Chapter 200: You cook for her, I

On a summer afternoon in Tokyo, sunlight poured down from between the high-rises of Ginza, refracting into crystalline spots of light on the glass curtain walls.

The six members of T-ara, wearing sunglasses and masks, wove through the streets and alleys with light steps, full of excitement.

Park Hyomin held her phone, studying a food map while issuing orders happily like a commander, "Unnie~ we absolutely must try that Wagyu barbecue place today, so we'll have barbecue for lunch and then go drink matcha beer in the evening. A perfect itinerary, let's go~"

"Agreed!" Li Juli, Park Jiyeon, and the others chimed in unison, seconding the motion without hesitation.

Ripples of light laughter echoed through the streets, as if they had instantly returned to those carefree student days.

They chatted as they walked, stopping every now and then at convenience stores to take selfies and group photos, enjoying this rare, relaxed time.

After strolling for a while, they arrived at a shopping mall. Park Jiyeon and Xian Enjing went ahead to an outdoor café to grab a table and order drinks, waiting for the rest of the group to arrive.

At the same time, it was the perfect opportunity to quietly discuss serious matters.

"Enjing Unnie."

Park Jiyeon spoke softly after sitting down, her fingertips gently tracing the tabletop as if organizing her thoughts.

"I chatted with Zhenli again for a while these past two days, and I still feel that the supporting role YoonA Unnie mentioned earlier is one you should really try for. Although it's just a supporting role, the level of spotlight this character gets in that script really doesn't lose out to those female leads in other scripts for the second half of the year."

Her tone was anxious and carried a hint of worry; she looked at Xian Enjing earnestly, seemingly afraid that the other would hesitate or back down due to pride or other concerns.

Unexpectedly, Xian Enjing laughed after hearing this and nodded, "What are you thinking? I've already told the company, and Oppa is also working hard to liaise with the TV station and Writer Jin."

Faced with this answer, Park Jiyeon laughed along, her expression becoming a bit more relaxed, "That's really great. Actually, that drama is really good. Once we go back to Seoul, we can go with Oppa to take a look at the production; then Unnie will feel more confident."

Xian Enjing raised an eyebrow, her tone filled with emotion, "Mm, I know. Actually, the events of that night still feel a bit dreamlike and unreal to me."

"I understand what you mean, Unnie. For instance, my first two or three trips were just like yours; it felt like a dream."

Park Jiyeon nodded, then looked toward the distant street scene, her tone slowing down, "It wasn't until I tried a few more times, and after Dad's illness was diagnosed and confirmed, that I finally felt a sense of reality. I was so panicked."

"Ah, it'll still be several days before we can go back. Hearing you say that, I can't wait," Xian Enjing smiled along.

At this moment, the waiter brought their drinks. After thanking him, Xian Enjing teased Jiyeon, "If we had known it would be like this, we should have called Xiuyuan to Tokyo together and bought an apartment here so we could come back whenever we wanted."

"Mm, I was thinking the same thing. I have indeed been looking at houses recently, but the good locations are all too expensive; my budget can't keep up for now."

Park Jiyeon shook her cup gently and shrugged helplessly, "The cheap ones are too small and don't have enough rooms... I can only wait and see for a while."

Actually, it wasn't that she hadn't been impulsive and wanted to buy immediately, but most of her liquid capital had almost all gone into investments.

While daily life was fine, when it came to a big purchase like a house, her little treasury was indeed a bit stretched.

"I have money here. I'll just buy it. Didn't you say, Jiyeon, that joining the cult requires paying membership dues?" Xian Enjing joked with a smile.

Upon hearing this answer, Park Jiyeon immediately covered her head and let out an exaggerated wail, "Ah, Unnie, if you do that, then it'll just be me who hasn't paid the dues yet."

As soon as she finished complaining, Xian Enjing dealt her another heavy blow, "Hm? Hasn't your membership due already been paid?"

"Ah? When did I pay it?" Park Jiyeon looked shocked, her eyebrows almost flying off her forehead, "How come I don't know!"

Xian Enjing raised an eyebrow, reminding her with a half-smile, "Didn't you team up with Xiuyuan before to trick and deceive your 25-year-old self? Even the Big Zhiyan over there was tricked into the game."

Because Xian Enjing had only chatted with Tian Enjing for one night, she only had a half-understanding of most of the situation in the year 2025 and how much information was shared between the two space-times.

So much so that what she said now was completely unclear as to whether Park Jiyeon understood or not.

And after seeing Park Jiyeon's bewildered expression, she added a reminder, "Didn't you tell me two days ago that you planned to trick the future version of yourself who went astray into Xiuyuan's hands? The plan has already been successfully completed."

