Hancheng: There is a door between me and the future

Chapter 184 Waiter? No, no, no, a navy sailor uniform!!! (Please subscribe and vote with monthly tickets)
"Jessica Jung... just how much do you underestimate me?"

Lin Xiuyuan grumbled as he looked down and adjusted his swim trunks. Although the fabric was a little tight, he was too lazy to change them.

He then pushed open the floor-to-ceiling glass door leading to the courtyard and walked out of the bedroom facing the beach.

The sun was shining brightly, the azure pool shimmered, and the shadows of coconut palms cast long, slanting patterns on the wooden floor, creating a uniquely pleasant summer atmosphere.

Lin Xiuyuan, who was standing on the wooden floor, had just raised his arm and stretched his shoulders. Before he could even walk towards the pool, he heard a voice coming from not far away.

"You're too slow, Lin Xiuyuan."

The voice was languid, yet it couldn't hide a hint of teasing and mischievous laughter. "You didn't go to solve some 'problem,' that's why you came out so slowly, did you?"

Lin Xiuyuan looked in the direction of the sound and saw Li Juli leaning against the edge of the infinity pool, looking languid and charming.

She was wearing a form-fitting white bikini, her long, wet hair cascading over her shoulders. Sunlight streamed onto her defined collarbones and flat stomach, and a few drops of water slid slowly across her skin, shimmering with a dazzling light.

This scene made Lin Xiuyuan's Adam's apple bob slightly. He chuckled and his eyes narrowed. "I'd like to resolve something, but I'm afraid Zhiyan will scold me for wasting resources."

"Oh, I see."

Lee Juri raised an eyebrow, her eyes sparkling with anticipation, her smile carrying a hint of malicious ambiguity.

He casually leaned back, lying face down on the edge of the pool, his long legs kicking slowly underwater, ripples spreading outwards in circles.

"Come down and soak in the water, the sun will be setting soon."

"coming."

Before Lin Xiuyuan could finish speaking, he took a step and jumped directly into the water.

"Wow—"

Water splashes.

Lin Xiuyuan, who had sunk into the water, quickly floated back to the surface. Water droplets slid down his forehead, wetting the stray hairs on his forehead.

Then, shaking his head, he swam over to Li Juli and said, "I feel like something's missing. In a movie, there should be a few waiters on the shore with wine, fruit, and towels."

"If you like this kind of thing, I can pretend to be a waiter for you for a while later."

Lee Juri jokingly brushed his hair aside with one hand.

"If you agree to play this role, then don't waste your time on the waiter role; there are many other roles available."

Lin Xiuyuan's lips curled into a wicked smile. He suddenly leaned closer, quietly raised one hand, and before Li Juli could react, he lifted her up in a swift motion.

"ah……"

Before her scream could even fade, she was thrown into the pool, creating a huge splash.

"Hey, Xiuyuan, are you crazy?"

Just moments ago, Li Juli thought Lin Xiuyuan had finally figured things out, and she was secretly pleased when he leaned closer. However, she was tricked the next second, which made her both angry and amused.

Suddenly she surfaced, turned around and glared at him fiercely, her eyes full of allure, then raised her hand and splashed a handful of water at him.

The water rippled gently, and sunlight streamed down from the poolside, illuminating their half-wet skin and creating a shimmering glow.

Faced with this provocation, Lin Xiuyuan was naturally not going to back down and immediately launched a counterattack.

A playful moment unfolded quietly in the water, with laughter and splashes rising and falling. After several splashes, the two finally leaned against the edge of the pool.

Their wet hair clung to each other's foreheads, and their breaths were filled with smiles that had not yet subsided.

In the distance, there is a magnificent view where the sea and sky meet, seagulls soar across the sky, and the water ripples gently at your feet.

"What a comfortable life! Is this what life should be like?"

Experiencing the impact of travel for the first time, Lin Xiuyuan calmed down and looked at the distant sea, and couldn't help but sigh.

For the past 20 years or so, apart from studying, he had either spent his time in the countryside with its small bridges and flowing streams or in the streets and alleys of high-rise cities. He had never really traveled to such a natural place.

Lin Xiuyuan's voice wasn't loud, but it clearly reached Li Juli's ears.

