Chapter 219: Kim Taeyeon, Dalongzai, Jessica's

At the same time as Lin Xiuyuan and Jessica and others were traveling in Georgia, in an apartment in Seoul, Kim Taeyeon finally woke up from her dream.

When she woke up from the warm quilt, the first thing she saw was the bright sunlight spilling into the room through the curtains, the soft radiance spilling on the bedside.

Then she stretched, hugged the quilt with both hands, and recalled the conversation with Lin Xiuyuan last night.

Those scattered words, and the gentleness in his tone when he promised her.

All of this was like lingering sounds, deeply lingering in her heart, bringing a burst of subtle fluctuations.

Thinking of this, Kim Taeyeon couldn't help but roll a few times on the bed, a relaxed smile appeared on the corners of her mouth, and a long-lost joy surged in her heart.

"Really good, really good~"

She whispered, as if feeling the warmth brought by that intimacy.

That kind of joy not only made her feel relaxed, but also made her realize that the relationship between her and Lin Xiuyuan seemed to have quietly pulled closer.

Stretching her bones, Kim Taeyeon finally got up from the bed and walked toward the bathroom.

After washing up, the clean feeling made her refreshed, and the emotional consumption last night also made her urgently need a lunch to replenish energy.

So, after tidying up her hair slightly, she prepared to find Lin YoonA to eat together, to make up for the five internal organs that hadn't been eaten for a long time, and by the way, chat about the variety show two days later.

At noon.

Lin YoonA, who received the call, arrived as promised, came to the restaurant they agreed on, and also saw Kim Taeyeon, who was already sitting at the dining table.

Kim Taeyeon, who saw her enter, raised a relaxed smile on the corners of her mouth, "Morning, YoonA, how did you sleep today?"

"Morning, Unnie, I slept quite well." Lin YoonA sat down and looked at her with a smile, "But it's so strange, why do you ask this as soon as we meet?"

Kim Taeyeon waved her hand, smiled, and opened a joke easily, "No, it's mainly because I slept quite comfortably last night, so I asked."

Lin YoonA, who asked the waiter for a glass of soda water, also smiled at this time, "Maybe, it's just... feeling everything is slowly getting better."

She paused, withdrew her gaze from the window, and looked at Lin YoonA again, "By the way, let's talk about the recording of the show the day after tomorrow. The script is almost the same, mainly looking at whether your movie has anything special to promote?"

Then Lin YoonA opposite also started chatting about this topic, and the two talked one sentence after another, and as the meal was served, they chatted while eating.

Until Kim Taeyeon suddenly reacted, and there was a wonderful feeling in her heart.

It seemed that since she knew Lin Xiuyuan, the relationship between her and Lin YoonA, Krystal, and even Jessica seemed to have returned to the intimacy of many years ago.

Those long-sealed emotions, and the tacit understanding between everyone, became deeper and deeper.

It seemed to conflict with the obstacles placed by reality, all words and behaviors were no longer a burden, leaving only that relaxed communication and sharing.

And all of this started from knowing Lin Xiuyuan.

Thinking of Lin Xiuyuan, Kim Taeyeon suddenly turned to Lin YoonA and asked softly, "By the way, YoonA, do you know where Xiuyuan went to play now."

Lin YoonA nodded slightly, a smile on the corners of her mouth, "Mm, Georgia, he mentioned it to me."

She paused, a hint of interest flashing in her eyes, "And he also complained to me about Xiuyan Unnie, saying he didn't know why Jessica suddenly appeared there, and as a result, his travel mood cooled by more than half."

Kim Taeyeon, who heard this, frowned slightly, "Are these two fighting so fiercely? With Xiujing as a middleman, they are still like this."

Lin YoonA continued to eat with her head down, replying in a relaxed tone, "No way, those two tore their faces off last time. If it weren't for Xiujing, I reckon they would have been dead and not communicating, let alone meeting and chatting."

"Also, just thinking about the scene you told me, I feel it's very bad."

Kim Taeyeon's tone was slightly low, and her brows frowned unconsciously.