"Hey~ wait, wait, wait, Unnie, the way you say that sounds like..."

Once these words were out, Park Jiyeon straightened her back, eyes wide, "Oppa really got together with that old woman over there?!"

Just as she said this, Xian Enjing smiled at her slightly, "Jiyeon-ah~"

"Got it, got it!" Park Jiyeon gritted her teeth and changed her phrasing, "Jiyeon, Jiyeon, I understand, I know. So Unnie, you mean Oppa and that old Zhiyan have already... gotten together, right?"

"Your use of the words 'old' and 'gotten together', sigh..."

Xian Enjing held her forehead and sighed, shaking her head helplessly.

Faced with Park Jiyeon's rebellion, what else could she say? One must cherish one's own maknae, "Mm, the two of them are together. Though you can't really say they are 'together'; it's more like a lover relationship."

"How do you know, Unnie?" Park Jiyeon frowned, her tone full of complex emotions.

Xian Enjing countered with a question, "What do you think?"

This question left Park Jiyeon stunned, but she soon realized that Xian Enjing must have heard it from her future self.

She immediately gritted her teeth, "Ah, that old woman is already like that, and she still won't give up and is running over to rob the cradle? No, that's not right. Why didn't Oppa tell me?"

"Ah, you didn't know?"

Park Jiyeon's answer finally let Xian Enjing understand the situation, and she looked at her with some surprise.

Park Jiyeon shook her head, her whole face written with the confusion of "I've been kept in the dark," "I don't know. Ah, I'm going crazy, Unnie. That old woman is really too much."

"Jiyeon-ah~" Xian Enjing called her name gently, wanting to persuade her of something.

"Ah, Unnie, this is really too much." Park Jiyeon couldn't care about honorifics at this moment.

She had a sudden urge to fly back to Seoul and find a ring to have a real-life offline PK with that old woman from the past 25 years.

Whoever loses gets out, the winner takes all.

Thinking of this, Park Jiyeon suddenly remembered something, "Wait a minute. I remember that when Oppa and Zhenli came to Tokyo last time, they seemed to be staying in a hotel. Can Oppa come into the hotel room there?"

"Hm? I really don't know about that. Do you want to try?" Xian Enjing opened her eyes wide.

"I want to. I want to go over and beat up that old... Zhiyan."

Park Jiyeon, who wanted to continue, changed the term back, feeling incredibly depressed after catching Xian Enjing's slightly smiling gaze.

Xian Enjing smiled very satisfactorily upon hearing this, "That would have to be asked of Xiuyuan. But there are so many surveillance cameras over there; it's not very safe."

"Sigh..."

Hearing the word 【safe】, Park Jiyeon instantly deflated like a balloon, her whole body wilting.

Then she looked at Xian Enjing, her eyes sparkling as she spoke, "Unnie, let's go buy a house."

Xian Enjing looked at the maknae before her, whose anger hadn't yet subsided but who had a brilliant smile on her face. In her mind, however, appeared the other version of her—the one with hollow eyes and a gaunt face from Tian Enjing's phone—and her heart darkened slightly.

But she didn't say anything, just raised a doting smile again and nodded, "Okay~ let's buy it, let's buy it~"

The two smiled at each other, the Tokyo summer sun spilling onto their faces, warm just right.

Just then, several members from not far away walked toward them carrying shopping bags, their faces full of smiles and satisfaction.

In this moment, youth was bright, and friendship shone.

Even if reality was as complex as a riddle, at least for this moment, they still possessed the gentlest foundation.

At noon, Lin Xiuyuan, who had slept soundly all morning in the Seoul apartment, finally woke from his deep slumber.

He lounged in bed for a while, stretched, and then walked slowly into the bathroom. After a simple wash, he pulled open the bedroom door and walked out.

In the living room, Sulli was curled up on the sofa, watching a variety show on TV while typing away on the laptop on her lap.

On the screen was the script selection document organized after everyone's discussion last night.

Hearing the movement at the bedroom door, Sulli turned her head subconsciously. Seeing Lin Xiuyuan walk out, her eyes curved, and a light smile hung on her lips, "Good morning, Oppa~"

"Morning. Sulli, why are you up so early? Aren't you sleepy?"

Lin Xiuyuan asked while yawning.

Sulli gently pushed the computer aside, stood up to pour him a glass of ice water, and spoke in a soft tone, "It's alright. I didn't wake up long ago either; I didn't get up too early."

After handing the glass to Lin Xiuyuan, she asked casually, "Oppa, do you want to eat something? Shall I make you something?"

