Chapter 238: Jessica

As Kim Ruanruan's speech in the 【Jieyou Tavern】 group became more and more impassioned, the atmosphere in the group was also brought to a fever pitch by her.

Just when everyone was immersed in her passion, suddenly, a small voice popped out.

Sulli: 【Unnie~ I'll ask a small question, oppa is also in this group, us chatting about this so openly now, is it a bit...】

As soon as the message came out, the air seemed to be pressed by someone on the pause button.

Kim Ruanruan: 【Mm?】

Park Zhiyeon: 【Finished, oh right, oppa is also in the group.】

Tian Enjing: 【What the hell, I thought when you guys were so determined, you were saying it directly to Xiuyuan, but it turns out you forgot.】

Looking at the suddenly quiet conversation on the phone screen, Lin Xiaolu in the waiting room couldn't help but laugh in front of Kim Ruanruan, her shoulders shaking.

"Hahahaha, no way, Unnie, this is really too funny, looking both cool and stupid, hahahaha~"

She laughed until she was leaning back and forth, her hands almost failing to hold the phone.

Zheng Xiuyan on the side couldn't help it either, her lips pursed tightly, her eyes full of light from holding back laughter.

That appearance of holding back made her look even more playful.

Only Kim Ruanruan was stunned for a moment, then frowned, her expression serious beyond everyone's expectations, "How about we kick Xiuyuan out of the group."

Lin Xiaolu, Zheng Xiuyan:???

The two turned their heads to look at her in unison, their expressions full of "Are you serious?" speechlessness.

Kim Ruanruan, however, thought it was feasible the more she thought about it, "After kicking him out, add him back, will he not be able to see the information we sent?"

As she spoke, she had already clicked on the group page, her movements crisp and decisive.

It was a pity that the next second, she discovered the cruel reality.

She wasn't the group owner and didn't have permission.

As the creator of the group, Lin Xiuyuan was an existence that couldn't be shaken at all.

"This..." Kim Ruanruan's brows knitted even tighter, a hint of impatience even appearing on her face.

Lin Xiaolu looked at this Unnie who was serious but a bit clumsy, laughing until tears were about to come out, and couldn't help but reach out to hug her shoulders from the side, comforting her while laughing.

"Unnie, your little head is sometimes very clever, and sometimes it's really crazy. Don't worry, you don't have to be too nervous."

"Ah, what should I do then." Kim Ruanruan was still a bit anxious, her eyes fixed on the phone screen.

"Simple, his phone is in Sulli's hands now, just let Sulli clear the chat history." Zheng Xiuyan gave a solution while lowering her head and starting to type quickly in the group.

Zheng Xiuyan: 【Sulli, take Xiuyuan's phone and clear the chat history.】

A few seconds later, Sulli hesitantly popped up a message:

Sulli: 【Ah... oh... but Unnie, what if oppa asks about it later?】

Zheng Xiuyan lifted her eyelids, the corners of her lips curled slightly, and she replied quickly again.

Zheng Xiuyan: 【Just say I told you to do it, just say we were talking about some girls' secrets in the group, the kind not suitable for his male perspective.】

The seemingly calm tone seemed as if everything was under her control.

Sure enough, the group became lively immediately.

Park Zhiyeon: 【What secrets can't oppa see?】

Kim Ruanruan's eyes lit up, and her fingertips quickly typed out a string of words.

Kim Ruanruan: 【Discussing self-defense techniques, debating the sensitivity and gear of jumping bullets, exploring topics of male size and endurance.】

In an instant, the group was quiet for three seconds.

Tian Enjing: 【...】

Sulli: 【??】

Park Zhiyeon: 【Unnie, you're really brave.】

Waiting room.

Lin Xiaolu stared at the lines of bold-to-the-point-of-explosion words on the phone screen, her pupils shrinking slightly, subconsciously swallowing her saliva.

Her heart was pounding, her fingertips were a bit cold. She raised her head to look at Kim Ruanruan sitting beside her, and the whole person was a bit shocked.

"Unnie, you..."

She opened her mouth, wanting to say something to ease the atmosphere, but the words reached her lips and were swallowed back.

A strange feeling of both fear and amusement swirled in her chest.