Facing Lin YoonA's answer, she couldn't help but think of the situation the other party had told her before, which was the conflict between Jessica and Lin Xiuyuan at the door of the small tavern.

Although she wasn't at the scene, the sudden opposition and tense atmosphere when telling it still made her seem to see the conflict right in front of her eyes.

Lin YoonA smiled when she saw this, and then said, "So, it's already very remarkable that these two can sit down and chat quietly now."

"Speaking of this, YoonA, I entrusted Xiuyuan with something last night." Kim Taeyeon's tone suddenly became a bit serious.

"Mm?"

This sudden opening made Lin YoonA look up at Kim Taeyeon opposite, wanting to hear what the other party said.

And after she finished listening to Kim Taeyeon's account of the situation last night, she couldn't help but spit out a stuffy breath, "Hu~ Unnie, emotionally, I'm on your side. But in terms of rational choice, I feel you didn't do it right."

Her words were relaxed, but carried a sincerity that couldn't be ignored, "You are a bit like kidnapping Xiuyuan with high-level morality. Have you ever thought that when you ask such words, if you were Xiuyuan, how could you answer? Refuse? Or promise?"

Kim Taeyeon was silent for a moment, lowered her head, and didn't answer immediately.

After a while, she replied, "I know, so I plan to thank him well."

After saying this, she straightened her waist, just wanting to say something.

However, Lin YoonA suddenly opened her mouth, "Don't say anything about giving yourself to him, Unnie."

She shook her head with a smile, "There are too many people grabbing food, so don't participate anymore."

Kim Taeyeon was stunned, and didn't know how to answer for a while, could only look at Lin YoonA in front of her in a daze.

Because the other party's smile carried a kind of seriousness.

Just when Kim Taeyeon and Lin YoonA in 2025 were chatting happily, on the other side, in the space-time of 2013, young Kim Taeyeon was also discussing Lin Xiuyuan with Lin Xiaolu.

In the backstage waiting room of the TV station, in the busy atmosphere.

Kim Taeyeon took advantage of everyone's gap and pulled Lin Xiaolu to the side, asking softly, "YoonA-ah, do you know where Lin Xiuyuan went these past few days? I called him, he didn't answer, and the message said he was busy."

"Unnie, do you have something to find him for?" Lin Xiaolu was slightly curious, turned to look at Kim Taeyeon, her eyes carrying a bit of inquiry.

And Kim Taeyeon, who smiled slightly, shook her head lightly, indicating, "Mm, actually there is no big deal. It's just that he helped me change the tire last time, so I thought if he had time, I would invite him to eat, as a thank-you gift."

This situation Lin Xiaolu was clear about, so she showed a sudden realization expression, and then showed a warm smile, "He is busy handling things for the tavern members recently, I reckon he won't have time so quickly."

"Tavern members?? Handling things? Seriously, YoonA, what are the special rights of your so-called tavern members?"

Kim Taeyeon blinked, saying thoughtfully, "Every time there is something, you and Xiuyan seem to go straight to the small tavern, making it seem like Lin Xiuyuan is a Doraemon, a know-it-all, right."

When saying this, Kim Taeyeon's tone carried a bit of teasing, and her voice revealed a hint of curiosity.

"Hahaha, Unnie, if you say it like this, it's actually not wrong, that guy is really a know-it-all."

When saying this, what Lin Xiaolu thought of was the AI on the 2025 side. If she had any questions, she just typed and asked, and basically could get the desired answer or suggestion.

And Lin Xiuyuan could let them go to 2025, saying he was a know-it-all was really not an exaggeration at all.

After finishing speaking, she smiled lightly, pretending to be mysterious, "Haha, Taeyeon Unnie, don't think too much. You also know, about the membership system, I really can't reveal anything."

Kim Taeyeon listened, still somewhat confused, but didn't ask further.

Just buried this curious idea in her heart, thinking that next time she saw Lin Xiuyuan, she must ask how to join the membership.

At the same time, the Lin Xiuyuan that Kim Taeyeon in 2013 missed was currently in Georgia in 2025, leisurely enjoying the beautiful scenery.

Sunlight spilled down through the thick clouds, and the air was filled with the fresh scent after the rain.

