Chapter 197

After Lin Xiuyuan learned about what happened in that short period of time when he went to 2013 just now, his gaze looking at Kim Taeyeon and Zheng Xiuyan again became a bit strange.

No, it should be that the gaze of those two looking at him became strange.

That subtle change made him feel a hint of unease.

So until Sweet Enjing and Sulli finished the dinner tonight, Lin Xiuyuan's butt hadn't touched the sofa.

Either standing in front of the window admiring the vibrant flowers and plants in the courtyard, or turning to the living room to fiddle with some electrical tools, or going out to buy some drinks and fruit juice.

This series of reactions made Lin Yun'er laugh, and also made Kim Taeyeon and Zheng Xiuyan roll their eyes speechlessly.

Only what the two of them were thinking in their hearts, only they themselves knew.

Because after learning about Lin Xiuyuan's situation from Sweet Enjing and Lin Yun'er, the two never talked about this topic again, and even when mentioning Lin Xiuyuan inadvertently, they transferred to other things after a short while.

Around 8 o'clock in the evening, dinner was finally ready, and everyone's attention shifted from those small episodes to the dining table, and the atmosphere immediately became relaxed and warm.

"Unnie~ time to eat."

"Don't look at the phone, Unnie, you can come over and sit down."

"Taeyeon Unnie~"

"What about oppa, oppa, eat!"

The few who were called over sat around the dining table in order.

Looking at the dishes full of color, fragrance, and taste on the table, Kim Taeyeon, who had always eaten takeout, couldn't help but be a bit surprised, "Daebak, Enjing, Sulli, you guys are too amazing."

Even Zheng Xiuyan couldn't help but look at Sweet Enjing and Sulli, "OMG, your craftsmanship is too strong. With this level, opening a restaurant can make a lot of money."

Listening to the praise in her ears, Sweet Enjing and Sulli smiled at each other.

At this time, Lin Xiuyuan, who had been called before, also walked out of the small room next to him, holding a bottle of red wine and looking at everyone, "Do you want some?"

"After drinking, how will we go back later?" Kim Taeyeon teased.

Just as Kim Taeyeon finished speaking, Lin Yun'er laughed, "I can stay here."

Then Sweet Enjing indicated, "I can let Zhiyan come to pick me up, or I can take a taxi back myself."

And as the two finished speaking, Sulli's gaze glanced at Lin Yun'er with some amusement, without exposing this Unnie of hers.

But... Zheng Xiuyan spoke, "Enjing, didn't you and Yun'er let Xiuyuan locate your apartments? Drink if you want. Anyway, if you are really drunk later, let Xiuyuan open your apartment location directly and send you back."

Listening to Zheng Xiuyan's answer, Sweet Enjing and Kim Taeyeon, who didn't know that the Time Gate had been upgraded yet, looked at Zheng Xiuyan with some confusion, and then looked at Lin Xiuyuan, wanting to hear what was going on.

Later, upon learning that Lin Xiuyuan could already open the Time Gate to all the places he had been to like opening an Anywhere Door, the shock on the faces of the two was no less than when they first knew about the Time Gate.

The whole person was stunned in the seat, eyes dull, as if not expecting that this cheat could still evolve.

Only Lin Yun'er, who knew the situation first, appeared very calm, and even felt that this function was a bit obstructive now, otherwise she could stay overnight tonight.

Kim Taeyeon, after learning this information, no longer resisted drinking, staring at that full glass of red wine, a flash of excitement in her eyes.

It seemed that it had been a while since she last had dinner and drank with friends at home.

So this meal was eaten especially happily, and everyone's teasing and laughter filled the entire restaurant, the atmosphere relaxed and happy.

And as a few sips of wine were drunk into the throat, the dining table was soon divided into two topic modules.

On one side, Zheng Xiuyan, Lin Yun'er, and Sweet Enjing sat together, chatting about the topic of entering the domestic entertainment industry.

Sweet Enjing, who was eating dishes, smiled, "Xiuyan, actually the idea Xiuyuan mentioned just now is quite good. Go for traffic to accumulate a wave of fans. This train of thought is quite suitable for future trends."

