Hancheng: There is a door between me and the future

Chapter 169 "Hey, Xiu Yuan is sleeping~" (A long chapter of 10,000 words, please subscribe and vote!)

In the early morning in Jeonju, the air was humid, and a layer of gray dawn appeared on the horizon.

The car remained silent, with only the misty rain outside the window pattering against it. The soft sound of the rain seemed to replace language, spreading in the silence.

"It's raining."

Lin Xiuyuan glanced at the blurry glass, raised his hand to turn on the windshield wipers, and wiped away the rain so that it wouldn't obstruct Kim Tae-yeon's view.

"Xiuyuan..."

At this moment, Kim Tae-yeon spoke softly, her voice so low it was almost drowned out by the sound of rain outside the car.

"Ok?"

Lin Xiuyuan turned his head to look at her, only to find that her gaze was still fixed on the street corner ahead, as if she was waiting for a figure that should have appeared long ago.

Then, Kim Tae-yeon slowly turned her head to look at Lin Xiuyuan and murmured to herself, her eyes slightly red, "Do you think this rain is falling on me?"

The result was a very realistic answer: Lin Xiuyuan replied, "What are you thinking? It's just a typhoon day."

This answer stunned Kim Tae-yeon. She clearly hadn't expected him to explain it this way; it was neither gentle nor poetic, and it didn't offer any comfort.

So I couldn't help but laugh out loud, "Wow, you're such a straight man, can't you be a little more romantic?"

"I'm so sleepy, I can't be romantic."

Lin Xiuyuan, who had stayed up all night and had been sitting in the driver's seat the whole time, had bloodshot eyes and was exhausted.

"Do you want to take a nap?" Kim Tae-yeon asked with concern.

"Forget it, I'm afraid you'll open the car door and jump out." Lin Xiuyuan shook his head.

"You could have turned it off," Kim Tae-yeon said, somewhat annoyed.

"I'm afraid you'll break the glass."

Kim Tae-yeon was speechless now, because if she really had the chance, she probably would have smashed it.

The rain outside the window grew heavier, and the sound of it hitting the glass was like the emotions that had been building up inside her, unable to be fully released.

Gradually, the raindrops blurred the world outside the car window again, and also blurred Kim Tae-yeon's vision.

At the same time, her mood gradually sank, as if even her heartbeat was being carried away by the sound of the rain. Until the wipers swept across the glass again, clearing the blur and giving her a clear view, it seemed to wipe away the thick fog in her heart as well.

Time passed slowly, and soon it was past 7 a.m. Whether it was because of the rain or something else, the figure I was looking forward to did not appear on time.

It wasn't until some time later that Kim Tae-yeon finally saw the familiar figure appear at the entrance of the residential area.

He was still wearing that old coat, and his back was still straight, but he looked younger and more energetic than I remembered.

As that figure appeared, Kim Tae-yeon's gaze followed him intently, and her heart began to race involuntarily.

His fingers gripped the armrests of the seat tightly, and his palms were covered in a fine layer of sweat.

The last shred of reason she had was frantically warning her: she couldn't get off the bus.

She could only hide in the car, like an observer, quietly watching her father in front of her, as if watching her past years slip away little by little before her eyes.

"Xiuyuan..."

The next moment, Kim Tae-yeon's voice trembled slightly, "He's coming over."

Seeing her like this, Lin Xiuyuan didn't say anything, but gently held Kim Tae-yeon's soft little hand with a firm grip, as if he was giving her some courage and support.

At that moment, Kim Tae-yeon's heart almost stopped. She saw her father approaching step by step, as if he had traveled through time.

Those were the years of her growth, the years she thought would never be without her.

Soon, Kim Tae-yeon's father walked to the car, and she stared intently at him, a thought in her mind: to take off her hat so that the brim wouldn't block her view.

But if she takes off her hat after already removing her sunglasses, there's a high chance she'll be recognized.

So she didn't dare, and Lin Xiuyuan didn't allow it either.

It wasn't until her father walked to the front of the car and passed alongside it that she finally couldn't help but slightly lift the brim of her hat and gaze through the dark glass.

She saw that still-young face, those bright and spirited eyes.

That was the father she used to look up to every day, but now he treated her like air.

Thinking of this, Kim Tae-yeon's chest tightened suddenly, as if something was blocking it, and her breathing became difficult.

