Chapter 224: I am the leader of Girls' Generation

Ten-plus minutes ago, in the master bedroom of the 2025 Kim Taeyeon's apartment, a hint of silence permeated the quiet air.

Kim Taeyeon looked at the Kim Ruanruan who had entered, her eyes gentle yet carrying a hint of hesitation. She beckoned to the other gently, "Come over."

Her voice held a hint of hesitation. "Actually, I was hesitant about whether to let you see these, but thinking about it, maybe taking a look is good—consider it an insurance for Dad over there, to leave you with a deeper impression."

Although Kim Ruanruan didn't quite understand, upon knowing it was about her father, she immediately associated it with the news she had learned earlier.

Her originally light footsteps became a bit heavier.

Then she walked slowly to Kim Taeyeon's side, looking at her figure crouching on the ground, and the dark wooden box in front of her appeared exceptionally quiet.

She saw Kim Taeyeon gently open the wooden box, in which a stack of yellowed photos and a few sheets of paper were neatly placed.

Her fingers brushed gently over one of the photos, her fingertips touching the soft paper surface, and a flash of indescribable emotional fluctuation passed through her eyes—perhaps gentleness, perhaps an indelible pain.

"These are... what Dad wrote to me in his final moments, and these photos were also taken by Oppa and Mom for him at that time."

Kim Taeyeon's words were gentle yet carried a hint of sorrow, her voice as if echoing those painful and unbearable memories.

At that moment, the temperature of the room's air seemed to drop a few degrees. Kim Ruanruan stood silently to the side, her heartbeat also accelerating involuntarily, as if something heavy were pressing on her chest.

At the same time, her gaze swept involuntarily over those photos recording the bits and pieces of her father's life on this side: it was a kind and amiable old man, much older compared to the 2013 father, but the familiar gentleness in his eyes seemed to have traveled through time, touching Kim Ruanruan gently.

This made her feel, even just through the photos, as if she could feel the other's silent presence and the tenderness that words had never spoken.

At this time, Kim Taeyeon slowly picked up another photo and handed it to Kim Ruanruan, who was to the side.

In the photo was a picture of her and her father when she was young; sunlight spilled through the leaves onto them, her father looking at her gently, and her smile was innocent and bright. The background was the courtyard she had recalled countless times, the place that had accompanied her through her most carefree times.

And this photo, Kim Ruanruan also had, hidden in her home in Jeonju.

However, in the next second, Kim Taeyeon handed Kim Ruanruan another photo.

This time, the photo was no longer filled with warmth; instead, it made the atmosphere suddenly turn cold.

In that photo, their father was lying on a hospital bed, surrounded by her mother, brother, and sister.

Only she was missing.

And this was the most painful thing.

If the former was a warm summer day, then this moment was a cold snowy mountain, instantly making Kim Ruanruan, who had caught the photo, stiffen all over.

Next, Kim Taeyeon took out more things.

The original manuscript of the tombstone text, notes on the funeral process, records of visiting guests...

Every page recorded that lost time, every word carried an unspeakable pain.

Those silent memories, as if following Kim Ruanruan's fingers as they turned gently, entered her heart with Kim Taeyeon's sadness and that lingering emotion.

Finally, Kim Taeyeon took out the note her father had written to her before he passed away.

She carefully unfolded the paper, her eyes gentle, as if reading the words of the person closest to her.

Between the lines, there were no long-winded arguments, nor deliberate sentimentality, only that same gentleness and care as always.

It was a sentence: 【My daughter, remember to eat on time and take care of your health.】

Simple words, ordinary yet filled with deep love.

But just this simple sentence—when Kim Ruanruan finished reading it, her legs softened involuntarily, as if all her strength had been drained.

Like Kim Taeyeon, she sat on the ground.

The paper in her hand made her feel an indescribable heaviness; her vision gradually blurred, her fingers gripping the paper tightly, yet she seemed unable to continue reading.

Although she had never seen her father in his old age in this space-time, that note filled with tenderness and warmth, that ordinary yet profound care, had already made her heart sink involuntarily.

