Hancheng: There is a door between me and the future

Chapter 278 "Xiu Yuan, come and see how bright my car lights are..." (10,000 words, please subscribe and vote)

night.

After having dinner with Jessica at the villa, Lin Xiuyuan and Jessica returned to the apartment together.

This time, however, they did not stay to rest as usual.

Upon returning to the apartment from 13, Jessica went straight to the bedroom and, almost without hesitation, took off her nightgown and put back on her familiar clothes.

Her fingertips lingered on the zipper for a moment, then with a "click," it closed. She then subconsciously turned around, her gaze slowly falling towards the bedroom.

The dim light illuminated the room, where the large bed lay quietly, the soft bedding neatly stacked, and the pillows like silent witnesses.

A faint, fresh scent lingered in the air, but it was hard to tell if it was the smell of detergent or some indescribable memory.

Jessica stared at the bed, her expression momentarily paused, and her lips tightened.

It was a complex look, a look that contained both a sense of relief and a hint of unspeakable embarrassment.

Then, she raised an eyebrow and exhaled, as if finally bidding a temporary farewell to the traces she had been forced to leave behind during this period.

As she turned to leave the bedroom, the scene in the living room came into view.

Lin Xiuyuan was lounging on the sofa, one leg crossed over the other, holding his phone in his hand, his head tilted to his ear.

His voice was calm and unhurried, with a hint of patience and casualness, as he explained to Shirley on the other end of the phone that he would not be resting at the apartment that night.

His calm and composed demeanor made it seem as if nothing had ever happened.

But whenever Jessica thought about how she had been forced to be imprisoned there, a strange feeling of tightness would rise in her chest.

"Bang!"

So she quickly stepped forward and kicked his leg without hesitation.

Lin Xiuyuan frowned slightly and let out a short "Hmm?".

However, he didn't take the phone away from his ear, and his expression didn't change much either, as if he had been suddenly pounced on by a kitten, neither painful nor itchy.

He patiently suppressed his anger until he ended the call with Shirley, then casually placed his phone on the coffee table and turned to look at Jessica with a raised eyebrow.

"What? What did I do to offend you this time?"

Lin Xiuyuan's tone was tinged with helplessness when he said this.

Jessica crossed her arms, glared at me with her almond-shaped eyes, and said angrily, "What do you think? Just thinking about how you tied me up like that makes me furious. Couldn't you have talked to me properly back then? I wasn't ignoring you when you spoke to me properly."

Lin Xiuyuan was stunned for a moment, then couldn't help but chuckle softly, raising his hand to rub his temples, his expression full of helplessness, "I can't do anything with you."

"So Jessica, are you trying to settle scores with me later? If you hadn't thought this through, you wouldn't have gone into the villa in the first place. Besides..."

He paused deliberately, a hint of mockery flashing in his eyes, "Kidnapping or something, could it possibly be considered a kind of...fun, right?"

As soon as she finished speaking, Jessica couldn't help but roll her eyes and snort coldly. As if she had suddenly thought of something, she turned and walked towards the bedroom.

Not long after, she reappeared, carrying a rope in her hand.

The rope hung naturally in her slender hands, swaying gently with her steps. The sound of friction was barely audible, yet it suddenly made the air tense.

Jessica, holding the rope, narrowed her eyes, a sly smile playing on her lips, but her tone was cold.

"Lin Xiuyuan, this rope has been used to tie me up, so logically... it should be mine, right? Besides, this is something you brought from Jessica Jung's house, isn't it? Humph, I'll remember this debt."

Upon hearing this, Lin Xiuyuan was taken aback, then completely dumbfounded. He seemed to instantly recall some scenes and couldn't help but shake his head and chuckle.

"No, are you two planning to become enemies? You even have to bring this kind of thing together."

Jessica didn't bother to respond, she just hugged the rope, her expression showing a hint of pride as if she were declaring ownership, and a little excitement before doing something naughty.