Lin Xiuyuan took the glass and took a sip, his gaze glancing at the wall clock, which already showed past 11:00 AM.

He shook his head and said with a smile, "It's almost noon, don't bother. Rest for a bit, and later we'll go to the villa and order takeout. Krystal seems to be back in Seoul today, so it's a good time to get together."

Sulli nodded obediently and agreed.

Just as she was about to sit back on the sofa, the phone beside her rang. Sulli looked down at the caller ID and answered with a smile, "Hello, Xiujing, what's up?"

"Sulli, where are you right now?" Zheng Xiujing asked as soon as she spoke.

"Me? I'm at home." Sulli replied naturally.

But on the other end, Zheng Xiujing was standing at the door of the apartment where Sulli used to live, having pressed the doorbell several times, but no one ever opened the door.

She frowned suspiciously, "That's not right. I'm at your door right now, and I've almost worn out the doorbell."

"Ah~"

Once Sulli heard this, she looked at her surroundings and finally remembered something, laughing out loud, "Oh, Xiujing, I moved to a different place recently."

She said it lightly, her laughter carrying a hint of embarrassment.

After all, she was living with Lin Xiuyuan, and it wasn't easy to explain the details to the members, so she hadn't informed them in advance.

"Alright, then where are you living now? I'll come over to find you; there are some questions about the script I need to ask you."

As for Sulli moving, Zheng Xiujing didn't think much of it; after all, between people, there were some things that didn't need to be said entirely, and private space was still necessary.

It was just that Zheng Xiujing's question made Sulli look at Lin Xiuyuan beside her with a headache.

The latter saw her dilemma, smiled at her lightly, and pointed to the Time Gate in the corner of the room leading to the Tavern, meaning: I'll withdraw first, you arrange it as you like.

Hearing this, Sulli hesitated for a moment before giving the address of the Tavern, "Xiujing-ah, let's meet at Oppa's Tavern. I'm just a bit hungry, so let's go out and eat something together, and we can chat while we eat."

Zheng Xiujing, who had already turned back toward the elevator on the other end of the phone, preparing to go down to the parking lot to drive, immediately had some strange thoughts upon hearing this.

She wondered if Sulli was in a relationship and didn't want her to know.

Or perhaps there was some secret that couldn't be told.

But she wasn't the type to get to the bottom of things; although she was a little curious, she buried it in her heart.

So, after thinking for a moment, she replied softly, "Alright, I'll come over now."

"Mm, see you in a bit."

Seeing Sulli hang up the phone, Lin Xiuyuan asked immediately, "Why not let her come over? It would save you from going out again."

Sulli pouted and replied in a soft tone, "Forget it, I'm afraid that next time Xiujing will block the door again, that would be troublesome. It's safer to meet outside."

As she spoke, she turned her head to look at Lin Xiuyuan, a slightly apologetic smile on her lips, "But if that's the case, I won't be able to go back to the villa to meet Xiujing there. Oppa, please tell her for me, just say we'll see each other tonight, and I'll make something delicious to compensate her."

Lin Xiuyuan raised an eyebrow slightly after hearing this and unceremoniously reached out to knock on her head, "What kind of messy thoughts are in that little head of yours? It's not like you won't see her again, what are you saying?"

Sulli smiled lightly, lowered her head, and replied obediently, "Got it, I won't say that next time."

Without further delay, the two soon left the apartment.

One walked toward the Tavern downstairs, while the other passed through the Time Gate to the villa in the year 2025.

However, what Lin Xiuyuan didn't expect was that as soon as he stepped into the villa, a figure was already sitting quietly on the sofa in the living room.

The afternoon sun spilled through the floor-to-ceiling windows into the living room, wrapping the entire space in a gentle golden glow.

That familiar figure was sitting in the center of the sofa, wearing a light khaki work jacket, her body leaning slightly forward, making her long legs appear even straighter and more elegant.

She held a bag of unopened snacks in her hand, yet she seemed to have long forgotten its existence.

Her profile was still as fair and delicate as the last time they met, her skin as translucent as congealed fat, as if it would bounce back with a light pinch.

Her brows and eyes were faint, yet they hid the sharp contours unique to a mature woman, and her lips, pale pink in color, were like flower petals blooming in early spring, gentle yet carrying a cold tone.

So when Lin Xiuyuan pushed the door open and his eyes fell on her, he paused.

At the same time, Krystal keenly sensed his arrival.

"Krystal, why are you..."

Before he could finish, he saw Krystal stand up abruptly, almost without a moment's hesitation, flying toward him like a kite with its string cut.

In those few short steps, her jacket lifted slightly with her movements, and the pillow she had been playing with on her wrist fell to the floor.

