coffee, and the edge of the plate was decorated with small garlands made of tropical fruit slices, which was as pleasing to the eye as an art exhibition.

After the butler left, Li Juli walked out wearing a light gauze cover-up and sat down elegantly.

She forked a piece of avocado toast and took a bite, narrowed her eyes, and a satisfied smile appeared on her face. "Xiuyuan, you are simply the turning point of my life state."

"Ha?"

Lin Xiuyuan also sat down, picked up a glass of juice, and smiled. "This evaluation is a bit too high, Juli. This reminds me of your turning point in 12 years, I don't want to be like that."

"Nonsense." Li Juli gave him a white eye, carrying a bit of charm.

Then she changed the subject, her smile implicit. "But Xiuyuan, I have a question I want to ask you."

"Say it." Lin Xiuyuan looked at her.

"Why did you agree to come to the Maldives with me? You know what my plan is, you could have refused completely, or... simply sleep with me in Seoul directly."

When saying this, Li Juli's tone was light, but it was like throwing a heavy firework.

In fact, even if Lin Xiuyuan refused not to come, Li Juli would not let him go, it was just a matter of spending more thought.

Lin Xiuyuan was drinking juice, and after hearing these words, he almost didn't swallow it, coughing twice with a smile. "Juli, can you be more reserved? Being so direct makes me a bit unable to react."

"Isn't this a fact." Li Juli raised an eyebrow, looking justified.

And Lin Xiuyuan smacked his lips, as if recalling something, and smiled lightly again. "The reason, actually the reason is a bit related to what you just said, and it's also very simple and rude."

"What is it?" Li Juli's eyes lit up, obviously interested.

"That is, I was exploited by Zhiyan and the others in Seoul. Thinking about the number of people there, it's better to come out and play with you, Juli. You are alone, at least it can let me catch my breath. This state should be considered a 'vacation', right?"

As soon as the words fell, Li Juli was already laughing forward and backward, leaning on the back of the chair, tears almost laughing out. "What kind of ghost reason is this? Exploited... Hahaha, Zhiyan and the others? No, I'm going to laugh crazy, aren't you afraid that I'll tell Zhiyan."

Lin Xiuyuan watched Li Juli laughing crookedly, had to shake his head helplessly, peeling a plate of tropical fruits while looking at the boundless sea in the distance.

"By the way, Juli."

Lin Xiuyuan suddenly spoke. "Where are we going to play today? I looked at the itinerary nearby last night, there are island speedboats, snorkeling, and that what... undersea walking."

"And helicopter island viewing." After laughing, Li Juli connected while drinking coconut juice. "But I don't want to be too tired today, mainly because I was a bit exhausted last night, let's play something simple first."

"Then what do you want?" Lin Xiuyuan said.

"I want to stay here and sunbathe first, and then go snorkeling when it gets hot at noon."

Li Juli paused after saying this, the corners of her mouth hooked. "By the way, Xiuyuan, I brought a lot of swimsuits. Which set do you want to see? Nurse style, pirate style, or cat woman?"

Lin Xiuyuan almost choked on a mouthful of juice again. "God, Juli, are you here for vacation, or to take a photo album?"

"Neither," Li Juli said seriously. "I'm here to soak you."

She said it unreservedly, and even propped her chin and looked at Lin Xiuyuan seriously. "I was worried that you couldn't stand it, so I only brought a few sets. Now thinking about it, it's really too conservative, I should have brought more."

"Should be able to buy it here too." Lin Xiuyuan's eyes lit up.

At the same time.

In Seoul in early summer 2025, the sun slowly sprinkled into a bedroom of a high-end apartment through the floor-to-ceiling windows.

Jessica, who had just woken up, wrapped in a silk pajamas, walked into the bathroom barefoot.

In front of the mirror, she brushed her teeth, cleaned her face, patted water, applied essence, and smeared face cream, a whole set of skincare processes executed automatically as if it were muscle memory.

But when all this ended, she raised her head and looked at herself in the mirror, and the "renewal feeling" still couldn't be seen on that slightly tired face.

