Chapter 225: The

The night in Cheongdam-dong was as quiet as a thin veil; the vehicles occasionally driving on the street had their light shadows stretched, flickering with a faint light on the wet road surface.

And outside the large window of the Girls' Generation dormitory living room, the warm yellow light of the streetlights penetrated, casting a soft halo on the wooden floor, reflecting the dark tide about to rise in the house.

With the Girls' Generation group returning from the company's rehearsal room, the original tranquility in the dormitory was suddenly broken.

Footsteps, the rustling sound of fabric rubbing when changing clothes, and whispers in twos and threes intertwined between the living room and the hallway.

Some pushed each other into the room laughing, some complained about how tired the rehearsal was while taking off their shoes.

Outside the bathroom door, the low humming of a hairdryer and the pattering sound of shower water came from time to time, and the air was filled with mixed fragrances.

The smell of refreshing shower gel, sweet fruity shampoo, and that warm atmosphere peculiar to a girls' dormitory.

Before long, everyone had finished washing up one after another, then changed into loose pajamas and loungewear, each with a slightly tired yet focused expression, sitting around the living room on the sofa and carpet.

Fruit, fried chicken, and beer were placed on the table, but no one was in a hurry to move, and everyone's gaze looked at Kim Ruanruan in the center of the sofa involuntarily.

She was sitting there, her waist and back straight, her hands clasped on her knees, her expression no longer the gentleness from the rehearsal earlier, but a solemnity carrying a hint of gravity and restraint.

"Let's talk about the first topic, which is the atmosphere in the group lately."

Kim Ruanruan's voice was steady, but it carried pressure when it fell on everyone's ears.

Her gaze swept slowly in a circle and stopped on Zheng Xiuyan and Kim Xiaoyuan. "Especially the situation between the two of you, especially Xiuyan, your temper has obviously become much more irritable lately."

After a slight pause, as if leaving the final leeway for everyone, the tone then slowly deepened, and she said softly.

"Everyone had better speak their mind tonight, don't hide anything anymore. If you continue to make trouble after tonight, then next time I won't be a peacemaker, but will call names directly. Having done Girls' Generation for so many years, the last thing I want to see is someone falling behind in the final stage, and even less do I want to be treated as a 'negative example' by junior groups."

The air solidified instantly, as if an invisible rope had strangled everyone's throat.

After a few seconds of silence, Kim Xiaoyuan spoke first, her brows furrowed, her tone carrying grievance and confusion. "Taeyeon, don't ask me; I really don't know why Jessica has been targeting me lately."

Zheng Xiuyan, hearing this, raised her tail of her eyes, a cold laugh carrying sharp edges. "Then that's a case of a noble person forgetting things, huh? Forgot about forcing Sulli to attend the party before?"

Her tone was like a blade cutting through the air, crisp and neat yet carrying a chill. "But if you really want to deny it now, I can also help you recall it. So, do you want to confront me face to face, or say you're looking for some other excuses?"

Kim Xiaoyuan opened her mouth, instinctively wanting to defend herself, but was stopped by Kim Ruanruan raising her hand.

She summarized calmly, "Xiuyan, don't just get angry at every turn, what's going on?"

Although she said so, the Kim Ruanruan who had been calm in tone just before, however, had her next sentence turn cold, her gaze falling straight on Kim Xiaoyuan. "Xiaoyuan, you also attend fewer parties, and make fewer random calls to others."

Kim Xiaoyuan, who was named and criticized, had her face stiffen, and her breathing paused for a moment.

But this person, collectively called a "fool" by teammates and fans, quickly brought out another bomb.

"Since we are solving the problems of Girls' Generation tonight, then I'll just say it clearly: aren't Jessica's design products the biggest problem? Every time we have group activities, there is always screen time snatched away by her clothing and designs."

The gaze she used to stare at Zheng Xiuyan when she spoke carried hostility, and the corner of her mouth also hung a hint of provocation. "Then can I learn from Sooyoung and launch my own trendy brand?"

