Hancheng: There is a door between me and the future

Chapter 274 Kim Tae-yeon's Sacrifice for "Jessica" (10,000 words, please subscribe and vote)
Inside the bedroom, Lin Xiuyuan and Jessica's voices rose and fell, and they were clearly bickering and arguing even through the door.

In the living room outside the door, Krystal Jung and Sulli, who were originally in the dining room, secretly exchanged a glance and quietly walked to the door to eavesdrop.

Sulli pursed her lips slightly, as if trying to suppress a laugh, while Krystal raised an eyebrow, her eyes full of "They've started making trouble again, haven't they?"

Both of them had their shoulders taut, but the corners of their mouths couldn't help but turn up in a smile.

Not long after, the bedroom doorknob suddenly turned.

“Tick-tick~”

As soon as the door opened, Lin Xiuyuan appeared behind it, his laughter still lingering.

As a result, I immediately spotted the two little ones squatting there by the door, their figures stiff as they were eavesdropping.

As Lin Xiuyuan opened the door, Jung Soo-jung's heart skipped a beat, and her eyes hurriedly drifted towards Sulli.

Shirley, standing next to him, blinked, giving him a slightly embarrassed look, and couldn't help but chuckle to herself as she greeted Lin Xiuyuan, "Good morning, oppa~"

Seeing this, Lin Xiuyuan chuckled and asked, "What are you guys doing?"

"I'm calling you to have breakfast."

As Shirley answered this question, her gaze involuntarily bypassed Lin Xiuyuan and fell into the bedroom.

Inside, Jessica was slowly getting up from the bedside, her long hair cascading over her shoulders. Her slip dress had slipped down slightly due to her movement, revealing glimpses of her figure.

She bent down to pick up her coat while glancing up at me, her posture languid yet strikingly eye-catching.

The sexy figure startled Shirley, who quickly looked away, her lips pursed.

Krystal Jung, who also witnessed this scene, widened her eyes and her face instantly turned embarrassed, as if she hadn't expected her unnie to appear in such an outfit.

So, in the instant they exchanged glances, they almost instinctively grinned, but quickly held it back, not daring to say or laugh.

Knowing what the two were thinking, Lin Xiuyuan didn't pay much attention. After leaving the bedroom, he casually glanced at them and asked, "Hey Zhenli, why are you here so early? Don't you have any scenes to film today?"

When asked, Sulli immediately replied, "The entire crew is on holiday today because we've finished filming the first few episodes. Starting tomorrow, we'll be holding a press conference for the show, which will officially mark the start of the promotional period."

Upon hearing this, Lin Xiuyuan turned to look at Jung Soo-jung, a hint of a smile in his eyes, "Oh? So Jung Soo-jung's appearance is finally going to be revealed?"

Krystal Jung, who was in a good mood because of the promotion, instantly changed her expression upon hearing this. She immediately glared at him, her voice filled with exasperation, "What are you trying to say? Are you going to say I'm fat again? Like a crystal ball, right?"

"Hey, hey, I didn't say anything, don't wrong me." Lin Xiuyuan spread his hands and shook his head with a smile.

Seeing this, Shirley couldn't help but cover her mouth and chuckle, and the atmosphere quickly lightened up a bit.

The three then chatted about the filming process. In this regard, Krystal looked at Lin Xiuyuan very seriously and said, "I'm going to go to 25 years ago to see the original script. I watched it yesterday, and it's really helpful for filming. No wonder Yoona's acting skills have improved so quickly."

Lin Xiuyuan nodded, "Okay, I'll open the door for you in a bit."

At this moment, Jessica, who had just finished washing up in the bedroom, came out. She put on a coat to cover up her bare skin, but her shoulders and neck were still faintly visible.

Stepping out of the bedroom, she stared intently at Lin Xiuyuan, her tone laced with provocation, "What about me? I also want to go over and set things right after what you've messed up. Don't worry, I won't wander off."

However, Lin Xiuyuan ignored her words and turned to go inside to wash up.