The hustle and bustle of the city gradually dissipated, and the surrounding environment became quiet and peaceful.

Lin Xiuyuan and Jessica, who had just avoided a small rain under the eaves, walked out of the shopping mall quickly and found Krystal, who was waiting for them.

After the three reunited, they walked toward the hotel, preparing to organize their luggage and set off for Kazbegi Mountain.

Along the way, the scenery outside the car window changed constantly, from the hustle and bustle of the city gradually transitioning to the lush mountain scenery, the air became fresher, as if every breath carried the breath of nature.

In the distance, the mountains were undulating, the small streams in the valley flowed slowly, sometimes reflecting mottled light and shadow, everything appeared so quiet and mysterious.

By the afternoon, the three finally arrived at the homestay at the foot of Kazbegi Mountain.

Although this house was called a homestay, in fact, this was a typical European residence, the architectural style was classical and elegant, the outer wall was covered with evergreen ivy, exuding a strong historical atmosphere.

The location of the homestay was extremely unique, in the distance was the majestic mountain range, and nearby was a winding small stream, the water sounded gurgling, as if being in a quiet landscape painting.

And there was a natural hot spring small pool in the courtyard of this house, the hot spring water originated from the underground hot spring eye, boiling endlessly all year round.

According to the boss, the hot spring water here was shared by the whole area, which meant that if Jessica and Krystal decided to soak in the hot spring tonight, at least people in other rooms could also enjoy the hot spring water after they bathed.

This information made the three feel somewhat amused, but also felt very special.

The three looked around, appreciated this building full of ancient charm, quickly handled the check-in procedures, and rested for a while after putting down their luggage.

Then after putting the luggage back in the house and resting for a while, they planned to find a place nearby to eat.

"After eating, shall we go for a walk nearby?" Krystal asked while organizing her luggage, her tone relaxed and happy.

Lin Xiuyuan nodded, "Sure, let's go for a walk after eating. The scenery here should be good, worth seeing more."

Jessica also echoed, "I have no problem, can stroll around, relax."

Lin Xiuyuan listened to the words of the two, his eyes turned toward the window, "What's fun here?"

Asking this sentence, he was clearly full of strangeness to the surrounding environment.

Although he had heard of this place, he had never been here in person.

Then Jessica, who had done the strategy, answered him, "The most famous one is a building called Holy Trinity Church, which is known as 'the church closest to the sky in the world'."

Lin Xiuyuan nodded, but in his mind, the snow-capped mountain scene he saw when passing by just now appeared unconsciously, "And snow-capped mountains, if you can get up early, you should be able to see the beautiful scenery of the golden mountain in the sun, right?"

Although it was July, belonging to summer, the snow-capped mountains still existed, just that the area of snow was smaller than in winter.

After simply organizing the luggage, the three decided to go to a restaurant nearby to eat.

The location of the restaurant was close to a clear small stream, with spacious outdoor seats outside, the environment was pleasant, and the scenery was picturesque.

The three found a seat by the window, looked at the scenery outside through the window, and felt the breeze blowing on their faces.

There were many local specialties on the menu. Lin Xiuyuan and Jessica chose a few dishes that looked very tempting, while Krystal decided to try an authentic Georgian barbecue.

"Finally, I can relax a little here, unlike in the city where it's easy to run into people I know," Jessica said in a low voice, looking at the menu while letting out a sigh of relief.

"Mm, this place really makes people feel very relaxed, and the air is also good," Krystal looked up at the window, a satisfied smile revealing in her eyes.

Lin Xiuyuan hadn't spoken, he silently observed the two, and didn't pick up his phone to scroll through any videos.

Only at Krystal's signal did he pick up the camera and help the two opposite him take many beautiful photos.

Soon, the meal was served. The three chatted easily while tasting delicious food, the topic chatted from their respective work to future plans, and then to interesting things and relaxed time in the trip.

Although the topic was casual, the relaxation and joy in the air made everyone deeply enjoy this moment of tranquility.

