Chapter 207: The Great Dragon Cub

*Creeeak~*

With a tap of the brakes, Lin Xiuyuan's car came to a steady stop in front of a building.

He scanned the surrounding environment through the car window, finally parking in front of a shop that had yet to open for the day.

After getting out and closing the door, he followed the instructions the Great Dragon Cub had given him over the phone, climbing the stairs to the side and circling to the back of the building, which led him to the entrance of the gym.

The security guard at the door saw him approaching and immediately tightened his expression, his tone unfriendly, "Hello, sir. Non-members are not allowed to enter."

Lin Xiuyuan explained unhurriedly that he was here to find Park Jiyeon, saying she was working out inside.

But the guard remained skeptical until he took out his phone and dialed the Great Dragon Cub's number, and the person on the other end confirmed his identity.

Only then did the guard give a reluctant nod and let him in.

As soon as he stepped into the gym, Lin Xiuyuan was drawn to the equipment area ahead.

It was neat and spacious, with large mirrors embedded in the surrounding walls, reflecting the silhouettes of various training machines.

The Great Dragon Cub, who had just been on the phone with him, was currently standing by an iron rack, earnestly instructing someone on how to use the hip abduction machine.

Seeing this, Lin Xiuyuan walked over quickly, came up behind her, and called out, "Hi, Jiyeon, what are you doing?"

The Great Dragon Cub turned at the sound, her eyes curving into a relaxed smile, "Xiuyuan~ You're here."

Immediately after, she glared at him with a hint of complaint, "You've been missing for so many days without a word. I almost thought you'd run off abroad."

Lin Xiuyuan was about to explain, but his gaze suddenly caught the figure sitting on the hip abduction machine, and his footsteps faltered, his whole person slightly stunned.

Because he recognized that person—it was none other than Pei Xiuzhi, whom he had seen on the day the bistro opened.

She was wearing a dark, tight-fitting athletic outfit, her features delicate and her contours well-defined, looking vibrant under the gym lights.

Having just finished a set, she noticed his gaze and turned her head to look at him along with the Great Dragon Cub.

A flash of surprise and delight crossed her eyes, followed by a smile, "Long time no see, Xiuyuan. I didn't expect to run into you here."

"It really has been a long time."

Hearing this, Lin Xiuyuan also smiled, his gaze naturally sweeping over Pei Xiuzhi; although she had a larger frame, her curves were distinct, and her aura was clean and sharp.

However, he didn't linger on her, turning instead to the Great Dragon Cub and asking with a smile, "How did you two end up together?"

The Great Dragon Cub raised a hand to tuck a strand of hair behind her ear, draping her towel over her shoulder as she spoke casually.

"It's not really a coincidence; it's normal. This gym is quite famous in the Gangnam District, and a lot of celebrities have memberships. They have branches in Longshan and Cheongdam-dong, too. Most of the members are people from the industry. I heard the owner is a senior who retired from the circle."

Lin Xiuyuan raised an eyebrow, his tone playful.

"Well, that makes sense. I glanced at the membership fees when I walked in; they're more than double those of a regular gym. Signing up one of you is worth more than signing up ten ordinary people."

As soon as he finished speaking, the Great Dragon Cub suddenly leaned in close, naturally hooking her arm through his, and blinked with a smile, "Then why don't you sign me up for your bistro membership? I'll give you fifty million a month."

"It's not a question of money; it's genuinely difficult for me..."

Facing the Great Dragon Cub's familiar "teasing-style coquetry," Lin Xiuyuan gave a bitter smile but didn't pull back the arm she was clutching tightly.

This intimate gesture made Pei Xiuzhi's eyes light up again, and the way she looked at Lin Xiuyuan and the Great Dragon Cub changed.

In fact, when she had turned around and seen Lin Xiuyuan, she had already been slightly startled.

That short golden hair, the clean and sharp outfit, plus that increasingly confident and flamboyant aura.

