Chapter 311: The Gambler

As Lin Xiuyuan jumped into that spacious Japanese-style wooden tub, the warm pool water once again enveloped his entire body.

When he looked back, he happened to see Park Hyomin, whose cheeks were flushed red with anger at his childish act of retaliation, her almond eyes wide, yet looking utterly frustrated because she could do nothing about him.

Thus, he couldn't help but laugh even more heartily, even laughing out loud.

But it was precisely this smile of Lin Xiuyuan's, carrying the posture of a victor, that completely ignited the competitive spirit and small temper deep within Park Hyomin.

"Yah! Lin Xiuyuan!"

With a low cry, she braced her hands against the edge of the pool, looking as if she were about to stand up and chase after him, seemingly intending to truly argue with that annoying guy or sanction him with action.

Fortunately, at this moment, Ham Eunjung, sitting beside her, was quick-witted and fast-handed; she reached out in time to grab Park Hyomin's arm and pressed her back into the pool water.

She whispered a persuasion, "Hyomin-ah, calm down..."

Otherwise, looking at Park Hyomin's posture, the two of them might really have staged an indiscriminate male-female offline fighting PK between the hot spring pool and the wooden tub.

However, judging by gender and physique, no matter how you calculated it, Lin Xiuyuan probably wouldn't be the one at a disadvantage...

Not to mention she was still in a swimsuit.

On the other side, Sulli and Goo Hara were already holding hands, carefully sinking into the hot spring pool.

As the warm, slightly scalding pool water instantly submerged their skin, from their toes to their shoulders, every pore seemed to relax and open up.

The two of them let out a few breaths of satisfaction and relaxation in unison.

"Hoo... soaking in a hot spring in this kind of weather is really too comfortable."

Lying in the water, Sulli felt the strange sensation brought about by the temperature difference inside and outside her body, looked toward the small waterfall and maple forest in the drizzle not far away, and then turned her head to sigh to Goo Hara, "Unnie, you've been active in Tokyo for a long time, do you often enjoy this?"

Goo Hara, being asked, shook her head, leaning against the edge of the pool, her tone carrying a bit of helplessness.

"Zhenli-ah, do you really think idols like us working abroad are very free? If it weren't for the typhoon disrupting all our schedules this time, it would be quite difficult for you to even see me, let alone have time to come out and soak in a hot spring."

Having said that, she cast her gaze toward Lin Xiuyuan by the wooden tub.

"Oh right, Xiuyuan-ah, next time if you launch a surprise attack like this again, can you tell me in advance? Like this meeting, what if I happened to have work or was rushing a schedule, and couldn't see me, or simply had no time to pay attention to you all, what then?"

Lin Xiuyuan, who had once again sprawled on the edge of the wooden tub, enjoying his independent space, heard this and immediately gave an answer that sounded quite calm.

"Hmm, it's fine. If there's no time or the timing isn't right this time, then it just means we have no fate for the moment. We'll just push the time back; there will always be a suitable time."

"Ah? Is it... that rash?" Goo Hara was somewhat surprised by this answer and couldn't help but exclaim.

Lin Xiuyuan, however, indicated, "This isn't rash; this is called fate, and it's also called a two-way journey."

He then looked at Sulli and tilted his head, "Just like when I asked Zhenli if she wanted to participate in a special party, she nodded in agreement, and that's why I took her there. If she had refused or hesitated at that time, perhaps there wouldn't have been the stories that followed."

"So, the key step is that someone must take it first, and the other person must also be willing to follow."

Hearing Lin Xiuyuan steer the topic to herself, Sulli gave him an amused glare, then looked at Goo Hara to explain.

"Unnie, don't listen to him making it sound so nice. At that time, Oppa was a hundred times worse than he is now. What he said to me then was asking if I wanted to attend my own funeral, which scared me so much I almost screamed and ran away."

Park Jiyeon, as one of the people present, was smiling gracefully on the side.

Watching Lin Xiuyuan and Sulli singing in harmony, Goo Hara also gradually understood what the other party meant by fate and a two-way journey.

It was nothing more than him taking the initiative to stand out and provide a choice, an opportunity.

And they also needed to summon the courage to overcome their emotions and take that crucial step forward, grabbing his hand.

Only in this way could the subsequent changes come about.

If they had shrunk back, been afraid, or refused at that time, then it might truly have been a case of having the fate but not the connection, brushing past each other.

However, if Jessica, who was far away in Seoul, knew what Goo Hara was thinking at this moment, she would probably sneer and retort: Heh, a two-way journey my foot, this guy is clearly still capable of kidnapping and information fraud!!!

At the same time, there was one person on the scene who was completely bewildered, feeling that she was not in this picture at all.

That was Park Hyomin, who had been surrounded by various encrypted conversations.

She listened to these few people starting to talk about topics she couldn't understand at all, as if they came with their own barrier, and this time she finally chose not to endure in silence.