And speaking of future plans, Lin Xiuyuan looked at Jessica inadvertently, because this one said she was lying flat now, taking activities if there were any, and going to variety shows, but not forcing it.

Occasionally holding a fan meeting to meet everyone, the remaining time is left for herself to travel and rest, or to accompany her parents, etc.

This answer made Lin Xiuyuan think of Zheng Xiuyan in 2013, the other party there was busy, working tirelessly for her own brand and career in the future, preparing to lay a solid foundation for the future.

Forming a sharp contrast with Jessica's relaxed and comfortable lifestyle in front of her.

The difference between the two was really too obvious.

"After eating, which direction shall we go for a walk?" Krystal asked suddenly, "If we go to the church now, will it be a bit late, or wait until tomorrow morning, by the way, see if there is a golden mountain in the sun?"

"Fine, let's walk around the small town at the foot of the mountain first, stroll around, and see the scenery there," Lin Xiuyuan suggested, "Anyway, relax a bit today, just walk and see."

"Okay, then it's decided." Krystal responded with a smile.

Then, the three continued to eat, but when Lin Xiuyuan shouted a 'Krystal', Jessica finally couldn't help but ask, "No, you are so familiar with each other, how can you still call Krystal like this, Lin Xiuyuan."

"Aren't you the same?" Lin Xiuyuan asked back.

"Aren't you the same?" Lin Xiuyuan asked in return.

Jessica raised an eyebrow and said with a smile, "We're used to it, and I also call Xiujing often. On the contrary, the habit in Huaxia should be to call people by their names, right?"

Faced with this question from Jessica, Lin Xiuyuan did not answer, but simply looked at Krystal.

As it turned out, Krystal's mischievous side came out; she didn't explain for him, but instead watched him quietly, wanting to see how Lin Xiuyuan would answer.

To this, Lin Xiuyuan smiled slightly and started with a sentence, "This is the intimacy between us. It's just that the way she calls me isn't very convenient; otherwise, what you'd hear wouldn't be her calling my name, but D..."

Krystal, who had been watching the show with great interest, reacted immediately and hurriedly leaned over, wanting to stop Lin Xiuyuan from continuing, "Xiuyuan~"

After giving him a reproachful glare, she turned to Jessica and said, "It's just a form of address, it's no big deal."

Lin Xiuyuan's smile became even brighter, as if a beam of sunlight had illuminated the afternoon.

As this time, which could be called either lunch or afternoon tea, came to an end, the three of them packed up their things and prepared to head to the small town at the foot of the mountain, intending to stroll around and experience the local atmosphere.

However, before officially starting their stroll, they decided to return to the guesthouse to rest for a while first.

After all, they had woken up early today and had quite a few activities in the morning, so they were a bit tired; resting for a moment would undoubtedly give them more energy to enjoy the time ahead.

So, it wasn't until evening that the group finally appeared in the town at the foot of the mountain.

The afterglow of the setting sun spilled over the ancient streets, and the golden light passed through layers of clouds and mist, gently spreading over every stone slab, draping the town in a warm, thin veil.

On both sides of the stone-paved road were small shops, with scattered vendors and leisurely tourists moving among them, adding a bit of vitality to the quiet town without losing its peaceful and relaxed atmosphere.

"This place is truly peaceful; you can see beautiful scenery just by walking a few steps," Jessica remarked as she walked, her eyes occasionally darting toward the winding mountains and ancient buildings in the distance.

"Mm, you can feel the breath of history wherever you go," Krystal also appreciated the scenery before her, slowing her pace and looking down to carefully observe every detail on both sides of the street.

Suddenly, she stopped and pointed to a small stall displaying local handicrafts. "The souvenirs here are quite interesting. Xiuyuan, let's go over and take a look."

Lin Xiuyuan looked in the direction she pointed, where the stall was displaying various exquisite handicrafts.

So he walked over, picked out a few items, and said with a smile, "These things are indeed quite interesting; it wouldn't be bad to take some back as souvenirs."

Having said that, he stood in front of the stall and selected a few handicrafts, eventually buying some local ceramics and silk products as mementos of this trip.

Seeing that the two people next to her had bought ceramics, Jessica reminded them, "These aren't easy to take back, are they?"

