Hancheng: There is a door between me and the future

Chapter 248 The Frustrated "Sunny" and the Curious "Jessica Jung" (10,000 words, please subscribe and vote)

The sun was shining brightly, and the streets were bustling with people, with traffic and crowds creating a bright summer scene.

Kim Tae-yeon put on sunglasses and walked briskly out of the apartment door, her white coat reflecting a soft glow in the sunlight.

Then we got in the car and headed straight for the venue address sent by Yoona, following the navigation.

As the car turned the corner of the neighborhood, a familiar coffee shop came into view.

The aroma wafting in from outside the glass window seemed to entice her, causing her to pause slightly and a smile to appear on her lips.

Thinking about meeting Yoona and the others soon, Kim Tae-yeon had a change of heart and parked the car steadily at the door.

A few minutes later, she came out again, carrying a bag containing several cups of coffee.

Sunlight filtered through thin clouds, casting dappled patterns on her hair. A gentle breeze ruffled the hem of her white coat, making her appear radiant and graceful.

At this moment, Kim Tae-yeon has a long-lost lightness and ease in her eyes, as if she has been completely renewed after her special birthday yesterday.

Before long, she arrived at the indoor sports center that Yoona had mentioned.

The moment you push open the glass door, you're greeted not only by the faint scent of wood in the air, but also by the crisp sound of billiard balls colliding.

Upon entering the club, Kim Tae-yeon found that there were not many people around. She walked along the corridor and soon found Im Yoon-ah, whom she had spoken to earlier, as well as the two dragon cubs and Sunny who were fighting in an inconspicuous corner.

Just as she stepped closer, Yoona spotted her immediately. Her eyes lit up, and she stood up, waving and calling out, "Unnie, you're finally here!"

Kim Tae-yeon walked over with the coffee in her hand, a gentle smile curving her lips, her voice clear and cheerful, "Hmm~ I brought you coffee."

After she finished speaking, she placed the bag on the nearby lounge table with light and natural movements, exuding an unintentional elegance.

At the same time, the radiance emanating from her drew everyone's attention.

So, after greeting her, Yoona's gaze vanished instantly and her smile froze when she truly saw Taeyeon's face.

Although he tried to remain calm, the shock in his eyes couldn't help but show.

On the other side, Da Longzai's cue stick also stopped in mid-air, his eyes fixed on Kim Tae-yeon, his Adam's apple bobbing involuntarily.

That face, that state of mind—it was so obvious, so familiar.

This made her subconsciously think of her time with Lin Xiuyuan yesterday morning, and she was immediately shocked.

Sunny, who had just finished hitting a ball, was about to stand up excitedly to celebrate, but froze the moment she looked up.

Then he stared intently at Kim Tae-yeon, frozen in place for a long time.

Having been best friends for over a decade, she knows better than anyone the ups and downs Kim Tae-yeon has experienced over the years.

She witnessed firsthand how things went from her peak to her current state of exhaustion in the last two years.

But what she was seeing was completely beyond her comprehension.

Her skin was so delicate it was almost flawless, her eyes regained their long-lost sparkle, and her cheeks were rosy and glowing—she was hardly the same person who had dined with her the night before last.

"What's going on, Taeyeon...you, what's wrong with you...?" Sunny's voice trembled, her eyes filled with disbelief.

She almost couldn't wait to walk quickly to Kim Tae-yeon and gently touch her cheek.

Her fingertips traced a path from her jawline down to the corner of her eye, the movements both careful and urgent, as if she wanted to confirm that this wasn't a makeup illusion or a filter-induced hallucination.

"This is outrageous! Did you get cosmetic surgery behind our backs?!"

Sunny's voice rose slightly, a mixture of shock and questioning.

After saying that, he turned to look at Yoona and Da Longzai, his eyes full of disbelief.

She clearly remembered being shocked enough when she saw the two people this morning.

But now we have Kim Tae-yeon too...

What exactly happened? Did they all go to the same cosmetic surgery clinic?
Kim Tae-yeon was amused by her serious suspicion, and gently pushed her hand away, her smile carrying a hint of helplessness. "Hey, Sun-kyu, what nonsense are you talking about? If I did it, do you think I could hide it from you? We were having dinner together the day before yesterday, how could there be such a quick recovery period?"