Following that was a light leap, throwing herself straight into Lin Xiuyuan's arms.

Her movements were so swift that Lin Xiuyuan didn't even have time to react before he subconsciously opened his arms.

"Hey, hey... wait..."

He then quickly steadied his footing before Krystal collided with him, reaching out to support her slender waist the moment she hit him, one hand naturally supporting her perky buttocks, holding her gently in his arms to prevent her from falling.

Then, without giving Lin Xiuyuan time to come to his senses, Krystal had already cupped his face with both hands and, without hesitation or warning, planted a firm kiss on his lips.

"..."

"..."

The entire villa fell silent instantly, leaving only the sound of their slightly staggered breathing.

Her lips were so soft they felt almost unreal, carrying a hint of coolness, yet they made Lin Xiuyuan heat up from his heart to his limbs, as if suddenly ignited.

He then let out a low laugh, "Is it necessary? We haven't been apart that long, why the rush?"

Krystal didn't intend to banter with him, but leaned close to his ear, whispering in a tone that was a bit spoiled and taken for granted, "Don't care about how long it's been, anyway, I've missed you like crazy. Aren't you going to kiss me back?"

Lin Xiuyuan was momentarily speechless from her sudden enthusiasm, the soft temperature of her lips still lingering, his breath filled with her fragrance.

Between breaths, the clean fruity scent and the fresh smell of shampoo mixed into a familiar aroma that made his heart flutter slightly.

Krystal in his arms hugged his neck and refused to let go, her small face pressed tightly against his shoulder, as if she couldn't wait to pour out all the longing of these past few days at once, not giving him any room to escape.

"Krystal, have you been letting yourself go more and more lately?"

Lin Xiuyuan laughed while gently supporting her waist, patting her back under her loose jacket twice, his movements unconsciously gentle.

Krystal looked up, a pair of watery eyes carrying a bit of small pride, "I'm letting myself go, so what?"

Her voice was soft and glutinous, carrying a hint of provocation, like a kitten baring its claws and rubbing against someone to act spoiled.

"Alright, alright." Lin Xiuyuan shook his head helplessly, his eyes full of smiles.

Then Krystal rubbed against him in his arms again, like a kitten deliberately acting spoiled, and then, as if remembering something, she pulled back slightly from his arms, but her arms remained wrapped around his neck, blinking her eyes as she looked at Lin Xiuyuan from close range.

"By the way, early this morning, Unnie started complaining to me about what happened last night. She said she was clearly at home, but you didn't look for her, and said I'm always revolving around you."

"Oh? And then?" Lin Xiuyuan raised an eyebrow.

"Then she didn't scold you this time, nor did she scold me, but just asked a few more questions about you."

Speaking of this, Krystal's expression suddenly became a bit more serious, and her tone lowered.

"Xiuyuan, my previous plan was indeed not easy to push forward while Jessica still had resistance. But now it seems it can be implemented; she doesn't seem to be resisting as much."

After finishing, she looked at Lin Xiuyuan and blinked, her clear eyes as bright as if they held starlight, "Xiuyuan, that meal you made last night was a genius move; it really flirted with her quite a bit."

"You knew?" Lin Xiuyuan raised an eyebrow again.

Krystal smiled slowly, "Why? You still want to hide it from me?"

"It's you who still won't give up."

"How could I give up halfway on a plan I worked so hard to devise?"

Lin Xiuyuan opened his mouth, wanting to say something, but Krystal suddenly straightened her body, stiffened her back, tightened her grip on his waist, and leaned in again.

"But let's talk about this topic later."

She said softly, her hands gently cupping his face, her eyes so serious it didn't feel like flirting, but rather a solemnity carrying warmth.

"Last night you said Jessica is my sister, so you cooked for her. Then today, as the younger sister..."

Krystal smiled lightly, her voice as soft as a feather, "Of course I have to reward you properly too. Although XXOO has to wait a while, I can give you some interest first~"

As soon as she finished speaking, she delivered herself to his lips again, her lips pressing softly against his.

This time there was no suddenness or urgency, but a slow, gentle kiss, as if she were carefully tracing every curve of Lin Xiuyuan's lip shape.

You cook for her, and I do XXOO for you?

This situation left Lin Xiuyuan stunned for a moment, then he lowered his head, closed his eyes, and silently responded to Krystal's affection.

Sunlight slanted into the living room, everything so quiet it felt as if it were all melted by this gentleness.

Krystal pressed her whole body into Lin Xiuyuan's arms, her small hands running through his hair, her fingertips tightening quietly.

And Lin Xiuyuan also took the opportunity to hug her back tighter, his palms pressing against the curve of her shoulder blades, slowly rubbing that familiar softness.