Facing this answer, Zheng Xiuyan picked up the wine glass and took a sip, her eyes appearing thoughtful, "It's just that I want to be faster. After all, you guys also know that time waits for no one."

Her voice carried a hint of anxiety, but not without firmness.

Lin Yun'er blinked and asked with a frown, "Unnie, do you mean you want to do some more unique content? For example, what type of content?"

At this time, Sweet Enjing, who thought of something, smiled again and followed.

"Oh, if it's the kind Yun'er you said, then I know some. It's probably cross-border cooperation, like the mix-and-match of stars and shopping malls, artists, and brands, or launching big productions during some cultural festivals to attract eyeballs."

She said while thinking about some things from that year, "Of course, the most important thing is to see which brands are willing to join hands. I remember when we worked in Huaxia, there were often similar activity processes, and they all attracted quite a few passersby."

"Isn't this the brand flash mob now?" Lin Yun'er muttered.

"Almost, but at that time, this way was quite useful," Sweet Enjing nodded, her heart also a bit nostalgic for the days at that time.

Beside her, Zheng Xiuyan listened to the two talking one after another, and the whole person tried hard to remember these suggestions, waiting to study them slowly later.

On the other side, Lin Xiuyuan, Sulli, and Kim Taeyeon were discussing how to choose the script for Sulli's next TV series.

Should she choose a script with excellent reputation, or choose a work with explosive potential?

Or take the low-cost, high-output route?

Lin Xiuyuan pondered for a moment and said, "I personally feel that it shouldn't be too far beyond the style of 2013. Anyway, there are plenty of scripts in 2025. Sulli, you should try to be steady on this road. It's best to take one step at a time."

Kim Taeyeon also nodded in agreement, "Xiuyuan is right. If the screenwriter is too genius, I'm afraid you will be squeezed out by some big seniors. Take it slow, it's better to be steady."

Then, she paused and continued, "If I were to choose, I think you can choose a retro-style youth drama. In 2013, this kind of script should still have potential and be more marketable."

On the contrary, Lin Xiuyuan had a different view, "There were too many retro styles at that time. I think it's better to do something different. For example, like ours, set as a comparison of parallel worlds, showing two completely different lives. Don't take the old road again."

Lin Yun'er on the opposite side, just after Lin Xiuyuan finished speaking, laughed, "Xiuyuan, you're talking about the webtoon drama "W-Two Worlds" by Han Hyo-joo, right? It's okay. If Sulli writes this script, she just needs to get the copyright. If she's worried about being too outstanding, she can also say it's the success of the manga."

"Is it that exaggerated?" Lin Xiuyuan listened to the answers of Kim Taeyeon and Lin Yun'er and found it a bit funny, "Not really, right? You've become a screenwriter, can you still be workplace bullied by writing your own script?"

"Xiuyuan, you don't understand our rules here. Even if the screenwriter is the biggest, for some young screenwriters, many people's scripts are snatched away," Lin Yun'er explained softly.

Sulli also nodded, as if she had heard something, and said softly, "Genius is okay, but if you are too genius, you are easily suppressed and strangled."

At this time, Kim Taeyeon also joined the topic.

"Or Sulli can try a literary youth-style script. That kind of script always gives actors room to play. If the role is attractive enough, the response will be relatively large. Classic youth dramas are always the most potential, especially those that can show stories of friendship, growth, and love intertwined."

Lin Xiuyuan pondered for a while and nodded, "Yeah, the youth drama market is big, especially if set on campus, with a bit of mystery, the audience will also like it very much."

The next second, Sweet Enjing smiled and said a script name, "Then why not try "School 2015"?"

Sulli thought about it and pursed her small mouth, "I think what's popular now is campus pure love dramas, with a bit of fresh feeling, plus some emotional drama. Just like "Our Times", simple but touching."

Hearing this, a flash of inspiration suddenly flashed in Lin Xiuyuan's eyes, "Then why not... write a movie script directly?"

Lin Yun'er's eyes lit up, "I think it's okay. Movie scripts can bypass TV stations and have less interference from some flies and dogs."

Once the topic was proposed, the few started to discuss enthusiastically, laughter rose one after another, and the atmosphere was even more relaxed and happy.

From time to time, the crisp sound of glass collision echoed in the air, adding more joy to this dinner.

