Hancheng: There is a door between me and the future

Chapter 246 Kim Tae-yeon's Worry about "Kim Softie" (10,000 words, please subscribe and vote)

The next morning.

The air in the apartment still carried the ambiguous atmosphere of last night's passionate encounter, as if it were still whispering untold secrets.

The little dragon nestled softly in Lin Xiuyuan's arms, its snow-white arms draped limply over his chest, and a trace of lingering redness still visible at the corner of its eye, exuding languor and coquettishness.

With a slight sly smile, she gently pursed her lips and reached out to stroke the lines of the other person's chin.

"Xiuyuan~ If you dare to get up and leave now, I'll bite you to death."

The little dragon squinted as it spoke, its tone seemingly threatening, yet its voice was as soft as honey, trembling with allure.

Lin Xiuyuan glanced down at her, a mischievous smile playing on his lips. "Oh~ Zhiyan, didn't you already bite me last night? Want to keep a souvenir?"

"You bastard, I'll hit you!"

A blush crept onto the little dragon's cheeks, but he couldn't help but laugh out loud, raising his little fist to gently punch him.

But that thrust wasn't very forceful; it was more like a coquettish gesture. Instead, she snuggled closer to him, clinging to him even more tightly.

The two rolled around in bed, their playful atmosphere tinged with a sweet, tender affection.

Suddenly, the cell phone on the bedside table started buzzing, and the lit screen broke the stillness of the room.

Lin Xiuyuan subconsciously reached out and took it, glancing at the name displayed on the caller ID: Kim Tae-yeon.

This situation made the little dragon cub immediately narrow its eyes, lie still on his chest, and lazily utter a sentence, its voice tinged with a hint of probing, but mostly with a mischievous tone, "Xiuyuan~ what will you do if I don't let you leave?"

Lin Xiuyuan rubbed his temples and pinched her pert little bottom with a half-smile.

The little dragon let out a muffled groan, rolling its eyes in a charming and coquettish way.

Then he answered the phone, "Hello? Taeyeon~"

"Xiuyuan~ You're not still staying at Xiujing's house, are you?"

On the other end of the phone, Kim Tae-yeon's voice was tinged with laughter, but beneath the laughter lay a hint of undeniable sarcasm.

The tone was as if he had seen through everything, which made Lin Xiuyuan's heart tighten instantly, and he actually had the illusion of being "caught in the act".

"I'll be right back."

He gave a brief and concise answer, then hung up.

As a result, the little dragon cub in his arms immediately pinched his waist.

"You're not even going to explain, are you?"

With her lips pouting, her eyes sparkled, and she scolded in a coquettish tone, "I'm not Xiujing, Xiuyuan~ Or are you trying to play with some kind of stand-in literature? Humph, I've been reading a lot of that stuff lately."

Her words were a complaint, but her eyes were as soft as water, carrying an indescribable sense of satisfaction and attachment.

Her eyes were moist and bright, as alluring as the strongest glass of wine in the night, making one's heart burn.

"Stop fooling around, Taeyeon's matter is serious."

Lin Xiuyuan pinched the tip of her nose, his tone gentle but with a hint of helplessness, "Didn't I tell you last night that you should get some rest today?"

"I'm not tired~"

The little dragon was still unconvinced.

"Ha, if you're going to say that, why don't you get up and jump around a few times right now and show me?"

"……snort……"

She pouted, but ultimately didn't argue back, her coquettish tone revealing a hint of defeat.

After half an hour.

When Lin Xiuyuan rushed back to the villa and pushed open the door, his eyes immediately fell on the figure in the living room through the floor-to-ceiling window.

Kim Tae-yeon was sitting elegantly on the sofa, holding a water glass in one hand and idly pressing the remote control with the other, her posture lazy yet composed.

The light shone on her profile, revealing an undeniable refinement and presence.

After noticing Lin Xiuyuan enter, she chuckled and a meaningful smile appeared on her lips. "Oh, our young master Xiuyuan has finally decided to come back."

Then, as he walked into the living room, he put down his cup and said in a teasing tone, "Tsk tsk tsk, Xiuyuan~ I can smell your fragrance from two meters away."