This reaction stunned Jessica for half a second, then she gritted her teeth in anger, glaring fiercely at his back, the resentment in her eyes almost flying like arrows, which made Sulli and Jung Soo-jung laugh.

Just then, seemingly oblivious to everything, Krystal Jung added insult to injury, "Unnie, how did you sleep last night?"

Upon hearing this, Jessica instantly flew into a rage. "What else could it be? I didn't get any rest at all. I slept on the hard floor. That guy is no man; he wouldn't give me his bed no matter what I said."

Upon receiving the answer, Sulli and Krystal exchanged a glance, their smiles completely bursting out.

Jessica's face darkened even more from the laughter, and she rolled her eyes, but she didn't say anything to her two younger sisters. Instead, she glared resentfully at Lin Xiuyuan.

Soon, at Shirley's invitation, the three of them sat down at the table and set out their breakfast.

The clinking of knives and forks, the sound of milk being poured into a glass—all these create a warm, everyday atmosphere.

When Lin Xiuyuan came out of the bathroom, the timing was perfect; breakfast was already laid out.

As he sat down, the group acted as if nothing had happened, eating and chatting in an unexpectedly warm atmosphere.

The aroma of sandwiches and milk filled the breakfast table. Several people ate with their heads down, the atmosphere seemingly relaxed, yet there was always a hint of undercurrent of competition.

After taking a bite of her toast, Jessica suddenly turned to Krystal Jung and asked, "By the way, Krystal, what kind of drama are you filming here?"

Yesterday was too rushed, and she was able to ask very few questions.

I only learned from Krystal that everyone here seems to be doing quite well, and nothing bad has happened.

When her name was called, Krystal Jung looked up, blinked, then put down her knife and fork and said seriously, "It's 'Weightlifting Fairy Kim Bok-joo,' and I play the female lead."

As he said this, a hint of pride crept onto his lips.

Then she gestured towards Shirley with her chin and laughed, "And Snowball, she's transformed herself from an idol into a screenwriter, which has shocked many people."

Upon hearing this, Jessica's previously calm expression finally softened.

After a moment of stunned silence, he looked at Shirley, then glanced at Lin Xiuyuan, who was engrossed in eating a sandwich.

Her eyes held a complex emotion, as if she was realizing for the first time that this man's "time portal cheat" could have such a huge impact on everyone's life trajectory.

Then he lowered his head slightly and exhaled softly, a hint of emotion appearing on his face.

Soon, she asked curiously, "Then... what about the others? What are they doing now?"

This time, Sulli took over the conversation. After thinking for a while, she organized her thoughts and said, "Yoona unnie snatched the lead role from Park Shin-hye in 'The Heirs' and is now the most watched rookie actress in Seoul. As for Jiyeon unnie, she has also made arrangements for her father's illness and started an investment company with oppa."

She paused here, seemingly considering her words, before continuing.

"As for Soo-yeon unnie... she brought back a lot of design drawings from 25. With those drawings, she has gradually become a rising star in the Asian fashion scene. She has begun to attract the attention of some brands, and many brands have even approached her to collaborate on a collection."

"Designer?" Jessica asked instinctively, her chopsticks hovering in mid-air. "Design drawings?? What do you mean?"

Her expression clearly said "I don't understand," and her eyes darted back and forth between the two of them.

He quickly realized what was happening and his eyes widened in shock. "No, this is plagiarism that transcends time and space!"

In response to Jessica's statement, Krystal Jung still defended Jessica Jung at this time, so she carefully said, "Unnie, this can't be called plagiarism. It's about bringing back a design concept that has been proven 25 years ago, and combining it with the popularity here to achieve some success."

Shirley chimed in, "Yeah, unnie, those designs that might not even exist in the future are brand new and cutting-edge here, how can that be considered plagiarism?"

Lin Xiuyuan, who had been listening quietly to everything, muttered something to himself.

How can the borrowing of ideas by writers and poets be considered plagiarism?

That definitely doesn't count.

As Jessica listened to this explanation, a scene from not long ago suddenly flashed through her mind.

