Hancheng: There is a door between me and the future

Chapter 252 Krystal's Video Call with Jung Soo-jung (10,000 words, please subscribe and vote)
Around noon, Lin Xiuyuan and Zheng Xiuyan went out together.

Lin Xiaolu continued to work. Shirley's crew had already started filming, and the crew of "The Heirs" was almost ready.

As the female lead and the center visual of Girls' Generation, it's almost impossible for her not to be busy.

On the contrary, Jessica Jung, due to her identity as a designer, has recently received many invitations to fashion events, which is undoubtedly a great thing for her and SM Entertainment.

So we're currently in a transition period, which is a good time to make some adjustments, take a break, and sort out our travel plans.

The sun was shining brightly, and the air carried a slight chill of early autumn.

As Jessica Jung walked side by side with Lin Xiuyuan, the wind blowing from the intersection gently lifted the corner of her clothes, as if reminding her of the changing seasons.

At the same time, I also felt a light and slightly accelerated heartbeat. It seems that every time I am with Lin Xiuyuan lately, I always feel a sense of security.

Lin Xiuyuan noticed her slight tremor, his gaze briefly sweeping over her profile before returning to the front.

He then quickly helped her into the car, skillfully started the engine, and his movements were swift and natural.

Soon, the car radio began playing background music softly, the melody unhurried, as if creating a quiet space for the two of them.

"I never expected that you would take the initiative to visit the set."

After getting into the car, Jessica Jung turned her head to look at him, her tone slightly teasing, but a hint of concern flashed in her eyes.

Leaning against the passenger seat, she held her small bag in her hand, occasionally glancing at Lin Xiuyuan out of the corner of her eye, her gaze containing a hint of probing.

"There's nothing I can do. She's your sister, and she's Krystal's past self, so I have to keep an eye on her."

Lin Xiuyuan held the steering wheel with one hand, while the other hand rested casually on his leg.

He shifted gears, stepped on the gas, and drove the car toward the location Shirley had given him, his movements calm and natural.

Just then, Jessica Jung suddenly spoke up, "By the way, Xiuyuan~ what was Jessica's expression like when she answered?"

Her voice was soft and tinged with curiosity.

Looking straight ahead, Lin Xiuyuan replied, "Well, how should I put it, it was a very normal reaction. Even after hearing that it was Jessica Jung who asked, she only showed curiosity about me, not about you as a person."

Jessica Jung pursed her lips, not pressing for further questions, and simply gazed quietly at the street scene rushing past the window.

After a few seconds, she suddenly chuckled softly, "So Xiuyuan~ how do you personally think I am doing now, 25 years from now? What do you personally think of her doing?"

Lin Xiuyuan understood the implication in her words, turned his head to glance at her, and slightly raised the corners of his lips, "So, do you want to hear the truth, or do you want me to just brush you off?"

Jessica Jung paused for a moment, then turned her head away silently without answering.

The sunlight outside the car window was just right, softening the contours of her profile, but her eyes seemed somewhat unfocused.

After a brief silence, she said softly, "Tell me the truth, I'm quite curious."

"The truth is," Lin Xiuyuan said with a faint smile, tinged with composure. "From my perspective outside your circle, Jessica's actions at the time were simply aimed at maximizing her profits, which is perfectly normal. The only unfortunate thing was that she stumbled into a huge pit and fell right into it."

Jessica Jung couldn't help but chuckle and shake her head, "You weren't so nice to me before, Xiuyuan."

"Okay, I ran into a moron and fell into a trap."

After chuckling softly, Lin Xiuyuan continued.

"But when I asked Krystal later, I found out that her income hadn't actually dropped that much. Maybe it's because she got less commission, so even though she had less work and less popularity, her income didn't suffer a significant loss."

As Lin Xiuyuan spoke, his words carried a hint of helplessness and rational analysis. His fingers tapped lightly on the steering wheel, as if he were sorting out his own logic.

"But then that idiot dragged me into a mess and got me blacklisted by Hong Kong and Macau, so I had no choice but to quit my job there."

