Chapter 317: What happened last night???

When Zheng Xiuyan and Jessica were digesting the aftermath of that crazy showdown last night in that apartment in Shanghai full of ambiguous memories and hangover atmosphere. As one of the protagonists, Lin Xiuyuan, had long since returned to the Seoul apartment of 2013 through the space-time gate.

The morning light spilled into the room through the cracks in the curtains, illuminating the dust floating in the air.

Lin Xiuyuan, who rubbed his temples that were a bit swollen because he hadn't rested well, picked up his phone and dialed that familiar number.

After the phone rang a few times, it was answered, and Kim Taeyeon's voice, which was soft and glutinous because she had just woken up, came through, "Feed? Xiuyuan? What's wrong?"

Receiving Lin Xiuyuan's call at this time point made her a bit surprised.

Lin Xiuyuan cleared his throat, "Uh, have to trouble you with something."

"???"

Kim Taeyeon on the other end of the phone listened to these words, and in her brain, almost like a conditioned reflex, Zheng Xiuyan's figure instantly emerged.

Because she knew about the other party going to find Lin Xiuyuan yesterday, after all, someone was needed to provide cover.

Thinking again of the unclear entanglements between the other party and Lin Xiuyuan, Kim Taeyeon almost guessed the situation with a declarative tone, "Is it Xiuyan's situation??"

Sure enough, Lin Xiuyuan laughed as soon as he heard it, his voice carrying honesty, "Hmm, Taeyeon, you're really smart."

"Nonsense, who couldn't guess this, tell me, what's wrong with Xiuyan?" Although Kim Taeyeon had already guessed the general situation, she still asked one more sentence out of concern and confirmation.

Or rather, she wanted to know some more clear details, she wanted to eat melon.

But Lin Xiuyuan had long since thought of the excuse, "Actually, it's nothing major, just that her body is a bit uncomfortable, maybe she's tired, and needs to rest properly for two days. You see if you can help handle it on your side, provide cover."

These two days of time were also decided by Zheng Xiuyan herself.

"Two days—" Kim Taeyeon subconsciously grabbed her fluffy hair on the other end of the phone, pondering the feasibility.

If it were changed to two years ago, when the group was still in the rising period and the company's control was strict.

This kind of sudden disappearance would be quite tricky for Kim Taeyeon, and even difficult to handle.

But who let it be 2013?

Girls' Generation had already reached the top, and currently was in the critical period of contract renewal negotiations, and there were no comeback schedules, all were tours.

Plus, after these years, Kim Taeyeon's control as a leader and her communication ability in the company were no longer what they used to be.

So she only pondered for a few seconds, and immediately agreed, "No problem, you guys rest properly"

She agreed readily, but also added the necessary process.

"However, later you have to let Xiuyan herself formally say hello to your company's manager, and go through the process. I will help provide cover on my side, just say she has some private matters to handle, or is slightly unwell and needs quiet recuperation, just unify the caliber."

"Hmm, good, I'll tell her this, let her make a call personally later." Lin Xiuyuan promised, and then casually added, "Originally she wanted to come over, but she hadn't woken up yet, so I came over to tell you."

"Xiuyuan, stop talking————"

Kim Taeyeon's voice on the other end of the phone suddenly became a bit speechless, and even carried a bit of small complaint and teasing, "You guys are a bit not taking me as a person."

Clearly, she heard some overtones from Lin Xiuyuan's vague tone.

Then thinking of Zheng Xiuyan's "just woke up," "not awake" and so on, it was very easy to make people think crookedly or guess the truth directly.

"Haha, not to that extent." Lin Xiuyuan was amused by Kim Taeyeon's reaction and hurriedly soothed, "Let's have a meal together in two days, it's been a while since we met."

"That's more like it." Kim Taeyeon snorted, which could be considered accepting this "bribe."

Then she exhorted two more sentences about paying attention to health and the like, and hung up the phone amidst Kim Taeyeon's half-complaining and half-helpless voice.

And with the hanging up of the phone, Lin Xiuyuan finally breathed a sigh of relief, and as soon as he turned around, he looked at Krystal, who had long been standing behind him.

She was wearing a simple casual outfit today, outlining her tall and graceful figure, while her face carried a smile that wasn't a smile, staring at Lin Xiuyuan with those agile eyes, seemingly wanting to find some clues.

At this moment, seeing her laughing "pfft" after he finished the call.

The voice was crisp, carrying undisguised teasing and curiosity.