As soon as the words fell, Choi Sooyoung's face changed instantly; the blanket she was flipping through stiffened, her gaze flickered, but she couldn't find a powerful rebuttal for a moment.

Because... this thing was true, and the planning was already in progress.

She took a deep breath, trying to keep her voice steady. "The one I'm launching next is a charity brand; the money earned will all be used for charity, it's not a trendy brand, Xiaoyuan, don't talk nonsense."

However, Zheng Xiuyan wasn't the type to let her off easily.

She narrowed her eyes slowly, her tone unhurried yet hiding sharpness. "Charity? Is it your personal charity, or Girls' Generation's charity?"

She looked around the circle. "If it's personal, does it count as profit? If it's the group, why haven't I received any notification until now?"

Zheng Xiuyan straightened her back, her elbows resting on the sofa armrest, the whole person shrouded in a cold yet confident aura.

"All my designs so far haven't been sold, and even less have they borrowed the name of Girls' Generation to give to others to do GG. It's completely for self-entertainment, and has nothing to do with anyone, nor is it linked to the group's name."

The corners of her lips lifted gently when she said this, the arc elegant yet carrying a coldness, without a hint of a smile seeping through.

"If you guys have the ability, you can also do it like me."

The voice that said this was like a blade grinding finely over glass, calm yet carrying pressure. "Anyway, I won't say anything, as long as you have the ability. I just hope you don't cause any plagiarism scandals; it wouldn't be good to drag Girls' Generation into it together."

The tone turned suddenly, and Zheng Xiuyan once again nailed her gaze on Choi Sooyoung; those eyes were like ice suddenly solidified under the light, sharp and keen.

"So, if you, Choi Sooyoung, dare to sell even a penny's worth of goods using this so-called charity brand, I will immediately protest to the company."

When she said these words, she spoke slowly and clearly, as if nailing every condition word by word. "Still the same as I said before, everyone either entertains themselves, or hangs the title of Girls' Generation upright."

After saying this, she exhaled slowly, as if drawing a period for these words, but that sharpness hadn't completely retracted.

"But if you want to play the edge, and the company also plays deaf and dumb, then I won't eat any dumb losses. The internet is so developed now, who knows if there will be any news broken by Dispatch?"

She raised the tail of her eyes slightly, her lips hooking a hint of irony. "Just like Kim Soo-hyun, right? Anyway, I'll say the ugly words first; everyone weigh it in your heart."

The living room instantly fell into dead silence, and even the air seemed to have been pressed on the pause button, with only the second hand of the wall clock ticking crisply.

Choi Sooyoung pursed her lips, her gaze dodging slightly, as if weighing whether to take this fire.

Her clenched fingers were unconsciously pinching the corner of the blanket, and her knuckles began to turn white due to force.

Tiffany glanced at her and coughed lightly, as if delivering a silent reminder.

Hinting for the other party to hold back, not to push the situation toward a more uncontrollable direction.

Kwon Youli sat to the side, arms crossed, her brows furrowed very shallowly, yet carrying a hint of struggle.

The expression between her brows seemed to be weighing, but ultimately chose silence, not adding fire.

And Xu Zhuxian had been lowering her head, her hands clasped on her legs, her expression seemingly calm, but her eyes were scanning every person's expression in detail, as if silently recording every detail of the scene.

Only Sunny and Lin Xiaolu sat together quietly, their backs somewhat relaxed, as if watching a storm unrelated to themselves, yet they had no intention of interrupting.

Kim Ruanruan took a light breath, her spine still straight, her gaze moving between Zheng Xiuyan and Choi Sooyoung, as if waiting for the two to cool down slightly.

Only, she didn't speak immediately, but let the silence linger for a few more seconds, until the tension in the air almost made people unable to breathe, only then did she speak to break this rigidity.

"I know everyone has things they want to do, and also has their own plans and dreams; that's no problem."

Her voice was pressed very low, yet carried an unquestionable power. "But you have to understand a premise: we are still Girls' Generation."

She turned to Choi Sooyoung, her tone carrying a hint of calm relaxation. "Sooyoung, you want to do a charity brand, I have no opinion, and will even try my best to support you."