Then, Lin Xiuyuan glanced briefly at Zheng Xiuyan and noticed that her brows were slightly furrowed and her lips seemed to contain a hint of concern, but she deliberately concealed her expression.

"However, she was lucky. She encountered that incident right after being blacklisted, which caused a global shutdown for several years. After the economy recovered, she used the connections she had built up during those years to directly enter the Chinese entertainment industry and make money. So in my opinion, although Jessica has had her share of ups and downs, her life has not actually been much worse than when she was in the group."

Finally, perhaps feeling that he had been a bit too objective, Lin Xiuyuan suddenly curled his lips into a smile, and the Dragon King appeared, beginning his吐槽 (tu cao, a form of online commentary/criticism).

"But if you look at it from a fan's perspective, then I have something to say."

With a wicked smile, he continued, "For example, the idiot I just mentioned is Jessica. Because she misjudged a man, she pushed Girls' Generation, which could have risen even higher by riding the wave of the internet boom, to its knees. It's really a pity."

She then added, "Even if she manages to get through those two years and then goes out to do what she wants, her income won't be much worse than it is now, and she won't have any blemishes or blacklists."

Throughout the journey, Jessica Jung listened to Lin Xiuyuan's words and fell into deep thought.

She must have thought of all these things after reading so many news reports over the past 25 years.

She had only asked the question because she wanted to hear the answer from Lin Xiuyuan and compare it with what she herself thought.

Seeing that the atmosphere in the car was a bit dull, Lin Xiuyuan, who had been complaining, raised his eyebrows slightly and changed the subject with a hint of teasing.

"By the way, once I get there and find Zhenxin, I must ask her what happened. She deleted all the chat history in my group."

Jessica Jung, who had been a little distracted, felt a pang of unease after noticing what he said. She coughed lightly and said, "Um, this is what I asked Sulli to clear. Last night we were chatting in the group about some topics that were inappropriate for children and not suitable for you to get involved in, so we deleted it."

Lin Xiuyuan looked up at her, and Zheng Xiuyan also turned her head at the same time.

His gaze held a probing yet warm undertone, and after a brief exchange of eyes with Jessica Jung, the air inside the car tensed slightly.

But Lin Xiuyuan quickly smiled, his expression relaxing, "Alright."

After laughing, he leaned back in his chair and casually asked, "So what were you guys talking about? It was so exciting that you even had to clear the chat history?"

Jessica Jung froze for a moment, then quickly forced a smile, her eyes darting around. "Oh dear, it's just girls talking amongst themselves, don't ask."

Upon hearing this, Lin Xiuyuan chuckled and didn't press the matter further.

As the two chatted and laughed, the car entered the neighborhood where the film crew was located. After rolling down the window and confirming their identities with the people outside, the two drove straight inside again.

Soon, you can see a nanny van parked on the side of the road in the distance, as well as busy staff coming and going.

Lin Xiuyuan parked the car on the side of the road and prepared to get out of the car side by side with Zheng Xiuyan.

However, before getting out of the car, Jessica Jung put on sunglasses, and her demeanor instantly became a bit colder, as if she had switched to professional mode.

She casually raised her hand to tidy her long hair, elegant and resolute, with a hint of barely perceptible arrogance.

Seeing this, Lin Xiuyuan, who had just turned off the car, couldn't help but tease, "Oh, is this what they call idol mode?"

Jessica Jung rolled her eyes at him, didn't talk back, but instead raised her hand to tidy her long hair, got out of the car gracefully, and walked with Lin Xiuyuan towards the dressing room.

Just as they reached the door, Shirley came out with a script in her hand, almost bumping into them.

"Ah!" Sulli was stunned for a moment, then smiled with surprise, "Oppa~, Unnie, you guys are finally here! If we had been any later, we would have had to move to another location after we finished filming."

"Are you in such a hurry? Be careful while you walk." Lin Xiuyuan smiled and reached out to take the script from her, then said, "So, is the support truck I arranged coming here, or is it going to your next destination?"

"They even set up a support truck?" Shirley asked in surprise.

