Chapter 259

At the hospital parking lot.

When Lin Xiuyuan slipped into the car and closed the door, a faint scent of disinfectant still lingered in the cabin.

As he started the car, the low roar of the engine echoing in the narrow space, he lowered his head to finish replying to a text message from Tian Enjing.

His fingers tapped the screen rapidly, and once he sent that humorous meme, he couldn't help but chuckle himself.

Then he took out his phone again and casually opened his contacts to dial Jessica's number.

The phone rang a few times on the other end before it was answered, accompanied by familiar background noise; it seemed the television was still on.

"Hello?" Jessica's voice came through, her tone calm, but the tail end of her sentence carried a hint of elusive ease, like a canary that had flown out of its cage.

Lin Xiuyuan didn't engage in much small talk; he first simply informed her of his situation at the hospital, then took the opportunity to ask, "By the way, Jessica, what would you like to eat for lunch? I can order delivery to be sent over, or just buy it and bring it myself."

There was a two-second silence on the other end of the line, and then Jessica laughed, her voice light and somewhat happy.

"Lin Xiuyuan, what kind of person do you take me for? I'm not a child, and I certainly won't become some idiot waiting to be served and unable to take care of myself just because you locked me up for a few days. Don't worry, I'll find my own food."

Speaking of this, she seemed to pause for a moment, then continued in that slightly sarcastic tone, "Besides, I'm very busy right now. It's all your fault and that 'idiot woman' of yours for messing around and turning my affairs into a total mess. Alright, go busy yourself with your own matters, don't call to bother me anymore, hurry up and hang up."

As the words fell, before Lin Xiuyuan could even manage a reply, the call had already been disconnected.

He stared at the black screen, stunned for two seconds, his expression complex, before finally, the corners of his mouth curled into a helpless smile.

Just as he was thinking, he was startled by a piercing honk from behind.

Glancing at the rearview mirror, he realized the car behind him was impatiently honking at him, so he quickly paid the parking fee, drove out of the hospital parking lot, turned the steering wheel, and drove straight to the restaurant where he had an appointment with Li Juli.

That restaurant had a thick Japanese atmosphere; the wooden sliding doors emitted a warm, mellow woody scent, and warm yellow paper lanterns hung high overhead, casting soft light.

The air was filled with the aroma of grilled meat and soy sauce, mixed with the sound of human voices and the light crackling of charcoal, making one feel quite relaxed the moment they entered.

Pushing open the door to the private room, Lin Xiuyuan saw the three people who had already taken their seats at a glance.

Li Juli sat gracefully in the innermost seat, her every gesture exuding elegance; Dalongzai, on the other hand, had a lazy posture, resting her chin on her hand while smiling and talking to Park Hyomin.

Several plates of side dishes and tea cups were set on the table, with steam swirling.

"Hi, long time no see, ladies, I hope I haven't kept you waiting too long." Lin Xiuyuan walked up with a smile, his tone naturally carrying a bit of familiar joking, "I'm paying for this meal, don't any of you fight me for it."

"No, we just arrived not long ago." Li Juli raised her eyes to look at him, her voice gentle, carrying a faint smile.

After Lin Xiuyuan glanced at her, he naturally sat down in the depression of the tatami mat, took the menu from the side, and asked casually, "Have you ordered yet?"

Dalongzai immediately lifted her chin, her eyes carrying a bit of small pride, and said with a smile, "Mm, we've all ordered, and we specifically ordered grilled meat and lobster for you. Is it enough? If not, we can add more."

"It's enough, it's enough." Lin Xiuyuan closed the menu decisively and nodded to indicate.

The group chatted while waiting for the food to be served.

The topic naturally turned to the restaurant's specialties, and Li Juli even earnestly recommended a portion of tuna belly sashimi to Lin Xiuyuan.

It was just that Lin Xiuyuan wasn't used to eating raw food, so he politely declined.

And not long after, the topic naturally fell onto him.

Seeing that after chatting for a while, Li Juli narrowed her eyes, carrying a bit of a scrutinizing tone, "Xiuyuan, what exactly have you been busy with these past few days? It's truly very mysterious."

Lin Xiuyuan propped his chin up, his expression completely relaxed, "I've been 'taming the hawk' recently; my schedule has been packed, and I haven't even dared to sleep, only just finishing it yesterday, which is why I finally have time to come out."