The sadness and the indescribable sense of loss in her heart, like a surging tide, gradually engulfed her thoughts.

Never having experienced the pain of losing a loved one, she felt as if she could empathize at this moment.

Beside her, Kim Taeyeon's gaze looked at Kim Ruanruan's reaction gently and firmly; she could very well understand the other's mood at this moment.

So after a moment, she spoke gently, her voice calm yet carrying deep meaning, "Taeyeon, seeing these now might make you feel sad. But I hope you can understand one thing: work is important, but what can truly give you support will always be family."

Listening to Kim Taeyeon's words in her ear, Kim Ruanruan looked down at the photos and words, and a surge of indescribable emotion suddenly welled up in her heart.

In the years since leaving home and debuting with the company, she had never thought she would feel the power of family affection so profoundly.

Although she had never met the father on this side, these photos and these words were like an invisible bridge, tightly connecting her to the memories of that father who had already passed away.

That ordinary yet deep love seemed to have traveled through time and space in an instant, deeply touching her heart.

After another while, Kim Ruanruan raised her head and looked at Kim Taeyeon firmly. "I know."

Then she said in a low voice, "What you said and what I saw, I won't forget."

Kim Taeyeon nodded and smiled slightly.

Then she just watched Kim Ruanruan, who continued to flip through those things, seeing herself from back then in the other.

Innocent and impulsive, yet ignoring too many important things around her.

Thinking of this, Kim Taeyeon sighed gently and closed her eyes, as if returning to that time she could never go back to.

When she opened her eyes again, the heaviness in her heart had become a bit lighter.

She understood very well that her father had already left.

But at least now, she could stand here and pass on some of her life wisdom to her younger self in another space-time, and also help Kim Ruanruan avoid some detours on her future path.

And for the father on that side, perhaps it was also a good thing.

Next, Kim Taeyeon stood up slowly, walked to the bedside, and pulled out the birthday gift she had carefully selected for the young father in 2013.

While handing the watch box to Kim Ruanruan, her voice was low and gentle. "Actually, this meeting between the two of us was something I asked Xiuyuan for, just to give Dad a gift."

Kim Ruanruan slowly extended both hands and took the watch box Kim Taeyeon handed over.

Her fingertips trembled slightly when touching the cool outer shell, as if it weren't an ordinary gift, but a heavy heart.

Then she lowered her head and opened the box, looking at the exquisite watch inside; the beautiful shell shimmered with a cold light under the soft lighting.

When her gaze fell on the watch face and the pattern identical to her father's zodiac sign came into view, her heart tightened suddenly.

It was a familiar yet strange stinging sensation; the bitterness of "the child wants to provide, but the parents are gone" spread slowly in her chest, and this feeling didn't come from herself, but was clearly transmitted from Kim Taeyeon's eyes opposite her.

Kim Taeyeon stood opposite her; she didn't know how Kim Ruanruan felt about this gift of hers.

But to her, it carried indescribable emotion.

It was like a bridge, trying to build a subtle connection between the father of the past and the self of the future.

It was a thin line caught between loss and compensation, fragile yet precious.

After a moment of silence, Kim Taeyeon's voice rang out gently, as soft as if afraid to shatter the quiet of this moment. "Do you know, Taeyeon?"

She lowered her eyes slightly, her tone carrying a hint of depth and emotion. "At the time I was choosing this gift, I kept asking myself what I should use to express my heart to my father. Later, I realized that family affection is not just material or verbal expression; it is more of a kind of companionship and understanding, so I chose this watch."

This sentence, on the surface, was said for Kim Ruanruan to hear, but Kim Taeyeon knew very well in her heart that it was also said for herself.

Listening to the voice, Kim Ruanruan gripped the watch box tightly, as if feeling Kim Taeyeon's deep sense of powerlessness on this watch.

And just as she empathized with her future self, filled with confusion and sorrow.

Just as this emotion was about to drown her, Kim Taeyeon stepped forward and gently gripped her shoulders.

