Chapter 422: Kim Taeyeon, Who Yields and Admits Defeat to Jin Ruanruan (Seeking Subscriptions and Monthly Tickets)

Opposite.

When Jin Ruanruan heard this from Lin Xiuyuan, she immediately turned her face to the side and shot him a glance with a hint of mild annoyance, yet the corners of her mouth couldn't help but curl upward, and she couldn't resist chuckling as she retorted.

"Your way of thinking is a bit too fantastical; stop dreaming."

"Dreams are still necessary; otherwise, life would be so boring." Lin Xiuyuan leaned back against the chair, hands clasped behind his head.

In the past, he wouldn't have spoken to Jin Ruanruan like this.

The two of them had always been separated by an intangible distance, their words and actions measured, as if there were a thin membrane between them.

But ever since that night of the full moon, this membrane had been pierced, and the distance between them had narrowed significantly.

So much so that the current Lin Xiuyuan could say things to Jin Ruanruan he wouldn't have said before and do things that were previously difficult to do, without worrying that she would feel uncomfortable.

After all, it was she who had taken the initiative that night.

And Jin Ruanruan clearly sensed this change, so she looked at him with a hint of warning in her eyes.

"Go away, I'm not in the mood to talk nonsense with you."

Then, she took the opportunity to turn her head and cast her gaze toward Kim Taeyeon on the sofa.

As if deliberately changing the subject, or perhaps reminding him of something, her tone carried a touch of jealousy, "Besides, you aren't lacking for company tonight; she's about the same as me, isn't she?"

Facing this remark, Lin Xiuyuan spoke right up, his speed so fast it was as if he were picking up a cue.

"Haven't experienced it, hard to say."

After saying this, he couldn't even help but laugh himself, the curve of his mouth impossible to suppress.

The next second, as expected, he received a series of unceremonious eye-rolls from Jin Ruanruan.

When she looked back again, she happened to meet his face, which was smiling without any restraint, so she almost couldn't hold back; her hand even lifted as if she really wanted to give him a swat.

But it paused in mid-air for a moment before she pulled it back, then she let out a heavy "Hmph" and turned her face away, refusing to look at him anymore.

Just as the two were getting carried away, the topic having drifted toward something slightly out of control and nearly sliding into content unsuitable for children, Kim Taeyeon finally finished her call.

Taking the phone from her ear, she looked down at the "Call Ended" prompt on the screen, then casually placed the phone on the coffee table.

When she looked up again, her gaze shifted to the two at the dining table, her tone carrying a casual complaint, "Why are you both sitting over there? Come sit over here."

Jin Ruanruan didn't move upon hearing this, remaining in her seat, and replied slowly, "If I had been sitting there chatting just now, and Dad heard two similar voices, what do you think would have happened?"

Understanding the situation, Kim Taeyeon muttered in a low voice, "It's all finished now, isn't it..."

Having said that, she simply stood up and walked toward the dining area; since they wouldn't come over, she would go to them.

Upon reaching the dining table, she didn't go to Jin Ruanruan's side, but instead sat down next to Lin Xiuyuan quite naturally.

Resting an elbow on the table and propping up her chin, she looked back and forth between the two, asking with some curiosity, "What were you two chatting about? You had so many little expressions."

Hearing this question, Jin Ruanruan didn't know what had suddenly gone wrong, or perhaps she found courage from somewhere, but she suddenly acted out.

The next second, she extended a finger, pointing straight at Lin Xiuyuan, and said sharply, "This guy just wanted to put both of us down on the same bed."

And Kim Taeyeon, sitting opposite her, didn't look at the pointed-at Lin Xiuyuan upon hearing this; instead, she looked at Jin Ruanruan opposite her in utter shock.

Her eyes widened, her mouth opened slightly, and the next second she let out a sound with a trailing tone.

"Wow~"

Within that "Wow," the emotions were extremely complex.

There was obvious surprise, amusement at being hit by a funny point, and a sense of disbelief.

Then, under Jin Ruanruan's somewhat bewildered gaze, Kim Taeyeon suddenly smiled.

She then leaned slightly to the side, pressing her whole body against Lin Xiuyuan, wrapping her arms around his arm and resting her cheek against his shoulder.

The entire movement was unhurried, and then she lifted her eyes to look at Jin Ruanruan, "But you should just focus on your schedule. I'll handle things here with Xiuyuan. You're still young; while the opportunity is still there, earning more money for us to spend is the most important thing."

This remark seemed light, sounding like concern, yet also like asserting sovereignty, and it even carried a hint of a maddening "mom" vibe.

Consequently, Jin Ruanruan, who had been slightly flushed from her own impulsive words, felt her brain go "Boom" as if it had been ignited when she heard this and saw the two opposite her practically glued together.

