Hancheng: There is a door between me and the future

Chapter 212 "Damn it, Kim Tae-yeon." (A long chapter of 10,000 words~ Please subscribe and vote!)

Inside the apartment bedroom, the three of them stared intently at the computer screen, reading the comments and statements from various media outlets.

The current situation is like a radical transformation, completely overturning their memories and understanding of the entire event in 2025.

But this is not a bad thing, but a good thing.

Krystal, Yoona, and Taeyeon's eyes met, and in that instant, they seemed to tacitly share the excitement and ease of the moment.

"That feels so good!"

Holding her little hand and clenching her fist tightly, Lim Yoona couldn't help but laugh out loud, her tone full of relief, "Although I don't know if there will be any reversals later, the current situation is definitely not to be underestimated, and the impact is also imaginable."

As she spoke, her tone was filled with relief, and then she looked at Krystal, "But I didn't expect Xiu Yuan to actually find additional evidence, and at such a realistic time. This is just too lucky."

Krystal, who already knew more details about the matter, nodded slightly after listening and said in a low voice.

"Actually, Xiu Yuan had thought about Kim Sae-ron's problem earlier, but he couldn't find any gaps in the other party's chain of evidence, so it was delayed."

"During that time, he posted bounty posts on some forums, but he only said to do his best and leave the rest to fate, because many people had already posted them. He just set the price a bit higher."

"Looking back now, 20 million was too cheap."

Kim Tae-yeon looked at the series of questions about Kim Soo-hyun on the screen, a hint of disdain in her eyes.

Then, the image of Kim Soo-hyun 25 years later flashed through his mind, and he shook his head. "It's ridiculous. He spent so much money over 25 years, and in 13 years he was defeated by 20 million."

Krystal sighed and said calmly, "Let's put all that aside for now. The most important thing is that we don't know the outcome yet, and we have to wait for further developments."

These words caused Yoona to fall into a brief moment of contemplation before she finally spoke softly.

"Just like Xiu Yuan said back at the villa, if the other company had intervened, then D-Company probably wouldn't have released this news. The current result is probably that they tried, but didn't get the expected result."

While the group was discussing the aftermath of the Kim Soo-hyun incident in front of their computer in the bedroom, they were having a lively discussion.

At the small bar next door, Lin Xiuyuan stood behind the bar, focused on pouring drinks and skillfully mixing them.

Meanwhile, not long ago...

At SM Entertainment's company, Jessica Jung, Lim Siu-lu, and Sulli were also gathered in a corner, looking down and discussing the same news.

"Kim Soo-hyun is truly finished this time, and even his company can't escape this chain reaction."

Looking at the screen, Jessica Jung said in a low voice, her brows furrowed, "Xiuyuan has really done something big this time."

After saying that, she glanced at Shirley next to her and suddenly felt a little uneasy. "But Shirley, did he really tell you there wouldn't be any problems? What I'm worried about now is that it will be found out that he provided the evidence, and then it will be a bit troublesome."

Sulli smiled faintly and shook her head. "Oppa went to several places a few days ago to make sure everything went perfectly. Don't worry, unnie, there won't be any problems."

Lin Xiaolu stood beside them and nodded slightly after hearing Shirley's reply.

"Actually, I knew that Xiuyuan had been paying attention to Kim Soo-hyun for a long time."

Lin Xiaolu spoke these words softly, her eyes showing a hint of surprise, and even a slight flutter of emotion.

"I just didn't expect him to keep thinking about bringing down Kim Soo-hyun. It seems he really can't stand that guy. He really has the vigor and spirit of youth, and he's quite handsome with that kind of high spirits."

Faced with Lin Xiaolu's explanation, Jessica Jung suddenly laughed, a playful glint in her eyes.

"Last time, his high spirits led to him beating up Kwon Ning-il, and this time, his high spirits have directly ruined Kim Soo-hyun's future. Based on what you've said, Yoona, who do you think Soo-won will target next time he's in a high spirits?"