Krystal, however, looked at Lin Xiuyuan with a light laugh, clearly very confident. "Don't worry, with Xiuyuan here, there's no problem taking these."

And Lin Xiuyuan didn't mind, continuing to pick out items he liked.

He thought about placing these small trinkets in the bistros in both locations, perhaps forming a unique travel souvenir corner, like collecting stamps, to record the memories of every trip.

However, seeing the two of them acting with such perfect tacit understanding, Jessica couldn't help but feel some subtle emotions.

At the same time, she couldn't help but feel a bit dissatisfied, thinking, are these two intentionally isolating me?

As time passed, the sky gradually darkened.

The three decided to find a place to sit down and rest, and enjoy a dinner.

In the end, they found a seat at a restaurant in the town, where the low music and warm lighting created a quiet and comfortable atmosphere.

At the dining table, the three of them tasted the food while discussing their feelings about this trip.

Sometimes they shared photos on their phones, and sometimes they immersed themselves in the quiet atmosphere around them.

After the meal, they even decided to go to a small bar in town to sit for a while, to see what taverns in different places were like, and by the way, continue to enjoy this rare, relaxing time.

On the same evening, in a restaurant in Seoul, all the members of Tara finally gathered together again after many days.

Dalongzai, Tian Enjing, Li Juli, and Park Hyomin sat around a round table, enjoying the food while chatting easily about recent interesting events and their moods.

Just as everyone was chatting happily, Park Hyomin suddenly raised a doubt, "I've noticed that there have been more and more activities lately, but Unnie, both you and Zhiyan's states have rejuvenated a lot now, so why aren't you taking any schedules instead?"

While saying this, her gaze was fixed on Li Juli, her eyes filled with a bit of confusion and curiosity.

In fact, Li Juli and Dalongzai had indeed rejected many invitations for activities recently; Li Juli had even only accepted one piece of after-sales work for a past activity.

And Dalongzai had barely participated in any activities, only showing her face occasionally, basically only appearing when there was a group performance.

Li Juli and Dalongzai looked at each other, and then both laughed.

They clearly had a tacit understanding long ago, so they were on a united front on this issue.

And this tacit understanding of theirs made Park Hyomin feel even more uncomfortable. "Zhiyan, and Unnie, don't laugh, answer this question; I really can't figure it out."

Feeling somewhat helpless and at the same time a bit gossipy, she was really about to be driven to stupidity by these two good sisters.

Li Juli smiled slightly and responded gently, "Actually, it's not that we don't want to take them, but... we talked about it in private, and considering our state and the rhythm of our lives, we decided to keep a slightly lower profile."

Her tone was calm, yet carried a determination that could not be ignored.

Dalongzai nodded from the side and added, "Yeah, we feel that since our current state is very good, there's no need to participate in so many public activities; instead, we hope to have more private space to enjoy life."

Actually, the reason they weren't taking activities was very simple: they just didn't want Lin Xiuyuan to be potentially exposed to the camera, to protect him.

Otherwise, with the rejuvenated state of the two of them, they would definitely be focused on together.

Although Dalongzai and the others also knew that some activities could indeed bring more opportunities and income, the two of them had long since achieved financial freedom, so they didn't need that much exposure.

Instead, they valued the quality of life and physical health, or rather, their youthful appearance, even more.

After all, having experienced so much, being able to enjoy this state was what they wanted most right now.

These words left Park Hyomin stunned; she clearly couldn't immediately understand the deep meaning behind them. "No, what do state and rhythm have to do with keeping a low profile?"

"Haha, Hyomin, just think of us as still young, but we don't want to keep working desperately on this path," Li Juli responded with a smile. "Slow down the pace at the right time and enjoy the present."

Tian Enjing interjected at this moment, her eyes carrying a hint of a joke, "Unnie, I understand, but this sentence of yours is a bit excessive. What do you mean you're still young? You've clearly passed that age long ago."

"We're very young now." Li Juli happily gestured at her face; although it had been a while since she had any injections, her state was still on point.