Lin Xiuyuan was taken aback for a moment, then casually stretched out his arms and walked over with a grin. "Does it smell good? Want a hug to verify? And let you take a good sniff too."

"Go aside."

Kim Tae-yeon rolled her eyes at the teasing, and disdainfully pushed Lin Xiu-yuan's chest, though the movement wasn't very forceful.

Then, unable to resist, he leaned forward, took a light sniff, and immediately raised his eyebrows.

"Huh~ It's rose-scented? But I remember Krystal—"

She paused mid-sentence, her eyes suddenly sharpening.

"Wait, weren't you at Krystal's place last night?"

Her tone was initially teasing, but then her eyes flashed with a sharp glint as she locked onto him, as if demanding an answer, "Who is it?"

Lin Xiuyuan raised an eyebrow, a mischievous smile playing on his lips. "Guess."

"I can't be bothered to guess."

Kim Tae-yeon pouted, but her eyes held a dangerous glint, and her tone revealed a hint of cold snort, "But this fragrance is a bit wild."

Why don't you just say it's your company's wilderness?

"Go away~"

Lin Xiuyuan, however, acted as if he were completely unfazed, shrugging his shoulders with an innocent expression, "There's nothing I can do, this fragrance just sticks to me and I can't shake it off, I'm innocent."

"You're being wronged, my foot!"

Kim Tae-yeon smiled faintly, but it clearly carried a hint of frustration and displeasure.

That smile seemed casual, but it was as if he was trying hard to suppress some uncomfortable emotion.

However, she ultimately didn't intend to keep dwelling on this topic. She simply reached out and nudged Lin Xiuyuan's back, her tone neither too loud nor too soft, "Alright, I'm too lazy to argue with you about this anymore. Hurry up and go upstairs to take a shower and change your clothes. You've made the air in the villa sweet. I still need to go over and talk to my 13 self about the situation later."

Lin Xiuyuan didn't argue, and was pushed upstairs by her with a smile.

Seeing his "I've already accepted it" attitude, Kim Tae-yeon felt a surge of frustration, yet she was helpless against him.

Soon, the sound of rushing water came from upstairs.

The villa fell silent, with only the sudden sound of water reminding Kim Tae-yeon that she might have been a little too sensitive just now.

She turned and walked to the door of the public bathroom in the living room, her fingers paused slightly, but she still pushed the door open.

The image of a person came into view in the mirror.

That face, with its calm and elegant features, now possessed a different aura compared to 2013.

Mature and sharp, but lacking in innocence.

As for whether she was good-looking or not, she didn't want to think about it too much. However, the complexity hidden in his eyes made her heart tighten slightly.

She raised her hand and gently touched her cheek, the movement slow, as if confirming something, or questioning the person in the mirror.

The restroom was unusually quiet; even her breathing was amplified.

She stared for an unknown amount of time until the sound of water coming from upstairs woke Kim Tae-yeon up again. Only then did she slowly blink and pull her thoughts back.

The next second, his face regained its usual calm and composed expression.

Not long after, Lin Xiuyuan came downstairs.

She had changed into a clean set of clothes, but water droplets still clung to the ends of her hair, sliding down her neck.

He looked much more refreshed, but still had a touch of lazy roguishness.

In the living room, the television was off, and Kim Tae-yeon sat quietly on the sofa, her posture upright, as if waiting for something.

The light shone on her, making her expression appear even calmer and more composed.

When their eyes met, she simply smiled faintly and said briefly, "Let's go."

Lin Xiuyuan raised an eyebrow, smiled, and stepped forward. "What's wrong? Not feeling well?"

"a little nervous."

Kim Tae-yeon didn't deny it, nodding her head. Her tone was steady, but there was a hint of barely concealed emotion in her voice. "It's been so long since I've heard his voice."

As she said this, her gaze drifted slightly into the distance, and the curve of her lips was faint, yet it carried a complex sense of longing.

Seeing the little expression on Kim Tae-yeon's face as she said those words, Lin Xiuyuan clicked his tongue. After realizing who she was talking about, he didn't say anything more and led her through the time portal to the apartment 13 years ago.

To avoid running into other people, Lin Xiuyuan first called Jin Ruanruan to make sure she was alone before leading Jin Taeyeon through the time portal.