"'Taming the hawk'?" Li Juli was stunned for a moment, then immediately took out her phone to search earnestly.

After finding the explanation, she also looked up at Lin Xiuyuan in surprise, "What do you mean, Xiuyuan, you're raising a hawk? An eagle?"

Lin Xiuyuan blinked and smiled helplessly, "Mm, yes, I'm raising a very fierce eagle, and it's only just been tamed these past two days."

"Wow, daebak..." Li Juli exclaimed softly, her eyes sparkling as if her interest had truly been piqued.

Beside her, Dalongzai could no longer hold back her laughter, her shoulders shaking slightly, and glancing at Lin Xiuyuan's deadpan nonsense, she almost laughed out loud.

And the topic unfolded easily just like that, from the absurd explanation of "taming the hawk" to T-ara's recent concerts and interesting work anecdotes; the atmosphere at the dining table gradually became lively, mixed with laughter and joy, making one forget the passage of time.

Before the tea had been served three times and the dishes were gradually arriving, the topic was unexpectedly brought by Park Hyomin to her past experience of going to Suhang to film videos.

Lin Xiuyuan listened, his eyes suddenly flashing, and he took the opportunity to point to her, "How was it? I heard that the influencer incubation process over in Suhang is practically like an assembly line; how did you feel after going there?"

Park Hyomin was turning her tea cup in her hand; she was stunned for a moment, then clicked her tongue, her eyebrows slightly raised, "This... how should I put it."

She pondered slightly, then still roughly recounted some of what she had seen.

Speaking of the level of professionalism in the short video industry there, the assembly-line style of operation was even more exaggerated than the star-making system in Seoul.

Her words were mixed with a bit of shock and emotion, and in the end, she just shook her head and summarized in a low voice, "Anyway, it was crazier than I imagined."

After listening, Lin Xiuyuan just smiled, did not continue to ask deeply, and did not engage in too much conversation with her.

It was just that a more curious question was stirring in the bottom of his heart.

Just at this moment, Dalongzai seemed to see through his thoughts and silently kicked him under the table.

The movement was very light, but it pulled Lin Xiuyuan back to the present like a reminder.

He was slightly startled, then pretended to be nonchalant and composed his expression.

Not long after, the food was served one after another, the aroma quickly swirling, and the warm yellow light shone on the table, refracting a sense of warmth.

Everyone ate and chatted, and the atmosphere gradually relaxed.

And Dalongzai's performance today was exceptionally attentive; not only did she take the initiative to pour water for Lin Xiuyuan, but she also personally picked up her favorite sashimi from her own plate and sent it directly to his mouth.

The passion and earnestness beneath those eyes almost had the words "honeymoon phase" written on her face.

Her appearance made even Park Hyomin stare in a daze, her chopsticks stopping in mid-air.

Even Li Juli couldn't help but slightly raise her eyebrows, a rare shock revealing itself in her eyes.

She knew very well in her heart that although she also harbored some ambiguous feelings for Lin Xiuyuan, it was still temporarily limited to appreciation, observation, and sexual impulses.

But Dalongzai was different; that intensity and straightforwardness had already far exceeded the degree that others could pretend not to see.

Sure enough, when Lin Xiuyuan made an excuse to go to the restroom, the atmosphere in the private room became instantly subtle.

And Park Hyomin turned her head at the first opportunity, lowered her voice, and her eyes revealed scrutiny, "Zhiyan, you've really taken a liking to Lin Xiuyuan, haven't you?"

Dalongzai didn't answer immediately, just looked at her quietly, her eyes clear.

That firmness was almost undisguised, and seeing it made Park Hyomin's heart tighten; the answer was self-evident.

Bae Joohyun: "Are you two dating?" (10,000 words)

She couldn't help but sigh, her brows slightly furrowed, "Zhiyan, Lin Xiuyuan is too young. If you're just playing a 'puppy love' style romance with him for the sake of novelty, that would be one thing. But if you're actually serious... in the end, I'm afraid you'll get hurt."

She paused, then added a meaningful remark, "I always feel that between the two of you, either you'll have him completely under your thumb, or he'll have you spinning in circles."

Dalongzai pursed her lips and smiled, yet there was an undeniable sense of seriousness in the corners of her eyes and brows.