But Sunny was still full of doubt, her eyes fixed on Kim Tae-yeon, her brows almost furrowed into a line, clearly not believing the other party's nonchalant explanation at all.

"Hey~ Yoona, you two better tell the truth." She turned around abruptly, her gaze sweeping back and forth between Yoona and Da Longzai, her tone filled with urgency and disbelief, "Did you go with Taeyeon? The same cosmetic clinic, right?!"

The sound was slightly shrill.

At that moment, it seemed as if even the air itself had tightened under her gaze.

After all, the scene before her was too shocking; how could someone rejuvenate like this? It made her seem too out of place.

Standing together, she almost looks like the mother of several people.

Lin Yoona and Da Longzai exchanged a glance, their eyes flashing slightly, but neither of them spoke.

The main issue was the complex emotions welling up inside them. After all, they knew that Kim Tae-yeon's changes had nothing to do with "cosmetic surgery," but if they were to tell the truth...

Wouldn't that mean bringing up Lin Xiuyuan's name?

Not to mention the reason that makes one blush and their heart race.

And if you really say you slept together... would Sunny believe you?
So they both chose to remain silent.

But this silence, in Sunny's eyes, seemed like a tacit understanding, which made it all the more intriguing.

In the blink of an eye, Sunny froze on the spot, her face stiff.

That feeling of being excluded immediately reminded her of the "sense of isolation" that Park Hyomin had occasionally mentioned in a recent conversation.

Her heart clenched immediately, and she couldn't help but mutter, "What... what are you guys up to?"

Her gaze swept back and forth across the three of them like a searchlight, finally settling on Kim Tae-yeon.

It was intensely piercing, as if it could see right through Kim Tae-yeon from head to toe.

Feeling a little flustered by her gaze, Kim Tae-yeon simply stepped forward, reached out and hugged her, smiling broadly.

"Stop looking, Sun-kyu. I've been sleeping really well these past few days. I slept until noon yesterday, and went to bed early last night. I just woke up. When you're well-rested, you naturally feel different."

Sunny, however, was unmoved and slapped her arm hard, her voice trembling with restraint as she remained rational enough not to jump up and shout.

But she also asked in a low, annoyed voice, "Stop trying to fool me, Taeyeon. Your complexion, your skin, your overall appearance—it's not something skincare products can bring about. Tell me honestly, what's going on?"

Sunny wasn't like those other idiots; she immediately flipped the table.

Kim Tae-yeon pursed her lips, a hint of guilt flashing in her eyes, and quickly changed the subject.

She smiled, picked up the bag, and pushed the cups of coffee to the group, saying in a lighthearted tone, "Okay, forget about mine for now, come and try the coffee I brought you. Sunny, isn't your favorite caramel macchiato? I specially ordered that."

"Bullshit, the milk tea I like now is..."

Sunny, whose attention was suddenly diverted by Kim Tae-yeon's change of topic, glanced down at her cup, then quickly looked up again. "Hey, don't change the subject! I was asking you something..."

"Unnie~" Im Yoona suddenly interjected, with a meaningful smile, her voice light but cryptic, "Look at Taeyeon unnie, doesn't she look like... she just had a sweet romance?"

Upon hearing her words, Da Longzai couldn't help but burst out laughing, then quickly covered his mouth with the back of his hand, pretending to cough. But his eyes couldn't help but glance at Kim Tae-yeon, carrying a tacit understanding.

Kim Tae-yeon, however, remained nonchalant, letting out a soft snort and feigning anger as she reached out to pat Im Yoona, "Hmm? Yoona, according to your logic, did you and Jiyeon also have a sweet romance?"

She had intended to change the subject with that tap, but Sunny had already spotted the subtle expressions on her face.

The moment the other person noticed something was wrong, their doubts not only didn't disappear, but deepened even further.

“Hey…” Sunny narrowed her eyes suspiciously, drawing out her voice as she looked back and forth between the three women, as if trying to find some clue on their faces, “Why are your reactions all so strange? Yoona, Jiyeon, do you two know something? Tell me quickly!”