She knew very well that if Ruanruan suddenly turned her head and asked her in the next second: Why didn't you just sit on it when you were in Tokyo last time, wasting time?

Then Lin Xiaolu would really petrify on the spot.

So Lin Xiaolu had to force herself to shut up, swallowing the sound that was about to pop out, and the whole person was stiff in place like being pricked by a needle, even her expression was so awkward it was about to crack.

However, Lin Xiuyuan was unaware of the noise and madness in 2013.

At this moment, he was immersed in the bowling alley in 2025, fighting a close battle with Jessica.

The lights in the bowling alley were bright and cold, reflecting on the clean wooden lane, refracting a shallow halo.

The air was mixed with the smell of wood wax and paint, carrying a bit of dry irritation.

The roar of the pins being hit rose one after another, like war drums constantly beating for this duel, making it impossible for people to breathe easily.

At this time, the score of the two had reached the fourth game.

In the first three games, the contest between Jessica and Lin Xiuyuan could be described as evenly matched.

She relied on several almost perfect strikes to force the situation to be extremely tight, her expression even a bit cold.

But Lin Xiuyuan wasn't a pushover either; the cheat-like constitution after eating a 'person' made his feel so stable that it was outrageous, and even if his posture was casual, his ball path was still tricky and precise.

At this moment, it was Jessica's turn to throw in the fourth game.

She, who was exceptionally focused, took a long breath, her slightly leaning shoulders rising and falling with her breathing.

Her fingertips rubbed gently on the smooth surface of the ball, as if to sink all her thoughts into this throw.

"Hoo..."

The moment the ball was thrown, her shoulders trembled slightly, and then her eyes stared at the front.

"Strike!"

The pins fell completely in the roar again.

Lin Xiuyuan shrugged his shoulders and walked to the lane nonchalantly.

He didn't act solemnly like Jessica, but instead walked like a stroll, casually picking up the ball, his posture irregular, and even the time to aim was surprisingly short.

When the ball rolled out, it seemed to deviate from the best route.

Krystal even couldn't help but make a small "yee" sound on the side.

But the next second, the ball subtly adjusted its trajectory at the last moment, fiercely hitting the pins.

"Strike!"

This sound exploded like a thunderclap in Jessica's ear, causing her smile to freeze instantly.

The fifth game, arguably the decider.

The human voices in the bowling alley seemed to fade away, as if only the confrontation between the two of them remained.

Krystal was holding a milkshake, her eyes turning back and forth between the two, even forgetting the straw was still in her mouth.

Jessica threw first.

This time, her movements were clean and neat, and the ball slid along the most standard straight line.

Boom~

Another strike.

But before she could be happy for too long, Lin Xiuyuan walked up slowly.

He first looked down at the ball in his hand, then suddenly looked up, looking at Jessica with a half-smile.

"Do you want me to play this ball casually? Give you a step down."

Jessica's eyes turned cold immediately, her tone carrying a clear warning, "No need for you to let me."

Just four words, but they fell heavily, as if carrying a certain self-esteem and stubbornness.

Lin Xiuyuan smiled, not saying anything more, and threw it with a lift of his hand.

The ball spun rapidly on the lane, faster than any of his previous times, carrying an unquestionable domineering momentum.

Boom~

The pins instantly fell into a pile, making a deafening sound.

Jessica's face sank.

Because the win-loss ratio had been fixed at three to two, and her only advantage was the score of the last game.

After collecting the ball, Lin Xiuyuan walked slowly in front of her, the distance between them less than a step, the faint water vapor on his body mixed with the smell of wood wax in the air, making Jessica subconsciously hold her breath.

"The result is very obvious now."

His tone was light, as if announcing some irreversible fact.

"Three to two, I won three games, you won two."

Jessica pursed her lips tightly, not responding immediately. She knew what this meant for the rules that followed.

The other party could ask three questions, and she had asked one, now only one remained.

"Don't make that expression."

Lin Xiuyuan smiled feignedly, his tone carrying a hint of indifferent teasing, "You also have one chance, you can ask me any question, I guarantee I won't go back on my word."

Seeing this situation, Jessica's resistance deep down grew even deeper.

She originally didn't want to be asked questions by Lin Xiuyuan, because her intuition told her that the other party seemed to have dug some kind of trap for her, and once she answered, she would be led by him.

