Chapter 241: Krystal on video call with Zheng Xiujing (10,000 words seeking)

Near noon, Lin Xiuyuan and Zheng Xiuyan went out together.

Lin Xiaolu continued to be busy with work, Sulli and the others' crew had already started filming, and the crew of "The Heirs" was also almost ready.

As the heroine and the C-position face of Girls' Generation, it was almost impossible for her not to be busy.

On the contrary, Zheng Xiuyan, as a designer, had recently received many invitations to fashion events, which was undoubtedly a great thing for her or that SM company.

So she was currently in a transition period, just right to make some adjustments, take a rest, and also tidy up the itinerary arrangements.

The sun was just right, and the air carried the coolness of early autumn.

Zheng Xiuyan, walking side-by-side with Lin Xiuyuan, had her clothes corner lifted lightly by the wind blowing from the intersection, as if reminding her of the change of seasons.

At the same time, there was a light and slightly heart-pounding feeling in her heart, as if she always felt a bit of inexplicable peace of mind when she was with Lin Xiuyuan recently.

Lin Xiuyuan noticed her slightly trembling movement, his eyes swept over her side face briefly, then returned to the front.

Then he quickly protected her into the car, skillfully starting the car, his movements crisp and natural.

Soon, the car radio played background music softly, the melody unhurried, as if creating a quiet space for the two.

"Really didn't expect you to take the initiative to visit the set."

Zheng Xiuyan looked at him after getting in the car, her tone carrying a bit of teasing, but there was a slight concern in her eyes.

She, leaning in the passenger seat, was still holding her small bag, her eyes occasionally glancing at Lin Xiuyuan, with a bit of elusive exploration hidden deep in her gaze.

"No way, who let her be your sister, and also the past body of Krystal, still have to help keep an eye on her."

Lin Xiuyuan held the steering wheel with one hand, the other hand casually resting on his leg.

Only to see him shift gears, step on the accelerator, and drive the car toward the location given by Sulli, his movements composed and natural.

Just at this time, Zheng Xiuyan suddenly opened her mouth, "By the way, Xiuyuan~ what was Jessica's expression like when she answered at that time."

Her voice wasn't high, carrying a bit of curiosity.

Lin Xiuyuan, looking ahead, answered, "Mm, how to say, it was a very normal reaction. Even after hearing it was Zheng Xiuyan asking, she only showed curiosity about my side, not you as a person."

Zheng Xiuyan pursed her lips, not pursuing, just looking quietly at the street scene flying backward outside the window.

After a few seconds, she suddenly laughed lightly, "So Xiuyuan~ you personally think, how is the me in 2025 doing now, you personally think how she is doing."

Lin Xiuyuan heard the meaning in her words, turned his head to glance at her, the corners of his mouth lifting slightly, "Then do you want to hear the truth, or do you want me to just brush you off?"

Zheng Xiuyan was stunned, didn't answer, but turned her head to the other side somewhat silently.

The sunlight outside the car window was just right, making her side profile soft, but her eyes were a bit drifting.

After a short silence, she said softly, "Tell the truth, quite curious."

"Truth." Lin Xiuyuan's smile was faint, carrying a bit of composure, "Actually, from the perspective of me not being in your circle, Jessica's approach at the time was nothing more than wanting to maximize benefits, which was originally very normal. The only thing a bit unlucky was running into a big pit and falling into it."

Zheng Xiuyan couldn't help but laugh low, shaking her head, "You didn't speak so nicely before, Xiuyuan."

"Alright, ran into a stupid thing, leading to stepping into a pit."

After a light laugh, Lin Xiuyuan continued.

"But I asked Krystal later, from the income perspective, she actually didn't drop much. Maybe it was because there was less sharing, so even if work and popularity were less, there wasn't a big loophole in income."

When saying this, Lin Xiuyuan's words carried a bit of helplessness and rational analytical sense, his fingers holding the steering wheel tapping slightly, as if organizing his logic.

"It was just that she was pitted by that stupid thing later, leading to entering the blacklist in Hong Kong and Macau, so she had to withdraw from the work there."

