Chapter 213

Just as Lin Xiaolu was roaring in the master bedroom, at the other end of space-time in the 25-year Villa, the living room was peaceful and warm.

YoonA was lying lazily in Lin Xiuyuan's arms, scrolling through her phone while eating fruit, her movements light and comfortable.

But the next second, she suddenly lifted her head as if struck by lightning, staring at him, "By the way, Xiuyuan, did you wash the bedding?"

"Wash the bedding? Wash what bedding?"

Lin Xiuyuan, who had been chatting with Dalongzai about some Taekwondo matters, was confused by YoonA's sudden question and subconsciously looked down at her.

"Hehehe~"

YoonA was stunned for a moment after hearing this, then curled her lips into a meaningful smile, "Then it's fine, just wait for Lin Xiaolu to see us next time and then come at us with a baseball bat."

Only then did Lin Xiuyuan react a beat late, his eyes pulling away from the chat topic, his face full of sudden realization, "Oh, damn it, you're talking about Xiaolu's apartment, we ran off after having our fun."

"Haha, you're absolutely right, I give you full marks for that summary."

YoonA laughed until she was shaking, raising her hand to slap his leg, "I thought you went to wash it, so I didn't go back into the room afterward."

"After walking out of the room to the sofa, I haven't been back inside since. I patted the sofa down a bit, but inside the room..."

Lin Xiuyuan paused, taking a light breath, seemingly finally realizing the severity of the situation, "Forget it, next time I go over, I'll just stick my head out and let her hit me."

"I'm afraid she won't just hit you," YoonA laughed while eating fruit, "When she really bites you, you'll know what it means to be wrong in a big way."

"..."

The words in his ear made Lin Xiuyuan reach out and pinch YoonA's little breast, startling her, "Hey, what are you doing~"

Lin Xiuyuan withdrew his hand and rubbed her cheek, "Speak properly. I've noticed that you've been evolving toward Zhiyan lately, don't learn from her."

However, YoonA just laughed, "What's wrong? I think Zhiyan is quite good, saying whatever she wants."

"Right, wanting to get married and wanting to get divorced—you want to learn that too?"

Lin Xiuyuan put down his phone with a smile, his tone playful and slightly provocative.

As soon as he finished speaking, YoonA suddenly sat up straight, leaned close to him, and looked at him with bright, shining eyes.

"If it's you, Xiuyuan~ getting married wouldn't be bad. As for whether we'd divorce or not, that's hard to say."

YoonA's tone was light, as if she were joking.

But she knew in her heart that although she had never been able to say the word "true love."

She was truly growing more and more fond of this humorous, interesting, thoughtful, and handsome 13-year Lin Xiuyuan.

Not to mention the secret bonus that belonged exclusively to them.

So if they really had a whirlwind marriage one day, she wouldn't be surprised.

In fact, she was even a little expectant.

"Don't mess around."

Facing YoonA's bright, large eyes, Lin Xiuyuan pressed her back onto his lap, not wanting to continue the topic.

He didn't know how it happened, but every time this kind of topic came up, he would always end up being teased into silence.

YoonA laughed as she lay back down, continuing to cling to him, "So how are we solving dinner? Takeout again?"

"What do you want to eat?"

"I'm a bit full."

As soon as Lin Xiuyuan asked, YoonA's answer came out, making him laugh uncontrollably, "You're full after eating just that little bit? YoonA, you're really easy to feed."

"Then how about... eating one more time?" The other party's eyes flashed, and the corners of her mouth lifted.

"I..."

"Ring ring ring~"

A video call came in. Lin Xiuyuan glanced at the caller ID, sighed lightly, and then reached out to press YoonA's head, pushing her aside a little before answering the call.

The next second, a figure appeared on the screen.

"Xiuyuan, what are you doing~"

Kim Taeyeon's bright voice came through, and the smile on her face couldn't be hidden.

"Uh, just spacing out in the villa." Lin Xiuyuan answered truthfully.

"Want to come out and eat together?"

Lin Xiuyuan's mouth curled, "I'll have to bring someone."

Kim Taeyeon's eyes narrowed slightly, seemingly sensing something, and her tone suddenly shifted, "Don't tell me YoonA is there with you?"

As soon as the words fell, another playful voice was heard on the phone, "Heehee, Unnie, how are you so smart~"

Immediately after, Lin Xiuyuan's phone was snatched away by a soft little hand.

The camera shifted, and YoonA was curled up on his lap, smiling and greeting Kim Taeyeon on the screen, completely ignoring the increasingly dangerous look in the other party's eyes.

