Chapter 228: 【You Have Me Behind You】and【The Great Dragon Cub Visits】

Inside the Apartment in 2013.

Lin Xiuyuan listened to the question coming from beside his ear and froze for a moment; his gaze first unconsciously swept over that hint of tender white faintly visible at her chest, before he slightly raised an eyebrow and a smile curled at the corners of his lips.

He then let out a soft chuckle, a flash of meaningful amusement in his eyes, "Oh, Xiuyan, how did you know?"

After saying this, Lin Xiuyuan's tone was relaxed and carried a hint of playfulness.

But the result was not that Zheng Xiuyan was startled; instead, it was the two Kim Taeyeons whispering on the other side who were shocked into freezing in unison, as if someone had pressed a pause button, immediately shutting their mouths and casting their gazes simultaneously toward Lin Xiuyuan and Zheng Xiuyan.

In those eyes, there was both a touch of disbelief and a touch of inquiry.

After all, Jessica's situation reeked of a certain "something wrong."

Zheng Xiuyan noticed those two burning gazes and couldn't help but laugh out loud.

She was seen lifting a hand to tuck back a strand of hair at her temple, her posture languid and carrying a hint of allure, "You guys don't actually believe this guy's nonsense, do you? I'm just messing around with him."

Lin Xiuyuan laughed along, though his gaze remained fixed on her face, "What messing around? I took it seriously."

"Then go ahead and call her; go over right now and drag her over to me." Zheng Xiuyan raised an eyebrow, her eyes cunning and her tone half-true, half-false, as if waiting for him to make a fool of himself.

"Tsk tsk, I've been handled by you."

After locking eyes with her for a moment, Lin Xiuyuan spread his hands and replied with a half-smile.

As his words fell, Zheng Xiuyan suddenly remembered the scene of their first meeting.

The strangeness and freshness of that time, mixed with the familiarity and tacit understanding of the present, made her unable to help but curl her lips, her smile soft.

Following that, she gave him a very coquettish roll of her eyes, her gaze shifting as if casting a hint, whether intentional or not.

She then stood up, casually took the arm of Lin Xiaolu, who had just brought over a few bottles of water, and walked toward the Kitchen while laughing and talking, preparing to go comfort the two "chefs" who had been working hard to organize dinner tonight.

Seeing this, Lin Xiuyuan also lowered his head to check the time, slowly stood up, and said something to Jin Ruanruan and the other.

"Alright, the time is about right; I'm going over to bring YoonA here."

As his voice fell, he walked toward the Time Gate, his movements crisp and decisive as he pulled open The Gate.

The next second, he stepped into the other Apartment.

Just as he entered, a crisp laugh rang in his ears, "Ya! You scared me to death, Xiuyuan~"

Lin Xiuyuan looked up and saw that it was indeed Lin Yun'er standing at the entrance of the guest bedroom.

At this moment, she was holding a bag of things in both hands, her body leaning slightly forward, her expression one of surprise mixed with amusement, her bright eyes rippling gently like water as she glared at him with dissatisfaction and curiosity.

"What's wrong? Just passing by?"

Lin Xiuyuan blinked, his tone half-teasing and half-curious.

Then, after noticing her outfit, his pupils tightened unconsciously for an instant, before he turned his head back to look at the Apartment behind him without changing his expression, "Do you want to come over now?"

"Wait a moment first."

Lin Yun'er smiled and shook the bag in her hand, her tone light, "I just bought some cake and some food; help me carry some of it."

"Alrighty."

Lin Xiuyuan responded lightly, closed the door, and followed her toward the Living Room.

When his gaze fell on the dining table, he saw several exquisitely packaged small bags neatly placed there, clearly just taken from a dessert shop.

Seeing this, Lin Xiuyuan couldn't help but raise an eyebrow, "Went out for afternoon tea earlier?"

"Yeah, I had an afternoon tea appointment with Yizhen and the others; we chatted for a while before coming back."

Lin Yun'er said as she reached out to take those bags.

But the moment she moved, a force from behind wrapped around her waist.

That warm, large hand gripped her waist, and the next moment, hot breath wound its way down her neck, slipping into the slightly open collar of her shirt, triggering a tremor that was impossible to ignore.

This sudden attack made Lin Yun'er freeze for a moment, her heart jumping violently, her expression stunned.

When she came to her senses, she turned her head to the side, looking at the man buried in her shoulder.