Jin Ruanruan's apartment in 2013 still retained a touch of girlish charm.

Soft, light-colored cushions were casually placed, practice notes were scattered on the desk, and a faint, sweet fragrance lingered in the air.

The chubby, youthful face was staring blankly at the two people who appeared from the doorway of the second bedroom.

His eyes revealed a mixture of disbelief and complex shock.

"Great fortune..."

Jin Ruanruan couldn't help but mutter, "Although it's not the first time I've seen this kind of situation, I'm still shocked every time I see it."

She immediately got up, clearing the sofa for Lin Xiuyuan and Kim Tae-yeon to sit down, and handed them two bottles of ice water.

"If you stay any longer, I really have to go back now. It'll take several hours to drive there."

"Don't look at me, Xiuyuan went out partying again last night. If I hadn't called him, he'd probably still be asleep."

Kim Tae-yeon turned her head and rolled her eyes at Lin Xiu-yuan, her eyes carrying a hint of deliberate teasing, while a smile played on her lips, "Isn't that right, our Xiu-yuan~xi~"

Lin Xiuyuan, who was called out, immediately twisted open the bottle of water and took a big gulp to cover up his embarrassment, showing no intention of explaining.

However, as soon as he put the bottle down, Kim Tae-yeon smiled and reached out, naturally and smoothly taking the bottle of water from his hand.

The movements were unhurried, yet carried a natural intimacy.

Then I gently unscrewed the cap, tilted my head back, and took a sip, the water droplets sliding down my lips.

He then casually shoved another unopened bottle of water into Lin Xiuyuan's arms, his gesture carrying a hint of provocation.

The atmosphere was somewhat ambiguous for a moment.

Her eyes held a smile, yet they were clearly making a silent declaration.

Lin Xiuyuan was taken aback for a moment, then smiled helplessly, took the water, and didn't object.

Jin Ruanruan, sitting to the side, watched the interaction between the two from beginning to end, her fingers unconsciously rubbing the edge of the cushion.

He didn't speak, but his large eyes darted back and forth between the two of them, flashing with an ambiguous light.

It wasn't until Lin Xiuyuan gave her a nod that she seemed to be prompted, and she smiled and spoke, gently breaking the subtle silence.

"Well, let me tell you about today's situation first, and you can listen to it and see if anything seems off."

She took a deep breath and deliberately slowed her speech, "First of all, when I get back to Jeonju later, I'll book that hotel room."

That way, Xiuyuan can bring Taeyeon directly through the door.

Then, in the evening, I would find an excuse to take my father out to buy something, and then lead him past the hotel entrance, asking him to wait for me by the roadside.

After that, I came to the guest room and handed the phone to Taeyeon so that she could look at her father through the window and say "Happy Birthday" to him in person on the phone.

That's it, right?

After speaking, Jin Ruanruan's voice softened, she bit her lip slightly, and her eyes flickered, as if she had already sketched out that scene in her mind.

Kim Tae-yeon sat quietly to the side, her expression seemingly indifferent.

However, her fingers were gently tapping on the sofa armrest, revealing her inner tension.

She knew better than anyone that this was an opportunity that hadn't come around in years, and once missed, it might never come again.

"That's right, that's roughly it."

Lin Xiuyuan nodded in response, but still added with some concern, "But after you book the room, you need to check the details for me."

He picked up a few small testing devices from beside him and handed them to Jin Ruanruan.

"This thing is used to check for cameras and listening devices. It's very easy to use. Just send me a video, and I'll check it for you remotely."

"I don't really understand this."

Jin Ruanruan blinked after taking the device, her tone tinged with helplessness, "Then I'll give you the video, just like you said. But you have to promise me you won't run around, or I won't be able to reach you by phone later."

"I know, I've been here all day, I'm not going anywhere," Lin Xiuyuan said with a smile.

"That's good."

Jin Ruanruan let out a soft breath, trying to calm herself down.

She got up, walked to a corner of the room, and dragged out her small suitcase.

The sound of the zipper closing was particularly clear in the quiet apartment, as if it were the final confirmation of her decision.