Standing in the sun-drenched gym, he was full of youthful energy; compared to the greenness and reserve they had shown when they met at the bistro, he now possessed a bit more composure and ease.

Pei Xiuzhi then slightly raised the corners of her mouth, pretending to be dissatisfied as she laughed, "Hey, hey, hey, can you two be a bit more restrained? This is a gym, not a hotel room."

"Ah... no, Xiuzhi, don't talk nonsense."

The Great Dragon Cub laughed as she explained, reluctantly releasing Lin Xiuyuan's arm, then walked behind Pei Xiuzhi and gave her a light pat.

Lin Xiuyuan took the opportunity to ask, "So, were you just teaching her how to train her legs?"

"Yeah." The Great Dragon Cub nodded and looked at Pei Xiuzhi, "She's started systematic training recently, it seems, to prepare for a new script. There's some action involved, right?"

Pei Xiuzhi didn't deny it, nodding lightly, "It's not fully confirmed yet, but it's good to start training early. Just consider it working out."

As she spoke, she turned to look at Lin Xiuyuan, her smile bright, "Xiuyuan, do you want to train a bit too? Just join us."

Lin Xiuyuan pointed at himself, "Me?"

Then he immediately took a half-step back with a smile, "I think I'll pass. You two go ahead, I'll just observe from the side. Once you're done, I'll treat you to a meal."

Seeing that Lin Xiuyuan didn't want to move, Pei Xiuzhi didn't intend to let him off easily, looking at him half-seriously and half-teasingly as she persuaded him.

"Really not considering a workout? If a guy builds up abs and has a good physique, it's much easier to attract the attention and affection of girls, you know?"

As it turned out, she shouldn't have said that—once the Great Dragon Cub heard that it could attract more girls, she couldn't hold it together.

She hurriedly pressed down on Pei Xiuzhi's shoulder and said with a straight face, "Forget it, Xiuyuan doesn't even need to train to be attractive enough. You haven't seen his physique; it's absolutely explosive."

Huh???

Pei Xiuzhi didn't understand at first, but after it clicked, she widened her eyes and looked at the Great Dragon Cub, "Unnie, you've seen it?"

When asked, the Great Dragon Cub's expression froze for a moment. Naturally, she didn't dare reveal the extent of their intimacy, so she had to scramble for an excuse, "Don't think too much into it, it's just that when we were hanging out, everyone saw it."

Everyone???

Pei Xiuzhi was dumbfounded again. No, she had just finished recording a variety show and come back; how did it feel like the surrounding social relationships had completely changed?

Just as Pei Xiuzhi wanted to dig deeper and ask something, her head was turned back by the Great Dragon Cub, "Alright, stop worrying about Xiuyuan. Watch what you're doing. If you want strength in your lower body and to lift your glute lines, this machine is quite good if you use it more."

"Will it make my legs thick..."

Lin Xiuyuan, who was scrolling through his phone on the side, raised his head at the right moment and chimed in with a smile.

"You're being long-winded."

Hearing this, the Great Dragon Cub let out a laugh, "Strength training needs to be paired with stretching. Do this in the morning, and do a few sets of yoga or Pilates when you get home in the afternoon. If you combine them, there won't be any talk of thick legs; instead, they'll be firmer."

After saying this, she demonstrated the general rhythm of the movement with her hands and gave Lin Xiuyuan a side-eye.

He had clearly tasted her himself, yet he was here fear-mongering and scaring others.

Pei Xiuzhi, who was struggling with the leg machine, gritted her teeth to persist while listening to the two of them laughing and talking. She couldn't help but roll her eyes at Lin Xiuyuan before lowering her head to continue exerting force.

Lin Xiuyuan responded to her eye-roll happily, clicking his tongue, "No wonder you celebrities have such great figures. According to what you said, Jiyeon, you have to spend the whole day on this. How would ordinary people have that much time and energy?"