The next second, she retorted with a question, spoken very softly, yet as if it pierced straight to the heart, "Is it possible that I just like spinning in circles, Unnie?"

As these words fell, Park Hyomin was stunned, as if she had been lightly slapped, yet she was unable to refute it.

The air grew stagnant for a moment.

Park Hyomin was the first who couldn't help herself, "Zhiyan, this attitude of yours... Unnie is seeing you this devoted for the first time. Why? How long have you two even known each other, how could it reach this point?"

Li Juli didn't interject immediately, but her gaze fell intently upon Dalongzai.

Compared to Park Hyomin, she clearly knew more, and could vaguely perceive the sincerity Lin Xiuyuan held for Dalongzai.

Yet even so, she hadn't expected that the *maknae* before her would face her feelings with such a fiery and straightforward attitude.

This was no longer simple infatuation; it was more like a persistence that went deep into her bones.

Dalongzai was silent for a few seconds, then finally spoke slowly.

Her eyes revealed an unprecedented softness, and the corners of her lips lifted slightly, "Unnies, you might not understand. Xiuyuan has given me a new life, a brand-new beginning."

Her voice gradually lowered, yet it carried a resonant sincerity.

"He also gave me a chance to make up for my mistakes and a surprise."

The seriousness with which these words fell moved even Li Juli, who exchanged a glance with Park Hyomin.

Complex doubt and shock appeared in both of their eyes simultaneously.

However, Dalongzai just smiled lightly, seemingly unwilling to let the atmosphere become overly heavy, and then put it extremely bluntly, "Or you can just consider it as Xiuyuan saving my life, so I intend to offer myself to him; it's as simple as that."

She said it very lightly, but her tone held not a hint of a joke.

For her, some things were too heavy to voice, but the firmness and persistence of her choice were enough to explain everything.

Her father, or herself.

When facing such a choice, for Dalongzai, it really wasn't a difficult problem.

"Offer yourself...?" Park Hyomin was dumbfounded, her chopsticks suspended in mid-air, her tone filled with disbelief.

Li Juli remained silent for a long time, her expression complex, a flash of contemplation in her eyes.

For a time, the three women in the private room spoke one after another, the discussion heated, almost forgetting the existence of the outside world.

Under the warm yellow lights, the air was filled with the fragrance of food and tea, silence and sound intertwined, as if time itself had slowed down.

Just at this moment, Lin Xiuyuan had just come out of the restroom and, walking along the corridor, gently pushed past the corner, but suddenly bumped into a familiar figure.

It was a young girl wearing a casual hoodie and jeans, her face bare, yet unable to hide her bright, youthful aura.

Her sunshine-like temperament made her entire figure stand out remarkably.

"Eh? It's you!"

Liu Zhimin, who was the first to spot Lin Xiuyuan, was stunned for a moment, then her eyes lit up, a surprised smile appearing on her face as she raised her hand and waved at the other party, "Lin Xiuyuan!! Why are you here?"

Lin Xiuyuan, who had looked up upon hearing the voice, was equally stunned, and immediately showed an expression of surprise, "Uh, Liu Zhimin??? How did you end up here?"

Seeing this girl again, whom he had met briefly a few months ago and later slowly became an online friend with, Lin Xiuyuan couldn't help but feel a bit surprised.

Liu Zhimin beamed, lowered her head slightly, and pointed to the private room at the other end of the corridor, "The members of our group are having a dinner party here today; we chose this restaurant, I didn't expect to run into you here."

Lin Xiuyuan nodded and explained casually, "I'm also eating with friends; the private room is over there."

A few simple sentences, yet like an invisible magnetic force, they made Liu Zhimin's gaze linger on him for a long time.

She carefully sized up the boy before her; compared to their brief meeting a few months ago, the impression in her mind had clearly undergone a great change.

His features were still delicate, yet they held a bit more sharpness and spontaneity.

That sharp and uninhibited edge made one involuntarily alert, yet the corners of his mouth carried a hint of a cynical arc.

Although his facial lines hadn't changed significantly, they seemed to have been subtly polished, making his entire temperament appear as if it had been re-sculpted, looking more composed and carefree than before.

What made her eyes light up even more was that obvious sense of relaxation.

