Hancheng: There is a door between me and the future

Chapter 225 Kim Tae-yeon: "I want to say 'Happy Birthday' again" (Please subscribe and vote)

Late at night, the cool moonlight spills through the window. In a quiet apartment in Seoul, soft lighting outlines a corner of the living room.

Kim Tae-yeon sat on the sofa with her knees drawn up, wearing a loose set of loungewear. Beside her was a half-finished cup of hot milk, which had cooled down considerably.

She had been exhausted from her vocal lessons all day, and according to her usual habits, she should have been fast asleep in bed by now.

But now she sits quietly, her eyes lowered, as if she is thinking, or as if she is just spacing out unconsciously.

The TV was on but muted, and the flickering screen reflected off her face, casting a soft shadow.

It was like some emotion rippling on the surface of water, but without making a sound.

Suddenly, a soft creaking sound came from the other side of the door.

Lin Xiuyuan, dressed in pajamas and slippers, pushed open the door and walked in, exuding his usual casualness and familiarity with the place.

"Taeyeon, what urgent matter do you need me for so late?"

As he closed the door, he quipped softly, "Judging from the tone of your voice on the phone just now, I thought something terrible had happened. You just arrived in Georgia and you're already back."

Upon seeing Lin Xiuyuan arrive, Kim Tae-yeon stood up and asked, her previously listless eyes brightening and a smile appearing on her lips.

"Weren't you and Krystal supposed to go to London for Wimbledon? Why did you go somewhere else?"

Lin Xiuyuan shrugged, his tone relaxed, "We still have a few days left. Since we're already out, let's go sightseeing somewhere else."

He glanced around the familiar living room, then walked to the single sofa and sat down, his gaze returning to Kim Tae-yeon. "Alright, sit down. What exactly happened? You couldn't explain it to me over the phone; we need to meet in person."

Kim Tae-yeon did not answer immediately when asked.

She simply lowered her gaze, sat back down on the sofa, hugged her knees, and silently stared at the silent television in front of her.

The flickering light from the television cast shadows on her face, outlining a vague and complex emotion.

It was a mixture of longing, sorrow, and an unspoken request.

Lin Xiuyuan looked at her, seemingly realizing something, and didn't ask any further questions.

He simply propped his elbows up, leaned against the sofa armrest, and gazed at her.

The entire apartment suddenly became unusually quiet, and even the faint sounds of some appliances running were exceptionally clear.

After a long while, Kim Tae-yeon finally spoke softly, her voice low but clear as a pebble dropped into a lake.

"Xiuyuan..."

She didn't look at Lin Xiuyuan, but continued to gaze ahead. "Do you remember what we said last time in Quanzhou...?"

Lin Xiuyuan nodded, then shook his head. "We've talked a lot, but I don't know which sentence you're referring to."

Kim Tae-yeon gave a soft "hmm," and then, as if organizing her thoughts, tightened her grip on her knees.

"I've started dreaming about my dad again lately."

Her voice was so soft, as if afraid of disturbing something, "But it's different from before... This time it wasn't a dream about him being in the hospital, nor was it about the three of us going out to eat... but..."

Kim Tae-yeon paused for a moment, took a deep breath, and finally turned to look at Lin Xiu-yuan, as if she had only mustered the courage to speak under his gaze.

"Instead, I dreamt that he was still alive, sitting in the living room of his old home, watching TV and waiting for me to come home."

Lin Xiuyuan's gaze softened slightly, and he leaned forward gently, but still did not interrupt her.

Kim Tae-yeon lowered her head, as if afraid of losing control of her emotions, and her voice became softer, "I know this sounds willful... I understand that this might not be appropriate... but I still want to ask you..."

She paused, her breathing becoming rapid, then looked up at Lin Xiuyuan earnestly, as if she had finally revealed her true feelings after suppressing them for a long time.

"Let's find some time and a way to talk to the 'me' from 2013, okay?"

As she spoke, Kim Tae-yeon raised her head, her eyes revealing an unusual seriousness and stubbornness.

“I don’t want to tell her about the future, nor do I want to change my fate… I just hope to have a reason, a suitable opportunity, to see my father.”

She paused, her voice extremely low, yet it pierced the heart like a needle.

Even if we can't meet, even just a phone call, just to say 'Happy Birthday' would be fine.

She gently bit her lower lip, as if trying to suppress her emotions; her voice was almost swallowed by the night.

"His birthday is in a few days. I just want to say 'Happy Birthday' to him again and wish him 'Good Health'."

Lin Xiuyuan frowned slightly. He understood, but he couldn't truly empathize.

The obsession and complex emotions in Kim Tae-yeon's eyes left him at a loss for what to do. He didn't know whether to comfort her, advise her to let go, or... agree to her request.

After a moment, Lin Xiuyuan spoke up, "What happened? Weren't you feeling better lately?"

He tried to soften his tone, as if gently probing, "Didn't you say after we met at the store last time that you were slowly accepting everything?"

Kim Tae-yeon pursed her lips and did not respond immediately, but gently rested her head on her knees, as if she was sorting out her chaotic thoughts.

After a long silence, she slowly spoke, "Yes, I did feel much more relaxed after that meeting, especially when I went to 2013 with you. I was so happy, I felt like he was everywhere."

But as she said this, Kim Tae-yeon pursed her lips again, "But the closer it gets to his birthday, the less I can stand it."

She smiled, a hint of self-deprecation in her voice, "I used to buy him a cake every year around this time, and even if he said he didn't want it, he would still finish it all in the end."

Then I looked at the glass of milk. "But now even that little bit of ceremony is gone. I can only sit here alone with a glass of hot milk, and there's no cake anymore."

