Chapter 336

When Lin Xiuyuan and Krystal finished their sumptuous meal in that apartment in the Magic City overlooking the river view, and rested lazily in the living room for a long time, it wasn't until the night view outside the window was deep that they planned to return to the villa in the suburbs of Seoul through the Time Gate.

However, the moment he opened the Time Gate and stepped out one after another with Krystal.

What came into view was not the scene of the dim apartment as expected, but a brightly lit living room space.

And it happened to meet the gaze of Sulli, who had just entered not long ago and was putting away her luggage, and Zheng Xiujing, who was standing next to her, looking up in astonishment.

This sudden "face-to-face" made both sides freeze for a moment.

Sulli, who had just put down her small bag, looked at the open Time Gate and the two people inside. Her expression was instinctively startled at first, but when she saw clearly that the people coming were Lin Xiuyuan and Krystal, her surprise instantly turned into pure joy.

She immediately raised a bright smile, and even chuckled because of this coincidental tacit understanding, "Oh oh oh, oppa~ Xiujing, I didn't expect us to be so in sync. I just returned to Seoul, and you opened the door and came over."

Lin Xiuyuan, who was still holding the door handle, looked at Sulli with a bright smile and also laughed, expressing with a pleasant expression, "It is indeed a bit of a coincidence. Zhenli, when did you get back? Is everything going smoothly in Tokyo?"

"Just arrived not long ago, haven't even put the luggage away yet." This time it was Zheng Xiujing standing beside Sulli who answered.

She was still holding the handle of her luggage, obviously having just entered as well.

And compared to Sulli's pure surprise, her gaze swept quickly between Lin Xiuyuan and Krystal.

Especially when seeing Krystal, her eyes looking at that face flickered slightly.

It turned out that after hearing Sulli's voice earlier, Krystal, who was originally following Lin Xiuyuan, also poked her head out, her face carrying that fresh and rosy look of being well-fed and well-rested, her hair scattered casually.

At this moment, compared to the posture she had when meeting Zheng Xiujing yesterday, her complexion seemed even more bright and radiant.

Feeling the gaze Zheng Xiujing cast toward her, Krystal also remembered the interesting story about this person that Lin Xiuyuan mentioned last night, and then the corners of her mouth hooked into a teasing smile, and she spoke to Zheng Xiujing.

"Yo, Zheng Xiujing, finished with your business? How come you seem quite free recently, able to be a full-time driver to pick up Xueqiu?"

Looking at Krystal's face, which added a few more points of charming and lazy style after being fully nourished compared to yesterday, Zheng Xiujing's heart skipped a beat inexplicably.

Almost subconsciously, she glanced at Lin Xiuyuan beside her again, and a vague but face-heating thought flashed uncontrollably.

Last night they—

Immediately afterward, some face-reddening scenes that had appeared earlier due to Krystal as the source and brought out her own face—which was familiar to the point of being familiar—also tossed and turned in her mind in an untimely manner.

The next second, Zheng Xiujing's cheeks began to burn, but she still tried to maintain her outward composure, even straightened her back slightly, and answered Krystal with a stiff neck.

"Because the main filming part of the crew has already ended, the rest is post-production and waiting for the broadcast promotion period. Compared to when I was working around the clock before, the workload is indeed much less."

Just as the four people were standing here at the entrance communicating, footsteps also came from the direction of the master bedroom.

Jessica, who had just heard the movement outside, was walking over quickly, wearing a set of comfortable loungewear, and appeared behind Krystal with curiosity and surprise on her face.

Looking at the two familiar faces behind the door, "Oh~ Sulli, Xiujing, hi, long time no see."

Her tone was significantly more outgoing and enthusiastic than Zheng Xiuyan from the 2013 side. Looking at these two young versions of her younger sister and friend, her eyes were full of freshness and a kind of intimacy that transcended time and space.

"What are you guys doing recently? Why don't you come over to play?"

Looking at this Jessica, whose temperament, demeanor, and even subtle expressions were a bit different from the Zheng Xiuyan they were familiar with, Zheng Xiujing and Sulli both felt a hint of indescribable strangeness.

If one were to ask who had the biggest personality change after ten years or so, whether it was Sulli, or Lin Xiaolu and others, they all felt that Jessica and Krystal were the ones who changed the most.

Thinking of this, Sulli replied, "Unnie, you didn't know before, I was in Tokyo with Hela unnie, and only just returned to Seoul."

"Oh, I remember now." Jessica suddenly realized.

Zheng Xiujing on the other side needed to spend more effort, because Jessica, who didn't come yesterday, didn't know about her recent work changes and status.

So she briefly told the other party again about the crew wrapping up, entering the promotion preparation period, and some recent personal updates.

And Lin Xiuyuan, seeing that several people were standing by the Time Gate chatting, simply said, "Alright, alright, don't stand here talking, go into the living room and sit down to chat."