A wave of heat rushed up from her chest, rapidly spreading to her earlobes and cheeks.

But this time, she didn't explode directly.

On the contrary, the impact of that moment made her exceptionally clear-headed.

So much so that she didn't look away, but instead stared straight back, the corners of her mouth curling up bit by bit, and she struck back with a smile clearly meant to provoke.

"Indeed. Then when I'm so busy I'm dizzy and don't have time to give you the phone, or don't have time to help you cover, don't keep clinging to Xiuyuan... old woman."

When she reached the end, Jin Ruanruan's gaze locked firmly onto Kim Taeyeon opposite her, enunciating those three words with extreme clarity.

And for Kim Taeyeon, if she could barely accept the title "old woman," the first half of the sentence was a strike that truly hit the vital point.

Thus, the smile on her face clearly stalled, as if someone had pressed the pause button.

Even her body stiffened, and the hand that had been holding Lin Xiuyuan's arm loosened unconsciously.

She knew all too well what this meant.

After all, her contact with home relied heavily on Jin Ruanruan as an intermediary; if she really gave up and stopped caring, given her current status and the intensity of her schedule, it would be almost unrealistic for her to find another suitable and safe time to call home.

Kim Taeyeon, having experienced the 2013-2014 period, understood this better than anyone.

So, thinking of this, she immediately looked at Jin Ruanruan with some depression, her lips pouting slightly, carrying a bit of irrepressible grievance.

As it turned out, Jin Ruanruan was also looking at her, her gaze calm, with no intention of backing down at all.

The two's gazes met in the air, quietly deadlocked for about three seconds.

In the end, it was Kim Taeyeon who lost first.

Her eyes softened, she pouted slightly, and then simply lowered her head to play with her fingers, no longer looking at the other side, effectively admitting defeat.

There was no help for it; who let the other party truly grasp her lifeline.

Seeing that Kim Taeyeon had conceded, Jin Ruanruan didn't press the attack, but withdrew her gaze and casually turned the page on this small confrontation.

Turning to look at Lin Xiuyuan, she gave a light huff and said with disdain, "Alright, since tonight's matters are all resolved, everyone go back to their own homes. Go do what you need to do, don't be an eyesore here."

Lin Xiuyuan heard this and couldn't help but ask one more thing, "Not having a few drinks?"

In the past, after the few of them finished their work, they would always sit down for a couple of drinks and chat for a while.

This habit had continued for some time and could be considered an unspoken ritual between them.

But the moment Jin Ruanruan heard the words "a couple of drinks," her body stiffened involuntarily.

That night flashed through her mind almost instantly.

Moonlight spilled in through the floor-to-ceiling windows, filling the room with a soft white glow.

Champagne surged with fine bubbles in the glass; she sat in his lap, leaning forward, their breathing close...

That scene came suddenly, so vivid it made her heartbeat lose its rhythm.

So she shook her head abruptly, the movement decisive as if shaking off those images that shouldn't have appeared, "I'm not drinking anymore. If you want to drink, go back and drink on your own. I want to sleep early tonight; it's been a long time since I've had a regular schedule, and I have a training session tomorrow."

And just like that, the two who had intended to sit for a while longer were promptly and cleanly shown to The Gate by her.

Watching the two step through The Gate, Jin Ruanruan didn't wave, just nodded slightly, and the next second she reached out and closed The Gate.

The world became quiet again.

……

On the other side.

Lin Xiuyuan returned to her Apartment with Kim Taeyeon shortly after.

The Living Room remained just as they had left it; the floor lamp was on, casting warm yellow light across the floor, and a half-finished glass of water sat on the coffee table.

Upon returning to her own territory, Kim Taeyeon kicked off her slippers comfortably, stepped barefoot onto the floor, walked to the sofa, and sat down, letting herself sink gently into the soft cushions.

Then she tilted her head to look at Lin Xiuyuan standing over there, a faint, elusive smile on her lips, her gaze slowly sweeping over him.

When Lin Xiuyuan stood in place and met this gaze, a thought couldn't help but flash through his mind: he could have a good meal again tonight.

So he took a step and walked toward Kim Taeyeon, but just as he prepared to lean down.

Kim Taeyeon extended a finger and tapped it lightly on his lips.

Her fingertip was slightly cool, a bit lower in temperature than his lips, carrying a subtle touch.

"Xiuyuan~ did you forget something?" Kim Taeyeon looked up at him, a smile flickering gently in the depths of her eyes.

"Hmm? What thing?" Lin Xiuyuan looked down at her, not reacting for a moment.

"My relative is here." Kim Taeyeon said this with a smile, her tone carrying a hint of light teasing.

However, the finger resting on his lips began to slide downward slowly.

