Hancheng: There is a door between me and the future

Chapter 247 Taeyeon "Passing the Wine" or Xiuyuan "Losing His Virginity" (10,000 words, please subscribe and vote)
Outside the window, night had completely fallen.

The air in the whole prefecture carries the unique coolness of early autumn, mixed with a hint of sweetness and dampness.

Streetlights lit up one by one, their amber glow elongating shadows and illuminating the quiet street with a soft, peaceful light.

The occasional bark of a dog in the distance mingled with the aroma of cooking oil wafting from the nearby shops, creating a scene of ordinary yet incredibly authentic life.

Inside the guest room, the atmosphere contrasted sharply with the tranquility outside the window.

Jin Ruanruan looked at Kim Tae-yeon, who was still crying by the window and whose shoulders were trembling slightly. Her lips moved, but in the end she just sighed softly.

Knowing she couldn't stay there too long, she raised her hand and gestured to Lin Xiuyuan, indicating that she had to leave first.

Lin Xiuyuan understood, looked at her, and nodded with a smile.

He then raised his hand as if to make a phone call, as if to give instructions.

Seeing this, Jin Ruanruan didn't say anything more. She simply pushed open the door and left with light steps, though with a hint of reluctance.

As the door closed softly, only Lin Xiuyuan and Kim Tae-yeon remained in the room.

Lin Xiuyuan also turned his attention back and gently patted the back of the little person in his arms.

Hearing her breathing gradually become steady, his voice was low and gentle, as if afraid of disturbing her, "Feeling better?"

"Well...much better."

Kim Tae-yeon slowly pulled away from his embrace, her eyes still red and wet with tears, her voice hoarse from crying, yet exceptionally genuine.

Then she looked up at Lin Xiuyuan, a slight smile playing on her lips, her eyes filled with indescribable gratitude and vulnerability.

"Xiuyuan, thank you. If it weren't for you, I would never have had this opportunity... to see my father again in this time and space."

As she spoke, Kim Tae-yeon took a deep breath, and tears welled up in her eyes once again.

But this time, her smile was more genuine than before, tinged with a bittersweet sense of relief.

"Even if it's just through a telescope, even if it's just hearing his voice, I'm already very satisfied."

"Satisfied? But it didn't look like that at all at the beginning."

Lin Xiuyuan chuckled and shook his head with a hint of teasing, "Who insisted on getting off the bus in the first place? If I hadn't stopped you, we would have all been in an uproar."

"Back then... my mind wasn't quite clear."

Kim Tae-yeon's throat tightened at the teasing, her voice barely audible, and she lowered her head shyly, giving a soft reply.

Then he turned around, raised the binoculars again, and his eyes were once again drawn to the lively scene outside the window.

Outside the window, the area in front of the convenience store was still bustling.

Laughter filled the air as Mr. Jin and his old friends clinked glasses and their words drifted away on the breeze. The warmth of their relationship was amplified in the night, as if time itself wished to stand still.

Kim Tae-yeon held her breath, afraid of missing any detail.

She knew very well that such a scene would no longer exist in the reality of 2025, and everything before her eyes was like a sudden miracle, a brief act of mercy from time and fate.

Just as she was engrossed in her thoughts, a familiar figure suddenly appeared in her field of vision.

The figure made Kim Tae-yeon pause slightly.

Through the binoculars, Jin Ruanruan ran to her father's side, tugged at his arm, and smiled brightly as she spoke.

When Jin's father saw her, his expression softened instantly, and a doting look, unique to fathers, appeared in his eyes.

Then he gently patted his daughter's hand, and the two walked side by side into the shadowy depths of the community.

The image gradually blurred, swallowed by the night and streetlights, leaving only a lingering warmth that echoed in Kim Tae-yeon's heart.

She stared blankly, her eyes churning with a complex mix of emotions.

There was envy, relief, and a touch of melancholy.

Finally, she slowly lowered the binoculars and let out a long breath.

That soft "Father" escaped from his lips, as if to take away all the bitterness in his chest.

A moment later, she turned her head and her gaze fell on Lin Xiuyuan. At this moment, she was no longer as flustered and excited as before; her eyes held a calmer and clearer expression.

"Xiuyuan, could you please take me home? I... want to be alone for a while."

Lin Xiuyuan gazed at her silently for a moment, without asking any further questions.