At this time, Krystal seemed to see the tension in the atmosphere and adjusted it slightly, "Alright, you've been playing for so long, you must be tired, come over and sit down, take a rest."

She clapped her hands while saying, a hint of a smile in her eyes, "The match you two just had was really amazing, I've seen many professional matches, but compared to you, it seems like that's all there is to it. Jessica, when did your technique improve so fast?"

Jessica didn't respond again.

She turned back to her seat, picked up her water glass neatly, and took a big gulp, using this to cover up the complex emotions surging in her heart.

She knew very well that she had definitely performed extraordinarily just now, and it was the best and most skillful time she had played bowling in recent years.

But even so, she was still defeated by that guy Lin Xiuyuan in a light-hearted way, so is that guy a professional player?

Seeing Jessica silent, Lin Xiuyuan was also like nothing had happened, following her to the rest area and sitting down casually beside Krystal.

Krystal was like an audience watching a show, sucking on her milkshake while her eyes swept back and forth between the two, full of curiosity and gossip.

Occasionally pursing her lips, her eyes flashing with a smile, yet trying hard to maintain the posture of a "bystander".

After the two sat down, they first ate something and drank a few sips of drinks, easily organizing their emotions.

As the atmosphere gradually eased, Lin Xiuyuan looked at Jessica, a smile in the corners of his eyes, and opened his mouth, "How about Jessica, you ask first?"

Tilting his head to look at Jessica, his tone was light, as if the win or loss just now was just a small scuffle.

Jessica turned her face away, took a deep breath, and replied, "You won more, you ask first."

She had wanted to keep her question and wait to see the situation later; her heart always felt that something was not quite right, and she even wanted to get up and leave now.

But her proud personality made her unable to be a sore loser or retreat, so she could only grit her teeth and endure.

Lin Xiuyuan narrowed his eyes, not wasting any more words, and asked directly: "Alright, my first question."

He leaned back slightly, resting his arms casually on the back of the chair, and said with a smile, "Actually, it's nothing, just want to ask how you and Kwon Ningyi are doing now, what exactly is your relationship?"

At this question, Krystal was stunned on the spot, the milkshake in the straw "gurgled" and blocked the bubbles, and she almost choked.

Muttering to herself: That was too direct.

She had originally thought Lin Xiuyuan would go around in circles, but didn't expect him to cut straight to the core.

But thinking of this guy's personality, it didn't seem like the type to like beating around the bush, so she hurriedly looked at Jessica.

Jessica didn't respond immediately.

She just lifted her eyes and stared straight at Lin Xiuyuan, her gaze deep, as if she wanted to see through him.

The air between the two instantly solidified, and the noisy bowling alley around them seemed to be isolated from them.

After a good while, she spoke slowly, her voice carrying a teasing meaning, "So that's how it is..."

Lin Xiuyuan lifted his brows, his expression unchanged.

Then Jessica narrowed her eyes and suddenly asked back, "Lin Xiuyuan, these questions... no, it should be said that the following two questions, and the situation of having you come over today, are not your intentions, right?"

Lin Xiuyuan's mouth curled slightly, also not answering her words directly.

Instead, he smiled and said, "So Jessica, are you going to use your only question quota to make me answer this question?"

The air was filled with a subtle sense of tension and probing, like undercurrents surging under the still water surface, making people hold their breath and wait.

Jessica was stunned for a moment, her brows subconsciously knitting together.

"No need." She replied coldly, her voice not loud, but filled with a touch of stubbornness and defensiveness.

Seeing this, Lin Xiuyuan just laughed lightly, not saying anything.

That smile carried a bit of meaningfulness, as if secretly telling her: Guess if I will tell you the answer.

Jessica felt a bit angry deep down. She hated this feeling the most.

That feeling of being led around in circles, of being hung up psychologically when the other party could have answered directly.

But she had lost in the bowling match just now.

So she had to accept the bet and face reality, answering directly.

Krystal watched from the side, her heart itching, wishing she could shake her sister's shoulders: Jessica, hurry up and say it, otherwise I'm going to be suffocated.

She really wanted to know the answer; mainly because every time she asked the other party, Jessica chose to avoid the answer, either fooling her by saying they were still together, their relationship was very good, etc., really treating her like a child.

