Chapter 390: 【The Highly Utilitarian Kim Taeyeon!!!】 (Seeking subscriptions and monthly tickets)

Inside the Apartment, the moment Lin Xiuyuan pressed the answer button, a burst of noisy clamor immediately came from the other end of the receiver.

It wasn't the kind of noisy background sound, but rather someone shouting at the top of their lungs—read good books at Tian Tian Kan Xiao Shuo, ttk. tw is super reliable.

"Wow, it went through! Zhiyan, I got through to that guy Lin Xiuyuan's phone!"

The familiar voice of Park Hyomin pierced through from the other end of the phone, carrying an indescribable surprise, the kind of surprise one feels when suddenly discovering an oasis after walking in the desert for three days.

She was even shouting.

"Daebak, Enjing, Unnie, I'm definitely going to get rich next year, the kind of rich, really."

"Making a fortune is easier than getting through to this guy's phone!"

Lin Xiuyuan had already held the phone slightly further away to spare his eardrums.

But even so, he could still clearly hear the background noise coming from the other end.

Accompanied by Park Hyomin's shouting, there was another wave of girls' laughter, including Park Zhiyan's signature loud voice and the amused, slightly helpless tone of Xian Enjing, rising and falling, very lively.

At this moment, Lin Xiuyuan, who had subconsciously glanced to the side, noticed that Kim Taeyeon, who was standing behind him to the side, also had a fleeting smile on her face.

It was the kind of smile she couldn't help but want to show, but felt it wasn't quite appropriate, so she was holding it back.

So much so that when Lin Xiuyuan's gaze drifted over, this little leader's expression management immediately went online.

She stiffened her face and pursed her lips.

She pressed her lips tightly together, as if trying to suppress something.

But the more she did this, the more it showed that she too had been amused by the remarks of this silly girl, Park Hyomin.

So Lin Xiuyuan looked at her expression, sighed helplessly, then pressed the phone back to his ear and shouted at the other end, "Hey! Park Hyomin! If you have something to say, just say it! If not, I'm hanging up!"

The laughter on the other end hadn't stopped, but Park Hyomin's voice immediately rang out, carrying a sense of panic, "Wait, wait~

Don't hang up, don't hang up."

Shouting even louder, she continued, "Of course I have something to say when I call you, why would I call you if I didn't!"

"Then say it," Lin Xiuyuan said to the phone.

The other end of the phone was silent for a second.

Then Park Hyomin's voice sounded again, a bit more serious this time, but not by much, "Are you free this afternoon and evening?"

Lin Xiuyuan looked at Kim Taeyeon.

Kim Taeyeon was looking at him, her expression very calm, seemingly leaving the decision to Lin Xiuyuan.

Having received his answer, Lin Xiuyuan stated, "Afternoon is fine, but the evening is uncertain."

"That works too, that's enough time," Park Hyomin muttered as if to herself, "It shouldn't take too long—"

After muttering, she finally got to the point.

Actually, it wasn't a big deal.

It was just that she, Park Zhiyan, and Xian Enjing had been bored out of their minds recently while preparing for the year-end stage.

So, the few of them, having nothing better to do, put their heads together and decided to go skiing in Niseko.

It was already nearing the end of November, and Niseko should be opening soon, so they wanted to go and catch the first wave of powder snow.

The kind of fresh, soft, fluffy snow that had just fallen and hadn't been packed down by snow groomers yet.

It sounded quite wonderful.

It seemed like it would be very exciting to play in.

It was just that Lin Xiuyuan fell silent after hearing this.

Then, in a very calm tone, he said something that left Park Hyomin stunned on the spot, "Park Hyomin, have you ever thought about one thing, and that is that I don't know how to ski."

Now the other end of the phone was quiet.

Completely quiet.

Even the background noise was gone.

About two seconds passed—

"Ah???"

A cry of exclamation erupted from Park Hyomin's throat, blasting out of the receiver, carrying the shock of having her worldview overturned.

Immediately following, the background noise began to rustle as well.

Letting Lin Xiuyuan and Kim Taeyeon both hear someone talking on the other end; the voice wasn't far, so Park Hyomin must have moved the phone away or put it on speaker.

"Oppa, you really don't know how to ski?" This was Park Zhiyan's voice, carrying obvious surprise.

"That's actually a bit strange," this was Xian Enjing's voice, speaking slowly, but with a hint of amusement in her tone, "I usually feel like you know a little bit of everything, I even thought you were an all-around little prince, I didn't expect you wouldn't know how to ski."

"Then what should we do?" It was Park Zhiyan again, her voice carrying a bit of distress.

Lin Xiuyuan listened to the discussion over there and looked at Kim Taeyeon again.

The other party couldn't hold it in this time and laughed out loud.

So Lin Xiuyuan had no choice but to glare at her, but she didn't stop, just kept looking at him while laughing.

Helpless, Lin Xiuyuan could only withdraw his gaze and say to the phone, "Are you guys really planning on going?"

