Hancheng: There is a door between me and the future

Chapter 181 The King's Game (The End) Requesting monthly votes and subscriptions.
"I'm number 4."

"Damn, I'm number 6."

As Jessica and Lin Xiuyuan spoke up one after the other, the people on the sofa finally couldn't hold back any longer and started to complain.

"Oh my god, what are you guys doing? I could have let it go before, but now you're putting all the punishments together?"

"Change the cards, change the cards, Jiyeon, open a new deck of cards, you can't play like this."

"Let's not talk about that now, let's do the punishment first."

"That's it."

"..."

Hearing Kim Tae-yeon and the others teasing her, Jessica quickly turned to Lin Xiuyuan, but Lin Xiuyuan immediately looked at Lin Yoona and asked, "If you refuse, what was the punishment we agreed on earlier?"

"The drinks are calculated per person, one glass per person. That means Xiuyuan, you have to drink 8 glasses of wine, and Xiuyan unnie has to drink as well, which makes a total of 16 glasses."

Having received his answer, Lin Xiuyuan looked at Jessica and said, "Drink it."

“I won’t drink it. I’ll be the punishment.” Jessica refused directly, with a slight smile on her face.

The mature and charming Jessica deals with people she dislikes not only through her expressions and actions, but also through subtle psychological and mental torment.

When Yoona announced the punishment and Jessica learned that she and Lin Xiuyuan were involved, she considered refusing.

But before she could speak, a voice came from the side, which made Jessica laugh in anger. Looking at the other person's unwilling expression, she felt a strange sense of satisfaction.

An idea popped into my head: if it's something you hate, then I absolutely have to stand up for you.

Then came her earlier reply.

Of course, this depends on the person, their appearance, and the relationship.

There are some people you dislike, but you don't have a bad relationship with them.

When Lin Xiuyuan was reluctant, Jessica excitedly contradicted him. Seeing his unhappy expression, she was secretly overjoyed.

"So what do we say now? She's going to do it, so Yoona, why don't you go with her? I'll drink."

Lin Xiuyuan glanced at Jessica's smiling face, and not being stupid, he immediately saw her malice. He then turned his gaze to Lin Yoona.

But how could Lim Yoona agree?
After playing so many games to finally get the King's position, these two actually tried to cheat and even wanted her to take their place. It's just too much.

So she immediately said, "In that case, the game can't continue, Xiuyuan. You and Unnie can't cheat like this."

"I said I accept the severe punishment: a cup of human head wine, one cup for each person."

After Lin Xiuyuan finished speaking, he was about to stand up to get the drinks when Jessica laughed again, "I'm not drinking. You can drink it yourself. I've already agreed to accept the punishment."

Upon hearing this, Lin Xiuyuan immediately turned to look at her, his brows furrowing slightly.

The crowd watched the two with light smiles, not interfering, all wanting to see just how far they could cause trouble.

After all, everyone here is an adult. As long as there isn't any major argument or even physical altercation, everyone is happy to watch the show.

Besides, it's nothing.

"You mean I'll drink it for you?" Lin Xiuyuan asked.

"No, you don't have to drink. I'm willing to accept the punishment, but if you don't want to, then drink all 16 glasses of wine."

Hearing those words, Jessica laughed even harder.

"I'm not drinking anymore. Come on, accept your punishment. Yoona, what was the punishment you just mentioned?"

Lin Xiuyuan then asked Lin Yoona, who quickly replied, "Hold each other close, face to face, until the next round ends."

After receiving the answer, Lin Xiuyuan walked to Jessica's side without hesitation and gently put his arm around her waist.

Jessica didn't expect Lin Xiuyuan to be so direct, but she didn't intend to spoil the mood, so she put her hand on Lin Xiuyuan's back and pressed herself close to him, her face almost touching his.

As the two made their movements, the surrounding air seemed to freeze instantly. Everyone held their breath, their eyes filled with curiosity and excitement, as if every tiny movement was magnified.

Krystal's eyes, in particular, are the most expressive.

"Let's start the next round." Lin Xiuyuan's voice was somewhat suppressed and slightly low.