Then, with a smile at the corners of her eyes and a curve to her lips, she said softly, "What are you doing? It's rare to see you being so proactive in clinging to me."

"This outfit of yours is killing me."

Lin Xiuyuan didn't beat around the bush anymore and spat out the most straightforward thought in his heart.

In fact, from the moment he opened the door and saw Lin Yun'er, the amazement in his eyes had already spilled out, and his heartbeat had stopped for an instant.

Mainly, the white shirt paired with sky-blue jeans that she was wearing was, for a woman of any age, almost a "perfect match."

And the effect of wearing it is different at different ages.

For example, when an eighteen-year-old girl wears it, it is fresh, beautiful, and literary.

But when a girl in her twenties wears it, it is simple, clean, high-end, and full of vitality.

Finally, when a thirty-year-old woman wears it, it is an unstoppable mix of mature charm and pure desire, intellectual yet feminine.

It has no age limit and no body-type threshold. It looks good on an ordinary girl, and when someone with superior conditions like Lin Yun'er wears it, it pushes the limit to the max.

Therefore, even while talking to her at this moment, Lin Xiuyuan's gaze remained firmly glued to the outfit on her, almost unable to move away at all.

Seeing Lin Xiuyuan's gaze lingering on her without any concealment, a joyful smile immediately appeared on Lin Yun'er's small face.

That smile carried a bit of pride, yet also revealed an unmistakable sweetness, as if she were enjoying the privilege of being focused on.

The joy and satisfaction that welled up in her heart made her feel a bit lighter.

This is probably what is called emotional value.

Being cared for, being kept in someone's eyes, is in itself an ultimate form of romance.

Lin Yun'er, having come back to her senses, turned around gently, her slender arms naturally hooking around Lin Xiuyuan's neck.

Her eyes lifted slightly, and her voice carried a faint hint of provocation as she deliberately lowered her tone, "What is it? You like looking at me that much?"

Although the words were teasing, those clear eyes were full of softness and warmth, as if inviting, yet also as if testing.

Lin Xiuyuan did not respond to Lin Yun'er with words again; his reason almost completely collapsed in the face of her smiling eyes.

The next second, his physical actions were faster than his thoughts.

He reached out to lift her hips, immediately hoisting her up and placing her steadily onto the dining table.

"Ya... hahaha~"

Lin Yun'er, who had let out a soft cry, still had a lingering smile, yet her eyes trembled slightly from the sudden closeness.

Then, in an instant, they drew near, and their lips met.

In this moment, the air seemed to ignite; with rapid breathing, the chase of pink tongues slowly turned into boiling water, bubbling over~.

Lin Xiuyuan's hands also unconsciously slid down along Lin Yun'er's spine, letting his fingertips enjoy the delicate body temperature beneath the fabric.

The sound of his heartbeat was like a drum... roaring in his ears...

It made him completely immersed in this suffocating, passionate kiss.

At this very moment, all language had lost its meaning; only the rhythm of each other's heartbeats was the most genuine resonance.

I do not know how much time passed, but as the lingering charm gradually faded, their emotions also slowly softened.

When Lin Xiuyuan's breathing gradually steadied, Lin Yun'er then gently pushed him away.

Then, with a smile at the corners of her lips and a hint of coquettishness in her eyes, she gave a wry smile, "Alright, we can't continue anymore, otherwise the people over there will think I've eaten you up, and then they'll definitely blame me for not knowing when to stop."

As she spoke, she raised her hand to lightly tap his lips with her fingertip, as if reminding him, yet also as if secretly claiming the final lingering taste.

That tiny, un-wiped trace of lipstick became the most direct evidence of their intimacy.

Lin Xiuyuan chuckled, wiped the corner of his mouth without much concern, and then replied with a hint of smugness and teasing.

"YoonA, you didn't care about these things before; what's going on now? You've got what you wanted so now you don't care, right? You're starting to show signs of a 'scumbag girl with wavy hair,' you can't be like that."

He knew very well that he had been too immersed in that moment just now, and without even noticing her small provocation, he had gone straight for it.

The main thing was that after Lin Xiuyuan went for it, Lin Yun'er's immediate response and enthusiastic feedback made him feel, with extreme clarity, what it meant to 'cater' to someone.

It made his entire body and mind stretch out, and his skin even felt like it was blooming.