At that moment, she couldn't help but reach for the car door handle.

She wanted to get off the bus, to rush to his side, to hug him, to say so many things, and to talk about so many things.

But in the end, Kim Tae-yeon's hand still couldn't push open the car door.

Because Lin Xiuyuan had already tightly grasped her small hand, and with his other hand wrapped around her waist, he had secured her to the parking space.

"Just take a quiet look," he whispered in Kim Tae-yeon's ear. "In other words, right now you're like a ghost that overlaps with Kim Tae-yeon. Do you really want to scare him?"

After saying this, Lin Xiuyuan hugged her tightly again to stop her from doing anything impulsive.

After hearing those words, tears welled up in Kim Tae-yeon's eyes and silently streamed down her face.

This time, she didn't choose to burst into tears. Instead, she quietly watched her father's departing figure, watching him walk out of her sight step by step until he disappeared around the corner.

Until that familiar figure completely disappeared from sight, a tear welled up in her reddened eyes once again and slid gently down her cheek.

Then she turned to look at Lin Xiuyuan, her eyes filled with confusion and helplessness.

The tear that slid down his cheek was like a pearl carrying countless memories, finally settling in his arms.

"Can we wait a little longer?" Kim Tae-yeon asked in a hoarse voice. "I want to see him one more time."

"We'll see. As long as you don't get out of the car and rush in front of the other party, anything goes," Lin Xiuyuan nodded.

But the other person's next words made him chuckle, "Xiuyuan, I... need to go to the bathroom."

"Then I'll leave for a bit."

Lin Xiuyuan, who had already booked a room at a nearby hotel, was quite familiar with this situation, since no one can go several hours without using the restroom.

A few minutes later, Lin Xiuyuan, who had circled the street, parked the car at the back entrance of the hotel. Then, he led the fully armed Kim Tae-yeon around the hotel lobby and up the stairs at the back to their room on the second floor.

After entering, Kim Tae-yeon went straight into the bathroom, while Lin Xiu-yuan quickly turned on the TV and turned the volume up to the maximum.

Otherwise, who knows if that pattering sound is the rain outside?

Soon after taking care of her business, Kim Tae-yeon glanced at Lin Xiu-yuan, then at the somewhat dilapidated hotel room. "Xiu-yuan, do you know, this is the first time I've ever stayed in such a bad hotel room."

"This is a hotel, not a guesthouse," Lin Xiuyuan corrected.

Kim Tae-yeon had already walked quietly to the window of the guest room, looking through the glass at the familiar glasses store not far away. She looked dazed, with a hint of emotion and tranquility in her eyes.

After a while, she looked at Lin Xiuyuan, who had just come out of the bathroom, and suddenly said, "Xiuyuan, why don't we just stay here? You can get some rest... If all else fails, you can just tie me up with a rope."

Lin Xiuyuan was taken aback, then chuckled and said, "That makes me sound a bit perverted."

Kim Tae-yeon also realized that something was not quite right, smiled slightly, and a hint of relief appeared in her eyes.

Lin Xiuyuan then said, "It's not that I don't want to hide here, it's just too troublesome. If they really do a room check, then things will get really messed up."

“You can get your car checked even when you’re in it,” Kim Tae-yeon retorted.

"I can just run a checkpoint if they check my car."

In response to the rebuttal, Lin Xiuyuan explained, "Normally, if you slip away, they won't chase after the car immediately, because that would cause a bigger accident. Most of the time, they'll come to arrest you the next day."

He paused for a moment, then continued, "But I had already sent you back by then, so there was nothing to worry about. At worst, I'd just get caught and jailed for a few days. But you can't slip away during room checks, since this isn't one of those mobile homes; there are no darkrooms to hide in."

Faced with Lin Xiuyuan's explanation, Kim Tae-yeon stared at him with her slightly reddened eyes, and after a while, she laughed and said, "You're so experienced, Xiuyuan. Do you often do this? And those darkrooms, don't go there, they're dirty."

"Don't slander me! I only know this from the video; I didn't go," Lin Xiuyuan quickly explained.

"It better be."

Kim Tae-yeon pouted, then said softly, "Let's go back to the car. I'm feeling much better now... Let's wait for him to come back and take another look, then we'll go back to Seoul."

Looking at Kim Tae-yeon who said these words, Lin Xiuyuan was a little shocked. "Ah, I thought you were going to watch it all day. No, it's over so quickly?"