"I think it's Lee Seung-gi, hehe~"

Sulli chimed in with a laugh, her eyes gleaming with a hint of malice, "Oppa's been holding a grudge against Yoona for a long time because of her, he'll definitely take revenge, hahaha~"

Upon hearing this, Lin Xiaolu's expression stiffened slightly, and she quickly waved her hand, "No, I haven't contacted him for a long time. He knows that, and I even showed him the chat history last time. Why is he still angry?"

Sulli looked unconvinced. "Unnie, I didn't say oppa was angry. On the contrary, your reaction is strange. It's a bit like you're trying to hide something."

Lin Xiaolu knew that this was going to be unreasonable, so she reached under Shirley's armpit and started tickling her.

Jessica Jung, who was standing to the side, glanced at it with a smile, then frowned as if she had thought of something, but then relaxed and didn't join in the teasing.

After a while, she chuckled softly, "Alright, stop fooling around, it's time to go back."

After chatting for a while, the group returned to their respective groups.

While they were having their conversation, other artists and staff throughout SM Entertainment were also discussing the incident.

Members from groups such as Girls' Generation, f(x), and Super Junior, who were recalled, were whispering among themselves in various practice rooms or meeting rooms.

SM Entertainment brought them back for one main reason: to find out if they had any connection to Kim Soo-hyun or were involved in any juvenile criminal cases. No agency wants to get involved in such troublesome matters.

Back in the lounge, Lin Xiaolu listened to the members' conversation. When she heard that Choi Sooyoung and Tiffany both thought there shouldn't be any problems, she glanced at them but didn't say anything.

However, apart from them, the opinions of others were clearly more consistent.

"I think the other side is probably going to collapse this time. After all, there are still two pieces of evidence. Given Dispatch's practices, they shouldn't be making baseless accusations."

“But I think Bae Yong-joon will protect him, as will some of his company’s shareholders. They probably won’t let him fall from grace.”

"Minors, well, it's hard to say. It depends on how much effort the people behind are willing to put in."

"Alright, alright, let's stop discussing this. Instead of wasting time, let's practice our blocking. The tour starts at the end of the month, and we still have a lot of rehearsals to finish."

Similar topics are constantly being discussed within various groups, and are also quietly circulating within the entertainment industry.

While some passersby were enthusiastically discussing the Kim Soo-hyun incident, some industry insiders, especially those from top entertainment agencies, had already begun a tense power struggle behind the scenes.

For example, some companies that represent top male stars, especially those that have previously competed with Kim Soo-hyun, are now making their own plans.

At high-level meetings of various companies, discussions were in full swing, with the focus on whether to intensify efforts to expose Kim Soo-hyun's dirty secrets and completely destroy his image.

Some male stars and their teams even started sitting down privately to discuss whether to temporarily collaborate in order to weaken Kim Soo-hyun's influence.

Everyone understands that such an opportunity is extremely rare. After all, Kim Soo-hyun is one of the top stars in the Korean entertainment industry. If they can completely destroy him, it will cause tremendous changes in the industry and also help them gain more resources and market share.

“We have enough material to further escalate Kim Soo-hyun’s scandal and make it impossible for him to recover.”

"A big-name male star's agent said in a low voice, a cold glint in his eyes."

“However, we need to be careful. Although Kim Soo-hyun is currently in trouble, his company still has some powerful backers. We cannot ignore Bae Yong-joon’s influence,” another voice added.

"Bae Yong-joon? He can only offer advice on this kind of thing at most. The one who actually speaks out is probably not him for the time being," a senior executive of a certain agency sneered, clearly already prepared to completely suppress Kim Soo-hyun.

Amidst these undercurrents of discussion, Lin Xiuyuan remained quietly mixing drinks in his apartment.

He stood by the small bar, his movements practiced and steady, pouring drinks while observing the color of the liquid in the glass, seemingly oblivious to everything around him.

Lin Xiuyuan knew very well that his mission was complete.

Kim Soo-hyun's downfall was only a matter of time; the rest could be left to others. He didn't need to continue wielding his sword in this storm.

His gaze was fixed on the liquid in the glass, the ice cubes clinking gently.

At that moment, a hint of a smile appeared in his eyes, along with a long-lost sense of relaxation.

The tension and stress of the past ten days seemed to be instantly diluted as this glass of wine was poured in.

