Chapter 47: 46

Early morning.

Xueli, feeling a bit tipsy, returned to the Dormitory from outside, and while taking off her shoes, she couldn't help but let out a hiccup from the alcohol.

After standing in place with a pout for a few seconds to compose herself and waiting for her body to settle, she finally let out that stifled breath, changed into slippers, and walked into the Living Room.

In the Living Room, only Zheng Xiujing was there after finishing her schedule; the other three had left in the afternoon to record a singing Variety Show.

So when Zheng Xiujing saw Xueli, who had been drinking again, her first reaction was to knit her brows slightly. Although her tone was displeased, she still showed the concern she should: "Xueli, did you go to those people's parties again? Didn't we agree you wouldn't go anymore?"

"I didn't want to either, but it was really hard to refuse. Xiaoyuan unnie called me herself to invite me."

After walking over to the refrigerator to get herself a bottle of ice water, Xueli came to the sofa and collapsed onto it, panting lightly.

It was clear she was truly exhausted; it seemed she had been relying on a shred of sobriety to force herself back.

Looking at Xueli's state beside her, Zheng Xiujing proposed the suggestion again, which she had mentioned before: "That circle isn't very good; I've heard it's quite messy. How about I talk to unnie and have her mention a few things to Xiaoyuan unnie?"

"Forget it, let's not trouble them. I don't go often, just occasionally. Actually, it's quite fun, it's just that I feel a bit nauseous afterward."

Zheng Xiujing frowned tightly again: "You didn't drink something spiked, did you?"

Hearing this, Xueli's consciousness cleared up slightly: "I don't know, probably not. There were a lot of people there, they shouldn't dare."

"But what if? Xueli, I really think you shouldn't go in the future."

Looking at the good sister beside her who cared about her, Xueli smiled happily and nodded gently: "I know, don't worry, I won't go next time."

"Don't go running off again the moment Xiaoyuan unnie calls you."

"Then what can I do? She is an unnie, and a senior too."

The meaning of this sentence was simply impossible to refute here in Seoul, and hearing it made Zheng Xiujing feel truly uncomfortable all over.

Just then, a phone rang.

Both of them focused on the source of the sound. Xueli, realizing it was her own phone, hurriedly picked it up to look, then answered with a smile: "Hello, unnie~"

After a while, having listened to the words from the other end of the line, Xueli swallowed inexplicably and hesitated: "Ah, drinking?"

Upon hearing this, Zheng Xiujing hurriedly reached out her right hand toward her, letting Xueli give the phone to her so she could talk to the person on the other side.

Drink what drink, drink your head.

Xueli, knowing her intention, smiled and waved her hand, signaling that it wasn't like that, then continued speaking into the phone: "Sure, then I'll head over and sit for a bit."

"Tomorrow? That works too, I'm free tomorrow afternoon."

"Mm, see you tomorrow then, unnie."

"Hee hee, goodbye, unnie, goodnight~"

Seeing Xueli hang up the phone, Zheng Xiujing immediately muttered in frustration: "Didn't you just say you wouldn't go? Why did you agree again?"

"Don't get excited, Xiujing, it's not Xiaoyuan unnie this time."

Xueli put down her phone and smiled: "It's Hela unnie. She said a friend of Xiaomin unnie opened a Small Tavern and wants to invite me over for a drink, asking if I'm willing to go."

Zheng Xiujing was stunned for a moment: "Park Hyomin from Tara?"

"Mm."

Xueli nodded: "It's rare for Xiaomin unnie to reach out to me, so I thought I'd go over and sit for a while. Besides, I'm going during the day, don't worry."

Hearing the situation, Zheng Xiujing finally nodded slightly with relief, while saying: "How about I go with you tomorrow?"

"Don't you have a schedule tomorrow?" Xueli asked in surprise.

"A morning schedule. If you're going in the afternoon, I should be able to make it."

Facing Zheng Xiujing's suggestion, Xueli first looked at her with a smile in her eyes, then shook her head: "Forget it, just go back to the Dormitory or home to rest when you're done. I'm not doing anything, I'll just go sit for a bit and leave."