She paused for a while, staring at herself in the mirror, and suddenly the scene from yesterday surfaced in her mind.

Krystal's face that could be broken by a blow, the skin glowing with luster from the inside out, the confidence that could almost squeeze out water in her demeanor.

And her light but meaningful words: "Want it? Jessica."

Want it?

Want it...

Jessica looked at her own eyes in the mirror, repeating that sentence like a low whisper, almost without any hesitation, the answer surfaced in her heart: of course I want it.

That kind of state, which woman who is getting older can refuse?

Even if it's young, it will always be longing for "better."

Especially her, Jessica, who once stood in the center of the crowd, could not accept the reality of "being pulled apart by time."

Even if she didn't say it on the surface, her heart had long been gently stirred by that emotion called "jealousy."

It's just a pity that even if she expressed her longing clearly when facing Krystal that day, Krystal still didn't tell her how to get it.

Thinking of this, Jessica frowned, and the figure of a person surfaced in her mind.

Actually, even if Krystal didn't say it, she vaguely guessed who it was.

Because Krystal's change started after meeting him.

Before that, she was just a sister with a bit of edge but occasionally lost.

But after meeting that person, everything seemed to start to "lose control."

Especially that incident, which made Jessica feel for the first time that Krystal was no longer just "her sister," but stood on the opposite side of her in some position.

That kind of astonishment, grievance, and loss still hurts in the bottom of her heart.

While thinking about these, Jessica sighed lightly and sat down at the dressing table to start putting on makeup.

The makeup was superimposed layer by layer, covering up those unspeakable emotions.

Finally, she braided her long hair into a clean long braid, and after finishing, she walked into the cloakroom to look for clothes.

After hesitating for a moment, thinking of the person she was going to meet in a while, she finally chose a light mature style outfit.

A loose white shirt was casually tucked into denim shorts on one side, and the other side hung down, bringing its own casual but not bloated aura.

Her feet were paired with a pair of nude low-heeled shoes, she carried a light blue handbag, and wore a simple gold necklace and black-framed glasses, which were intellectual and a bit naughty.

In front of the mirror, Jessica confirmed the overall look one last time, smiled slightly, and said softly to the person in the mirror, "Jessica, the aura can't lose today."

After speaking, she turned and left the apartment, took the elevator, sat in the car, and drove toward the agreed place today.

It was a private French restaurant hidden in the depths of a small alley in Gangnam, quiet and particular, by reservation, with no sign at the door.

When Jessica stepped into the restaurant, the sharp-eyed waiter recognized her identity, bowed politely to ask her to follow, and led her to a round table by the window.

And when she approached, the two who were already seated also raised their heads at the same time.

Krystal, who saw Jessica's outfit, smiled, her eyes clear and full of speculation, and at the same time did not forget to smile slightly at Dalongzai opposite.

At the same time, Jessica, who thought she was just having a meal with Krystal, didn't expect Dalongzai to be there, and seeing Dalongzai's face that was obviously rejuvenated like Krystal, she was directly stunned in place.

That face, obviously familiar, but as if glowing with some kind of luster that didn't belong to this age.

The skin was firm, radiant, and even the arc of smiling was full of youthful elasticity, exactly the same as when she saw Krystal last night.

And Krystal, who saw Jessica like this, had a brighter smile at the corners of her mouth, almost unable to hide that little bit of pride and calculation.

This meal was exactly what she had carefully arranged.

The purpose of calling Jessica out and pulling Dalongzai along was also simple and clear.

Stimulate, stimulate, and stimulate again.

She didn't believe it, there was any older woman who could resist such a visual bombardment.

Without giving you time to ask "how to get better," directly show you the "result" first, so you don't even have room to hesitate.

And at this moment, looking at Jessica's slightly dazed expression, Krystal suddenly remembered a sentence that little Zhiyan said in the villa.

【Dealing with old women, don't beat around the bush, just be direct.】

Mm...

She now completely agreed.

(End of chapter) ===== CHAPTER 183 =====