"I have to leave early, otherwise it will be terrible if I drive for several hours and everyone has already eaten by the time I get home."

"It's not that bad, it's only 10 a.m.," Kim Tae-yeon smiled. "We always eat dinner around 7 or 8 p.m. at home."

"I was just kidding."

Jin Ruanruan smiled and shook her head, pulled the box to her side, and when she turned around, her gaze first fell on Jin Taeyeon, and then moved to Lin Xiuyuan.

She paused for a moment, as if struggling with her thoughts, before suddenly speaking, "How about... Xiuyuan, you come back with me? You can drive me, I was a little tired last night."

This sentence, spoken casually and in a flat tone, carries an inexplicable sense of inquiry.

Kim Tae-yeon paused for a moment.

She hadn't expected that she would suddenly say such a thing in 2013. Her eyes unconsciously drifted to Lin Xiuyuan, and a complex and strange emotion welled up in her eyes.

Lin Xiuyuan was being stared at by both of them, but he smiled very naturally, as if he didn't care at all. Instead, he nodded casually, "Sure, I'm fine with anything."

His attitude was too relaxed, too indifferent.

This calmness, however, made Jin Ruanruan's heart skip a beat, as if she had been touched by something.

She stared at him blankly, a ridiculous thought flashing through her mind: how could she have said such a thing?
Kim Tae-yeon kept staring at her quietly.

Her gaze held no reproach, yet it was exceptionally sharp, as if she wanted to discern the truth.

Was this naive version of herself just a casual remark, or was she testing a possibility that even she herself was unwilling to acknowledge?

The air suddenly became quiet, and even the sound of breathing seemed exceptionally clear.

……

Around 10: am.

A black Mercedes slowly drove out from under Jin Ruanruan's apartment building, weaved through traffic along the city streets, and headed towards the highway entrance.

A gentle blues tune was playing in the car, its low melody echoing in the quiet space, carrying a subtle, indescribable emotion.

The car smoothly drove onto the highway, and the road ahead was wide open and straight, as if giving the journey ample time and space to breathe.

Jin Ruanruan gripped the steering wheel, her fingers lightly touching the cold, hard surface, her gaze fixed on the road stretching out ahead.

After a moment of silence, she suddenly spoke, her voice light yet tinged with inquiry, "Xiuyuan~ I have a question for you."

Lin Xiuyuan, who had been leaning back in his chair with his elbow propped against the window and yawning, said, "Hmm? Go ahead and ask."

"According to what Taeyeon just said... you seemed to have quite a few women around back in 25. How many women did you actually have?"

Jin Ruanruan's voice was very calm, almost as if she were asking a casual question, but her tone concealed an irrepressible curiosity and subtle emotional fluctuations.

Lin Xiuyuan was stunned for a moment, snapping out of his half-drowsy state. He slowly turned his head and stared at her for a few seconds, as if to make sure he hadn't misheard. "Huh? Why are you suddenly asking this?"

"Just something I thought of."

Jin Ruanruan smiled, but couldn't help secretly observing his reaction out of the corner of her eye. "Also, didn't you use the topics and answers from your conversation with Taeyeon to fool me before? What were you thinking back then?"

The car was silent for a few seconds.

Lin Xiuyuan was clearly not expected that she would suddenly ask such a question, and a hint of panic flashed in his eyes.

He cleared his throat and gave a dry laugh. "Well... it's just a starting point. You know, when we were chatting, I needed to find something we could relate to, so... how about we change the subject?" "Tch~"

Jin Ruanruan pouted, turned the steering wheel, and the car slowly drove into the service area ahead. "Your answer was too perfunctory. Fine, you drive."

The two got off the bus and switched seats.

Lin Xiuyuan sat in the driver's seat, while Jin Ruanruan sat in the passenger seat. After fastening her seatbelt, she leaned her head back in the seat, closed her eyes, and looked somewhat tired.

His breathing gradually slowed, as if he were enjoying a brief moment of tranquility.

But whenever Lin Xiuyuan idly tapped the gear shift, she couldn't help but open one eye and secretly peek at him from the side.

The blinding sunlight streamed through the car window, illuminating his profile and highlighting his sharply defined features.