In response, Kim Tae-yeon replied seriously, "I need to go back and come up with a plan to replace the Kim Tae-yeon here with me, and then I can appear in front of my father openly and legitimately."

Upon hearing this, Lin Xiuyuan nearly broke out in a cold sweat, his eyes widening. "Your idea is even more outrageous than watching your father all day long. How could anyone not recognize your face and Kim Tae-yeon's? You'd be finished the moment you stepped outside."

"I'm wearing a mask," Kim Tae-yeon said matter-of-factly.

“You can’t even wear a helmet.” Lin Xiuyuan rolled his eyes. “You think your parents, who have lived with you for decades, wouldn’t sense anything amiss? You’re underestimating them. Your parents aren’t that incompetent.”

Then she sighed softly, "Never mind, let's talk about this later. Let's go downstairs first."

Kim Tae-yeon gave a soft hum, lost in thought for a moment, and then followed Lin Xiu-yuan back into the car, returning to their previous seats.

Fortunately, the parking space was still available and no one had taken it.

Unfortunately, the rain got even heavier.

Then Kim Tae-yeon couldn't help but worry that her father might get wet when he came back, even though she knew that this little bit of rain was nothing to her father.

Sure enough, about half an hour later, her father, holding that familiar umbrella, slowly walked home from the direction of the market.

As they passed by Lin Xiuyuan's car again, Kim Tae-yeon's eyes immediately reddened, and she almost broke down again, but she managed to calm herself down in the end.

Then she leaned back quietly in her seat, took a deep breath, and tried to calm herself down.

Finally, watching his father's figure gradually disappear into the depths of the neighborhood, he fell into silence.

Although she has painfully accepted reality, every emotion related to her father always stirs up a hollow wind in her heart, making her feel the weight of loss once again.

Not to mention that now that I can see it, that feeling is something I can't share or express with anyone else.

Taking advantage of this break, Lin Xiuyuan leaned back in his car seat and rested for a while, closing his eyes to relax.

Around nine o'clock in the morning, Kim Tae-yeon's father went out again to prepare to open the glasses shop.

Seeing that familiar figure, Kim Tae-yeon stared nervously ahead again, silently praying that he would walk slowly so that she could catch a few more glimpses of him.

However, just as they were staring at that figure, a girl suddenly ran out from inside the community and caught up with Jin's father.

Lin Xiuyuan's eyes widened, and he couldn't help but exclaim in a low voice, "Kim Tae-yeon? What's she doing here?"

Then she frowned slightly and turned her gaze slightly to Kim Tae-yeon, "Didn't Jessica and the others say last night that there's an event in Gimpo today? Do you remember that?"

Kim Tae-yeon shook her head and replied softly, "I don't remember... It shouldn't be a group activity."

Although her tone was calm, she was slightly startled, thinking that she herself had been able to be by her father's side at this time.

The world hadn't collapsed yet, and everything was still functioning normally.

Seeing that Kim Tae-yeon had fallen silent again, Lin Xiuyuan did not ask any more questions.

He simply started the car, took a long detour around the back of the road, adjusted the direction of the car, and parked it ahead of Kim Tae-yeon's father and the 2013 version of Kim Tae-yeon, on the side of the driveway opposite the glasses shop, quietly waiting for the father and daughter to arrive.

Inside the car, Kim Tae-yeon stared intently ahead until her father and Kim Tae-yeon from 2013 walked past on the other side of the street.

Her father held an umbrella in one hand, a gentle smile on his face, while the young Kim Tae-yeon walked briskly beside him.

The raindrops pattered on their umbrellas, but did not affect the atmosphere between the father and daughter in the slightest.

The scene of a loving father and filial daughter appeared so harmonious, as if everything had returned to the familiar family that Kim Tae-yeon once knew.

Then, a complex expression flashed in Kim Tae-yeon's eyes inside the car, her lips tightened slightly, and an indescribable feeling welled up in her heart.

Envy, longing, and a touch of jealousy.

That was her daily life, but now she can only watch quietly from behind the glass.

Kim Tae-yeon bit her lip, forcing herself not to look anymore, but her gaze still couldn't leave that familiar back.

They only slowly looked away after the two entered the glasses shop.

Then she turned to look at Lin Xiuyuan, her eyes filled with complex emotions, "Xiuyuan..."