A few months ago, Lin Xiuyuan still carried a bit of awkwardness and restraint, like a college student still adapting to society.

But now, his every move was natural and composed, carrying a steady yet spirited aura.

In short, in Liu Zhimin's eyes, this change made Lin Xiuyuan look almost brand new; compared to the last time they met, he was more than just a little bit more handsome.

After a round of scrutiny, she couldn't help but laugh softly, with the straightforwardness and curiosity unique to a young girl, "Lin Xiuyuan, you've become so much more handsome."

Lin Xiuyuan was taken aback by this sudden evaluation, then raised an eyebrow and smiled; he didn't address it directly, but instead said half-jokingly, "Is your memory that bad? It's only been a few months, how could there be any change?"

Liu Zhimin didn't rush to refute him, just stared at him seriously, her eyes filled with a bit of earnestness and inquiry, "My eyesight is just fine."

The two chatted casually for a few moments, the atmosphere gradually becoming relaxed; the light and shadows of the corridor fell diagonally upon them, slightly lengthening their shadows and closing the distance between them.

Then, Liu Zhimin suddenly seemed to muster up her courage, looked straight at Lin Xiuyuan, and asked, "By the way, when are you free? Let's grab a meal or something; we've been talking about it in messages, but we've never set a time."

Her tone was light, yet it hid a bit of anticipation.

Lin Xiuyuan was stunned for a moment, but didn't refuse, smiling naturally, "My time is very flexible; it mainly depends on how you arrange it, I'm available anytime."

This answer made Liu Zhimin's eyes light up slightly, carrying anticipation and a little bit of urgency, "Then tonight?"

Her tone was light, yet it couldn't hide a bit of nervousness; mainly because her own free time was truly limited.

As a result, Lin Xiuyuan felt a bit awkward for a moment, coughed lightly, and shook his head, "Tonight won't work, I have plans tonight."

Liu Zhimin, who hadn't expected this, was stunned for a moment, then curled the corners of her mouth, her eyes carrying a bit of teasing as she deliberately drew out her tone, "Oh ho, and you said you were available anytime. Lin Xiuyuan, you men are truly big liars."

Lin Xiuyuan didn't defend himself, just smiled and replied faintly, "Any time after tonight is fine."

Liu Zhimin looked at him, suddenly laughed, and said decisively, "Then tomorrow at noon."

"Sure," Lin Xiuyuan nodded in agreement.

The topic came to an end there; after all, both had dinner plans, so it wasn't appropriate to chat more.

Thus, they started moving almost at the same time, preparing to return to their respective private rooms.

Unexpectedly, at this very moment, a familiar figure walked over from the other end of the corridor.

That person's temperament was cold and carried a steady sense of presence, causing Liu Zhimin and Lin Xiuyuan to freeze almost simultaneously.

"Long time no see, why are you here?" that person spoke first, their tone carrying surprise, though their gaze landed steadily on Lin Xiuyuan, holding a hint of scrutiny.

As Lin Xiuyuan looked up to meet the other's gaze, a flash of surprise also appeared in his eyes, "Irene?? Wow, I came over to eat, why are you here too?"

Then, looking at Liu Zhimin beside him, he said with some amusement, "No, this wouldn't be the secret gathering spot for your SM family, would it?"

Opposite him, Irene slowly walked a few steps closer, her pace steady and her expression composed, but the faint glimmer in her eyes betrayed her surprise and amusement.

After all, this was the third time she and Lin Xiuyuan had run into each other in this kind of setting; recalling their last meeting, and that first encounter from even longer ago, even she had to admit this fate was somewhat wondrous.

Consequently, even her gaze couldn't help but flicker for a moment.

At the same time, Liu Zhimin, standing to the side, naturally recognized the other person and immediately put away her playful demeanor, bowing slightly to greet her, "Hello, senior."

Irene curled her lips politely and nodded in response, her eyes carrying a hint of gentle and subtle amusement, as if she were quietly sizing up the two people before her while confirming this unexpected little reunion.

Liu Zhimin had originally been a bit curious and wanted to ask how the two knew each other, but when she caught the faint, probing depth in the gaze Irene directed at her, she understood immediately.

Then, she smiled sensibly and said softly, "Well, Xiuyuan, I'll head back first, let's keep in touch another day."