She turned to look at Lin Xiuyuan, her gaze pleading, as if she were carefully guarding a fragile thought.

“I want to see him, not to bring him back to this world, not to change my fate... I just want to say ‘Happy Birthday’ to him, even if it’s through my identity in 2013, even if it’s through the other me, and hear his response.”

Towards the end, Kim Tae-yeon's voice became almost inaudible, as if she feared that if she spoke it aloud, even this wish would be shattered by time.

Lin Xiuyuan looked at her, his heart filled with mixed feelings.

He was also a little conflicted. After a long while, Lin Xiuyuan, who had thought about many things, let out a soft sigh, then slowly got up and sat down next to Kim Tae-yeon. "You've been thinking about this for a long time, haven't you?"

Kim Tae-yeon didn't move, but whispered, "I've been afraid to tell you... I was afraid you'd think I was unstable and wouldn't let me go there anymore, which would make me even more upset."

Lin Xiuyuan did not reply, but lowered his eyes to look at her profile. Her stubborn yet fragile face, reflected in the lamplight of the night, made people's hearts soften.

After a moment of silence, he nodded.

"Okay, I'll look for an opportunity and think of a way."

Kim Tae-yeon paused slightly, looked up at him in disbelief, and asked, "Really?"

"Ah."

Lin Xiuyuan nodded, his tone as gentle yet firm as ever, "Let's think about how to proceed in the next few days. How long until your birthday?"

"Ten days." Kim Tae-yeon answered almost subconsciously, her voice carrying a hint of light.

"That should be enough time," Lin Xiuyuan nodded.

Then he gently tapped Kim Tae-yeon's forehead, "But this time you have to promise me you won't be as crazy as last time, understand?"

"Uh-huh."

She nodded vigorously, her eyes filled with undisguised joy and relief.

Then, just as Lin Xiuyuan turned his gaze away, thoughtfully considering what to do next, Kim Tae-yeon suddenly rolled over and threw herself into his arms.

"Xiuyuan, to be honest, if all else fails, I'll offer myself to you. I should be pretty good."

Lin Xiuyuan chuckled at her sudden action. Looking at the "goddess of thousands of male fans" who was so close yet had a serious expression, he couldn't help but tease her.

"What are you thinking? This isn't about offering yourself in marriage; you're clearly taking advantage of someone's misfortune."

As soon as Lin Xiuyuan finished speaking, Kim Tae-yeon, who had been feeling emo all night, finally burst out laughing.

That smile seemed to finally break through the emotional gloom of the whole night, carrying relief and a touch of sweetness after the suppression.

Then she gently moved closer to Lin Xiuyuan, her eyes still shining, but no longer with sadness, but with a soft joy and an intense, unyielding sorrow.

"Taking advantage of someone's misfortune?" She chuckled softly, her voice a little hoarse, yet with a captivating playfulness.

As she spoke, she reached out and wrapped her arms around his neck, her voice softly whispering in his ear, "Xiuyuan, you have no idea... how long I've thought about this. You're willing to help me... I'm really... really so happy."

Having said that, my emotions suddenly surged up.

The next second, Kim Tae-yeon threw herself into Lin Xiu-yuan's arms, her cheek pressed against his neck, her breathing rapid, and her body trembling slightly.

That heartfelt emotion and unease were all conveyed the moment she leaned in.

Lin Xiuyuan was also taken aback. He wanted to say something comforting, but before he could speak...

She suddenly raised her head and kissed him without warning.

Without pausing or hesitating, she cupped his face in her hands and pressed her lips to his.

This kiss was tender yet passionate, resolute yet fragile.

Lin Xiuyuan was slightly surprised for a moment, but soon he closed his eyes and responded to her approach in accordance with her emotions.

He slowly wrapped his arms around her slender waist, his palms touching the warmth of her back, as if responding to her, or as if carefully settling her down.

Moonlight streamed through the half-open curtains, casting a soft, silvery glow upon them. At that moment, the entire living room seemed so quiet that only their breathing and heartbeats could be heard.

The kiss lasted for a long time, until Kim Tae-yeon's breathing became slightly erratic, at which point she slowly pulled away and gently pressed her forehead against Lin Xiu-yuan's forehead.

Her eyes were still misty with tears, yet she remained completely still at that moment.

"Thank you, Xiuyuan..." she murmured, like a prayer sinking into the night, "Thank you so much, I'm so glad to have you, and so glad that I met you."

Lin Xiuyuan patted her and smiled helplessly, "This doesn't sound like gratitude; it sounds more like you're taking advantage of her. It's a bit like repaying kindness with enmity."

Kim Tae-yeon smiled shyly, but didn't leave his embrace; she just moved even closer.

……

……

Meanwhile, in Seoul in 2013, the night was equally chilly. After rehearsals had finally ended, Kim Tae-yeon sat in the car on her way back to her dorm late at night.

With earphones in my ears, I listened to a soft English folk song and gazed absently at the slightly blurry street scene outside the window.

My gaze occasionally drifts to the calendar page on my phone screen.

The familiar note in that column reads: Appa's birthday is 10 days away.

This reminder was something she had set up a long time ago.

"I need to prepare a gift in advance."

Thinking of Kim Tae-yeon, a touch of melancholy arose in his heart.

Because every year around this time, she would prepare a unique and practical little gift for her father in advance.

It wasn't because the recipient particularly liked receiving gifts, but because her father always said "don't waste money," yet he would still secretly beam with joy every time he received a gift.

"Last year it was a razor, and the time before that it was a badminton racket..."

What should I send this time?

　Writing about Thai softies is always so tiring, sigh~
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(End of this chapter)