"But just like what Xiuyan said just now, since she has already set an example, I hope everyone follows this pattern and puts profit above the bottom line without crossing it. As for 'charity' or whatever, Sooyoung, don't emphasize it too much; we are all people in the circle, how could we not hear the meaning behind it?"

Then, she looked at Zheng Xiuyan, her gaze straightforward. "Xiuyan, you have talent and the ability to do design, but your attitude sometimes makes things stiffer..."

"Don't worry."

Zheng Xiuyan snorted coldly, but her gaze didn't avoid. "I can be very quiet and shut up from now on."

She said, turning her head slightly to look at Tiffany to the side.

Tiffany, who thought the other party wanted her help, immediately laughed and smoothed things over. "We've been together for so many years, there's no need to let this kind of thing become mutual attacks, right? Anyway, it's all for the good of the group."

However, in the next second, after hearing Zheng Xiuyan's answer, her smile seemed to freeze instantly, and her whole face stiffened in place.

"No, I mean, I'll probably be very busy next."

Zheng Xiuyan's tone was relaxed, yet carried a hint of hard-to-conceal determination, her eyes sweeping faintly over everyone present.

Then she explained nonchalantly, "The variety shows and endorsements I dropped before have all found me recently. Originally, I wanted to continue focusing on the path of design. Since someone feels it's so bad, then I'll find something else to do."

She stopped her voice when she said this, as if thinking about whether she should continue.

And these words of Zheng Xiuyan, which sounded like they were said casually, pierced deeply into Tiffany's heart with every word.

"And the magazines and interviews in the Lighthouse Country, I'll probably be very busy besides the tour, so you don't have to worry about seeing too much of me."

Subsequently, as Zheng Xiuyan said these words, Tiffany's expression was already full of astonishment, staring tightly at the other party.

Because these resources had been handled by her since last year, and they had cooperated very well in the first half of this year, it was just that after a full year recently, it seemed like some problems had appeared, and she hadn't even had a chance to ask the company.

Now the answer jumped out by itself; it turned out Zheng Xiuyan had taken them back.

Or rather, these resources originally belonged to Zheng Xiuyan; it was just that the other party didn't walk the path of an actor last year, so she started participating in cocktail parties everywhere to find a way out.

Just at this time, Tiffany saw an opportunity and negotiated these resources from the company's hands.

She didn't expect that after only eating for a year and not even being full, Zheng Xiuyan just reached out simply and took these resources back all at once.

What made Tiffany feel even more uneasy was that in Girls' Generation, she and Zheng Xiuyan were both "overseas members." Although there were some conflicts in image, the settings were basically the same.

And her popularity and status were not as good as the other party's, so basically, she could only eat the resources the other party picked over.

It wasn't until the formation of the sub-unit TaeTiSeo last year that Tiffany gained some attention and fans from the adjective of crescent eyes and smiling eyes.

And this sub-unit spot was said to be Zheng Xiuyan's at the beginning; after all, the Tae-Xi combination had run through from debut until now.

It was just that Zheng Xiuyan chose the path of an actor last year, so it was the turn of her and Xu Zhuxian.

In fact, if you really want to talk about strength and background, Sunny should have been one of them.

It was just that this third-ranked person didn't fight or grab on weekdays.

But as Zheng Xiuyan stood out again, and the other party's popularity didn't appear to have any bad effects because of last year's problems, and even rose instead of falling, so Tiffany, who was originally a substitute, was left with only the sub-unit in the blink of an eye.

Thinking of this, Tiffany felt a bit bitter in her heart and opened her mouth. "These resource divisions weren't they negotiated last year?"

"Mm, so I didn't say anything for a year."

Zheng Xiuyan's tone was calm, even carrying a hint of indifference. "I've been quiet for a year, and even now, a year later, it wasn't me who took the initiative to find the brand owners, but they found me. You can ask the company about this."

Her words were clear and straightforward, like a sharp blade cutting through the silence in the air.

It also made Tiffany hear the other party's idea of not intending to cover up anything at all, so she seemed to want to refute, but found she had no way to start.