So she turned her head and glanced at him, her eyes filled with a complex emotion, not teasing or testing, but a genuine resonance.

“I never imagined that one day I would travel with a guy I’ve only known for a month in this way… and alone in the Maldives.”

Lee Juri's voice was soft, as if she was afraid of breaking the rare silence.

Upon hearing this, Lin Xiuyuan laughed heartily, "Then it's my honor. I never expected to come to such a wonderful place on my first trip. In the past, even when traveling, it would have been difficult to find such a nice place."

He realized he had almost let something slip, so he quickly changed the subject.

“In the past, but now smart technology is advancing faster and faster, and the enjoyment we get is indeed much better than in previous years,” Li Juli said with a soft smile.

"Ah."

Lin Xiuyuan nodded, his gaze fixed on the water.

Sunlight shines through the water, refracting into rings of fine, sparkling gold, crystal clear.

His gaze then fell on the beautiful figure underwater, and he casually asked, "By the way, Juli, I remember your skin used to be very fair. Why did you suddenly start tanning?"

"I love traveling, especially playing in the water and swimming."

Lee Juri smiled slightly, "If you go out in the sun often, applying sunscreen won't help, since you'll get tanned sooner or later anyway. You might as well just let nature take its course; being a little tanned is healthy and sexy."

At this point, Li Juli suddenly moved to the side and gently leaned on Lin Xiuyuan's shoulder, startling him so much that he froze, but dared not make any rash moves.

But Li Juli ignored her and continued to laugh, "What, Xiuyuan, do you like fair and tender skin? If so..."

Suddenly, Lee Juri straightened her back, pressed her curvaceous figure against his arm, and whispered in his ear, her voice soft and seductive, "I do have one place that's still very pink and tender."

"Cough cough!"

The gentle breath near his ear sent shivers down Lin Xiuyuan's spine, and a certain part of his body twitched slightly.

He quickly coughed a few times, pretending to be nonchalant as he changed the subject, "I... I think I'll go swim a few more laps. I've always swum in mountain gullies and streams, I've never really swum properly in a swimming pool before."

Before he finished speaking, he had already plunged into the water and swam away quickly with the current, as if there were some raging flood or ferocious beast behind him.

Lee Juri didn't chase after him, but quietly watched his departing figure, a gentle smile slowly spreading across her eyes.

After watching Lin Yi swim back and forth twice, she suddenly burst out laughing, her eyes crinkling at the corners. "Xiuyuan, did you buy these swim trunks yourself? They're a bit too protruding. Are you trying to show off, or what?"

"I bought the wrong thing." Lin Xiuyuan smiled helplessly and didn't argue.

“I’ll buy it for you next time,” Li Juli said again, her tone light but with a hint of seriousness.

The two people behind them also fell silent; one watched, and the other swam, creating a very harmonious atmosphere.

Only the salty sea breeze, the warm light, and the slowly drifting water vapor filled the space between them.

As the sun slowly slid towards the horizon, the light on the pool surface began to soften.

"Okay, that's it for today's exercise. I'm not swimming anymore."

As Lin Xiuyuan said this, Li Juli also stood up, tossed her hair, and said, "Then let's go upstairs and take a shower, change our clothes and rest for a while before going out to eat."

After speaking, she stepped out of the water, her slender figure silhouetted against the soft gold of the setting sun. Her white bikini clung to her wet skin, making her appear as if the sunlight had illuminated her entire being.

Lin Xiuyuan didn't say anything more. He followed the other person ashore, picked up a towel to dry his hair, and then went into the indoor shower area.

The two didn't try to hide anything; their abs, figures, bulges, and nipples were all openly exposed to the summer sun, frankly but without any pretense.

After washing up and changing into clean clothes, it was already completely dark.

As night falls, the sea breeze becomes gentle, and the distant sound of waves is like a dream.

Lin Xiuyuan changed into a light-colored short-sleeved shirt and loose cotton-linen casual pants, his hair still slightly damp.

He was the first to leave the room and go to the thatched pavilion in the courtyard, where he began to get busy.

After waiting a while, Lee Juri finally came out wearing a refreshing beach dress, her long hair tied into a loose low ponytail, making her look just like the heroine in a vacation magazine.