Park Hyomin looked at the conversation between these sisters and suddenly realized that she seemed to have been isolated, because Enjing also seemed to understand the meaning, and only she... was still confused.

"What is it? What kind of riddle are you playing?"

However, this topic could be considered over at this point. Li Juli and Dalongzai began to change the subject, turning to talk about the recent appearances of second-generation idols in activities, and the atmosphere gradually became relaxed and pleasant.

After a while, Li Juli got up to go to the restroom, and Park Hyomin followed her.

Left with Dalongzai and Tian Enjing, Dalongzai rarely asked about the filming of the other's crew, which made Tian Enjing look at her with some surprise.

"Oh, Zhiyan, I was already prepared for you to ask me questions about Xiuyuan. What's going on? I thought you were going to keep obsessing over this membership thing."

You know, a few days ago when Lin Xiuyuan was busy with the 'Kim Soo-hyun' incident over there, Dalongzai had really pestered Tian Enjing to the point of fear, constantly asking all sorts of questions.

All kinds of beating around the bush, all kinds of sob stories, and all kinds of sarcasm were used.

So today, when Tian Enjing came over for dinner, she was already mentally prepared to be 'interrogated,' but she didn't expect Dalongzai not to ask a single question, which surprised her a bit.

After listening to Tian Enjing's answer, Dalongzai smiled. "Because I suddenly felt it didn't matter anymore. Anyway, as long as Xiuyuan is still there, it's fine."

This sentence was simple yet profound, making Tian Enjing feel a sense of relief, but at the same time, she was a bit confused. "Zhiyan, do you have feelings for Xiuyuan, or are you just looking at that effect of his?"

"Unnie, do you think I'm using Xiuyuan as a tool?" Dalongzai's gaze was gentle, yet carried a hint of provocation.

Tian Enjing shook her head. "That's not what I meant; it's just that your current attitude makes me a bit curious."

Dalongzai blinked and smiled. "How should I put it? At first, it was indeed just a playful attitude, wanting to find a young person to liven up the atmosphere, and since he was Xiujing's little friend, he should be good in all aspects."

She paused and said meaningfully, "However, after spending a long time with Xiuyuan later, I suddenly felt that he was really quite good. My thought at the time was, no wonder so many women like little milk dogs; they are young and energetic, and while they don't know how to exert force, they just blindly keep chiseling away—it's really too much fun."

"As for later, Unnie, you know, there aren't many roads to a woman's heart, but if you chisel enough, you'll definitely get into her heart."

"So the effect is only one part, but this person is the most important thing."

Faced with this statement from Dalongzai, Tian Enjing countered, "Then what if someone else had this effect?"

Dalongzai was silent for a moment, her eyes becoming firm.

"This hypothesis doesn't exist, Unnie. How old are we? Why are we still playing with false propositions like children?"

"For people, it is what it is, and it isn't what it isn't; it must be clear and distinct. On the other hand, regarding matters, one can be muddled and unclear; one can be 'rarely muddled'."

"Alright, I understand what you mean."

The last sentence made Tian Enjing smile with great peace of mind, and she nodded gently.

At this time, Park Hyomin and Li Juli also returned, and the four of them sat around the dining table, continuing their long-lost exchange, with laughter and conversation filling the entire private room.

The night on Kazbegi Mountain grew thicker, and the temperature became cool and pleasant as the sunset faded.

As the night deepened, Lin Xiuyuan and the two others, having had a couple of drinks at the tavern, finally returned to the guesthouse and went to their respective rooms to wash up.

However, tonight, Lin Xiuyuan didn't take Krystal back to the villa to wash up; instead, he went to get a set of clothes and pajamas for tomorrow and then returned to the guesthouse.

According to Krystal's suggestion, one could better enjoy the mountain night here; washing up here not only allowed one to see the starry sky but also gave a different kind of feeling.

Who knows, perhaps it was the quiet and natural atmosphere of the mountains that could make everything more comfortable and relaxed.

Because the women still had to remove their makeup, Lin Xiuyuan took advantage of this time to take a quick shower, and then walked out to the living room during the gap while Krystal was showering.