Yoona turned her head away, a mischievous glint in her eyes, and pretended to look at the pool table intently.

"Oh, unnie, let's not talk about that. We're here to play ball, so let's start. Jiyeon is waiting for you. We'll go eat after we finish playing."

Da Longzai chimed in, barely suppressing a laugh, "Yeah, yeah, Unnie, let's continue. We just agreed that the loser treats, you're not cheating, are you?"

The two of them spoke in unison, seemingly relaxed, but Sunny was actually more convinced that something was amiss.

So anxiously, he almost lunged at them to grab them and demand an explanation, "Hey~ you three are definitely hiding something from me. Tell me, did you all run into the same man?"

Kim Tae-yeon paused for a moment, then couldn't help but burst out laughing, her shoulders trembling as she did so.

The smile seemed to come from someone accidentally revealing a secret, carrying a hint of guilt, yet also a touch of ease and playfulness.

Lin Yoona and Da Longzai exchanged a glance, a look of surprise flashing in their eyes.

There was both surprise at Sunny's insightful observation and amusement at her blunt guess.

In the end, Kim Tae-yeon smiled and shook her head, then gently patted Sunny's hand, her tone both comforting and teasing.

"Okay, okay~ stop thinking about all this nonsense, Sunny. Is your head filled with Korean dramas every day? Seriously, what men do any of us have?"

Kim Tae-yeon spoke casually, a smile playing on her lips, as if everything was very relaxed.

But that vague and ambiguous attitude failed to provide a positive answer.

Yoona and Da Longzai tacitly remained silent, not exposing the truth. Their eyes, however, wandered off, seemingly unintentionally glancing away.

Because they all knew in their hearts that the changes in Kim Tae-yeon were not something that skincare products and rest could bring about, and that "who" was the key answer.

This is a conclusion that everyone who has experienced it has already reached in their hearts.

Sunny scratched her head, feeling an intense itch in her chest, as if she were suspended in mid-air. However, given the three people's suspicious attitude, she couldn't get a single word out of them.

But she herself knew that her question, "Did you run into the same man?" was just something she blurted out in a fit of anger.

A few minutes later.

Beside the pool table, with a gentle tap of the cue ball, the crisp sound of the collision echoed throughout the venue.

Lin Yoona bent down to aim, her posture elegant and her movements swift. With a crisp "snap," the red ball rolled smoothly into the pocket.

Then she slowly straightened up, her long hair gently falling onto her shoulders. When she turned her head, she secretly glanced at Kim Tae-yeon out of the corner of her eye, and the smile in her eyes could not be hidden no matter what.

The boy standing opposite her, Da Longzai, twirled his cue stick between his fingertips, and even sweat beaded on his palms.

But she couldn't help but smile, a half-smile playing on her lips.

Every time their eyes met, the two couldn't help but exchange a knowing look, and then they both looked away, trying not to laugh.

This scene only made Sunny more eager to see it.

Unable to bear it any longer, she slammed her cue stick down and walked straight to Kim Tae-yeon, striking a "interrogation" pose.

With her hands on her hips and her eyes gleaming as if she wanted to tear someone apart, she said, "Taeyeon, tell me honestly, what exactly happened! I'm itching to know what's going on. You know my personality best; I really can't live without gossip."

Her eyes were piercing, and her tone carried a hint of threat, but more than anything, it was the excited gossip that made her want to explode.

Kim Tae-yeon almost choked, hurriedly picked up her coffee and took a sip, pretending to be nonchalant, "Oh dear, why do you overthink things? I just took a nap and feel a little better now."

Sunny didn't believe it and just snorted, her eyes sharp.

Suddenly, he reached out and pinched Kim Tae-yeon's face, pressing his two fingers back and forth on her smooth skin, examining her closely.

"You're kidding! Your skin is completely different from yesterday. The fine lines are gone, and your complexion looks like you just had a skin booster treatment. Honestly, did some miracle doctor do your work? I want to go too."

"Where can you find that kind of technology now?" Kim Tae-yeon quickly shook her head, her eyes flashing.

Sunny persisted, speaking rapidly, "Who says there aren't any? There are in Singapore! Some white-haired old men run Chinese medicine clinics, and it's said that just a few acupuncture needles can restore blood circulation and make a person feel completely refreshed."