Those were the product design sketches that Krystal had suddenly asked her for. Her heart tightened, and she turned sharply to stare at Lin Xiuyuan, her tone demanding, "Wait, Lin Xiuyuan, did you and Xiujing give those design sketches to Jessica Jung?!"

Lin Xiuyuan raised his head, swallowed the last bite of his sandwich, his expression so calm it was infuriating, and nodded without denying it.

“Yes, since you’ve already closed down, those blueprints are just a waste. In that case, why not make use of them? At least here, your designs will definitely reach a level that 25 years won’t be able to achieve.”

"Lin—Xiu—Yuan!" Jessica was so angry at these words that she almost slammed her knife and fork on the table, her face filled with disbelief and rage.

You took it, fine, but why are you kicking yourself while you're down?

Sulli and Krystal exchanged a glance, then immediately lowered their heads and ate their breakfast furiously, as if the milk and sandwiches in their bowls were the most important things at the moment, afraid that they might be caught up in the battle.

After breakfast was quickly finished, Jessica got up without saying a word, went straight into Lin Xiuyuan's room, turned on the computer, and began to look up some changes in 2013.

Fingers flew across the keyboard, and news about Jessica Jung, Lin Xiaolu, and others gradually appeared on the screen.

Her gaze grew increasingly heavy as she followed the images and text in the news, as if she were trying to piece together a completely new timeline as quickly as possible.

Meanwhile, after cleaning up the dining table, Lin Xiuyuan opened a time portal and sent Jung Soo-jung and Sulli to the villa 25 years in the past.

When I was taking them there, I briefly told Shirley that I would open the door and pick them up again around the same time.

He wouldn't go with them; he had to stay here and watch over Jessica.

Sulli and Krystal nodded repeatedly, showing they were quite sensible. They then explained that they were only going to watch a show and wouldn't be running around. They also wouldn't order takeout for lunch, as there was food in the kitchen anyway.

Lin Xiuyuan, who still trusted Shirley completely, closed the time portal with peace of mind and then looked back at the bedroom.

……

……

Meanwhile, in a large shopping mall in downtown Seoul.

A temporary stage has been set up here today, and the area around the square is already packed with people, with banners, support signs and fluorescent lights everywhere.

Fans chanted slogans in unison, holding up cameras and phones, just waiting for the moment they could see their idols up close.

The air inside the mall was a bit hot due to the crowd, but the enthusiasm showed no signs of waning.

Meanwhile, the members of Girls' Generation were waiting around a long table backstage, while staff members were busy arranging gifts and autograph boards.

Some members were looking down at their phones, while others were whispering to each other. Having debuted many years ago and reached the pinnacle of their careers, they were quite adept at handling this small autograph session.

So the atmosphere was very relaxed, with no excitement or tension at all.

In the corner, Jessica Jung leaned back in her chair, with Lin Xiaolu beside her.

She tilted her head and said in a low voice, "Yoona, I always feel uneasy. Xiuyuan is with that person over there. Can he handle it? I barely slept last night. I kept thinking about this, afraid that something might go wrong."

As she spoke, a faint bluish tinge appeared under her eyes, revealing a hint of weariness.

Hearing this, Lin Xiaolu was taken aback, then chuckled, her tone tinged with amusement, "Unnie, you underestimate him too much. At the beginning of the year, didn't he easily win you over? If he can even win you over, shouldn't he have an easier time dealing with the other person now? After all... they're both the same person."

Hearing this strange logic, Jessica Jung couldn't help but laugh out loud, then turned to look at Lin Xiaolu in front of her carefully.

That delicate face, under the light, seemed to have a filter on it, every line appearing excessively perfect.

Jessica Jung narrowed her eyes slightly and teased, "So, Yoona, are you using yourself as an example to comfort me? That guy first got together with Im Yoona, and now he's not even letting you, Yoona, go, right?"

Since this was the first time her "affair" had been directly exposed, Lin Xiaolu was clearly not used to it yet, and her cheeks visibly flushed red.