The two chatted and laughed, the atmosphere light and natural, as if they were exchanging some kind of ambiguous trophy.

After chatting for a while, they agreed on a dinner location for tonight—a small restaurant specializing in braised dishes.

By the time Lin Xiuyuan and YoonA set off from the villa, the sky outside had gradually darkened.

The evening breeze brushed past the car windows, bringing a touch of coolness.

The atmosphere inside the car was relaxed; YoonA leaned against the passenger seat, looking out the window, occasionally turning her head to exchange playful glances with Lin Xiuyuan.

"Xiuyuan~ do you think Unnie is envious and jealous of me? The look she gave me just now made it seem like she wanted to kill me?"

YoonA asked the question with a giggle, her tone full of triumph and a hint of mischief.

Lin Xiuyuan smiled, "You brought this on yourself."

Then he glanced at her sideways, "Don't drag me into it."

"Yo, what's this? Want to wash your hands of it after having your fun?"

YoonA immediately raised her eyebrows, her tone half-serious and half-playful as she scolded him, "Xiuyuan~ is this the kind of bad habit you learned after coming to the 25-year era? Let me tell you, being a scumbag isn't a good profession."

"I'm not washing my hands of it, I'm just saying that provoking Taeyeon was your doing."

After saying this, Lin Xiuyuan thought of something else and looked at YoonA beside him, "Also, when can we complete that little interlude we agreed on? If we drag it out any longer, it'll be the New Year."

"What little interlude? I don't know, I'm not clear on that, don't ask me."

Hearing this, YoonA's expression instantly broke, a clear flush appearing on her cheeks as she glanced at Lin Xiuyuan with shifty eyes.

She was probably remembering something incredible.

"Isn't this just being a rascal?" Lin Xiuyuan laughed as he pressed the issue.

Hearing this, YoonA pouted, snorted, and looked out the window, "I didn't say I wouldn't keep my word, just wait."

"Time-delay tactics? Then how long do I have to wait? Tonight? Tomorrow? Or... the day after?"

Lin Xiuyuan continued to tease with a smile, his tone full of ease.

"..."

The car drove through the city streets, the lights reflecting and overlapping on the windows, as they traded barbs all the way until they reached the small shop.

Once they reached the parking lot, the atmosphere slowly settled down.

The two got out of the car and walked toward the restaurant.

Pushing open the wooden door of the shop, warm yellow light rushed out to meet them, and the rich aroma of braised dishes filled the air—warm and inviting, the atmosphere quiet and comfortable.

Led by a waiter, they went upstairs to a tastefully decorated private room.

Beside the round table, Kim Taeyeon was already waiting there.

As soon as she saw them enter, she immediately stood up, her smile bright, "Finally decided to come, Xiuyuan~"

Then her gaze turned to YoonA, a hint of teasing in her eyes as she lightly pursed her lips.

"But YoonA... your state doesn't look like you're here to eat, does it? This complexion, you look too good. Why don't you pay the bill later?"

"If you're going to say that, Unnie, then Xiuyuan and I will just go back and order takeout." YoonA replied with a smile, not showing any weakness.

"Don't fight yet." Lin Xiuyuan said with a helpless smile, pulling out a chair and sitting down, "Let's eat first."

Kim Taeyeon sat down and turned her gaze to Lin Xiuyuan, her tone light, "You didn't get enough to eat either?"

Lin Xiuyuan hurriedly waved his hand, trying to interrupt her, "Order, let's order."

His interruption was the only thing that temporarily broke the escalating "confrontation."

But the way Kim Taeyeon looked at him became increasingly intense.

YoonA had already started flipping through the menu without hesitation, muttering as she looked, "I need to order a few more dishes, I used up too much energy today..."

As soon as she finished speaking, Kim Taeyeon laughed lightly, her tone meaningful, "Yeah, I can certainly tell."

Lin Xiuyuan silently lowered his head to drink water, feeling that this meal tonight might be hard to digest.

Fortunately, YoonA didn't continue to battle with Kim Taeyeon. After ordering, she looked at the other party and asked, "Unnie, you went to participate in a variety show, right? How did it end so quickly?"

"Hmm?"

Lin Xiuyuan, who was looking at the menu, was a bit confused.

Then YoonA explained, "Unnie mentioned it before."

"How did you know it was today? I didn't say the time."

Kim Taeyeon had told YoonA about the situation, but hadn't mentioned the specific time, so she was also a bit surprised.

Until YoonA pointed to her hairstyle, "Your hairstyle doesn't look like you just came from home, and your 'water-light' skin—it's like that every time you're on a show."