At that moment, the warm strength seemed to pull Kim Ruanruan out of the vortex of thoughts, and Kim Taeyeon's lips carried a smile, her eyes hiding gentleness and comfort.

"Alright, the evidence has been seen. How about it? You don't think Xiuyuan and I were lying to you anymore, right?"

Kim Ruanruan blinked, let out a long breath, her expression carrying a hint of relaxation. "From the moment Xiuyuan took me across several rooms, I already believed it."

"Right? That impact of the space scene, doesn't it make one's head dizzy?"

Kim Taeyeon, who quickly gathered her mind and emotions, smiled slightly, intentionally easing the atmosphere.

Seeing Kim Ruanruan nod, she continued, "Right, let's take this time to talk about the name issue. I don't want to be like YoonA, arguing until it goes to the head."

Thinking of the "Lin YoonA title" theater Lin Xiuyuan had just mentioned, Kim Ruanruan also laughed and looked at this future self beside her.

Although she had many more questions she wanted to ask, it wasn't good to keep Lin Xiuyuan outside all the time, so she nodded and gave her own opinion. "The name Kim Taeyeon—you've used it longer than I have. When chatting with everyone, you can keep using it; it's not like I can't use it anymore."

"The way you say that... it sounds like there's nothing wrong with it, but why does it make me unable to be happy?"

Kim Taeyeon frowned slightly, her heart only catching the three words "used it longer." For a moment, she was full of depression, suddenly understanding the "old woman" talk from Jiyeon's mouth, and also understanding the arguments of YoonA and the others.

And Kim Ruanruan, looking at her expression, couldn't help but smile gently. "No, I'm giving you advice very seriously."

"And you?" Kim Taeyeon asked.

"When chatting with everyone, I'll use my real name—Kim Ruanruan, Tai Xiao Ruan."

So, after carefully putting those precious items back into the box and putting the watch away, the two walked out of the master bedroom together, just in time to run into Lin Xiuyuan, who had just brought the other party over from Lin YoonA's side.

Still Kim Taeyeon's apartment, still that familiar living room.

The afternoon sun enveloped the room, falling on the sofa, coffee table, and the green plants in the corner, carrying a lazy warmth.

Lin YoonA leaned against Lin Xiuyuan's side, her arm naturally resting on the back of the sofa, her eyes carrying a hint of nostalgia and teasing as she looked at Kim Ruanruan opposite, her lips slightly raised.

"Unnie, it's been a long time since I've seen such a green you."

As soon as she finished speaking, before Kim Ruanruan could respond, the other Kim Taeyeon immediately turned her head "whoosh," her eyes narrowed, her tone carrying half-true, half-false dissatisfaction.

"Yah, YoonA-ah, what do you mean by that? Are you saying I'm old?"

However, Lin YoonA didn't intend to give her a step down; instead, her eyes lit up, as if she had caught some opportunity, and she stated it directly.

"Comparing the faces, Taeyeon Unnie, you should just accept it. When I first met Lin Xiaolu, I accepted my fate too."

The topic fell on "face," which made Kim Ruanruan unable to help but size up the Lin YoonA before her, then shook her head gently, answering sincerely, "No, YoonA, your state now compared to the 2013 you seems even more beautiful. Your temperament, skin, and blood circulation are all much better than in 2013."

She wasn't just being polite.

The 2013 Lin Xiaolu, because of working around the clock, was not in good physical or mental condition.

Although youth was her greatest capital, which could cover up some fatigue, the dark circles were still obvious, and occasionally a few disobedient little pimples would pop out.

Compared to this Lin YoonA, who had taken essence serum, had translucent skin, and radiated a healthy glow, the gap was simply self-evident.

Hearing this evaluation, Lin YoonA's eyes immediately curved into crescents, like a kitten being stroked, and she "pounced" directly to Kim Ruanruan's side, wrapping her arms around her, her tone light and carrying a smile.

"Hahaha, Unnie, I love you so much, you're so good!"

Kim Taeyeon couldn't help but roll her eyes at the side, her expression full of "speechless," but her gaze glanced toward Lin Xiuyuan, who was looking at his phone with his head down.