Then, Lin Xiuyuan's eyes swept toward Zheng Xiuyan briefly, noticing her brows slightly furrowed, the corners of her mouth seeming to contain some concern, but deliberately putting away her expression.

"However, she was still lucky, just entered the blacklist and ran into that kind of thing, directly stopping globally for several years. After the economy recovered, she directly cut into the domestic entertainment circle to make money by relying on the connections accumulated in those few years. So in my view, although Jessica stumbled all the way, her life level actually wasn't much worse than when she was in the group."

Finally, perhaps feeling that what he said was a bit objective, Lin Xiuyuan suddenly curled his mouth, the Dragon King went online, and started his journey of complaining.

"But if you look at it from a fan's perspective, then I have something to say."

He smiled evilly and continued, "Just like the stupid thing I just said was Jessica, because she misjudged a man, pushing the Girls' Generation that could have stepped on the internet dividend and risen another head into the sunset, which was really a bit of a pity."

Then he indicated, "Even if she steadily passed those two years and then came out to do what she wanted to do, her income at that time wouldn't be much worse than it is now, and there wouldn't be any stains, blacklists, and other situations."

All the way, Zheng Xiuyan listened to these words of Lin Xiuyuan, and the whole person was also immersed in deep thought.

Actually, she had definitely thought of all these things after watching so much news information in 2025.

She asked just now, just wanting to hear this answer from Lin Xiuyuan's mouth and compare it with what she thought in her heart.

Seeing the atmosphere in the car a bit dull, Lin Xiuyuan, who had complained, also lifted his brows lightly, changing the subject with a bit of teasing.

"By the way, I'll go find Zhenli later, I must ask what's going on, clearing all the chat history in my group."

Zheng Xiuyan, who had been distracted, felt a "thump" in her heart after noticing what he said, and coughed lightly, "That, I told Sulli to clear it. Last night we chatted about some topics in the group that were not suitable for children and not suitable for you to intervene in, so we deleted them."

Lin Xiuyuan looked at her, and Zheng Xiuyan also happened to turn her head over.

His gaze carried probing and temperature, and after a brief exchange of glances with Zheng Xiuyan, the air in the car tightened slightly.

But soon Lin Xiuyuan smiled, his expression relaxing, "Fine."

Leaning on the back of the chair, he asked casually after laughing, "Then what exactly were you chatting about, chatting so explosively, and still need to clear the records?"

Zheng Xiuyan froze for an instant, a smile squeezed out on her face quickly, her eyes flickering, "Oh, secrets between girls, don't ask."

Hearing this, Lin Xiuyuan also laughed lightly, not pursuing.

The two chatted and laughed, and the car drove into the street block where the crew was located, and after confirming their identities with the peripheral personnel, the two drove straight in again.

Soon, they could see a nanny car parked on the side of the road and busy staff coming and going from afar.

Lin Xiuyuan, who parked the car on the side, prepared to get out of the car side-by-side with Zheng Xiuyan.

However, before getting out of the car, Zheng Xiuyan put on sunglasses, her temperament instantly becoming cold, as if instantly switching to professional mode.

By the way, she reached out to tidy her long hair, elegant and firm, carrying a bit of imperceptible arrogance.

Seeing this, Lin Xiuyuan, who had just turned off the car, couldn't help but tease, "Yo, this is the so-called idol mode."

Zheng Xiuyan rolled her eyes at him, didn't retort, instead reached out to tidy her long hair, and after getting out of the car elegantly, took Lin Xiuyuan to walk toward the makeup room.

Just as they arrived at the door, they saw Sulli walking out with a script, almost bumping into them.

"Ah!" Sulli was stunned for a moment, then revealed a surprised smile, "oppa~, Unnie, you finally came, any later and we would have changed places after filming."

"So urgent, walk carefully." Lin Xiuyuan smiled and reached out to take the script for her, then said, "Then should I have the support car I found someone to prepare drive over here, or drive to your next place."

"Also prepared a support car?" Sulli was surprised.

Zheng Xiuyan was also shocked, turning her head slightly to look at Lin Xiuyuan, a flash of incredulity and curiosity in her brows, "When did you prepare it? Why didn't I know at all."