Speaking of this, Lin Xiuyuan couldn't help but laugh, making a soft, sarcastic comment, "Isn't that what you guys like? YoonA, you're the same."

"I was before, but I don't need to now."

YoonA raised an eyebrow at Kim Taeyeon, who had just laughed, and then looked at Lin Xiuyuan, saying with a full smile, "So Xiuyuan, you should eat more, don't go hungry."

This sentence, which sounded like a casual expression of concern, caused Kim Taeyeon's expression to turn from sunny to cloudy. Her mouth twitched, and just as she was about to retort, she suddenly thought of something.

"Oh, by the way, YoonA."

Kim Taeyeon's eyes brightened slightly, and she smiled meaningfully, "I remember you're coming to promote your new movie on our variety show soon, right?"

As she spoke, her eyes shifted, and her smile became a bit "wicked."

Clearly, this little Taeyeon had already started calculating, planning to "teach a lesson" to this bold and reckless youngest member on the show.

But before she could even do anything, YoonA's strike came first in a saturation attack, "Yeah, I'll try to show up without makeup that day, Unnie~"

"Ya, YoonA."

"Yes, Unnie~"

YoonA replied with an innocent face, the two of them going back and forth like sisters who bickered daily.

Watching the two of them bicker, Lin Xiuyuan clearly enjoyed this relaxed atmosphere, occasionally adding fuel to the fire while also ordering the dishes.

Soon, the dishes were served one by one, and the aroma of braised pork ribs filled the air. Seeing YoonA pick up a rib with anticipation, Lin Xiuyuan couldn't help but say.

"YoonA, didn't you just say you weren't hungry? You're eating faster than me."

YoonA glared at him, not forgetting to stuff her mouth, "You try riding a rocking horse for half an hour and see if you're hungry."

Beside them, Kim Taeyeon had just picked up a rib and immediately put down her chopsticks, "Oh my, I can't eat anymore."

"Hahaha."

Just like that, the three of them continued to tease each other, the atmosphere relaxed and happy.

As dinner progressed, their laughter and conversation intertwined, and time quickly reached around 8 o'clock in the evening.

Just as Lin Xiuyuan was the last to put down his chopsticks, ending the dinner, a message appeared on his phone screen.

Glancing at Kim Taeyeon and YoonA, who were chatting happily, Lin Xiuyuan didn't disturb them and unlocked his phone to check the message.

He just didn't expect the sender of the text to be someone so surprising.

Pei Zhuxuan: 【Xiuyuan-xi~ are you free tonight? Want to come out and meet some new friends?】

Once these words appeared, Lin Xiuyuan couldn't help but recall something; the tone and wording felt familiar.

He looked up at YoonA and Kim Taeyeon, who were chatting enthusiastically opposite him, and immediately felt a sense of confirmation.

So his fingers flew across the screen, typing a reply.

Lin Xiuyuan: 【?? Short on male models?】

On the other side.

Pei Zhuxuan, who was also eating—or rather, sitting in a restaurant—saw Lin Xiuyuan's reply and burst into laughter.

This relaxed and slightly teasing tone was much more interesting than those serious responses; she liked this kind of thing.

And opposite her sat a woman wearing a pure white T-shirt with black hair draped over her shoulders.

Watching Pei Zhuxuan laughing, she asked softly, "What's wrong? I thought you were introducing a friend to me."

"I didn't say I was introducing one, you said you wanted to find someone to keep you company. I thought since we're going to play baseball later, it would be better to find a guy."

Pei Zhuxuan looked up at her and smiled slightly.

"A new boyfriend?" The other party immediately became interested upon hearing Pei Zhuxuan's words.

However, Pei Zhuxuan shook her head, "Not exactly, just a fun little guy."

When the woman heard this, she couldn't help but nod gently and laugh, "A little guy, huh? Haha. If he's worth your attention, he must have some extraordinary qualities."

"Hmm."

"What kind?"

"Very young, in his early 20s."

This time, the woman sitting opposite Pei Zhuxuan was stunned, and after a moment, she burst into laughter, "Omo, Zhuxuan, you're getting funnier and funnier. Robbing the cradle, are we?"

"I learned it from you, Unnie." Pei Zhuxuan said with an innocent face.

"You're asking for a beating."

A while after the text was sent, Lin Xiuyuan received Pei Zhuxuan's reply.

Pei Zhuxuan: 【We are short on a male model to play with. How much do you charge, Xiuyuan? Let me see if I can book a session, test the quality first, and if it's good, I'll book you for the whole night.】

Lin Xiuyuan had just laughed after reading the text when Kim Taeyeon spoke up, "Xiuyuan~ what are you doing? I'm talking to you and you're not responding."