Then he walked straight to the portal, gently patted the door, and turned around to call out, "Let's go, let's go back."

Lin Xiuyuan got up and followed, his tone calm but with a hint of curiosity, "Back to the villa? Or your apartment? I can go directly there."

When asked the question, Jessica paused, a hint of hesitation flashing in her eyes. After carefully considering the situation, she shook her head.

"Let's go back to the villa first. My apartment has security cameras and locks installed at the door. If we really want to go there, we'll have to replace all of those things before we can go directly."

Upon hearing this, Lin Xiuyuan didn't press further, but simply nodded slightly, "Okay."

The next second, he reached out and placed his hand on the handle of the time portal.

With a soft click, the door opened naturally, and he stepped inside with Jessica, returning to the villa they had lived in for 25 years.

……

……

The night was deep, and the streetlights outside the car window swept past one after another, their light and shadows cutting into Jessica's profile like fragments.

Her expression was sometimes clear and bright, and sometimes swallowed by shadows, with indifference and sharpness alternating between her brows and eyes.

At this moment, she held the steering wheel steadily with one hand, while operating her phone crisply and efficiently with the other.

The screen's light shone on her manicured fingertips, cold and decisive.

The call was answered quickly, and Jessica's tone was brief and direct, "Hello, driver, I've sent you my address. How long will it take to arrive?... Okay, okay, please hurry."

After hanging up, she casually placed her phone on the center console, her posture decisive and without the slightest hesitation.

Lin Xiuyuan, sitting in the passenger seat, quietly turned his head and watched Jessica's series of swift movements, and couldn't help but chuckle to himself.

This woman is really proactive; she doesn't procrastinate at all.

Recalling what had just happened at the villa, she immediately demanded to rush back to the apartment to completely eliminate the "hidden danger" as soon as she arrived, her tone resolute and leaving no room for negotiation.

Lin Xiuyuan originally intended to stay a little longer, but in the end he just shrugged, grabbed some testing tools, and got into the car with her.

The car drove smoothly into the apartment's underground parking garage, so quiet that the only sound was the tires rubbing against the ground.

When they walked side by side to the apartment door, the locksmith had been waiting for a long time.

Jessica had barely arrived when she opened the door and told the other person to start working.

The sound of metal scraping quickly rang out, and the old security door lock was neatly removed.

The process of replacing the new lock was swift and efficient, but Jessica remained vigilant throughout.

She crossed her arms and leaned against the wall, her eyes coldly watching the entire process, like a wary cat, until she confirmed that the last set of passwords had been successfully entered and the locksmith left.

She nodded slightly, looked at Lin Xiuyuan who had been with her, and said calmly, "Now no one can come in casually."

His tone carried a sense of relief and certainty.

After finishing that, Lin Xiuyuan didn't stay idle any longer.

He carried the small tools he had brought with him and patrolled the apartment inside and out.

First, he checked the electrical wiring in the living room, then went to the bedroom to carefully inspect every corner, and even the balcony.

His movements were skillful and cautious, like those of a dutiful bodyguard.

About ten minutes later, he clapped his hands and returned to the living room with a sense of relief.

Jessica had changed her posture and was now sitting cross-legged on the soft carpet, with a laptop on her lap. Her slender fingers were typing on the keyboard, and the screen light reflected her focused expression.

Seeing this, Lin Xiuyuan couldn't help but smile and said in a half-joking tone, "I just checked it for you, there's nothing wrong with the house, it's very safe. You go ahead and do your work, I'll be going now."

Upon hearing this, Jessica paused for a moment, her fingers hovering in mid-air, before slowly raising her head.

She turned her head slightly, raising her eyebrows, a subtle sharpness flashing in her eyes. "You're leaving already? Didn't you tell Shirley you weren't going home tonight?"

Lin Xiuyuan shrugged as if it were the most natural thing in the world and said, "I'm going back to the villa tonight."