That subtle composure and calmness stirred a strange flutter in her heart.

Jin Ruanruan had mixed feelings about Lin Xiuyuan.

Initially, he was the "confidant" to whom she was willing to be fooled;
Later, when I misunderstood him, I felt "disgust + perversion" in addition to that.
After learning the truth, a slight sense of "regret" followed.
The night she had a flat tire, his thoughtfulness touched her.
After traversing time and space, all the knowledge and shock converged into an indescribable emotion.

Within this series of perceptions, Jin Ruanruan's feelings for Lin Xiuyuan were enough to reach the 'roller coaster effect' in psychology.

A peaceful and stable life is certainly important, but what is truly unforgettable is the ebb and flow of emotions, the reversal from cold to warm.

What people are most easily addicted to is not continuous and stable happiness, but intermittent bursts of excitement.

Lin Xiuyuan has given her psychological stimulation from cold to warm, from distant to mysterious more than once.

So Jin Ruanruan couldn't help but sigh inwardly:

This guy often keeps his distance from her, yet he always appears at crucial moments, carrying an air of mystery that makes her rack her brains trying to decipher him.

You know, women are born with a love of gossip and curiosity; they always enjoy things that are mysterious and enigmatic.

The process of trying to unravel the mystery only makes people more and more engrossed.

So when she heard Kim Tae-yeon say that Lin Xiuyuan had actually stayed overnight at a woman's house last night, her heart couldn't help but churn slightly.

Along the way, her mind wandered, filled with questions and imaginings, which led her to blurt out that somewhat presumptuous question.

The blues melody still flowed softly in the air.
Sunlight streamed through the car window, dappling the two people.

Tranquility and tension, curiosity and excitement, quietly intertwine during this high-speed journey.

at the same time.

In Lim Soo-won's apartment in Seoul, the light is soft, with sunlight streaming in through the gaps in the curtains and falling on the light-colored sofa.

Kim Tae-yeon sat cross-legged in the center of the sofa, holding a cushion in her hands and gently leaning it against her chest, as if using it to support her inner thoughts.

A variety show was playing on the television screen, its lively scenes contrasting sharply with her quiet demeanor.

Sitting next to her, Sulli was enthusiastically commenting on the guests' funny moments, "Unnie, look at this, it's so funny!"

She laughed as she tugged at Kim Tae-yeon's sleeve, as if she couldn't wait to share her joy.

Kim Tae-yeon smiled slightly, a faint curve at the corners of her mouth, but she quickly withdrew her smile.

His gaze drifted beyond the television screen, as if it had landed in some untouchable void, his mind already far removed from the scene before him.

Noticing the change in her expression, Shirley tilted her head and asked with concern and curiosity, "Unnie, what are you thinking about?"

"Huh? Nothing."

Kim Tae-yeon shook her head and smiled casually, but a faint light still flickered in her eyes, like ripples in the deep sea.

Thinking that Kim Tae-yeon was worried about what would happen tonight, Sulli smiled and took her arm, her tone slightly coquettish, but full of trust in Lin Xiuyuan.

"Don't worry, unnie~ oppa has already been through it all, he'll definitely take care of things for you, just trust him."

Her smile was warm and sunny, as if it could dispel the gloom in the other person's heart with its bright aura.

However, Kim Tae-yeon was not moved by this comfort. Instead, she lowered her eyes and said in a softer voice, "That's not what I'm worried about."

Her fingertips unconsciously rubbed the corner of the cushion, a hint of confusion appearing between her brows. Her gaze lingered on Shirley's face for a moment before she slowly uttered, "I'm thinking about a very strange question, Shirley. You know... if I were with Xiuyuan here, and then I slept with Xiuyuan too, what would that be like?"

As soon as she finished speaking, Shirley froze, her pupils dilated slightly, and she even paused for a second.

"what?"

Her face showed a hint of shock, even a little bewilderment. She blinked subconsciously, as if wondering if she had misheard.

Kim Tae-yeon was amused by her reaction, her lips curving slightly, but the smile quickly faded.

Shirley's expression turned somewhat strange after she came to her senses. She pursed her lips, looked at her unnie seriously, and said, half-jokingly and half-seriously, "Unnie, I... I guess I can't experience this kind of trouble of yours."