Jessica remained calm. Having weathered so many storms, this little game was nothing to her, so she smiled slightly.

But she didn't provoke the other party further and remained silent.

However, despite her silence, Lin Xiuyuan could still feel the warmth of her breath lingering around his ear, which made him pause for a moment, feeling as if their bodies were getting closer and closer.

To divert attention, Lin Xiuyuan looked around to see how others reacted, only to find that many people seemed to have excitement and anticipation in their eyes.

At this moment, Lim Yoona finally couldn't help but laugh out loud, "Xiuyuan, wouldn't you and unnie be considered a pair of bickering lovers?"

"No way, I don't want to get beaten up," Lin Xiuyuan replied.

Jessica remained silent, but the hand around Lin Xiuyuan's waist twitched slightly, as if she was about to do something underhanded.

Thankfully, Yoona spoke up in time, "Unnie, don't move, hold me tight."

Her words eased the atmosphere a little, but the underlying tension still lingered in the air, because Da Longzai had opened a new deck of cards and changed the bottom cards, so everyone started scrambling for them again.

The next second, Krystal's cheerful voice shattered Lin Xiuyuan's anticipation of getting the King card, "Alright, this round is finally my turn to be the King, let me think... Number 3 carries Number 4 and does 5 squats."

After hearing the punishment, everyone looked at the cards in their hands and then easily turned them over.

"It's not me, I'm number 1."

"It wasn't me either, my card number is 6."

Just then, Jessica shouted, "What's going on? Why is it me again?"

Immediately afterwards, Lin Xiuyuan's laughter rang out, "Oh, this is funny, I'm number 4. Does that mean Jessica is carrying me on her back for 5 squats?"

"just kill me."

Upon hearing this, Jessica immediately pushed Lin Xiuyuan away, and Lin Xiuyuan took the opportunity to sit back in his seat, revealing a very smug smile.

Then he revealed his number 4 card, looked up at Jessica, and joked, "I think this punishment is pretty good, I'm willing to accept it. But if possible, wait a few minutes, I'll go home and change into a lead-weight suit before coming back, I guarantee you can complete the task."

Beside him, Da Longzai couldn't help but laugh when he saw Lin Xiuyuan's sly smile and teasing words.

Jessica glared at Lin Xiuyuan and turned to Krystal, "What is the punishment for refusing?"

"Sixteen glasses of wine, huh? Didn't I just say that? Are you deaf, Jessica?"

"I didn't ask you."

Although Jessica had long anticipated being given the cold shoulder by Lin Xiuyuan tonight, she didn't expect it to be such a head-on confrontation, and this time she couldn't help but glare back.

But Lin Xiuyuan remained calm, shrugging his shoulders. "It's just a game, having fun is the most important thing. Don't worry, I'm not heavy, I won't crush you."

Just as the two were bickering, Kim Tae-yeon quietly leaned close to Im Yoona's ear and said, "Yoona, what's going on between Soo-won and Soo-yeon? They seem to be getting a little heated."

"I don't know how to explain this to you, unnie. I'll explain it later."

Yoona kept her eyes fixed on the two people over there, wondering what was going on tonight.

It seems like I manage to catch them both every time. Could it be that there's some kind of lucky charm?

Just then, Krystal suddenly suggested, "How about you carry unnie instead of Xiuyuan?"

"No way, men and women are equal, Krystal. You can't look down on Jessica like that. What if she doesn't need this kind of charity?"

This was yet another sarcastic and dismissive response, and the atmosphere at the scene began to become awkward.

Jessica gritted her teeth, paused for a moment, then stood up abruptly, her back to Lin Xiuyuan. "Come on, it's just five squats, let's begin."

When she made that move, Jessica was actually hoping that Lin Xiuyuan would be more sensible and not be so foolish as to actually pounce on her.

But she clearly underestimated Lin Xiuyuan.

He didn't just lie down on it, he practically pounced on it.

Moreover, the impact almost made Jessica stagger and nearly fall.

Then, Lin Xiuyuan quickly stood up and said with an innocent look on his face, "Ah, Jessica, you have to squat down, otherwise how are you going to carry people?"