As soon as he finished speaking, he keenly caught the dangerous glint in Jessica's eyes.

Like a flame suddenly bursting up, it seemed capable of burning him to a crisp in the next second.

Then, the scene from last night inevitably flashed through his mind.

You've just completely taken advantage of someone, and now they want to just walk away tonight? Anyone would be furious in that situation.

After understanding the situation, Lin Xiuyuan smiled awkwardly, touched his nose, and tried to change the subject, "Um... I'm just going back to take a shower and then come back. You don't have any clothes for me here, so you can't expect me to make do with what I'm wearing, can you?"

Upon hearing this, Jessica's anger subsided somewhat, and a cryptic smile appeared on her lips as she gave a soft hum, seemingly accepting the reason for the time being.

Then she closed her notebook, got up from the carpet, and her long hair swayed gently over her shoulder.

Her gaze fell upon him with a hint of provocation and stubbornness. "Fine, then I'll go take a look too. I didn't have a chance to visit your villa during the day, so this is a good opportunity to make up for it."

Her tone was joking, but her eyes were sharp.

Lin Xiuyuan was taken aback for a moment, then shrugged and didn't say anything more, leading her to a random door.

With a click, the door turned gently.

The scene inside and outside the door changed in an instant, as if it were a completely different world.

The moment they stepped across the threshold, the two found themselves in a villa in the Gangnam district.

The villa's living room remains spacious and bright, with the marble floor reflecting a soft sheen, like a lake kissed by moonlight.

Outside the floor-to-ceiling windows, the night sky was clear and cold, and the moonlight poured down, making the courtyard scenery look like a dream.

Seeing this amazing scene, Jessica couldn't help but slightly open her lips, a look of astonishment flashing in her eyes.

"Daebak... No wonder Soojung and the others are becoming more and more emotionally stable. After experiencing this kind of situation so many times, no matter how turbulent things are in reality, their emotions won't be able to stir up much waves anymore."

"It's not that exaggerated." Lin Xiuyuan smiled, his tone somewhat indifferent, clearly already used to it.

Jessica shook her head, her almond-shaped eyes slightly raised, and followed him as he stepped onto the soft carpet, half complaining and half teasing.

"Isn't that an exaggeration? Before, I didn't believe you could have slept with that divorced woman, Jiyeon, and then appeared before me as if nothing had happened. This afternoon, your face was either ridiculously thick-skinned or you thought it wasn't a big deal. Tell me, which one are you?"

These words made Lin Xiuyuan pause in his steps, and he turned around to look at Jessica.

A slight smile curved his lips, but he offered no explanation, simply smiling without saying a word, and continued leading the way.

Soon, he led the other person to the master suite on the third floor.

As Jessica stepped inside, she couldn't help but pause slightly in surprise.

The entire suite has an almost luxurious layout, with no unnecessary doors or partitions, and the space is completely open.

A delicate crystal chandelier hangs from the high ceiling, casting a warm glow.

The night air peeked through the half-drawn curtains, and the indoor lights intertwined with the moonlight, creating a soft and ambiguous atmosphere.

What made her stop in her tracks was the entire floor-to-ceiling walk-in closet.

Jessica walked over slowly, her gaze sweeping over the neatly arranged shirts and casual clothes, her expression gradually becoming subtle.

Soon, she spotted several familiar dresses and sunglasses in the corner, with a fresh style and a distinctly girlish vibe.

He reached out and lightly touched the fabric, then paused, squinting his eyes.

His gaze lingered on those details, then he turned to look at Lin Xiuyuan, who was walking out of there carrying a set of pajamas.

"These clothes...are they Krystal's?" Jessica's tone was certain, her eyes scrutinizing.

Then she smiled again, pointed to the sunglasses and accessories next to her, and said in a somewhat annoyed tone, "Did she pick these out too? Are those sunglasses and accessories over there the ones she 'snatched' from me?"

Lin Xiuyuan was slightly taken aback, but quickly nodded without denying it.