Now it was Kim Tae-yeon's turn to be stunned. Her eyes flickered slightly, and her heart felt a pang. She suddenly remembered the reality of 2025, a time when Sulli was no longer there.

She opened her mouth, but said nothing. She simply reached out and hugged the girl in her arms tightly, her throat tightening. "Ah, I'm sorry, Shirley, I didn't mean to bring that up."

Sulli nestled in her arms, feeling the apology and tenderness in her unnie's embrace. She gently patted Kim Tae-yeon's back, her eyes crinkling into a warm and comforting smile.

"It's okay, unnie. I just wanted to say that I probably can't imagine what you're going through. But personally, I don't think I feel anything special."

She tilted her head slightly, looking at the ceiling, her gaze somewhat unfocused, but her tone was quite frank, "I've seen too many people in the industry having sex for the sake of desensitization or lust. If it's just about having sex, I don't think there's anything wrong with it, as long as it's not something you really care about, it should be fine, right?"

Kim Tae-yeon let out a soft breath and replied in a low voice, "Your idea is similar to mine at first."

Her gaze deepened, and her fingers unconsciously rubbed the cushion, as if she were sorting out her thoughts. "But then I thought about it carefully, how can you not care when you do too much?"

Shirley tilted her head and thought for a moment, then suddenly burst out laughing, her eyes sparkling with mischief. "Ah, that does seem to be true. It's okay to eat it as takeout once or twice, but if you eat it often, it'll definitely become home-cooked food."

Kim Tae-yeon paused for a moment, then couldn't help but laugh out loud, raising her hand to gently tap Sulli's forehead, "Hahahaha, your analogy is so vivid, Sulli, where did you learn that?"

"Oppa taught me."

Shirley finished speaking in a serious tone, and even winked.

Kim Tae-yeon shook her head, both amused and exasperated, "That guy, sigh, he's really a headache."

"It's okay, unnie, let's take it one step at a time."

Shirley leaned on her shoulder, her voice softening considerably, carrying a maturity beyond her years, "We can worry about the future later. Let's enjoy life in the present first. Thinking too much will only make you anxious from now on, and you won't even live a good life. Isn't that a waste?"

"Tsk~ Hiss~ Sherry, you're getting better and better right now. If only you had these thoughts back in 19."

Kim Tae-yeon paused slightly, looking at the girl in her arms with a light smile and exceptionally clear eyes, and a warm feeling welled up in her heart.

Shirley squinted and smiled softly, "I can't say what my future self will experience, but without that tombstone, I probably wouldn't have been able to empty myself so quickly."

As she said this, a hint of emotion crossed her smile, but her eyes remained incredibly firm. "Every sip and every bite is preordained. Unnie, in my opinion, oppa's appearance led me to meet him... It's all arranged by fate, so let's just go with the flow."

There was a moment of silence in the room. The lively sounds of the variety show on the TV screen still echoed, but they seemed to have been softened, becoming the warmest and most delicate background sound in this conversation.

……

A few hours later.

In the afternoon, the whole state.

Lin Xiuyuan drove slowly into the parking lot below Jin Ruanruan's apartment building, the low hum of the engine echoing in the quiet street.

Before he even got out of the car, he said, "When I passed by your neighborhood just now, I saw a hotel there. Why don't I book a room there? It faces the entrance of the neighborhood. When you come out at night, the view will be wider, and it will be easier for Taeyeon to observe you."

Jin Ruanruan nodded and replied softly, "Anything is fine. If it's at the entrance, it'll be a good opportunity for Father to sit down and chat with the uncles and elders."

Lin Xiuyuan smiled casually, "Then it's settled. You can go back now. I've booked a room and I'm going back too. I'll bring her over tonight after you've finished making preparations."

Upon hearing this, Jin Ruanruan suddenly spoke again, her tone tinged with a hint of probing, "How about I show you around Quanzhou?"

Lin Xiuyuan, who was about to get out of the car, stopped and looked back at her. He smiled slightly and said, "Forget it. Your popularity is different now than it was 25 years ago. If I get caught, your fans will dig up all my secrets. Besides, it's rare for you to come home, and it's your dad's birthday. Spend some time with him."