After being silent for a while, Jessica finally spoke lightly, "Not how."

Her tone carried coldness, but it was steady, as if she didn't want to give the other party any chance to take advantage.

Subsequently, her gaze swept over Lin Xiuyuan intentionally or unintentionally, and she added in a low voice, "Just a normal cooperative relationship."

Krystal subconsciously said "Ah?", the whole person a bit confused.

She had originally thought she would at least hear some explosive gossip, but Jessica just brushed it off with four words.

And Lin Xiuyuan was still that half-smiling expression, as if he had expected this answer long ago.

But even if it was this dry answer, he felt it was enough.

Because as long as Jessica didn't say that kind of definite answer and relationship, it showed from the side that the two should have ended seven or eight out of ten.

In the group photo of the wedding last time, the two's standing positions weren't close together, obviously only attending together because of the supermodel friend relationship.

To some extent, everything seemed to be ending according to the rules, it just needed time to settle and couldn't be made public immediately.

As for the conflict with himself...

Thinking of this, Lin Xiuyuan narrowed his eyes, that guy wouldn't have taken a fancy to Krystal and regarded the other party as his "private property", right?

Jessica looked at his slightly provocative expression, feeling even more uncomfortable: This guy, what exactly does he want to know?

However, she didn't show it, just pursed her lips tightly again, suppressing her emotions.

And Lin Xiuyuan leaned forward slightly and smiled, "Answered quite crisply, it seems you really aren't that kind of rascal personality, really accepting the bet."

After finishing, he leaned back on the chair again, a faint smile on his face.

Jessica glanced at him coldly, not saying anything more.

Then Lin Xiuyuan smiled and continued to ask, "Do you want to ask this time?"

"Don't be long-winded, I already said you ask first." Jessica frowned slightly, saying again.

Hearing this, Lin Xiuyuan shrugged, then suddenly thought of something and played a small trick.

When proposing the second question, he cleverly integrated the last two contents Zheng Xiuyan wanted to ask.

"Still want me to ask first, then let me see. What I want to know later is nothing more than what plans you have for the future, and whether you regret some of your previous choices, so you can answer as you see fit."

When saying this, Lin Xiuyuan's tone was light, but the boundaries of the question were blurred.

It could let Jessica answer along the way, and could also extract more information, a typical scheming man's method.

Krystal, who knew the situation, captured this point the first time.

She turned her head and stared at Lin Xiuyuan, her eyes showing the meaning of "you guy really have many schemes".

And the other party's "dead pig" expression made the corners of her mouth couldn't help but curl slightly, and she laughed lightly.

Jessica wasn't stupid either, she directly lifted her brows and asked back, "These are two questions, right?"

Lin Xiuyuan spread his hands, smiling innocently, "Depends on how you answer, I'm fine with either, anyway it's just chatting."

That attitude of a dead pig not fearing boiling water made the scene funny and shameless again.

Krystal couldn't help but cover her mouth and laugh, her eyes flashing with mischievous light: Sure enough, this guy is fishing for words, purely wanting to observe Jessica's reaction.

Jessica rolled her eyes, a hint of helplessness in her eyes.

She clearly didn't want to deal with this kind of routine, but the four words "accept the bet" were like a gate stuck in her heart, making her unable to just walk away.

"Future..." She repeated softly, as if buying herself time.

After a moment, she spoke slowly, "Just work normally, work to make money, nothing special to say."

Lin Xiuyuan had originally wanted to pursue the question, but her words changed, and her voice suddenly became determined, "As for whether I regret it, the word 'regret' has never been in my dictionary."

As soon as this was said, Krystal was stunned, and Lin Xiuyuan lifted his brows slightly.

Jessica, speaking to this point, had clearly calmed down.

In her view, life wasn't just one road; walking crookedly or wrongly was nothing more than having more pits and bumps, more thorns and hardships, anyway, it wouldn't kill anyone, it would just hurt a bit.

Jessica, thinking of the "boundary of life and death", no longer drifted her eyes toward Lin Xiuyuan or Krystal, but slightly lost focus.

She seemed to be overlooking the trajectory of her past life from a high altitude, and a few familiar figures flashed in her heart: some had given warmth and companionship, and some had let her experience betrayal and loss.