Mainly from morning until just now, the two had been together, almost never heard the other party make a phone call to communicate about this matter.

So Zheng Xiuyan was a bit shocked, her brows lifted slightly.

"What's there to communicate, add a friend, then find a promotional material from the internet, print a copy and stick it on the coffee car, and pack the other party for a day. I think you guys thought wrong, I didn't prepare those small accessories or gifts, just an ordinary coffee meal car."

Lin Xiuyuan shook the phone in his hand, his tone carrying a bit of light-heartedness, but appearing natural, explaining his operation clearly.

Then Sulli laughed, "oppa, just an ordinary meal car is enough, those small gifts are too troublesome, and some staff may not necessarily want them."

"Mm, the other party should be here soon." Lin Xiuyuan swept a glance at the street entrance.

Just as the three were standing at the door chatting, the door of the makeup room was pushed open, and Zheng Xiujing walked out from inside.

When pushing the door out, her eyes originally carried habitual coldness, as if still staying in the emotions of the character.

But when she really saw the few people standing at the door, her expression paused clearly.

Zheng Xiujing, whose features were still clear and beautiful, had more flesh on her cheeks and arms than before to match the image of the character in the play.

But that bit of slight weight gain made her look softer and closer to the sense of reality needed by the character.

But this change fell into the eyes of those who knew her, and still brought a trace of surprise.

That temperament, it was as if she was the one Lin Xiuyuan saw in the "Crystal Ball" period later, no longer a sharp little girl, but with a bit more roundness... funny.

"Why are you all here."

Her voice was flat, deliberately covering up something, but her eyes couldn't help but wander between Lin Xiuyuan and Zheng Xiuyan.

Finally, she fixed on Sulli's face hesitantly, as if silently seeking some answer.

Sulli immediately raised a bright smile, her eyes curving into crescent moons, her tone light, "It's Unnie who said she wanted to give you a surprise, specially came to visit the set~ so I told oppa and the others the address! And oh, Xiujing, oppa also specially prepared a support car for the crew for you!"

"Support truck?" Zheng Xiujing was startled, subconsciously looking toward Lin Xiuyuan, her eyes revealing a hint of surprise and helplessness.

Lin Xiuyuan just smiled lightly, his demeanor composed, waving his hand, "Just an ordinary coffee car, prepared some refreshing drinks and snacks for everyone, not anything special, don't take it to heart."

Zheng Xiujing was stunned for a few seconds, then bowed slightly sincerely, her tone sincere, "Really thank you."

Zheng Xiuyan, standing on the side, watched Zheng Xiujing quietly, a trace of unease quietly floating in her heart.

Because she keenly noticed that Zheng Xiujing's state at this time seemed even more tired than she had expected.

That slightly round figure and those eyes that couldn't hide the fatigue were all silently explaining her hard work during this period.

"Xiujing, come over here."

After speaking, Zheng Xiuyan didn't give her a chance to refuse, reaching out to gently hold her arm, bringing her to the side with an irresistible force.

"Unnie, I still have to prepare for the next scene..."

"Just for a while." Zheng Xiuyan's voice was soft, but carried an irresistible certainty.

The two walked to the side, whispering.

Because of work, they hadn't been able to chat face-to-face like this for a while.

Zheng Xiuyan's eyes carried both heartache and a rare sister aura, making Zheng Xiujing only able to respond obediently.

On the other side, Lin Xiuyuan, who stayed in place, was accompanied by Sulli, walking and watching in the crew.

Sulli lively introduced him to the shooting scenes and staff, occasionally throwing out a few jokes, her brows and eyes lively, making the atmosphere appear relaxed and comfortable.

Not long after, a coffee support car with a simple banner drove slowly.

The metal shell of the meal car shone in the sun, and the side of the car was sprayed with words like "Zheng Xiujing, cheer up, crew, you've worked hard", although not luxurious, it was full of sincerity.

Lin Xiuyuan and Sulli went to greet the director together.

The director had originally thought about finishing the planned scenes before resting, but looking at the face of Sulli, the screenwriter, plus the atmosphere of the crew needed adjustment, he waved his hand directly, announcing a half-hour early break, and everyone enjoyed lunch and coffee together.