After saying that, Lin Xiuyuan got out of the car, waved to her, and turned to leave.

Jin Ruanruan sat silently in the passenger seat, feeling somewhat depressed. She muttered under her breath, "Men are all fickle, just like that."

However, after saying that, she took a deep breath and continued to mutter somewhat dejectedly, "That guy didn't sleep with Taeyeon, did he? But in terms of looks and skin, I should be much better than him, right?"

She remembered that Lin Xiuyuan once said that he liked her baby fat, which made her, who originally disliked it, feel less disgusted.

At this moment, Jin Ruanruan inexplicably thought of Park Jiyeon's famous quote about "old women".

He smiled and looked down, but didn't say those words out loud.

the other side.

After leaving the residential area, Lin Xiuyuan quickly arrived at the hotel reception, booked a room according to his plan, and then went in to check that the view was good before he felt relieved.

After checking everything, I locked the house from the inside and secured it.

Finally, he opened the bathroom door and stepped back to the villa from 25 years ago, then back to the apartment from 13.

Seeing the two people watching TV on the sofa, he chuckled and joined them. As he sat down, he casually adjusted the TV volume to make his laughter blend into the atmosphere of the room.

As night fell, the air in Jeonju carried a hint of early autumn coolness.

Lin Xiuyuan and Kim Tae-yeon had already tidied up their hotel room early in the morning.

Having already had dinner with Sulli in Seoul, she seemed a little nervous. She had been pacing by the window since 7:30, occasionally pulling back the curtains to look at the lights across the street.

Shirley stayed at the apartment and did not come along.

After eight o'clock, Lin Xiuyuan's phone vibrated.

Jin Ruanruan sent a video. The video showed a warm living room, and the flickering candlelight on the cake illuminated familiar smiling faces.

Kim Tae-yeon's familiar family sat together, and as the song played, the birthday atmosphere was simple yet happy.

"Happy birthday, Dad..."

"Blow out the candles!"

In the video, Mr. Kim smiled, bent down, and blew out the candles on the cake.

In that instant, Kim Tae-yeon's eyes welled up with tears as she leaned over to watch the video, yet she couldn't stop smiling, her lips curving upwards to the extreme.

She stared at the screen, frozen in place, her shoulders trembling slightly.

"Father."

She called out softly.

A few minutes later, Jin Ruanruan sent another text message: "I'm downstairs."

Lin Xiuyuan and Kim Tae-yeon waited in their hotel room for a while before they saw Kim Ruanruan lead her father out of the residential area. After walking to the convenience store with her father for a while, they turned around, crossed the road, and entered the hotel.

Based on Lin Xiuyuan's information, they knocked on the guest room door.

As Lin Xiuyuan opened the door and welcomed Jin Ruanruan in, her first words upon entering were, "Taeyeon, Dad really likes the watch you gave me."

Standing behind Lin Xiuyuan, Kim Tae-yeon sniffed and gave a little girl's smile, "Really? That's great..."

Then, her emotions surged up, and she almost impatiently took the phone from Jin Ruanruan's hand.

That eagerness was like being afraid of missing some precious time.

Seeing this, Lin Xiuyuan didn't say anything, but simply picked up a pair of binoculars from the bedside table and handed them to her, winking, "Want to try a dual experience of being there in person and remotely?"

This action made Jin Ruanruan burst out laughing. She stood behind him and poked his waist, saying, "Xiuyuan, you really know how to arrange things."

Kim Tae-yeon immediately took the binoculars and held them like a precious treasure.

Then I walked to the sofa by the window and sat down. I was so nervous that my breathing became uneven and my palms were sweaty.

Then I aimed the binoculars at the entrance of the residential area.

There, Mr. Jin was standing next to the small shop, chatting animatedly with several old friends, laughing heartily from time to time, looking relaxed.

Under the lights, his expression was exactly the same as Kim Tae-yeon remembered.

"call……"

Kim Tae-yeon took a deep breath, exhaled slowly, and then pressed the call button.

"Hey? Taeyeon? What's up?"

A familiar yet long-lost voice came from the other end of the phone.