One can only say... big sisters really do understand emotional value.

"Ya..."

After being teased back by him, Lin Yun'er first rolled her eyes in shy annoyance, then coquettishly scolded, "Go away, there are so many people over there; if they find out, I'll be embarrassed no matter how thick-skinned I am, okay?"

Even so, in the next second, she still took the initiative to offer her soft lips, lingering with him for another moment.

After finishing to her satisfaction, she reached out and tapped Lin Xiuyuan's chest, smiling brightly: "Alright, is that enough now? No more messing around, we should go over."

After she finished speaking, she didn't forget to pinch his cheek, her movements carrying a bit of reluctant tenderness.

Subsequently, the two of them each carried some cake and snacks, and together they passed through the Time Gate, returning to the 2013 Apartment.

As soon as they entered, they bumped into the gazes of Jin Ruanruan and Kim Taeyeon. Lin Yun'er immediately raised a brilliant smile and first waved to greet Jin Ruanruan: "Unnie, good evening."

Her tone was intimate and natural, her expression bright, as if there had never been any estrangement.

More than a decade of time seemed to not exist between them at all.

And as Lin Yun'er walked enthusiastically toward Jin Ruanruan, Kim Taeyeon on the sofa also slowly stood up, her expression a bit complex.

She walked in front of Lin Xiuyuan, her small face puffed up, looking a bit depressed and speechless.

"Xiuyuan."

She reached out a slender finger and poked his waist, whispering, "The lipstick at the corner of your mouth, wipe it off quickly."

Her tone was soft, yet it carried a trace of a small complaint, as if she were grumbling, mixed with a certain helplessness and jealousy; in the end, she couldn't bear to be truly angry.

Lin Xiuyuan gave a sheepish laugh, his fingers wiping back and forth at the corner of his mouth somewhat clumsily, his voice carrying a hint of a guilty explanation.

"Ah, I just wiped it..."

As soon as the words left his mouth, he subconsciously glanced sideways toward Lin Yun'er on the other side of the sofa.

Sure enough, she was resting her chin on her hand, looking at him, her eyes full of mockery and playfulness.

The corners of her lips were slightly raised, looking smug as if to say, "Caught red-handed, didn't you?"

That look made Lin Xiuyuan feel his heart suddenly heat up, as if it had been ignited.

Playing with a big sister is exactly about this kind of tension.

A little bit of ambiguity, a little bit of provocation, yet it makes one so hooked they can't stop.

As this small interlude passed, the atmosphere gradually returned to being lighthearted, and with the addition of Lin Yun'er, the Living Room soon became lively.

Everyone found their respective places, and the gathering officially kicked off.

In a corner of the sofa, Lin Yun'er and Jin Ruanruan sat leaning against each other, holding drinks, chatting from the bits and pieces of 2013 to the changes of 2025.

The two women's laughter was sometimes light, sometimes filled with emotion; the topics ranged from the stage to life, from the greenness of the past to the maturity of today, chatting deeper and deeper, as if the chasm of these ten-plus years of time had never existed, and the tacit understanding and closeness between them had not diminished by even half.

And beside them, Kim Taeyeon was holding Jin Ruanruan's phone, curled up in the corner of the sofa, her eyes fixed on the screen without blinking.

The expression of her pursed lips trying to hold back laughter almost betrayed her thoughts.

It turned out she was chatting with Father Jin via messages, and the hard-to-conceal excitement in her heart made the surrounding conversation just background noise that couldn't attract her at all.

In the center of the Living Room, another small "battle" was in full swing.

After Park Jiyeon was "invited" out of the Kitchen by Sulli, she and Lin Xiuyuan hit it off, turned on the Game Console, and started playing Street Fighter.

"Ya~ this is unfair."

"Zhiyan, you're cheating."

Unable to win, Park Jiyeon simply reached out to block Lin Xiuyuan's controller, occasionally clutching her stomach and laughing until she couldn't straighten up.

Lin Xiuyuan was amused by her "shameless tactics" and laughed along, deciding to just let go and cooperate with her in the "act," and the Living Room was suddenly filled with relaxed and happy laughter.

In the Kitchen on the other side, however, an unexpected scene appeared.

Zheng Xiuyan, the Ice Princess, had actually put on an apron for the first time in history, standing by the stove, watching Xian Enjing and Sulli cook with a focused expression.