After giving Jessica a reproachful look, she whispered, "Unnie, you've gone off-topic. I was clearly trying to help you out, so how did it turn into me?"

Jessica Jung smiled, but didn't continue the joke.

At the same time, she suddenly remembered the words Jessica had said to her last night, and her eyes gradually dimmed, and her smile slowly faded.

At the same time, in a practice room in another location in Seoul.

The members of TaraN4 were busy adjusting their dance steps and pitch, and the atmosphere was as busy as ever. After about ten minutes, the music stopped, and it was time for a break.

Park Jiyeon, who had stopped rehearsing, immediately pulled Ham Eunjung back to the corner, where they sat side by side on a bench, each holding a water bottle.

I missed a lot of news because Ham Eun-jung had a personal event yesterday.

So at this moment, he was listening to Park Jiyeon quietly recount yesterday's events concerning Jessica and Jung Soo-jung.

As the story was told, she froze, almost dropping the water bottle in her hand.

"W-What?!" Ham Eun-jung's eyes widened, and her voice rose involuntarily, "Ji-yeon, you mean... Jessica was really kidnapped by Soo-won, and she's still in this apartment here?"

Park Jiyeon nodded, but her expression wasn't as exaggerated as Krystal's. She just smiled curiously, "Yeah, it's true. I heard that Krystal initially wanted oppa to...do that to Jessica, but she stopped herself because of Krystal's appearance. Otherwise, it really would have been..."

Although Park Jiyeon didn't finish her sentence, those who understood understood.

So Ham Eun-jung covered her mouth, unable to recover for a long time, her eyes filled with shock and disbelief, as if she was still trying to process this news that was beyond the norm.

After a long pause, he muttered, "Dafa, yesterday's incident was big enough. So how does Xiuyuan plan to deal with Jessica now? Your delaying tactics only last a week, right? If Jessica doesn't come to her senses by then, it could be a disaster."

Hearing this concern, Park Jiyeon's smile faded slightly. She nodded gently, but her tone remained calm.

"Yeah, we've all thought about that too. But with Krystal around, the worst-case scenario shouldn't happen. Now it all depends on whether oppa can get Jessica involved. Only when she's truly inducted can we consider it a success."

At this point, she glanced at the wall clock and turned to suggest, "How about we go over and take a look later? Anyway, rehearsals aren't too tight today."

However, after thinking for a moment, Ham Eun-jung shook her head. "I think we should give Jessica some private space. She has always been strong-willed, and it's precisely at times like this that it's better for her to think things through quietly. If we rush over and disturb her, it might only backfire."

Park Jiyeon paused for a moment after hearing this, then nodded in agreement, thinking it made sense. "Okay, then let's not bother her for now. Let's ask oppa about the situation later."

“Yes, it’s okay to talk to Xiuyuan,” Ham Eun-jung replied.

As soon as he finished speaking, the door to the practice room creaked open, and several graceful figures walked in.

Leading the way was Lee So-hee, who had recently become Park Ji-yeon's assistant.

Her appearance instantly attracted the attention of many backup dancers and dance teachers in the corners of the room.

That face, so exquisitely beautiful even without makeup, made N4's new maknae (youngest member) pale in comparison, and even overshadowed the glamorous Park Hyomin.

It's a pity that she's slightly inferior in terms of body proportions, otherwise she would be completely outclassed.

It's worth noting that ever since Lee So-hee became Park Ji-yeon's personal assistant, the company here has tried to sign her as a trainee more than once.

That ability to instantly discern a person's future astrological potential was incredibly attractive to talent agencies.

If this were anyone else, they would probably have broken the contract and jumped into the entertainment industry long ago.

But Li Shaoxi always firmly refused.

The main reason is that, having just entered the workforce, she experienced many ups and downs and the harsh realities of society very quickly, despite her youth.

Furthermore, her encounters with Lin Xiuyuan and Shirley, as well as the subsequent "amazing rescue," have given her a strong resistance to the superficiality of the entertainment industry and the temptation of money.