Jessica Jung was also somewhat shocked. She turned her head slightly to look at Lin Xiuyuan, a hint of disbelief and curiosity flashing in her eyes. "When did you do this? I had no idea."

The main issue is that the two of them have been together since morning, and I've hardly heard of the other person making any phone calls to discuss this matter.

So Jessica Jung was somewhat shocked, raising her eyebrows slightly.

"What's there to communicate about? Just add each other as friends, print out some promotional material online, stick it on the coffee truck, and pay them for a day. I think you're getting the wrong idea. I didn't make any trinkets or gifts; it's just a regular coffee truck."

Lin Xiuyuan waved his phone in his hand, his tone casual yet matter-of-fact, explaining his actions clearly.

Then Sulli laughed, “Oppa, a regular food truck is enough. Those little gifts are too much trouble, and some staff members might not even want them.”

"Hmm, they should be arriving soon." Lin Xiuyuan glanced at the street corner.

Just as the three of them were chatting at the door, the door to the dressing room was pushed open, and Jung Soo-jung walked out.

As she pushed open the door and stepped out, her eyes still held their usual indifference, as if she were still immersed in the emotions of her character.

But when she actually saw the people standing at the door, her expression clearly froze.

Krystal Jung, whose features remain delicate and beautiful, has gained a noticeable amount of weight in her cheeks and arms to match the image of her character in the drama.

But that slight weight gain made her appear softer and more realistic, better suited to the role.

However, this change still brought a bit of surprise to those who knew her well.

That kind of temperament is just like the one Lin Xiuyuan saw in the "Crystal Ball" era in later years. She is no longer a sharp little girl, but has become more rounded... funny.

"Why are you all here?"

Her voice was flat, as if she was trying to hide something, but her eyes unconsciously darted between Lin Xiuyuan and Zheng Xiuyan.

Finally, his gaze lingered on Shirley's face, as if silently seeking some kind of answer.

Sulli immediately flashed a bright smile, her eyes crinkling into crescents, and said in a lighthearted tone, "It was unnie who said she wanted to surprise you and came to visit the set~ So I gave oppa and the others the address! And, Krystal, oppa even prepared a support truck for you for the crew!"

"A support truck?" Jung Soo-jung was taken aback and subconsciously looked towards Lin Xiu-yuan, her eyes revealing a hint of surprise and bewilderment.

Lin Xiuyuan just smiled faintly and waved his hand calmly, "It's just an ordinary coffee truck. We've prepared some refreshing drinks and snacks for everyone. It's nothing special, don't worry about it."

Krystal Jung paused for a few seconds, then bowed slightly and said sincerely, "Thank you so much."

Standing to the side, Jessica Jung quietly watched Krystal Jung, a sense of unease quietly rising in her heart.

Because she keenly sensed that Krystal Jung seemed to be more tired than she had expected.

Her slightly plump figure and her eyes, which couldn't hide her weariness, silently testified to the hardships she had endured during this period.

"Soojung, come here for a second."

After saying that, Jessica Jung didn't give her a chance to refuse. She reached out and gently took her arm, pulling her aside with an irresistible force.

"Unnie, I still need to prepare for the next scene..."

"Just a little while." Jessica Jung's voice was gentle, yet carried an undeniable certainty.

The two walked to the side and spoke quietly.

Due to work commitments, they haven't been able to have a proper face-to-face chat like this for some time.

Jessica Jung's eyes held both heartache and a rare older sisterly aura, leaving Krystal Jung with no choice but to respond obediently.

Meanwhile, Lin Xiuyuan, who remained in the same spot, was accompanied by Shirley as they walked around the film set.

Shirley introduced the filming location and staff to him in a lively manner, occasionally throwing in a joke. Her bright eyes and lively expressions made the atmosphere relaxed and comfortable.

Not long after, a coffee truck with a simple banner on it slowly drove up.

The metal exterior of the food truck gleamed in the sunlight, and the sides were painted with messages such as "Jung Soo-jung, fighting! Thank you for your hard work, crew!" It wasn't luxurious, but it was full of sincerity.

Lin Xiuyuan and Shirley then went together to greet the director.