He sat on the sofa, boiled some hot water, brewed a pot of hot tea, and stretched his body, which was a bit tired from the day's itinerary.

While drinking the hot tea and feeling the fragrance and warmth flow into his heart, Lin Xiuyuan slowly looked at the night sky outside the small courtyard, then got up and opened the door leading to the courtyard.

A gust of evening wind rushed toward him, the air carrying a gentle fragrance. With the arrival of night, the quietness of the town made the tranquility of the hot spring even more prominent.

Just as Lin Xiuyuan was leaning against the doorway, looking at the night scene he hadn't seen for a long time, he heard the sound of a door opening, so he turned his head subconsciously.

He saw that not far away, Jessica was standing in front of her door, wearing a cool and sexy little camisole pajama.

Her hair was a bit damp, as if she had just finished showering; her shoulders were faintly visible, and the light hem of the camisole dress swayed gently in the wind, carrying the charm of a mature woman.

For a moment, Lin Xiuyuan's heartbeat seemed to quicken, but he soon regained his composure.

Although he knew Jessica was much older than Zheng Xiuyan, the maturity and charm she exuded still couldn't help but make him a bit dazed.

That mellow temperament and the unique charm of a mature woman were incomparable to the young Zheng Xiuyan. Even though his previous acquaintance with her hadn't been pleasant, facing such a woman, Lin Xiuyuan still couldn't avoid being attracted to her for a moment.

This is the human instinct to marvel at beautiful things.

And Jessica, upon seeing Lin Xiuyuan, was also somewhat surprised. "Why are you so fast?"

"You call me a 'straight man,' but you don't use your brain when you speak either," Lin Xiuyuan retorted directly upon hearing this.

Jessica, who understood in a second, revealed a smile. "No, I didn't mean that. Why are you so sensitive, or is it that..."

"Shut up." Lin Xiuyuan knew he shouldn't have replied.

Jessica wasn't angry; instead, she walked to the sofa, picked up a cup, poured a cup of hot tea, and took a gentle sip. The tea fragrance overflowed, bringing her a moment of relaxation.

"Oh, this tea is really good," she said with a smile, though her gaze couldn't help but sweep over Lin Xiuyuan.

Lin Xiuyuan didn't reply, and Jessica also went about her own business, taking out her phone to reply to messages.

At this time, Krystal, having finished her shower, also walked out. She looked at Jessica while casually pulling at her bathrobe. "Why are you so fast?"

"How am I fast? Use your brain when you speak, Xiujing," Jessica said with a pursed-lip smile, taking the opportunity to tease someone slightly.

Beside them, Lin Xiuyuan remained silent.

And Krystal, guessing the meaning behind this strangely toned remark based on Jessica's gaze toward Lin Xiuyuan, laughed out loud. "It seems you two are chatting very happily."

Her tone was relaxed, making the subtle atmosphere in the air instantly become even more relaxed.

She then waved her hand. "Let's go. It's rare to stay in such a beautiful place; the hot spring shouldn't be wasted."

Following Krystal's suggestion, the three of them walked through the door and into the small courtyard.

Night had completely fallen, and the entire courtyard was quiet and cozy.

The night wind blew gently, carrying the scent of soil and flowers. In the night sky, countless stars dotted the deep canopy, twinkling with the brilliance of diamonds.

The fresh air made people feel refreshed, as if all the noise had dissipated with the night.

Krystal and Jessica followed closely behind Lin Xiuyuan, and the three of them walked in a line to the other side of the courtyard, where a small house served as the hot spring room for this place.

This hot spring pool was hidden and private, completely isolated from the outside world.

It was surrounded by lush plants, which swayed slightly under the gentle caress of the night wind, and a warm atmosphere permeated the surroundings.

Above their heads was a transparent glass roof, allowing them to look directly up at the starry sky, as if bathing under the starlight; the entire space was full of relaxation and comfort.

The steam from the hot spring rose gently, and the water surface reflected soft light, emitting a warm and pleasant aura.

"Finally here."