"Then just choose those smaller types of exercise. Maybe the results won't be as fast, but if you persevere, the effect is the same."

The Great Dragon Cub glanced at Lin Xiuyuan with annoyance, "Alright, just play with your phone obediently and don't disturb Xiuzhi's training."

Hearing this, Lin Xiuyuan just smiled and really did sit on the gym equipment to the side, leisurely scrolling through his phone.

At this moment, it was the peak of the post-Water Bomb Music Festival craze, and social media was full of related videos.

Every time he swiped, he could see clips of female idols dancing passionately, from Kwon Eun-bi to Liu Zhimin and Shin Yuna—each one so beautiful it was eye-catching, making Lin Xiuyuan's eyes jump with excitement.

As he kept swiping to those "pleasing" stages, Pei Xiuzhi, who was training hard in front, finally couldn't help but laugh out loud, turning back to tease the Great Dragon Cub.

"Jiyeon, is that guy just openly scrolling through these videos right in front of us?"

The Great Dragon Cub also turned to look at Lin Xiuyuan, who was smiling with a look of intoxication, and curled her eyes, "Yeah, he's having such a good time, watching so happily, hahaha."

"Tsk tsk, he's got some nerve."

Pei Xiuzhi sighed helplessly, took a deep breath, and finished the last set of movements while enduring the soreness in her thighs, then leaned against the iron rack, panting heavily.

Just then, a bottle of water was handed over from the side. She turned to look and saw it was Lin Xiuyuan.

Pei Xiuzhi took the water bottle with a smile, asking with a hint of feigned annoyance, "I thought you were so mesmerized that you'd forgotten us. Doing that right in front of us is a bit disrespectful, don't you think?"

Lin Xiuyuan shook his head with a smile, "How could that be? Leisure is leisure, but I know how to prioritize."

If Lin Xiuyuan hadn't added the next sentence after saying that, Pei Xiuzhi might have actually believed him.

But unfortunately, as soon as he finished, he immediately handed his phone screen to the Great Dragon Cub beside him, "Jiyeon, do you know this person?"

"Which one?"

The Great Dragon Cub, who had been snickering, leaned over to look at the screen and shook her head, "Don't know her, but I feel like I've seen her somewhere. Seems like a new member of some girl group."

"Who is it?"

At this moment, Pei Xiuzhi, who had just finished replenishing her water, also leaned in, took the phone, and looked at it, immediately laughing out loud.

"Oh, I know her. I heard she's the recognized visual center of a new girl group, named Tian Jizhen. Seems like she's from the '00 line, and many netizens have dubbed her the 'new generation god-tier visual.' What's up, Xiuyuan? Do you like this type?"

After hearing this, Lin Xiuyuan casually typed the name into the search box and said offhandedly, "Yo, '00 line? Older than me."

He completely ignored the fact that Pei Xiuzhi and the Great Dragon Cub's expressions had turned subtle upon hearing this.

Especially Pei Xiuzhi—she had started training recently, and besides preparing for a new script,

a more important reason was that her body state had started to "warn" her: protein loss and sagging body lines.

That was why she had to rely on training to maintain and tighten her figure; she no longer dared to eat and sleep as she pleased like before.

The Great Dragon Cub on the other side also felt a bit stifled, but she was already much better than before.

Mainly because she had received quite a few Youth Preservation Needles from Lin Xiuyuan, and her state was gradually rejuvenating. Moreover, she discovered that she didn't know if it was because she'd had too many injections or if the potion's effect had improved.

The effects that used to last only a few days now seemed to last for over half a month. So, although she had been anxious these past few days, she hadn't been searching for him like a madwoman.

But if she didn't see Lin Xiuyuan for a few more days, the Great Dragon Cub figured she would really have to call the police or post a missing person notice.

Thinking of this, the Great Dragon Cub suddenly asked, "By the way, Xiuyuan, where have you been lately? You don't answer calls or texts. If it weren't for Enjing Unnie and YoonA Unnie saying you were busy with things, I would have thought you'd gone missing."