The director originally planned to finish all the scheduled scenes before taking a break, but out of respect for the screenwriter Shirley, and because the atmosphere on set needed to be adjusted, he simply waved his hand and announced that they would take a break half an hour early so that everyone could enjoy lunch and coffee together.

Soon, crew members gathered in twos and threes around the food truck, creating a lively and relaxed atmosphere.

Not long after, Jessica Jung also came over arm in arm with Krystal Jung, and the expressions on their faces softened considerably.

……

Not long ago.

When Jessica Jung gently took Krystal Jung's hand and led her to a less crowded corner of the filming location, she immediately asked in a low voice with concern.

"Soojung,"

Jessica Jung's voice was soft, but carried an undeniable seriousness: "Have you encountered any difficulties during your recent filming?"

Krystal Jung subconsciously looked away, her lips curving into a forced smile, her tone feigning ease, "No, everything's fine... I'm probably just a little tired from filming continuously."

"Don't try to fool me." Jessica Jung stared at her intently, her gaze seemingly able to pierce through all pretense and reach the truth in her heart. "Is there something you really can't tell me, unnie?"

Krystal bit her lower lip, and after staring at Jessica for a few seconds, she finally gave in, her voice lowering slightly, "Um... there's a problem."

Upon hearing this, Jessica Jung sighed, her voice softening, "Didn't Xiu Yuan and Xiao Lu give you some acting scripts before? Weren't they helpful?"

“It’s useful.” Krystal Jung nodded gently, but then sighed, a hint of helplessness in her eyes. “However, I can understand the story and act it out. It’s just… when we were filming, I always felt like something was missing.”

She paused, her gaze slightly unfocused, her fingers gently rubbing the hem of her clothes, as if trying to soothe the anxiety in her heart.

"The director didn't have too high expectations; my scenes were passable. But if they wanted something better, something more natural, then it might not be as good."

Speaking of this, Krystal Jung couldn't help but recall what Sulli had once told her about "experiential learning."

But methods that require genuine emotional investment are something she can hardly achieve.

The main problem is that there's simply no one in her life who can make her heart flutter.

She's surrounded by colleagues from her company and friends from within the industry, and so far, no one has ever evoked those kinds of emotions in her.

According to Krystal Jung, even if she were to try the "experiential learning" approach, she would prefer that the person she is truly fond of, rather than just anyone.

These thoughts lingered in her mind, but she didn't voice them.

She remained silent, a gloomy expression lingering on her face.

Jessica Jung saw this and felt a tightness in her chest.

In the past, she might not have been so persistent in asking questions.

Everyone is striving for their own careers and moving forward on their own paths. She has also gotten used to maintaining a certain distance from her sisters.

But it's different now.

Since learning everything about 2025, and knowing what Krystal Jung will experience and lose because of me, I have been overjoyed.

Every time those images resurface, Jessica Jung can't help but feel heartbroken, and she wants to do everything she can to make up for something on this side.

The future is irreparable, which makes Jessica Jung even more concerned about Krystal Jung on this side.

"Silly girl." Jessica Jung reached out and ruffled her sister's long hair, her gaze as soft as overflowing warm water. "If you really can't get over it, just say it. Don't keep it bottled up inside."

Krystal simply pursed her lips and offered no further explanation. That silence only intensified Jessica's heartache.

Just then, a car horn sounded outside the film set.

The support truck has arrived.

Jessica took her sister's hand and said, "Don't think about it now, let's go check out the support truck. We can also go talk to Xiuyuan, maybe he can help you."

"Ah, unnie, are you serious? What can he do to help me?" Krystal blinked, looking skeptical.

"He can help you find a teacher."

Jessica Jung spoke casually, but her eyes revealed confidence and gentleness, as if she had everything under control.

……

The group took coffee and sandwiches from the food truck and then walked together to the actors' rest area not far away.

There were a few folding tables and chairs here. The furnishings were simple, but the shade under the parasols and the temporary curtains barely blocked the glaring sun.

The air was filled with the aroma of coffee and the scent of sandwiches, along with the faint hum of machines in the distance, giving the space a sense of busyness despite its temporary setting, yet also making it feel exceptionally lived-in.