As an insider, she naturally understood the real reason for this.

It's just a pity that recently, she didn't know if Lin Xiuyuan had restrained himself, or if Krystal and Lin YoonA were defending too strictly, she couldn't get a single chance.

Plus, her mind had been mostly on the 2013 father's birthday during this time, so facing the teasing of the second youngest, she could only sigh in her heart and maintain that "I'll endure it" expression on the surface.

After a moment, Lin YoonA reluctantly let go of Kim Ruanruan and went back to sit beside Lin Xiuyuan. She reached out and patted his leg gently, suggesting in a coquettish tone.

"Xiuyuan~ open the door and take Unnie and the others over to my apartment. It's rare for Ruanruan Unnie to come over for the first time; I'll show off my cooking skills, make a proper dinner, and then you can send her back after eating."

"What do you guys say?"

Hearing this, Lin Xiuyuan looked at Kim Taeyeon and Kim Ruanruan, asking for their opinions.

The former couldn't cook, and the latter only knew how to eat instant noodles, so naturally, they had no opinion.

Especially Kim Ruanruan, facing Lin YoonA's statement just now, was full of shock. "YoonA, you can actually cook now?"

"Heehee, my cooking is very good, Unnie~"

"YoonA has learned a lot of skills while being idle these years; cooking is just a part of it," Kim Taeyeon explained from the side.

Then, led by Lin Xiuyuan, the group opened the door again through the 2013 transit station and arrived at Lin YoonA's apartment.

During this time, Kim Ruanruan didn't forget to check the messages on her phone and found that no one had an urgent matter to find her, which made her breathe a sigh of relief.

After all, the 2013 version of her was really busy.

After arriving at Lin YoonA's apartment, Kim Taeyeon, noticing the situation, asked, "Are you busy lately?"

"That tour in Taipei, I don't know if you remember, the world tour is quite busy. Mainly because everyone's individual activities are too scattered, it's hard to find a chance to rehearse together."

Kim Ruanruan nodded gently, her tone carrying a hint of contemplation. "And when rehearsing, everyone isn't as serious as before; they're always chatting and laughing. I know everyone is tired, so I can't say much, but I'm still quite anxious in my heart."

"Speaking of this, Ruanruan, there are some problems I might have to tell you right now."

Ahead, Lin YoonA heard this, her footsteps paused slightly, but she didn't turn around; instead, she said with a smile, "Alright, Unnie, you guys go rest over there. Xiuyuan, you go too. After I finish making dinner, I'll call you guys over."

"Don't need help?" Lin Xiuyuan opened his mouth, pointing out that it was impossible to count on those two Kim Taeyeons, but he could still help.

"That's fine, then Xiuyuan, you help me with the prep work."

Noticing Lin Xiuyuan's winking expression, Lin YoonA laughed out loud, and only then did she pull the other party in.

In the time that followed, in the living room, it was an exchange between Kim Taeyeon and Kim Ruanruan.

But most of the time, Kim Ruanruan was listening, and Kim Taeyeon was talking.

And the former's expression gradually became serious, solemn, and silent.

In the kitchen, Lin Xiuyuan, who occasionally came out to take a look, smiled and said to Lin YoonA after entering, "I guess they're talking about some problems within your group."

Lin YoonA stopped the green pepper in her hand and answered softly, "Mm, it's possible. The group did indeed have many problems in the later stages, and Unnie didn't really intervene much at that time."

She cut the green pepper along the blade, her eyes carrying a hint of nostalgia. "But it wasn't Unnie's problem either; mainly, everyone wasn't a child anymore. She might have been worried that if she preached too much, everyone would get annoyed, so at that time, I personally felt it was better not to say anything."

"And now?"

Leaning on the kitchen counter, Lin Xiuyuan looked at Lin YoonA, who was wearing an apron. That face and that iconic bun really gave him a sense of being in 2013.

That was a sense of youth that Lin YoonA still retained compared to others; he didn't know how she managed to preserve it.