Hearing the voice, Lin Xiuyuan looked at her, his eyes full of understanding and emotion, and sighed softly, "I know, you don't need to say it."

Just like in my student days, seeing someone I liked walking with someone else would make me feel a pang of sadness.

Not to mention that right now it is Kim Tae-yeon's reunion with her deceased father, but she can only watch her younger self get close to him, while she herself cannot get close or experience it.

The impact was something outsiders couldn't comprehend.

After receiving the answer, Kim Tae-yeon didn't continue speaking. She simply buried her face in her hands, closed her eyes, and took a deep breath, trying to suppress the surging emotions within her.

The car fell silent for a moment, with only the sound of drizzling rain outside and the occasional footsteps of pedestrians filling the brief gap.

Meanwhile, inside the eyewear store, Kim Tae-yeon in 2013 secretly glanced at the car outside.

That Land Rover was so eye-catching; it's rare even in Seoul, and even more so in Jeonju.

Moreover, she clearly remembered seeing this car at the entrance of the residential area just now.

Just then, a doubt arose in his mind: Could someone be following him?

As the leader of Girls' Generation, she certainly had the confidence and reason to suspect something was amiss.

"Go and have a look."

Muttering to herself, the young Kim Tae-yeon decisively stepped out of the glasses shop, preparing to approach the car.

As she walked, she reassured herself: It's broad daylight, not a TV drama, who would kidnap her on the street? As long as she doesn't get close, she'll be fine.

However, just a few steps out of the store, the atmosphere inside the car suddenly became tense.

Lin Xiuyuan stared intently out of the car window while exclaiming in a low voice, "Damn it, Taeyeon! Quick, find somewhere to hide! Kim Taeyeon is coming! This is bad, it seems like our car has been recognized."

"Oh, where should I hide then?"

Kim Tae-yeon didn't react for a moment. She was about to turn around and get into the back seat, but when she looked up at the window, her expression changed instantly.

Because the young Kim Tae-yeon had already crossed the road without hesitation and was walking towards the Land Rover.

In a moment of desperation, Kim Tae-yeon had a sudden inspiration and lunged at Lin Xiu-yuan's thighs, burying her entire body in them.

This sudden action froze Lin Xiuyuan in place, leaving him petrified.

The other person was too close; soft hair, warm breath, and an extremely ambiguous sense of distance all enveloped him, causing his heart to race.

But Lin Xiuyuan forced himself to remain calm, quickly rolled down the car window, and waved to the young Kim Tae-yeon who was walking to the front of the car, "Hey, Tae-yeon..."

Young Kim Tae-yeon paused, a look of surprise flashing across her face. "Xiu-yuan, what are you doing here?"

Her tone was clearly surprised, and her eyes relaxed a bit.

"Yes, what a coincidence." Lin Xiuyuan forced a smile. "I didn't expect to run into you here."

"What a coincidence! This is my family's glasses shop. You didn't just come here to play, did you?" The young Kim Tae-yeon rolled her eyes and continued walking forward.

At this moment, Kim Tae-yeon, who was lying on Lin Xiuyuan's lap, had a face as red as a ripe apple and was too nervous to move.

Then she tried to hide her face even deeper, straightened her legs, squeezed them tightly together, and even softened her breathing.

She hadn't really expected to hide from "herself" in such a way, and Lin Xiuyuan's aura and body temperature filled the cramped space with an ambiguous atmosphere that made her blush and her heart race.

As the young Kim Tae-yeon entered, she quickly saw what was happening inside the car: a fair-skinned girl was lying on Lin Xiuyuan's lap.

Instantly, the young Kim Tae-yeon's expression froze, she stood there stunned for a full two seconds, and then suddenly took two steps back, her tone filled with obvious panic.

"I'm so sorry, I didn't expect you to be here..."

Before she could finish speaking, she turned around, her face flushed, and ran back to the glasses shop as if fleeing in panic.

The car finally quieted down, and Lin Xiuyuan slowly rolled up the window and let out a long breath.

Kim Tae-yeon, who was lying down, finally slowly raised her head, a sly look in her eyes, and the corners of her mouth turned up slightly.

Her heart was still pounding. Her actions had made her both shy and excited, and a blush had involuntarily crept onto her face.

"Now she's misunderstood, I'm doomed." Lin Xiuyuan leaned back in his seat, smiling bitterly as he muttered to himself, "Doing this in the car in broad daylight... she must think I'm a pervert."