Krystal noticed her silence, her eyes softened for a moment, and she was about to open her mouth to ease the atmosphere, but found that Lin Xiuyuan was just looking at Jessica quietly, not interrupting.

So she also slightly pursed her lips and followed suit, becoming quiet.

This restraint of not pursuing and not forcing made Jessica feel a bit surprised.

She had originally thought Lin Xiuyuan would continue to get to the bottom of it, but didn't expect him to just smile lightly, as if waiting for her to volunteer to say more.

A certain place in her heart was gently touched.

Then she lowered her head, taking the opportunity to brush her hair, as if to cover up her emotions, and took a light breath again, suppressing those subtle emotions.

Then she slowly raised her head to meet Lin Xiuyuan's gaze, carrying a hint of teasing, "There's one last question, ask it, satisfy your guy's perverted voyeurism and curiosity."

Lin Xiuyuan held the last question but didn't open his mouth immediately.

Instead, he smiled half-jokingly, "How about this, one more game. If I lose, I won't ask. If I win, I'll only ask one. Consider it giving you a chance to turn the tables."

Jessica didn't even lift her eyelids, waving her hand directly, very refreshingly.

"Forget it, you'd better hurry up and ask, I don't care about winning or losing anymore."

Her tone carried a bit of fatigue, but also a cold, free-spiritedness.

It was as if a certain place in her heart had already let go, not wanting to continue being tied by the "rules".

Lin Xiuyuan was stunned, not expecting her to be so refreshing. He was even a bit confused, because the last question in his hand had just been asked because of his little trick, and now he hadn't thought about what to ask.

The air was still between them for a few seconds, with only the faint echo in the bowling alley and the sound of wood floor friction.

Just at this time, Krystal suddenly interjected, looking at Lin Xiuyuan tentatively, "Xiuyuan, if you can't think of it, you can save it for later."

Jessica shook her head immediately, her expression very serious, "No, I accept the bet, but he has to ask if he should."

Lin Xiuyuan curled his mouth, capturing the gap, and said along the way, "Then you ask first, I'll think about it."

Jessica was stunned, reacting quickly, understanding that she had been fooled by this guy just now.

That look immediately carried a bit of anger, fiercely glancing at Lin Xiuyuan.

That glance carried sharpness, but it was received by him with a light breeze, a half-smile.

"Alright, then I'll ask."

Jessica, who narrowed her eyes, spoke slowly, then stared straight at Lin Xiuyuan, "I won't ask anything else, just ask one sentence: Who exactly wanted to know these questions?"

As soon as the words fell, Krystal froze, her body subconsciously tightening.

Her eyes flashed with obvious panic and worry, seemingly even more nervous than Lin Xiuyuan, who was actually being asked the question, because she knew who the questioner was.

But Lin Xiuyuan was still calm, even leaning on the back of the seat, his posture relaxed, as if he had expected this question long ago.

His expression didn't have half a panic, just the corners of his lips lifting lightly.

That calmness made Jessica feel even more uncomfortable deep down.

Facing Jessica's clear but sharp eyes, this time Lin Xiuyuan didn't play any tricks, but opened his mouth directly, "Actually, Zheng Xiuyan wanted to know."

A short sentence, but it was like dropping a small bomb in the rest area.

Krystal widened her eyes instantly, her heart shaking fiercely, the whole person as if pricked by a needle, sitting up straight immediately.

She was the first to react, but couldn't say a word, just staring at Lin Xiuyuan, afraid he would say something even more shocking.

Jessica was stunned for a moment, then blinked, her expression a bit confused.

"Zheng Xiuyan?"

She subconsciously repeated it, then curled her lips, revealing a bit of teasing smile, "Actually the same name and surname? Why does she want to know these?"

Her tone was light, even carrying a bit of banter, obviously not thinking in the direction of the absurd "past self" at all.

Krystal, hearing this, was stunned on the spot. It took a full two seconds before she gave a dry "hehe" laugh, as if forcibly covering up something. Deep down, she couldn't help but mutter:

Sure enough... not many people can believe in absurd things like the space-time gate.

Lin Xiuyuan glanced at Krystal, his expression still calm, saying slowly, "I don't know why she wants to ask these, just entrusted by a member to come and ask, now that I've asked, I'll go back and tell the other party later."