"I..."

Zheng Xiuyan's words were very clear and also very hitting.

What's the use of asking the company? Since the brand owner specified the person, if she went up to promote herself again, wouldn't she be snatching resources?

If this really developed to the point of snatching resources, Tiffany didn't dare to believe that Zheng Xiuyan would really use internal company relations to kill her, and what kind of resources she could still get.

Fortunately, there was still the sub-unit.

At this time, the atmosphere had become heavy, and Kim Ruanruan spoke again, her voice gentle and determined.

"Alright, this small meeting tonight is for the group, not to make anyone unable to step down; it's for us to be able to walk through the days ahead more smoothly."

She looked at Tiffany, her tone rising slightly: "So Tiffany, if you and Xiuyan have any objections, talk directly to Oppa."

Tiffany closed her mouth silently; she had too many words she wanted to say, and even wanted to push Zheng Xiuyan.

But right now, Zheng Xiuyan's sharpness made her not dare to act rashly.

Mainly because the other party didn't have any obvious handles that could fall into her hands, the only "weakness" was nothing more than the unclear relationship she had with a boy.

And this, obviously, wasn't worth making an issue of, and couldn't be counted as any handle at all.

After all, hadn't she herself been like that with Nichkhun? Kim Xiaoyuan and Choi Sooyoung were also dating directly.

This kind of thing, who could say clearly.

Seeing Tiffany silent, Kim Ruanruan's gaze swept slowly over everyone, her tone rising a bit.

"I'll emphasize one more time: as long as the group hasn't officially disbanded and the contract is still there, the name and image of Girls' Generation belong to everyone together. Whoever wants to do personal things can, but must ensure it doesn't affect the group's reputation and work."

Every word of hers seemed to be beating on the bottom of her heart, carrying a sense of responsibility and a strength that could not be refuted.

Everyone's eyes were locked on her, and there was a moment of stagnation in the air.

"I don't want to hear backbiting anymore, don't want to see cold violence, and even less do I want the outside world to know about our differences first."

She paused and revealed a very shallow smile. "If I find this kind of thing again next time, I won't hold a meeting here, but will call names directly in the company's conference room; I really don't want to become that kind of leader."

At that moment, her smile wasn't warm.

Just then, Zheng Xiuyan spoke faintly. "Since you've all said it, then I'll also make a suggestion."

Zheng Xiuyan's aura tonight was astonishingly strong, not relying on aggressive tones, but using a kind of open and honest direct attack, forcing everyone to have nowhere to retreat.

Now hearing that she wanted to speak, everyone's attention was immediately drawn over, as if pulled by a kind of power that could not be ignored, and even Kim Ruanruan turned her head slowly, watching her quietly.

"I know that what I'm about to say might make some people uncomfortable,"

Zheng Xiuyan's voice was soft yet sharp, every word falling precisely where it should. "But as one of the members of Girls' Generation, I feel there are some things that need to be said face to face."

Saying this, she turned to Sunny and smiled slightly at her. That smile carried an unclear sense of closeness, but it made Sunny's heart tighten, and she straightened her back reflexively.

"Actually, it's very simple: that is, in the monthly meetings afterward, I will suggest to Oppa that Shun Gui's resources be arranged for everyone to be distributed fairly."

This sentence, spoken in a steady tone, was like throwing a stone into a calm lake.

"I feel Shun Gui doesn't have any identity or background to speak of. If you really want to talk about background, it's not like no one has a better background than Shun Gui, but she hasn't taken any resources at all. Instead, it's Shun Gui, whose resources have been sparse for so many years, which inevitably makes people feel that our Girls' Generation is being partial."

Zheng Xiuyan, who said this, had a tone that became somewhat emotional.

"And from debut until now, Shun Gui has also been wronged for too long. Before, when Taeyeon didn't hold meetings to talk about these, I would have let it go, but since we are holding meetings now, and everyone is willing to speak, then I should be able to say a fair word, right?"

Saying this, Zheng Xiuyan's gaze wandered slowly among several members, as if quietly waiting for someone to refute.