"Xiuyuan~" she walked two steps closer, Krystal's eyes scanned his face back and forth, as if to find some clues, "You finally got

Facing this man, she asked very directly without the slightest psychological pressure, a hint of a smile at the corners of her mouth: "How is it, are you happy??"

Lin Xiuyuan looked at this "sister-in-law" who had sent him a message early in the morning and then rushed to the villa.

A complex expression mixed with exhaustion, aftertaste, and lingering fear appeared on his face.

He rubbed his brow and replied in a tone of deep emotion: "Painful yet happy."

"Bullshit!"

Upon hearing this, Krystal immediately pouted charmingly, her bright eyes full of disbelief: "What's painful about this? You guy, you're getting the benefit and still acting like you're suffering!"

After all, this kind of experience of being able to handle two "Double Js" at the same time, no matter which space-time it's in, is simply a massive stroke of luck; where could there be any "pain"?

But Lin Xiuyuan shook his head, a profound expression appearing on his face: "I'm talking about that meal last night; that was probably the most difficult meal to swallow and the one with the most psychological pressure I've had in so many years."

As he said this, Lin Xiuyuan recalled the scene of flashing blades, sharp tongues, and drinking battles at the dinner table last night, and still felt a chill down his spine.

And now, Krystal also instantly understood what the "pain" Lin Xiuyuan was referring to meant.

Imagining the scene of those two unnies confronting each other, she immediately shrank her neck as if she felt it herself, and then burst into "hahaha" laughter again, her laughter filled with schadenfreude.

"You, oh you~"

After laughing enough, Krystal wiped the non-existent tears from the corners of her eyes, came to Lin Xiuyuan's side, and hooked his arm: "But this is also quite good, right? 'Only by enduring the bitterest of the bitter can one become a person above others,' right? This price was worth it!"

"Wait a minute—" Lin Xiuyuan heard this and suddenly felt something was a bit off.

Pondering this description, his expression became somewhat strange and subtle: "How does your description sound so weird?"

He always felt Krystal was implying something incredible.

"A person above others, didn't you 'stack' last night?"

Krystal blinked, deliberately stressing the word "stack," her smile becoming increasingly radiant.

Then she continued to add: "And look, if it had followed the normal development, if you really wanted to enjoy this blessing of having both, it might have taken a while of tug-of-war and 'you advance, I retreat'."

Then she began her analysis again: "Now the result is good; one agonizing dinner and it's settled and finished. How much has the progress bar been pulled forward? So, just endure the discomfort; the efficiency is high."

It was as if Lin Xiuyuan had made a very cost-effective deal.

Lin Xiuyuan was left speechless by her words and could only smile helplessly.

This person's way of thinking had already stepped onto a second path from the 2013 Zheng Xiujing; sometimes it was quite unique.

"By the way~"

However, Krystal soon stopped teasing him, turned to look around the apartment, and asked, remembering something: "When is Xueqiu coming back??"

Mentioning Xueli, Lin Xiuyuan's gaze softened, and he answered truthfully.

"Probably have to wait a few more days. She told me she wants to accompany Hela a bit more and wait until Hela's emotions and work are more stable before coming back."

"Oh, I see." Krystal nodded, expressing understanding.

After finishing, Lin Xiuyuan looked at Krystal and issued an invitation: "Since things are done here, Xiujing, do you want to go to the Magic City with me now? Xiuyan should be awake already; shall we have breakfast together?"

"Ah, go there? I think I'll pass."

Upon hearing this, Krystal immediately shook her head like a rattle, crossed her hands in front of her chest, and refused decisively: "Unnie and the others were just like that last night; if I go now, it's completely 'opening a big move in their faces' and courting death. I don't want to get beaten."

Then she added aggrievedly: "Besides, I was scolded as soon as I arrived at the door last night; it was painful. Going there now is just asking for trouble!"

In fact, the reason she rushed over early in the morning was nothing more than wanting to see the results of the battle with her own eyes.

To confirm whether the situation was good or bad, and if there was anything she needed to help with in terms of aftermath or mediation.

Because what she was worried about wasn't those two, but the person in front of her.

Now that she had received a fairly OK answer, she felt relieved.

The rest was a relationship that the three of them needed to slowly digest and adjust; it was not appropriate for her to intervene too much for the time being.

Until the next time they gather—

Krystal thought to herself, her gaze flickering slightly, hoping that silly girl Zheng Xiujing could finish her work quickly.