He simply nodded and said gently, "Okay, let's go."

As the door opened and closed again, the lights in the room dimmed slightly.

The night outside the window remains deep after 25 years, but this world lacks a certain warmth that Kim Tae-yeon is familiar with.

"Then you take a rest, I'll head back now."

After Lin Xiuyuan escorted Kim Tae-yeon back to her residence, he whispered a word of advice, his tone as gentle and restrained as ever.

After saying that, he turned around and prepared to reach for the doorknob.

However, before he could even touch the cold metal, a soft call came from behind.

"Xiuyuan".

The voice was low, yet it was like a sudden force that held him firmly in place.

Lin Xiuyuan turned around and saw Kim Tae-yeon standing at the door.

The other person leaned against the wall, looking tired, with traces of crying still on their cheeks, but their eyes held a long-suppressed seriousness and a slight plea.

"Could you... have a drink with me?"

Her voice wasn't loud, but it was exceptionally sincere.

Lin Xiuyuan paused, his brow twitching slightly. A hint of hesitation arose in his heart.

After all, what had just happened was intense enough, and now, with the added influence of alcohol, he was worried that her emotions would completely break down and become uncontrollable.

But when he looked into her eyes, he clearly saw a hint of loneliness and stubbornness in them.

That look in her eyes seemed to suggest a fear of bearing everything alone, a fear of rejection, and a reluctance to cling to the present moment.

Lin Xiuyuan's heart softened, and he finally sighed softly and nodded.

"Okay, but before that, I need to go back and tidy up the place."

"Ah."

Kim Tae-yeon nodded obediently and responded softly.

She didn't ask any more questions, but simply lowered her eyes slightly, as if to tell him in this response that she would wait for him.

Lin Xiuyuan then left, quickening his pace.

He quickly returned to his hotel room, picked up his phone, and briefly spoke a few words to Jin Ruanruan.

Actually, there wasn't anything complicated. I just wanted her to wait for me a little longer when she returned to Seoul tomorrow, so I wouldn't have to rush to catch the light rail later.

After hanging up the phone, he returned to his apartment in 2013 and gave Shirley a brief explanation.

Once everything was arranged, Lin Xiuyuan returned and stepped into Kim Tae-yeon's apartment.

Inside, the living room was dimly lit.

A yellowish-white halo spread across every corner, adding warmth to the quiet night.

On the coffee table, several dishes of snacks were already laid out: neatly sliced ​​apples exuded a faint fruity aroma, while a plate of golden and crispy potato chips was casually piled up next to them.

There were also several plates of cold side dishes, their sour and spicy aromas mingling with the smell of alcohol in the air.

Several bottles of wine were also quietly placed to the side.

A bottle of Ballantine's 12 Year Old Blended Scotch Whisky, its deep brown liquid reflecting a warm luster under the light.

Several cans of Budweiser Pale beer had been opened, the bubbles rising gently, mingling with the cool night air, filling the room.

Meanwhile, Kim Tae-yeon, who was sitting in front of the sofa, had changed into a relaxed and casual home outfit.

A dark-colored spaghetti strap vest hung loosely on her body, revealing her collarbones and giving her skin a faint glow under the light.

Her long hair was disheveled, with a few strands falling onto her cheeks, making her features appear even more slender.

A pair of thin-rimmed glasses sat on his nose, and the gaze behind the lenses seemed to deliberately feign composure, yet the vulnerability was still clearly etched between his brows and eyes.

The moment she heard footsteps, Kim Tae-yeon looked up and forced a smile.

Her smile was faint, but it couldn't hide her hoarse voice, "Xiuyuan, you're here... Please sit down."

Lin Xiuyuan looked at her, and couldn't help but click his tongue in amazement.

At this moment, after the spotlight fades from the stage, Kim Tae-yeon is just a woman facing her wounds alone at night.

However, he didn't say much in the end. He quietly walked over and sat down opposite her, picked up a drink, and poured a small glass of whiskey.

The amber-colored liquor swayed gently under the light, reflecting a warm glow on the rim of the glass and brightening Kim Tae-yeon's already dim eyes, causing them to briefly flicker.

The two clinked glasses lightly, the crisp sound standing out clearly in the quiet living room.

At first, the atmosphere was somewhat quiet.

