Chapter 444: 466

466 "Irene, watch your words and actions!!!" (Seeking subscriptions and monthly votes)

Outside the restaurant.

The light in the hallway was much brighter than inside the restaurant; the light from the incandescent bulbs shone down from the ceiling, illuminating the entire hallway clearly.

At the end was a window, and outside the window was the night view of Gangnam District, where neon lights of various colors and street lamps were intertwined.

Lin Xiuyuan, who had walked out, glanced at the incoming call display lighting up on his phone screen, swiped his thumb across the answer button, and then pressed the phone to his ear.

"Hello, YoonA."

His voice sounded lower than usual in the quiet hallway, but his tone carried a very natural sense of intimacy.

"What are you doing, Xiuyuan?" Lin Yun'er's voice came from the other end of the line, with a cheerful, upbeat lilt; she sounded like she was in a good mood.

"Me? I'm eating out," Lin Xiuyuan answered concisely, holding the phone in one hand while his other hand was tucked into his jacket pocket. "If you haven't eaten, you'll probably have to handle it yourself."

The way the two of them got along was just like this—no formalities, just saying whatever was on their minds.

Facing this answer from Lin Xiuyuan, Lin Yun'er chuckled on the other end of the line. "I wasn't looking for you to eat; I'm eating too. But since you're already out, that's perfect—it saves a lot of trouble."

"What's wrong?" Lin Xiuyuan asked.

By this time, he had already walked from the restaurant entrance to the corner at the end of the hallway, leaning his shoulder against the wall. After letting his gaze fall on the scenery outside the window, he continued with a hint of curiosity in his tone, "YoonA, what do you mean by that? Do you need something from me?"

"Well, I've been drinking here, so I wanted you to come and pick me up," Lin Yun'er said with a happy laugh.

However, Lin Xiuyuan felt a bit of a headache upon hearing this.

It wasn't that he didn't want to pick her up, but he had also been drinking and couldn't drive directly.

Furthermore, he still had Irene and Park Hyomin sitting in the restaurant; the situation was more complicated than Lin Yun'er imagined.

So, thinking of this, he asked one more question, "Is it a dinner with colleagues or friends over there?"

"Colleagues," Lin Yun'er answered quickly. "Because of the awards ceremony at the end of the year, the producer of that drama invited everyone to have dinner together."

It was precisely because of this kind of occasion that it was truly difficult for her to leave early; she needed someone to pick her up so she would have a legitimate excuse to give the people at the table.

After hearing this answer, Lin Xiuyuan inhaled the cold, crisp air drifting in through the gap in the window and frowned.

Lin Yun'er on the other end of the line seemed to have thought of something else and added a few sentences.

"Oh, right, I'm not in a hurry. I've only just finished half the meal; I'll probably have to sit for a while longer after I'm done, so just give me a call whenever you finish eating."

Knowing that Lin Xiuyuan was also eating out, Lin Yun'er didn't want to interrupt his meal because of her own affairs, so she thoughtfully considered him.

"Alright," Lin Xiuyuan replied this time, then stated his own situation, "But I've had a little to drink here, so I'll probably have to call a designated driver later."

The beauty on that end was thoughtful, and he on this end was frank, without any concealment.

"You've been drinking?"

On the other end of the line, Lin Yun'er's voice clearly took on an intrigued tone as she asked curiously, "Who are you eating with tonight, Xiuyuan? I thought you were with Xiujing."

"You definitely wouldn't guess it," Lin Xiuyuan said, offering a small riddle.

Consequently, Lin Yun'er became even more curious, letting out an "Oh" on the other end, her interest piqued.

"Now that you say that, I'm really a bit gossipy. Let me guess."

Having received the challenge, Lin Yun'er began to reason seriously, her speaking pace slow as she thought aloud, "Based on what you said, Xiuyuan, the people I'm familiar with shouldn't be in the running, so Xiujing and Zhiyan are excluded first."

"And you said you were eating out, so some people from the past are also directly excluded."

After quickly narrowing the scope to a very small circle, Lin Yun'er laughed, "Then there aren't many people left that you know and are familiar enough with to eat out together."