The smell of cooking oil she used to hate most seemed unable to drive her away at this moment, becoming instead a testing ground for learning a new skill.

Observing carefully, occasionally frowning, and nodding from time to time, she looked like a primary school student earnestly seeking knowledge, making one unable to help but smile.

Lin Xiuyuan, who was playing the game, occasionally looked around, and when he saw this scene, a strange feeling couldn't help but rise in his heart.

Because in this small space, everyone was busy with their own affairs, each having different goals and thoughts in reality, yet everyone's presence formed a unique harmony.

Even though everyone came from different times and spaces, they could still find resonance with each other in this moment.

As time passed, the twilight deepened, and the evening lights began to flicker on.

After getting off work, Tian Enjing was finally picked up by Lin Xiuyuan; this was her first time officially meeting so many "members."

As soon as she entered The Gate, before she could even speak, Park Jiyeon pounced on her like a little dinosaur, wrapping her arms tightly around her while calling out repeatedly.

"Unnie! Unnie! Unnie!"

That enthusiastic and clingy manner made it seem as if she wanted to express all her longing in one breath.

If she hadn't learned to restrain her emotions during this time, she probably would have been teary-eyed long ago.

And Tian Enjing, who had raised Park Jiyeon since she was small, felt even more doting toward her own Little Dragon Cub after experiencing the future period of over ten years.

First, she smiled and ruffled Park Jiyeon's hair, then patted her back gently, her tone full of doting, "Alright, alright, Unnie is here, don't cry, so many people are watching."

"I wouldn't."

Park Jiyeon straightened her back, a flash of pride in her eyes, "Unnie, I'm a CEO-level person now, that crybaby Park Jiyeon is long gone."

Although she said that, the light of dependence and the desire for affirmation in her eyes hadn't changed at all.

She pulled Tian Enjing to sit on the sofa and, like a child wanting to claim credit, talked endlessly about the changes and gains she had made since 2013.

Tian Enjing listened patiently, nodding from time to time, occasionally chuckling, her eyes full of pride and gratification.

As the night deepened, the most anticipated dinner time finally arrived.

In the Kitchen, Xueli wore an apron, her movements crisp and efficient as she plated the last dish, stir-fried beef with green peppers, and carried it to the dining table.

On the other side, Xian Enjing also cut the freshly fried kimchi pancake into pieces; amidst the swirling steam, the fragrance was mouth-watering.

Then the two of them smiled at each other and teased, "Our division of labor was quite tacit today."

As dish after dish was brought to the table, the dining room instantly became lively.

The tabletop was filled with dishes that were a feast for the eyes, nose, and palate: the Kung Pao chicken, Mapo tofu, and that most time-consuming beer duck prepared by Xueli, all fragrant and alluring in color;

Xian Enjing brought her signature kimchi pancake and soybean paste stew, the rich flavors whetting everyone's appetite;

And on the other side, several steaks fried to be crispy on the outside and tender on the inside were also properly placed, mixing Chinese and Korean flavors, as if it were a cross-cultural feast.

Looking at the table full of delicacies, without needing a reminder, everyone took the initiative to sit around the dining table, laughter and conversation rising one after another.

However, someone soon discovered a problem, which was that there weren't enough chairs.

Counting around, there were exactly eight chairs by the table, but there were nine people.

Two Golds + two Xian-Tians + two double Lins, then Lin Xiuyuan, Xueli, Zheng Xiuyan, Park Jiyeon.

No, it's ten.

"Oh my, we're short two chairs, Xiuyuan, who invites people over for dinner without enough stools to sit on!"

Kim Taeyeon spoke first, her eyes blinking, her face full of a playful expression, as if saying "let's see how you handle this."

Lin Xiuyuan shrugged helplessly and spread his hands, "Fine, it seems I'll have to sacrifice myself."

After saying that, he actually stood up, dragged out the computer chair from his room, and pushed it to the dining table to sit down.

The chair was of a different height and had casters; it let out a light creak as soon as he sat down, and his serious expression made the whole room burst into laughter instantly.

"Hahaha, Xiuyuan, you're too funny!" Lin Yun'er laughed so hard she almost collapsed onto the table, "It feels like we're having a meeting, not eating."

"Yeah, it completely ruins the atmosphere." Zheng Xiuyan laughed until tears came out.

"What about the one still missing?" Tian Enjing looked up to remind them, her tone carrying a bit of helplessness and a smile, "How about I stand and eat?"