With a "swish," she raised her arm and forcefully splashed a sheet of water in the pool, like a celestial maiden scattering flowers, showering the hot spring water onto everyone in the pool.

She successfully attracted everyone's attention to herself.

Then, looking directly at everyone, she asked in a tone mixed with annoyance, grievance, and the desire to get to the bottom of things.

"Wait a minute, what are you all talking nonsense about again? No, why do I feel like even though you dragged me out to look at houses and soak in a hot spring today, I still don't understand the story you're chatting about at all? What exactly is there that I can't know?"

Facing Park Hyomin, who had finally completely flipped out and issued a soul-searching question, Ham Eunjung in the corner smiled quietly.

Because she seemed to see the dawn of a certain "recruitment" plan about to be completed.

Park Jiyeon hurriedly came to Park Hyomin's side, affectionately took her arm, and explained in a soothing tone.

"It's nothing, Unnie, don't overthink it. That funeral Oppa mentioned is actually just a small themed party we members held privately before. Everyone is used to using some strange special titles to refer to things; there's really no other meaning, it's just playing around."

Park Hyomin listened to Park Jiyeon's explanation, but her gaze instead turned toward Lin Xiuyuan in the wooden tub with a scrutinizing meaning.

Upon feeling this gaze, Lin Xiuyuan just shrugged his shoulders and did not deny Park Jiyeon's statement.

Because in a sense, after that meeting, everyone did indeed gather together to eat and chat.

Some laughed happily, some released their emotions and cried...

It was indeed like a special "party."

It was just that his actions made Park Hyomin gently grab Park Jiyeon's small hand, and then firmly pull away the hand that was holding her.

Afterward, under the curious and ominous gaze of everyone, she made a shocking move...

Just like Lin Xiuyuan a moment ago, Park Hyomin stood up from the hot spring pool with a "splash," revealing that sexy figure, which was even more impactful in its wet state, without reservation in the misty steam.

Then she stepped straight out of the rock pool, her bare feet stepping on the slightly cool stone slab, and walked to the large wooden tub in a few steps.

In the shocked gaze of everyone, she lifted her leg and stepped directly into the wooden tub.

"Splash..."

The surface of the water in the wooden tub, which had already calmed down, instantly rose and swayed due to her addition.

At the same time, it also gave Lin Xiuyuan, who was leaning on the other side and looking at the courtyard scenery, a fright. He turned his head sharply to look at the newcomer, "Holy crap, Park Hyomin, what are you doing, are you being a hooligan????"

Park Hyomin, who sat down opposite him, felt the warm pool water rise to her chest, stared straight at Lin Xiuyuan, and said through gritted teeth, word by word, "I'm here to play a game with you!"

"Play what game, stop messing around, hurry up and get down, men and women should not touch when handing things over." Lin Xiuyuan was a bit stunned by her aggressive appearance.

Although he had evolved quite a bit recently, he still couldn't accept a celestial feast for the time being~

"What kind of messy things are you thinking about, it's just a simple game of rock-paper-scissors." Park Hyomin announced the rules, flames of refusal to lose burning in her eyes, "Whoever loses has to obediently take a splash of water from the other person, the kind where you're not allowed to dodge, are you playing or not!!!"

Looking at the woman in front of him who was clearly about to lose her mind from being angered by him and wanted to regain her ground through this primitive method, Lin Xiuyuan subconsciously glanced at Ham Eunjung and the others in the hot spring pool behind her.

As a result, the few people over there, including Park Jiyeon who was just explaining, were all in a state of watching a good show, as if it had nothing to do with them.

With gloating smiles on their faces, they clearly didn't intend to intervene in this personal grievance.

Thus, seeing this, Lin Xiuyuan also agreed quite readily, the smile of being in control hanging back on his face, "Let's play! Who's afraid of whom."

At the same time, his gaze was also openly appreciating the youthful body with exposed curves right in front of him, silently evaluating in his heart: Truly youthful, truly well-endowed, truly big and white.

While he was looking at the other party, Park Hyomin's voice immediately struck, "Come, let's start. Rock, paper, scissors..."

In the first round, Lin Xiuyuan threw out a solid rock.

Park Hyomin threw out a fragile pair of scissors.

So she lost.

Then, before Park Hyomin could even open her mouth to admit defeat or react.

Lin Xiuyuan, who was quick in action and didn't know how to cherish the fair sex, had already scooped up a handful of water with his hand and "slapped" it onto her face.

Water splashed everywhere; Park Hyomin hadn't even fully entered the game state, her whole person was dazed, her face was wet, and a few strands of hair were stuck to her cheeks.

Looking at her confused and slightly aggrieved eyes, Lin Xiuyuan held back his laughter, but hypocritically asked, "Are you okay, Hyomin, how about..."