Of course, all of this is thanks to Lin Xiuyuan for giving her a stable income and a decent job.

Therefore, she felt more at ease than with a glamorous reputation. And since young girls are inherently strong-willed, the "contractual spirit" that Lin Xiuyuan "trusted" her with was thus deeply ingrained in her bones.

This made Park Jiyeon feel a sense of admiration when she looked at her.

So he beckoned Li Shaoxi to his side and asked in a low voice, "Shaoxi, is there any new situation with the chain restaurant lately?"

Upon hearing the question, Lee So-hee sat down next to Park Ji-yeon, leaned over, and quietly reported everything in detail.

Although she didn't fully understand these business matters at the time, she had a good memory and was able to clearly relay what she heard.

His speech was steady and his logic was clear.

Hearing this, Park Jiyeon couldn't help but nod in satisfaction, her mood becoming increasingly cheerful.

At the same time, she thought to herself: oppa really found me the perfect assistant this time.

……

……

Five more days passed in this way.

During these five days, Jessica, who had been confined to her apartment, finally managed to piece together the new year of 2013 little by little, relying on the internet and scattered information.

My mood is no longer as chaotic and anxious as it was at the beginning. Although I still resist, I have at least begun to observe calmly.

Compared to the initial struggle, it has become much milder.

And at night, she no longer needs to sleep alone on the cold floor.

Because whenever Krystal Jung doesn't have filming commitments, she and Sulli would go back to the apartment together, and then the three of them would squeeze into a small room to rest.

Although the large bed was packed full, it unexpectedly felt more intimate and warm.

Apart from those two, almost no one else bothered Jessica again.

It seemed that everyone tacitly gave her some space to be alone and think things through.

At the same time, everyone is indeed extremely busy.

For example, Girls' Generation members Jessica Jung, Lim Siu-lu, and Kim Yeon-yeon were either doing individual activities, group performances, or overseas trips. In just five days, they spent three days on airplanes, becoming true "frequent flyers."

Krystal and Yoona, both 25 years old, are equally busy, one promoting a new project and the other attending various press conferences. Even Da Long Zai, who is semi-retired, has begun preparing for a concert.

Compared to the first half of the year when everyone was almost idle, the second half of the year finally felt like everyone was back to work.

Kim Tae-yeon, on the other hand, always had free time, but she had some concerns.

Worried that his sudden appearance might trigger Jessica's painful memories and backfire, he had been holding back from coming to watch the show.

On the morning of the fifth day, the situation finally changed.

Because she has a performance stage in two days, and she also needs to prepare for the shooting of several posters and advertisements, she needs to coordinate with Lin Xiuyuan for some support.

In addition, she felt that it would be quite difficult for Jessica to figure things out on her own; at least something would need to push her forward.

So she finally mustered up her courage and went to the villa early in the morning to wait for someone.

The air in the early autumn morning already has a slightly cool feel to it.

As Lin Xiuyuan opened the portal from the apartment to check his phone for messages, he was surprised to find someone already waiting for him on the sofa in the living room.

When he clearly saw the familiar casual long coat and the slightly petite figure, his arm holding the doorknob paused slightly, and a hint of surprise flashed in his eyes.

"Taeyeon?"

Lin Xiuyuan couldn't help but shout out, his tone tinged with disbelief.

Kim Tae-yeon was sitting quietly on the sofa, scrolling through her phone, as if she had been patiently waiting for a long time.

So when she heard the voice, she immediately looked up. Her slightly smiling eyes lit up instantly when she saw Lin Xiuyuan, as if they had been ignited by the light of dawn.

Then he raised his hand and waved it lightly, a genuine and natural smile on his lips. "What? Are you surprised to see me? Did I scare you?"

"It's not that exaggerated."

Lin Xiuyuan chuckled, his tone softening slightly, "But why did you come so early? Is there something you need to talk to me about?"

"Can't I contact you if there's nothing wrong?" Kim Tae-yeon smiled first.