After saying that, Lin Xiuyuan stopped talking and quietly looked at Kim Tae-yeon beside him with a slightly helpless smile in his eyes.

There was a moment of silence inside the car; the air seemed to stand still.

Then Kim Tae-yeon suddenly chuckled softly, her voice tinged with a hint of teasing, "Why? Isn't it good to be a pervert? I like being a pervert."

Lin Xiuyuan's eyelids twitched, his breath hitched, and he looked at her with a complicated expression.

"These past few years..."

The words had barely left his mouth when Lin Xiuyuan abruptly fell silent, wishing he could slap himself. Those years 25 years ago—were they something to be casually mentioned?

Kim Tae-yeon's eyes widened, but she quickly smiled again, her previous heaviness gone. "Xiu Yuan, you reacted quickly enough."

"Let's go or not. If we stay any longer, Kim Tae-yeon here will really think I'm a pervert, that I'm treating her like a plaything."

Lin Xiuyuan quickly changed the subject, turning his head to look at the young Kim Tae-yeon standing in front of the glasses shop with Kim Tae-yeon beside him. The other woman's eyes never left the car, as if she was thinking about something.

"Let's go."

Kim Tae-yeon said softly, looking at the glasses shop that held countless memories, her gaze softening, "Although it wasn't quite enough, one shouldn't be too greedy... I'll come back again."

After she finished speaking, her eyes were still fixed on the kind figure pacing back and forth inside the glasses shop, and the smile on her lips grew even brighter.

Lin Xiuyuan didn't say anything more, but turned his head, started the car, and slowly drove away from the glasses shop.

Outside, at the entrance of the eyeglasses shop behind the car.

Young Kim Tae-yeon remained standing in the same spot, watching the car gradually disappear into the distance.

Then he lowered his head slightly, a look of confusion flashing in his eyes, while a mix of complex emotions surged within him.

That scene was really strange.

She clearly saw... in Lin Xiuyuan's car, there was a girl lying on his lap.

The pale skin, the blurred outline, and the intimate posture all made her feel inexplicably awkward.

So what is Lin Xiuyuan doing at my doorstep?
Follow yourself, what kind of Play games do you play?
Thinking of a hentai game she had played with Sunny before, the young Kim Tae-yeon's eyes widened in surprise.

Then she exclaimed in a low voice, "What's going on?"

Thinking of this, the young Kim Tae-yeon muttered to herself again, not forgetting to curl her lips in disgust, "This is a bit too much in broad daylight, Lin Xiu-yuan... and he even followed me, what are you trying to do?"

She couldn't help but mutter to herself, trying to process everything that had just happened.

But the more he thought about it, the more uneasy he felt, so he subconsciously took out his phone, ready to find someone to confide in about this outrageous experience.

Then he opened his contacts and quickly called Lin Xiaolu, his tone carrying a hint of strangeness and uncertainty.

The call was answered quickly, and Lin Xiaolu's voice came through, clear and loud, "Hello? Unnie, what's up?"

Young Kim Tae-yeon frowned, adjusted her tone slightly, and said in a low voice, "Yoona, do you have time? I have something I want to talk to you about."

"Tell me, why are you being so mysterious?" Lin Xiaolu asked with a smile.

"I've discovered that Xiu... Lin Xiuyuan seems to be a pervert."

"what?"

……

……

On the other side, Lin Xiuyuan drove out of the rain-shrouded streets of Jeonju and slowly merged into the highway leading to Seoul.

The wheels rolled over puddles, splashing water everywhere, while the wipers slid rhythmically, clearing the drizzle from the windshield. The interior of the car contrasted sharply with the gloomy atmosphere outside.

Kim Tae-yeon seemed much more relaxed the whole way, perhaps because she had released her emotions or completely let go of something.

From initial silence to later humming softly, and then occasionally throwing out a few jokes and banter, he seemed like a completely different person compared to Shi Lu.

Looking at her profile, Lin Xiuyuan exclaimed in disbelief, "Are you really alright right now? The contrast in your emotions is too great!"

"Of course I'm fine." Kim Taeyeon raised her chin and smiled smugly. "I am now Miss Taeyeon, reborn after my soul was healed."

"Healed after just one meeting?"

Lin Xiuyuan chuckled and was about to continue when a phone call interrupted his thoughts.