Having gotten the answer she wanted, Jessica snorted softly, turned her head away, and a faint smile appeared on her lips, but a complex meaning flashed in her eyes.

"No wonder Soojung is so good to you, no wonder you protect her so much. She can occupy both master bedrooms without saying a word, this is no ordinary relationship."

Hearing the somewhat strange reply, Lin Xiuyuan raised an eyebrow, a smile playing on his lips, his eyes flashing with a hint of mockery, "You wouldn't even... Krystal..."

"Shut up and go take a shower."

Jessica immediately interrupted him before he was about to utter those inappropriate words, and then pushed him toward the bathroom without saying another word.

As the sound of rushing water rang out, Jessica, alone in the bedroom, looked around and slowly walked away.

My gaze traveled from the desk to the windowsill, then to the bedside, and finally settled on a corner of the room.

There, a pair of red high heels sat quietly.

The shoes and their design made Jessica's gaze freeze for a moment, and she was stunned.

The main reason was that she knew Krystal's personality and style of dress all too well; the style and color of those shoes could never belong to her sister.

A moment of doubt flashed through her mind, but she quickly suppressed it.

If Lin Xiuyuan liked it... no, even if he did, Krystal wouldn't wear such flamboyant high heels.

Then... Krystal is out of the question.

Im Yoon-ah? Even less likely.

Kim Tae-yeon? That doesn't make any sense at all.

Jessica's thoughts raced through her mind in an instant.

Finally, she lowered her head, her gaze fixed on the pair of red high heels, a meaningful sneer curving her lips as she muttered to herself, "It seems that this man's life with Ji-yeon is even more exciting than I imagined."

Ten minutes later.

The sound of water in the bathroom finally subsided, and the rising steam slowly escaped through the cracks in the door, spreading a warm, humid atmosphere throughout the space.

Lin Xiuyuan haphazardly dried his hair with a towel and walked out. As soon as he stepped into the bedroom, his gaze immediately fell on Jessica in front of the floor-to-ceiling window.

She stood there barefoot, her slender figure overlapping with the night, as if she had melted into the deep blackness.

The courtyard lamps and the moonlight in the sky intertwined, making her silhouette appear long and soft, like a quiet painting.

At this moment, Jessica hugged herself, her gaze fixed on the spacious courtyard and the blurry night in the distance. Her tone was soft, yet it revealed a hint of envy and complex emotions.

"Lin Xiuyuan, even if you're rich, you might not be able to buy this villa now. The location, the view, and the rare tranquility... it's all combined perfectly."

After saying that, he turned to look at the other person and asked, "How did you manage to buy this villa?"

When asked, Lin Xiuyuan was slightly taken aback, then chuckled, casually draped the towel aside, and walked to her side. "I don't know how to explain it either. Just consider it a gift from the new era. Anyway, as long as I have a place to live, I can watch. Why think so much?"

Jessica turned her head, her gaze lingering on his face, a thoughtful look flashing in her eyes.

She didn't ask too many questions after that, but just smiled slightly, then suddenly reached out and took the towel, gently wiping his wet hair.

Her movements were meticulous, yet carried her uniquely aloof demeanor.

After a short while, Lin Xiuyuan, feeling that it was about time, took the towel away.

Turning around, she led Jessica downstairs, casually pushed open a door, and quickly returned to her apartment.

Back in the apartment living room, the two of them were in a completely different state.

Jessica sat cross-legged on the soft carpet, leaning slightly forward, her laptop lying on the coffee table, her fingertips lightly tapping the keyboard. The light from the screen illuminated her profile, making her cool and focused expression even more pronounced.

Lin Xiuyuan lounged lazily on the sofa, holding his phone horizontally in his hand, scrolling through short videos while casually chatting with Liu Zhimin about their meeting during the day.

"Lunch tomorrow..." Liu Zhimin sent a message asking him if he had any dietary restrictions.