As soon as she stepped out of the courtyard, she saw that the pavilion was already lit up with dim yellow lights, and several warm-colored pendant lights swayed. On the table were fruit platters, snacks, and a Bluetooth speaker that had been prepared in advance, with soft jazz music flowing slowly.

Lin Xiuyuan, who had come out early, was holding two glasses of drinks that he had just casually mixed. When he saw Li Juli come out, he smiled and handed her one of them, saying, "Try it."

Li Juli took the wine glass with delight, her eyes filled with joy and satisfaction. She smiled and said, "Wow, Xiuyuan, this is so romantic!"

"This is nothing, they prepared it all in advance."

Lin Xiuyuan smiled and replied, raising his glass and gently touching the rim of hers. "Come on, let's toast to my first vacation ever."

"cheers."

Lee Juri chuckled, raised her glass, and then drank it all in one gulp.

The night was gentle, and the two sat close together on the sofa, shoulder to shoulder.

They didn't drink much, and there was no noise, only each other's breathing and unintentional touches, which became exceptionally clear and weighty on this secluded island.

A moment later, just as Lin Xiuyuan was about to get up and go out to eat, Li Juli suddenly reached out and gently pulled his wrist.

Lin Xiuyuan was silent for two seconds, then looked down at her, his eyes filled with a serious gaze, not a smile.

The instinctive action she had just taken startled even Lee Juri herself.

After a long pause, the corners of her mouth slowly turned up, but her eyes narrowed slightly in the gentle night. She asked Lin Xiuyuan, "Xiuyuan, about the role you mentioned earlier... what kind of role do you like?"

Lee Juri's voice was soft, almost like a whisper carried by the wind.

This made Lin Xiuyuan momentarily lose his composure. The classic outfit from a certain T-ara stage performance flashed through his mind, and his lips twitched slightly. "Navy sailor uniform?"

The familiar clothing and attire made Lee Juri smile. She then let go of his hand, got up, walked to his side, and patted his shoulder.

"Let's go and eat."

She spoke casually, yet it seemed as if she had deliberately broken the atmosphere that had just been quietly warming up.

Soon, the two walked along the path leading to the restaurant on the island.

Underfoot is a paved boardwalk, flanked by soft sand and coconut trees illuminated by warm yellow lights.

Night slowly enveloped the entire island, with the distant sound of gentle waves lapping against the rocks, accompanied by faint music emanating from the restaurant.

The restaurant is a platform structure built on the water, surrounded by glass railings, offering views of the still shimmering sea in the night.

Lin Xiuyuan and Li Juli were seated at a double table by the sea by the waiter.

When ordering, Li Juli ordered a seafood risotto and a white wine, while Lin Xiuyuan casually ordered a steak and coconut chicken soup, as well as a set meal.

Later, during the meal, Lin Xiuyuan took the initiative to pick up a few pieces of cod and put them into Li Juli's bowl.

Then she laughed and said, "Didn't you say you were going to start taking protein supplements recently?"

"I did say that, but... the piece you picked up seems a bit small."

Lee Juri accepted it with a smile, her eyes conveying a meaningful look.

Lin Xiuyuan instantly understood her meaning. While cutting his steak, he replied with a half-smile, "Oh, looks like you'll have to have an extra meal tonight?"

This answer surprised Lee Juri for a moment, then she smiled and did not retaliate.

She quietly pulled her foot out of her sandal, slipped it under the table, and gently rubbed it against his calf.

This small movement startled Lin Xiuyuan, who paused for a moment but didn't react, continuing to eat his steak.

He simply said, "Juri, don't drink too much. You just drank before you left, didn't you?"

"No, I only drank half a glass."

As she spoke, Lee Juri took another sip with an air of self-righteousness, as if this were proof of her self-control.

Throughout dinner, the two chatted, their laughter emanating intermittently from the table.

When I returned after dinner, it was already late at night.

Instead of immediately returning inside, the two went around to the wooden terrace outside the villa's yard, which faced the vast Indian Ocean in the distance.

The sofa and recliner were covered with cushions and a thin blanket, perfect for lounging and enjoying the night view.