These words startled Kim Tae-yeon, and a brief look of surprise flashed across her eyes.

It seemed as if I suddenly recalled a similar effect brought about by a "needle," and my heart skipped a beat.

Sunny's fingers were a little sore from squeezing so hard, so she quickly slapped the other person's hand away and changed the subject, "Hey, let's play ball! You're going to slow us down. I'm a little hungry."

Seeing this, Lin Yoona couldn't help but laugh out loud, but from an angle that Sunny couldn't see, she exchanged another meaningful glance with Da Longzai.

In that brief eye contact, they almost silently discerned the boy's figure from each other's gazes.

Lin Xiuyuan...

Thinking of this, the little dragon bit his lip, his chest heaving slightly, and finally let out a soft sigh.

The image of that person hurrying out of the bedroom yesterday morning uncontrollably flashed through my mind.

Looking down at Kim Tae-yeon now, you can see the undisguised joy in her eyes intertwined with the bright radiance on her face.

The answer is almost obvious.

Seeing this, she muttered helplessly, her voice so low that only she could hear it, "If I had known, I shouldn't have let Xiuyuan go back..."

But Sunny was still unwilling to give up.

He simply put down his golf club, crossed his arms, walked over to Yoona and Da Longzai, leaned down, and asked in a low voice, "Yoona, you two, tell me honestly, did you two get some new cosmetic procedure done behind my back? Or was it the same procedure? Otherwise, why are you looking at Taeyeon so strangely?"

Her gaze was sharp, carrying an air of authority that demanded no compromise.

After all, how could President Li, who is so shrewd and worldly-wise, not see through the subtle exchange between the two just now? Their eyes were clearly hiding something.

However, upon hearing this, Yoona almost couldn't help but laugh so hard she nearly choked.

She quickly raised her hand to cover her mouth, coughed twice, and pretended to be serious, "Unnie, have you been watching too many dramas? Why do you keep making those kinds of connections?"

Da Longzai chimed in, deliberately putting on a serious expression, "Yeah, unnie, aren't you being too sensitive? We and Taeyeon unnie are just feeling well-rested."

"Bullshit, I'm doing just fine resting!" Sunny retorted defiantly, glaring at him.

Kim Tae-yeon immediately and mercilessly exposed her, "You're alright? Lee Soon-kyu, you really dare to say that. When have you ever not stayed up all night playing games? Your dark circles are so bad you could probably play a panda."

"Hey! Kim Tae-yeon!" Sunny put her hands on her hips, puffing out her cheeks, and made a move to chase after her and grab her.

The venue was immediately filled with the sounds of the group joking around, and the tense atmosphere was gradually eased by the laughter.

After this little incident, Sunny temporarily suppressed her doubts, picked up her cue again, and continued playing pool with Kim Tae-yeon while bickering.

Meanwhile, at the other table, Yoona and Da Longzai huddled together, their backs to Sunny, their voices hushed, as if exchanging some secret.

"How did Unnie get involved with Xiuyuan?" Yoona asked, her eyes filled with curiosity and her tone tinged with suspicion.

Da Longzai pursed his lips and nodded slightly, his voice equally deep, "Her father's birthday, didn't we talk about it at dinner before? I guess it was last night."

Before Da Longzai could finish speaking, Lin Yun'er immediately understood and smiled, "Ah, I understand. Unnie is using this as an excuse to drag Xiu Yuan into this mess. Tsk tsk, making a few weak cries in the middle of the night would really hurt a young boy like Xiu Yuan."

"This isn't a good thing, Onii." The little dragon squinted and said with some emotion.

Lim Yoona shrugged, spread her hands, and smiled half-jokingly, "What else can we do? Lock him up and not let him out?"

As she was about to look up, she suddenly met a glint in the eyes of the little dragon.

That brief expression startled her, and she quickly added, "Hey, Jiyeon, don't do anything rash! I was just saying it offhand!"

Da Longzai immediately laughed and waved his hand, "Don't worry, Unnie, I would never actually do such a thing. I was just... wondering what Xiuyuan is doing right now."

Yoona jokingly replied in a low voice, "What else can I do but sleep?"