"I've never carried anyone on my back, let alone a man. I'm done playing, I'm going to drink."

Jessica angrily tossed her long hair, glared at Lin Xiuyuan, took a deep breath, and returned to her seat.

Lin Xiuyuan was very proactive, bringing her wine glasses and drinks. He sat down next to her and watched Jessica drink one glass after another, his eyes fixed on the wine glass.

If there's even a little bit left, someone will say, "Jessica, what are you going to do with all this? Keep it as a goldfish?"

Sure enough, the previous "concern" was actually surveillance.

After Jessica drank four glasses in one go, Krystal finally couldn't help but tug at Lin Xiuyuan: "Okay, let Jessica drink the rest slowly, she doesn't have to finish them all at once."

The others nodded in agreement, saying that this would give them a way out later.

Afterwards, the King's Game continued, and putting aside the personal grudges between Jessica and Lin Xiuyuan, the atmosphere on site became increasingly heated.

Everyone's expression became more and more relaxed, some even with anticipation and excitement. They took turns drawing playing cards, and as the game progressed, the punishments became more and more interesting and somewhat unexpected.

Sometimes they are assigned to dance, sometimes they are asked to call a friend and tell a funny story, and the loser has to keep playing until the task is completed.

Each round of punishments no longer seemed so simple, but everyone was thoroughly enjoying this harmless "game".

As laughter and lively discussion grew, Jessica gradually finished her 16 glasses of wine, her cheeks slightly flushed, and a lazy glint in her eyes.

Although the slight intoxication made her appear somewhat relaxed, she remained sober, with a serene smile on her face, as if she were already used to this situation.

Just then, as the discussion and laughter subsided, Jessica drew the King card again.

Her eyes lit up instantly, her gaze quickly sweeping over the other people at the table before finally settling on Lin Xiuyuan beside her.

Then, a slight smile curled his lips, revealing a smug look, his eyes filled with provocation, "Ready to accept the punishment I've chosen?"

Lin Xiuyuan calmly replied, "Guess my trump card first."

Upon seeing Jessica reveal the King card first, Lin Xiuyuan decided not to look at his own hole card and wait for her to announce the punishment before making a decision.

Jessica squinted, seemingly deep in thought. Finally, she looked away from Lin Xiuyuan and turned to the others with a relaxed smile. "Then I've decided. Let number 1 and number 2 swap tops."

Jessica, who didn't intend to continue fighting with Lin Xiuyuan, never expected that Lady Luck would play such a cruel joke on the two of them.

When the others revealed their cards, everyone was shocked to discover that cards number 1 and 2 were not in their hands.

Seeing that no one else had gotten those two cards, Lin Xiuyuan was already prepared and looked directly at his own cards.

Upon opening it, square 1 was clearly visible.

"What about number 2?" the little dragon asked curiously.

Immediately, everyone's attention focused on the King's trump card, the one that had been kept for fun, but unexpectedly, Jessica used it first at this moment.

Sure enough, as Jessica revealed the King's trump card, the Two of Hearts, her vision went black and she almost fainted.

She had already given in, and wasn't planning to argue with Lin Xiuyuan anymore, but she still ended up bumping into him in this way.

Thinking of this, Jessica looked down at the sleeveless vest she was wearing, then looked up at Lin Xiuyuan's T-shirt, and suddenly couldn't help but laugh, "This is not my fault, you're just unlucky."

Upon hearing this, Lin Xiuyuan's lips curled up slightly. Without any hesitation, he took off his T-shirt and tossed it to Jessica, saying, "Here, take it."

This action drew all eyes to Lin Xiuyuan. Apart from Jessica, everyone else here had seen Lin Xiuyuan's physique before.

Although they had seen it before, this moment of display still made them sigh in amazement.

Those well-defined muscles possess an unintentional charm that seems to instantly draw everyone's attention.

When Jessica first saw Lin Xiuyuan's muscular physique, she was slightly taken aback. A sentence Krystal had once told her instantly came to mind: "Unnie, do you know what shark muscles are? That area feels even better than abs."

Jessica didn't understand it at the time, but today she truly understands the meaning of that sentence.