And Lin YoonA, who was asked, stopped the kitchen knife in her hand, raised her head slowly, and turned to look at Lin Xiuyuan, who was asking the question. "If it were the current me, I would instead feel that Unnie should have spoken out at that time. Things spoken out might have a chance to be solved; things not spoken out will never have a chance to be solved."

Lin Xiuyuan frowned slightly. "But what if speaking out makes everyone hate you?"

Facing Lin Xiuyuan's answer, Lin YoonA chuckled, her tone carrying teasing yet not lacking confidence. "It's as if YoonA and Taeyeon Unnie weren't isolated by others at the time. Xiuyuan~ we are popularity tops, after all."

Time gradually pushed toward dusk; the sun hadn't completely set, but Lin YoonA's dining table was already set neatly, and the aroma of the food slowly overflowed from the kitchen.

Plus, Kim Ruanruan had rehearsals to attend to in the evening, so the few of them, very rarely, enjoyed dinner while it was still bright.

And looking at the dishes on the table, Kim Ruanruan was truly shocked.

"What is this?"

"Boiled beef, it's very delicious."

"How about this? Chili stir-fried meat, it's also very fragrant."

"And this? Stuffed tofu, a dish I recently learned. Unnie, you try it."

Watching Lin YoonA introduce the dishes one by one, Kim Ruanruan's gaze toward her became increasingly emotional. "Daebak, YoonA-ah, are you evolving from a little boy into a housewife in these ten-plus years? With this cooking skill, what man could refuse?"

Hearing this sentence, Lin YoonA laughed softly, her eyes curved, and her hand movements carried a hint of pride and playfulness as she pointed at Lin Xiuyuan.

"Look, the person opposite you, Unnie, doesn't think much of me. I've been saying I'd go get a marriage certificate with him, but he's been stalling me."

Regarding Kim Ruanruan's praise, Lin YoonA's answer made the expressions of the few people at the table change.

Lin Xiuyuan gave a bitter laugh and looked at her sideways, his eyes revealing a hint of helplessness and a headache, then reached out and made a fist, saying with a smile, "Stop it, stop."

Kim Taeyeon was slightly shocked, a moment of doubt flashing through her mind, and her first reaction was: Good, you Lin Dajun, you can actually go this far just to grab food?

And the only one who didn't react was Kim Ruanruan.

She widened her eyes, her face full of surprise, her little mouth opening and closing silently a few times, and finally asked in disbelief.

"No way, really? Xiuyuan, you rejected YoonA?"

"Eat your food, didn't you hear YoonA was joking?"

Lin Xiuyuan sighed helplessly and directly picked up a piece of beef and put it into Kim Ruanruan's bowl, seemingly wanting to use this to block her mouth.

However, in the next second, he was glared at by Kim Ruanruan. "Hmph hmph hmph, speaking of joking, I heard quite a few things from Taeyeon just now. The 'tacit understanding' you used to fool me in 2013 was actually copying homework. I was wondering how it could be so compatible."

"Eat, eat."

Seeing his dark history being dug up, Lin Xiuyuan quickly ended the topic.

His embarrassment brought a burst of laughter to the dining table, and the atmosphere instantly became much more relaxed.

Everyone chatted happily while eating, the topic shifting from things around them to some news from the outside world.

Kim Ruanruan asked questions frequently, and everyone cooperated by answering her.

Occasionally, when some explosive news came, Kim Ruanruan's curiosity was gradually piqued, and she couldn't even eat her meal, asking the few people questions one after another.

Especially after hearing about the scumbag Kim Soo-hyun, she immediately cast her gaze toward Lin Xiuyuan opposite, feeling somewhat incredible. "So it was you, Xiuyuan, who took him down?"

"It wasn't me; it was the victims in his hands who pushed him in. I just released the evidence that had been hidden for over ten years ahead of time."

After Lin Xiuyuan finished speaking, Lin YoonA also asked curiously from the side, "By the way, what stage has it developed to now?"

"Dispatch released solid evidence, and the other party has no chance of turning things around," Kim Ruanruan replied.