Before turning away, she didn't forget to playfully make a "call me" gesture at Lin Xiuyuan, her eyes flashing with a small, mischievous light, but she quickly reined it in, returned to a state of quiet and steadiness, and turned to leave.

In the corridor, only Lin Xiuyuan and Irene were left, the air filled with a bit of lingering warmth and a subtle stillness.

Irene watched Liu Zhimin's departing back, was silent for two seconds, and then her gaze fell back to Lin Xiuyuan, asking indifferently, "Are you two... dating?"

Facing Irene's sudden question, Lin Xiuyuan just chuckled and waved his hand, "No, nothing like that."

His smile was clean and confident, without the slightest evasion, which made it difficult for Irene to press further.

"Then why are you here?" Lin Xiuyuan asked back, his tone casual.

Irene pursed her lips, her voice flat, "Eating with friends, didn't expect to run into you."

After saying this, she smiled slightly herself, as if she felt the sentence was too ordinary, but she couldn't help but pause, her eyes flickering as her emotions seemed subtly stirred, and she asked again, almost impulsively, "Do you want to sit down and have something to eat together?"

Lin Xiuyuan was stunned, a flash of surprise in his eyes.

He then shook his head gently and declined with a smile, "I'm here with friends too, next time. When you're free another day, let's have a meal together."

"Next time..." Irene repeated in a low voice, a feeling she couldn't quite name rising in her heart.

The repeated, chance encounters made her develop a strange sense of concern for this man.

Plus, the increasingly unique, mysterious aura about Lin Xiuyuan—quiet, relaxed, yet somehow able to attract attention.

She... suddenly wanted to grasp onto something.

Thinking of this, Irene took out her phone without hesitation, handed it to him, her voice flat but carrying a rare initiative, "Here, let's add each other."

Lin Xiuyuan looked at this stunning beauty with an outstanding temperament, his smile carrying a bit of amusement and surprise, and he did not refuse, "Sure."

The two tapped their phones lightly to confirm the friend request, and a subtle warmth permeated the air.

"I'll head back then." Lin Xiuyuan nodded slightly and turned to leave.

Irene watched his back as he walked further and further away, a surge of indescribable emotion rising in her heart, even her breathing becoming slightly heavy.

Over at Lin Xiuyuan's private room.

Dalongzai, Li Juli, and Park Hyomin had already pulled the topic back from the previous seriousness to reality, discussing the follow-up treatment for Tian Enjing's leg issue.

"If it keeps dragging on, or if she keeps rehearsing, she might end up with a worse chronic injury." Li Juli frowned, her tone carrying obvious worry, her fingers tapping the table lightly, as if she were putting effort into this topic.

Park Hyomin shook her head, her tone calm and firm, "We can only take it one step at a time now; the doctor doesn't have a clear plan yet, and being too anxious won't help. However, I still suggest Enjing rest; it's not like we can't perform with one person missing."

After listening, Dalongzai nodded along, "I agree with that too, but the most important thing is for her to keep her mindset stable."

As they spoke, they all fell silent, as if everyone were silently pondering how to arrange the next steps.

Just then, The Gate was pulled open, and Lin Xiuyuan's figure appeared at the entrance.

Seeing him, Li Juli blinked first, then teased, "If you hadn't come back, Xiuyuan, we were about to rush to the men's restroom to see if you'd fainted inside."

Lin Xiuyuan shook his head, unable to laugh or cry, and walked over to his seat to sit down, "Ran into two friends, chatted for a while, got delayed."

After saying this, he reached out to pick up his chopsticks, his movements natural, and rejoined the liveliness of the meal.

The fragrance, laughter, and light clinking of glasses in the private room filled the space again following Lin Xiuyuan's return.

On the other side.

When Liu Zhimin returned to her group's private room, she suddenly realized that she, who had gone out to use the restroom... hadn't used the restroom at all.

So, facing the strange looks cast by the members one by one, Liu Zhimin could only laugh awkwardly, pretend nothing had happened, and hurriedly ran out again.

As it turned out, just as she reached the restroom entrance, she ran straight into Irene.

When the two made brief eye contact, a light of politeness and slight probing flashed in their eyes, followed by nodding to each other in greeting, a polite smile flashing by.

Then they brushed past each other, each heading in a different direction.