Just as Lin Xiuyuan raised his glass, preparing to enjoy a moment of peace, the quiet conversation in the bedroom gradually became clearer.

Krystal, Yoona, and Taeyeon walked out with light steps and an unconscious joy on their faces.

Their gazes naturally fell on the bar. Seeing Lin Xiuyuan still focused on mixing drinks, the three of them exchanged a knowing look, quickened their pace, and arrived at the bar.

"Xiuyuan, aren't you like a great strategist from ancient times, planning and executing strategies from afar, killing people a thousand miles away?"

As she approached, Yoona smiled and said, her excitement barely concealed, "Seeing the news about Kim Soo-hyun this time felt like a huge weight had been lifted off my shoulders. It feels so good. That frustrating situation of 25 years has finally been resolved."

Lin Xiuyuan smiled and shook his head gently, "Things here have only just begun, Yoon-ah, don't have too high expectations."

Krystal smiled, her eyes showing a mixture of lingering fear and relief. "Actually, I've been worried these past few days that something might go wrong with this incident. Fortunately, Dispatch has stepped in, so Xiuyuan, you don't have to risk your life anymore."

"Well, now that everything's been played out like this, it's not my place to interfere anymore. I've already played all the cards I could have played in one go," Lin Xiuyuan replied with a slight smile and a calm gaze.

As Lin Xiuyuan finished speaking, Kim Tae-yeon, who had been listening quietly, smiled slightly, picked up a bottle of wine, glanced at everyone, and said softly, "Since everyone is so happy, why don't we have a drink to celebrate?"

Lin Xiuyuan smiled slightly, raised his head to look at them, and the curve of his lips became even gentler. "Of course, since you want it so much, I will grant your wish."

As he spoke, he took a large glass barrel from the wine rack with ease and practiced ease.

First, pour most of a bucket of ice into the wine barrel; the sound of the ice hitting the wine barrel is crisp and loud.

Then, he picked up several brightly colored fruits and skillfully sliced ​​oranges, lemons, strawberries, and pineapples. The colorful fruits filled the barrel, emitting a wonderfully enticing aroma.

This one step left Krystal and the others stunned. "Is this really bartending? Xiu Yuan?"

Lin Xiuyuan chuckled as he looked at them, a hint of teasing in his eyes. "There are a bit too many people. I'm too lazy to mix drinks one by one. My hands were sore from mixing drinks at the last party. This time, I'll make a lot at once and have a good celebration."

Then he squinted at the three of them, with a hint of a joke, "Don't blame me for making too much, you'll have to drink your fill tonight."

Then, he picked up a bottle of red wine and slowly poured it into the barrel.

The red wine quickly seeped into the ice, turning it red, and the fruit slices were also soaked in the bright red liquid, exuding a rich aroma of fruit and wine.

Lin Xiuyuan skillfully stirred the liquor, then added orange juice and syrup, adding several layers of complex flavor to the wine.

In the final step, he gently shook the barrel to stir it evenly, so that each serving was filled with fresh fruit flavors and deep red wine aromas.

The three stood to the side, watching Lin Xiuyuan's actions, their faces revealing undisguised excitement.

Only Kim Tae-yeon, who had made the suggestion first, was a little worried: "After we finish drinking, will we still be able to walk home?"

Lin Xiuyuan lowered his head and chuckled, a sly glint in his eyes. "Go home?"

Then, raising an eyebrow slightly, she said, "Let's drink until we drop!"

After he finished speaking, he shook the barrel again, then took three glasses, poured the liquor into them, and handed them to the three people at the bar.

Finally, Lin Xiuyuan picked up the glass of wine he had already mixed and raised it to them.

"Come on, everyone, let's have a good time and drink until we drop tonight!"

"Cheers!" Im Yoona raised her glass first, her eyes sparkling with excitement and joy. "To Kim Soo-hyun's fall, and to the victory of each and every one of us!"

Her voice was crisp and loud, with a celebratory tone, as if the undercurrents of this operation had already been won.

Lin Xiuyuan smiled humorously and said, "No problem. Since you're so enthusiastic, Yoona, then remember to reimburse me for this expense. Put all my airfare, accommodation, and rent for the past few days on the tab."