After speaking, he stepped aside to clear the passage, and then looked at Jessica beside him, "Jessica, do you want to come over here and sit for a while? Or continue to go back and take a shower."

"I'll come over, anyway I don't have anything to do here, showering can be later." Jessica nodded, looking very interested.

Thus, Lin Xiuyuan, Krystal, and Jessica moved from the 2025 side to this apartment in 2013.

After a while, everyone was seated on the wide sofa in the living room.

Lin Xiuyuan casually mixed a few refreshing cocktails or soft drinks at the small bar counter nearby and placed them on the coffee table.

Water droplets condensed on the cold cup walls, adding a bit of realistic life atmosphere to this slightly fantastical night gathering.

Jessica, who had never had the time or opportunity to chat much with this 2013 Zheng Xiujing, seemed to have endless words to say to this younger sister who still had a hint of greenness and stubbornness in her eyes.

From caring about recent updates to future planning, from work advice to trivial life matters, her tone was full of concern and a hint of advice from someone who had been there.

At the same time, Krystal also joined the topic. Yesterday's time was a bit rushed, and she didn't have time to chat much with Zheng Xiujing.

Now, taking advantage of this opportunity, she could have a good talk.

Thus, the 2013 Zheng Xiujing was somewhat helplessly educated by the 2025 Jessica and Krystal, one word after another.

Sometimes there were things she wanted to refute, but looking at Jessica's eyes, which were gentler and more thorough than Zheng Xiuyan's, and Krystal's determined smile that seemed to be able to see through all her little thoughts, she felt that whatever she said would be anticipated.

She could only purse her lips, occasionally nod or say "hmm," listening obediently and aggrievedly.

After all, one was an unnie who had grown up and become more mature after being pitted;

The other was the real deal, herself who had grown up to be more dazzling and at ease. Under the double pressure, she really didn't dare to explode easily.

Watching Zheng Xiujing's appearance of daring to be angry but not daring to speak, Sulli, who was sitting next to Lin Xiuyuan, couldn't help but cover her mouth with her hand and giggle secretly.

Her shoulders shrugged slightly, obviously feeling that this scene was very interesting.

If it weren't for the fact that the phone wasn't suitable for recording and taking pictures, she would have taken this scene down to record it no matter what.

After laughing, Sulli remembered the important business and turned to Lin Xiuyuan and whispered, "By the way, oppa, Hela unnie went to do the final inspection of the house in Tokyo this afternoon. They replied that all detail corrections and deep cleaning have been completed, and the third-party inspection also confirmed there were no problems. We can officially move in two days later."

Hearing this good news, Lin Xiuyuan nodded happily, then thought of something, and spoke to Jessica, who was educating Zheng Xiujing nearby.

"That's perfect, Jessica. The day after tomorrow, I'll have to trouble you to buy some fruit at the supermarket or fruit shop downstairs. I'll bring it when I go over, just in time to take it to Tokyo to celebrate Hela's new house move-in, which can also be considered a housewarming gift."

"..."

"oppa"

"a~" Sulli couldn't help but laugh when she heard this, reminding him, "That house seems to be in your name, right? Why, how can you give yourself a housewarming gift?"

Similarly, Jessica on the side was also amused when she heard this, took over the conversation, and teased Lin Xiuyuan.

"Exactly, what's the meaning of this? Why do you have to buy it on my side? Making it seem like the price of fruit in the Magic City is much lower than in Seoul."

Lin Xiuyuan didn't care and explained seriously.

"Jessica, you don't understand this, it's regional differences. For the same price in the Magic City, you can buy fresher, better-quality fruit or local specialty fruits, not to mention some varieties that can't be bought in Seoul right now. Anyway, it's so convenient, and it's fresh when brought over, so I definitely choose the 2025 fruit."

His set of rhetoric, when summarized, actually sounded quite reasonable.

Jessica was speechless for a moment by his rhetoric, could only roll her eyes at him speechlessly, and finally nodded in agreement.

"Got it, I'll have it ready the day after tomorrow. I guarantee to pick the freshest and most expensive ones, okay? Young Master Lin."

"That's not necessary to buy the most expensive, taste is the priority, price doesn't matter."

Afterward, several people sat and chatted for a while, the topics ranging from north to south.

When talking about some specific film and television works, performance techniques, or future industry trends, Jessica felt that her verbal description was not as convincing as a video, so she became interested.

She got up, grabbed Zheng Xiujing's wrist, and said, "Xiujing, let's go, go to my side and sit for a while. I'll show you some materials and clips. Looking at examples directly is better than me just talking here."

And Zheng Xiujing was also full of curiosity about the future film and television industry. Hearing this, her eyes lit up, and she stood up without refusing.

Lin Xiuyuan also stood up when he saw this, "Then let's go, I'll take you over."

With the closing of the Time Gate, in the 2013 apartment living room, only Sulli and Krystal were left.