Liu Zhimin walked into a stall, and the moment she closed the door, her heartbeat still carried a bit of excitement and a small amount of nervousness.

Irene stopped in her tracks, walked a few steps, and couldn't help but look back at the direction of that stall, her eyes narrowing slightly, her expression complex.

The dating rumors about this person in the circle were already common knowledge...

Added to the scene she had just witnessed, some thoughts began to emerge.

Lin Xiuyuan flashed through her mind, as did his "senior friends"; Irene, who wasn't good at handling relationships to begin with, had her thoughts suddenly turn into a tangled mess.

Although she was known as a big shot, most of it was just hype.

So she pursed her lips, finally withdrew her gaze, and walked back to her private room with a complex expression.

After returning to the private room, Irene's mind began to wander.

Even though the laughter of her friends at the table was constant and the atmosphere was very lively, she felt as if she were isolated in another layer of air, her eyes drifting to the corner of the table from time to time, and she even forgot to pick up the glass in her hand.

"Hey, what's wrong with you? You look like your soul has left your body." A friend opposite noticed something was wrong and reached out to shake her glass.

Pei Zhuxuan was stunned for a moment, then spoke in a low voice, asking a question with rare seriousness, "How do you interpret a phenomenon where a guy is surrounded by many beauties, and then suddenly, another girl who seems... very amorous appears?"

Her friend raised an eyebrow, a meaningful glint flashing in her eyes, "Isn't that simple? A scumbag and a sea queen hooking up; it's nothing more than you craving me and me craving you."

Pei Zhuxuan immediately shook her head in denial, "No. Those beauties around that guy are all... very good-looking with great figures; I don't think that's the reason."

As soon as she finished speaking, her friend burst into laughter, "Oh my, I almost thought you were starting to blossom, but turns out that's not it."

"What do you mean?" Pei Zhuxuan was stunned, her brows slightly raised.

"At the very least, the term 'great figure' doesn't apply to you," her friend teased deliberately, her tone light and flirtatious, yet carrying a hint of harmless provocation.

"Hey!" Pei Zhuxuan immediately laughed and scolded, reaching out to push her with an exaggerated motion, which made them both laugh together.

The laughter echoed softly in the private room, carrying a sense of ease and warmth.

Finally, the friend waved her hand to admit her mistake, "Alright, alright, just a joke. But seriously, if it's really like you said, maybe it's because that guy is very outstanding, so he gets noticed?"

"Outstanding..." Pei Zhuxuan lightly rubbed the rim of her cup with her fingertips, while her heart was thinking about the scene from just now.

What she felt was more of a mystery, rather than so-called outstanding qualities.

Whether he was outstanding or not, she had no idea, but this sense of aloof mystery acted like a hook cast into her, making her curiosity slowly climb.

Clearly, she was not someone who usually overthought things, but when it came to mysterious concepts like "fate" and "mystery," she was easily hooked.

Thus, she sighed softly, gathered her thoughts, and stopped dwelling on the issue.

Thinking that everything should just take its natural course later.

It is unknown how much time passed before the lunch for Lin Xiuyuan, Dalongzai, and the others finally ended.

Li Juli suggested sitting somewhere else, but was cut off by Dalongzai saying, "I have something to discuss with Xiuyuan."

This made Li Juli furious on the spot, but hindered by her status as an unni, Dalongzai's status as the maknae, and the fact that Park Hyomin was present, she really felt embarrassed to argue about anything.

She could only watch helplessly as Dalongzai, looking perfectly justified, pulled Lin Xiuyuan away and sat in the passenger seat.

Through the floor-to-ceiling windows, both Pei Zhuxuan and Liu Zhimin's private rooms could clearly see Dalongzai smiling as she linked her arm with Lin Xiuyuan's, a scene so intimate it invited wild imagination.

The friends and members on both sides who saw this scene were also stunned for a moment, and then their eyes turned gossipy.

"Daebak, that's Park Jiyeon sunbaenim, right."

"Omo, it's Park Jiyeon, Zhuxuan, it's Park Jiyeon, and that guy next to her... so handsome."

That scene was like pouring a bucket of gasoline onto a bonfire of gossip; wild ideas and stimulating guesses were almost overflowing from their eyes.

However, Lin Xiuyuan and Dalongzai were completely unaware of all this.

