Hancheng: There is a door between me and the future

Chapter 269 "You guys should just live your lives peacefully~" (Please subscribe and vote with monthly tickets)

Krystal paused slightly as she entered the living room.

Her gaze immediately fell on the other end of the sofa, on herself from 2013.

Those clear eyes seemed a little flustered at that moment, as if they didn't know where to put their hands, but they sat up straight, like a well-behaved student who had been called on by the teacher.

Her figure had gained a little weight due to filming the TV series, and the lines of her shoulders and collarbone had become more graceful. When the lights came on, even her profile looked rounder, giving her a youthful and adorable appearance.

The familiar feeling made Krystal stare at her for two seconds, then felt a light touch on her chest, and suddenly she found it a little funny.

I think I was like that a few months ago.

However, she managed her facial expressions very well, without letting the other person notice. She just slightly curved the corners of her lips, but quickly pursed them back, as if she was quietly hiding her emotions.

She left only a faint, almost imperceptible expression; no one could discern the fleeting smile that crossed her mind.

However, Krystal quickly looked away and refocused her attention on the matter at hand.

He walked over, bent down, and casually picked up the phone that Jessica Jung had just placed on the coffee table. His movements were swift and efficient, as if he had rehearsed it beforehand.

"Onie~"

After raising her head again, Krystal's expression had returned to calm, and her tone was steady.

"When you call them in a bit, just tell them I'm not in a good mood lately and I'd like them to spend a few days with me to cheer me up. When you throw out this excuse, I'll chime in with a couple of comments, and that should be enough to keep things calm. We've had this happen before, so they won't ask any more questions."

She spoke these words slowly and deliberately, without any emotional fluctuation, as if she were stating a solution that had already been proven.

Every word was placed precisely, giving people a sense of security without them even realizing it.

After hearing the answer, Jessica Jung thought for a moment and nodded, "Okay, that's a good reason, and it sounds quite natural."

Im Yoona, who was standing next to her, couldn't help but clap her hands and replied with a very agreeable expression, "I support this too. Sisters can say whatever they want, and outsiders can understand. This excuse is indeed airtight."

Da Longzai and Park Jiyeon nodded in agreement.

So, the argument that had been discussed for almost an hour without a final decision was completely finalized in just a few minutes after Krystal arrived.

Then a sense of relief and lightness filled the entire living room, and even the atmosphere became much more relaxed than before.

The discussion inside quickly shifted from "how to say it" to "what to do after saying it." Who should make the call first, when to hang up, how to deflect questions about work arrangements if the other party presses for clarification…

Every possible detail was dissected by Krystal in a clear and organized manner, as if she were untangling a tangled mess, her technique swift and efficient.

Meanwhile, Krystal Jung, who had been sitting quietly at the other end of the sofa for 13 years, remained silent throughout.

She simply looked quietly at Krystal in front of her, and at that future version of herself.

Looking at her calm expression as she pushed open the door, at her composed tone of voice, and at the more determined and confident air in her eyes than he himself possessed.

At first, his gaze was filled with curiosity, then it turned into a kind of exploration, and then it slowly sank down, as if he was gradually depicting what his future self would look like.

She almost wanted to piece together what kind of person Krystal would become from every subtle movement and every expression.

Is it more powerful now?
Or are you even more lonely?

Although no sound was uttered, the focus and deep thought in his eyes said it all.

Many doubts and curiosities welled up in her heart, crashing against her reason like waves.

She wanted to ask immediately, but she suppressed the urge.

Because Krystal Jung understands very well that now is not the time, and no matter how anxious she is, she has to wait until that phone call is finished.

Only after everyone has finished what they are doing will we have a real chance to sit down face-to-face and have a proper chat.

Soon, Jessica Jung and Krystal worked together to make the call.

Because we had rehearsed several times in advance, the whole process was orderly and there were almost no flaws.

After listening to Jessica Jung's calm explanation, the manager on the other end of the phone was silent for a few seconds, clearly having a headache. However, the perfect reason and the fact that the time could be coordinated made her finally agree.

But the real trouble fell on her.

She had to immediately adjust her schedule and communicate with the organizers to ensure that the timing was correct.

The moment she hung up the phone, Jessica Jung breathed a sigh of relief, leaned back slightly on the sofa, and let out a long sigh of relief. "Phew, finally done."

He then raised his hand to rub his temples, revealing a tired yet relaxed smile.