One must know that the number of people Lin Xiuyuan knew in '25 was neither many nor few.

But to be familiar enough to be invited out to eat alone, and excluding those she, Lin Yun'er, knew, there were indeed few options left.

"Well, let's hear it."

"If I'm not mistaken, it should be Irene, right?"

There was silence in the hallway for about two seconds.

The smile that had been on Lin Xiuyuan's face just a second ago froze right there in the next.

His expression looked as if someone had pressed the pause button; the curve of his mouth remained, but the mirth in his eyes had vanished, replaced by genuine shock.

After a moment of surprise, he blurted out in a tone of genuine disbelief, even letting out a curse.

"Holy crap, YoonA, did you install surveillance on me? What's going on? This isn't right; how could you guess her?"

The only reply he got was Lin Yun'er's hearty laughter.

"Hahaha..."

"That means I guessed right, doesn't it?"

To this, Lin Xiuyuan did not deny it; after taking a deep breath and wiping his face, he honestly admitted it.

"Yeah, you guessed right. But how did you figure it out?"

After conceding, he was filled with genuine curiosity; he truly couldn't fathom how Lin Yun'er had guessed it.

So, Lin Xiuyuan quickly ran through all the possibilities in his mind, "Did a friend of yours see us and tell you? Or were there photos leaked online?"

These were the only two reasonable explanations he could think of at the moment.

Either someone had seen him and Irene in the restaurant, taken a photo, and sent it to Lin Yun'er or posted it online for her to see.

Or a friend of Lin Yun'er's was also eating at this restaurant, saw them, and tipped her off.

Aside from these two situations, he really couldn't think of why Lin Yun'er could guess correctly on the first try.

"I really didn't, hahaha." Lin Yun'er's voice still carried laughter, as if she were enjoying his bewildered state. "I really just guessed; I randomly picked the most unlikely one, and I didn't expect it to actually be right. Xiuyuan, your reach is getting a bit long."

Seeing Lin Yun'er answer this way, Lin Xiuyuan thought about it and felt that the other party really had no reason to lie to him about this.

Thinking of this, he sighed with some melancholy, "Does this mean your sixth sense is a bit exaggerated? You guessed it just like that."

"Hee hee, happy."

Lin Yun'er laughed a couple of times on the other end of the line, her voice carrying an indescribable sense of satisfaction.

After a while, once she finished laughing, her tone became more normal, "Alright, I won't talk about this with you, Xiuyuan. You go eat first, and come pick me up after you're done. We'll talk then; don't let someone wait alone inside for too long."

The thoughtful Xiaolu seemed not to want Lin Xiuyuan to stay outside for too long because of her call, neglecting the people in the restaurant.

One person? Two people.

Lin Xiuyuan said silently in his heart.

Pei Zhuxuan is one, Park Hyomin is the other; there is more than one person waiting for him in the restaurant.

However, he did not say this out loud, only nodded at the phone and replied, "Alright, understood, see you later."

"Mm, see you later."

After hanging up the phone, Lin Xiuyuan did not immediately return to the restaurant.

Instead, he stood in front of the window, his gaze passing through the glass to look at the neon lights of Gangnam District outside, his lips moved, and he muttered softly.

"I just feel like something isn't right."

After saying this, he stood for a while longer, his fingers tapping lightly on the back of his phone unconsciously, making a faint tapping sound, and finally, he shook his head, deciding not to think about it.

When there are some things you can't figure out, thinking hard is useless and instead makes it easy to get yourself trapped.

Anyway, Lin Yun'er said to talk when they meet later, so he would just see what she has to say then.

Afterwards, he shoved his phone into his jacket pocket, turned and left the window at the end of the corridor, followed the path he came by back to the restaurant, and sat in his seat.

Then he turned his head to look at Pei Zhuxuan, "Sorry, I took a call."

Pei Zhuxuan glanced at him, her gaze lingering on his face for a moment, then moved away.

She was actually very curious about the situation of that call just now.

But in the end, she still didn't ask.

She only raised her head and smiled at Lin Xiuyuan, "It's fine, it's normal, the next dish should be ready soon."