The sound made Kim Tae-yeon's eyes instantly redden, her heart race, and her throat feel like it was stuffed with cotton.

But the next moment, she still forced a laugh and pretended to be natural, "Dad, I just... made a phone call, it's your birthday today."

"Oh, my child," Mr. Jin chuckled on the other end, his voice full of affection. "You said you went to take care of something, but you acted like you were away somewhere. Come back as soon as you're done, I'll be waiting for you at the door."

"Oh~ Dad!!!"

Holding her phone, Kim Tae-yeon finally let tears stream down her face.

The little hand holding the phone was trembling, but the corners of her mouth were smiling brightly. "By the way, Dad, happy birthday! You must stay healthy and safe."

A hearty laugh came from the other end of the phone, "Okay, okay, Dad received it."

Kim Tae-yeon closed her eyes, choking back tears, and looked through the binoculars again. The figure on the other side was crystal clear, and the smile was so real that it made her heart tremble.

Behind him, Lin Xiuyuan and Jin Ruanruan stood side by side. The room was quiet, except for the laughter and blessings echoing from the other end of the phone.

After a long silence, Jin Ruanruan said softly, her tone filled with indescribable relief and emotion, "Fortunately, it was in 2013."

Thinking about what she had learned about the events of 25 years ago, Jin Ruanruan couldn't imagine what she would become if she had experienced them herself.

Even with Kim Tae-yeon's case right in front of her, she still couldn't imagine it, and didn't even want to imagine it.

Lin Xiuyuan did not respond, but simply watched the scene before him quietly.

Because it had been agreed beforehand that the call should not last too long, Kim Tae-yeon, despite being extremely reluctant, forced herself to end the call that she had been waiting for for several years.

The moment the call ended, the room was so quiet that only the sound of my heartbeat could be heard.

Kim Tae-yeon maintained the posture of holding the binoculars in front of her eyes, as if she wanted to freeze that scene on her retina forever.

The clearer the vision became, the stronger the bitterness in her heart surged.

“Father…”

She murmured softly, her shoulders trembled, and she finally couldn't help but put down the binoculars.

Tears welled up instantly. She tried desperately to purse her lips and hold them back, but an uncontrollable sob escaped her throat.

The next second, she staggered and turned around, falling into the arms of Lin Xiuyuan, who had somehow appeared behind her.

"Woo..."

That sound almost shattered the silence of the room.

Lin Xiuyuan was knocked back half a step by the impact and instinctively reached out to hug her tightly.

His chest was instantly soaked with tears, but he said nothing. He simply stroked her back quietly, his hand moving gently, as if comforting a wounded animal.

Lin Xiuyuan lowered his head and gently touched the top of her head, his voice very low and gentle, "Alright, after this call, I'll have Ruan Ruan go back and ask your dad how he feels. As long as there are no problems, you can chat with him anytime through his phone from now on. This is a good thing, so why are you crying?"

At the foot of the bed, Jin Ruanruan, who was standing there, had some thoughts when she saw Jin Taeyeon rush into Lin Xiuyuan's arms.

When Lin Xiuyuan uttered the nickname "Ruanruan," his cheeks inexplicably flushed.

Then she quickly replied, "Yes, I'll ask Dad when I get back. Taeyeon, you can ask me for his number anytime you want."

“It’s different…”

Kim Tae-yeon looked up, her eyes blurry with tears, her eyelashes glistening with moisture. "Xiu-yuan, do you know? These past few days, I've been so scared... so scared that everything after meeting you was just a dream, and when I wake up, it'll all be gone."

Lin Xiuyuan stared at her for a few seconds, his heart tightening slightly.

But he still gave a faint smile and reached out to wipe away the tears from the corners of her eyes. "Don't be afraid, this isn't a dream. Even if it is, it's a dream we share."

These words completely broke Kim Tae-yeon. She buried her face in his chest again, crying even louder, but with a sense of profound relief.

Jin Ruanruan stood quietly to the side, her expression complicated.

She didn't interrupt, but simply looked away, gazing at the night outside the window, her heart filled with a mixture of envy and wistfulness.

The only sounds in the room were the woman's cathartic sobs and the man's steady, powerful heartbeat.

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(End of this chapter)