After the four sat down, the atmosphere became much more relaxed. Shirley spoke first, smiling as she chatted with Lin Xiuyuan about the structure of the film crew.

She recounted in detail how the lighting crew set up the best lighting for the atmosphere, what important items the props crew had recently lost, and even the minor and major conflicts between the directing and production teams. Lin Xiuyuan listened attentively, nodding occasionally and asking questions, his eyes showing ease and curiosity. This made Shirley more and more excited as she talked, her voice and laughter brightening accordingly.

Halfway through her sentence, she suddenly seemed to remember something, clapped her hands lightly with an "Ah!", and looked at Lin Xiuyuan with bright eyes, "Oppa, do you remember when we joked about letting you be the director?"

"I remember thinking you guys were crazy back then," Lin Xiuyuan chuckled, a hint of mockery in his voice.

"Indeed, I thought it was quite interesting at the time, but now I realize that being a director is really difficult. It's not just about filming, but also about coordinating with various groups. It's a devilish job."

“What you call ‘daydreaming’,” Lin Xiuyuan chuckled, took a sip of coffee, and casually joked, “If you really asked me to be a director, I’d probably have to run away in three days.”

Shirley couldn't help but giggle, her laughter as light and cheerful as sunshine.

Just then, Jessica Jung interjected softly, calmly and naturally changing the subject, "Speaking of which, how's the progress of your acting team? I just heard from Krystal that they seem to be working pretty hard lately?"

As soon as she finished speaking, Lin Xiuyuan subconsciously looked at Zheng Xiujing.

The other person's slightly chubby appearance almost made him burst out laughing, and he even had the urge to take out his phone to take a picture and send it to his future Krystal in the group chat.

However, before he could actually put it into action, Jessica Jung seemed to have sensed something and took the opportunity to say, "By the way, Xiuyuan, could you find Xiujing a tutor, like a class?"

Upon hearing this, Lin Xiuyuan was taken aback. "Huh? How do we have class?"

He understood Jessica Jung's thoughts; it was all about Krystal. "Should we bring her over to meet us?"

"no, I'm fine."

To everyone's surprise, Jessica Jung immediately shook her head, "We don't need to meet in person. It's just like taking online classes. Krystal can turn on her webcam and have the teacher guide her on the computer. Just like Yoona did back then, it should be much better than having Krystal figure it out on her own."

Krystal Jung raised her head slightly, a hint of hesitation and curiosity flashing in her eyes. Her lips twitched slightly, as if she were weighing the pros and cons.

Shirley noticed her reaction and couldn't help but raise an eyebrow with a slight smile on her lips.

As for Lin Xiuyuan, he took a serious look at Zheng Xiuyan, and seeing that she still shook her head, he said, "I'll ask her, but does Xiujing have time?"

Before Krystal could speak, Sulli immediately explained, "Yes, Krystal's schedule lately has been all filming. Apart from filming, she has very few other schedules, so she still has time."

Krystal Jung nodded slightly, her lips pursed. "Yes, that's right."

There was a hint of relaxation in her eyes, as if she had a little expectation for the future.

The steam from the coffee drifted gently in the breeze, and the sounds of conversation and laughter from the four people mingled together, making this temporary rest area feel exceptionally warm and real.

……

……

Evening, 2025.

Inside the villa, the night was still, with only the faint sound of the wind and the occasional call of night birds heard from outside the window.

Krystal, who had just returned from being "interrogated" by Jessica, received a new "job" from Lin Xiuyuan as soon as she entered the door, her face showing a mixture of amusement and surprise.

"Ah, you're asking me to teach myself? I don't even know where to begin. Yoona unnie is a prime example, Xiuyuan~"

As she spoke, Krystal shrugged slightly, her gesture carrying a hint of helplessness yet also a relaxed smile, before sitting down next to Lin Xiuyuan.

"There's nothing I can do about this. Your sister feels sorry for Krystal, so she wanted to ask you for a favor. Maybe I should go over and tell her I can't do it."