Soon, the crew staff gathered to the meal car in twos and threes, and the atmosphere at the scene was lively and relaxed.

Not long after, Zheng Xiuyan also walked over with Zheng Xiujing, and the expressions on both their faces had eased a lot.

Not long ago.

When Zheng Xiuyan gently held Zheng Xiujing's hand and brought her to a corner of the shooting scene where there were fewer people, she immediately asked in a low voice with concern.

"Xiujing,"

Zheng Xiuyan's voice was very light, but carried an undeniable seriousness, "Recently when you were filming, did you encounter any difficulties?"

Zheng Xiujing subconsciously shifted her gaze, her lips forced a smile, her tone feigned relaxation, "No, it's all quite good... maybe it's just continuous filming, a bit tired."

"Don't try to fool me." Zheng Xiuyan stared at her fixedly, that look as if it could penetrate all disguises and reach the truth in her heart, "Is there anything, really can't you tell Unnie?"

Zheng Xiujing bit her lower lip, and after looking at Zheng Xiuyan for a few seconds, finally lost, her voice lower, "Mm... a bit of a problem."

Hearing this, Zheng Xiuyan sighed, her voice softer, "Before, didn't Xiuyuan and Xiaolu give you some acting scripts? Didn't they help?"

"Useful." Zheng Xiujing nodded lightly, but then sighed again, a bit of helplessness between her brows, "But how to say, I can understand the things inside, and I can perform. It's just... when filming, I always feel like something is missing."

She paused, her gaze slightly drifting, her fingers rubbing gently on the corner of her clothes, as if smoothing the anxiety in her heart.

"The director didn't have too high requirements, my scenes can pass. But if I want better, more natural effects, then it might not be that good."

Speaking of this, Zheng Xiujing couldn't help but think of the "experience school" that Sulli had once said to her.

But that method that required real emotional investment was ethereal and hard to reach for her.

Mainly because she didn't have anyone in her life who could make her heart move.

Those around her were either colleagues in the company or friends in the circle, and no one had ever produced such emotions for her for the time being.

In Zheng Xiujing's view, even if she really wanted to try the "experience school", she hoped the object was someone she truly liked, not just anyone.

These thoughts swirled in her heart, but she didn't say them out.

She just remained silent, her face covered with a layer of darkness that was hard to dispel.

Zheng Xiuyan saw this situation in her eyes, and her heart felt as if it were pressed by something.

If it were before, she might not have been so persistent in asking.

Everyone fought for their careers, everyone moved along their own tracks, and she was used to keeping a certain distance between sisters.

But now it was different.

Since knowing everything in 2025, knowing what Zheng Xiujing would experience and lose because of herself in the future.

Every time those pictures surfaced, they made Zheng Xiuyan feel heartache, and she wanted to make up for something at this end with all her strength.

The future couldn't be made up for, so this made Zheng Xiuyan even more concerned about Zheng Xiujing here

"Silly." Zheng Xiuyan reached out to stroke her younger sister's long hair, her gaze as soft as overflowing warm water. "If you really can't get through it, just say it. Don't bottle it up alone."

Zheng Xiujing only pursed her lips, offering no further explanation. That silence only made Zheng Xiuyan feel more sour inside.

Just then, a car horn sounded from outside the set.

The support truck had arrived.

Zheng Xiuyan took the opportunity to take her sister's hand. "Stop thinking about it for now, let's go see the support truck. While we're at it, let's go talk to Lin Xiuyuan; maybe he can help you."

"Ah, Unnie, are you serious? What could he possibly help me with?" Zheng Xiujing blinked, half-doubting.

"He can help you find a teacher."

Zheng Xiuyan's tone was relaxed, but her eyes held certainty and tenderness, as if everything were already under control.

The group took coffee and sandwiches from the food truck and walked together to the nearby rest area for actors.

A few folding tables and chairs were set up here; although the setup looked simple, the shade under the parasols and the temporarily hung fabric curtains barely blocked the glaring sun.

The air was filled with the scent of coffee, the wheaty aroma of sandwiches, and the faint hum of machinery in the distance, giving the whole space a sense of makeshift busyness, yet it also felt remarkably grounded in daily life.