Lin Xiuyuan typed with a smile: "I'm not picky, just avoid Korean food, anything else is fine... Oh, and French food too, but French food is out of the question, anything else is fine."

As soon as she saw that sentence, Liu Zhimin burst into hearty laughter, which drew the attention of several members around her.

The group exchanged glances, their eyes filled with gossip and helplessness: "Is this unnie about to fall in love again? She's definitely a love-struck fool."

However, Lin Xiuyuan didn't pay any attention and was about to continue joking when a new message suddenly popped up on his phone screen.

It was sent from another account that I added at noon.

The other party first sent an emoji, but then immediately deleted it less than a second later.

If Lin Xiuyuan hadn't been watching the screen at the time, he probably would have missed it.

Seeing this, he smiled slightly, tapped his fingers quickly a few times, and replied with a gentle greeting.

Still not resting? It was nice meeting you today!

A reply came shortly afterward.

It's Bae Joo-hyun.

While responding, she also cautiously and indirectly asked Lin Xiuyuan a question she was curious about: What is Lin Xiuyuan's profession?

Lin Xiuyuan casually typed a few words: [Bartender.]

After the message was sent, a brief silence enveloped the chat window. Even through the screen, he could sense the other person's slight surprise.

After a while, Jessica finally finished her work.

She stretched and yawned, the lines of her back faintly visible under the light, her curves soft and captivating.

As she stood up, she turned around and glanced at Lin Xiuyuan, who was chatting and laughing with his head down.

She pursed her lips into a faint smile, then looked away and walked straight into the bathroom.

Lin Xiuyuan, noticing this, caught a glimpse of her retreating figure out of the corner of his eye. His heart skipped a beat, and his intuition told him that tonight would likely not be peaceful. Sure enough, half an hour later...

Just as he and Liu Zhimin confirmed the location for tomorrow's lunch, the bedroom door was gently pushed open.

After taking a shower, Jessica walked out slowly, her damp hair gently clinging to her neck, and a refreshing scent wafted towards you.

In that instant, the air in the living room seemed to subtly change.

She was wearing an almost overly sexy nightgown, the sheer fabric clinging to her snow-white skin, subtly revealing the soft sheen of her skin.

The strap slipped slightly off her shoulder, revealing her delicate collarbone and the curves of her neck and shoulders.

Her damp hair, still carrying the moisture from her shower, cascaded casually over her shoulders and chest, swaying gently and exuding a faint, sweet fragrance, carrying the unique freshness and allure of a post-shower bath.

Just as Lin Xiuyuan was about to say something, the lights in the living room suddenly went out with a "snap".

In an instant, the entire room was plunged into boundless darkness.

Even the afterglow of the auxiliary light disappeared, leaving only the faint glow of his phone screen, the cool moonlight and the dim streetlights projected through the floor-to-ceiling windows.

The interplay of light and shadow creates a space that is both mysterious and ambiguous.

In the darkness, Jessica's voice slowly rang out, tinged with a dangerous and provocative chuckle, "Lin Xiuyuan, do you know what I've been thinking about these past few days while you've 'kidnapped' me?"

Lin Xiuyuan leaned back on the sofa, his heart suddenly tightening, but he still replied with a smile, "What are you thinking about?"

“I was thinking…” Her voice was faint, like a cat circling his ear, then suddenly lowered even further, “After we’re free, I’m going to tie you to the front and show you how bright my headlights are…”

Lin Xiuyuan raised an eyebrow and teased with a smile, "Trying to run me over? You should have let me check your headlights beforehand."

“I know, but then I thought of another better way.”

Before the words were finished, a series of light and hurried footsteps swept across the carpet and approached.

Before Lin Xiuyuan could react, he was overwhelmed by the fragrance and softness in the darkness and slammed hard onto the sofa.

Jessica suddenly pounced on him, pressing her broad, soft body into his arms.