It brushed past his chin, swept over his Adam's apple, and continued downward, the movement neither hurried nor slow, carrying a hint of elusive probing.

Her gaze remained fixed on Lin Xiuyuan's face, as if observing his reaction, "However, if you are really feeling uncomfortable, I can help you a little."

Only then did Lin Xiuyuan belatedly remember this matter.

He reached out and grasped her hand that was still sliding downward, tightening his grip slightly to hold her hand at the position of his chest.

"Don't make it sound like I'm some kind of sex maniac; I'm not someone with a sex addiction who can't live without that."

After saying this, he released Kim Taeyeon's small hand and got up to walk toward the Kitchen, "Since your time of the month is here, get some good rest. I'll make you some brown sugar ginger water, and after that, I'll go back to play some games."

Kim Taeyeon stood in place, watching his back as he walked toward the Kitchen, a sudden, indescribable warmth welling up in her heart.

She stood up, her tone carrying an unconscious hint of acting spoiled, "Won't you stay with me for a while?"

Then she put on her slippers and followed behind him with a pattering sound, her voice sounding exceptionally clear in the quiet Apartment.

Ahead, Lin Xiuyuan walked into the Kitchen, rummaging for things while answering her question casually, "Xueli was just at the Apartment, so I'm going over to keep her company. It's rare for her to be back to rest during this time, and it's been a long time since I've seen her."

As he spoke, he had already placed the brown sugar jar on the counter and turned to open the refrigerator, taking a piece of ginger from the crisper drawer.

Kim Taeyeon leaned against the Kitchen door frame, watching his series of practiced movements, her gaze lingering on his back for a moment, "Then I'll go over too. It's been a long time since I've chatted with Xueqiu, so I'll just go over and play with her for a while."

Hearing this, Lin Xiuyuan turned his head to look at her, a bit surprised, "You're not resting anymore?"

"Resting is resting wherever I am, and it's boring for me to stay alone anyway, so I might as well go over with you."

And just like that, the two put their heads together and arrived in front of a door once more, returning to the 13-year-old Apartment in the blink of an eye.

At this moment, inside the Living Room there, Xueqiu was sitting cross-legged on the sofa, holding a piece of Fried Chicken in her hand, chewing with her cheeks puffed out, looking a bit like a small animal being fed.

But soon, when she saw the two who had appeared before her eyes again, she couldn't help but blink, not having reacted yet.

After swallowing the food in her mouth, she asked, "Oppa, Unnie, didn't you guys go back?"

By the time she said this, Kim Taeyeon had already walked over with a grin, hugged Xueqiu, rested her chin on her shoulder, and pressed her whole body against her.

"Hee hee, Xueqiu, I'll squeeze in with you tonight; it's been so long since I slept with you."

Xueqiu was caught off guard by her hug, nearly losing her grip on the Fried Chicken, and hurriedly caught it with her other hand.

She turned her head to look at Kim Taeyeon leaning on her shoulder, her expression nostalgic, and then looked at Lin Xiuyuan beside them.

Receiving the gaze, Lin Xiuyuan shrugged, walked over to sit on the single sofa, and explained to Xueqiu on the sofa, "That's how it is. Anyway, Taeyeon said that resting is the same anywhere, so it might as well be more people and more lively."

"It wasn't me who said that; it was Xiuyuan who wanted to abandon me to come keep you company, so I had no choice but to follow," Kim Taeyeon added with a smile.

After hearing this explanation, Xueqiu smiled lightly and didn't ask further.

She simply put the Fried Chicken back into the box on the coffee table, freed her hand, and patted the back of Kim Taeyeon's hand resting on her shoulder, as a response to her closeness.

After a while, Xueqiu looked toward Lin Xiuyuan again, her gaze lingering on his face for several seconds.

But this look was very quiet, without deliberate intensity, nor flamboyant emotion.

It was more like a gentle warmth, like a cup of hot tea just right for drinking on a winter day, carrying a bit of warmth that slowly seeped into the heart.

The corners of her mouth curved slightly, and the light in her eyes appeared exceptionally soft under the warm yellow lamp.

Sensing the change in atmosphere, Kim Taeyeon lifted her head from Xueqiu's shoulder and followed her gaze to look at Lin Xiuyuan.

Then she buried her face back into Xueqiu's shoulder and let out a muffled laugh.

Outside the window, the night in Seoul was deep.

But in this small Apartment, the light was warm, the people were warm, and even the air was warm.

Lin Xiuyuan leaned on the sofa, looking at the two people in front of him, one draped over a shoulder, the other looking at him quietly.

At this moment, he suddenly felt that such a night was quite nice too.

There was no need to drink, no need to do anything special; just staying quietly like this was enough.

(PS: Asking for monthly tickets for the exciting side story)