After the four of them sat down, the atmosphere became much more relaxed. Sulli spoke first, chatting happily with Lin Xiuyuan about the structure of the film crew.

From how the lighting team set up lights to create the best atmosphere, to what important items the props team had lost recently, and even the minor frictions between the director's team and the production team, she recounted everything as if she knew it by heart.

Lin Xiuyuan nodded as he listened, occasionally asking a few follow-up questions, his expression relaxed and curious, which made Sulli chat even more excitedly, her voice and smile brightening accordingly.

Halfway through, she suddenly seemed to remember something, tapped her palm lightly with an "Ah," and looked at Lin Xiuyuan with bright eyes. "Oppa, do you remember when we joked about having you become a director?"

"I remember, I thought you were all crazy back then." Lin Xiuyuan smiled, his tone carrying a hint of playfulness.

"It's true, it felt quite fun at the time, but now I realize that being a director is really too hard. It's not just about filming; you have to coordinate every single team. It's practically a devil's job."

"What you guys had was 'wishful thinking'." Lin Xiuyuan was amused, took a sip of coffee, and joked casually, "If you really made me a director, I'd probably run away in three days."

Sulli couldn't help but giggle, her laughter as light as sunshine.

Just then, Zheng Xiuyan interjected softly, her tone calm yet naturally shifting the topic. "Speaking of which, how is the progress of your acting team? I heard from Xiujing earlier that it seems quite rushed lately?"

As soon as she finished speaking, Lin Xiuyuan subconsciously looked at Zheng Xiujing.

Her slightly chubby appearance made him almost unable to hold back his laughter, and he even felt the urge to take out his phone, snap a picture, and send it to the future Krystal in the group chat.

However, before he could actually take action, Zheng Xiuyan seemed to sense something and continued, "By the way, Lin Xiuyuan, could you find a teacher for Xiujing, someone to give her lessons or something like that?"

Once these words were out, Lin Xiuyuan was stunned. "Ah, what kind of lessons?"

He understood Zheng Xiuyan's idea; it was clearly about Krystal. "Do you want to bring her over to meet?"

"No, no."

To his surprise, Zheng Xiuyan shook her head immediately. "No need to meet, just like taking an online class. Xiujing can turn on a camera here, and let that teacher guide her from the computer side. Just like YoonA did back then; it should be much better than letting Xiujing figure it out all by herself, right?"

Zheng Xiujing raised her head slightly, a flash of hesitation and curiosity in her eyes, her lips moving slightly as if weighing the pros and cons.

Sulli, noticing her reaction from the side, couldn't help but raise an eyebrow, a smile playing on her lips.

As for Lin Xiuyuan, he looked at Zheng Xiuyan seriously, and after seeing her shake her head again, he stated, "I'll ask the person, but does Xiujing have the time?"

Before Zheng Xiujing could speak, Sulli immediately explained, "She does. Recently, Xiujing's schedule is all filming; apart from filming, there are few other schedules, so she does have the time."

Zheng Xiujing nodded slightly, her lips pursed. "Mm, that's right."

Her eyes revealed a hint of relief, as if she had a small expectation for the future arrangement.

The steam from the coffee drifted gently in the breeze, and the four people's conversation and laughter intertwined, making this temporary rest area feel exceptionally warm and real.

Evening, 2025.

Inside the villa, the night was quiet, and outside the window, only the faint sound of wind and the occasional call of a night bird could be heard.

Krystal, who had just returned after being "interrogated" by Jessica, received a new "job" from Lin Xiuyuan as soon as she walked in, a look of amusement and slight surprise on her face.

"Ah, you're asking me to teach myself? I don't even know where to start. YoonA Unnie was an example before, Lin Xiuyuan~"

Krystal shrugged slightly as she spoke, her movements carrying a hint of helplessness but also a relaxed smile, and then she sat down beside Lin Xiuyuan.

"I can't help it either. It's your sister who feels bad for Zheng Xiujing, so she wants to ask you for a favor. Or should I go tell her it's impossible?"