"Just went to help a member handle some things." Lin Xiuyuan had already prepared his script, his tone calm.

"A member, huh~"

The Great Dragon Cub let out a long hum, then suddenly leaned in front of Lin Xiuyuan, puffing out her cheeks, her tone filled with dissatisfaction.

"Then tell me, how can I get into your bistro's membership circle? I didn't feel much before, but after Enjing Unnie got in, I realized you guys had formed a little organization, all secretive-like."

She paused and continued.

"I used to ask Unnie things and she'd be quite straightforward, but now whenever I ask about your side, she shuts up. And this time, I looked everywhere for you and couldn't find you, but they knew exactly where you were. Tell me, isn't this differential treatment!"

Facing the Great Dragon Cub's pressing questions, Lin Xiuyuan simply sat back in his seat, looking up at her face, which was gradually rejuvenating and glowing as if she had returned to eighteen, and curled his lips into a smile.

"Hard to say, you said it yourself—it's a secret. If one day you get in, you wouldn't want the members leaking things outside either, right?"

Just as the Great Dragon Cub wanted to keep asking, Lin Xiuyuan's phone rang. After glancing at the caller ID, he signaled to the Great Dragon Cub and Pei Xiuzhi and walked to the side to answer.

"Hello~ YoonA..."

While Lin Xiuyuan was chatting on the phone with Lin Yun'er, Pei Xiuzhi pulled on the Great Dragon Cub's clothes from behind and whispered, "What's going on? Why do I feel like there's... a story between you two?"

The Great Dragon Cub replied nonchalantly, "Nothing, I just purely want to get into that membership circle, it's just a competitive spirit."

As people in the industry and veterans, she certainly wouldn't easily reveal the truth.

Not to mention, the other party was the famous "visual-obsessed love-brain" female celebrity; if she wasn't careful, Lin Xiuzuan could be eaten alive by her.

Pei Xiuzhi sensed she was intentionally avoiding the topic and instead became interested, saying with a slight smile, "Unnie, I'll teach you."

"Actually, dealing with men is just three steps: either act coquettish, act shamelessly, or be gentle."

"Following the steps one by one is the normal process, implementing 1+1 is the hard mode, and if all three steps are used in rotation, I haven't met a man yet that couldn't be solved."

Finally, she blinked, "So if you really want to make Xiuyuan submit, Unnie, you might as well try what I said. Really, personally tested and effective, one hundred percent guaranteed to work."

The Great Dragon Cub, who had originally just been listening as a joke, finally grew serious when she heard the "personally tested and one hundred percent effective" part, and gave the other party a deep look.

Seeing this, Pei Zhuxuan remained calm and smiled, gently brushing past her shoulder as if asking a casual question, yet also as if offering a pointer.

"But... isn't Lin Xiuyuan your fan? With that identity buff, you should have a huge advantage, Unnie."

"Zhuxuan, you don't understand."

Dalongzai gave a light smile, her tone carrying a touch of calmness and insight.

If everything were just a relationship between a "fan" and an "idol," it would be far too simple.

But she knew clearly in her heart that in times like these, what truly determines the outcome isn't status, but the sense of need.

Whoever has the higher need will, by comparison, have a more secure position.

And in a situation where she could restore her state and return to her youth...

No matter what idol filter or wealth and status there might be, in her eyes, none of it compared to a phone call, a greeting, or even a shared location from Lin Xiuyuan.

She was no longer that high-and-mighty idol, and Lin Xiuyuan was no longer just a simple "fanboy."

Beside them, when Pei Zhuxuan heard Dalongzai say she didn't understand, she immediately narrowed her eyes, becoming even more curious as she looked at Lin Xiuyuan's back.

Although Dalongzai was already divorced, in terms of figure, appearance, and influence, she remained a "Venus-level goddess" in the hearts of countless people.