It was Lin Xiaolu calling; the car's Bluetooth connected automatically very quickly.

The next second, a burst of laughter came from the other end, "Hahaha, hahaha, Lin Xiuyuan, what were you doing last night and just now? Taeyeon unnie said you were stalking her."

Lin Xiuyuan was taken aback and subconsciously glanced at Kim Tae-yeon beside him.

Kim Tae-yeon was laughing so hard she was huddled in her seat, covering her mouth, waving at him as if to say, "Don't interrupt, let her continue."

Left with no other option, he asked again, "Anything else?"

"Also, Taeyeon unnie initially thought it was some rich kid stalking her, but when she found out it was you, she was actually a little happy. But then she saw a girl in the car lying on your lap, doing *that* kind of thing. Wow, you have no idea what the first thing she said when she called was that you're a pervert."

"puff--!"

At this point, Kim Tae-yeon in the passenger seat finally couldn't hold back anymore and burst into laughter, almost curling up in the passenger seat. "My God, she really said that?"

Upon hearing that familiar voice, Lin Xiaolu, on the other end of the phone, quickly confirmed with her clever little mind that her previous guess was correct, and then laughed.

"Of course, she said she originally wanted to call the police. She only held back when she saw it was Xiuyuan. But after seeing the scene inside the car, she wanted to call the police again. Luckily you ran fast, otherwise you would probably be in the police station drinking tea by now."

Lin Xiuyuan sighed helplessly, as if he had aged ten years in the rain and mist. "What did I do wrong? This is clearly not my problem."

"If you enjoy yourself too much, you have to take the blame eventually. Lin Xiuyuan, I'm hanging up now, I need to get busy."

Lin Xiaolu laughed as she hung up the phone.

As soon as the call ended, Kim Tae-yeon wiped away the tears from the corners of her eyes with a smile, "So, in Kim Tae-yeon's eyes, Xiu Yuan, you're just a pervert who does play in the car?"

"I had just opened up to someone, and it's all gone in the blink of an eye. Taeyeon, please respect the feelings of the victim."

Lin Xiuyuan replied in a serious tone, trying his best to look like he had been wronged, "I took a bullet for you, okay?"

"How about I compensate you a little?" Kim Tae-yeon suddenly changed the subject, her voice gentle yet slightly provocative.

"Compensation?" Lin Xiuyuan glanced at her warily. "What compensation?"

"What do you think?" Kim Tae-yeon smiled and said nothing more.

At this moment, the rain outside was getting heavier and heavier, and the highway entrance ahead began to flash a warning: "Low visibility, be careful."

Seeing this, Lin Xiuyuan dared not drive recklessly any longer. Finding that the service area was not far ahead, he turned on his turn signal and drove into the rest area to make a temporary stop.

After the car came to a stop, rain and mist filled the outside of the window, and the world was shrouded in a dim gray. The raindrops tapped densely on the roof of the car, like a softly sung melody.

Kim Tae-yeon crossed her arms and looked Lin Xiu-yuan over seriously. Suddenly, she spoke up quietly, "Thinking about what just happened, luckily I reacted quickly, otherwise we would have had to kidnap her and put her in the car."

"When you say 'quick reaction,' you mean you just pounced on my legs?" Lin Xiuyuan looked at her with a wry smile. "But I'm completely socially dead now."

"It's just that she died in her heart."

Kim Tae-yeon smiled and bit her lip, a hint of slyness in her eyes, "Besides, didn't I say I would make it up to you?"

Lin Xiuyuan raised an eyebrow, "So how exactly are you planning to compensate me?"

Kim Tae-yeon didn't answer, but instead unbuckled her seatbelt, a hint of emotion flashing in her eyes.

The next second, she suddenly jumped up from the passenger seat, straddled Lin Xiuyuan, wrapped her arms around his shoulders, and her warm fragrance instantly enveloped him.

Raindrops pattered against the car window, as if accompanying this beautiful moment.

"That's fine," she said softly.

Then, without giving Lin Xiuyuan any chance to react, she leaned down and kissed him.

The moment the other person's lips touched his, Lin Xiuyuan felt his body freeze for half a second, but the gentle warmth was so real that he couldn't think straight.

Kim Tae-yeon knelt on either side of his legs, leaned forward, and placed her hands on his shoulders, kissing him passionately.