After getting into the car, Lin Xiuyuan looked toward the passenger seat and asked, "Zhiyan, where are we going now?"

"Home." Dalongzai's gaze fell straight upon him, bright and firm.

As the car drove toward her Apartment, the hustle and bustle of the city slowly faded, leaving only the soft sound of the two breathing inside the car.

As soon as they entered The Gate, before he could even change his shoes, his wrist was gripped by those slender yet powerful hands, and he was almost half-pushed, half-dragged toward the bedroom.

"I've been holding back for too long regarding what we didn't finish in the bathroom earlier."

Dalongzai looked back at him, her eyes bright, filled with a sense of urgency and heat.

Then the bedroom door was pushed shut with a "bang."

The next second, she collapsed at the foot of the bed, her long hair scattered, her head slightly lowered as she looked up at Lin Xiuyuan.

This posture was both dangerous and alluring, like a deliberately staged scene.

"I've practiced this move for a long time," Dalongzai said, curling the corners of her lips, her breath ambiguous and light, "Do you want to experience it?"

Lin Xiuyuan was stunned for a moment and couldn't help but let out a low laugh.

The sight of Dalongzai before him was both bold and straightforward, completely unlike the cold and glamorous goddess on stage.

But soon, the two drew close amidst each other's breath, their bodies gradually entwined, and the ambiguous atmosphere in the room rose quietly, rippling slowly like water waves, filling every corner.

(...)

When everything returned to calm, the sound of trickling water came from the bathroom.

Not long after, Lin Xiuyuan walked out wiping his damp hair, looking refreshed and relaxed; water droplets slid gently along the tips of his hair, the slight dampness adding a touch of casual and natural charm to him.

Dalongzai was half-leaning on the bed, turning her head lazily, her voice revealing a hint of inquiry, "Xiuyuan, how is the situation with Jessica?"

Lin Xiuyuan raised an eyebrow and sat on the edge of the bed, answering softly, "It's already settled; she shouldn't be a ticking time bomb anymore, at most just a prickly steel needle."

"Oh?" Dalongzai blinked, clearly interested, a smile and curiosity playing on the corners of her mouth, "How did you settle it?"

Lin Xiuyuan pursed his lips and smiled, but shook his head, "It has nothing to do with me. She probably figured it out herself."

Although he said that, the moment he answered, the image of Kim Taeyeon, who had suddenly appeared yesterday and put immense pressure on Jessica, surfaced in his mind.

However, he did not tell Dalongzai about that complexity.

And Dalongzai was also very sensible and did not continue to press, just gently patted the bed space next to her, "Unh-huh, don't just stand there, come over and lie down. I'm a little sleepy, coax me to sleep before you go."

Lin Xiuyuan smiled helplessly and obediently lay down.

Dalongzai, lying on her side, naturally snuggled into his arms, her breathing gradually becoming steady, her whole person as soft as a feather.

A gentle atmosphere flowed quietly in the bedroom; in the quiet room, only the sound of the two breathing remained, intertwined with a sense of warmth and security.

After Dalongzai fell fast asleep, Lin Xiuyuan did not leave immediately.

Gently withdrawing his arm, he put on his clothes and walked out of the room.

The afternoon sunlight spilled into the house through the floor-to-ceiling windows, warm and bright.

He skillfully rummaged for ingredients in the Kitchen, finally simmering a nourishing stew in the stew pot. The rich aroma slowly permeated, warming the entire space.

Once the aroma had slowly dissipated, he left a note on the dining table and took it into the bedroom, placing it under a glass of warm water.

When Dalongzai woke up, it was already mid-afternoon outside. The first thing she saw was the glass of water on the bedside table and the small note pressed on top of it.

【Drink some water to soothe your throat, then go to the Kitchen to eat.】

The handwriting was dashing and casual, yet carried a thoughtful warmth.

Dalongzai's eyes lit up all of a sudden, and she hurriedly got up and walked toward the Kitchen. Sure enough, a rich-smelling stew was slowly simmering in the stew pot, and the aroma rushed toward her.

She froze for a few seconds, pursed her lips and smiled lightly, then subconsciously took out her phone, raised the lens, and snapped a photo.

Staring at the steaming bowl of soup on the screen, she pondered for a moment, and finally clicked the send button on the social media platform.