Then she continued lightly, her tone carrying a hint of undisguised joy and shyness, "But I really do have something to discuss with you this time. I originally wanted to wait until you were done with your work before coming, but I just didn't have enough time."

"It's okay, you can contact me anytime." Lin Xiuyuan assured him generously.

Just as the two were talking, a small noise suddenly came from behind Lin Xiuyuan.

Jessica, who had been sitting on the sofa, came over and peeked out from behind him. She was wearing loose pajamas and her hair was a little messy, like a kitten that had just woken up.

Then he immediately spotted Kim Tae-yeon behind the door, paused for a moment, then forced a smile, "Good morning, Tae-yeon~"

Looking at Jessica, who exudes a down-to-earth vibe, Kim Tae-yeon thought that Jessica and Lin Xiuyuan had finished their business, but after seeing Jessica's face and complexion, she smiled again.

Then she raised her hand and waved gently, her tone soft, "Good morning, Xiuyan, how have you been these past few days?"

"Not so good," Jessica muttered.

The next second, Jessica walked out nonchalantly, her steps light and quick, as if she couldn't wait to escape her cage.

However, as soon as she walked to Lin Xiuyuan's side, her head was gently pressed down by his hand, and she was pushed back towards the sofa.

"go back."

Lin Xiuyuan's voice was as calm as if he were dealing with a child.

"Hey, Lin Xiuyuan, I haven't shown up for five days. Can't you give me a little time to let my team know?"

Jessica, who was being held down by someone, shouted indignantly, her movements showing a bit of willful struggle.

A pair of small hands angrily slapped his arm away, and she turned around to accuse him with her eyes.

But Lin Xiuyuan remained unmoved, as if he had gotten used to her antics over the past few days. He simply ignored her and said, "Stop making a fuss. I said I'd keep you locked up for a week, and I'll keep you locked up for a week. There are still two days left, just bear with it a little longer."

After he finished speaking, he turned around and extended his hand to Kim Tae-yeon, gesturing for her to come in. "Come on, come in first, let's talk over here."

Kim Tae-yeon, who had been watching this scene, couldn't help but laugh at the sight.

Then, with a slight smile at the corners of her eyes, she nodded gently.

He got up, picked up some food and fruit he had bought on the way, crossed the threshold, and walked into the 13-year-old apartment.

After entering the apartment, Kim Tae-yeon naturally placed the bag she was carrying on the dining table.

Then he clapped his hands, as if announcing that he was "home".

My gaze inadvertently fell on Jessica, who was sitting on the sofa, hugging a cushion with both hands and looking sullen.

The way Lin Xiuyuan had just "pressed" them back looked like cattle forced to work overtime, unable to run away even if they wanted to.

"Xiuyan, can't you accept this fact yet?"

Seeing the other person's resentful expression, Kim Tae-yeon couldn't help but laugh and ask, her tone light and slightly teasing.

Faced with this question, Jessica rolled her eyes at Lin Xiuyuan, her sigh filled with helplessness, "I actually accepted it the very next day, but this guy..."

Gritting her teeth, she pointed at Lin Xiuyuan not far away, her voice suddenly rising, her face full of speechlessness and headache, "That bastard Lin Xiuyuan won't let me leave, saying things like 'Stay a few more days, let me experience it more deeply,' Taeyeon, what kind of logic is that?"

Lin Xiuyuan flipped through the things Kim Tae-yeon had bought, pretending not to hear them, as if the complaint had nothing to do with him.

After speaking, Jessica lazily leaned back on the sofa armrest and squinted at Kim Tae-yeon beside her, "By the way, Tae-yeon, what brings you here this time?"

Startled by the direct question, Kim Tae-yeon's eyes flickered. Worried about being caught red-handed, the girl stammered, her lips pursed, "Ah... I just... have something I want to talk to Xiu-yuan about..."

She got a little embarrassed and started to say something, but then she felt awkward and started to feel self-conscious.

So, to cover it up, she immediately changed the subject and asked, "By the way, have you had breakfast yet? I bought some things on the way, would you like to eat together?"