At the same time.

In that dim apartment, Jessica sat alone on the sofa. On the coffee table in front of her was the takeout pizza she had just taken.

There was no one around, only silence and the occasional sound of the TV.

She looked down at her phone from time to time, but there was no movement of new messages, so her eyes began to be a bit lost.

After a while, Jessica, who reached out to take a piece of pizza to eat, changed the variety show on the TV to a stage for singing.

Then curled up on the sofa, her body leaning forward slightly, the pizza slice in her hand appearing unusually heavy under the strength of her fingertips.

Her gaze fell subconsciously on the girls dancing on the screen, eating slowly while watching.

The dim light spilled from the ceiling, illuminating her lonely figure, but also pulling the shadow longer.

Outside the floor-to-ceiling window in the corner, night had already fallen, the sky above the apartment was swallowed by darkness, and only the faint light of the neon lights under her feet showed a bit of vitality.

The curtains were not fully opened, the light source in the room was limited, and the cramped space made everything pressed low by this dim light.

The light reflected by the TV screen occasionally swept across Jessica's face, reflecting a hint of lonely luster, but disappeared quickly, letting her face sink into the boundless shadow again.

"How come this taste has become so unpalatable"

After taking two bites of pizza, Jessica frowned and threw it back into the box.

Then she said to herself softly, her voice so low that there was almost no echo, as if even she herself hadn't heard it.

Another stage ended. Looking at the few girls who were thanking the audience, Jessica suddenly thought of the days before, thought of Kim Taeyeon she had just seen today, and thought of Lin Xiuyuan who was perfunctory to her.

Then suddenly she muttered to herself, "What are they doing?"

Picked up the phone and glanced at herself on the lock screen. That was her appearance when she was young, youthful and beautiful, with a bright smile.

This was the self that once was full of infinite possibilities.

After a while, Jessica put down the phone again, looked down at the pizza in the box, and picked it up to take another bite.

Every bite carried a bit of coldness, as if the cold air of winter penetrated into the bottom of her heart, solidifying warmth and hope.

The walls around were silent, as if every inch of space was filled with the breath of loneliness.

At the same time, Jessica also realized one point, that is, her future life would probably never change again.

Without the brightness she expected, without the noisy laughter, and without the enthusiastic interaction, only this piece of silent light and shadow remained.

She knew deeply that all this silence and coldness had followed her like a shadow, penetrated into her every night, and became a part of her life.

Because every night of hers was basically repeating in such silence.

It was just that Jessica wouldn't let anyone know about these situations, even if it was Kwon Ningyi, even if it was Krystal.

This was her world, she bore it alone, lonely and silent.

Biting the pizza, simply filling her stomach, she fell into a long daze again.

On the sofa, she sat quietly, the TV programs changed one after another, but it seemed unable to grab her attention.

Until suddenly, she woke up suddenly and found that it was getting late, so she got up and planned to walk into the bathroom to take a bath and rest.

As a result, life felt that Jessica was not miserable enough, and broke her water heater, leaving her without even bath water.

Helpless, Jessica found a set of pajamas, left the apartment, and headed to Krystal's house downstairs.

On weekdays, if Krystal was at home, she would definitely make a phone call before going over. Who knew if she would meet something she shouldn't see, right?

But today she had already made two calls to Krystal, knowing very well that the other party was at work, so there was definitely no one in the apartment.

So she went straight downstairs, walked to the apartment door, simply verified her fingerprint to unlock, opened the door, and walked in.

However, just as Jessica walked into the living room of this apartment, she turned on the lights of the whole house.

But in the next second, her gaze couldn't help but stop at the master bedroom, because the light was also shining from the gap under that door.

This sudden change made Jessica's heart sink suddenly, her whole body trembled, and she subconsciously wanted to turn and escape.

Afraid of meeting a thief or a robber, then a thing she didn't want to face would happen, or a tragedy would happen.

But her reaction was still a bit slow. Just as she was about to turn and leave, the master bedroom door had been pushed open, and a figure walked out.

Just when Jessica was ready to accept her fate, that familiar figure made her widen her eyes.

"Lin Xiuyuan?"

"Jessica?"

(PS: Look at the author's words.)

(End of chapter)