Kim Tae-yeon sipped her wine slowly, as if using the alcohol to gradually suppress the surging emotions in her heart.

Lin Xiuyuan stayed with her, neither urging her nor interrupting her, only occasionally handing her some snacks.

But as the effects of the alcohol gradually took hold, her eyes became hazy, and she started talking more.

She blinked gently, a hint of drunken mischief in her eyes, "Xiuyuan, let's play a little game."

"What game?" Lin Xiuyuan asked.

"Truth or dare...or a small punishment."

She smiled, raised the beer can in her hand, and a sly glint flashed in her eyes, as if she were about to seize on his weakness at any moment.

Lin Xiuyuan shook his head, unable to suppress a laugh, but still went along with her and started playing.

So, her question started off with a touch of naivety and directness: "What was your first impression of me?"

Then, her tone gradually became sensitive: "Won't you think I cry too much?"

Finally, she lowered her voice, her eyes filled with unease and vulnerability: "If one day I wake up and everything is gone, will you forget me? Will I ever see my father again?"

Every question seemed to hide her deepest fears and anxieties beneath a seemingly joking exterior.

When asked, Lin Xiuyuan did not give her a perfunctory answer. He answered each question seriously and gently, as if he was trying to soothe her uneasy feelings.

As the atmosphere gradually relaxed, Kim Tae-yeon smiled more often.

Sometimes she would cover her mouth and chuckle, sometimes she would deliberately poke his arm, but her gaze became increasingly clingy and intense.

Until one moment, she stared at him, her eyes moist and hazy with intoxication, and said, "Xiuyuan, do you know, you're different from others."

For a moment, Lin Xiuyuan's heart skipped a beat, but he dared not meet her burning gaze.

So he pretended to look away casually, reached out to add some fruit for her, and tried to change the subject.

However, Kim Tae-yeon did not stop. She raised the wine can again, her hand trembled, she lost her grip, and she fell forward.

Lin Xiuyuan reached out almost instinctively to help her, but before he could steady her, she fell directly into his arms.

At that moment, he clearly felt Kim Tae-yeon's petite and warm body rush towards him, carrying a faint scent of wine and shampoo, so soft that it made his heart tighten.

"fine……"

Just as Lin Xiuyuan was about to ask Kim Tae-yeon if she was alright, the woman in his arms suddenly raised her head, her eyes unfocused yet resolute.

The next moment, she tilted her fair neck back, her lips slightly flushed with wine, and gently pressed them against his.

Lin Xiuyuan, whose eyes were slightly wide open, could clearly feel Kim Tae-yeon's trembling hands tightly gripping the hem of his clothes.

Whether it was due to being drunk or feeling uncomfortable, the other person's kiss was clumsy, but it was precisely this clumsiness that revealed a long-suppressed desire.

The room was eerily quiet, with only the two of them breathing together. The ambiguous atmosphere seemed to ignite a fire that gradually consumed reason.

Lin Xiuyuan subconsciously reached out to support her back, feeling her rapid heartbeat and heavy breathing.

Kim Tae-yeon, however, seemed afraid of losing her support. She kept her eyes closed, her lips still lingering, gently caressing each other, with a courage and desire that she only dared to release after drinking.

The dim yellow light poured down quietly, casting the two shadows on the wall, blurry and overlapping, like inseparable silhouettes, intertwined with each other.

A half-empty glass of whiskey on the coffee table swayed gently, the amber liquid rippling with the aftertaste, reflecting shimmering light and shadow, as if echoing the sudden warmth between the two.

Kim Tae-yeon's body trembled slightly. She slowly raised her eyes, which were filled with tears.

That wasn't just an impulse brought on by alcohol.

More than anything, it was gratitude from the bottom of my heart.

She was grateful to the boy in front of her for pulling her out of her painful reality and giving her a chance to cross time and space to see her father again.

That long-lost warmth and sense of security made her want to entrust all her unease and vulnerability to his embrace, even if only for a brief moment.

While she was grateful, she also harbored another small but stubborn selfish desire.

If... she was thinking of "if".

If Lin Xiuyuan's special constitution could really make her younger, back to how she looked in 2013... then, would she be able to face her father more openly, instead of just watching from afar through a telescope?

This complex longing drove her kiss to become increasingly urgent.

Her hand slowly climbed from the hem of her clothes to Lin Xiuyuan's shoulder, her fingertips trembling slightly, yet carrying an unyielding determination, as if she were tightly grasping at the last vestige of salvation.