"That means there's only one week left."

Lin Xiuyuan, who had been silent all along, finally spoke again, saying in a tone that was full of amusement, "A week in the dark room, that'll be enough for her to suffer."

Im Yoona subconsciously widened her eyes, shook her finger in the air, and said with a mix of worry and helplessness, "Is it really going to keep unnie locked up for a week? Xiuyuan~ I'm worried that the first thing she'll do when she gets out is to take a knife and stab you."

"Who knows? We'll see." Lin Xiuyuan shook his head, smiling nonchalantly.

Just as the group was chatting casually, a cool voice suddenly broke the relaxed atmosphere in the living room, "Um, Krystal, I have something I want to ask you."

As soon as the words were spoken, everyone paused for a moment and turned to look at the source of the sound.

Krystal Jung is on the other end of the sofa.

At that moment, she was recalling the feeling of calling her own name.

Very strange.

Lin Xiuyuan reacted the fastest. He smiled and stood up from the sofa, looking at Zheng Xiuyan and the others, "Let's go up to the rooftop and sit for a while. It's rare that the swimming pool is open, so we can wade in the water. Let's not waste it."

The tone was relaxed, clearly indicating that space should be given to the two "twins".

So the other four exchanged glances, smiled and nodded, tacitly refraining from asking any further questions. They then got up and followed Lin Xiuyuan toward the stairwell, their figures disappearing one by one around the corner.

The living room fell silent, leaving only Krystal and Jung Soo-jung sitting face to face.

Their eyes met, but neither of them rushed to speak; the air seemed to be taut with tension.

In the end, it was Krystal who broke the silence first.

A slight smile curved her lips, and she smiled faintly. "What's up? Want to talk about something?"

Krystal's eyes flashed, and without hesitation, she looked directly at her and asked the question that had been weighing on her mind for a long time, "I want to know why my future self, that is, your personality, has changed so much? Is it because of Snowball, or the group's disbandment? Or is it because of unnie?" This question made Krystal pause for a moment, her eyes slowly darkening as she looked seriously at herself in front of her.

The lamplight cast soft shadows inside the room, and 13-year-old Krystal Jung sat there, exuding a youthful and innocent charm.

Her fair and delicate skin shone with a natural luster, and her eyes still retained a stubbornness and brightness that had not been worn down by reality. Like a piece of jade that has not yet been fully carved, its sharpness, though still immature, has a piercing edge.

Krystal stared at the other person for a moment, her heart involuntarily tightening slightly, as if she were seeing a version of herself from the past, or as if she were seeing a time that could never be returned to across the years.

She couldn't help but sigh inwardly, lowered her eyes for a moment, and then spoke slowly.

"How can I tell you... I experienced so much in those years."

Her voice was low and soft, but with a very relaxed tone. "At that time, I felt like I couldn't take it anymore, especially at the end of 19. I was so depressed that I almost became depressed. I locked myself in my room every day and thought about it over and over again. It took a long time before I slowly regained my sense of breathing."

As she spoke, the corner of her mouth twitched slightly, as if she were recalling those lonely nights.

"Later, Jessica realized that I couldn't go on like this, so she started taking me on trips everywhere. In addition, during that special period, I could see news of life and death every day online... These things, little by little, have worn me down into the person I am today."

Listening quietly to everything, Krystal Jung frowned, and after a moment she continued to ask, "So where did it all begin? Where exactly was the point of real change?"

Krystal was silent for a few seconds before glancing at her, her voice low and deep, "You're right, it is indeed related to Snowball's suicide."

"So why did you commit suicide?" Jung Soo-jung asked.

"I don't think you need to know these things. Some things are better left unsaid. You and Shirley should just live your lives peacefully. Why make things difficult for yourself when you don't need to carry any burdens?"

Krystal didn't give a direct answer, but instead smiled and gave her own.

This answer was the reply she gave to Sulli after Sulli had asked her about it.

In Krystal's view, since what she sees is a past time and space, it can be changed.

Since the past can be changed, she should just bear that burden herself; there's no need to burden more people with the same shackles.

After all, the future is gone and cannot be undone.

Krystal wanted to ask more questions, but Krystal's words, "You should just live your lives well," were like a nail driven firmly into her heart, making her pause in her breath.

She stared blankly at the other person for a moment, and suddenly felt that the person in front of her was both familiar and unfamiliar.