But ultimately, it was Kim Ruanruan who opened her mouth. "Xiuyan, you are being a bit unreasonable; these things were already arranged by the company before, it's not that we wanted to wrong Shun Gui."

Zheng Xiuyan looked at Kim Ruanruan without avoiding, her tone unhurried. "I didn't say anything before; what I said is from now on."

Kim Ruanruan took a deep breath, the sharpness in her eyes not weakening because of Zheng Xiuyan's counterattack, but becoming even sharper.

At the same time, Sunny had been shocked speechless since Zheng Xiuyan started speaking; her eyes were full of confusion and helplessness, never expecting to suddenly fall into such a complex situation.

So seeing Zheng Xiuyan and Kim Ruanruan confronting each other, she hurriedly spoke up, wanting to break this stalemate. "That, you guys don't need to argue, I don't intend to want any resources, I'm quite lazy, it's very good like this now."

Her voice was a bit trembling; although she was trying to show a relaxed appearance, her eyes were full of helplessness and anxiety.

She really didn't need it; she just wanted to play games and rot.

However, the person who wanted to pull her into the water knew her thoughts best, yet responded without hesitation.

"Shun Gui, you can be lazy, but the work that should be done must be done. Although individual activities are not counted in the split, the total income has tiers. With this extra income of yours, the bonuses we get are also more."

Zheng Xiuyan, who had long thought of an excuse, said it out loud in a set, airtight.

Sunny opened her mouth wide, stunned, and even wanted to scold someone.

Because even if she didn't do this resource, wasn't there someone else to do it? How did such a big pot get thrown onto her?

And others who wanted to speak were pressed by the person beside them in the next second.

It would be really stupid to speak at this time; it would completely offend quite a few people.

Mainly, Zheng Xiuyan's suggestion and proposal were very reasonable, without any selfishness, purely speaking up for Sunny.

So if someone spoke up to deny it a few times, the picture of how beautiful it would be was completely unimaginable.

Because in this situation, the only ones who could speak were three.

One was the leader, one was the one making the suggestion, and the other was the person involved herself.

So Kim Ruanruan swept a circle lightly and finally stopped her gaze on Zheng Xiuyan, her tone not carrying any emotion.

"Then according to what you mean, Xiuyan, you are willing to give out a share of Shun Gui's resources from your side?"

"From my side?"

Zheng Xiuyan raised her eyebrows, her tone even more determined. "Taeyeon, you misunderstood; what I mean is that the resources allocated to us by the company should be distributed fairly. I only target the resources allocated by the company, not the resources that name individuals."

Kim Ruanruan's brows furrowed slightly, scanning a circle, seeing some members clearly lowering their heads and avoiding her gaze.

Finally, she looked at Zheng Xiuyan and asked unhurriedly, "That means it needs to be yielded from everyone's share; have you thought about everyone in this regard?"

"Shun Gui has suffered enough losses all these years."

Zheng Xiuyan didn't respond immediately, but first looked at her deeply, her gaze sharp as if it could see through people's hearts.

"Avoiding suspicion for so many years, is that enough? You yourself have also said that we are Girls' Generation; why is it that there are always people eating other people's 'human blood steamed buns,' and then turning around to be sarcastic in the group?"

Her voice wasn't high, but it was like a heavy hammer hitting everyone's eardrums.

Finally, Zheng Xiuyan leaned forward slightly, her hands gently folded on the desktop, her eyes sweeping coldly in a circle, her tone even more determined. "So it's time to give her justice."

"Then you can't just say we don't want to like this; this kind of thing always needs to be discussed."

Kim Ruanruan's tone was still steady, but there was a hint of depth in her eyes.

"So this is my suggestion." Zheng Xiuyan nodded.

"So I am making a suggestion now."

Zheng Xiuyan's corners of her mouth raised a bit, her words crisp.

"Then what do you guys say?"

Kim Ruanruan turned her head, her gaze falling on the faces of others one by one.

Kwon Youli nodded first. "I agree with what Sica said."

Xu Zhuxian also echoed softly. "Me too."