Looking at Lin Xiuyuan's physique, she couldn't help but imagine a scene.

A figure lying on the bed, his hand supporting his strong waist.

Then, an indescribable emotion welled up in his heart, and he quickly lowered his head, taking advantage of this brief moment to regain his composure.

Then, Jessica disappeared in the direction of the restroom with the T-shirt in her hand, while Lin Xiuyuan sat in his seat, looking at the pairs of burning eyes around him, and said with a bit of a laugh, "Can you guys tone it down a bit?"

Lee Juri was the first to reply, "There's nothing we can do; with such beauty before us, who can resist?"

As she spoke, she practically glued her eyes to Lin Xiuyuan. If Tian Enjing hadn't pulled her back, she would have really wanted to go up and touch him.

"Who can get these muscle definition without exercising and getting their blood pumped up beforehand? That's not scientific!"

I couldn't help but mutter a complaint under my breath.

That's unscientific!!!
Then, Da Longzai and Lin Yun'er started teasing Lin Xiuyuan, but since he had already wrestled with them, Lin Xiuyuan was temporarily immune to it.

Finally, after a while, Jessica returned with Lin Xiuyuan's T-shirt. Wearing the T-shirt, she exuded a mature and sophisticated vibe, like someone wearing their boyfriend's clothes.

Then he handed the sleeveless vest to Lin Xiuyuan, saying, "Here you go, it's your turn."

Lin Xiuyuan looked up at her, puzzled. "I can't wear this, can I?"

After all, Jessica's clothes were clearly too small for his size.

“No, the game rules require you to wear them, Xiu Yuan,” Krystal said with a mischievous smile.

Lin Xiuyuan shrugged helplessly and had no choice but to hang the clothes on his shoulders. Immediately, a subtle fragrance wafted over, and he subconsciously took a deep breath.

The fragrance carried Jessica's delicate and gentle scent, which made him frown; he didn't like it.

Jessica stood to the side and was momentarily lost in thought when she saw Lin Xiuyuan put his arm around her vest, but she didn't say anything more.

Looking down at the T-shirt Lin Xiuyuan was wearing, she noticed that although it was a bit big, she was surprised to smell a masculine scent on it, which made her unconsciously start to wonder if she had gone a bit too far.

Unfortunately, after 16 drinks, the alcohol made her brain sluggish. After a moment of confusion, she decided to continue playing the game.

Just then, the two suddenly sensed a subtle atmosphere, and their eyes met simultaneously, as if they could read something indescribable in each other's eyes.

That subtle tension spread once again, and the air was filled with indescribable emotions.

Instantly, both of them gently shifted their gaze. After all, each of them was someone they hated and loathed, and that so-called feeling was quickly forgotten.

As the game continued, the atmosphere gradually became more relaxed and exciting, and everyone's eyes began to follow the appearance of the King card.

The next few rounds were a bit calmer, and the atmosphere wasn't as crazy as before.

Soon, everyone's attention was focused on Lee Juri, who seemed to have been waiting for a long time and finally grabbed the King card at this moment.

Then his gaze swept over everyone at the table and quickly settled on Lin Xiuyuan, a glint of anticipation in his eyes.

Seeing this, Lin Xiuyuan couldn't help but laugh and teased, "When you guys play this game, are you all just targeting me? Why are you always looking at me?"

But Li Juli's eyes lit up, seemingly amused by his words. She nodded and then shook her head. "I'd like to, but who knows who we'll catch? Xiuyuan, you're really unlucky tonight. I hope we catch you."

As soon as she finished speaking, everyone around her couldn't help but laugh.

Lin Xiuyuan raised an eyebrow, a hint of curiosity in his eyes, "Then tell me, what kind of punishment do you plan to impose?"

Lee Ju-ri immediately revealed a smug smile and said without hesitation, "I've decided to let number 5 and number 6 go outside the bar to get some fresh air, take a selfie under a streetlight, and then come back to the bar in 5 minutes."

As soon as she said this, the tavern fell silent for a few seconds, and everyone stared at her in surprise.