This news caused a huge stir in the circle, and everyone was paying attention to this case. Girls' Generation was naturally no exception; in the gaps between rehearsals every day, gossip always revolved around this topic.

Afterward, the few discussed this topic for a while, and eventually, they chatted about Kim Sae-ron without realizing it.

However, the other party was still young and was an artist in the film industry, so everyone didn't have many opportunities to interact, so everyone could only silently wish her better development in her future career.

As the topic unfolded, time passed quietly; the sunset gradually disappeared on the horizon, night fell quietly, and the lights began to shine.

This dinner also gradually came to an end.

"Alright, stop chatting, Kim Ruanruan, we really have to go; we still have to drive back in a while."

Lin Xiuyuan, who had long put down his chopsticks, looked at Kim Ruanruan, who was still chatting happily opposite, and reminded her, "Didn't you say you still have rehearsals to busy yourself with in the evening?"

Kim Ruanruan looked at Kim Taeyeon and Lin YoonA with some reluctance and looked up to ask, "Xiuyuan, aren't you able to go directly to Seoul? That way, you wouldn't have to waste time driving back."

"I have to put on a show; the car is already driven to the seaside, you want to flash back?" Lin Xiuyuan's words carried a hint of teasing, but his eyes held a faint smile.

Kim Ruanruan had nothing to say, and ultimately could only nod, say goodbye to Kim Taeyeon and Lin YoonA, and then return to Kim Taeyeon's apartment to pick up the watch.

Only then did she follow Lin Xiuyuan and leave, returning to that villa located by the sea.

It was already night, so as soon as they entered the villa side, it was pitch black.

Scared, Kim Ruanruan immediately grabbed Lin Xiuyuan's arm. "Wow, turn on the lights, Xiuyuan~"

"I didn't even turn on the villa's power, what lights should I turn on?"

Lin Xiuyuan shook his head with a light laugh, took out his phone, turned on the flashlight, and illuminated the surroundings.

But the whistling of the sea breeze outside and the sound of the waves made the darkness feel even more oppressive, and the atmosphere of the entire villa was even more eerie.

So Kim Ruanruan grabbed Lin Xiuyuan even tighter, not wanting to be far from him for even a step.

Until Lin Xiuyuan closed the villa's back door, checked the situation of other rooms, and took her away from the villa and back to the car, Kim Ruanruan finally breathed a sigh of relief.

Beside her, Lin Xiuyuan, who was fastening his seatbelt, looked at her and laughed, "Are you that scared? There's still some light nearby, and there are streetlights too."

"Scared, I'm most afraid of those things," Kim Ruanruan nodded, her expression carrying a hint of real fear.

"Then when you saw Taeyeon before, what were your thoughts?" Lin Xiuyuan asked jokingly.

"Saw a ghost," Kim Ruanruan giggled, a flash of humor in her eyes.

Hearing this, Lin Xiuyuan laughed, started the car, and drove Kim Ruanruan back toward Seoul.

The scenery outside the window gradually became familiar, and with the rolling of the wheels, the direction of Seoul became closer and closer.

Night had gradually fallen, the neon lights on both sides of the street lit up one by one, and the scene outside the car window was like a flowing painting.

And Kim Ruanruan leaned against the seat, her hands gripping the armrest inside the car tightly, her gaze through the glass outside the window, staring into the distance, her eyes revealing a hint of deep thought and complex emotion.

"Xiuyuan, thank you," suddenly, she spoke softly.

Her voice held a hint of fatigue, yet carried sincere gratitude. "Really thank you for letting me see those things in the future. Although that side can no longer change everything, at least it gave me the time and opportunity to avoid those tragedies on this side, so they won't happen again."

Lin Xiuyuan smiled lightly, but there was not much fluctuation in his eyes. His lips raised slightly, and he answered faintly.

"You don't need to thank me; I'm just a gatekeeper. The role I play is just to bring you before these things. As for how to do it, what to change, it all ultimately depends on your own choices and efforts. If you want to get what you want, you have to put in a certain amount of effort."