After saying this, Lin Xiuyuan was about to get up and return to the 2013 apartment, but he was held back by Krystal grabbing his arm. "Hey~ I didn't say I wouldn't do it, it's just that it's so sudden, I'm a bit confused. Let me take a moment."

Her voice carried a bit of coquettishness, yet also some lingering tension, her eyes flickering slightly. "I'm mainly worried that Zheng Xiujing will recognize me."

"It'll be fine if you don't turn on the camera." Lin Xiuyuan added with a smile.

"The voice is also a giveaway." Krystal blinked.

"Have you forgotten about the situation with Taeyeon?" Lin Xiuyuan said with a smile, then added, "How about we start a video call and chat?"

After hesitating for a moment, Krystal nodded and agreed.

And so, a few minutes later, the two of them returned to the 2013 apartment.

Sulli still hadn't finished work and was still accompanying Zheng Xiujing on the set.

Lin Xiuyuan took Krystal back to his bedroom, turned on the computer, logged into his account, and called Sulli directly via video.

Since he was using a desktop, this computer had no camera, only a microphone, so there was no need to worry about Krystal's face being screenshotted by hackers.

The night shrouded the apartment, and inside, only the faint light from the computer screen shone on their faces, carrying a soft warmth.

The computer screen lit up, and the film set where Sulli was came into view.

After Lin Xiuyuan communicated with Sulli, she turned the camera to point at Zheng Xiujing, who was in the middle of filming.

Under the dim yellow lights, Zheng Xiujing was wearing a thick mascot costume, her face covered in a layer of sweat.

Because of the character's needs, her figure seemed even rounder than when they met at noon; it must have been some "technology and harsh work" added, and even when she walked, there was a hint of clumsiness.

Seeing this, Lin Xiuyuan finally couldn't help but laugh, his shoulders shrugging slightly, his laughter low but uncontrollable. "Haha, I didn't dare to laugh at noon, the crystal ball, hahahaha, she really looks so funny now."

"Hey!"

Krystal, sitting beside him, immediately reached out and patted him, her eyes full of smiles but also carrying a sense of protection for "herself." "What are you laughing at? That's me."

She bit her lip and added, a hint of teasing in the corners of her eyes. "Tell me, did you laugh like this when you saw me before 2025?"

"I didn't, I really didn't."

Lin Xiuyuan waved his hands quickly, forcing his laughter down, and coughed twice to cover it up.

Krystal's expression gradually settled, and she stared at the screen seriously. She didn't rush to speak, but carefully observed Zheng Xiujing's performance.

She watched in silence, only her brow occasionally furrowing slightly, as if she were thinking about something.

When a scene ended and the director shouted "Cut," Zheng Xiujing took the script and retreated to the side to rest.

As soon as Sulli saw the opening, she immediately walked over with her phone, smiling as she leaned in front of Zheng Xiujing. "Heehee, Xiujing, guess who's on the other end of the call?"

Zheng Xiujing was opening a bottle of water and raised an eyebrow. "Who?"

"When Oppa came over at noon, didn't Zheng Xiuyan Unnie ask him to find you an acting teacher? The kind that does online classes..." Sulli said very casually, smiling brightly. "This is the one."

"Ah?" Zheng Xiujing was stunned, and she almost lost her grip on the water bottle.

She looked at the lens in disbelief, or rather, at the pitch-black corner at the top.

Her tone was full of surprise. "It's only been a few hours? No way..."

Lin Xiuyuan, on the other side of the screen, greeted her with a smile. "Hi, Xiujing. It's just that Zheng Xiuyan was quite concerned, so I helped you find someone to try it out first."

As he spoke, he gently pushed the microphone toward Krystal.

Krystal pursed her lips, her expression serious, and spoke calmly and firmly. "Xiujing."

The voice was soft but carried a certain warmth, making Zheng Xiujing on the other end of the phone pause, her gaze becoming focused involuntarily.

That voice... it was a bit familiar, but she couldn't say why.

It was clearly just a stranger of an "online teacher," but the familiarity made her subconsciously straighten her back, her expression revealing a hint of shock and curiosity.

Her eyes widened slightly, as if searching for a fragment in her memory.