"Hey, Xiuyuan~"

Yoona chuckled, rolled her eyes at him slightly, her face full of helplessness and amusement.

Then, the three of them raised their glasses in unison, their eyes filled with enjoyment and celebration of the moment.

The glasses clinked gently, making a crisp sound, as if toasting to the victory of this behind-the-scenes operation.

Lin Xiuyuan picked up his wine glass, smiled slightly, and took a small sip.

The cool liquid spreads in your mouth, the aroma of fruit and wine intertwining, bringing an indescribable sense of relaxation.

At the same time, his eyes were slightly closed, and his mind was exceptionally clear that this battle had ultimately not ended in defeat. Although the fruits of victory had not yet been seen, the scales had begun to tip, and that was enough.

After a few drinks, the atmosphere gradually became more relaxed.

The three moved to the small sofa area at the back and continued chatting about what was to come. Their faces showed no signs of fatigue, but rather were full of excitement and a sense of accomplishment.

Lin Xiuyuan leaned back on the sofa, turned slightly to the side, and a faint smile appeared on his lips.

Just then, the apartment door was suddenly pushed open, and Shirley walked in with light steps.

She had just put down her bag when she heard laughter and chatter from next door, and a joyful expression gradually spread across her face.

Then he took off his coat, crossed the corridor and walked to the small bar next door. When he saw Lin Xiuyuan and the others, as well as that big can of liquor and glasses, his eyes immediately lit up.

Krystal was the first to notice Sulli. Upon seeing her, she immediately stood up and went to greet her with a smile.

"Oh, Shirley, you're off work?"

"Hmm, oppa~ Yoona unnie, Taeyeon unnie, when did you arrive? Wow, such a lively celebration, is it because of Kim Soo-hyun?"

After greeting Lin Xiuyuan and the others, Shirley playfully raised her curved eyebrows, her tone revealing a hint of curiosity.

Lin Xiuyuan smiled slightly, raised his glass, and said with a hint of concern in his eyes, "Yes, Zhenli, sit down with me, have a drink, and relax."

Shirley smiled and nodded, then sat down next to Krystal.

As the alcohol lubricated the atmosphere, it gradually heated up and became more lively.

After taking a few sips of her drink, Shirley's eyes lit up, and she offered a suggestion.

"Since we're celebrating, how can we leave everyone out? Should we make a call and invite Jessica unnie and Lulu unnie? And Eunjung unnie and Jiyeon too, so we can all celebrate together, since none of us are busy."

As soon as she spoke, everyone exchanged glances, as if they had reached a tacit understanding, and immediately made a decision.

“Great idea, let’s all have a drink together,” Krystal chimed in, clearly not wanting to miss out on this relaxed and enjoyable moment.

"If we also call out Eunjung, who has been with us for 25 years, it will truly be a huge members' reunion," Kim Tae-yeon added with a smile, her eyes shining with anticipation.

"I don't think it will work. Eunjung, who is 25 years old, is currently filming on set and only told me today," Yoona replied with a hint of regret.

So, Lin Xiuyuan picked up his phone and dialed the numbers of Zheng Xiuyan and Lin Xiaolu.

The phone rang a few times before it was finally answered.

"Hey, Xiuyuan? What's up?" Jessica Jung's voice came through the phone, still full of energy.

"Are you guys free? Come over to the apartment to celebrate. Everyone's here, let's have some drinks and chat." Lin Xiuyuan's voice was relaxed.

Is everyone there?

This made Jessica Jung immediately raise her eyebrows and reply, "Okay, come pick me up."

Afterwards, Lin Xiuyuan called Lin Xiaolu again, and Lin Xiaolu said she was free.

Then came Ham Eun-jung's phone call.

This time, Ham Eun-jung replied with some regret, "Ah~ a party? Sorry, Soo-won, I have an urgent meeting at the company today and I won't be able to get away until tonight. You guys have a good celebration, and drink a few more glasses for me."

"It's so late, what are you still busy with?" Lin Xiuyuan asked with a hint of curiosity.

"The group's trip to China has been a huge success, which seems to have given the company a glimpse of the future. So we've been in meetings since this morning, and we'll continue tonight."