Lin Xiuyuan naturally sensed her initiative and clumsiness.

His eyes darkened, but no complex emotions arose in his heart.

For him, this moment was more like a "winner-takes-all" situation.

They don't intend to refuse the tenderness offered to them.

So he gently supported her waist, pressed her back onto the sofa, and deepened the kiss.

The force wasn't strong, but it was enough to dominate.

Beside the sofa, a floor lamp with a fabric lampshade emitted a soft light, casting shadows on the two people and amplifying the ambiguous atmosphere several times over.

The fruit bowl on the coffee table was accidentally knocked over, and a few grapes rolled to the ground, startling the little dog curled up on the carpet.

The puppy raised its head, tilted its head, and glanced at them, seemingly sensing the different atmosphere. It simply wagged its tail and quietly lay down again.

Its actions were like tacit consent, or perhaps a subtle form of witnessing.

Kim Tae-yeon's lips carried a faint fruity and wine scent, her breathing became erratic, and her eyes were completely absorbed in Lin Xiu-yuan's figure.

She knew what she was doing, and she knew that once she took this step, it might change the relationship.

But she still chose to continue.

Because this is the only "now" that she can grasp and that belongs to her.

Lin Xiuyuan's movements were unhurried and composed, his fingers tracing the side of her neck and extending down her collarbone.

The other person's body trembled slightly from the touch, but their eyes grew even more intense.

Outside the window, the night was deep, and the distant streetlights cast a soft halo of light, making the scene inside the room even more ambiguous.

The half-empty beer bottle on the coffee table stood quietly, as if silently witnessing this intimacy ignited by the alcohol.

For a moment, time seemed to stand still in the apartment.

The only sounds in the apartment were the woman's rapid breathing, the man's deep breathing, and the occasional soft wag of the dog's tail.

They intertwine, becoming the most authentic and moving background sound at this moment.

……

……

at the same time.

In the apartment in 2013, the living room was dimly lit, and the cool night breeze outside the window caused the sheer curtains to sway gently.

Shirley looked at Lin Xiaolu, who suddenly appeared at the door, a hint of surprise flashing in her eyes, but the corners of her mouth quickly turned up in a smile, "Unnie, what brings you here?"

Her tone was slightly excited, as if she really hadn't expected it.

"I just finished my trip and was nearby, so I came to see you and bought some late-night snacks."

Lin Xiaolu picked up the takeout bag in her hand and walked in casually.

But once she entered, her eyes darted around noticeably, as if searching for something, or perhaps trying to hide something.

After looking around, he slowly sat down on the sofa.

Sulli chuckled, as if she had found something amusing. Her laughter was crisp and clear. "Oh my, I was wondering why unnie would come looking for me. Hahaha, oppa wasn't here. He just went to keep Taeyeon unnie company. Taeyeon unnie seems to have just finished crying, so..."

"No, I came to find you, Sherry~"

Lin Xiaolu's ears immediately turned red after her little secret was exposed. She quickly waved her hands and explained, her voice rising slightly with a hint of panic, "I just happened to need to talk to that guy about something."

Shirley leaned lazily against the back of the sofa, smiling at her with eyes full of laughter, "Yes, yes, whatever you say, unnie."

Feeling guilty under her gaze, Lin Xiaolu looked away and said, "Really?"

Shirley pursed her lips, her smile deepening. She gently moved closer, mimicking Lin Xiuyuan's actions from the past, and reached out to brush aside Lin Xiaolu's long hair that fell over her shoulders, her voice light and playful.

"So, unnie, what brings you here to see oppa?"

"Ask him something." Lin Xiaolu's expression stiffened, and she answered awkwardly.

"See, you've come here to see oppa~"

Shirley immediately seized the opportunity to deliver the finishing blow, her smile widening and her eyes curving into crescents.

"Okay, I admit I came here to see him."

Forced into a corner, Lin Xiaolu finally looked up and added stiffly, "But I also came to see you, Shirley, so it's both."

"Unnie, stop arguing."

Sulli pointed a finger at her shoulder and said with a touch of emotion, "If you keep acting all high and mighty like this, I feel like oppa will be devoured by the unnies from 25 years ago before we can even lick the last drop of juice off the plate."