【Recently fell in love with this】

The caption was short, yet it secretly revealed a mood that only she herself understood.

Lin Xiuyuan left Dalongzai's Apartment and drove back to the Villa.

The afternoon sun was very bright, and when he pushed open The Gate and entered, the bright sunlight cast a large patch of light and shadow on the floor-to-ceiling windows.

On the sofa, Jessica was leaning to one side while hugging a cushion, the sunlight reflecting on her fair profile.

Hearing the movement at the entrance, she turned her head, her almond eyes slightly raised, and she shook the peeled apple she was holding in her hand, "The busy man has finally returned. If someone didn't know better, they would think you were the idol, and I was the unemployed loafer with nothing to do."

The teasing tone was light, yet carried a hint of gloom.

Lin Xiuyuan smiled, walked to the sofa and sat down, and just as he was about to speak, Jessica suddenly leaned in like a little puppy, her slender nostrils twitching slightly as she sniffed him all over. That serious look was both funny and dangerous.

Before Lin Xiuyuan could react, with a "slap," a small palm landed firmly on his back.

"You really are a scumbag, Lin Xiuyuan." Jessica's voice carried a bit of gloom, and also a bit of unconcealable anger, "It's only been half a day, how could you stir up trouble while visiting a patient at the hospital?"

She wrinkled her nose and stared at him as if she had caught evidence.

She wouldn't mistake that scent. That smell of shampoo and body wash with a strong floral fragrance was completely different from the refreshing mint scent they had been using at the Apartment these past few days.

That belonged to someone else, and it was a woman.

Thinking of this, her eyes turned cold, and she decisively pressed, "Who is she?"

Lin Xiuyuan only raised his eyebrows, a hint of a smile hanging on the corner of his mouth, yet he didn't say a single word.

Neither admitting nor denying, he just kept silent in such a shameless way.

Jessica felt even more stifled, and in her anger, she kicked him a few times, though the force wasn't heavy; it was more of a vent for her embarrassment and annoyance.

She knew she had no standing to pursue the matter, but she just couldn't help being so angry that she wanted to vent.

However, her movements soon gradually stopped.

Because just this morning, after Lin Xiuyuan left, she had walked into the bathroom alone and inadvertently saw herself in the mirror.

In that instant, Jessica was stunned.

The woman in the mirror was clearly still her former self, but her complexion was more vibrant than it had been a while ago, her skin was firm and delicate, her contours looked as if they had been redrawn by light, and the fatigue at the corners of her eyes had all dissipated.

It was a long-lost feeling of Rejuvenation, as if time had been quietly dialed back a little.

She reached out and touched her face, and as her fingertips brushed over that smooth, firm skin, her heart thumped wildly.

So... this was the reason.

No wonder Krystal and Lin Yun'er could compromise with this guy Lin Xiuyuan time and time again, indulge him time and time again, and even throw themselves at him time and time again.

It was only then that she finally understood completely.

Because Lin Xiuyuan was no longer a man who could be "held in one's hand."

Whether it was the boundaries of time or the so-called Time Gate, he seemed able to transcend them, bringing about some changes that she couldn't explain but were truly real.

And it was that self in the mirror that made the pride and arrogance in Jessica's heart waver for the first time at that moment.

……

……

"Sulli, are we still going back tonight?"

"Let's not, being a third wheel every day is too much. Let's leave some time for Unnie and oppa. If a week passes and it's still the same, we'll be in trouble."

"That's what you say, but do you really think Unnie will be willing? I feel like the Unnie from 2025 seems to have a more stubborn personality."

"Who knows, anyway, just give them space."

"Fine, you know Lin Xiuyuan better than I do, I'll listen to you."

"Xiujing, if you want to know more, you should communicate with oppa more. If you don't dare, you could also ask Krystal about her feelings or something..."

"Yah, Choi Jin-ri, don't corrupt me."

"Pfft~ Coward."

In a certain film crew in Seoul in 2013.

Zheng Xiujing was glaring fiercely at the smiling Sulli beside her, and after biting her lower lip, she really wanted to speak up and retort.

But after thinking it over, she couldn't find any reason or excuse.

However, that last sentence the other person had just said was inexplicably imprinted deep in her mind.

Some thoughts unsuitable for children slowly arose.

(End of this chapter)