……

……

At that moment, Lin Xiuyuan, whom they were discussing, walked out of his apartment room in 2013.

He came out of the bathroom after taking a shower, still damp, wearing a light-colored T-shirt and casual pants, looking relaxed.

But as soon as he stepped into the living room, he paused for a moment. Jessica Jung was casually leaning back on the sofa, her legs elegantly crossed, holding a water glass in her hand.

Yet she still exudes a cool and languid aura, with a faint confidence and composure in her eyes.

Today, she wore a rare white off-the-shoulder lace top. The puff sleeves were light and graceful, and the slight pleats and delicate embroidery added a touch of romance. She paired it with dark blue straight-leg jeans and beige lace-up open-toe heels. Her overall aura was cool and sweet.

Sunlight streamed through the window and fell on her, outlining her silhouette, making people unconsciously take a second look.

The moment she looked up and saw Lin Xiuyuan, she raised an eyebrow slightly, her tone carrying a hint of teasing, "Huh? Why do you look like that? Shouldn't you be surprised to see me?"

Lin Xiuyuan was taken aback, then smiled and said, "Xiuyan, what brings you here?"

Jessica Jung gently shook the water glass in her hand. The empty glass was filled only with the crisp clinking of ice cubes.

Her expression remained aloof and composed, her tone light and airy, yet tinged with a hint of pride. "Come over and chat with Sulli about the female lead's costumes in the drama. It's rare that she's the screenwriter and Soojung is the lead actress, so let's also promote my designs through the drama."

Upon hearing this, Lin Xiuyuan walked to the refrigerator, opened the door, took out a bottle of cola, and raised an eyebrow as he twisted the cap, "Will the TV station allow it?"

Jessica Jung smiled, her eyes sharp yet indifferent. "Why not? They don't have to spend their own money anyway, and my design is a good publicity opportunity. They'd be happy to do it."

As she spoke, she gently brushed a stray hair behind her ear, her movements elegant and confident.

Lin Xiuyuan clicked open the can, poured the cola into her glass, and laughed, "Would idiots be willing to do that?"

After Lin Xiuyuan poured out more than half of the cola, Zheng Xiuyan, with her slender fingers, naturally handed it to him. Then she took the can from Lin Xiuyuan, took a small sip, and then spoke.

"This brings me to that meeting with Taeyeon earlier. She dragged a whole bunch of people down with her, so now I don't have as many constraints."

His tone was calm, but there was an irrepressible hint of smugness in his eyes, clearly indicating that he was quite satisfied with the current situation.

This answer made Lin Xiuyuan burst out laughing. "It seems that the situation is still pretty good."

Jessica Jung shook her head slightly, her gaze falling on him, "More comfortable than I imagined."

Then, changing the subject, a hint of probing flashed in her eyes, "By the way, Xiuyuan, you went to Jeonju with Taeyeon last night, right?"

Lin Xiuyuan paused for a moment, his hands unconsciously slowing down a few beats. "Yes, it was her father's birthday, and Taeyeon's 25th birthday was also celebrated together."

Upon hearing this, Jessica Jung paused for a moment while playing with the soda can, and sighed softly, "25 years, sigh, I really can't understand why so much has changed in just ten years."

The living room was briefly quiet as sunlight streamed through the sheer curtains, falling on her profile and outlining her delicate features.

"Who knows?" Lin Xiuyuan waved his hand with a smile and put his water glass on the coffee table. "By the way, how come you have so much free time today? You've always been quite busy."

Sulli, who had been sitting quietly in the single chair, finally leaned out and whispered to Lin Xiuyuan, "Oppa~ Unnie and the others just finished their tour in Taipei, they should be resting."

Jessica Jung nodded, her gaze returning to Lin Xiuyuan, her eyes softening slightly. "Mm."

Then, looking at Lin Xiuyuan, she said, "Let's have dinner together tonight. It's been a while since we chatted."

Shirley blinked and immediately chimed in, "Ah, let's eat. Unnie~ I'm definitely not free tonight, I have to go to the studio soon. The film crew started shooting recently, and I have to go check on things occasionally."

She stood up as she spoke, as if deliberately giving them space.