Ham Eun-jung's voice sounded tired, but it carried an undisguised excitement.

Lin Xiuyuan's eyes lit up, and he immediately felt that this was a good thing. "Great news! That's good. It seems that everything is developing in a positive direction. You guys get back to work. We'll celebrate your good news when you're done."

"Xiuyuan, you have such a sweet tongue, you're so good at talking." Ham Eun-jung's tone was tinged with amusement.

"Have you tried it?" Lin Xiuyuan retorted without any politeness, his tone carrying a teasing undertone.

In his excitement, he blurted out a sentence that left Ham Eun-jung speechless.

He chuckled softly a few seconds later and then hung up the phone. After putting down his phone, Lin Xiuyuan's gaze swept over the people around him, and he suddenly realized that he had already dug his own grave.

The main thing was that the way the people around him were looking at him had become quite interesting, since three out of the four people present had tasted his sweet and moist lips.

Upon realizing this, Lin Xiuyuan felt a wave of embarrassment. He smiled, stood up, and said, "I'll go and bring Xiuyan and Xiaolu over."

Then he walked towards the portal, opened it, and went through, making Krystal and the others who had been watching him laugh.

A moment later, with the help of the 'Time-Space Gate Version of Flying Thunder God', Lin Xiuyuan brought Zheng Xiuyan and Lin Xiaolu back to the apartment in the blink of an eye, and came to the small bar.

The bar, which was not large to begin with, suddenly became crowded with the arrival of the two, as if the air itself was filled with a cheerful atmosphere.

With the arrival of Jessica Jung and Lin Xiaolu, along with the sisters Xiao J and Da K, the twins Im Yoona and Lin Xiaolu, and their roommates Sulli and Kim Tae-yeon, the atmosphere at the small bar instantly became even more lively.

Laughter and conversation mingled together, as if all the pressure and worries had been left behind, and everyone was enjoying their celebratory time.

However, with so many people, there simply isn't enough alcohol to go around.

Seeing this, Lin Xiuyuan smiled and walked back to the bar, picked up a bottle, and skillfully mixed a new large barrel of liquor.

The sound of ice cubes clinking in the barrel was crisp and pleasant, as the liquor slowly flowed in, filling the air with sweet fruit and rich wine aromas.

This time, instead of mixing drinks as before, he opted for a more traditional method, fearing that everyone would have headaches the next day. So, following the usual practice, he mixed some refreshing drinks.

But when he brought the wine back, his gaze swept over it and he saw that Kim Tae-yeon was already somewhat unconscious.

He slumped over the edge of his sofa, eyes half-closed, a smile playing on his lips, already beginning to show signs of intoxication.

At the same time, her body seemed to become much softer, her hand unconsciously resting on the sofa, and her other hand gradually drooping down, looking as if she was about to fall over.

When Lin Xiuyuan gently placed the wine barrel on the coffee table, Kim Tae-yeon, still slightly drunk, sat up straight to make room for him.

However, as soon as he sat down, she gently rested her head on his arm, the movement so natural that it seemed she was already used to relying on him like this.

"Oh dear, Taeyeon, what's wrong? You're already drunk?"

Lin Xiuyuan smiled, lowered his head, and asked softly.

Looking at her utterly drunken state, I couldn't help but feel a little amused.

Kim Tae-yeon opened her eyes slightly and said in a slightly drunken tone, "Xiuyuan, I'm so happy. It's been so long since I've drunk with everyone like this. It's a really... special feeling."

Her voice was soft, as if she depended on someone, and her eyes held a hint of dazed joy, like a child unwilling to wake up.

Lin Xiuyuan listened, a slight smile playing on his lips. He gently adjusted her position, making her lean more comfortably on his arm. Then, he glanced at the others beside him and gave a helpless look.

It's as if to say: Look, this guy's drunk again.

Across from her, Jessica Jung found the situation somewhat amusing and asked Yoona, "After all these years, is Taeyeon's alcohol tolerance still this bad? Has she not improved at all?"

"I don't know, it's been a long time since I've drunk so freely. I used to drink slowly."

As she was talking, Lin Yoona was also dealing with the half-full glass of wine that Lin Xiaolu handed her. She had only just touched the glass when she heard Lin Xiaolu shout, "Come on, cheers!"