Kim Ruanruan looked at Tiffany and Kim Xiaoyuan. "What about you guys?"

Tiffany pursed her lips, hesitated for a moment, and still nodded. "Okay."

Kim Xiaoyuan shrugged. "Fine, I have no problem."

Choi Sooyoung added in a low voice. "Can."

Lin Xiaolu raised her hand, made an OK gesture, carrying a hint of relaxed smile.

The remaining Sunny, looking at this scene, felt a sour heat surge in her heart.

She looked up at Zheng Xiuyan; the moving feeling in the bottom of her eyes was real, but at the same time, a kind of indescribable strange feeling lingered; this situation always felt like something was wrong somewhere.

And after these few big topics ended, the atmosphere finally eased, and the tense air seemed to have finally loosened the rope.

The remaining small situations were nothing more than the focus of rehearsal, time concepts, plus expressions in front of the camera, and friendship management, etc.

These, instead, didn't count as any problems in the topics before.

The fragrance of fried chicken on the table drifted out again, and Sunny was the first to reach out and take a piece. "Since the meeting is over, why don't we have a late-night snack? It's almost cold."

"Heat it up?" Kwon Youli suggested casually.

So a few people followed one after another, moving their hands, moving their chopsticks, the "patta" sound of beer cans rang out, and the relaxed conversation slowly returned to the living room.

As the smell of fried chicken and beer in the living room gradually covered the gunpowder smell of the meeting, the members invested in food and chatting one after another.

Kim Ruanruan put down the beer can, her gaze swept around the crowd, and then touched Zheng Xiuyan's wrist lightly, tilting her head slightly toward the floor-to-ceiling window.

The two stood up almost tacitly, bypassed the sofa area, and came to the position by the window.

Outside the window was the night in Cheongdam-dong, the neon lights reflecting the shadows of the two standing side by side on the glass.

Kim Ruanruan leaned against the window frame, arms crossed, her expression still calm.

And Zheng Xiuyan leaned forward slightly, leaning against one side of the window sill, her lips carrying a hint of unclear smile.

"That scene just now, you really acted well." She spoke in a low voice, her voice carrying a hint of teasing.

Kim Ruanruan gave a light "hum," the smile not deep. "If I didn't do that, how would they have laid everything in their hearts out?"

Zheng Xiuyan raised her eyebrows, a flash of understanding in the bottom of her eyes. "So I deliberately stabbed two more sentences, otherwise Kim Xiaoyuan wouldn't have shown her bottom so quickly, and Choi Sooyoung's matter had to be brought out early, otherwise it wouldn't be good if it became a powder keg under my butt one day."

"Mm." Kim Ruanruan nodded, her expression solemn. "So I followed up and pressed the tone down, letting them restrain themselves. As for Sunny's matter..."

She paused, the corners of her mouth hooking imperceptibly. "How about it? I cooperated quite well, right? You pushed, and I pressed along the trend. She hesitated, and others didn't find it easy to say no, and as a result, it was obtained so easily."

Zheng Xiuyan smiled gently, her gaze looking toward the sofa area through the glass. "It was quite tacit, but I feel someone should have seen something, but it doesn't matter; anyway, the teacher is famous, and every word I said can stand the scrutiny."

"Yeah, actually, the only thing this small meeting can do is delay a little bit of time."

"So actually, it doesn't matter if we are confronting each other."

"Mm, whether it is or isn't, let them think slowly." Kim Ruanruan's voice was very calm. "Some words, if you can't say them face to face, you can only use this method."

After a short silence, Zheng Xiuyan suddenly changed the topic, her tone carrying a hint of exploration. "By the way, what does it feel like to see the future for the first time?"

Kim Ruanruan's eyes stirred slightly, as if touched by some sensitive point.

She didn't answer immediately, but turned her head, her gaze sweeping over that group of familiar faces in the sofa area.

Sunny was chatting with everyone with a smile, her voice as crisp as a bell;

Tiffany was looking down at her phone, frowning from time to time, seemingly dealing with some things;

And Xu Zhuxian was still focused on eating rice cakes in small bites, her expression quiet and gentle.