After resting for a while in the apartment, Lin Xiuyuan changed into a more presentable shirt and tidied his hair, looking refreshed and neat.

Jessica Jung was already dressed and ready. Her outfit today perfectly showcased her unique charm. She exuded a cool yet sweet allure in the sunlight, her silhouette clearly defined in the interplay of light and shadow, like a tranquil painting.

As the two got out of the car, evening fell, the streetlights came on, and the evening breeze, which was approaching August, was a bit chilly.

Jessica Jung subconsciously tucked her hair back, slowed her pace, and waited for Lin Xiuyuan to catch up.

The streetlights cast long shadows on the two of them, creating shimmering streaks of light and shadow, making the street in the night seem quiet and intimate.

"Let's go, I've booked a restaurant here." Her tone was casual, but a hidden smile flashed in her eyes.

Lin Xiuyuan smiled slightly, his expression as relaxed as ever, "So it was all premeditated."

It was a Chinese restaurant that had just gained some fame in Seoul's social circles, and the owner claimed that he would win a Michelin star with "authentic Eastern cuisine".

At this moment, the signboard outside the restaurant is lit with a warm, soft yellow light, and as you push open the glass door, a complex aroma wafts out.

Mixed with spices, oils, and a hint of an unknown flavor, it's hard to tell whether to be expectant or wary.

After taking their seats, Jessica Jung and Lin Xiuyuan casually flipped through the menu and eventually ordered a set meal.

As the dishes were served one by one, their presentation was exquisite. Small plates held slices of thinly sliced, translucent beef, a small pile of green vegetables arranged like a sculpture, and even the soup was served in a glass container that looked like a perfume bottle.

Under Jessica Jung's watchful gaze, Lin Xiuyuan took a bite first, then his face instantly froze, and he swallowed three times slower than usual.

He even picked up his water glass and took a sip to help himself.

He then looked up and met Jessica Jung's expectant gaze, and couldn't help but give a wry smile.

"Sooyeon, I have to tell you the truth."

Lin Xiuyuan put down his chopsticks, glanced around cautiously, and then lowered his voice.

"Actually, you can eat at a Michelin-starred restaurant, but you can only choose Western food. Whether it's Chinese or Southeast Asian cuisine, the chefs here use Western standards and tastes to please the Michelin judges in order to get that useless label. But in terms of the overall taste, well... you know, it's all fancy and doesn't suit the local palate at all."

Jessica Jung paused, her chopsticks hovering in mid-air. She took a bite of the so-called "innovative Mapo Tofu" beside her, frowned, and felt a strange sour taste on her tongue from the creamy and peppery flavor.

Helpless, she could only gently put down her chopsticks, her lips twitching, and a look of helpless disappointment in her eyes.

Tonight was a rare occasion for the two of us to go out for a walk together, which could be considered a small date, but it ended up in this kind of embarrassing situation.

This prompted Jessica Jung to mutter a few words under her breath, cursing with girlish frustration. Lin Xiuyuan, on the other end, didn't catch the exact words, but he could tell that she was probably swearing quite rudely.

Seeing this, he chuckled inwardly, while also immediately noticing the change in her mood.

Then he reached out and pushed aside the menu on the table, stood up decisively, and smiled as he extended his hand to her, "Let's go, don't suffer here. I know a place, it's the Chinese restaurant I used to go to when I was still doing photography, the food there is really authentic."

Jessica Jung paused, looked up at him, as if she hadn't expected him to be so direct.

Then, she gave a soft hum, but couldn't help but curl her lips into a smile and place her hand in his palm.

The two walked quickly out of the restaurant. A night breeze blew by, and Jessica Jung's high heels made a "tap-tap" sound on the stone pavement.

After leaving the house, he said in a low voice, half complaining and half teasing, "Why didn't you say so earlier? Now I've booked this awful place."

Lin Xiuyuan laughed heartily, "Who told you to be so secretive and not tell me? I thought you found some great place. Don't worry, I guarantee you'll be satisfied this time."

Half an hour later, Lin Xiuyuan took Zheng Xiuyan to Yangchuan District and then turned into an inconspicuous alley.

It was an old canteen with a faded signboard. A few tables outside were occupied by locals, and the aroma of steaming pots and smoky dishes wafted through the air.