Lin Xiuyuan pulled out a chair and sat down, while Li Juli simply kicked off her shoes, nestled lightly on another chair, bent her legs and leaned back on the sofa like a lazy cat.

"This place is so comfortable... I feel like the sea breeze has made me feel so relaxed."

Lee Juri, leaning on the sofa, spoke softly, looking up at the sky, "Every time I come to the Maldives, I like to look at the starry sky above me at night. It's a view that you can't see in Seoul."

The night was deep and dark, like ink splashed across the sky. The Milky Way stretched across the heavens, and the stars were scattered like diamonds, sparkling and beautiful beyond belief.

It was very quiet all around; the only sounds were the waves and the occasional rustling of the wind through the leaves.

"Juli".

"Ok?"

Lin Xiuyuan turned his head to look at her, his tone sounding relaxed yet serious, "Do you think we would have any connection if Krystal hadn't introduced us, if Jiyeon hadn't been there, if Yoona hadn't been there?"

Lee Juri remained silent for a few seconds, her gaze still fixed on the starry sky, without turning around. "Perhaps... we'll just pass each other by."

Her voice was calm, "Without Krystal, we would never have met. Without Jiyeon, even if we had met, we wouldn't have become closer."

Lin Xiuyuan chuckled softly and then asked, "So, do you think this situation is a good thing or a bad thing?"

"Xiuyuan, that's a really silly question." Li Juli turned to look at him and said with a smile, "Of course I think things are better now."

Especially during their video call with Da Long Zai while eating just now, when Li Juli saw Ji Yeon through the screen, who was even brighter and more at ease than the previous two times, the indescribable emotion in her heart gradually became firm.

Thinking of this, Li Juli turned to look at Lin Xiuyuan beside her and asked, "Xiuyuan, how do you feel right now? Do you consider this a dream come true?"

A dream come true?

Hearing this, Lin Xiuyuan was slightly taken aback, then laughed after thinking about his own 'persona', "Of course! Tara's visual Qri and I went on a trip to the Maldives together, how can that not be considered a dream come true?"

However, the next second, Lee Qri spoke directly, "What I'm saying is, you and Jiyeon, the combination of fan and idol, has your dream come true?"

Lin Xiuyuan choked for a moment, then pretended to be serious and said, "If that's how you put it, then I have to tell you about Zhiyan, an idol, openly being a fan of Cao."

Lee Ju-ri, who had been somewhat serious, was completely taken aback by his nonsensical remark and couldn't help but burst out laughing, giving him a gentle push.

"Hey, Xiuyuan, I'm asking you seriously."

"Me too," Lin Xiuyuan replied with a smile, his eyes clear.

Lee Juri stopped talking and simply reached out and gently grasped his fingers that were hanging by his side.

The fingertips glided across Lin Xiuyuan's palm, feeling slightly cool.

Lin Xiuyuan didn't dodge. Instead, he flipped his hand over and gently held her hand with his fingers, palm to palm, and squeezed it lightly.

The only sounds were the waves and the rustling of the night wind as it occasionally brushed against the roof of the pavilion.

After a moment, Lee Juri suddenly let go of his hand, got up and left.

Lin Xiuyuan watched her retreating figure, raised an eyebrow in confusion, but didn't ask anything. He simply lowered his head, picked up his phone, and replied to a few messages.

After a while, Lin Xiuyuan finally heard the light footsteps behind him.

The rustling sound on the wooden floor was light, yet remarkably clear.

He turned around instinctively, his gaze freezing on something the next moment.

It was a breathtaking moment.

Lee Juri stood in the night breeze, no longer wearing the light gauze dress she had worn before, but a standard, slightly tight-fitting naval-style sailor uniform.

The white and blue cropped top reached just to her navel, and the short skirt fluttered slightly in the sea breeze, revealing glimpses of her sexy thighs. A thin red bow swayed at her chest.

She stood quietly in front of him, her eyes not flinching at all, but rather carrying a slightly provocative smile.

Her red lips parted slightly, her voice gentle yet alluring, "Xiuyuan, didn't you say you wanted to see characters in navy sailor uniforms? How about it, is someone like me okay?"

Lin Xiuyuan didn't speak for a moment, but blinked, as if to make sure he wasn't hallucinating.