"Have I... heard your voice somewhere before?"

A moment later, Zheng Xiujing couldn't help but ask instinctively.

Her tone carried a slight tremor, her eyes narrowed, trying to capture more clues from the phone screen in Sulli's hand.

Krystal, on this side of the screen, felt her heart give a slight jolt.

Through Sulli's lens, she clearly saw herself in 2013, fumbling with her acting.

The green, youthful temperament, the sharpness and stubbornness in her eyes that hadn't been polished by time were still there, yet they also carried the confusion and hesitation of a beginner.

This made her mutter to herself: So... the me back then was like this.

Both familiar and strange.

Just like seeing a shadow that had been lost for a long time in a mirror, carrying a gentle yet slightly stinging sense of strangeness.

Her emotions wavered slightly, but Krystal quickly steadied herself, putting away the sentimentality in her heart, though her tone carried an unavoidable complexity.

She knew that the person on the other side was not "someone else," but herself from back then.

Precisely because of this, she understood the problem better than anyone else, and she wanted to push her even more, to help her grow faster.

"I watched the scene you just did."

When Krystal spoke again, her voice was firmer than before, carrying a calm strength.

"Actually, your problem isn't the lines or the blocking, but your emotional connection. You had the feeling in the first half, but it broke as soon as you transitioned, and your expression couldn't keep up, so the audience will feel it's 'fake.' It's like you're acting, not being in that situation."

Zheng Xiujing frowned slightly upon hearing this.

Being evaluated by this familiar voice actually made her feel a bit awkward, and although she wanted to retort, she was suppressed by the other person's certainty and couldn't speak.

And Krystal continued to point out, "Another thing is your eyes. I don't know if you've noticed or can feel it."

"What?" Zheng Xiujing asked.

"It's that when you say your lines, you always glance downward. I don't know if you're looking for ants or looking for a sense of security. This might be related to you being an idol, used to finding the camera and finding fans. But in film and television, the camera magnifies everything. What the audience sees is you dodging, not expressing."

As soon as Krystal's words fell, the water bottle in Zheng Xiujing's hand creaked as she squeezed it.

She was somewhat stunned, and even more startled.

How could this so-called "teacher" point out her problems so accurately after watching for only a few minutes?

It was as if she really understood her better than she understood herself.

Is this what a master teacher is?

Is this how YoonA Unnie boosted her acting skills?

Krystal on the other side of the lens also fell silent for a moment, as if letting Zheng Xiujing digest every word.

Then she slowly added another sentence, her tone filled with the sentiment and warmth of someone who had been through it.

"Actually, acting isn't just about lines and movements; it's a combination of emotion and experience. Your current performance can pass, but if you want to be better, you must find something that truly moves your heart. Otherwise, no matter how hard you try, there will always be a barrier."

On both sides of the computer screen, the two "Zheng Xiujings" from different times formed a sharp contrast.

One had a slightly flushed face, a gloomy and silent expression, with immaturity and anxiety in her eyes.

The other had clear eyes and a sharp tone, yet it was mixed with a hint of indescribable heartache and expectation.

But at this moment, Lin Xiuyuan interjected with a smile, his voice carrying a bit of teasing. "Don't just point out problems without solving them. What if Xiujing gets even more confused? Tell us, what should she do?"

Krystal glared at him, secretly thinking that this guy was truly "fearing the world wouldn't be in chaos," but she turned her attention back to Zheng Xiujing in front of the screen.

"Alright, I'll give you a most basic training method first."

She paused, trying to soften her voice slowly, but it still carried a bit of severity and undeniable authority. "First and foremost, it has to start with your eyes. The eye acting you've practiced over your many years as an idol must be slowly replaced."

Zheng Xiujing was slightly startled and repeated in a low voice, "Ah, eyes?"

In the bedroom, Krystal leaned forward slightly, her gaze reaching the bottom of Zheng Xiujing's eyes through the screen, as if she could penetrate time and space.

"Yes, the eyes."

She spoke slowly, her tone firm and penetrating. "Starting today, you must learn to immerse yourself in the character, not perform for someone to watch. Your eyes are the bridge to your emotions. If the bridge isn't built well, no matter how perfect your lines and movements are, it's just superficial work."

