Chapter 236: Krystal? My woman!!!

The year 2025, inside Jessica's apartment.

The night deepened bit by bit, the city lights outside the window gradually brightening, yet the room remained so quiet that only the crisp ticking of the clock could be heard.

The air was permeated with the cheesy aroma of pizza, yet it failed to dispel that sense of lonely desolation.

Last time, Lin Xiuyuan's sudden appearance had broken this deathly silence, bringing Jessica an almost illusory interlude.

That dream-like touch had left Jessica unable to truly let go through countless nights since.

But this time, she had waited for a long time, yet never heard any footsteps.

Thus, Jessica gave a low laugh, though her lips carried an indescribable complexity.

She then picked up a slice of pizza and took a bite, a flash of loneliness crossing her eyes, as if the illusion of being quietly forgotten surfaced in her heart once more.

On the other side.

Although Lin Xiuyuan had agreed to Zheng Xiuyan's request back in 2013, he was in no rush to find Jessica.

After dinner, he first sent Zheng Xiuyan back to her residence, then returned alone to the villa in 2025.

Tonight, he didn't go to see anyone, instead giving himself a rare, completely quiet period of time.

First, he took a refreshing shower, letting the warm water wash away the day's fatigue, then casually dried his hair, went into the computer room to play hard until the middle of the night, and only then returned to his room to collapse onto the soft bed.

The sound of the wind outside the window, accompanied by leaves lightly tapping against the glass, was like a slow, low lullaby.

Lin Xiuyuan buried his face in the pillow, his breathing gradually slowing, and before he knew it, he fell into a deep sleep.

This sleep lasted until noon the next day.

It wasn't until a familiar figure gently poked into the space of the master bedroom.

"Xiuyuan~ time to get up."

That familiar voice, carrying a teasing tenderness, gently awakened him from his deep slumber.

Today, Krystal was different from usual; she wasn't just wearing a random shirt or T-shirt, but had tidied herself up with care.

A soft, coffee-colored knit top with a slightly loose fit made her look lazy and gentle.

On her lower body was a silk-textured skirt in a matching color, swaying gently with her steps, carrying a touch of maturity.

On her feet were strappy high-heeled sandals, outlining her fair calves to look slender and clean.

This low-key yet high-quality outfit made Krystal look both gentle and bright.

As she leaned over, a few strands of hair slid onto Lin Xiuyuan's cheek, carrying the faint, clean scent of shampoo, like an inadvertent provocation.

This caused Lin Xiuyuan, as he opened his eyes in a daze, to be met with her clear eyes and smiling expression.

In that instant, it was as if the morning light had fallen between her brows.

The next second, Krystal leaned in closer, gently pressing her forehead against his, "The sun is already hitting your back, how long do you intend to sleep?"

Lin Xiuyuan couldn't help but laugh out loud, raising his arm to pull her into his embrace.

This sudden movement made Krystal let out a soft cry, but her body naturally leaned against his chest.

A flash of surprise crossed her eyes, followed by a sense of comfort and pleasure; she pressed softly against him, whispering a reproach, "Really, time to get up, it's already 12 o'clock. What were you doing last night, sneaking around?"

Krystal, whispering softly, had a tone of reproach; clearly scolding him, yet with no intention of pulling away.

Lin Xiuyuan gave a low laugh, resting his chin on the top of her head, his voice raspy from just waking up, "No, I just came back after having dinner with Xiuyan in 2013 last night. It's probably the weather; autumn is almost here, and I'm extremely sleepy."

Krystal listened to the explanation by her ear, the corners of her lips lifting slightly, a hint of a smile passing through her eyes.

She didn't ask any more questions, just nestled quietly in his arms.

The room fell silent, their breathing intertwined, as if even time had slowed by half a beat.

Until Krystal gently patted his chest, looked up, and glanced at him, "It's about time to get up. Let's go out for a meal later; eating takeout every day here isn't the way to go."

"Mm, that works."

Lin Xiuyuan then sat up with a smile, stretched, and took her hand to get out of bed together.