Although it didn't rush to take it right away, it first gave a light peck, then pressed closer, as if testing the waters or confirming its presence.

To confirm that you are truly ready to embrace this new life, instead of being stuck in the painful memories of 2025.

A moment later, Kim Tae-yeon's movements were no longer shy, but rather somewhat bold.

As the other person completely let go, Lin Xiuyuan's hand, which was originally gripping the steering wheel, gradually loosened, then slowly rose and pressed against her lower back.

The soft curves emanated through the thin fabric, gentle and vibrant, like a gentle ray of spring light, awakening him from his silence.

At the same time, when Kim Tae-yeon felt that large hand touch her, her heart skipped a beat.

However, she did not back down. Instead, she pressed her body even closer, and the passion intensified between her lips and teeth.

She gently swept her tongue across his lower lip, then slowly took a bite.

At this moment, Kim Tae-yeon's emotions were like the torrential rain outside, pressing down on the sky, having been building up for too long.

So this time, it was as if he wanted to stuff all the grievances, longings, regrets, and desires that had been suppressed in his heart over the years into this kiss.

Finally, I can stop forcing myself to cry, stop dodging and backing down, and stop pretending to be calm.

After Kim Tae-yeon truly "collapsed" in Lin Xiuyuan's arms, it was also the time when she began to truly "get closer" to him.

Lin Xiuyuan's hand slowly moved up her back and stopped at her shoulder blade, as if he wanted to press her whole into his body.

With his other hand, he gently placed his hand on her thigh, feeling the subtle tremor through her jeans.

Kim Tae-yeon's body is light, like a feather, yet hot as fire.

Halfway through the kiss, she suddenly stopped, her forehead pressed against Lin Xiuyuan's, breathing slightly heavily, his breath still lingering on her lips.

Lin Xiuyuan looked at her, his voice a little hoarse, "Are you... really alright?"

Kim Tae-yeon chuckled softly, brushed aside the stray hairs on her forehead, and then hugged him tightly, pressing her face against his neck. "Yes, now... it's really alright, Xiu-yuan. I can really repay you with my body."

"Stop fooling around, take a rest."

Kim Tae-yeon smiled, nodded slightly, closed her eyes, and quietly felt the warmth emanating from Lin Xiu-yuan.

It was a warm sense of security, as if it had pierced through layers of gloom and gently pulled me out of the quagmire of torn memories.

At this moment, she has finally transformed from Kim Tae-yeon, who was forever stuck in "regret," into someone who still possesses "the present."

She could feel her heartbeat gradually stabilizing, and she no longer sobbed because of her father's departing figure, nor blamed herself for past mistakes.

At that moment, in this man's arms, she was caught completely, truly, and firmly.

"I used to think that I would never be able to face it again..."

Kim Tae-yeon spoke softly, her tone carrying a hint of relief and a touch of longing, "I never thought... I really did it."

Lin Xiuyuan didn't say anything, but tightened his arms and hugged her even tighter.

The rain was still falling outside, but there was no longer any chill between them.

Last night's crying + this morning's meeting + that deep kiss just now.

After all this, Kim Tae-yeon seemed to relax, yet also seemed to burst into flames.

Having let down my guard and ignited my courage, I finally allowed myself to stop living in the corner of memories and instead passionately embrace the life in front of me.

The two embraced quietly, and the temperature inside the car slowly rose, not because the car's heater was on, but because of their breaths together.

The rain was still falling outside the window, the sound of it hitting the glass dense and soft, like a curtain separating them from the world, leaving only the sound of each other's breaths and heartbeats when their chests touched.

Lin Xiuyuan didn't move, and Kim Tae-yeon didn't speak either. It was as if, after this deep kiss, the two of them had tacitly fallen into a kind of quiet understanding.

Her face was pressed against the crook of his neck, and a gentle smile unconsciously curved her lips. Her fingers gripped the corner of his clothes, her fingertips curled up, showing a hint of longing and reluctance.

As the sound of rain outside the window gradually subsided and the pattering sound quietly faded from the car roof, sunlight shone through the clouds, casting a sliver of brightness.

Lin Xiuyuan then gently moved his shoulders and asked in a low voice, "Are you leaving?"

"Hmm..." Kim Tae-yeon responded, but her tone was lazy, as if she was still immersed in the afterglow of the physical intimacy just now, "Wait a little while longer, five minutes will be enough."