Her tone was very ordinary, as if she were talking about something completely unrelated to that call just now.

And the two continued their dinner for the night.

The dishes were served one by one, and they ate them one by one.

If one were to analyze it carefully, one would find that Pei Zhuxuan's tone of voice was a little more restrained than before.

Or rather, even Park Hyomin at the next table didn't dare to talk much anymore.

The reason was simple, because the restaurant was already full of people at this time.

Especially next to Park Hyomin's friend Li Enxi, sat two locals who had recognized Park Hyomin.

They were a young man and woman, looking to be in their twenties; although the two did not come up to ask for a photo or an autograph and only greeted them simply, their gazes would still drift over occasionally.

That kind of gaze was not malicious, just pure curiosity and observation, wanting to see what a celebrity who is usually in front of the camera is like in private.

However, under such circumstances, both Park Hyomin and Pei Zhuxuan were watched to the point that they didn't dare to speak carelessly.

The conversations they had with Lin Xiuyuan earlier were now things they didn't dare to say another word about.

Who knows what kind of people are sitting nearby, who knows if they will post what they heard on the internet; although most guests in the restaurant were focused on eating their own food, as long as there was one person with intent, it would be enough trouble.

And fortunately, Lin Xiuyuan and Pei Zhuxuan arrived early.

As the first batch of guests to enter the shop tonight, they had been eating since after seven o'clock.

So after staying in such an uncomfortable environment for about another half an hour, they finally finished the last dessert.

After finishing, Pei Zhuxuan placed her spoon next to the empty bowl, picked up a towel to wipe her hands one last time, and at the same time turned her head to look at Lin Xiuyuan, her eyes carrying a signal that said "I'm finished."

Lin Xiuyuan also put down what was in his hand, picked up his phone from the bar counter, glanced at the time, then swept his gaze toward Pei Zhuxuan, signaling the direction of The Gate with his eyes.

Then the two stood up from their seats at the same time.

Seeing this, Park Hyomin, who had been watching this side with her peripheral vision, finally spoke up.

"Lin Xiuyuan."

Lin Xiuyuan, who had already picked up his phone, looked at her upon hearing this, and the other party asked softly again, "So fast? Not waiting a bit?"

Lin Xiuyuan looked at the dining plate in front of her; this was only the third dish.

So he raised his hand and pointed his thumb at Pei Zhuxuan beside him, his tone very brief, "I'm taking her back first."

"Then I..."

Park Hyomin just wanted to say something, but the words were swallowed back when they reached her lips.

Only in the eyes looking at Lin Xiuyuan, something unclear flickered, a look like she had been lightly pricked by something.

Then she waved her hand lightly, "It's nothing, you guys be careful on the way back."

Lin Xiuyuan looked at her appearance and clicked his tongue, but he didn't benevolently agree to anything.

He just nodded, said "Alright, you guys enjoy your meal too," and then turned to walk toward The Gate with Pei Zhuxuan.

The door curtain fell behind them, the dark blue fabric swayed a few times, and then returned to stillness.

And Park Hyomin's gaze followed that door curtain until it stopped swaying completely.

In the corridor.

Pei Zhuxuan, who hadn't spoken much, finally opened her mouth when the two walked out of the restaurant and arrived in front of the Elevator.

"Xiuyuan, you and Xiaomin unnie seem very familiar, how do you know each other?"

Lin Xiuyuan turned his head to look at her upon hearing this, the corners of his mouth curved, revealing a smiling expression.

"Pei Zhuxuan xi, I've only had a little wine, I'm not drunk yet. Trying to fish for information from my mouth so directly, you're a bit impatient."

He did not remain silent and also responded to her words.

But he didn't reveal anything, let alone answer her question.

This kind of nonsense is what he is best at; it doesn't make people feel ignored, nor does it actually reveal information he doesn't want to disclose.

Pei Zhuxuan was choked by his attitude, her lips pursed slightly, "If you don't want to say it, then don't. Anyway, that scene of yours just now looked quite like a scumbag. If Xiaomin unnie weren't married, I would have thought..."

But her words didn't get to be finished before Lin Xiuyuan's voice came from the side to interrupt, his tone carrying a gentle reminder.