"No need, Unnie, I'll go get my stool."

Xueli immediately stood up, smiling as she carried her makeup chair from her room and squeezed in next to Lin Xiuyuan.

The two owners of the Apartment had now become a "special case," and the two looked at each other and couldn't help but laugh.

Jin Ruanruan couldn't hold it in anymore, her face turning red from laughter, "Snowball, Xiuyuan, according to everyone, the people haven't all arrived yet and we're already short on stools; what will we do when we have a full gathering next time?"

Lin Xiuyuan, who had been pointed out, sat up straight in a pretentious manner and feigned seriousness, "It's fine, tomorrow I'll go buy a few red plastic stools, so we can add seats whenever we want in the future, no matter how many people come."

"Hahahaha..."

The people around were also amused to the point of rocking back and forth, echoing, "Agreed~ Agreed~"

Amidst this laughter and noise, they finally began to eat.

The first bite taken was the Mapo tofu, and as soon as it entered her mouth, Park Jiyeon, that little dinosaur, let out an "Ow," "Wow~ so spicy!"

As a result, everyone thought she was going to put down her chopsticks, but unexpectedly, she quickly took a second and third bite, calling out while eating, "It's so delicious, Zhenli, your cooking skills are good enough to open a restaurant; being an idol has no future."

Her remark made everyone look at her and laugh.

And Xueli agreed, echoing, "That's right, that's why I'm a Screenwriter now, Zhiyan~"

The atmosphere at the table became increasingly lively, with everyone picking food for each other and teasing one another from time to time.

Here, Lin Xiuyuan secretly picked out the fish meat he liked, but was caught red-handed by Zheng Xiuyan, "Lin Xiuyuan, don't just eat for yourself, leave some for everyone."

This drew another round of laughter from the crowd.

In the dining room, the crisp sound of cups clinking, the sound of chopsticks picking up food, and bursts of hearty laughter intertwined, as if the whole space were filled with joy and warmth.

I don't know how much time passed.

The laughter and chatter at the dining table gradually faded, and the bowls and plates on the table were left with only lingering fragrance and grease.

Everyone leaned back on their chairs, satisfied, and stretched one after another.

Before long, Tian Enjing was the first to stand up and pat her knees, "Alright, everyone is full, I'll clean up."

As soon as she finished speaking, Park Jiyeon immediately jumped up and pulled on Tian Enjing's sleeve, "I'll do it, Unnie~ You're our guest today, how could we let you do the work alone!"

"I'm a guest, aren't you, Zhiyan?" Tian Enjing smiled and looked up at her, her eyes full of tenderness and doting.

"I'm from 2013, of course I'm not."

Park Jiyeon's righteous answer made Lin Xiaolu purse her lips and smile, the corners of her eyes curving with a hint of softness.

"I'll help out too."

After obediently responding, she rose from her seat, carefully stacked the soup bowls on the table, and gently carried them to the side of the sink.

The three of them chatted and laughed while cleaning up, as if they were a small team that had been working together for years.

Two minutes later, on the sofa on the other side, Jin Ruanruan curled up in a cushion, speaking to Kim Taeyeon and Lin Yun'er about recent events with a somewhat dejected and helpless expression.

"You guys probably don't know, but two nights ago, right after I returned from '25, I held a meeting to discuss issues within the group. Thinking back, it's fortunate that Xiuyan was there to back me up; otherwise, if it had just been me alone, I definitely wouldn't have been able to say much, let alone keep them in check—several of them are 'seniors' older than me."

Kim Taeyeon held a cup of warm water and nodded slightly: "Mm, otherwise, you'd think I was just slacking off because I couldn't do anything over in '25. Externally, everyone can still focus and be united. Internally, as the leader, I was useful in the early stages, but later on, I really couldn't keep things stable."

Lin Yun'er's eyes held a trace of heartache as she said softly, "It's because you were too easygoing at the start, Unnie."

"But if I hadn't been easygoing at the start, we wouldn't have had that period where everyone worked together to storm the stage and achieve results."

Jin Ruanruan suddenly spoke up, her words carrying a sentiment that was both gratified and helpless.

This sentence caused the three to fall into a brief silence, as if time and memories were intertwined, carrying complex emotions where the good and the bad were mixed.