In an instant, Lin Xiuyuan's entire body and face were enveloped in those two soft, fragrant mounds.

At the same time, the phone was casually tossed aside, the screen light flickering a few times, intermingling with the moonlight outside the French windows, casting an extremely ambiguous shadow of the two intertwined figures.

Breaths mingled suddenly, and a rich fragrance filled the air, as if the night had been ignited in that instant.

The intense heat, like a silent flame, quickly baked the entire room until it was scorching hot.

Lin Xiuyuan's hand unconsciously wrapped around her waist, feeling the warmth and softness against her skin. His heart skipped a beat, and a hint of unspeakable fire appeared in the smile at the corner of his eye.

Jessica leaned close to his ear and whispered, her breath sweet and comforting, "This time, don't think you can escape so easily."

……

……

The next day.

In the living room, morning light shone through the gaps in the half-open curtains, casting dappled shadows on the clothes scattered on the floor and the cushions strewn about.

The afterglow of last night's frenzy is still vividly etched in every detail.

An overturned wine glass left a faint mark on the carpet, and a blanket from the corner of the sofa hung halfway on the floor. The air was filled with an ambiguous scent of wine and a faint fragrance, as if silently telling the story of a passionate night.

The scene slowly shifts to the master bedroom.

On the large bed, the crumpled sheets were piled up and askew, and the bedside lamp was still off. Only the morning light streamed in, enveloping the two people on the bed.

Lin Xiuyuan and Jessica nestled close together, his arm naturally encircling her waist, while she curled up in his arms, her long, disheveled hair draped over his chest, her breathing steady, her eyes retaining a languid and gentle beauty after indulgence.

Their posture was ambiguous and intimate, like a vibrant spring scene.

In the midst of this tranquility, the sudden ringing of a cell phone shattered the silence of the bedroom.

Lin Xiuyuan frowned, reached for his phone from the bedside table, and pressed the answer button.

Liu Zhimin's cheerful yet slightly helpless voice came from the other end of the line, "Hello? Lin Xiuyuan, you're not still in bed, are you? Didn't we agree to have lunch together yesterday? I was afraid you'd forgotten, so I called."

Lin Xiuyuan's voice was still a little groggy and low and hoarse, "Okay, I know... I'll get up right away and won't be late."

Just then, the person in his arms stirred. Jessica shifted in his arms like a cat, murmuring softly, her voice lazy and husky, "Who is it..."

Lin Xiuyuan instantly snapped out of his daze, his heart tightening, and quickly said on the other end of the phone, "See you in a bit."

He hung up immediately.

Liu Zhimin, on the other end of the phone, was still stunned, the female voice that didn't belong to Lin Xiuyuan echoing in her ears. Her eyes became complicated and her expression was strange, as if she had caught something but didn't want to think about it.

It's mainly because...it sounds familiar.

Inside the bedroom, Jessica turned over, revealing a glimpse of her cleavage.

The snow-white blanket barely covered half of her body, and her smooth skin and barely visible curves looked particularly dazzling in the morning light.

She squinted at Lin Xiuyuan and pouted, "What's wrong?"

"I had lunch with a friend yesterday, and they just called to ask me to come back," Lin Xiuyuan answered truthfully, without lying to Jessica at all.

The other party's identity was simply concealed.

But Jessica retorted, "It's a woman, isn't it?"

Before Lin Xiuyuan could explain, she kicked him hard, her voice tinged with a hint of annoyance and coquettishness. "Get lost, you've finished your erotic dream."

Lin Xiuyuan stumbled from the kick, but burst out laughing.

His gaze fell on her upturned, round buttocks, and he couldn't help but slap her hard across the face.

"Ah..." Jessica cried out softly, then burrowed into the covers, her eyes filled with a mixture of shame and annoyance.

Lin Xiuyuan laughed, grabbed his pajamas from the floor, put them on, and pushed open the time portal back to the apartment.

The moment the door closed, Jessica chased after them, her voice laced with anger, "Lin Xiuyuan, you just wait!"