He chuckled softly, but his heart was filled with bitterness. He raised his hand to rub his temples, burying some thoughts deep in his heart for the time being, deciding to discuss them later when the time was right.

Having thought of this, Krystal Jung didn't press for further details. She simply let out a long sigh, as if a weight had been lifted from her heart.

"alright."

Then she abruptly changed the subject, her eyes narrowing slightly, "So, can I know what you're thinking, putting Jessica in such a mess? It feels a bit too cruel to me, considering she's an unnie."

Krystal paused for a moment upon hearing this, then looked up at the direction of the building as if she had suddenly remembered something. After confirming that there was no one there, she waved to her.

"come over."

Krystal approached suspiciously, leaned close to her ear, and whispered a few words.

The next second, Krystal Jung froze, her eyes widening suddenly.

"What?!" He couldn't help but raise his voice, quickly covering his mouth, his expression filled with shock as he stared at Krystal.

Immediately, her brows furrowed, and the surprise in her eyes slowly turned into doubt. "Are you sure you want to do this? This doesn't seem like the idea I would come up with."

"You can't, but I can."

Krystal simply leaned back lazily on the sofa, a slight smile playing on her lips, as if she were watching something amusing.

Krystal Jung remained silent for a while, her gaze falling on the coffee table, her fingertips unconsciously tapping the wooden surface, as if weighing the pros and cons.

After a moment, she looked up, her voice lower, "Is this really okay?"

Krystal spread her hands and shrugged indifferently, "Let's just do it first, it won't be any worse than it is now anyway."

She laughed easily, as if she were talking about something trivial, but the certainty in her eyes made Jung Soo-jung's heart tighten a little.

"No wonder Snowball and Jiyeon unnie both said that your personality has changed the most among everyone." Krystal Jung couldn't help but mutter to herself.

Krystal simply raised an eyebrow. "Really? I think it's fine."

……

roof.

The sun was slowly setting, and the entire horizon was painted in layers of orange-red, as if it had been burned. The light shone through the railings on the rooftop, casting mottled shadows that fell on the surface of the swimming pool, reflecting shimmering waves.

The swaying branches and leaves seemed to cast a soft filter over the entire roof, and the space was so quiet that only the sound of the wind and the occasional splash of water could be heard.

Jessica Jung and Yoona, who had arrived upstairs, were walking side by side to the poolside, their bare feet touching the edge.

The water droplets were bathed in the glow of the setting sun, scattering all around.

Not far away, Park Jiyeon leaned against the railing, squinting at the floor beneath her feet. Suddenly, a curious smile appeared on her lips. "Hey, Xiuyuan~ Aren't you curious about what those two, Xiujing and Xiuyuan, are talking about down there?"

The little dragon was sitting on a chair nearby, enjoying the breeze. Upon hearing this, he immediately burst out laughing, "Do you even need to ask? It's definitely about Shirley."

Jessica Jung raised an eyebrow and replied, "Not only that, right? There's also Jessica's matter. If it were me, I would definitely ask a few more questions too."

Upon hearing this, everyone's gazes simultaneously fell upon Lin Xiuyuan.

The little dragon, with a quick glance, simply threw the question at him, "So Xiuyuan, how are you planning to persuade Xiuyan unnie this week? You know, she's 25, not as easy to fool as she was 13."

Upon hearing this, Jessica Jung immediately looked up and rolled her eyes dramatically. "Hey, Jiyeon, the way you're saying that makes it sound like I deserved to be fooled by Xiuyuan."

Da Longzai immediately raised his hands, waving them innocently with a smile on his lips, "Hahaha, that's not what I meant, that's not what I meant. I just wanted to say that back then, Unnie, you still had expectations and aspirations, but 25 years ago, it feels like you've given up a bit."

As she spoke, her smile faded and her expression became more serious.

She glanced at the fading light on the horizon and said slowly, "If such a huge upheaval in her life comes suddenly and she can't handle it, and her emotions explode, it'll be a real time bomb."

The evening breeze by the pool gently lifted the hair of the group, and the atmosphere oscillated between relaxed and cautious.

Lin Xiuyuan, who was being asked the question, leaned back in his recliner, his gaze gradually closing as the last rays of light faded on the horizon, seemingly deep in thought about the question of the dragon cub.

　The internet is down!!!
　　Hot updates, fellow godfathers!!!
　　
　
(End of this chapter)