This punishment seems simple, but it's not difficult either. After all, the alley next door is sparsely populated, so there shouldn't be any problems, just some inconvenience.

At that moment, Lin Xiuyuan picked up his cards from the table without hesitation, quickly threw out the number 6 card, his eyes filled with helplessness and mockery.

"I'm not playing anymore after this round. This isn't a game, it's like they're playing me!"

Just as Lin Xiuyuan was feeling somewhat helpless, the little dragon cub happily revealed its trump card and laughed, "Xiuyuan, stop complaining. This time, I'll give you a flower too."

She happily held up card number 5, her eyes full of mockery and anticipation, "See, this is just messing with you."

As the little dragon stood up, everyone's attention began to focus on her and Lin Xiuyuan.

A moment later, Lin Xiuyuan teased, "So am I going to go out shirtless? Won't people say I'm being a pervert?" "There's no one around," Da Longzai said, his eyes sparkling with excitement.

Seeing this, Lee Juri silently groaned in her heart, thinking: It's over, I've paved the way for Jiyeon again.

At the same time, Yoona and Krystal looked at the two of them with some strange expressions.

Despite his complaints, Lin Xiuyuan stood up, gently put down the vest hanging on his shoulder, and walked out of the tavern with the little dragon cub.

As he reached the door, Lin Xiuyuan turned around and glanced at the people inside, a hint of provocation and frustration in his eyes. "If I catch the king later, none of you will escape."

“I didn’t say anything, Xiuyuan,” Tian Enjing immediately retorted.

"Collective punishment, all will be eliminated."

After saying this, Lin Xiuyuan turned and walked out of the tavern, heading towards the quiet alley with Da Longzai. They soon arrived at a street lamp.

In the cold wind, Lin Xiuyuan originally planned to adjust the angle and pose for a selfie of the night view in the alley.

However, the little dragon suddenly pushed him against the wall, pressed his body tightly against him, and wrapped his arms around his waist.

Before Lin Xiuyuan could react, a soft laugh rang out, "What are you taking pictures of, Xiuyuan? Take pictures of me, take pictures wherever you want, anywhere is fine."

The dragon cub whispered in his ear, his voice tinged with a hint of teasing, yet his eyes held a deep emotion: "I've missed you terribly."

In that instant, Lin Xiuyuan was stunned. He was about to say something when his eyes met the deep gaze of the dragon cub, and a strange flutter suddenly ran through his heart.

The next second, the little dragon tiptoed and gently yet domineeringly covered his lips with his.

A cold wind filled the air, but there seemed to be an invisible flame between the two of them, warm and intense.

Under the streetlights, their shadows were elongated, their reflections intertwined.

The shadows on the wall seemed to be stretched long and thin, and every inch of light was like a poem embedded in the night.

The kiss deepened, and all other sounds seemed to disappear, leaving only the beating of two hearts and the melody of their breaths.

The little dragon gently released Lin Xiuyuan's lips, but still didn't completely let go of him.

Their breathing became rapid, and the temperature in the air seemed to rise imperceptibly.

The dragon cub's eyes remained gentle, yet carried a hint of suppressed desire. He lowered his head and lightly pecked Lin Xiuyuan's neck, whispering, "Don't you feel it? You always make me unable to resist."

"Five minutes. We have to go back soon, Jiyeon. Can't you wait that long?"

After regaining his senses, Lin Xiuyuan reached out and hugged the little dragon cub, gently caressing the texture of the shirt, as if he could feel the warmth and smoothness of the little dragon cub's skin beneath the shirt.

At this moment, Da Longzai's hand slowly moved to Lin Xiuyuan's abdomen, his fingertips gently stroking his firm abdominal muscles. "Just consider this as me having tasted the sweetness of the marrow."

The sensation on the fingertips seems to make you forget everything, leaving only that delicate warmth.

The little dragon's movements were gentle and meticulous, each rub seeming to explore Lin Xiuyuan's body with a deep and unhurried affection.

“Every inch of your skin makes me want to get closer,” the little dragon whispered, his voice hoarse and reserved. “Every touch makes me crave you even more.”