The next second, he put down his phone, leaned back in his chair, and slowly raised the corners of his mouth. "Juli, you get to work so fast."

“Of course.” Li Juli walked slowly closer, her skirt swaying gently. “Xiuyuan, your wish is my highest command.”

After saying this, she walked directly to Lin Xiuyuan, placed her hands on the armrests of the sofa, bent down slightly, and leaned close to him, her breath carrying the refreshing scent of mint and sea salt.

"Xiuyuan, do you feel like you're... dreaming right now?"

Lin Xiuyuan raised an eyebrow and looked back at her with a smile, "So are you helping me fulfill my dream, or are you trying to mess with my mindset?"

"What do you say?"

Before he could reply, Lee Juri suddenly reached out a hand and placed it on his knee, slowly moving it upwards.

The force was not strong, but it carried a tentative ambiguity.

Lin Xiuyuan's throat moved, and he finally couldn't help but raise his hand and grab her wrist.

Are you sure...you want to flirt with me like this?

"Flirting with you? Isn't that seduction?"

Lee Juri lowered her head and leaned closer, almost nose to nose with him. "Besides, I just took the opportunity you gave me and took a step forward."

That's right. If they hadn't been given the opportunity, they wouldn't be here on Vila Island in the Maldives right now.

How could there be such a moment of tenderness?
This fleeting moment of the night, the sea breeze, and the closeness.

This time, Lin Xiuyuan didn't say anything. Instead, he pulled Li Juli into his arms.

Lee Juri let out a soft gasp and sat down on his lap, letting him hold her tightly as if afraid she would slip away.

But she wouldn't. She'd been eyeing this "great tonic" for far too long; she wasn't about to let it slip away.

"Juli..." Lin Xiuyuan called out softly.

"Ok?"

"How can I tolerate you dressed like this?"

A night breeze blew by, ruffling the strands of hair at Lee Juri's temples.

Lin Xiuyuan raised his hand and gently tucked her hair behind her ear, his fingertips brushing across her cheek, carrying a gentle electric current.

At that moment, Lee Juri raised her head.

With a slight upturn of her eyes and a gentle curve of her brows, she said, "Then let's not hold back."

She leaned closer, her voice teasing, "Didn't you always say you were quite proactive?"

This sentence was like a spark falling into dry tinder.

The two looked at each other, and it was as if the whole world had fallen silent, leaving only their reflections in each other's eyes.

The time was short, but enough for emotions to spread.

Immediately, Lin Xiuyuan's eyes darkened, he raised his hand to hook the back of her neck, and lowered his head to kiss her.

At first, it was just a light touch, as if testing the waters.

But the next second, that restraint was completely torn apart.

His kiss became passionate and intense, igniting an irrepressible emotion and setting off all the ambiguity in one fell swoop.

Lee Juri no longer restrained herself, wrapping her slender arms around his neck and pressing her entire body close to his.

Their bodies pressed tightly together, their breaths mingling, and all the ambiguity quietly erupted under the night breeze and stars.

It wasn't until much later that the two slowly separated.

Li Juli's cheeks flushed, her eyes were moist, and she leaned on Lin Xiuyuan's shoulder without speaking, just quietly listening to his steady breathing.

Lin Xiuyuan looked down at the slight upturn of her lips and chuckled softly, "You got what you wanted."

"Hmm?" she responded lazily.

"I am such a great tonic."

As soon as he finished speaking, Lee Juri looked up abruptly, staring at him in shock.

She stared at his innocent yet mischievous grin and secretly swallowed. "How did you know?"

"I'm not stupid." Lin Xiuyuan raised an eyebrow, speaking casually.

Lee Juri paused for a moment, then pursed her lips and smiled meaningfully.

"Since that's the case, then I won't hold back anymore." Her eyes were filled with fighting spirit. "Xiuyuan, you're still a long way off."

"Hmm?" Lin Xiuyuan subconsciously leaned back, sensing something was wrong.

Lee Juri said with a smile, enunciating each word clearly, "To use a line from an anime character, let me see where your limits are."

……

Starlight, like water, spills across the courtyard of a private island villa in the Maldives, where coconut palms sway and the waves murmur.