"What do you mean?"

Lin Xiaolu froze, almost dropping the pillow in her arms. Her eyes widened, her face clearly saying, "I don't understand."

Sulli simply hugged her knees, turned to the side, and looked at her with a grin, her tone slow and drawn out, as if she was teasing her, "Today Taeyeon unnie just talked to me about some things about oppa, no, it should be about the two of them."

Curiosity flashed in Lin Xiaolu's eyes, and she subconsciously leaned forward, lowering her voice, "What's wrong?"

"Taeyeon unnie, if the soft unnie here also has a crush on oppa, wouldn't it be awkward if she slept with oppa?" Upon hearing this, Lin Xiaolu was instantly stunned.

Her fingers froze on the edge of the pillow, and she stood there, as if frozen in time, even her blinking was a beat too slow.

Shirley stretched as if nothing had happened, casually picked up a bottle of mineral water from the coffee table and took a sip. "I was shocked at the time, but then I thought about it, oppa's 'special' treatment, doesn't it seem... kind of reasonable?"

As she spoke, a breeze blew in from the balcony, causing the sheer curtains to sway gently.

The afterglow of the streetlights shone through, casting a gentle, warm glow on Shirley's fair cheeks.

This bright-eyed girl, with an innocent air about her, seemed to possess a mature allure beyond her years at this moment.

"Love and romance are nothing more than finding a suitable man to spend your life with."

Shirley put down her water bottle, propped her chin on her hand, and stared at Lin Xiaolu with bright eyes. "But if this man also has that magical 'age-preserving' ability and can connect two timelines... Unnie, do you think you would give him up?"

Lin Xiaolu's breath hitched.

Her lips trembled slightly, and her throat seemed to be blocked. After a long while, she finally managed to squeeze out two words, "No."

"That's it."

Shirley laughed freely, a hint of smugness in her eyes. She reached out and poked the back of Deer's hand, her tone light and ambiguous, "So, unnie, stop being so reserved."

"I do not……"

Lin Xiaolu wanted to retort, but her throat tightened, and her voice was so weak that even she herself lacked confidence.

"I don't care about you guys anymore."

Shirley simply picked up a cushion, leaned back on the sofa, and teased in a slightly cheeky tone, "Unnie, you can do whatever you want. I'm very happy right now, so as long as you're happy, that's all that matters."

"..."

Lin Xiaolu remained silent, but her eyes flickered gently in the light and shadow.

It was as if her words had stirred my heartstrings, yet I dared not admit it.

……

……

In Kim Tae-yeon's apartment, which has been in use for 25 years, the night is deep, and the streetlights outside the window cast dappled shadows.

The two who were kissing each other earlier now separated and sat at opposite ends of the sofa.

Lin Xiuyuan leaned against the edge of the sofa, a smile involuntarily creeping onto his lips, while Kim Tae-yeon on the other side hugged her knees to her chest, burying half her face behind her arms, her expression indescribably complicated.

Seeing this, Lin Xiuyuan burst out laughing, "Why are you looking like that? It was clearly Taeyeon who took the initiative just now, why are you making it sound like I bullied you?"

Kim Tae-yeon looked up, her eyes slightly clouded. "No, I was just curious why you stopped. Was I not attractive enough to you?"

The soft light fell on her slightly flushed cheeks, adding to her displeasure and frustration.

Lin Xiuyuan coughed and said seriously, "It's not that bad."

"Then why?" she pressed, her eyes serious as if awaiting some kind of verdict.

Lin Xiuyuan hesitated for a moment, then finally smiled wryly and pointed to his waist, "Uh~ you just pressed on my soft flesh, it hurts a little."

As soon as he finished speaking, the atmosphere fell silent.

Kim Tae-yeon was stunned at first, then burst out laughing the next second.

He laughed so hard he bent over, his clear laughter completely breaking the previous awkward silence.

Lin Xiuyuan couldn't help but laugh, and then rubbed his side with his hand, the movement slightly exaggerated, "I'm serious, it really hurts. I just pushed you away reflexively."

And then it looked like that.

The scene was so funny to imagine that the two looked at each other and couldn't stop laughing.

As the laughter subsided, the tense atmosphere, initially heightened by alcohol and ambiguity, was actually diluted considerably.

The atmosphere became relaxed, even tinged with a playful intimacy.