"Alright, watch your words and actions, Irene."

He called out "Irene," not "Pei Zhuxuan-xi"; this switch in address made the sentence sound like it held an extra layer of concern.

It also made Pei Zhuxuan react.

She quickly turned her head to look behind her and at both sides of the hallway; behind her was an empty corridor, and on the walls on both sides, there was nothing but wall lamps.

At the same time, her heartbeat skipped a beat.

Because if that sentence just now had been heard by someone else, the rumors that would have spread would likely have been magnified countless times over.

At this moment, Lin Xiuyuan's voice reached her ears once again, a little softer than before.

"Don't worry, no one is here. But you must be a bit drunk; be careful when you take the car back later, and don't go saying random things again."

"Oh, I know."

Realizing that she had been a bit quick-tongued just now, Pei Zhuxuan did not argue with Lin Xiuyuan this time.

She lowered her head to look at the tips of her shoes, her cheeks feeling slightly hot; she didn't know if it was from the lingering fear of having almost said the wrong thing, or because the aftereffects of those few glasses of white wine were finally kicking in, or perhaps because she was being cared for by a younger brother.

The Elevator door opened with a ding at this moment.

A few minutes later.

Standing by Pei Zhuxuan's car, Lin Xiuyuan watched as she pulled open the door to the back seat, preparing to get in.

However, with one foot already inside the car, she suddenly stopped and turned her head to look at Lin Xiuyuan.

The light from the streetlamp shone on her face, making her features look very soft.

Then she said softly, "Thank you for tonight, Xiuyuan."

Lin Xiuyuan nodded at her, "Mm, I had a good time too. Be careful on your way back, and send me a message when you arrive."

Seeing that this man really had nothing else to say to her, Pei Zhuxuan nodded, bent over, and sat into the car.

Then the car started, the taillights lit up, and it slowly merged into the flow of traffic; the taillights grew more distant in the night, finally disappearing around a turn.

Lin Xiuyuan stood by the side of the road, watching the car disappear around the corner before he withdrew his gaze.

Then he took his phone out of his pocket, first handed his car keys to the other designated driver who was already waiting nearby, then sat into the back seat of his own car and dialed a call to Lin Yun'er.

Having obtained the address through this call, Lin Xiuyuan immediately forwarded the location to the designated driver; after the driver set the navigation, he started the car and steadily drove out of the Parking Space.

Twenty-some minutes later.

The car arrived at the address Lin Yun'er had sent, which was a Korean-style restaurant located in an alley in Cheongdam-dong.

The restaurant's facade was very traditional, with wooden door frames and eaves.

The designated driver parked the car in a temporary Parking Space on the side of the road, turned off the engine, and then very tactfully got out of the car and went to wait quietly to the side.

Meanwhile, Lin Xiuyuan sat in the back seat, rolled the car window down a crack to let in a bit of the cold air from outside, and took out his phone to send a message to Lin Yun'er, telling her that he had arrived.

After sending it, he leaned back against the seat and waited.

After waiting for another few minutes, the wooden lattice door of the restaurant was pushed open, and the warm yellow light and noisy human voices from inside poured out all at once.

A few figures appeared at The Gate, saying their goodbyes to one another; some were bowing, some were shaking hands, and laughter and polite pleasantries were mixed together.

Lin Xiuyuan looked through the car window and recognized Lin Yun'er's figure among the group of people.

She was standing under the light at The Gate, wearing a beige coat with her hair draped down, but there was another person following beside her.

That person was standing next to Lin Yun'er, also saying goodbye to the people around them.

The other person was wearing a dark-colored long down jacket, her hair tied into a low ponytail, and her face wore that standard smile for social occasions.

And her features were clearly visible under the light at The Gate.

So much so that after Lin Xiuyuan saw the identity of that person, he froze for a moment, and then suddenly understood one thing.

That was why, on the phone just now, Lin Yun'er had been able to guess so accurately that he was eating with Pei Zhuxuan.

Thinking of this, Lin Xiuyuan revealed a smile that was somewhat dazed and somewhat helpless, and he whispered to himself.

"So it was you."