Jessica was stunned, her brows lifted slightly, seemingly finally capturing the point.

"So, the Zheng Xiuyan you mentioned... is a member of the tavern?"

Lin Xiuyuan nodded, not explaining much.

Jessica looked at him quietly, her eyes deep and complex, as if ten thousand words were stuck in her throat, but in the end, she didn't say them.

Afterward, she didn't continue to pursue, but lowered her eyelashes, slowly picking up the small fork on the table, cutting a small piece of cake, and putting it into her mouth gently.

Her movements were quiet, her expression indifferent, but everyone could feel that she wasn't that calm in her heart.

A picture suddenly came to her mind.

That was the picture of her finding Lin Xiuyuan's address last time; some thoughts that had originally sunk down popped up again at this time.

The next moment, she instinctively asked, "Lin Xiuyuan, your member isn't some cult, right."

As soon as this was said, Lin Xiuyuan and Krystal both laughed, and then shook their heads in unison to deny it.

But even so, Jessica was still a bit worried, but didn't say anything more.

After Jessica's "key follow-up question" ended, the atmosphere among the three settled slightly.

No more tit-for-tat, no more extra probing. The desserts and black tea on the table exuded a soothing aroma, as if reminding them to put away their sharp edges for now.

Lin Xiuyuan, Krystal, and Jessica sat together quietly, enjoying afternoon tea safely.

The fork and porcelain plate occasionally collided gently, making a faint crisp sound, accompanied by the sunset slanting in from the window, casting long orange-gold light and shadows.

Until there were only one or two small snacks left on the dessert plate, Lin Xiuyuan suddenly thought of something, put down his teacup, and turned to look at Jessica thoughtfully.

"By the way, Jessica."

He opened his mouth with a half-smile, his tone carrying a bit of spontaneity, "Have you ever thought about getting married?"

As soon as the words were out, the fork Jessica was about to cut the cake with stopped immediately. The next second, she gave Lin Xiuyuan a huge eye-roll unceremoniously, "This is the bullshit question you thought about for half a day."

"..."

Lin Xiuyuan was a bit ashamed, the corners of his mouth twitching slightly, while secretly muttering in his heart, this kind of retort was really a bit sharp.

Immediately after, Jessica snorted coldly, threw the fork, and her tone was as sharp as a knife.

"Get married for what? Get married and wait for a divorce? Then go crazy on the career line? I'm not some idiot, nor a fool. What's good or bad, what's the price, I know clearly in my heart."

She said, and deliberately lifted her chin, throwing out examples directly:

"You've seen the situation of Park Zhiyeon and Park Xiaomin of Tara, what's the end of getting married one by one? I don't want to make such a joke of myself."

These words, crisp and neat, sharp and exposed, were like an insurmountable wall, leaving Lin Xiuyuan and Krystal speechless at the same time.

Lin Xiuyuan: "..."

Krystal: "..."

The two were completely speechless by Jessica's retort, and there was no response in their brains.

Krystal even opened her mouth, but felt that saying anything was painting the lily, so she could only hold back her laughter and look at Lin Xiuyuan secretly.

And Jessica, having eaten and drunk, drank a sip of tea, and cut off the topic abruptly.

Then she got up neatly, picked up her bag, and grabbed Krystal's wrist.

"Let's go, back."

Jessica's voice was very flat, but carried an unquestionable force.

Krystal here was slightly stunned, and before she could open her mouth, she was pulled up naturally by the other party.

Jessica glanced to the side, coldly adding, "Who is like you, helping an outsider plot against your own sister, come back with me and explain it properly."

Krystal coughed guiltily, not daring to refute, and followed obediently.

Thus, only Lin Xiuyuan was left in the afternoon tea seat.

He leaned back in the sofa, the corners of his mouth curling helplessly, reaching out to pick up his phone, and sliding it aimlessly a few times.

Suddenly, his thumb stopped.

The screen was playing a short video, the background was the blue sea and blue sky, and the person in the lens was wearing a light vacation dress, smiling brightly.

It wasn't anyone else, but Li Juli, who had traveled to the Maldives with him a few days ago.

Lin Xiuyuan was stunned for a moment, his fingertips tapping the screen lightly, his expression gradually becoming playful.