Kim Ruanruan looked at all this, seemingly a bit dazed, and only after a moment did she speak slowly, her voice gentle yet carrying a kind of unshakable certainty. "Compared to life and death, these... really don't count as anything."

Zheng Xiuyan stared at her, didn't ask more, just silently withdrew her gaze.

The night outside the window was still deep, as if swallowing this short conversation, together with the secrets of the two, all at once.

After a long time, the living room returned to tranquility.

The originally lively atmosphere seemed to have dissipated unknowingly, and many people had already washed up and returned to their rooms, preparing to rest.

Only Kim Ruanruan was still sitting on the sofa, dazed, looking at the TV in front, thinking not about the content of the meeting just now, but about the news she learned from Kim Taeyeon.

At this time, Lin Xiaolu walked out of the room, looked at her, and then sat beside her.

Because of the environment, she didn't find it easy to say much, so she just said simply, "Unnie, don't think too much, just look forward. Since you know about that door, everything will become better. If you don't believe it, look at me now, look at Xiuyan Unnie, look at Xueqiu~"

Kim Ruanruan listened, the corners of her mouth hooking a faint smile. "You guys really hid it so deep."

Lin Xiaolu shrugged helplessly, complaining. "This has nothing to do with me; it's the membership system over there."

Then she hurriedly opened her arms and hugged Kim Ruanruan tightly. "Alright, Unnie, rest early; tonight was also very tiring."

"Mm."

Kim Ruanruan nodded gently, stood up, and returned to her room.

In the room, Sunny hadn't fallen asleep yet.

Seeing Kim Ruanruan return to the room, Sunny spoke first, and the first sentence was, "Taeyeon, you and Xiuyan went crazy tonight; lifting everyone's skirts like this is very easy to cause an explosion."

"Where does this count as lifting skirts? It's nothing more than releasing some of the pressure in the pressure cooker, lest one day, it really explodes like you said, then it would be really troublesome. And by then, it won't just be our group's problem; the company's problems will probably be even more."

"You know?" Sunny was shocked and probed carefully.

As an insider, she actually knew quite a lot, even more than Kim Ruanruan knew before today.

And Kim Ruanruan also knew this point, but had never cared much, and after today, she had no thoughts at all.

So she laughed. "Know what? I don't know anything, sleep."

Then she lay on the bed, covered herself with the quilt, closed her eyes, and left Sunny with an unfathomable back.

The room quieted down, leaving only the wind outside the window blowing gently, bringing a hint of coldness.

The next day,

That is, the day after Wimbledon.

The sunlight in London passed through the gaps in the thick curtains and spilled into the guest room quietly. The light was warm, shining on the sheets and scattered clothes, reflecting a lazy atmosphere.

Lin Xiuyuan woke up in a daze, seeing Krystal lying beside him still confused and immersed in a dream, her head leaning on the pillow, frowning slightly, seemingly not fully awake yet.

Then he rubbed his eyes, turned over to pick up the phone on the bedside table, and couldn't help but exclaim in a low voice when he saw the time. "Damn, it's 1 o'clock."

Krystal beside him seemed to be disturbed by his sudden voice, frowned slightly, half-opened her eyes, reached out to circle his waist, and asked lazily, "What's wrong?"

"We slept a bit long; it's one in the afternoon," Lin Xiuyuan answered with a smile, reaching out to tidy the hair scattered on her cheek.

Krystal gave a slow "Mm," her arms still not letting go. "Are you hungry?"

"A little." Lin Xiuyuan leaned down and dropped a kiss on her forehead. "Get up, wash up, and go out to find something to eat. Jessica should have woken up long ago."

Krystal gave a light hum, still unwilling to let go, hugging him even tighter, muttering in her mouth, "You kind of person really isn't suitable for a lazy life."

Despite this, she was pulled up by Lin Xiuyuan, barely putting on a sweatshirt, scolding while laughing, and couldn't help but laugh out loud. "Seriously, Xiuyuan~ don't you feel this life is too busy?"