Until the two finally separated slowly, Krystal panting lightly, a faint flush rising on her small face, as if she had just rolled in a jar of sugar.

Her forehead pressed against Lin Xiuyuan's brow, a mischievous smile on her lips, "Xiuyuan, you can do more 'warm man' behaviors in the future; I'll reward you even harder."

Lin Xiuyuan laughed, "Are you encouraging me to be a good person for someone else's family? Be careful that Jessica doesn't chase me with a pot one day, or what if that 'shoehorn face' really finds me for a real-life PK?"

"Hmph, I'm not afraid." Krystal pouted, unceremoniously raising Lin Xiuyuan's evaluation, "With his level, he definitely can't beat you, Xiuyuan. You're the best."

Whether it was because Jessica's reaction put her in a particularly good mood, Krystal today was exceptionally lively, as if sprinkled with sugar, her tone light and playful.

"Your logic..." Lin Xiuyuan was left between laughter and tears.

Before long, he hugged Krystal back to the sofa and set her down gently.

Just settled, Lin Xiuyuan suddenly remembered something and said casually, "By the way, Sulli isn't coming over today."

"Ah?" Krystal blinked, "Why? Didn't she say yesterday that she had no plans for today?"

The two, who had been chatting using software yesterday, had agreed to meet today.

"There were no plans, but she received a call from Zheng Xiujing at the last minute; the other party had something to find her for."

Lin Xiuyuan shrugged as he spoke, "To be honest, I really suspect whether you over there deliberately chose that time to call; we were about to come over."

He then added, "But she said, she'll cook something delicious for you tonight."

"Oh~" Krystal nodded, not paying much attention, but instead smiled meaningfully, "She knows how to avoid suspicion too."

"Huh?" Lin Xiuyuan didn't understand for a moment.

Krystal smiled without a word, just sat on the sofa beside him, leaning on his shoulder, "I've finished my recent work, and I'll be quite free for this period. I can finally accompany you and Xueqiu properly."

"That's perfect. I've been thinking about finding a time to clean out the pool on the roof; then we can play in the water together."

Lin Xiuyuan looked at her with a smile.

"Hmph, do you want to see me in a swimsuit, or do you want to see Xueqiu? Or... someone else's?"

Krystal squinted at him deliberately.

Lin Xiuyuan, whose little thoughts were exposed, smiled without answering, just lowered his head and slowly wound a strand of her long hair, playing with it gently at his fingertips, "Then how long can you rest?"

"Mm... except for going to Wimbledon next month, the rest of the time is free."

When Krystal said this, her voice lowered a bit, as if cautiously testing, "Xiuyuan, I want to go to Wimbledon to watch in person; it's been a long time since I've seen a match of that level... accompany me there."

Lin Xiuyuan paused.

"Me? Watch tennis?" He repeated softly.

Krystal immediately caught his hesitation, her eyes widening slightly, tilting her head, her tone carrying a bit of accusation.

"It's not like I'm asking you to play. Just think of it as accompanying me for a walk, and consider it a vacation to relax. You're willing to accompany Li Juli, but not me, right?"

Lin Xiuyuan looked at her eyes, which were earnest and carried a hint of acting spoiled, smiles rising in his eyes bit by bit, and finally nodded gently, "I'll go, I'll accompany you."

"Yay!" Krystal blinked and smiled, looking like she had succeeded, leaning even closer.

"I'm going to the kitchen to cut some fruit. Did you order lunch?" Lin Xiuyuan asked as he stood up.

"Ordered, it'll be here in a bit."

Krystal answered with a smile, then hugged the pillow, laughing like a little wild cat that had successfully stolen a fish.

And taking advantage of the time Lin Xiuyuan went into the kitchen, she took out her phone, her fingertips tapping a line of text rapidly on the screen.

【Jessica, I'm planning to go to London to watch Wimbledon next month, do you want to come along?】

Jessica's reply popped up quickly.

【Not going. I'll be busy in a couple of days, the timing isn't very suitable.】

Krystal looked at the simple and direct text, pursed her lips, rolled her eyes gently, and then added another line:

【Xiuyuan is going too.】

This time, the message from the other side paused for a long time.

Krystal stared at the "typing..." prompt for a full ten seconds, thinking the other side would type a lot, but finally only received a simple reply:

【Okay.】

She stared at the concise and somewhat ambiguous words, but the corners of her mouth slowly lifted, a smile blooming quietly on her face.

And Lin Xiuyuan in the kitchen was quietly cutting fruit, completely unaware that in those few short minutes, he had once again become the bait for someone's secret "fishing."

(End of chapter)