It had been a while since he saw this "Madam", it was time to visit and contact feelings.

After a moment, he picked up his phone and found the other party.

The next morning.

The sunlight spilled into the master bedroom of the high-rise apartment through the floor-to-ceiling windows, the light curtains were gently lifted by the breeze, casting mottled shadows on the wooden floor.

Lin Xiuyuan opened his eyes slowly, first hearing the unique quiet atmosphere under the high altitude of the city.

The distant car flow sound was isolated very lightly by the closed glass wall.

He turned to his side and saw Li Juli still curled up in the quilt.

Long hair scattered on the pillow, the messy hair making her cheeks look even more rosy.

In her sleep, her brows were relaxed, and the corners of her lips carried the aftertaste of satisfaction.

Her skin showed the luster unique to after-the-fact, as if nourished from inside to outside, even her breathing seemed light.

Lin Xiuyuan paused for a moment, a faint smile that was hard to detect floating on his lips.

He reached out to pull the quilt higher for her, covering her exposed fragrant shoulders.

Li Juli seemed to feel it, moving lightly, but still immersed in stable sleep.

The traces of last night were still clearly imprinted on her body.

Lin Xiuyuan sighed silently in his heart, got up and got out of bed, washed up simply, and changed his clothes.

Pushing open the bedroom door, he once again felt the layout of this apartment: the high-rise view was open, and from the window, one could overlook half of Seoul; at night, it must be an incomparably brilliant sea of lights, and at this moment, the morning light was gradually waking up the whole city.

Ten minutes later, Lin Xiuyuan prepared breakfast, first being intimate with Li Juli for a moment, confirming that she was still immersed in dreamland, and then said goodbye quietly.

Walking out of the elevator, driving into the garage, sitting in his car, he took a light breath.

His fingers tapped on the steering wheel, then started the engine.

As the car drove slowly out of the parking lot, merging into the gradually busy streets in the morning.

He didn't play music all the way, only the low sound of the engine accompanied him.

In his mind, the pictures of last night still flashed from time to time: Li Juli's sleeping, Jessica's expression...

Soon, he suppressed his thoughts and concentrated on driving.

Not long after, as the car drove steadily into the villa.

The sound of footsteps walking into the villa echoed in the empty living room.

Without stopping, Lin Xiuyuan pushed open the space-time gate directly and stepped into 2013.

Inside the apartment in 2013.

At this time, Sulli didn't seem to have woken up, the living room was quiet, only the leaves outside the floor-to-ceiling window swayed in the morning breeze, making a "rustling" sound, as if playing a soft accompaniment for the tranquility of this house.

Then Lin Xiuyuan, who thought Sulli usually cooked, also walked into the kitchen.

As the refrigerator door was pulled open, cold air rushed toward him, his gaze swept over the ingredients inside, and the corners of his mouth curled slightly: eggs, milk, bread slices, and some ham left over from last night.

"Almost enough."

Muttering, he rolled up his sleeves, skillfully beating eggs, frying ham, toasting bread, and heating milk in a small milk pot, the whole process in one go.

The grease sizzled in the pot, soon emitting an appetizing aroma.

Just as he put the last slice of toast on the plate, a "click" sound of the door lock turning came from behind.

Lin Xiuyuan subconsciously thought it was Sulli, but when he turned to look, it was Lin Xiaolu who walked out of Sulli's room.

She was clearly just woken up, her long hair messy, wearing a loose light-colored pajama, the neckline slightly open, the whole person still carrying the laziness of not having woken up.

Seeing Lin Xiuyuan busy in the kitchen, she was stunned for a moment, a hint of surprise in her eyes, "Ah, Xiuyuan, when did you come back?"

Before the words fell, another light sound came from the other side.

Lin Xiuyuan's own bedroom door was also pushed open, and Zheng Xiuyan walked out rubbing her eyes.

She was wearing a thin home outfit, carrying a bit of casual lazy temperament.

When seeing the scene in front of the kitchen, she was also slightly stunned, her gaze sweeping between Lin Xiuyuan and Lin Xiaolu.

For a time, the air between the three was a bit subtle.

But soon, this small embarrassment was washed away by the breakfast aroma permeating the apartment.