Kim Ruanruan nodded, knowing well that Lin Xiuyuan's words made sense; the road ahead ultimately had to be walked by herself.

However, she also understood very well that if there were no Lin Xiuyuan, then many things in all of this would still head toward tragedy and couldn't get any change at all.

"But... if it weren't for you, none of this would have happened."

Thinking of this, Kim Ruanruan turned her head to look at Lin Xiuyuan, her eyes filled with complex emotions that were hard to describe. "So you yourself are the most important link in this process. No matter how you say it, you are changing our destiny."

Lin Xiuyuan didn't say anything more, just raised the corners of his mouth slightly, his gaze carrying a hint of a faint smile, as if feeling the change in Kim Ruanruan's emotions, yet he remained silent.

Suddenly, Kim Ruanruan laughed softly, as if recalling the awkward scene in Jeonju. "By the way, Xiuyuan, do you remember the situation in Jeonju? I thought the 'person' on your leg was Xiuyan at the time; I didn't expect it to be the future me..."

When she said this, a flash of shyness crossed her eyes—it was a smile carrying a hint of shame, as if recalling the awkwardness at that time, her lips slightly raised.

Thinking of that posture, that action at the time, although it wasn't the real her, the future her could be considered part of her.

Hearing this, Lin Xiuyuan's face changed slightly, and his lips suddenly curved—it seemed he couldn't help but reveal an imperceptible smile. "So the pervert you cursed at the time, do you feel a boomerang flying back at yourself now? After all, you cursed at the future you."

Kim Ruanruan's face flushed slightly, she lowered her head, and her hands began to fiddle with the corners of her clothes involuntarily, looking somewhat constrained. "Ah, I... I didn't know at the time."

Lin Xiuyuan's eyes flickered slightly, the smile on his lips still hadn't completely disappeared, but he didn't continue to delve into this topic, just said softly, "To be honest, the scene at the time was indeed a bit... awkward, but it was also an emergency avoidance."

He paused and changed the topic. "But no matter what, comparing the future you and the current you at the time was indeed quite interesting."

Then Kim Ruanruan also chatted about her feelings about this future trip, from the initial shock and incredulity to slowly accepting it later, and then becoming even more addicted to future information.

Speaking to the end, she paused, her smile carrying a hint of emotion. "That feeling was like being pulled by an invisible force, as if fate had already begun to affect me inadvertently; it was very strange."

"I guess it's the reaction given by the brain," Lin Xiuyuan laughed.

With the street scenes flying backward outside the car window, the two's conversation continued, their tone carrying ease and closeness.

Although they no longer had that cheating "tacit understanding," they were even closer.

Mainly because they had some more common bonding topics, so the relationship between the two didn't have any major gaps; instead, they became even closer.

Just then, the car entered the downtown area of Seoul, the traffic on the road gradually increased, and the scene before them became familiar.

Soon, the car passed the license plate verification and entered the internal parking lot of the SM company.

Before getting out of the car, Kim Ruanruan suddenly looked back at Lin Xiuyuan, a smile on her lips. "By the way, Xiuyuan~ when you have time, come to my house."

Lin Xiuyuan, who knew what Kim Ruanruan wanted to say, nodded. "Wait until you have time; aren't you always staying in the dormitory?"

"I'll be going back often in the future," Kim Ruanruan said softly, her tone carrying a hint of expectation. "There are too many things lately, and it's time to have my own space."

Then the two waved goodbye, and watching Kim Ruanruan's figure gradually disappear at the end of her sight, Lin Xiuyuan slowly started the car and drove back to the apartment along the familiar route.

Under the night, the light and shadow of the streetlights cast flowing light spots on the car window, and his face carried a faint smile, as if he were still savoring the farewell scene just now.

However, he didn't notice at all that when Kim Ruanruan, who had just gotten out of the car, walked into the company, the expression on her face gradually became serious and earnest, and a firmness that could not be ignored permeated her brows.

After she was the last one to walk into the rehearsal room, the members of Girls' Generation were finally all present.