Krystal, who had entered first, took a look at Jessica from a hidden angle after seeing the hot spring, then took off her nightgown without any hesitation and walked directly into the hot spring pool in her underwear, revealing a triumphant smile. "This hot spring is really great."

This scene made Jessica's eyes widen, but she didn't know there was an even more shocking scene to come.

Lin Xiuyuan stood by and watched, then easily took off his top, leaving only a pair of loose sweatpants, and walked toward the hot spring pool. His solid, natural muscle lines and slightly outlined figure under the light caught the eyes of the person behind him.

So when Jessica, standing at the door, saw this scene, a flash of surprise couldn't help but cross her eyes.

Although she had already seen Lin Xiuyuan's physique once, looking again at the boy with such solid and natural muscle lines, it didn't look like the physique a young person of his age should have at all.

Usually, Lin Xiuyuan wore such styles that everyone thought he just had normal abs, so seeing this scene again still made Jessica stop in her tracks, her gaze lingering on Lin Xiuyuan for a few seconds, somewhat shocked.

However, she quickly calmed down, lowered her head to look at the camisole nightgown she was wearing, and a faint smile appeared on her face.

After she finished showering just now, she chose to wear this camisole entirely for the convenience of soaking in the hot spring at this very moment.

So she didn't hesitate and walked toward the hot spring in a natural and generous manner, walking in on Krystal's side, separated from Lin Xiuyuan, who was directly opposite, by a large pool, so there was nothing ambiguous about it.

"Mm, the water temperature is just right," Jessica said softly, gradually relaxing herself and slowly sitting into the hot spring pool.

"The hot spring is really a good place; it can both relax the body and mind and allow one to enjoy this moment of tranquility."

Krystal leaned against the pool wall, stretching her body and looking up at the starry sky, her eyes revealing a bit of enjoyment. "Sometimes, when you don't go out traveling, you really miss too many opportunities to relax."

Lin Xiuyuan nodded, his gaze falling far away on the starry sky, his eyes somewhat drifting.

If he followed his own path from 2013, although this kind of enjoyable travel couldn't be said to be impossible, it ultimately wouldn't be so easy to possess, let alone have the famous JK sister duo of the Korean entertainment industry accompanying him to soak in a hot spring.

Jessica adjusted her posture slightly and leaned against the edge of the pool. "Indeed, it's good to be able to relax the body and mind, no longer troubled by work and other things."

"So where is that man of yours?" Krystal suddenly blurted out, making Jessica freeze instantly.

"Stop saying things that spoil the mood, Zheng Xiujing," Jessica said with a pursed-lip smile, responding softly.

"Hahaha."

All three of them laughed, and the atmosphere gradually became relaxed and natural.

Although there was a subtle barrier between Lin Xiuyuan and Jessica, at this moment, all burdens seemed to be smoothed out by the night sky and the warmth of the hot spring, and everyone began to relax and chat easily and happily.

"By the way, that tavern membership of yours is really mysterious," Jessica suddenly threw out a question, her gaze cast toward Lin Xiuyuan.

Lin Xiuyuan was stunned for a moment, his eyes still looking at the starry sky in front of him. "Mm, to outsiders, it's mysterious, but the internal staff don't feel that way."

Krystal also took over the topic. "Jessica, are you curious?"

"Mm, that's right."

Jessica nodded thoughtfully; this was the first time she had admitted this. "After all, secrets are sometimes indeed very attractive."

What she didn't know was how intense the smile in Krystal's eyes was when she admitted this situation.

So she lifted her foot, intending to kick Lin Xiuyuan opposite her, but this hot spring pool was a bit too large, and she wasn't a giant with two-meter-long legs, so she couldn't kick him at all, only splashing some water.

Seeing this, Krystal said, "Xiuyuan~ did you hear that? Jessica said she's curious."

"Mm, I heard it. It has nothing to do with me; I'm just someone who watches the shop."

Lin Xiuyuan, playing dumb, didn't want to get entangled in this topic at all.

Because he could see that this silly girl Krystal was still unable to come down from her 'crazy' plan, insisting on tormenting Jessica beside her severely, regardless of whether the other person was willing or not.

Besides, he wasn't too willing either.

(End of chapter)