He glanced at Krystal's outfit for the day, teasing her slightly, "Have a shoot this morning?"

"Mm, shot a set of promotional photos, and then I was too lazy to change, so I just came over."

Krystal nodded, then spun around lightly, "How is it? Does it look good?"

Lin Xiuyuan nodded, but was a bit curious, "It looks good, but isn't it hot?"

"It's alright."

"That's fine then."

Their casual conversation carried an intimate atmosphere.

After a while, Lin Xiuyuan, having washed up, changed into a light-colored shirt and headed out with Krystal, feeling refreshed.

As the car drove into the city center, the beauty in the passenger seat casually pulled at her hair and pointed to a low-key building ahead, "It's this one, Xiuyuan~ I booked it in advance, it's a Michelin restaurant."

"Michelin again? Your sister and I just hit a landmine last night," Lin Xiuyuan joked with a laugh, then looked at the storefront outside the car window.

The sign at the restaurant entrance wasn't conspicuous, but the greenery in front was trimmed extremely elegantly, and through the floor-to-ceiling windows, one could see the warm yellow light and minimalist furnishings inside.

Compared to the "Michelin Future Chinese Restaurant" that Zheng Xiuyan had booked in 2013, the atmosphere here was completely different, more like a space carefully managed by a host who understood life.

After being seated, the waiter brought the menu, and Krystal very familiarly ordered a few signature dishes: slow-roasted lamb chops with seasonal vegetables, gazpacho, and olive oil-seared sea bass.

Lin Xiuyuan casually added a dessert, a honey fig tart.

He wasn't particularly hungry, just wanted to see what kind of flavor such a complex dessert could combine into.

Mainly out of curiosity.

Not long after, the first appetizer was served.

The refreshing cold soup was sour and sweet, with a hint of emerald herb bits floating on the surface; it was cool upon entering the mouth, with a faint, lingering herbal aroma that made one's appetite soar.

Immediately after, the main event, the lamb chops, was brought to the table.

The sizzling heat mixed with the aroma of meat and rosemary rushed toward them.

The outer layer of the lamb chops was charred and crispy with a hint of charcoal aroma; as the knife blade gently sliced through, the pink meat color and juices seeped out together, and the presentation alone was enough to make one's mouth water.

Upon entering the mouth, the meat was tender, carrying a unique smoky and herbal flavor, with absolutely no gamey smell.

After just one taste, Lin Xiuyuan nodded very satisfied, "Mm~ this is what a Michelin place should be like. Never mind whether it's delicious or not, at least don't hit a landmine."

Seeing this, Krystal smiled lightly, a hint of small pride in her eyes, "That's why I said, I wouldn't book randomly like Unnie; you have to trust my taste."

The two chatted while eating, the topic relaxed, and the atmosphere gradually unfolded with the progression of the delicacies.

Until the final dessert was served.

The honey fig tart was exquisitely plated, the golden crust covered with sliced figs, shimmering with a hint of honey.

After cutting a small piece with a fork and gently putting it into her mouth, Krystal's eyes lifted as if inadvertently, "By the way, Xiuyuan~ what did you and Unnie talk about when you had dinner last night?"

Facing the question from across the table, Lin Xiuyuan's hand paused, then he put down his cutlery, his brows knitting slightly.

He seemed to be hesitating whether to say it.

But in the end, he still relayed the three questions Zheng Xiuyan had posed last night.

As soon as he finished speaking, Krystal was clearly stunned for a moment, then a flash of light crossed her eyes.

She pursed her lips and smiled, with a bit of excitement, "Do you want me to help you call her out?"

Lin Xiuyuan laughed, shaking his head, "Why are you in such a rush? I haven't even decided if I want to ask yet. Xiuyan is probably just feeling emotional about herself after seeing Taeyeon and Zhiyan like this."

The two spoke in low voices, the names mentioned were vague, and although the logic seemed slightly strange, to an outsider, nothing seemed amiss.