Yet, such a goddess had, in the month or so she hadn't been paying attention, undergone a complete role reversal, letting that young man take the initiative.

What on earth had happened in between?

She couldn't figure it out, which only made her more curious.

On the other side.

On the other side, Lin Xiuyuan, who was on a call with YoonA, heard her mention plans to return to her hometown later, and couldn't help but glance back at the chatting Dalongzai and Pei Zhuxuan before saying.

"I'm not sure when I'll be free, you might have to wait for me."

Upon hearing this, YoonA on the other end of the line immediately complained in a spoiled voice.

"Xiuyuan-ah, you wouldn't really turn into one of those scumbags who doesn't keep his word, would you? Last night you said you'd come see me, but when I woke up, aside from the blanket being off, my underwear was still perfectly on. It's clear you never came at all, you liar~"

YoonA's words were filled with laughter, but also carried a teasing tone, making Lin Xiuyuan laugh out loud. He apologized while laughing, "I was a bit too tipsy last night..."

"I know, I'm not really blaming you," YoonA said with a light laugh, "but you have to come over tonight. I have something to discuss with Xiaolu; we already talked about it last night."

YoonA on the other end of the line naturally wasn't blaming Lin Xiuyuan; she was just teasing him. Then, thinking that Lin Xiuyuan hadn't socialized for a while, she added another sentence.

"Any time tonight is fine, just come over and call me, the kind where you wake me up even if I'm already asleep."

"Hiss~ is it that serious? What did you two talk about last night?"

Hearing this, Lin Xiuyuan asked with some curiosity.

"It's not convenient to say over the phone, I'll tell you tonight."

"Alright."

After hanging up, Lin Xiuyuan looked back at the two people behind him and chuckled, "Is there anything else to do later?"

"No, today's training is over."

Dalongzai shook her head, subconsciously glancing at Lin Xiuyuan's phone as she spoke, her lips pursed, wondering if she was still thinking about what Pei Zhuxuan had just said.

"Then let's go find something to eat, it's getting late."

He had just checked the time; it was almost 12 o'clock, right at lunchtime.

Pei Zhuxuan didn't refuse the invitation to eat together, only saying, "I need to go back and wash up."

Then Dalongzai nodded along, "Me too."

As female stars, they certainly wouldn't shower at the gym; who knew if there were paparazzi lurking.

So the two were too lazy to drive their own cars and simply got into Lin Xiuyuan's Mercedes-Benz together, with Pei Zhuxuan giving directions to return to her apartment first.

Lin Xiuyuan was very tactful; he didn't ask any unnecessary questions while dropping her off, and after arriving at the apartment parking lot, they agreed on a time for him to come back and pick her up before letting her off.

As for the remaining Dalongzai, it was simple; when they returned to her apartment, she followed him straight up.

And the remaining Dalongzai followed him back to her residence.

As soon as they entered, she pounced on him, giving Lin Xiuyuan an unexpected hug attack.

Wrapping her arms around his neck, her tone was a mix of helplessness and spoiled petulance, "Fine, Xiuyuan, I'm begging you, just give me a membership spot for the Bistro. Otherwise, if you disappear again next time and I can't find you, I'll be very sad."

After she finished speaking, she pouted again, continuing to complain aggrievedly.

"And Enjing Unnie, she uses this membership qualification to tease me every day now. I'm left speechless by her every time, it's so annoying."

As she finished speaking, she snuggled into his arms, refusing to let go, then slowly brought her face close to Lin Xiuyuan's, her petite chin slightly raised, her eyes revealing a hint of sly temptation, "Xiuyuan-ah~"

As she called his name, she deliberately lowered her voice to be deep and soft, her tone full of coquetry, "Oppa~"

This "Oppa" was soft enough to make one's bones melt, as if coated in honey, or as if it had a hook in it.