Lin Xiaolu, who had already learned some situation from Zheng Xiuyan, also looked at this little leader meaningfully, her expression pleasant while also carrying a not-shallow smile.

However, because the environment wasn't very suitable at this time, neither of them went up to "recognize relatives" with Kim Taeyeon, preparing to chat properly later.

Rehearsal time unfolded accordingly.

The lights were on, and the rehearsal room's lights reflected everyone's serious training figures—from light dance steps to rigorous movement corrections, the music rhythm and their breathing intertwined.

Then, as time passed slowly, until eleven o'clock at night, the rehearsal for tonight finally came to an end.

After the dance teachers left one after another, Tiffany and Kim Xiaoyuan hurriedly packed their clothes, their movements quick and carrying a hint of anxiety, as if they couldn't wait to leave early.

And just as they were preparing to leave early, Kim Ruanruan spoke.

She first clapped her hands, focusing everyone's attention on herself, and said in a gentle yet authoritative voice that could not be ignored, "Let's all go back to the dormitory to stay tonight; let's sit down and have a small meeting in the evening to chat properly."

"Ah, Taeyeon, we already made an appointment with friends," Tiffany wailed immediately upon hearing this, her tone carrying a hint of complaint.

Kim Xiaoyuan also nodded beside her. "That's right, we already made an appointment in advance."

Then Choi Sooyoung also said beside her, "I have to go home tonight, Taeyeon."

"Unnie, me too," Xu Zhuxian added softly.

But even in such a situation, Kim Ruanruan took a deep breath, and after lowering her head and raising it again, her brows became serious and solemn.

"I know you are all very busy, and I also know that everyone will have their own individual activities in the future, and will go their separate ways after the contract ends. But as the leader of Girls' Generation, and you as members of Girls' Generation, I hope we can stand this last shift together."

She paused, her tone gentle yet carrying majesty. "No matter how high your achievements are in the future, this business card of Girls' Generation will still bring you quite a few opportunities. So I hope that before breaking through the benefits brought by the group, everyone can clearly recognize their current identity and responsibilities."

"Since I've opened my mouth to say we're having a meeting tonight, I also hope everyone can remember that I am the leader of Girls' Generation, and not the kind that is joking with everyone."

Saying this, Kim Ruanruan's tone carried firmness, and her gaze also swept toward every member one by one.

"Everyone has seen how the atmosphere in the group has been lately, and as the leader, I can't just let it go, so this meeting tonight must be held. If Tiffany and Xiaoyuan, you feel that your so-called date is more important than work, then the door is there; I won't stop you."

Then she added, "Sooyoung and Zhuxian, you guys going home should be to rest, right? What's wrong, can't you rest in the dormitory?"

As Kim Ruanruan finished saying this, the entire rehearsal room was silent, and everyone's breathing became light and slow, even though they had just finished very high-intensity training.

Just as the silence grew thicker, a clear laugh broke the tense atmosphere. "Alright, everyone pack your things and go back to the dormitory. What should we eat for a late-night snack tonight, Shun Gui?"

Sunny looked at the smiling Zheng Xiuyan who had spoken, a flash of light in her eyes, and quickly took the conversation. "Fried chicken, I still like eating fried chicken, let's have some beer too."

"Unnie, I want to eat stir-fried rice cake," Lin Xiaolu followed closely, her tone carrying a little coquetry.

"I want to eat fruit; let's go buy some back to the dormitory," Kwon Youli lowered her head to pick up her coat, adding calmly and naturally.

With the successive voices of a few people, the atmosphere in the rehearsal room began to slowly ease.

Tiffany and Kim Xiaoyuan didn't mention the drinking party again, and Choi Sooyoung and Xu Zhuxian no longer insisted on going home; everyone tacitly began to pack their things, preparing to return to the dormitory.

However, for this small meeting tonight, everyone raised their spirits to the twelfth degree.

After all, this was Kim Ruanruan, after many years, once again calling everyone to a meeting as the leader, fulfilling the leader's duty.

(End of chapter) ===== CHAPTER 225 =====