In the corner of the dining table near the kitchen, Xian Enjing and Sulli remained immersed in the lingering charm of the cooking.

At this moment, however, Zheng Xiuyan seemed somewhat absent-minded; she quietly walked to Lin Xiuyuan's side, reached out to tug on his sleeve, and signaled for him to go to the window with her.

The two stood side by side by the floor-to-ceiling window; outside, the night was deep, the city was dotted with bright lights, and the flow of traffic moved slowly along the streets, the flickering light and shadows reflecting on their figures, stretching and intersecting.

Gazing out the window for a long time, Zheng Xiuyan finally spoke softly, "Xiuyuan, I've been a bit worried about Xiujing lately."

Lin Xiuyuan turned his head to look at her, his brows twitching slightly; he didn't interrupt, just listened quietly.

He could tell from her tone that she wasn't talking about Krystal, but rather the Zheng Xiujing here.

"She's really pushing herself too hard for her role lately."

Zheng Xiuyan sighed, her gaze drifting slightly under the flickering Nihon neon lights outside, "To achieve the effect of weight gain, she stuffs food into her mouth almost all the time, completely disregarding her own body. Although I know this is the transformation the role requires, she's taking it too far... it's like she's struggling against herself."

Speaking of this, her tone turned low: "Plus, she often stays up all night to study her acting... I'm afraid she'll drive herself crazy. She's always been like this; she appears very strong on the outside, but inside, she's actually particularly prone to getting stuck in a dead end."

The night was quiet, and the neon lights outside flickered, as if reflecting the worries in her heart.

After finishing that, Zheng Xiuyan turned her head to look at Lin Xiuyuan, her eyes carrying a trace of helplessness and pleading, "Tell me, should I step in and manage her? Or... just go along with her? I'm really afraid that if she keeps going like this, she'll become obsessed and lose her mind."

Lin Xiuyuan listened quietly until the end, his gaze softening; he didn't speak immediately, but instead raised his hand to gently rub Zheng Xiuyan's shoulder.

"I know what you're worried about, but at Zheng Xiujing's current stage, it is indeed easy to get stuck in a dead end. But if you look at it from an actor's perspective, this is also a way she wants to break through herself. We all know how stubborn she is to the bone, right? The more you try to block her or comfort her, not only might it be useless, but it could actually bring her even greater pressure."

Zheng Xiuyan bit her lip and remained silent, but the worry in her eyes did not fully fade.

Her fingers gently pinched the corner of her clothes, slightly nervous, as if using the action to soothe the unease in her heart.

Seeing this, Lin Xiuyuan smiled lightly, his tone slowing down, carrying a gentle and soothing quality.

"Besides, it's not like Sulli hasn't been managing her; a few days ago, she even sought out YoonA and Krystal to bring Zheng Xiujing two 'acting insights' manuals she had compiled. This should at least give her some direction when she's frantically obsessing over her character, so she doesn't just keep hitting a wall."

He paused, watching the smile and relaxation gradually emerge in Zheng Xiuyan's eyes, the corners of his mouth lifting slightly, "And she isn't struggling alone; she has you behind her, and you have me... and Krystal and the others behind you."

The phrase "You have me behind you" felt like a warm current sliding through the bottom of Zheng Xiuyan's heart.

It made her eyes tremble slightly, her breathing softened, and it was as if a stone had been set down, the tightness in her heart loosening along with it.

Lin Xiuyuan leaned against the window sill, tilted his head to look at her, and a hint of a smile flashed in his eyes.

"Of course, if you're still uneasy... you could consider pulling her into the fold."

When he said this, his tone was relaxed and carried a hint of teasing.

"Anyway, one more person at the dinner table doesn't make a difference. If she joins and acts directly based on the original work, she should be able to find balance from another angle, just like Xiaolu. After all, compared to The Heirs, that drama of hers doesn't have too many romantic scenes that need focusing on."

Finally, Lin Xiuyuan added another sentence, his voice carrying half a joke, "Just consider it a little surprise for Krystal."

The night breeze blew gently through the window crack, ruffling Zheng Xiuyan's hair; she reached out to smooth it, but still stared blankly at Lin Xiuyuan.

A flash of contemplation crossed her eyes, and finally, the corners of her mouth curled up slightly; she shook her head, but did not reject the suggestion.

Her attention seemed to be more focused on Lin Xiuyuan's last sentence, as if Krystal occupied a significant position in his heart.