After saying that, Lin Xiuyuan was about to get up and go back to his apartment in 2013, but Krystal grabbed his arm. "Hey~ I didn't say I wouldn't do it. I'm just a little confused by this sudden turn of events. Let me calm down."

Her voice carried a hint of coquettishness, yet also a lingering nervousness, her eyes flickering slightly. "I'm mainly worried that Krystal will recognize me."

"It's fine as long as the camera isn't on," Lin Xiuyuan added with a smile.

“A voice is fine too,” Krystal blinked.

"Have you forgotten what's going on with Taeyeon?" Lin Xiuyuan said with a smile, then added, "How about we video chat?"

After hesitating for a moment, Krystal nodded in agreement.

And so, a few minutes later, the two returned to their apartment in 2013.

Sulli still hadn't finished get off work; she was still with Krystal Jung on set.

Lin Xiuyuan took Krystal back to his bedroom, turned on his computer, logged into his account, and then made a video call to Sherry.

Since it's a desktop computer, which only has a microphone and no webcam, there's no need to worry about Krystal's face being screenshotted by hackers.

Night enveloped the apartment, and the only light inside came from the computer screen, casting a soft warmth on the two people's faces.

The computer screen lit up, and the scene on the film set on Shirley's side came into view.

After Lin Xiuyuan and Shirley had a conversation, she turned the camera around so that it was aimed at Jung Soo-jung who was filming.

Under the dim light, Krystal Jung was wearing a thick mascot costume, her face covered in sweat.

Because of the role, she seemed to have become quite plump compared to when we met at noon. It must be because of the addition of some technology and hard work. Even her movements showed a hint of clumsiness.

Seeing this, Lin Xiuyuan finally couldn't help but laugh. His shoulders shrugged slightly, and his laughter was low but uncontrollable. "Haha, I didn't dare to laugh at noon. Where's the crystal ball? Hahahaha, it looks really funny now."

"ah!"

Krystal, sitting next to him, immediately reached out and patted him. Although her eyes were full of smiles, they also carried a protective feeling as if she were speaking up for "herself." "What are you laughing at? That's me."

She bit her lip and added, a hint of teasing in her eyes, "Tell me, did you see me laughing like this 25 years ago?"

"I didn't, I really didn't."

Lin Xiuyuan quickly waved his hand, forcibly suppressing his smile, and coughed softly twice as a cover.

Krystal's expression gradually calmed down, and she stared intently at the screen. She didn't rush to speak, but carefully observed Jung Soo-jung's performance.

She watched in silence, only occasionally her brow furrowing slightly, as if she were deep in thought.

After a scene was filmed and the director yelled "Cut!", Krystal Jung took her script and went to the side to rest.

Seeing an opening, Sulli immediately grabbed her phone and walked over, smiling as she approached Krystal. "Hehe, Krystal, guess who's on the other end of the phone?"

Krystal Jung was tearing open a bottle of water when she raised an eyebrow and asked, "Who is it?"

“Oppa came over at noon, and Soo-yeon unnie asked him to find you an acting teacher, the kind who teaches online classes…” Sulli said casually, with a bright smile, “This is it.”

"Huh?" Krystal Jung was stunned, and almost dropped the water bottle in her hand.

She stared at the camera in disbelief, or rather, at the dark, clanging noise in the corner.

Her voice was full of surprise, "It's only been a few hours? No way..."

Lin Xiuyuan, on the other side of the screen, greeted her with a smile, "Hi, Xiujing. It's mainly because Xiuyan is quite interested, so I found one for you to try out first."

As he spoke, he gently pushed the microphone toward Krystal.

Krystal pursed her lips, her expression serious, and spoke calmly and firmly, "Soojung."

Her voice was gentle yet warm, which made Jung Soo-jung on the other end of the phone pause slightly, her gaze unconsciously becoming focused.

That voice... sounded familiar, but I couldn't quite put my finger on why.

Even though she was just a stranger, the familiarity made her instinctively straighten her back, her expression revealing a hint of shock and curiosity.

His eyes widened slightly involuntarily, as if searching for a fragment of his memory.