Her gaze swept over Zheng Xiujing on the screen and then looked around the bedroom slightly. "Your eyes are too flighty right now, lacking focus, so when your lines break, your emotions break with them. You must first learn to fix your gaze, let it support your emotions, instead of being dragged along by them."

Then, looking at a bottle of water on the table, she continued, "Find anything, it doesn't matter. A water bottle is fine, a pen on the table is fine. Stare at it, not at its shape, but 'look through it.' Imagine there's a layer of emotion hidden behind it, just like you're staring at someone you want to talk to."

"Talk to?" Zheng Xiujing repeated softly, a hint of doubt in her eyes.

Krystal nodded. "That's right. Even if it's just a cup, you must treat it as a person who can respond to you. Look at it and say a line, then record it with your phone, and watch it back to observe if your eyes are shaking. Then say the second line, the third line, until your eyes land steadily on it, without flashing or dodging. Only then will your emotions not drop."

She paused and added seriously, "If you can manage to 'talk' to an object, then when you are truly acting with an actor, your eyes will have power and won't be empty."

Zheng Xiujing in front of the screen subconsciously pursed her lips tightly, her fingers rubbing gently on the water bottle.

This method sounded a bit strange, but... it didn't seem entirely unreasonable.

Krystal seemed to see through her hesitation and continued, "It doesn't matter if you don't believe me. Pick up the water bottle in your hand, stare at it, and pretend it's the person you want to confide in. For example..."

She paused, her eyes flickered, and she slowly spat out a few words. "For example, pretend it's Lin Xiuyuan~"

"Eh?"

Zheng Xiujing froze instantly, a flush rising on her cheeks, and she subconsciously glanced at Sulli, who was sitting nearby drinking water leisurely.

And Krystal on the other side of the lens had the corners of her mouth slightly curled, not explaining further, just quietly watching herself in the video.

The air seemed to go quiet all of a sudden, with only the sound of breathing and the faint wind in the distance accompanying the silence.

Subsequently, the next scene needed to be filmed.

By the time Zheng Xiujing ran off to finish filming and hurried back to the rest area, the video on the screen had already gone dark.

Sulli, seeing her somewhat dazed, hugged her phone and smiled. "Don't worry, Xiujing, that was just a trial lesson. The real class starts tomorrow during the day."

Zheng Xiujing was stunned, picked up the water bottle on the table and took a sip, but her heart was still being led by that voice from just now.

After a long while, she raised her eyes, her expression carrying a hint of confusion and doubt. "Sulli, do you know that teacher from just now? I always feel her voice is so familiar."

Sulli almost couldn't help but laugh out loud, thinking to herself: How could it not be familiar? That's your future self.

But on the surface, she still pretended to be innocent and shook her head. "I don't know her. Maybe it's just that her voice is a bit like someone you've heard before."

As she spoke, she changed the subject and asked casually, "Anyway, Xiujing, what do you think of the method she just mentioned?"

Zheng Xiujing was silent for two seconds, her brow furrowing slightly, as if weighing things or organizing her inner thoughts.

She pursed her lips and answered hesitantly, "I don't really understand it, but I can try it, just..."

At this point, her expression paused slightly, and a hint of discomfort flashed in her eyes. "The last sentence she said, about treating the practice as Lin Xiuyuan, made me feel a bit confused, and even... a bit offended."

Sulli immediately sensed the subtlety in her tone and quickly explained, waving her hands with a smile. "Hey, maybe it's because Oppa was nearby, so that teacher said it that way. Don't overthink it."

Zheng Xiujing gave a low "Mm," her expression gradually softening, and she didn't ask any further.

She just put the water bottle aside, sat back in the chair, adjusted her breathing slowly, and then stared at a fountain pen on the table in front of her, starting to try the method taught in the video just now.

Her eyes gradually focused, her gaze filled with concentration, as if she were trying to grasp a bit of real feeling from that subtle practice.

At the same time, that voice continued to echo in her mind.

Really, is it just a bit similar?

It's very familiar... it's really very familiar.

(End of chapter)