Hearing this voice gave Lim Yoona a headache, but she didn't want to lose face in front of her past self who was more than ten years younger than her.

The words she uttered during her last live stream still stung her, so even with a frown, Yoona downed the drink in one gulp, and then suddenly felt a numbness in her head.

As Kim Tae-yeon became increasingly intoxicated, the drinking contest between Im Yoon-ah and Lim Siu-lu grew more and more intense, with laughter and the smell of alcohol rising, making the atmosphere even more lively, as if the entire space was filled with joy.

Just as Lin Xiuyuan was about to pour himself another glass of wine, suddenly, a small hand wrapped around his arm.

Turning his head, he saw Lin Yoona gently tap his shoulder, her tone playful yet concerned, "Xiuyuan, why don't you take unnie back first?"

Lin Xiuyuan paused for a moment, raising an eyebrow with a hint of surprise.

"Huh? What's wrong?"

Yoona chuckled and replied, "She has a schedule tomorrow; she has a fan signing event in the afternoon."

Upon hearing this, Lin Xiuyuan was speechless. "Then why is she drinking with us? Is she crazy?"

"Are you happy?"

Jessica Jung replied from the side, "You take her back first, it'll be quick to come back anyway, right?"

Seeing that everyone agreed, Lin Xiuyuan stopped arguing and helped Kim Tae-yeon, who was almost unconscious, up, patting her cheek, "Tae-yeon, do you still have energy? Wake up."

"I guess she's drunk," Lim Yoona said with a smile, her eyes also glistening with tears.

Lin Xiaolu, who was standing next to her, nodded in agreement. The two of them had been drinking until now entirely because of their strong competitive spirit and perseverance.

Helpless, Lin Xiuyuan gently helped Kim Tae-yeon up and steadily supported her as she walked out of the small bar area of ​​the apartment.

No one else offered to help, clearly everyone understood the unspoken agreement.

If someone is drunk, no one wants to be disturbed by others.

Regardless of any future developments, there shouldn't be too many people.

At this moment, Kim Tae-yeon seemed rather listless, her eyes were glazed over, and her steps were somewhat unsteady.

Therefore, Lin Xiuyuan had to support her back with one hand and gently wrap his other arm around her waist, carefully maintaining her balance.

Then, he helped her open the time portal, taking only one step to enter Kim Tae-yeon's apartment 25 years in the future.

Then, she continued in a low voice, "Taeyeon, can you hold on?"

Kim Tae-yeon nodded slightly, her lips slightly tinged with drunkenness, and her eyes still held a somewhat dazed look, as if she was somewhat aware that she was completely intoxicated.

"Let me help you lie down on the bed for a while, then you can sleep later."

As Lin Xiuyuan spoke, he gently led her to her bedroom.

After walking to the bedside, he gently placed Kim Tae-yeon on the bed and pressed down on her back to make her more comfortable.

"You take a nap first, I'll go get you a glass of water."

Lin Xiuyuan was about to get up and leave when his gaze suddenly stopped on Kim Tae-yeon's slightly open eyes.

Just as he stood up, Kim Tae-yeon, who had opened her eyes, suddenly reached out a hand and quickly wrapped it around his neck.

A soft blush appeared on her small face, and a captivating smile played on her lips.

A faint fruity aroma filled the air, which intertwined with the scent of wine, instantly creating a dreamy and warm atmosphere in the space.

"Xiuyuan..." Her voice was soft and dependent, "Don't go."

Lin Xiuyuan was taken aback for a moment, his eyes flashing slightly. He was surprised to see Kim Tae-yeon's appearance, but he couldn't help but laugh. "Pretending to be drunk?"

"No, I was really drunk, I just woke up for a moment."

She murmured softly, moved closer to him, and gently pressed her cool lips against his cheek.

The slightly cool touch made Lin Xiuyuan unconsciously move slightly closer to her.

Then, her actions became more intimate, with soft breaths, as her soft lips gently kissed the corner of his lips.

Lin Xiuyuan did not push her away, but gently sat down, his gaze falling on her drunken, hazy face.