The two raised their glasses again and continued to sip.

In the living room, the warm light from the table lamp falls on the glass, refracting into tiny specks of light.

The wine reflected the light in her eyes as it swayed, and an indescribable warmth filled the air.

After an unknown amount of time, when Kim Tae-yeon drank the last sip of wine in her glass, her eyes suddenly brightened, as if she had remembered some scene.

She put down her cup, a thought flashing in her eyes.

The next moment, she suddenly leaned down and straddled Lin Xiuyuan's lap.

Before Lin Xiuyuan could react, she gently raised her chin, a smile playing on her lips. Then, she slowly leaned down and gently transferred the wine she had been holding in her mouth into his mouth.

The cool liquor passed between the two, creating an ambiguous atmosphere that felt like an electric current, instantly igniting the air.

"..."

As the drinks slid down their throats, their breaths mingled together.

Kim Tae-yeon narrowed her eyes and stared at Lin Xiu-yuan at close range. Her gaze was no longer a simple inquiry, but a naked heat and desire.

Lin Xiuyuan took the opportunity to reach out and hold her waist, feeling the slight warmth of her body due to the alcohol.

The atmosphere returned to that initial ambiguity, but it was more direct and more unavoidable.

She gently licked the remaining wine from the corner of her mouth, and whispered with a slight smile, "Will this... make it stop hurting?"

In that instant, the ambiguity completely spiraled out of control, and the night seemed to grow even darker.

Kim Tae-yeon straddled Lin Xiu-yuan. The sip of wine she had just drunk had completely disrupted her breathing, and her cheeks were flushed from the alcohol, making her look like a flower nourished by the night.

Her gaze fell directly into Lin Xiuyuan's eyes, filled with inquiry, longing, and a hint of vulnerable dependence.

Just then, the little dog that was curled up on the carpet suddenly stood up, twitched its ears, and seemed to have noticed the change in the air.

It let out a soft cry, but quickly ran back to its little nest in the corner, curled up, and stopped bothering people, as if it understood the secrets between humans.

Kim Tae-yeon gently reached out, her fingertips gliding across Lin Xiu-yuan's cheek, her movements cautious yet carrying a tentative persistence.

Her eyes flickered. "Whether this is a dream or reality, I don't want to miss it."

After saying that, he leaned down and rested his forehead on Lin Xiuyuan's shoulder, breathing rapidly.

A moment later, she raised her head, with a hint of stubbornness and gratitude, and kissed his lips again.

As night deepened outside the window, the temperature inside the apartment gradually rose.

As the shadows intersected and drew closer, only the suppressed pounding of the heart and the ambiguous sounds of breathing filled the air.

That night, they didn't stop.

……

……

The next day, the morning sunlight slowly crept into Kim Tae-yeon's apartment 25 years later, through the sheer curtains of the French windows.

Lin Xiuyuan opened his eyes groggily, glanced at the digital clock on the bedside table, and almost instinctively cried out.

"Holy crap, it's 9:30!"

He sat up abruptly and, almost reflexively, rolled out of bed.

The time agreed upon last night, Jeonju, Jin Ruanruan's instructions... all rushed into his mind at once, jolting him awake.

He quickly put on his clothes, grabbed his phone, and headed out.

On the bed, Kim Tae-yeon, half-leaning back, quietly watched this scene, a playful smile curving her lips.

With her chin resting on her hand, she looked at a clumsy child with a flustered yet eager expression, a mixture of helplessness and doting affection.

It wasn't until Lin Xiuyuan was carrying his shoes and almost staggering towards the door that he remembered the person on the bed, and then turned back to look at her.

Kim Tae-yeon smiled and waved at him, "Go ahead, drive carefully."

"Okay, I'll leave first."

Lin Xiuyuan didn't dare linger. Without even turning his head, he opened the door and fled as if a gust of cool wind were carrying him away.

The room fell silent the moment the door closed.

Then Kim Tae-yeon slowly stretched, her white pajamas loosely slipping off her shoulders, exuding a lazy and casual vibe.

She walked barefoot to the full-length mirror, her hair slightly disheveled, her face still flushed with the morning light.

But her reflection in the mirror startled her slightly.

That long-lost firmness and radiance cannot be faked with skincare products and makeup.

The fine lines around her eyes had faded considerably, and her skin was as clear and translucent as jade washed by a night rain, with even her eyes sparkling with a bright luster.