"Have I... heard your voice somewhere before?"

A moment later, Krystal Jung couldn't help but ask instinctively.

His voice trembled slightly, and his eyes narrowed as he tried to glean more clues from the phone screen in Shirley's hand.

Krystal, watching from the other side of the screen, felt a slight jolt in her heart.

Through Sulli's lens, she clearly saw herself in 2013, when she was still figuring out how to act.

She still possesses a youthful air, with a sharpness and stubbornness in her eyes that haven't been honed by time, yet she also carries the confusion and hesitation of a newborn.

This made her murmur to herself: So... that's what I was like back then.

Both familiar and unfamiliar.

It's like seeing a long-lost shadow in a mirror, carrying a gentle yet slightly stinging sense of unfamiliarity.

Krystal's emotions wavered slightly, but she quickly regained her composure, suppressing her feelings, though her tone carried an unavoidable complexity.

She knew that the person opposite her at this moment was not "someone else," but herself from back then.

That's why she understands the problem better than anyone else, and she wants to give her a push to help her grow faster.

"I saw your performance just now."

When Krystal spoke again, her voice was firmer than before, carrying a calm strength.

"Actually, your problem isn't with the lines or the blocking, but with the emotional connection. You were in the right frame of mind in the first half, but the transition was abrupt, and your facial expressions didn't match, so the audience felt it was 'fake.' It was as if you were acting, not in that situation."

Upon hearing this, Krystal Jung frowned slightly.

Being evaluated by this familiar voice made her feel a little awkward. Although she wanted to refute it, she was suppressed by the other person's certainty and couldn't speak.

Krystal went on to point out, "And then there's your gaze, I don't know if you've noticed or sensed it."

"What?" Krystal Jung asked.

"That's because when you're delivering your lines, you always look down, I don't know if you're looking for ants or for a sense of security. This might be related to the fact that you're an idol, you're used to looking for the camera and your fans. But in movies and TV shows, the camera magnifies everything, and what the audience sees is you dodging, not expressing yourself."

As soon as Krystal finished speaking, Jung Soo-jung squeezed the water bottle in her hand so hard it made a cracking sound.

She was somewhat taken aback, and even more frightened.

How could this so-called "teacher" pinpoint her problem so accurately after only watching for a few minutes?

It was as if they really understood her better than she understood herself.

Is this what a renowned teacher is like?

Yoona unnie improved her acting skills thanks to a teacher like that?

Krystal, on the other end of the camera, also fell silent for a moment, as if letting Jung Soo-jung process every word.

Then he slowly added a sentence, his tone conveying the感慨 and warmth of someone who had been through it all.

"Actually, acting is not just about lines and actions, but also about the combination of emotions and experiences. Your current performance is passable, but if you want to improve, you must find something that truly moves you. Otherwise, no matter how hard you try, there will always be a barrier."

The two versions of "Jung Soo-jung" from different times and spaces are presented in stark contrast on the computer screen.

One of them had a slightly flushed face, a gloomy and silent expression, and a childlike innocence and unease in his eyes.

One had clear eyes and a sharp tone, yet it was mixed with an indescribable mix of heartache and expectation.

But at this moment, Lin Xiuyuan interjected with a smile, his voice tinged with a hint of teasing, "Don't just point out the problem without solving it. What if Xiujing gets even more confused? Tell me, what should we do?"

Krystal glared at him, secretly thinking that this guy was really "a troublemaker," but she quickly turned her attention back to Jung Soo-jung on the screen.

"Okay, let me give you a very basic training method first."

She paused, trying to soften her voice, but still with a hint of sternness and undeniable authority, "First and foremost, we need to start with your eyes. You need to gradually change the way you've honed your acting skills with your eyes throughout your years as an idol."

Krystal Jung paused slightly, then repeated in a low voice, "Ah, the look in your eyes?"

Inside the bedroom, Krystal leaned forward slightly, her gaze going straight through the screen to Jung Soo-jung's eyes, as if she could penetrate time and space.

"Yes, it's the eyes."