Thinking of this, Zheng Xiuyan wrinkled her nose slightly, though her eyes held a trace of silent stillness.

After this, everyone who had finished their respective tasks gathered on the sofa and chatted about the topic of the 'Time Gate'.

Everyone shared their first impressions of meeting Lin Xiuyuan, as well as their reactions and thoughts on crossing time, and most people's initial thought was to treat Lin Xiuyuan like a liar.

Among them, Zheng Xiuyan and Park Jiyeon were the most interesting. As the first two to join, they had initially viewed Lin Xiuyuan almost like a perverted serial killer.

When expressing this, Park Jiyeon's expression was exaggerated, her voice carrying half terror and half curiosity, which made everyone unable to hold back their laughter.

Subsequently, the topic gradually turned to the cutting-edge nature of time-space information; several members from 2025 provided experience and advice to those from '13. These were real experiences and insights that couldn't be found on a computer, so the people from '13 listened very carefully.

During the conversation, time passed unknowingly, and in the blink of an eye, it was late at night.

Thus, everyone rose to say their goodbyes.

However, since everyone had drunk a little alcohol, driving was out of the question, so they would just open The Gate and go back.

So, everyone witnessed a magical phenomenon.

Lin Xiuyuan stood in front of the Time Gate, with several members from '25 lined up behind him: Kim Taeyeon, Lin Yun'er, and Tian Enjing.

As he mechanically opened, closed, and reopened the Time Gate, the three of them waved goodbye to everyone one after another, and then returned to their respective Apartments in '25.

Even for Zheng Xiuyan and the others who had seen the Time Gate many times, this scene still shocked them, their gazes filled with complete awe.

Just then, Park Jiyeon's little head suddenly had a flash of inspiration, and she blurted out a sentence.

"Daebak, this is really too scary, oppa~ what if you replaced these people with hand grenades? Would that count as killing without a trace? Once a person goes in, you just throw a bomb, and there's no evidence at all; it's simply too terrifying."

The speaker had no intention, but the listener took it to heart.

After hearing her words, a thought immediately flashed through Lin Xiuyuan's mind; he turned his head to look at Zheng Xiuyan beside him, the corners of his eyes lifting slightly, carrying a hint of probing.

Zheng Xiuyan was no fool; she immediately pointed at him, her tone carrying a bit of warning and worry, "Don't you mess around; what will you do if something goes wrong? Why are you bothering with her? As long as she doesn't die and keeps living, that's enough."

As soon as her words came out, the entire atmosphere stalled slightly, and several people realized something, turning their heads one after another to look at Lin Xiuyuan, their eyes filled with a bit of worry and tension.

Park Jiyeon, who had suggested that "risky move," even covered her little mouth, her face flushing slightly, as if regretting her loose tongue.

But Lin Xiuyuan just chuckled, his expression leisurely, "What's wrong? I haven't even said anything yet; what are you all thinking about? Let's go, I'll take you home."

Having said that, he pulled open the door, and what came into view behind the door was the Villa in '25.

The lighting was soft, and warm rays shone out from the Living Room, as if welcoming them.

To send them back to the year 2013, one must set out from the Villa in the year 2025.

However, as soon as they arrived, the group was reluctant to leave, and they all picked up their "mobile phones," curling up on the sofa to scroll through videos.

The charm of short videos was clearly something these "old timers" from 2013 could not resist.

It was mainly because, for a group like idols who have so much fragmented time, every swipe and playback was an exciting stimulus that they couldn't stop at all.

Lin Xiuyuan did not disturb them; he silently shared the group's movements and interesting anecdotes with everyone in the year 2025, which immediately drew constant laughter from those who had already returned home, as if they were there in person.

However, in a place unknown to Lin Xiuyuan, the owner of a car, upon receiving the news that Tian Enjing had returned home, immediately went downstairs, got into the car, started it, and drove at a steady speed toward his location.

About twenty minutes later, the air in the early morning carried a hint of chill.

Only then did Lin Xiuyuan send Zheng Xiuyan and the others back to their Apartment; as for Jin Ruanruan, since her location hadn't been set yet, he simply sent her to Lin Xiaolu's house.

Because Xueli was resting for these two days, she would not be returning to 2013 tonight either; she stayed at the Villa and took the opportunity to chat with Krystal in LA.