"Yeah, we've already asked for leave and arranged the itinerary," Park Hyomin's voice became clear again; she must have taken the phone back, "Anyway, we won't be busy until mid-to-late December, so this recent period can be considered our vacation."

Lin Xiuyuan nodded, and then he suddenly thought of another question, "Wait a second, Hyomin, what does going skiing have to do with asking for my time in the afternoon or evening?"

"Shopping, buying ski gear," Park Hyomin answered righteously, "But now that you say you don't know how to ski, it really messes up our plans."

"Then can't you guys just go yourselves?" Lin Xiuyuan said.

As soon as he finished speaking, a commotion came from the other end of the phone.

Then Park Zhiyan's voice cut in, "Oppa~ of course we can't, that's why we're calling you!"

She spoke very quickly, as if afraid of being interrupted, "Because we want to go backcountry skiing, and even though we have a guide and an instructor, we're still missing a man to act as our bodyguard!!!"

Lin Xiuyuan understood now.

Wild snow.

Not the kind of groomed ski slope, but true wild snowy terrain.

That kind of place really requires a man to tag along.

It's not about gender discrimination, but sometimes for physical labor or certain unexpected situations, having a male friend around is indeed more convenient.

Lin Xiuyuan frowned and pondered for a long while before replying, "I was going to say, if it were on-piste, I could grit my teeth and accompany you all, but going directly to an off-piste wild snow field—that's probably a bit risky."

"Oppa, aren't your athletic skills very impressive?" Park Jiyeon was still not giving up, her voice carrying a hint of wild seduction, "How about we go and try it out? If it really doesn't work, we can just ski on-piste!"

At this, Lin Xiuyuan fell silent for two seconds and looked at Kim Taeyeon.

At this moment, Kim Taeyeon had already walked toward the sofa and sat down on the armrest.

Her gaze was fixed here, her expression calm, but there was a hint of a smile in her eyes.

"Let's talk about it after we go out for a meal in a bit," Lin Xiuyuan said into the phone. "It's more convenient to chat in person anyway."

"That works too," Park Hyomin replied. "We'll decide on a place and send you the address in a bit."

"Alright."

The call ended.

Having finished the call, Lin Xiuyuan held his phone in his hand and turned to look toward the sofa.

He saw Kim Taeyeon sitting on the sofa armrest, one leg resting on the sofa, the other dangling down.

She was wearing a loose sweatshirt, her hair tied up casually, looking lazy. "Xiuyuan, you want to go, don't you?"

Lin Xiuyuan walked over and sat down beside her, then naturally reached out and gently wrapped his arm around her slender waist.

Kim Taeyeon didn't dodge, instead leaning into his embrace.

Listening to his reply, "If Zhiyan wants to go, just accompany her to play for a bit. She's been busy with that company all year. It's rare that she wants to go out and play, I can't not accompany her."

Kim Taeyeon, leaning in his arms, didn't speak, just looked at him with some concern.

Noticing this, Lin Xiuyuan looked down at her and smiled slightly, "Don't worry, I will definitely prioritize safety above all else. I certainly won't let this Time Gate that you all have waited so long for be annihilated while on my watch."

Unexpectedly, upon hearing this, Kim Taeyeon immediately reached out and tapped his chest lightly. "Don't talk nonsense."

Her tone carried a hint of reproach, "Although we really do love the Time Gate, even if it didn't exist, no one would want a friend to get into an accident."

Lin Xiuyuan smiled, "Oh, oh, oh, sorry, sorry, I misspoke."

Kim Taeyeon hummed softly, but her posture leaning in his arms remained unchanged.

The two of them stayed there quietly for a while.

Outside the window was the large tree that had shed many of its leaves, the distant Namsan Tower shimmered in the sunlight, and the sound of cars passing by could be heard faintly.

After a while, Lin Xiuyuan took out his phone, flipped to Jin Ruanruan's number, and pressed the dial button.

At this time of day, he thought she should be working, so he originally expected an assistant to answer, or for no one to answer at all.

Unexpectedly, the phone was answered after just one ring.

"Xiuyuan?" Jin Ruanruan's voice came through the receiver, carrying a hint of surprise and a bit of panting, "You're back?"

This situation made Lin Xiuyuan pause, "Wow, I thought you were busy. How do you have so much free time today?"

"What free time?" Jin Ruanruan's voice carried a helpless amusement, "I just happened to finish rehearsals and am resting."

At that moment, some background noise also came from the other end of the phone.

People were talking, there were footsteps, and the sound of something being set down.

Just listening to it, Lin Xiuyuan could imagine the scene.

In the SM Company practice room, the members of Girls' Generation, having just finished a round of rehearsals, were sitting on the floor in twos and threes, resting.

Some were drinking water, some were wiping sweat, and some were leaning against the mirror, lost in thought.

And their little leader was standing in a corner holding her phone, talking into the microphone.

"Then your break time is quite short," Lin Xiuyuan thought for a moment and said, "You have to continue practicing in a bit, right?"

"Yeah, we have to rehearse all day today," Jin Ruanruan said, then her tone shifted, "Unlike you, traveling and accompanied by beauties, you're enjoying yourself, aren't you?"