"What if they take a liking to you?" Zheng Xiujing said jokingly.

And Xueli laughed out loud: "If they're good-looking, I wouldn't mind developing something, hahaha~"

"If they really are good-looking, don't forget to take a photo and show me."

"OK~"

The next afternoon.

Xueli, having slept until she woke up naturally, thought about going out later and stood in front of her wardrobe to see what to wear.

After thinking for a long time, she suddenly remembered the last few jokes she shared with Zheng Xiujing last night, so she pulled out an outfit with a smile.

On the other side.

Lin Xiuyuan, who originally didn't want to open for business today, had promised Park Hyomin yesterday, along with Park Jiyeon, that he would meet a friend today. So, after waking up at the Villa at noon, he returned here, had lunch, and then pushed open the door of the Tavern.

After entering, he pressed the light switch at The Gate, and the hanging lamp outside indicating it was open lit up immediately.

He then sat behind the bar, waiting for the guests to arrive.

It is unknown how much time passed, but following the beep of the smart panel and the sound of the door lock, the door of the Small Tavern was slowly pushed open from the outside.

He saw Park Jiyeon and Park Hyomin, who had just come yesterday, walking in one after another, bringing a tall young girl with them.

The girl was wearing a light-colored sporty outfit: a loose beige hoodie paired with shorts of the same color. The hem of the shirt was slightly rolled up, revealing a slender waistline.

Most importantly, she had her hair in a high ponytail, with the tips of her hair playfully flicking behind her head, making the lines of her neck look exceptionally clear while exuding a sense of youth.

A few stray hairs hung by her ears, making her look clean and fresh, radiating a natural, unpretentious youthful aura.

After entering, Park Jiyeon greeted Lin Xiuyuan first: "Good afternoon, oppa~"

Then Park Hyomin also nodded politely: "Good afternoon, Boss Lin. I'm bothering you again today. No, wait, I've brought the idol you like today, so you must mix me a few delicious drinks."

"Don't worry, I won't leave you out."

After responding to Park Hyomin with a smile, Lin Xiuyuan turned his gaze to the "peach girl" in front of him; this was also the first time he had seen her in reality.

He stood up, waved at her, and smiled: "Welcome to 【Dukang Tavern】. Of course, you can also call it 【Jieyou Tavern】; they actually mean the same thing."

Looking at the tavern owner who was surprisingly young, Xueli first glanced at Park Hyomin beside her. Seeing the latter nod, she replied to Lin Xiuyuan with slight surprise: "Hello, my name is Xueli, it's nice to meet you."

"Sit down first, I'll get you something to eat."

Lin Xiuyuan, who was also looking at Xueli, had his mind filled with all sorts of news from the year 2025, and a trace of complexity subconsciously flashed through his clear eyes.

Then, this look was immediately captured by the sensory-sensitive Xueli, but she couldn't understand it at all.

No, what kind of look is that?

Aren't you my fan? Shouldn't you be happy or joyful to see me?

Fortunately, Park Jiyeon sensed something was wrong and immediately pulled Xueli to sit on the sofa, then very naturally took out the menu that had been handwritten on the fly just yesterday, handed it to her, and asked what she wanted to drink and what she wanted to eat.

Xueli, who had only come over to sit for a while, was not picky; she pointed at a drink and two snacks, and that was enough.

……

……

2025.

Krystal, who had chatted over a meal with Jessica yesterday, thought about it for a long time today while waiting at an event, and then, before going on stage, took out her phone and sent a text message to Lin Xiuyuan.

: Contact me when you get back, keep me company for a drink tonight.

……

……

2013.

Late at night, Zheng Xiuyan, who had been tired all day, was driving back to her Apartment to rest.

But for some reason at a traffic light, she suddenly made a U-turn and drove in the direction of someone's Tavern.

Then, around 1:00 AM, she arrived at the entrance of the Small Tavern, looked up at the hanging lamp that was still lit, and fell into a long silence.