The space that was just a bit lively suddenly became quiet. Afterward, Sulli almost immediately moved her position and leaned close to Krystal.

The expression on her face was no longer the relaxation of just watching the fun, but changed to a more complex look, mixed with surprise, curiosity, and verification.

And a little bit of excitement that only the two of them could understand.

"Xiujing, I heard that Jessica unnie and Xiuyan unnie seem to have gotten together?"

Sulli asked this question very cautiously, and the wording was also very vague, because she herself heard it from Zheng Xiujing as second-hand speculation.

And Zheng Xiujing's information came from the clues revealed when chatting with Lin Xiaolu and others.

After all, yesterday she only saw Zheng Xiuyan, who was in an abnormal state, and didn't see Jessica, but she did indeed smell some information from Zheng Xiuyan's hesitant tone and reaction.

So just now on the way back from the airport, she told Sulli this bold speculation.

And at this time, Sulli, facing Krystal, did not choose to hide or beat around the bush, but instead asked very directly.

Because she clearly remembered that Krystal had told her very seriously a long time ago: sooner or later, she would sleep with that Zheng Xiujing.

So for Sulli, when chatting with Krystal about these problems and topics, there was no need to avoid or dodge anything.

Regarding Sulli's straightforward question with the fire of gossip, Krystal smiled and did not deny it.

She answered with her own speculation, "Should be, because that guy Xiuyuan didn't dare to say anything randomly behind Jessica and the others' backs. But I guess there's a high probability that they have already 'stacked together'."

After finishing this vivid and ambiguous statement, Krystal immediately pouted and added.

"However, it might just be a shallow taste, just tried it. After all, their personalities, Xueqiu, you also know. Maybe they couldn't let our Young Master Lin always get his wish, so when he mentioned this to me, his tone always had a little bit of resentment and depression, like a child who didn't get enough candy."

"You know this too?" Sulli opened her eyes in surprise, "oppa even reported this to you, why didn't he tell you whether they stacked or not?"

To this, Krystal chuckled and shook her head again, "He didn't say this, but—"

The big K, who was leaning back slightly, had a hint of laziness and playfulness in her eyes.

"But some things don't need him to say, I can feel it myself. For example, his impact force last night was a little bit more vigorous than usual. This piece of physical evidence is more convincing than him saying ten thousand sentences, right?"

Krystal's words could be called instantly turning from a normal road to a German unlimited-speed highway, the speed was so fast that Sulli was caught off guard.

"Ya! Zheng Xiujing!" It made Sulli both shy and amused, and she couldn't help but reach out to pat Krystal's shoulder, "Don't show off to me! Really!"

The tone was half-reproachful, half-unconcealable envy.

And when she heard the slight, imperceptible envy in Sulli's words, Krystal instead restrained her joking expression, hugged Sulli gently, and her tone became gentler, asking with concern.

"Speaking of which, Xueqiu~ you and Xiuyuan have lived under the same roof for so long, facing each other day and night, how can you endure it? Or rather, how can he endure not touching you?"

Regarding this point, Krystal was really a bit curious. After all, Sulli's appearance and charm were beyond doubt, and her personality was likable.

Mentioning this, Sulli also revealed a trace of real depression, sighed, and muttered.

"oppa seems to have really always treated me as a child, not that kind of perfunctory feeling. Anyway, for now, he seems to really not have that instinctive touch between men and women toward me."

"Really?" Krystal couldn't help but look Sulli up and down carefully when she heard this.

The girl in front of her had a slender figure, exquisite features, and a temperament that was pure yet carried an unconscious charm. No matter from which angle she looked, she was an extremely attractive beauty.

"That shouldn't be," Krystal frowned slightly, subconsciously analyzing, "He is clearly so good to you, trusts you so much, treats you as one of his own, logically speaking—"

Her words weren't finished before Sulli interrupted with a self-deprecating tone.

"There's nothing that shouldn't be. Xiujing, you don't know, sometimes, I clearly feel that he seems to have a bit of—hmm, that is, the kind of aura men have at that time. As a result? He directly 'whoosh' ran to your side, or YoonA unnie and the others' side to vent.

After his saint mode ended, he came back to face me refreshed, his eyes were as clear as anything, how could there be any feeling left!!!"

The more Sulli talked, the more she felt amused and helpless. This had simply become an unsolvable cycle.

This answer, which was too real and carried a strong sense of imagery, made Krystal freeze, and then she couldn't help it anymore, covering her stomach and laughing loudly, laughing until tears came out of the corners of her eyes.

Imagining Lin Xiuyuan's appearance of coming back "relaxed" to face Sulli was really scummy and a bit funny.

After laughing for a long time, Krystal finally stopped laughing and wiped the corners of her eyes.

Then, looking at Sulli, who was full of depression and helplessness, she said with lingering laughter and apology, "Sorry, Xueqiu, we seem to have really increased the difficulty for you unintentionally."

>