Park Hyomin, hearing Lin Xiuyuan wanting to quit, immediately wiped the water droplets off her face hard with the back of her hand, took a deep breath, and her eyes became even sharper, "I'm fine, continue!"

Second round.

"Rock, paper, scissors!"

Lin Xiuyuan spread his five fingers and threw out "paper."

Park Hyomin seemed to have set her mind on something, stubbornly clenching her fist and throwing "rock."

She lost again.

So it was another handful of water, unceremoniously poured onto her face that she had just wiped dry.

Third round.

"Rock, paper, scissors!"

Lin Xiuyuan still steadily threw "paper."

Park Hyomin seemed to be at odds with "rock," her fist clenched tightly, her eyes staring fixedly at Lin Xiuyuan's hand.

It was still "rock."

The water droplets that had just slid off her face hadn't even dried yet, and in the blink of an eye, a new layer of wetness was added.

Fourth round.

Fifth round.

The situation still hadn't changed at all.

The two of them seemed to be stuck in some strange stalemate, both stubbornly refusing to change their gestures.

Lin Xiuyuan kept throwing "paper."

Park Hyomin kept throwing "rock."

The splashes of water continuously issued from Lin Xiuyuan's hands even caused some splashing droplets to land on Ham Eunjung, Goo Hara, and the others who were watching the battle in the hot spring pool behind.

Finally, after losing five rounds in a row, Park Jiyeon, watching her own Unnie hitting a wall repeatedly like a stubborn fool, couldn't help but shout with a bit of concern.

"Ah~ Unnie, can you not be so stubborn. How can anyone lose all the time, and keep throwing the same gesture, change it."

However, Park Hyomin, who had already lost five rounds in a row, her hair soaked, her face and neck covered in water, looking quite disheveled.

Was already like a gambler who had lost her eyes red at the gambling table, so when she heard Park Jiyeon's words, she didn't even look back, only squeezing a sentence out from between her teeth.

"Again!"

Lin Xiuyuan looked at her appearance, and the bit of joy from the prank was gradually replaced by a trace of helplessness and amusement.

He gave a sheepish smile and took the initiative to suggest, "How about you splash me back a few times? Let's stop playing."

"Not allowed!" Park Hyomin immediately refused, her tone categorical, "A bet is a bet! Continue! Start!"

After speaking, she also gave Lin Xiuyuan a fierce glare, that look as if to say "less nonsense, continue to die."

Helpless, Lin Xiuyuan had to continue.

But this time he had a bit of compassion, or rather, he wanted to end this one-sided abuse quickly, so he intended to lose a round on purpose.

To give Park Hyomin a way out, let her win once, and vent her anger.

Thus, the moment "rock, paper, scissors" was called in the sixth round, Lin Xiuyuan quickly changed to "scissors."

In his heart, he was thinking: I threw scissors, she should continue to throw rock to beat me, right? That way she can splash me once.

However, fate always likes to play jokes.

Or perhaps Park Hyomin's brain circuit was a bit strange.

Only to see the one opposite him also seemed to be undergoing an intense psychological struggle.

Maybe she was thinking: This guy has thrown paper five times in a row, will he be worried that I'll throw scissors to beat him this time, so he'll change to a fist? Then I'll throw paper to beat his fist!

Thus, in a flash of lightning, Park Hyomin spread her five fingers and threw out "paper."

Lin Xiuyuan's "scissors" steadily "cut" onto Park Hyomin's "paper."

"..."

"..."

The two of them looked at each other's gestures and were stunned at the same time.

The scene before his eyes stunned even Lin Xiuyuan, who instinctively asked with a tone full of deep confusion and incredulity.

"Hyomin, why didn't you throw a fist??!!"

Park Hyomin opposite him was also stunned by the loss, her brain a blank, subconsciously answering with the same heavy grievance and bewilderment.

"I thought you would be worried that I'd throw scissors to beat you, so you changed to a fist... so I threw a paper, wanting to beat you..."

"..."

After a brief dead silence.

"Pfft..."

"Hahahahahaha!!!"

"Oh my, I can't take it anymore! Hyomin Unnie, you're too cute!!"

"Hahahahaha, what kind of god-tier showdown is this!!!"

In the hot spring pool behind, Ham Eunjung, Goo Hara, Sulli, and Park Jiyeon, who had already endured and endured, after hearing the conversation between the two full of divine logic and precise misalignment.

Finally couldn't hold back anymore, and one after another, they clutched their stomachs and burst into earth-shattering roars of laughter.

Even Lin Xiuyuan, looking at Park Hyomin, whose face was full of water droplets, her expression dull and aggrieved, and still struggling with the situation.

Couldn't help but cover his forehead, his shoulders shaking violently, laughing so hard he almost choked on the hot spring water.

In the courtyard, for a time, it was filled with happy air.

Godfathers, seeking monthly tickets at the beginning of the month!!!

(End of chapter) ===== CHAPTER 312 =====