Lin Xiuyuan didn't speak, just looked at her quietly, a doting smile tugging at the corners of his mouth, his eyes filled with a mix of helplessness and happiness.

Seeing this, Dalongzai immediately changed tactics, lightly furrowing her brows, sighing as if dissatisfied, and then snorted, her tone carrying a spoiled threat.

"I don't care, I want it. If you don't give it to me, I'll be a rascal. I'll stick to you every single moment, not letting you leave—sleeping, showering, going to the bathroom, it'll all be the same."

"That... really is a bit rascal-like, Zhiyan."

Lin Xiuyuan was amused by her appearance, his tone relaxed, "But this matter needs to be discussed at length. Let me communicate with the members first, okay?"

"Don't try to fool me," Dalongzai immediately exposed him, "Enjing Unnie said that the members at the Bistro are all up to you, it's completely your one-man show."

Looking at the Dalongzai before him who was acting spoiled and rascal-like while still being stubborn, the smile at the corners of Lin Xiuyuan's mouth deepened.

Usually, she was chic and strong in front of outsiders, but now she showed this defenseless, cute side in front of him, looking just like a little girl who only wanted to linger in her lover's arms—soft and sweet.

He simply stopped talking, suddenly tightening his arms and lifting her entire body up, holding her steadily in his embrace.

"Ya!"

Dalongzai let out a soft cry, subconsciously clamping her legs around his waist, her hands also tightly hugging his neck.

"What are you doing!"

She called out in a flustered, laughing voice, yet it carried a hint of obvious shyness and sweet, powerless resistance.

Lin Xiuyuan looked down at her, his smile a bit mischievous, "Didn't we agree... you said it yourself, you'd follow me for sleeping, showering, and going to the bathroom. Well, I'm going to shower now, do you want to come along?"

As he spoke, he carried her like that, walking step by step toward the living room, then through the hallway, heading in the direction of the bedroom.

Dalongzai had originally wanted to shake her head and struggle a bit, but as soon as she opened her mouth, Lin Xiuyuan's low voice came close to her ear, "Do you really not want to? I want to wash up too."

When the words fell, the tone wasn't particularly intimate, just that low, magnetic voice and the warm breath against her earlobe.

Finally, combined with the swaying as he walked and the warmth of his embrace, it made Dalongzai's heart thump wildly.

She looked up at him, her lips twitching, but in the end, she didn't struggle anymore, just snuggled into his arms, as if resigning herself to fate, and muttered in a low voice.

"Then you have to be quick, we still have to go pick up Zhuxuan later."

"As for that, I can't guarantee it."

Lin Xiuyuan chuckled, his tone lazy, as relaxed and natural as discussing what to eat for dinner.

But Dalongzai, held in his arms, knew she had been completely defeated.

Whatever membership spot, whatever Bistro—at this moment, they were all cast to the back of her mind.

She didn't even seriously think about the deeper meaning of "I want to wash up too," only knowing that she was being held tightly, and she didn't want to get down.

So, when Lin Xiuyuan gently kicked the bedroom door shut, the lights inside turned on, and their two figures overlapped on the wall, Dalongzai whispered a sentence in his ear.

"Xiuyuan, actually... even if you don't give me the spot, I won't be angry."

"Hmm?"

"Because you are much more important than the membership."

Lin Xiuyuan's footsteps paused slightly, the smile on his face shifting from teasing to a softened, touched tenderness.

He looked down at her, his gaze so gentle it seemed capable of melting everything.

At this moment, no techniques or routines were needed.

This sincerity was far better than any of those techniques.

And on the other side.

Pei Zhuxuan, who was in the middle of showering, was recalling the Lin Xiuyuan she had just met, very curious about what kind of identity this person had to make YoonA, Park Ji-yeon, and the others so intimate with him.

It wasn't as if they hadn't seen some chaebol sons before, and they hadn't seen those two throwing themselves at them like that.

What on earth was going on here??

(End of chapter)