The world seemed to be extremely quiet, except for the atmosphere between the two people in the pavilion, which was gradually warming up.

Lee Juri sat on Lin Xiuyuan's lap, her sailor uniform slipping slightly with her movements, exposing her soft shoulders to the night breeze, her skin glowing with a pale golden light as if illuminated by lamplight.

She didn't bother to tidy herself up; she just kept her head down, her hair falling over her forehead, her cheeks as red as ripe fruit, almost dripping with moisture.

Lin Xiuyuan placed his hand on her waist, his fingertips sliding upwards and slowly covering the exposed skin on her back. The sensation in that instant was like igniting all her senses.

"Juli..." he whispered, his voice slightly hoarse from barely suppressed emotion.

Lee Juri raised her head, looked at him with a mixture of affection and provocation in her eyes, and said with a slight parting of her lips, "Don't call me 'Juri' anymore."

Lin Xiuyuan was taken aback for a moment, "Then what should I call you?"

The next second, she leaned closer, almost whispering in his ear, "Whatever you like, I can become... anything you want."

Lee Juri responded without hesitation, wrapping her arms tightly around his neck and sinking into his embrace as if drowning in a deep-sea dream.

The sound of fabric rubbing together was especially clear in the night. Lee Ju-ri's fingertips slid down his shoulder, moving slowly but firmly, as if outlining his silhouette.

Lin Xiuyuan's hand slid down her back, each touch like igniting a flame.

Lee Juri's breathing became shallow, and a soft moan escaped her throat involuntarily, a sound so gentle it seemed to stop the night breeze.

In this private courtyard, Lin Xiuyuan slowly lifted her up by her shapely buttocks, his steps steady and heavy, and walked directly to the most secluded corner of the courtyard.

It was a wicker lounge chair with soft cushions, surrounded by lush vegetation, with a vast starry sky overhead and the Milky Way stretching across it.

Lin Xiuyuan gently placed her on the bed, then lay down beside her, supporting himself on his side, gazing at her with deep eyes.

Lee Juri reached out and gently traced her fingertips across his profile, along his brow bone, bridge of his nose, and corner of his lips, finally stopping at his chest.

"Xiuyuan, may I ask you a question?"

"What?" he asked in a low voice.

"Your heartbeat here tonight..." she gently pressed his chest, "...is it for me?"

Although Lee Ju-ri originally came with a purpose, her womanly tenderness and sincerity inevitably revealed their emotional side at this moment.

"I've never jumped so fast for anyone."

After Lin Xiuyuan finished speaking, his kiss landed again, delicate and passionate, from her forehead to her collarbone, shoulder, and down.

Whether it's true or not, at least Li Juli is happy right now.

Then she closed her eyes and let Lin Xiuyuan slowly unbutton the sailor uniform on her body. When his knuckles rubbed against her skin, it felt like countless electric currents were running through her, arousing a series of subtle shivers.

A night breeze swept by, and the shadows of the trees swayed gently, as if they too were holding their breath for them.

Their bodies were already pressed tightly together, exploring and responding to each other.

Under the starlight, they were immersed in giving to each other, their hearts understanding each other without needing words.

Witnessed by the stars, accompanied by the waves.

This night is destined to be sealed deep in their memories, becoming a point of intersection they cannot escape and do not want to forget.

……

……

at the same time.

In a high-end hotel on Hong Kong Island, Kim Tae-yeon finally finished her stage rehearsal and returned to her room with some fatigue.

After washing up, she lay down on the soft bed, ready to get some rest.

But just before she closed her eyes, she subconsciously picked up her phone, habitually swiped the screen, and started browsing the day's news.

Unexpectedly, the first headline that caught my eye was a live report of Yoona attending an event in Macau.

She didn't click to read the full article; instead, she stared at the accompanying picture for a long time.

His gaze pierced through the words, fixed intently on Yoona's face in the photo, unblinking.

It was as if, apart from that familiar face, the entire scene was blurred and indistinct.

We just met two days ago, how come she already looks so young...?

　There's another chapter tonight, this tenosynovitis really hurts!!!

　　Please, my godfathers, give me some votes, considering I'm updating this despite the pain!

　　I'm begging for monthly votes, subscriptions, anything!
　　
　
(End of this chapter)