When they packed up and walked out of the guest room, Jessica, who had received the news earlier, was already waiting at the door, wearing sunglasses, holding a bag, looking refreshed.

Jessica raised her eyebrows, looking at the two with a just-woken-up look, her lips pressed tightly.

Young little milk dogs are amazing, showing off every day.

The air on the streets of London was cool, and the few chatted casually while walking about the arrangements for the return trip.

Krystal stepped on the stone bricks of the sidewalk and said: "I still have to be busy with activities here; I probably have to fly to LA for two days."

Jessica pushed her sunglasses, a hint of fatigue in her eyes. "Then I'll fly directly back to Seoul; there are still some things not packed up there. I'll go back for two days, and I also have to go to Huaxia."

Krystal turned to look at Lin Xiuyuan, a smile on her lips. "Then take Xiuyuan back with you, lest he be lonely by himself."

Lin Xiuyuan just smiled, didn't clearly agree, and didn't refuse.

Jessica frowned slightly. "Zheng Xiujing, why does your tone make it sound like I'm a foil?"

"That's just how it is, Jessica," Krystal laughed.

So the three, who were always decisive, quickly decided on the itinerary after a simple lunch, packed their things, and left.

At the door of the guest room, Krystal hugged Lin Xiuyuan, first saying a few words that only the two could hear, and then took the initiative to stand on tiptoe and drop a passionate kiss on his lips.

"Find you in Seoul when I'm busy."

"Got it."

"Find you when busy! #@ Enough, should go, it's not like we won't see each other again."

Such a sticky and romantic scene, only Jessica was depressed.

A few hours later, Lin Xiuyuan and Jessica boarded the flight to Seoul.

Then it was a flight of ten-plus hours, which directly made people physically and mentally exhausted.

When the two felt the cold wind of Seoul Incheon Airport hitting their faces, it was already late at night the next day.

"I'll call a ride-hailing car," Jessica dragged her luggage, preparing to take out her phone.

However, Lin Xiuyuan directly reached out to stop her action. "No need, go this way, I asked someone to pick us up."

So when he led Jessica out of the terminal, he met that familiar SUV head-on.

And that Lee Juli, who had promised not to stay up late, was leaning against the car door at this time, her gaze locked on the exit early.

Upon seeing Lin Xiuyuan, she immediately revealed a brilliant smile and greeted him. "Good evening, Xiuyuan~"

"Good evening, sorry to keep you waiting so long, Juli."

Lin Xiuyuan smiled and hugged the other party lightly, then looked back at Jessica. "What are you dazing for? Let's go, or do you want to take a taxi yourself?"

"Don't talk nonsense, Xiuyuan~"

Lee Juli smiled slightly, then walked up and greeted Jessica.

After chatting for a few sentences, Lee Juli took Jessica's luggage and handed it to Lin Xiuyuan.

And Lin Xiuyuan took Jessica's luggage, put it in the trunk casually, and the relaxed atmosphere finally made this exhausting journey become slightly easier.

(End of chapter)

However, Lin Xiuyuan reached out and directly stopped her movement, "No need, go this way, I've found someone to pick us up."

And so, when he led Jessica out of the terminal, she saw that familiar SUV head-on.

And Li Juli, who had promised not to stay up late, was leaning against the car door at this moment, her gaze having locked onto the exit long ago.

Upon seeing Lin Xiuyuan, she immediately revealed a brilliant smile and walked up to greet him, "Good evening, Xiuyuan~"

"Good evening, sorry for the trouble of you waiting so long, Juli."

Lin Xiuyuan smiled as he stepped forward to gently hug her, then turned his head to look at Jessica, "What are you spacing out for? Let's go, or do you want to hail a taxi yourself?"

"Don't talk nonsense, Xiuyuan~"

Li Juli smiled slightly, then walked forward to greet Jessica.

After chatting briefly, Li Juli took Jessica's luggage and handed it to Lin Xiuyuan.

Lin Xiuyuan took Jessica's luggage and casually placed it into the trunk; the relaxed atmosphere finally made this exhausting journey feel a little lighter.

(End of chapter)