She spoke slowly, her tone firm and penetrating, "From today onwards, you must learn to immerse yourself in the role, instead of performing for someone else. Your eyes are the bridge to your emotions; if the bridge isn't built well, no matter how perfect your lines and actions are, it's just superficial."

Her gaze swept over Krystal Jung on the screen, then glanced around the bedroom. "Your eyes are too unfocused right now, so your emotions break down as soon as your lines stop. You need to learn to fix your gaze and let it support your emotions, instead of letting them drag you along."

Then, looking at a bottle of water on the table, he continued, "Just pick anything, a water bottle or a pen on the table. Stare at it, not at its shape, but to 'see through it,' imagine that there's an emotion hidden behind it, like when you're staring at someone and want to have a conversation with them."

"A conversation?" Krystal Jung repeated softly, a hint of doubt in her eyes.

Krystal nodded. “That’s right. Even if it’s just a cup, you have to treat it as someone who can respond to you. Look at it and say a line, then film it with your phone. Watch it later to see if your eyes are trembling. Say the second line, the third line, until your eyes are steadily fixed on it, without flinching or looking away. Only in this way will your emotions not drop off.”

She paused, then added earnestly, "If you can 'talk' to an object, then when you're actually acting opposite an actor, your eyes will have power and won't be weak."

Krystal Jung, watching from the screen, subconsciously pursed her lips and gently rubbed her fingers on the water bottle.

This approach sounds a bit strange, but... it doesn't seem entirely without merit.

Krystal seemed to sense her hesitation and continued, "It's okay if you don't believe me. Pick up your water bottle, stare at it, and pretend it's someone you want to confide in. For example..."

She paused, her eyes flickered, and slowly uttered a few words, "For example, as Xiu Yuan~"

"Hey?"

Krystal froze, a blush rising to her cheeks, and she subconsciously glanced at Sulli, who was sitting next to her leisurely drinking water.

Krystal, on the other end of the camera, smiled slightly, offering no further explanation, and simply watched herself in the video.

The air seemed to quiet down all at once, with only the sound of breathing and the faint sound of the wind in the distance accompanying the silence.

Then, the next shot needs to be filmed.

When Krystal Jung finished filming and hurriedly returned to the rest area, the video on the screen had already gone dark.

Seeing that she seemed a little dazed, Shirley smiled while holding her phone and said, "Don't worry, Soojung, that was just a trial lesson. The real lessons don't start until tomorrow during the day."

Krystal Jung paused for a moment, then casually picked up the water bottle on the table and took a sip, her mind still preoccupied with the voice she had just heard.

After a while, she raised her eyes, her expression showing a mixture of confusion and doubt. "Shirley, do you know that teacher? I feel like her voice sounds familiar."

Shirley almost burst out laughing, thinking to herself: How could it not sound familiar? That's your future self.

However, she still maintained an innocent expression and shook her head, saying, "I don't know him. Maybe his voice just sounds a bit like someone you've heard before."

Then, she changed the subject, asking casually, "But, Soojung, what do you think of the method she just mentioned?"

Krystal Jung was silent for two seconds, her brows furrowing slightly, as if she were weighing her options or sorting out her thoughts.

She pursed her lips, hesitated, and replied, "I also said I don't quite understand, but I can try, it's just..."

At this point, she paused slightly, a hint of unease flashing in her eyes. "Her last sentence, treating practice as Lin Xiuyuan, confused me a bit, and even... a bit offensive."

Shirley immediately noticed the subtle difference in her tone and quickly explained, waving her hand with a smile, "Oh, maybe it's because oppa was there that the teacher said that. Don't overthink it."

Krystal Jung gave a soft "hmm," her expression gradually softening, and she didn't ask any further questions.

He simply put the water bottle aside, sat back in his chair, slowly adjusted his breathing, and then stared at a pen on the table in front of him, starting to try the method taught in the video.

His gaze gradually focused, his eyes revealing concentration, as if trying to grasp a real feeling from that subtle practice.

Meanwhile, that voice still echoed in her mind.

Really, it's just somewhat similar?
It feels so familiar... really familiar.

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(End of this chapter)