Looking up at Kim Taeyeon beside him, he was a bit dazed, "Ah, were you asking me? What did you say? I wasn't paying attention just now."

"I just asked when you dyed your hair back."

As she spoke, Kim Taeyeon pointed to his head.

Lin Xiuyuan rubbed his hair and answered, "Yesterday. I went to the spa with Zhiyan and the others, and they said my roots were showing, so they suggested changing the color. In the end, I made the decision myself and dyed it back to black."

"Black looks better than gold." Kim Taeyeon nodded.

"Yeah, it was Zhiyan's birthday, so I just went along with her."

Hearing Lin Xiuyuan say this, Kim Taeyeon couldn't help but look at him with a hint of jealousy, "Then why didn't you appear on my birthday earlier?"

Lin Xiuyuan shrugged directly, "I was still at the hostel back then."

Then YoonA spoke up from across the table, "We've eaten enough, we should head out, right? Going home to rest or what?"

"What are your plans?"

As soon as she finished speaking, Lin Xiuyuan's eyes fell on the two ladies, clearly waiting for their decision.

After all, in terms of closeness, Pei Zhuxuan didn't rank first, unless these two "let him go" first.

"Either go home to rest or go sit at the Bistro."

But as a homebody, Kim Taeyeon had little interest in late-night activities, and she drank very little alcohol, mainly to protect her voice.

Lin Xiuyuan nodded and looked at YoonA, "What about you, YoonA?"

"Let's go back and rest, I have a promotion to run tomorrow. Xiuyuan, do you want to come with me..."

Before YoonA could finish, Kim Taeyeon interrupted, "Xiuyuan, go back and keep Xueqiu company. YoonA, I'll go over to your apartment and sit for a while."

YoonA was stunned, but then immediately laughed, "Sure, Unnie, then I'll ride in your car later."

"Yeah, I'll drop you off."

In the blink of an eye, the two had settled the situation, instantly isolating Lin Xiuyuan. However, he didn't say anything, just typed a sentence on his screen.

Lin Xiuyuan: 【No charge for trial business】

Past nine o'clock in the evening.

Following the location Pei Zhuxuan sent, Lin Xiuyuan soon arrived at a baseball stadium located in a corner of the sports center.

After parking the car steadily outside, he followed the signs, took a few turns, pushed open a few doors, and finally walked deep into the venue.

However, without a member to lead the way, he was eventually stopped outside a door, so he had to take out his phone and send a message to Pei Zhuxuan.

A few minutes later, light footsteps came from a side door.

Lin Xiuyuan looked up and saw Pei Zhuxuan walking out from behind that door.

She was wearing a white spaghetti-strap top, the soft fabric clinging to her figure without being flashy, and her whole person exuded a casual gentleness.

She wore a dark blue baseball cap on her head, the brim slightly lowered, covering half her face, which only made her soft-lined profile look even more charming.

Then she stood at the end of the hallway and waved at him, a familiar and playful smile lifting the corners of her mouth, "Xiuyuan, over here."

The security guard at the door saw this and nodded, signaling for him to enter.

When Lin Xiuyuan walked closer, Pei Zhuxuan had already come to meet him with a smile, "I was worried you wouldn't find the way, but it turns out you were stopped?"

"Membership system, you know." Lin Xiuyuan shrugged and smiled.

"Just like your Bistro." Pei Zhuxuan replied lightly.

As the two talked, they walked side by side through the hallway under the dim lights, arriving at the outdoor batting area at the back of the venue.

The night breeze was cool, and several high-pole lights illuminated the entire batting area like daylight. In the distance, one could hear the crisp sound of metal bats hitting baseballs, with occasional laughter.

And there, on a bench in the rest area, a quiet figure came into view.

The person was wearing a clean, crisp pure white T-shirt, paired with a black baseball cap, her hair simply tied into a low ponytail, with strands hanging loosely against her neck.

She was looking down at her phone, her expression focused, as if separated from the noisy environment by a quiet barrier.

Even just sitting there quietly, she was still like a piece of scenery.

Time seemed to have bypassed her face; that face which had appeared on countless K-drama posters showed no obvious traces of age, but instead had a sense of calmness and warmth.

Her skin was smooth, her contours soft, and her eyes remained bright and determined—the composure that only someone who has truly stood at the forefront of the storm can possess.

And when Lin Xiuyuan saw that face, he immediately widened his eyes, glancing at Pei Zhuxuan beside him with some surprise.

No way, this is the person you want to introduce to me?

Song Hye-kyo!!!

(End of chapter)