Krystal, however, seemed somewhat urgent, leaning forward slightly, "Unnie has already entrusted you with this, Xiuyuan, you can't keep Unnie waiting."

If it were anyone else, Lin Xiuyuan would have ignored it.

But Zheng Xiuyan... this made him ponder slightly, and in the end, he didn't refuse Krystal's suggestion.

However, he glanced at the empty plate on the table and smiled, changing the subject, "But it's not really appropriate to have her come to the restaurant now. Let's wait until we change to another place."

"Sure, then let's go somewhere more relaxed." Krystal rested her chin on her hand, thinking, her eyes lighting up, "How about a bowling alley? There's air conditioning, and we can have tea and snacks after playing."

"Whatever you say."

And so, after finishing lunch, the two drove slowly toward the bowling club.

The air conditioning in the club lobby was very cool, and the air was mixed with the refreshing scent of tea and the sweetness of sports drinks.

At the end of the bright lanes, lights flickered, and the crisp sound of pins being knocked down and laughter rose one after another.

Lin Xiuyuan and Krystal walked in side-by-side, and as the environment changed, the restraint on their bodies gradually faded away.

Then they chose a secluded corner to sit down, just in time to quietly wait for the "third person" to arrive.

The clean wooden boards of the lane reflected the lights, giving off a cold, bright luster.

Lin Xiuyuan and Krystal here had just changed their shoes and were whispering and laughing when suddenly a familiar figure walked in from the entrance.

Jessica was wearing a white long-sleeved shirt paired with casual pants of the same color, casual yet clean and neat.

She held a phone casually in one hand, the other hand in her pocket, her pace unhurried, appearing exceptionally composed.

The black-rimmed glasses on the bridge of her nose added a touch of intellectual temperament, making her appear particularly low-key in this lively venue.

It was as if she had wandered in inadvertently, yet could instantly become the focus of attention.

Jessica, who had originally thought it was just Krystal calling her out, was relaxed at first, the corners of her lips carrying an inadvertent smile.

However, when her gaze swept to Lin Xiuyuan beside her, that smile paused imperceptibly.

A flash of slight surprise crossed her eyes, then quickly converged into a faint calmness.

"Oh, Xiuyuan~ Jessica is here." Seeing the other party, Krystal nudged Lin Xiuyuan.

Lin Xiuyuan then looked toward the newcomer, somewhat amazed by her outfit.

"Why did you suddenly call me out?"

Jessica, who had walked up, spoke in a tone neither salty nor bland, but with a bit of curiosity.

Krystal smiled, tilted her head to look at Lin Xiuyuan, and spoke as if deliberately exposing his secret, "Actually, it wasn't me who wanted to call you, it was him who wanted to see you."

Jessica was stunned for a moment, then turned her eyes to look at Lin Xiuyuan. She didn't speak, but those eyes carried a hint of elusive exploration, as if waiting for him to explain.

Lin Xiuyuan didn't respond in the usual way, but smiled, reached out, and pointed to the ready-to-go lane beside him, "Since you're here, why not play a few games? The loser has to answer the winner a question."

Although she didn't know what the other party wanted to do, as Jessica's deep gaze fell on Lin Xiuyuan's face and she saw the smile that held no malice.

After a long while, she pursed her lips and smiled lightly, saying in a calm voice, "Alright."

Her smile wasn't bright, carrying a faint sense of sharpness, giving Lin Xiuyuan the inexplicable illusion that he had met Zheng Xiuyan.

However, these two seemed to be the same person.

As Lin Xiuyuan laid out the situation, Jessica also quickly changed her shoes, then chose a color she liked at the ball table.

Leaning over slightly, her movements were clean and neat.

That long hair also fell naturally with her movements, making her side profile look even colder.

After testing the feel of the ball, Jessica stood in front of the lane, first looking down at the pins for a few seconds, then raised her hand, started her step, and swung her arm.

Her posture was beautiful, her movements standard, just as if she had undergone professional training.

Only to see the bowling ball slide down the lane, not fast, but extremely stable, and finally, with a "clatter" of impact, seven pins fell cleanly.