The aroma of fried ham and toast, mixed with the warm breath of milk, seemed to be gently summoning their stomachs.

Lin Xiuyuan shrugged, saying lightly, "All up? That's just right, go wash up, let's eat together later, you guys have changed the dormitory to my place."

Lin Xiaolu twitched her nose and couldn't help but laugh, "Changed just right, breakfast as soon as I wake up."

Zheng Xiuyan didn't say anything, just curled her lips slightly and turned to wash up.

Her demeanor was still calm, but when she turned her back to Lin Xiuyuan, a thoughtful satisfied smile quietly floated in her eyes.

A few minutes later, the three returned to the dining table one after another.

Lin Xiuyuan had already set up breakfast, three plates arranged neatly, golden fried ham slices, crispy-outside-tender-inside toast, the fried egg surface still glistening with a bit of oil, and steam rising from the milk cups.

When the three sat down, silence appeared again briefly.

But this time, the air was filled with a bit more warmth.

And Lin Xiuyuan looked at Sulli's bedroom with the door wide open, somewhat curious, "Where is Zhenli."

"Ran back to the crew late last night, seems like Xiujing's shooting progress isn't ideal." Lin Xiaolu said.

Immediately after, Zheng Xiuyan looked at Lin Xiuyuan, although she didn't speak, the worry in her eyes wasn't hidden at all.

"Eat first."

Lin Xiuyuan said softly.

After a long while, Lin Xiaolu, who finished breakfast, took the initiative to stand up and tidy up the plates, knives, and forks on the dining table neatly.

Her movements were light, and after sweeping a circle, she smiled slightly, signaling Zheng Xiuyan to go accompany Lin Xiuyuan for a while.

She could see that her Unnie seemed to have something to ask Lin Xiuyuan, so she consciously gave the two some space.

Zheng Xiuyan nodded slightly and walked toward Lin Xiuyuan quietly, her movements light, her eyes carrying a hint of curiosity and worry.

Just as she sat on the sofa and was about to speak, Lin Xiuyuan beside her broke the silence first, his voice low and carrying a bit of playfulness, "I've already gone to ask Jessica, asked those questions you wanted to know."

Zheng Xiuyan was slightly stunned, her brows lifted slightly, a flash of surprise in her eyes, "So fast?"

Lin Xiuyuan's expression was calm, just nodding lightly, as if everything was under control.

Then he relayed Jessica's answer lightly, his tone neither fast nor slow, but carrying a hint of elusive meaning.

Listening to Lin Xiuyuan's tone, Zheng Xiuyan's expression gradually converged, her brows slightly furrowed.

Her eyes were no longer as relaxed as before, but instead fell into deep thought.

Muttering in a low voice, she seemed to be digesting that information, "Mm~ understood."

The air was filled with the faint breakfast aroma, mixed with the warm light of the morning sun spilling in from the window, appearing quiet and soothing.

However, the thoughts in Zheng Xiuyan's heart were surging, she lowered her head slightly, her gaze falling on Lin Xiuyuan's hands, not speaking for a long time.

Until the "click" sound of Lin Xiaolu closing the dishwasher in the kitchen broke the silence, Zheng Xiuyan then came back to her senses and lifted her head to speak again.

"Alright, let's put Jessica's matter aside for now."

Her gaze turned to Lin Xiuyuan, her tone carrying a hint of concern, "Now I'm more worried about Xiujing."

Zheng Xiuyan, who slowly lifted her head, squeezed a smile on her face, although it looked a bit forced, the tenderness and concern in her eyes were still clearly visible.

Lin Xiuyuan looked at her deeply and smiled, "I'll go visit the set later, want to go together?"

"Ah, me?" Zheng Xiuyan pointed to herself.

"Otherwise?" Lin Xiuyuan's smile deepened, his tone carrying a bit of teasing, "A teacher is famous, if you don't go, how can I go alone."

Hearing this, Zheng Xiuyan's mouth curled slightly, "Then what identity are you going as?"

"Assistant?"

Failing to get the answer she wanted, Zheng Xiuyan was a bit unhappy, but the plan in her heart made it hard for her to turn her face now, so she directly gave him a look.

Making Lin Xiuyuan laugh sheepishly~

Close call, close call, almost got trapped.

(End of chapter) ===== CHAPTER 239 =====