As he spoke, Da Longzai's fingers slowly traced the outline of Lin Xiuyuan's abdomen, gently stroking from below his ribs to the contours of his abdominal muscles, each movement precise and alluring.

Lin Xiuyuan, who was standing against the wall, trembled slightly. The lines of his abdomen became more and more obvious under the fingertips of the dragon cub, as if each gentle massage had turned them into another form of tension and anticipation.

"Be careful..." Lin Xiuyuan barely raised his eyes to look at the little dragon cub, his lips moving slightly as if he were trying to persuade him, but his eyes held a hint of helplessness and longing. "If you keep this up, I really... won't be able to control myself."

The little dragon smiled slightly, lowered his head and kissed Lin Xiuyuan's cheek, his fingers continuing to roam over his body: "Then let me help you relax, okay?"

As soon as he finished speaking, he increased the pressure on his abdominal muscles with his fingertips, pressing deeply into the muscle groups so that every part that was touched could feel his warm and powerful palm.

Lin Xiuyuan felt an indescribable sensation welling up in his heart, and the tension in his body seemed to slowly relax with the warm massage, leaving only an indescribable attraction and desire.

……

inside the house.

As Lin Xiuyuan and Dalongzai went out, everyone looked at each other, and then Lin Yun'er asked, "Shall we play a couple of rounds first?"

"Five minutes should be quick, let's take a break."

Sweet Eunjung glanced down at her watch, picked up her drink, took a sip, and the others agreed.

Then, with a smile, they chatted about some of the fun things that happened during the game.

However, Krystal would occasionally glance towards the door from the corner of her eye, her brows furrowing slightly, as if she were somewhat worried.

……

outside.

In the alley next door.

Under the streetlights, the two shadows that were originally parallel underwent a subtle change in that instant. The images under the light became distorted, and the originally symmetrical shadows were now one taller than the other.

As the movements and shadows changed, the breathing gradually became heavier, and the weight of the body slowly shifted.

One hand still rested on the low shadow, and that hand seemed to have found some kind of support, so it gripped the cold, hard lamppost tightly, as if trying to use it to maintain a sliver of rationality.

As this action occurred, the rhythm beneath the shorter shadow also began to change.

Under the light, the shape of the shadows became increasingly asymmetrical, and the strong contrast made the whole picture more vivid and subtle.

The standing shadow seemed to be pulled by an invisible force, tilting slightly, its sharp lines stretching longer and longer.

It spreads forward along the ground, casting its shadow on the mottled streets, as if trying to break through the surrounding silence and extend into the unknown.

The low shadow gradually became more distorted, and its originally smooth outline began to show a unique rhythm, as if it were swaying slightly.

Its bottom rose slightly, as if swaying in the wind, and part of its shadow began to rise slightly, carrying an uneasy undulation that suddenly formed a strong contrast with the surrounding tranquility.

As one hand released its grip and then steadied the streetlight again, the changes in the shadow became increasingly apparent.

The shadows of the lampposts were elongated, their slender shafts intertwining with the shadows of the two people, as if they had become one.

The taller shadow began to lengthen rapidly, while the shorter shadow followed closely behind, gradually rising and becoming somewhat distorted, as if the interaction between the two bodies was beginning to permeate the image.

As the hand tightened its grip on the streetlight, the rhythm of the low shadow shifted more noticeably.

The shadow's undulations and reactions seemed to be synchronized, and its originally fixed outline gradually became blurred.

At that moment, the refraction of light made the outlines of the shadows clearer, illuminating the intertwining of the two shadows on the ground. The black lines seemed to be woven into an invisible net, exuding an indescribable tension.

……

Inside the tavern, everyone chatted for a while, and suddenly a few people realized a problem.

Their gazes darted between them, something seemed amiss.

Then it was Lim Yoona who asked, "How many minutes have Xiuyuan and Jiyeon been gone?"

Everyone glanced at the time and realized that more than ten minutes had passed, and the two people still hadn't returned.

The problem is that those two haven't returned yet.

At this moment, Lee Juri, as if remembering something, clenched her teeth and had a kind of NTR illusion, like "bitterly hating to press the gold thread year after year, only to make wedding clothes for others".