Lin Xiuyuan did not refuse. Instead, he gently stroked the top of her head and then lightly pressed his forehead against hers.

Five minutes later, the two regained their composure, returned to normal, restarted the car, and drove onto the highway on their way back.

This journey was free of tears, silence, and oppressive atmosphere.

Kim Tae-yeon seemed much lighter. She leaned against the passenger seat, humming a song, looking at the filters on her selfies on her phone, and then turning to Lin Xiu-yuan with a smile, teasing him, "Remember to tell me how things develop next time you see him."

Lin Xiuyuan's lips twitched. "I guess she'll just turn around and leave."

Kim Tae-yeon laughed so hard she bent over.

They chatted and laughed all the way back to Seoul.

When I got back to the apartment, it was almost noon. The sky had cleared up completely, and sunlight streamed into the room through the gaps in the curtains, giving me a gentle feeling of waking up after a long night's sleep.

Lin Xiuyuan glanced at Kim Tae-yeon to make sure she had truly calmed down before going into the kitchen to pour her a glass of warm water. "Would you like to take a shower first? Or should we go over there?"

"Let's go first." Kim Tae-yeon took the water, took a sip, and then picked up her phone to look at it. "Even though I'm off today, I'm just worried that someone might need to contact me."

And so, the two of them quickly stepped through the time portal and returned to 2025.

After arriving, Kim Tae-yeon glanced at her phone and smiled, "Haha, I was overthinking it. Only Yoona called me to ask if I was awake."

"This is asking if you're back yet," Lin Xiuyuan said with a smile.

"I know."

After speaking, Kim Tae-yeon looked at Lin Xiuyuan's red eyes and asked with some concern, "Okay, now that everything is settled and the door is closed, Xiuyuan, you don't have to worry about me anymore. You can get some rest now."

"I am indeed sleepy. I'll go upstairs and take a nap. Are you going back?" Lin Xiuyuan nodded.

However, Kim Tae-yeon shook her head, then smiled and patted the sofa, "You just sleep. I want to stay a little longer and watch you fall asleep before I leave."

"Ah, I'm not a child anymore, no need," Lin Xiuyuan said, feeling a bit awkward.

However, in the end, Lin Xiuyuan could not persuade Kim Tae-yeon. Coupled with the back-and-forth travel during the night and day and the emotional exhaustion, he was extremely tired both physically and mentally.

So he quickly took off his coat, lay down on the sofa, closed his eyes, and fell asleep.

"I'm really asleep, don't laugh at my snoring." Lin Xiuyuan's voice was already heavy with sleepiness as he said this.

"Go to sleep, sweetie."

Kim Tae-yeon smiled, her eyes crinkling, her tone gentle as if she were coaxing a child, "I'm not recording anything, what are you afraid of?"

Lin Xiuyuan did not respond again, but simply hummed softly before slowly drifting off to sleep.

As he closed his eyes, a familiar and gentle fragrance lingered around his nose.

That was Kim Tae-yeon's unique scent, a light fragrance with the gentle warmth of her skin—not overpowering, but enough to put one at ease.

Kim Tae-yeon sat quietly beside him, her fair legs pressed against Lin Xiuyuan's head, looking down at his sleeping face.

The other person was sleeping soundly, with a faint shadow cast by their eyelashes. There was no smile on their lips, but their face was calm and serene.

After that night, her gaze towards Lin Xiuyuan became much gentler.

A faint smile unconsciously appeared on her lips, as if just looking at Lin Xiuyuan was enough to make her feel at ease.

"How can I feel so at ease just looking at you like this..."

Kim Tae-yeon murmured softly, as if she were speaking to him, or perhaps confirming something to herself.

And so I quietly stayed by their side, watching and watching, and the flutter in my heart slowly turned into a warm anticipation.

Time passed quietly.

Suddenly, the cell phone on the coffee table vibrated slightly, its ringtone breaking the silence.

Lin Xiuyuan was sleeping so soundly that he was not woken up.

But Kim Tae-yeon was startled and quickly reached for her phone, carefully turning off the ringer.

Looking down, I saw the caller ID showed "Ji-yeon".

Her bright, beautiful eyes darted around slightly, then a mischievous smile curved her lips as she pressed the answer button, held the phone close to her ear, and spoke softly, almost with a smile.

"Hey, Xiu Yuan is sleeping."

……

……

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(End of this chapter)