Jessica watched her subtle movements and smiled inwardly, as if she could see right through her thoughts.

However, he didn't say it aloud, "I've already eaten this morning, let me have some fruit."

So I got up and rummaged through the fruit to eat, and the atmosphere in the apartment immediately quieted down.

A few minutes later, Jessica was biting into a freshly washed grape when she looked at Kim Tae-yeon's hesitant expression and couldn't help but feel a little curious.

But she didn't press the matter further. Instead, she suddenly stood up and said, "Um, I'm going back to my room to check the news. You guys chat."

After saying that, without waiting for a response, she turned and disappeared into the bedroom, gently closing the door behind her.

In the blink of an eye, only Lin Xiuyuan and Kim Tae-yeon remained in the living room.

Lin Xiuyuan, who had been mostly silent, slowly put down his cup, his gaze falling on her with a hint of curiosity. "Taeyeon, is there something you want to say?"

When Lin Xiuyuan asked her about it, Kim Tae-yeon bit her lip lightly, quickly glanced in the direction of the bedroom, and after confirming that Jessica hadn't come out, she slowly approached her as if she had made up her mind.

Then she bent down, her breath so light it could almost brush past Lin Xiuyuan's ear.

With a hint of caution, yet also a secret excitement, she parted her lips slightly and whispered a few words in his ear.

As Lin Xiuyuan listened to Kim Tae-yeon's explanation, his twitching fingers suddenly stopped, and his expression became somewhat subtle.

He turned his head and gave the woman beside him a meaningful look, his voice filled with undisguised shock, "Ah, are you sure you want to go this far?"

Seeing Lin Xiuyuan's expression, Kim Tae-yeon's lips curled into a small smug smile, her eyes sparkling, and her voice lowered even further, "Well, it's alright. I think if it succeeds, it would be a win-win situation."

……

In the bedroom, the light from the computer screen flickered and reflected on Jessica's face.

She was sitting with her knees drawn up, lost in thought, her eyes floating over the news pages, but her attention had already wandered elsewhere.

Since just now, the living room outside has been unusually quiet.

There was no sound of conversation or television; the silence was unsettling.

Jessica frowned, a hint of curiosity rising in her heart, but she was too embarrassed to go out and disturb them.

So she simply turned on a variety show, trying her best to focus her attention on the screen and pretending that she didn't care.

however……

Not long after, a strange noise suddenly came from outside the door.

"Screw rustle..."

The sound was faint and intermittent, like the rubbing of fabric, or the sound of bodies accidentally brushing against each other.

These outrageous noises made Jessica's ears burn slightly, her breath hitched, and some... inappropriate images floated into her mind.

"No way……"

Her heart tightened, her throat went dry, and her voice was so soft it was almost inaudible, as if she were talking to herself, "Taeyeon shouldn't be that bold, right?"

But just then, the noise outside the door became even clearer.

Interspersed with a few muffled groans, seemingly suppressed, sounds that seemed to emanate from deep within the throat, were forcibly suppressed, yet only made them more captivating.

Jessica froze completely, her pupils dilating instantly.

Then I suddenly stood up, my legs felt weak, and my heart was pounding in my throat.

Then, he quietly walked behind the door, his right hand trembling as he reached for the doorknob, his palm slightly sweaty.

To open or not to open...

With mixed feelings, she abruptly stopped moving at the last moment when her fingertips gripped the cold metal tightly.

The images that flashed through her mind made her hesitant to believe it:

—How embarrassing would it be if we actually saw something we shouldn't have seen?

But what if... she really guessed right? How should she bring it up? It's better to play dumb and pretend she doesn't know anything.

Thinking of this, Jessica bit her lip, her breathing rapid, as if she were trapped in an unsolvable game.

I'm afraid to open the door myself, but I'm even more afraid to stand here and let my mind torment me.

Her entire face was filled with struggle and complexity, a mixture of disbelief and a hint of panic.

Meanwhile, the sounds from the other side of the door continued to come, as if pushing her forward, or warning her "don't touch it."