Just as everyone was settling in, Lin Xiuyuan's phone rang, and the caller ID made both him and Xueli pause slightly.

"Zhiyan~" Xueli called out softly, with a hint of surprise.

Then Lin Xiuyuan answered the phone, his voice steady, "Hello, Zhiyan, what's wrong?"

On the other end of the line, Dalongzai's voice carried a hint of seduction, "Xiuyuan~ are you finished with your work now? I'm at the entrance of the Small Tavern; want to come out for a couple of drinks?"

At the entrance of the alley, Dalongzai stood there; she did not mention that she had called and he hadn't answered, but simply kept her eyes fixed straight ahead.

She knew Lin Xiuyuan lived inside here, but she didn't know which house he lived in.

In the Villa.

After hearing this, Lin Xiuyuan paused slightly, then glanced at the time, "It's the middle of the night, Zhiyan."

"So what, can't we drink? Drinking is only fun in the middle of the night, of course," Dalongzai continued to reply.

Faced with this answer, Lin Xiuyuan and Xueli looked at each other; the latter smiled slightly, then pointed upstairs and got up to leave, also hinting that Lin Xiuyuan could go out to accompany Dalongzai, as she would be fine on her own.

Watching Xueli's departing back, Lin Xiuyuan scratched his hair, then stood up and said, "Alright, I'm coming out to pick you up now, wait for me."

"Mm~"

Hearing Lin Xiuyuan's answer, Dalongzai pursed her lips, revealing a smile that carried a hint of complexity.

Subsequently, she lowered her head to tidy up her outfit, her gaze swept across the ground at the alley entrance, and she looked up toward the Villa, her eyes flashing with a faint sense of anticipation.

Under the streetlamp, the light and shadow at the alley entrance were soft and mottled; Dalongzai stood there quietly, the whole person like a painting in the night.

The black sleeveless top set off her slender shoulders and neck, her collarbone line shimmered slightly, and the slightly cinched waist cut made her curves appear even more distinct.

The light beige short skirt clung to the lines of her thighs, revealing a touch of charm amidst the professional look, both neat and carrying a feminine softness.

The pair of red pointed-toe high heels on her feet looked like a small flame in the night, setting off her fair legs and carrying a flamboyant aura that could not be ignored.

At this moment, Dalongzai was not deliberately posing; she was just standing casually, holding her phone lightly in her hand, occasionally looking up toward the depths of the alley.

A breeze blew by, gently brushing her hair, as if softening her entire being into the night.

She knew Lin Xiuyuan's preferences like the back of her hand; manipulating the mind of this young man was not too difficult, but rather easy.

The last time she wore this outfit, the two were not familiar enough, and what he wanted, she did not give.

But tonight, if Lin Xiuyuan passed the "test" she had set, then she didn't rule out the possibility of her red-soled high heels provoking him a little, or being raised toward the sky.

Before long, The Gate of the Villa slowly opened, and the light behind it was soft and warm.

The moment Lin Xiuyuan stepped out of the door, he was subconsciously attracted by that figure at the alley entrance.

The next second, he was completely stunned.

The simplicity of that outfit was worn with extreme allure due to Dalongzai's temperament, especially those red high heels, which seemed to strike his heart all at once.

Dalongzai stood there under the light, quiet and dazzling, as if the entire street was supported by her alone, leaving only her to radiate light.

Lin Xiuyuan's breathing hitched slightly, and his heartbeat suddenly accelerated.

With just one look, he understood that this was a deliberate outfit on her part, but even so, he still could not suppress the amazement and heartbeat within him.

Dalongzai watched him walk over, the corners of her lips slowly curling into a smile, neither flamboyant nor restrained, naturally falling into Lin Xiuyuan's line of sight, as if prepared specifically for him.

Then she walked slowly toward him, her pace calm and elegant, not rushing to the Small Tavern, but heading straight toward him, toward that Villa.

Because she had just heard some unusual sounds on the phone.

If it were normal times, she might have ignored it indifferently.

Men, after all, always have some little tricks; it's not worth taking seriously.

But those thoughts from the evening made her feel worried and afraid, making Dalongzai want to get to the bottom of it.

If the boy in front of her was really a "scumbag," then goodbye it is.

Having experienced so many things, she really could let go.

Thinking of this, the persistence and detachment in her heart made the entire night seem to soften for her, her steps filled with firmness and composure.

(End of this chapter)