But they had to speak up for their youngest member, saying, "Is it possible that the two of them didn't know the time? It seems like they didn't bring their phones."

“Then I’ll go out and call them,” Jessica, who was closest to the gate, said, getting up.

Her action startled everyone except Kim Tae-yeon, who immediately shouted in unison.

"No need, no need, unnie, I'll go call them."

"I'll go."

After saying that, Krystal got up and prepared to go out to see what the two people were doing.

However, just as everyone was preparing to take action, the tavern door was pushed open, and Lin Xiuyuan and Dalongzai slowly walked in.

"Finally back! Wasn't it supposed to be five minutes?" someone couldn't help but tease.

"We didn't pay attention to the time. Xiuyuan said he was cold, so we came back."

As Da Longzai spoke, he took out his phone and showed a selfie he had taken with Lin Xiuyuan outside.

"Look, I brought my phone, how could I not check the time?" Kim Tae-yeon said with a smile.

"I forgot." The little dragon blinked and smiled slightly.

Yoona stared sharply at the two of them, or rather, at Lin Xiuyuan, but she didn't notice anything.

As the two returned to their seats, Jessica inadvertently glanced at Lin Xiuyuan's V-line and noticed a strange mark below it.

It was red, somewhat like a bruise, and also somewhat like dirt that hadn't been washed off.

However, that area was too sensitive down there, so she didn't look at it much and looked away.

As the two sat back down, the atmosphere in the tavern returned to a relaxed state, and everyone started playing a few more games. However, after what had just happened, everyone's enthusiasm had waned, so the games ended quickly.

In the following days, everyone stopped focusing solely on the game and began to freely exchange information about their daily lives, travel plans, and future aspirations.

In this relaxed atmosphere, Lin Xiuyuan and Jessica swapped their shirts and returned to their original bar seats.

The tavern lights flickered gently, adding a touch of warmth to everything.

Lin Xiuyuan rested his elbows on the bar, his gaze sweeping over his friends, but his face showed no unusual expression, as if the "storm" just now had made him feel refreshed.

I had just thought about drilling in an "oil field," but I never expected to be pumped to the bottom in the blink of an eye. I don't know if it was because of the rush or what, but it was really exhilarating.

But after it was over, the feeling of having all his marrow drained made him completely unable to hold back.

The main issue is that as the intense sense of satisfaction gradually fades, physical fatigue begins to creep in.

Just as Lin Xiuyuan was in a daze, a body suddenly sat down in front of him. Looking up, he saw Li Juli with a resentful expression.

Lin Xiuyuan chuckled and said, "Why are you looking like that?"

"You had a good time with Jiyeon, didn't you?" Lee Qri asked.

Lin Xiuyuan said, "Isn't this the punishment game you mentioned?"

Lee Juri's eyes flickered slightly. She sat up straight, and the empty glass in front of her had not been refilled, making it look somewhat empty.

"You know perfectly well that you were having so much fun with Jiyeon, so extending the time from 5 minutes to more than 10 minutes, is this a punishment or a reward?"

After saying that, he added, "So, let's go out to sea and have some fun."

Lin Xiuyuan took the empty glass, washed it, and prepared to remix the drink for the other person, saying, "I really don't have time."

But Li Juli didn't give up and pressed on with the topic, saying, "The weather in the Maldives has been great lately."

She gently shook the screen of her phone, which was filled with beautiful photos of the Maldives and rows of lovely wooden houses.

Then his eyes were fixed intently on Lin Xiuyuan, as if he were hinting at something.

Lin Xiuyuan didn't reply immediately, but continued mixing the cocktail. The colors of the cocktail gradually converged into distinct bands of color, and the lights on the bar reflected brilliant colors in the glass. Despite the surrounding noise, it seemed somewhat peaceful.

Li Juli didn't rush to continue speaking; she seemed to be waiting for Lin Xiuyuan's response.

There was no threat in her eyes, but rather a rare sincerity, as if she wanted him to experience some different ways to relax.

"The Maldives?" Lin Xiuyuan finally spoke, his smile widening slightly. "Do you really want me to go there, or will any island be fine with me?"