Always unwilling to fall behind in any aspect and liking to compete for the lead, she didn't want to fall too far behind in certain matters.

Thus, after Krystal snuggled with Lin Xiuyuan for another ten minutes or so, she returned to the villa with him, feeling satisfied.

There, she waved goodbye gracefully and continued her busy schedule.

And after sending Krystal away, Lin Xiuyuan stood in the villa's living room, checked the time, took a deep breath, and turned again to return to the apartment in the Magic City through the Time Gate.

As soon as he entered, he was met with Jessica, who had just finished showering and come out of the master bedroom bathroom.

She was wearing a white bathrobe over a stunning, vibrant silk nightgown, her long, damp hair draped over her shoulders, water droplets still dripping from the tips.

Her skin, just steamed by hot water, glowed with a healthy flush. Without the heavy makeup of last night, her bare face carried the freshness of having just bathed and a hint of laziness after exhaustion, which instead gave her a different kind of charm.

The bathrobe outlined her still-proud curves, and her exposed collarbones and slender legs looked particularly alluring in the morning light.

This beauty's posture made Lin Xiuyuan's eyes light up, and his previously tense mood couldn't help but relax a bit. He greeted her with a smile: "Oh, you're up? I thought you'd sleep until noon."

After all, she had been so drunk last night, with such a complete blackout, that no matter how they tried to wake her, she wouldn't stir, which had scared both him and Zheng Xiuyan a bit.

Jessica, who was wiping her hair with a towel, was stunned for a moment after seeing Lin Xiuyuan suddenly appear.

Then her gaze fell on the Time Gate behind him that led to the Seoul apartment.

While wiping her hair, she asked, her voice still carrying a bit of hoarseness from just waking up: "Where did you go?"

Hearing this, Lin Xiuyuan naturally gestured toward the living room sofa.

Zheng Xiuyan was sitting on the sofa there, with her back to them, and some takeout containers were placed in front of her.

"Went to ask for leave for Xiuyan," Lin Xiuyuan explained, his tone casual. "Told Taeyeon over there about the situation and asked her to help cover for us."

And while speaking, his gaze happened to meet Zheng Xiuyan's, who had turned her head upon hearing the sound.

Seeing this, Lin Xiuyuan immediately said to her: "Taeyeon said to remember to officially report to your company's manager later; she will help unify the story and cover for you."

"Got it."

Hearing this, Zheng Xiuyan also nodded, as if she had already guessed it.

Then she pointed to the dazzling array of takeout containers on the coffee table in front of her—there were congee, dim sum, and side dishes, a rich variety, steaming hot.

"These were all ordered before you went over, right? They've arrived now; sit down and eat something first." Her gaze swept over Lin Xiuyuan and Jessica, who was still standing in place. "Aren't you hungry?"

Lin Xiuyuan, who had closed the door, nodded: "Hungry, and exhausted."

The suggestive answer made his gaze linger on Zheng Xiuyan's face for a moment, immediately earning a slightly raised eyebrow and a playful, half-smiling look from her.

Then Lin Xiuyuan looked at Jessica, who was still wrapped in a bath towel and standing hesitantly at the bedroom door, and tilted his head slightly: "What are you doing? Come on."

Jessica's gaze shifted between the composed Zheng Xiuyan and the peaceful Lin Xiuyuan. The confusion and unease caused by the blackout finally melted into a sigh that she exhaled.

Then she stepped forward to follow Lin Xiuyuan, sitting on the other side of the sofa, facing Zheng Xiuyan across the coffee table.

The breakfast on the coffee table was very sumptuous, emitting an alluring aroma.

Lin Xiuyuan seemed to be truly starving; after sitting down, he picked up the bowl and chopsticks and began to enjoy it. He drank a mouthful of warm seafood congee, bit into a crystal shrimp dumpling, and finally let out a satisfied sigh.

"Delicious, haven't had morning tea in a long time."

In contrast, Jessica seemed a bit absent-minded.

Holding disposable chopsticks, she poked at the bowl of century egg and lean pork congee in front of her for a long time but didn't eat much.

Her eyes glanced at Zheng Xiuyan opposite her from time to time, then at Lin Xiuyuan beside her, her brows slightly furrowed.

It wasn't until Lin Xiuyuan finished another small steamed bun, looked up, and noticed the bowl of congee in front of her that remained untouched, along with her hesitant expression, that Jessica seemed to have finally made up her mind.

She folded her hands on her lap, sat up straight, and asked.

"Can I know what happened last night?"

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