It's a state of rejuvenation, and even more so, a feeling of youth being awakened.

She reached out and touched her cheek; her fingertips were icy cold, but her heart was burning hot.

"It's over..."

Kim Tae-yeon chuckled softly, her eyes as gentle as still water.

With just one glance, she knew she could no longer live without Lin Xiuyuan.

the other side.

Lin Xiuyuan hurried back to his hotel room in Quanzhou.

The moment I pushed open the bathroom door, Jin Ruanruan was sitting on the sofa with her back to the light, holding a small cushion in her hands, her eyes bright as if she had been waiting for a long time.

"Oh, you've finally decided to come back."

She squinted, her tone carrying a deliberate air of ease.

Lin Xiuyuan's heart tightened, and he forced a smile, "I... went home to rest last night."

"rest?"

Jin Ruanruan pursed her lips, staring at his slightly messy hair, then at the wrinkles on his collar that he hadn't had time to straighten, her gaze gradually sharpening.

"Xiuyuan, did you sleep with Kim Tae-yeon last night?"

The air suddenly solidified.

Lin Xiuyuan was still holding his phone with the screen still on when he suddenly stopped.

He subconsciously looked away, pretending to look for a drink of water. "No, don't joke around. Given your condition last night, how could I possibly take advantage of you?"

“I’m not worried about you, I’m worried about her.” Jin Ruanruan’s tone was light, but it carried a hint of sharpness. “Jiyan and Xiuyan are right. Those women from 25 are too thirsty. They make a move on every one they see.”

She raised an eyebrow, staring at Lin Xiuyuan's shifty eyes as if she wanted to expose him completely.

Lin Xiuyuan, who was being stared at, coughed a few times and tapped his fingers on the table. "Ahem, you guys are always discussing this kind of topic."

Jin Ruanruan, who had wanted to ask more questions, immediately lost her sharp edge after seeing his reaction.

Then she sighed inwardly, sometimes saying she really wished her eyes weren't so sharp.

Ten minutes later.

The car was unusually quiet on the way to Seoul.

Lin Xiuyuan drove steadily on the highway, his eyes occasionally glancing at Jin Ruanruan in the passenger seat.

The other person leaned against the car door, hands folded on their lap, their expression so calm it was almost like a statue.

This silence unconsciously brought back memories of picking Krystal up at the airport a few days earlier in the early morning, when she had also sat silently in the passenger seat.

That silent pressure made him slightly nervous, and his fingers tapped lightly on the steering wheel.

Hmm... I hope this one doesn't lose his temper too?

Lin Xiuyuan, who was feeling uneasy, relaxed a little after thinking about something.

No matter how much this person throws a tantrum, they can't squeeze juice out of themselves.

The car moved smoothly along the highway, and the wind blew in through the cracks in the softly open car window, carrying the coolness of early autumn.

Lin Xiuyuan coughed lightly, trying to say something, but before he could speak, Jin Ruanruan finally spoke.

"Let's stop at the service area ahead, I'll drive."

"No, I can do that."

Faced with Jin Ruanruan's words, Lin Xiuyuan thought he would refuse, but he was defeated under her serious gaze.

Ten minutes later.

Jin Ruanruan sat in the driver's seat, gripped the steering wheel, and looked ahead.

Shortly afterward, in a state of drowsiness, confusion, and unclear thinking, Lin Xiuyuan uttered a sentence.

"Xiuyuan, do you prefer the original, or the others?"

Her voice was cool and clear, yet carried a hint of mockery.

At the same time, these words struck Lin Xiuyuan's head like a bolt of lightning.

"Ah... what original..."

He instinctively stammered, only to find that the more he thought about it, the more chaotic his mind became, his thoughts spinning like a high-speed blender.

For the next few hours, he was completely frozen in place, unable to concentrate, his mind a complete blank.

Jin Ruanruan looked at his stunned expression, a meaningful smile curving her lips, and a sly glint in her eyes.

She didn't say anything more, but leaned back in her seat and drove attentively, her hands firmly on the steering wheel, her gaze gazing out the window, as if she was letting Lin Xiuyuan slowly digest the weight of her words through silence.

The afternoon sun streamed through the car windows, casting dappled shadows inside the carriage.