In stark contrast to the deserted Michelin-starred restaurant just now, this place was bustling and warm.

As soon as she got out of the car, Jessica Jung caught the familiar aroma of stir-fried dishes, and her eyes lit up immediately.

Then, looking at Lin Xiuyuan, the little bit of annoyance in my heart had long since vanished, leaving only an indescribable sense of security.

The two pushed open the wooden door of the small canteen, and a strong smell of cooking oil mixed with the aroma of soy sauce wafted out.

The shop was bustling with activity, every table was full, and the sound of the spatula tumbling in the iron wok was crisp and powerful.

Compared to that lifeless "Michelin restaurant" we just visited, this place truly exudes a vibrant atmosphere.

Upon entering, Lin Xiuyuan saw a familiar figure, his eyes lit up, and he chuckled softly.

"Wow~ Uncle Gui! What happened today? You actually served the food yourself?!"

(Wow~ Uncle Gui, what's going on today? You're serving the dishes yourself.)
"Hey, you rascal! Long time no see, I thought you'd gone back to the countryside!"

(Hey kid, long time no see! I thought you'd gone back to your hometown.)
The old man, whom Lin Xiuyuan called Uncle Gui, glanced at Zheng Xiuyan, frowned slightly, and then smiled gently. Seeing that her demeanor and appearance differed from his memory, this veteran immediately understood something.

"Alright, let's wait for the old man to get you a room to sit down and have a meal, okay?"

(Come on, how about I get you a private room to sit down and eat?)
"It's all thanks to Uncle Gui's sharp eyes!"

(Uncle Gui, you have such a sharp eye!)

"Stop being stingy! We're here. Go inside and sit down. If you want anything, come to the kitchen and we'll order it for you."

(Save some money. We're here. Please go inside and have a seat. You can order from the kitchen later.)
"Okay, OK."

After saying that, Lin Xiuyuan pushed open the door to the private room next to him and told Zheng Xiuyan to hurry up and follow.

Behind him, Jessica Jung turned her head and glanced at the figures in the hall. There were young and old people, and they were speaking not only Chinese, but also Korean, Japanese and even Southeast Asian languages.

Noisy and chaotic, yet lively and interesting.

Afterwards, she and Lin Xiuyuan went into the private room and sat down. The latter, as if familiar with the place, took out the menu and placed it in front of her, asking, "Take a look and see what you want to eat."

Jessica Jung quickly flipped through the menu and immediately ordered several signature dishes: spicy crayfish, sizzling beef... The aroma seemed to emanate from the words themselves.

Lin Xiuyuan also ordered a few more dishes, and then handed the order to the kitchen.

Soon, the dishes, steaming with white mist, were served, the broth bubbling and the aroma strong and enticing.

Jessica Jung gently picked up a piece of food with her chopsticks, paused for a moment when it entered her mouth, and then the corners of her lips slowly turned up.

With its eyes half-closed, it looked just like a contented kitten, and I couldn't help but scoop up a few more mouthfuls of soup.

"Ah, as expected, it's still Xiuyuan who brought me here to eat. I've been to so many Chinese restaurants in private, but none of them can compare to this."

The girl, smiling with her eyes narrowed, even trembled violently with joy as she held the spoon in her hand.

Seeing her expression, Lin Xiuyuan couldn't help but laugh. "You should have said so earlier. When you come out to eat with me, you can't go wrong with the food."

As he spoke, he put another piece of beef into her bowl.

The movements were natural and casual, yet carried a hint of unconscious intimacy.

Jessica Jung looked down, then looked up and rolled her eyes at him. "I told you earlier, you'd have to be here."

She laughed again, but her tone was somewhat depressed and wistful. "But you seem to be quite tired too. Running around like this, you probably don't have much personal time."

"It's nothing, we're just playing around."

The atmosphere gradually relaxed. The two ate and chatted about their recent lives.

Jessica Jung spoke first, "By the way, Xiuyuan, have things been a little strange between you, Xiaolu, and Ruanruan lately?"

As she spoke, she wore a half-smile, her gaze sweeping over his face.