Lee Juri smiled slightly, gently lifted her chin, and a half-smile flashed in her eyes as she looked at Lin Xiuyuan.

"Why can't we have both? Look, I've been a bit stressed lately and wanted to find a place to cool off. The beaches in the Maldives are perfect; they're calm and peaceful."

"Are you going alone?" Lin Xiuyuan raised an eyebrow playfully, a faint smile on his face. "Or are you planning to drag me along?"

Lee Juri took a deep breath, seemingly unable to contain herself any longer, and spoke directly.

“I know you’ve been very busy lately, but you should take a break from time to time, go somewhere far away, and relax. The waters in the Maldives are crystal clear, the sand is soft, and the weather is just right. It’s really perfect for relaxing.”

As Lin Xiuyuan poured himself a drink, he casually said, "I'd love to go, but I really don't have time these next few days."

Hearing this, Lee Qri turned around and looked at Krystal, Lim Yoona, and the others with a hint of envy.

However, she still seemed unwilling to give up, so she moved slightly closer, her eyes filled with a hint of expectation, "No matter what, you can always squeeze out some time, right, Xiuyuan? This trip, a change of environment, might allow you to encounter even more wonderful things."

Lin Xiuyuan gently placed the wine glass on the bar, remained silent for a moment, then turned to meet Li Juli's gaze, finally revealing a smile.

"The Maldives, huh... Well, we'll see how things go and then decide."

"When?" A hint of anticipation flashed in Lee Juri's eyes.

"Three days later."

then……

three days later.

At Incheon Airport, sunlight streamed through the large glass windows onto the ground, and the air was filled with the moist scent of the early morning.

Amidst the flow of people, Lin Xiuyuan stood in the hall, dressed in simple beach shorts and a thin white T-shirt, with slippers on his feet, looking exceptionally relaxed.

His attire was out of place in the busy airport environment; he exuded a relaxed vibe, as if he were completely on vacation.

He casually held his phone in his hand, occasionally glancing down at the screen, seemingly waiting for a message.

Then his gaze would occasionally sweep across the crowd, observing each person who passed by, feeling a mixture of anticipation and uncertainty.

After all, he wasn't going on this trip alone.

Just then, his gaze fell upon a familiar figure who was quickly walking through the crowd.

The figure was tall and elegant, with a brisk pace, yet exuding an air of ease.

Lee Juri wore a simple black dress with a thin denim jacket over it, and simple white sneakers.

Her long hair was gently blown by the breeze, swaying with her steps, making her look fresh and full of energy.

Her eyes quickly locked onto Lin Xiuyuan in the crowd, a slight smile playing on her lips as she walked towards him. Lin Xiuyuan also saw her, and when he looked up, a smile involuntarily crept onto his lips, a relaxed expression in his eyes.

"Let's go?" Lee Juri stopped in front of him and asked softly.

"Let's go," Lin Xiuyuan replied with a smile.

……

at the same time.

In a high-rise restaurant in Gangnam District, Jessica saw Krystal again after a few days. Her expression was almost frozen, and she was so shocked that she couldn't shake it off for a while.

She sat there, her gaze somewhat vacant, seemingly unable to believe the changes in her younger sister.

Krystal's face was completely transformed compared to three days ago. Her skin was brighter and whiter, as if the radiance emanated from within, and it was so delicate that it could almost be described as "porcelain".

The slightly tired lines around her eyes from just a few days ago have now disappeared, replaced by a firmer contour and clearer facial features.

Her face appeared more sculpted, her skin seemed to have been gently smoothed by time, and everything looked so perfect.

What shocked Jessica the most was the change in Krystal's entire demeanor.

Her radiant appearance suggested a profound transformation, instantly dispelling the weariness and signs of aging, replaced by a completely new glow.

She stood there, seemingly radiating a soft halo that made people want to get closer.

"Krystal...you...what's wrong with you?"

Jessica finally regained her voice, her gaze sweeping back and forth across Krystal's face, a flicker of disbelief in her eyes.

Krystal smiled gently, "Want it, Jessica?"

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