Feeling Kim Tae-yeon's unhurried movements, and seeing her seemingly confused yet deeply trusting and dependent attitude, I realized that she was completely absorbed in her actions.

The kiss gradually became more determined, and carried a hint of longing.

Lin Xiuyuan, who had also drunk quite a bit, couldn't resist such temptation. So he immediately closed his eyes, feeling Kim Tae-yeon's warmth and soft lips. Countless thoughts flashed through his mind. He didn't push her away but gently lowered his head to respond to her kiss.

After that, Kim Tae-yeon's movements became somewhat unconscious, as if she had been overwhelmed by the intoxication and lost her reason.

She gently raised her head, seemingly wanting to get closer to Lin Xiuyuan, her body involuntarily leaning into his arms. In that instant, her slightly cool lips pressed against his neck, carrying a faint scent of wine and the sweetness of fruit.

Lin Xiuyuan did not back down, but instinctively supported her back with one hand and gently stroked her waist with the other.

He felt her soft skin under his palm; the warm touch made him lower his head and adjust her position.

But as Kim Tae-yeon pressed herself against his chest, their breaths mingled.

The shirt was starting to get in the way, so Kim Tae-yeon gently raised her hand, her movements soft yet firm, and slowly pulled her loose white T-shirt off her shoulders.

The moment the fabric slid between her fingertips, it seemed to shorten the distance between them.

His voice was deep and soft, yet filled with an undeniable sense of initiative, "Xiuyuan... I don't want you to leave."

These words echoed in the silent air, causing Lin Xiuyuan's heart to leap, as if struck by an electric current, and every nerve in his body to tremble.

Then, Kim Tae-yeon's hand gently slid across Lin Xiuyuan's chest. The warm touch made his body stiffen slightly, but the impulse in his heart also exploded completely at that moment under the influence of alcohol.

Kim Tae-yeon's movements remained soft yet firm, as if she were unconsciously guiding him.

The trust she showed him was irresistible to Lin Xiuyuan, and it made him even more immersed in the ambiguous atmosphere of the moment.

Without further hesitation, he slowly pulled her closer, gently pinching her soft chin with his fingertips, forcing her to look up and meet his eyes.

Kim Tae-yeon's eyes were hazy, still slightly drunk, but filled with a clear longing; her eyes seemed to be telling a story.

Her lips were slightly parted, exuding an alluring aura, as if awaiting his further response.

Lin Xiuyuan stopped arguing, lowered his head and gently kissed her lips again, responding to her call.

Today, Kim Tae-yeon wore a loose white T-shirt, the fabric as soft as cotton, draped slightly over her shoulders, giving off a relaxed and casual vibe.

The hem hung down naturally, outlining her light figure, but it didn't cling to her body, giving a relaxed and carefree feeling, as if she was completely unguarded at the moment, simply immersed in the quiet night.

The T-shirt was originally quite ordinary, but as she moved closer, the fabric of the T-shirt subtly clung to her curves, and every subtle movement carried a silent hint.

The moment she gently pushed aside her T-shirt, it slipped down, revealing her delicate shoulders and neck. The seemingly unnoticed movement created an invisible attraction, as if this unintentional exposure was even more alluring.

Then this T-shirt suddenly becomes extraordinary.

At this moment, Kim Tae-yeon's initiative was no longer a sudden impulse, but a well-thought-out desire.

As their movements deepened, Kim Tae-yeon's fingers began to gently trace the contours of Lin Xiu-yuan's body, each touch carrying an undeniable invitation.

Lin Xiuyuan closed his eyes, and every cell in his body began to be filled with Kim Tae-yeon's scent and body temperature, feeling that every detail of her was making him unable to extricate himself.

Gradually, his hand slid down her back, touching her waist, feeling that soft warmth.

His fingers roamed over her skin, searching for every sensitive spot, as if responding to her unspoken desires.

Kim Tae-yeon did not back down; instead, she pressed herself against his chest, giving him every inch of her body without reservation.

Just as their bodies quietly drew closer amidst this intense interplay of desire and trust, an indescribable atmosphere filled the air, and an ambiguous feeling swirled between them.

Suddenly, Lin Xiuyuan noticed that the delicate body in his arms went limp.