The sounds made Jessica break out in a cold sweat. She slowly leaned against the door, closed her eyes, and exhaled softly, murmuring, "What am I afraid of, or am I expecting something?"

Over the past few days, she has thought a lot and learned a lot more.

……

half an hour ago.

Jessica Jung, who finally had some free time, rushed to her apartment from the company today.

After getting off the bus, she walked in a slightly hurried manner. Before she could even put her bag down properly, she bumped into Ham Eun-jung, who was also rushing over, at the corner downstairs.

The two looked at each other for a moment, paused for a second, and then both revealed a knowing smile.

That smile contained a hint of relief, but also an undeniable weariness.

Neither of them brought up the important matter at hand; they simply walked side by side toward the hall.

The lights at the elevator entrance shone quietly, illuminating the clear silhouettes of the two people. Ham Eun-jung broke the silence first, lowering her voice to ask, "Soo-yeon, what do you think of Jessica now?"

When asked, Jessica Jung's eyes flickered, and she paused slightly, her tone carrying a hint of caution, "Didn't Krystal say that she's figured things out a lot? At least she doesn't have to worry about the other party causing trouble again..."

As she said this, she seemed to be comforting herself; her tone was softer than usual, yet still not quite certain.

Ham Eun-jung nodded, but her fingertips were still unconsciously rubbing the edge of her coat, her eyes filled with unease. "Yes, that's true. But relying solely on her own self-discipline, I still think it's too dangerous. We need a hook, something to hold her firmly. Otherwise, she might..."

She didn't finish her sentence, but Jessica Jung already understood, and her brow furrowed slightly.

"I know."

She sighed and looked toward the door, her voice lowering, "But what could be that hook? I know her best; she's more proud and more stubborn than anyone else. If the hook is too hard, she'll break it; if it's too soft, she won't even notice it."

The two of them remained at the entrance of the lobby corridor, neither of them going upstairs immediately, and chatted for a long time.

A cold wind occasionally blew in from the corridor, ruffling the stray hairs at their temples and making the unspeakable anxiety in their hearts even clearer.

In the instant their eyes met, they both read the same thing in each other's eyes: helplessness.

So, the two of them gave a wry smile in unison, and their silent gazes spoke volumes.

"Let's go, let's go up first," Ham Eun-jung said softly.

"Ah."

Ham Eun-jung nodded, then followed her into the elevator.

Ding……

As the elevator doors slowly closed, the bright lights clearly illuminated the worried expressions on their faces.

The two arrived at the apartment entrance quickly. Jessica Jung habitually raised her hand to enter the password, the action as natural as if she had repeated it countless times.

But just as her finger was about to fall, Ham Eun-jung suddenly reached out and pressed her finger down.

"and many more."

Her movements were light, yet firm.

This also surprised Jessica Jung, who turned around to look at the other person.

"Ring the doorbell, at least show some respect. It's not good to just barge in like this..." Ham Eun-jung's tone was very gentle, but she had her own opinion.

Jessica Jung paused for a moment after hearing this, her eyes darkening.

After a long while, he nodded slightly and took half a step back.

He watched as Ham Eun-jung raised her hand and rang the doorbell.

The crisp tinkling sound echoed in the corridor, sounding particularly abrupt.

The two stood at the door, holding their breath, both feeling a strange tension.

The air seemed to freeze instantly, leaving only the flickering red light of the doorbell flashing on and off.

Finally, after a while, a faint sound came from the other side of the door.

As the door lock clicked, the door was slowly opened from the inside.

The person who appeared was neither the one the two had just been talking about, nor Lin Xiuyuan.

Instead, it was Kim Tae-yeon, her face flushed and her eyes looking at them strangely!

"Taeyeon? What are you doing here?"

"Sooyeon? Eunjung? What brings you here?"

(PS: Godfathers, the double-period voting starts today and runs until the 7th of next month. If the target is reached, there will be an extra 5 chapters with 10,000 words per day!!!)

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(End of this chapter)