Krystal clapped her hands on the side, laughing, and couldn't help but tease, "Unnie~ truly worthy of being a natural, much better than me."

Jessica's mouth curled into a faint smile, then she withdrew her gaze, as if glancing at Lin Xiuyuan inadvertently.

That smile carried a bit of faint provocation, making the air fill with a subtle sense of tension.

But the other party looked at her and laughed out loud, "Ah, has it started? You must have been testing the ball just now."

"Ya..."

"Xiuyuan, don't be a sore loser, I can't even watch this."

Seeing Lin Xiuyuan trying to be a sore loser, Krystal, for once, stood on Jessica's side, making a somewhat amused, sarcastic remark.

To this, Lin Xiuyuan just smiled, walked over with a calm expression, and casually picked a black ball.

His movements were casual, yet didn't lack stability.

Dropping the ball, sliding, impacting—a series of movements cleanly and neatly struck all the pins.

"Strike!"

The moment the pins scattered, Krystal's laughter on the side came to an abrupt end. She turned to look at Jessica and said half-jokingly, "Jessica, how about... that was just testing the ball too."

Jessica had wanted to nod in agreement, but the arrogance of the Iceberg Queen wouldn't let her bow her head in submission. She just turned her head to look at Lin Xiuyuan, her voice calm but carrying an undeniable sharpness, "Ask. What do you want to know? One look at you today and I can tell you came prepared."

"Not asking yet, I'll save it, and ask all three questions at once when I have enough," Lin Xiuyuan said with a smile.

In fact, deep down, winning or losing didn't matter at all.

In Lin Xiuyuan's view, he had stood in an invincible position from the very beginning.

How much he lost didn't matter; he only needed to win three times to complete what he had promised Zheng Xiuyan.

As for the remaining games and questions? She could ask whatever she wanted, he could handle it.

And Jessica, after glancing at him, didn't refuse this behavior, instead continuing to pick up the second bowling ball and starting the second game.

The second game began, and the atmosphere was tighter than before.

Jessica changed to another purple ball, rubbing it gently with both hands, as if to let herself fully enter the state.

Her throwing movements were still beautiful and smooth, almost every ball could steadily knock down six or seven pins, and occasionally there were moments of strikes.

Every time the pins fell, the corners of her lips would rise in a faint smile, and her eyes would quietly sweep toward Lin Xiuyuan, as if conveying a silent pressure.

Lin Xiuyuan was neither impatient nor irritable, and with a casual throw, it was a beautiful strike.

It was just that, unlike Jessica's sharpness, his movements were more about ease and spontaneity, as if he really didn't care about winning or losing.

Krystal sat on the side, resting her chin on her hands, watching the two of them tug-of-war, teasing from time to time.

"Jessica, your momentum is almost like you're on a competition field."

"Xiuyuan~ be careful, if you get beaten by the person next to you, you're going to have trouble."

The atmosphere among the three gradually became lively, the sound of impacts came from the lane, and the air was mixed with laughter and the gunpowder smell of secret competition.

After a few rounds, the score gradually widened.

Lin Xiuyuan had been steadily leading at first, but during the last two throws, he didn't seem to use much force, leaving some room.

In the end, Jessica won the second game with a slight advantage.

"Won."

Jessica put down the ball and turned to look at Lin Xiuyuan.

She didn't celebrate, but directly threw out her question, her voice calm but carrying an unavoidable sharpness, "Lin Xiuyuan, who exactly is Krystal to you?"

At this moment, Lin Xiuyuan's brows lifted slightly, clearly not expecting her to ask this.

Krystal on the side was also stunned, subconsciously widening her eyes, seemingly not expecting Jessica to get straight to the point.

The air stagnated briefly, with only the sound of impacts from other lanes in the bowling alley coming from afar.

Lin Xiuyuan looked at Jessica, silent for a moment, before the corners of his mouth slowly curled into a faint smile.

"My woman."

(PS: Everyone can participate in the September lucky draw!!!)

(End of chapter) ===== CHAPTER 237 =====