Hearing this, Lin Xiuyuan couldn't help but laugh, "The way you say that, if you're really envious, how about you come and enjoy this journey of mine instead?"

This three-line blitz through Europe had indeed exhausted him.

Although he was already a two-star human and his spirit and body were much stronger than an ordinary person's, the rhythm of shuttling back and forth between three countries and three women, while occasionally having to 'hunt in the wild', was really more than he could handle.

Sometimes Lin Xiuyuan would wonder, if it were the 'him' from before the star-merging, what would happen if he experienced these things?

He would have probably collapsed from exhaustion long ago.

"Just saying, I'm not envious at all," Jin Ruanruan retorted.

Then she paused, seemingly guessing why Lin Xiuyuan had made this call, so her tone became more serious, "By the way, let me tell you about my situation today. Rehearsals will probably keep me busy until around 10 PM, and I should get to the Apartment by 11 PM."

"That time is a bit late, what do you think?"

She wasn't asking Lin Xiuyuan with that last sentence, but communicating across the air with someone else.

So, hearing this, Lin Xiuyuan immediately looked down at Kim Taeyeon in his arms.

He saw Kim Taeyeon shake her head, a very decisive shake.

11 o'clock was indeed too late; her father would definitely be resting by then, and she didn't intend to disturb his sleep, letting the old man rest well.

Seeing this, Lin Xiuyuan nodded and said into the phone, "Then how about tomorrow?"

"Tomorrow works," Jin Ruanruan replied, "I have two events to attend tomorrow, finishing at 8 o'clock."

"Then let's make it tomorrow," Lin Xiuyuan said, "See you tomorrow."

"OK, see you tomorrow."

After Jin Ruanruan finished speaking, she was just about to hang up when she suddenly remembered something.

"By the way," her voice became clear again, "Do you want to chat with Xiuyan and the others? They are right here too."

Lin Xiuyuan thought for a moment, "Forget it, how about I invite you all for a late-night snack tonight? We can meet and talk then, it's not easy to say things over the phone."

Upon hearing this, Jin Ruanruan's eyes must have lit up, "Fine, then see you tonight."

"See you tonight."

The call was hung up once again.

After ending the two calls, Lin Xiuyuan finally placed his phone on the coffee table and looked down at Kim Taeyeon in his arms.

Kim Taeyeon, who was just about to get up, was gently held down by him, "No, Kim Taeyeon."

Looking at this petite woman, Lin Xiuyuan's tone carried a hint of amusement, "Aren't you being a bit too utilitarian? The moment you heard Ruanruan wasn't free tonight, you immediately wanted to retreat from my embrace, not leaving even a bit of warmth for me, right?"

Kim Taeyeon, who hadn't expected this, hurriedly argued, "No way, it's not like that."

It was just that her tone was clearly lacking confidence, "I was making time for you so you could go meet up with Zhiyan and the others."

Even as the 25-year-old Kim Taeyeon, she was still made to blush somewhat by his words.

Although she had indeed intended to retreat after hearing that Jin Ruanruan was not free.

Lin Xiuyuan looked at her appearance, couldn't help but laugh and shake his head, sighing, "Tsk tsk, women."

Hearing this, Kim Taeyeon was embarrassed into anger and reached out to pat him on the chest.

The force of this blow was not great, but the meaning was conveyed.

Lin Xiuyuan, who dodged with a smile, pulled her back into his arms, "Alright, alright, stay a little longer, I'll take you back in a while."

This time Kim Taeyeon didn't speak again, but she didn't struggle anymore either.

The two of them just stayed like that for a while longer.

Outside the window, the cold wind whistled, but the room was very quiet, with only the occasional faint sound and the two people's soft breathing.

Ten-plus minutes later.

Following the opening and closing of the Time Gate, Kim Taeyeon returned to the Villa in the year 25.

After sending her over, Lin Xiuyuan took out his car keys in the Apartment Living Room, while also glancing at the address Park Hyomin had sent earlier.

It was a restaurant located in Gangnam District, not too far from here.

So he put his phone into his pocket, picked up his jacket and put it on, then pushed open the door of the Apartment and walked out.

The hallway was very quiet, with only his footsteps echoing.

The Elevator went down to the first floor.

Walking out of the Apartment building, the cold wind rushed into his face, carrying the chill of early winter.

Lin Xiuyuan, pulling his jacket tighter, walked toward the parking lot, then got into the car, started it, and drove onto the streets of Seoul.

The scenery flashed rapidly outside the car window, cutting the image of this City Pop into segments of silhouettes.

Lin Xiuyuan, gripping the steering wheel, thought in his mind about the few people he was about to meet, and also about this matter of skiing.

Off-piste skiing was indeed a bit troublesome.

But since Xiaozhiyan wanted to go, then he would accompany her.

However, safety comes first; he would just pay more attention when the time comes.

While thinking about these things, Lin Xiuyuan turned the car around a bend and merged into the flow of traffic.

Ahead, Gangnam District was getting closer and closer.

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