Lin Xiuyuan paused, coughed lightly, and feigned composure, "Ahem, how is it 'subtle'?"

"Don't pretend." Jessica Jung pouted. "These two talk about you all the time when they chat with me."

"Isn't this normal? You're the same."

As he spoke, Lin Xiuyuan quickly found an excuse, "Besides, one of them has her father's situation, and the other is about to start filming, so they're probably both a little nervous."

Jessica Jung smiled slightly, staring at his guilty look, and couldn't help but shake her head, "I didn't say I wanted to ask what happened between you two, anyway, you're definitely not the one who'll suffer."

Lin Xiuyuan looked up, his eyes filled with a mixture of helplessness and amusement, "Ah, what you're saying..."

"Isn't that right?" Jessica Jung said with a slight smile, her eyes slightly upturned, her tone light yet somewhat provocative.

Lin Xiuyuan couldn't help but laugh, "What you say makes sense."

As soon as he finished speaking, he saw Jessica Jung lean in, her eyes filled with curiosity and anticipation, "So Xiuyuan, just how exaggerated is the effect of yours?"

"What effect?" Lin Xiuyuan was shocked.

He thought that only people from the other side of the world were eyeing him, but now Jessica Jung was here too.

Jessica Jung rolled her eyes at him, a smile playing on her lips. "Don't play dumb. You know what I'm talking about."

"Xiuyan, stop joking around. You probably don't need this." Lin Xiuyuan shook his head helplessly.

In 2013, Jessica Jung was at the peak of her beauty, with her complexion, face, and temperament all reaching their most exquisite state.

In Lin Xiuyuan's opinion, Lin Xiaolu is still no match for Jessica Jung, but Park Jiyeon, who is gradually growing up, has some fighting power.

Jessica Jung shrugged, narrowed her eyes, and said with curiosity, "I don't need it, but I'm curious."

Lin Xiuyuan found Jessica Jung's answer amusing. He then picked up a piece of beef and put it in his mouth, chewing slowly. "I don't really know how to say it, but it seems like there's something there. This morning, Taeyeon's complexion is even more rosy than last night."

"Taeyeon? Oh, you've hooked up with Taeyeon again?"

Jessica Jung's eyes widened in shock.

She was originally just curious about Yoona and Krystal, but she didn't expect Lin Xiuyuan to reveal such news.

“Wait, Sherry…” she couldn’t help but ask.

"Stop joking around, I treat Sulli like a little sister." Lin Xiuyuan reached out to stop Jessica Jung from speaking, his tone helpless yet amused.

Jessica Jung gave him a deep look, as if probing his bottom line, and continued to press, "Is there any hope for Taeyeon's face?"

"I didn't look closely. I rushed back to Quanzhou this morning. But I don't think I can undo what I did to my jawline. At most, it will just fill out my cheeks and make me look less thin."

While eating, Lin Xiuyuan recalled Lee Juri's previous situation and used it as a reference to answer Jessica Jung's question.

The result was that Jessica Jung teased her, "You look so familiar, Xiuyuan~ Are you a goalkeeper or a male masseur now?"

"I didn't want to either," Lin Xiuyuan said with a wry smile, his voice filled with a headache.

This has made him forget what love is... although he doesn't really care.

"Don't act innocent after getting the benefit."

"Ah~"

Just as Lin Xiuyuan was smiling wryly, Jessica Jung suddenly dropped a bombshell, "By the way, I have a question for you. Could you go and ask Jessica a few questions for me?"

Lin Xiuyuan suddenly looked up, raising his eyebrows slightly. "What's the problem?"

Jessica Jung spoke slowly, her gaze earnest yet slightly flickering.

"Ask her how things are going with Quan Ningyi now, ask her what her plans are for the future, and ask her if she regrets it."

When Jessica Jung asked these three questions, her tone was not threatening, but it carried an undeniable firmness that made Lin Xiuyuan's heart tighten.

No, what's going on here?

……

……

at the same time.

In 2025, Jessica was sitting alone at home, ordering a pizza and sitting on the sofa, lost in thought.

The last time something like this happened, Lin Xiuyuan's appearance gave her a lot of hallucinations.

I wonder if anyone will come this time...

(PS: Please read the author's words)
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