Looking down, I saw that Kim Tae-yeon, who was full of enthusiasm just a second ago, had fallen asleep the next second.

He shook him several times, but there was still no reaction.

This speechless situation caused Lin Xiuyuan to look down at his brother and then let out a low growl of extreme frustration and exasperation.

"Damn it, Kim Tae-yeon."

……

……

On the other side, inside the apartment's small bar in 2013,

The atmosphere remained relaxed, with everyone sitting around the sofa, the drinks in their glasses gently swirling, the slightly intoxicating aroma gradually spreading, creating a leisurely ambiance throughout the space.

Everyone chatted casually, laughter frequently breaking the silence, creating a pleasant and relaxed atmosphere. However, Lin Xiuyuan was still nowhere to be seen, causing their gazes to involuntarily drift towards the door every now and then.

Krystal gently swirled her wine glass, her eyes slightly glazed, and leaned closer to Jessica Jung. "Unnie, why hasn't Xiuyuan come back yet?"

Although she spoke softly, Jessica Jung heard her clearly. She turned to look at her and smiled, "Taeyeon probably threw up. Xiuyuan should be helping to wipe her up."

Krystal smiled slightly and continued, "Yes, I think so too."

Then, she looked at Jessica Jung, a mischievous glint in her eyes, "Unnie, do you want Xiuyuan to take you home later?"

Jessica Jung didn't answer immediately. Instead, she lowered her head and took a sip of the wine. The slightly spicy taste of the wine spread on her tongue, relieving some of her fatigue.

Having arrived quite late, she was still relatively sober and not drunk. So, upon hearing Krystal's tone and words, Jessica Jung couldn't help but look at her younger sister of 25 years, saying, "Krystal, something's not right about what you're saying."

"Huh? What's wrong?"

Everyone was having a good time tonight, so they were drinking heavily, which made Krystal a little tipsy too.

Looking at Jessica Jung, his central nervous system mistook her for someone else, so he suddenly blurted out, "Unnie, weren't you quite happy when you ate the meal Xiuyuan made for you last time? What's wrong? Wouldn't it be perfect for you to have him take you home now?"

Cook?

Happy?
As Jessica Jung listened to these words, a picture quickly formed in her mind, and then her eyes narrowed slightly.
Suddenly, he turned to look at Krystal beside him, then glanced at the three people drinking together, picked up his glass, and said to Krystal with a light laugh, "Let's not talk about that now, Krystal, come on, let's toast."

Although Krystal didn't know why 'Jessica' was suddenly so happy, she still raised her glass and said with great concern, "Come on, cheers! I wish you all the best, unnie, and that you won't go down the wrong path again. We all have a brighter future ahead of us."

Jessica Jung listened to her words and realized in her heart that her silly little sister must be drunk and had mistaken her for someone else.

So after chugging several large glasses of drinks down her throat, he leaned close to Krystal's ear and asked, "Soojung, unnie, I'm a little tempted after eating Soowon's cooking last time. What should I do?"

"Really? Really? Unnie."

Despite her dazed state, Krystal remained excited and happy, immediately hugging Jessica Jung, whom she saw as 'Jessica'.

Then she started spouting nonsense, "Unnie, you have no idea how much effort I put into you before. I even came up with a lot of plans behind Xiu Yuan's back. I finally decided on one plan, but Xiu Yuan rejected it outright. It made me so angry."

Jessica Jung narrowed her eyes slightly, raised an eyebrow, and asked with interest, "Oh, what's the plan?"

Actually, she had already guessed it; it was nothing more than that 'imprisonment play' thing.

Then, under the influence of alcohol, Krystal completely let her guard down and began to spill all her crazy ideas, mentioning crazy plans to "kidnap," "imprison," and even "get pregnant," while also mentioning Jessica's situation.

She was completely unaware that 'Jessica' next to her, Jessica Jung, was becoming increasingly complicated with her expression after hearing these words, and her brows were furrowing more and more tightly.

However, what Jessica Jung was worried about was not the so-called 'play' plan, but the other changes in Jessica that Krystal mentioned.

What's going on?

What are you trying to do, you ugly woman?!

……

……

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(End of this chapter)