Jin Ruanruan's silhouette was soft yet firm in the light, his shoulders were slightly straight, and his fingers lightly tapped the steering wheel, exuding an undeniable composure.

As time passed, the car finally drove into the streets of Seoul and then came to a smooth stop in front of Lin Xiuyuan's apartment building.

Then Jin Ruanruan quickly pulled the handbrake and watched Lin Xiuyuan get out of the car.

Coincidentally, as Lin Xiuyuan got out of the car, Lin Xiaolu, who was coming out of the apartment building, met his gaze.

In that instant, he sensed the surprise and flicker in the other person's eyes, but he didn't have time to think about it further.

Another moment passed.

Lin Xiuyuan, back in his apartment, hadn't even looked up when he heard Shirley's voice, "Hey, oppa~ you're back."

"Hmm, did Xiaolu rest here last night?" Lin Xiuyuan nodded and then asked.

"Ah, oppa, you ran into unnie."

"Hmm, she just came down?"

Shirley smiled and nodded. "Yeah, my unnie brought me a late-night snack last night, and then she rested here. I happened to have some clothes for her to wear."

"Does she need something from me?" Lin Xiuyuan keenly sensed something.

After seeing Shirley nod, he scratched his head and said, "Okay, I'm going to take a shower."

Upon hearing this, Shirley gave Lin Xiuyuan a strange look, noticing something in the colors on his clothes, neck, and collar.

Then, after Lin Xiuyuan completely disappeared from the room, he immediately took out his phone and sent a text message to Lin Xiaolu.

A mischievous and excited glint flashed in his eyes.

Sulli: [Unnie, did you notice what happened just now? Oppa...lost his virginity last night.]

On the street not far from the apartment, Lin Xiaolu, sitting in the passenger seat of Jin Ruanruan's car, looked at the information on her phone screen, let out a soft sigh, and felt a mix of emotions.

Then he turned his head, wanting to ask Jin Ruanruan something, and whispered, "Unnie..."

As it turned out, Jin Ruanruan had already foreseen this. She looked at Lin Xiaolu's slightly furrowed brows, a hint of helplessness flashing in her eyes, her tone calm yet resolute.

"Not me, but my future self."

……

……

25 years.

After getting up and washing up, Kim Tae-yeon changed into a comfortable outfit and walked with a leisurely gait.

As she walked to the mirror, she unconsciously stopped, her gaze falling on her familiar yet unfamiliar face reflected in the mirror.

Suddenly, she remembered something, took out her phone, and quickly dialed Yoona's number.

After a few busy tones, a familiar, hearty laugh came from the other end of the phone, "Hey~ Unnie."

"Yoona, what are you doing?" Kim Tae-yeon asked softly with a smile, her voice warm.

On the other end of the phone, Lim Yoon-a was in an indoor sports arena.

She looked up at Da Long Zai and Sunny across from her and replied with a smile, "I'm playing pool with Sun Kyu unnie and Ji Yeon. Do you want to come join me?"

Upon hearing this, Kim Tae-yeon's lips immediately curled up, her smile becoming even brighter. "Okay, give me your location, and I'll be right there."

"Okay, then unnie, hurry up, we still need to go eat later."

"Okay, I'll head out now."

After hanging up the phone, Kim Tae-yeon looked at herself in the mirror again.

Although her facial features remained the same, the firmness of her skin, the rosy complexion, and the vibrant energy she exuded gave her an unprecedented sense of satisfaction.

It's a beauty that's both authentic and confident, something that makeup can't fake; it's a vitality and radiance that comes from within.

Then she turned around, picked up a coat and put it on, neatly put her phone and keys into her bag, and walked towards the door.

At that moment, a small sense of pride welled up inside her.

It would be a waste not to go out and show off when you're in such great shape.

To return home in wealth and honor is like wearing fine clothes at night—truly a shameful act.
Kim Tae-yeon is now walking into the sunlight with this feeling, a mix of playfulness and satisfaction.

　The voting for the 10,000 votes has ended. Thank you to all the godfathers for your support and votes.

　　Monthly pass count surpassed 1.4, daily pass count increased by 2.

　　Daily progress bar: 86/95.

　　Taeyeon presents this~ Can we break 2 followers this month, godfathers?!
　　Please vote with monthly tickets!! Please subscribe!! Please donate!! Please do anything!!!
　　
　
(End of this chapter)