The door was closed, and the air still retained the lingering heat of last night and the scorching morning air.

On the other side, after returning to the villa from Jessica's apartment, Lin Xiuyuan quickly took a shower to wash away the lingering ambiguous scent from the previous night and changed into a casual yet appropriate outfit.

Then he picked up his car keys, walked out of the villa at a leisurely pace, started the car, and drove to the restaurant where he had arranged to meet Liu Zhimin.

Seoul's midday traffic was as congested as ever, with cars winding like a slow-moving dragon.

Lin Xiuyuan tapped the steering wheel idly with his fingers, then suddenly glanced to the side and saw a flower shop by the roadside. Fresh bouquets were displayed at the entrance, their colors bright and vibrant, carrying the scent of the afternoon sun.

A thought suddenly struck him, and he rolled down the car window and called to the shop owner.

"Please give me a bouquet of flowers, but not roses."

He thought for a moment and chose baby's breath, daisies, and a few tulips as embellishments. Fresh and elegant, it perfectly matched his mood at that moment.

When he pushed open the door to the restaurant's private room with the bouquet in his arms, Liu Zhimin was already waiting inside.

She was looking down at her phone when she heard the door open, and when she looked up, a look of surprise and astonishment flashed across her eyes.

Especially when she saw the elegant and fresh bouquet of flowers in Lin Xiuyuan's hand, she was stunned for a few seconds, then the corners of her mouth slowly turned up, and her eyes shone like the summer sun.

"Wow... this is for me?" Liu Zhimin asked softly, with an incredulous smile.

"Of course, who else would I give it to?" Lin Xiuyuan smiled casually and handed the flowers to her.

Liu Zhimin took the flowers, lowered her head to smell them, and her eyes overflowed with genuine joy and girlish delight.

She looked up at Lin Xiuyuan, her voice softening, "Thank you, I really like it."

At that moment, her expression lit up as if she had been struck by lightning; she was both surprised and happy, and her heart was pounding so hard it felt like it was about to burst out of her chest.

The two sat down and casually ordered a few Western dishes: short ribs, pasta, grilled fish and lobster, and a small dessert.

The restaurant has a quiet and elegant ambiance, filled with the aroma of red wine and olive oil, creating a perfect atmosphere.

After ordering, Lin Xiuyuan had just put down his phone when Liu Zhimin suddenly looked up and asked, "Lin Xiuyuan, the voice I just heard on the other end of the phone... could it be Park Jiyeon?"

Lin Xiuyuan paused, then looked up abruptly, a hint of surprise flashing in his eyes.

It wasn't because the name "Big Dragon Cub" came out of the other person's mouth, but rather because it was unexpected that Liu Zhimin would suddenly make the connection to the other person.

"How could you think it was her?" He raised an eyebrow, his smile half-serious and half-joking.

Liu Zhimin pursed her lips, her expression slightly teasing, "Yesterday at noon, I was by the window of the coffee shop and happened to see you and Senior Zhiyan leaving together. Even though it was just from the side, I still recognized each other."

Lin Xiuyuan was taken aback for a moment, then chuckled and shook his head, saying, "No, what are you thinking? How could I possibly have any ambiguous relationship with a beauty like Park Jiyeon from Tara?"

"Really?" Liu Zhimin tilted her head to look at him, but her eyes still held a scrutinizing gaze.

After a moment, she smiled slightly, her eyes deepening. "Xiuyuan, you know Krystal and Jessica, and Yoona often contacts you. Your relationships seem quite close. Now, if Jiyeon were to join in, I think it would be quite normal."

Lin Xiuyuan was momentarily speechless, then couldn't help but laugh out loud, "We know each other, but aren't you overthinking it? I don't have the guts to do that kind of thing with Park Jiyeon."

Whatever the truth may be, he certainly wouldn't tell Liu Zhimin, so he'll just deny it.

So his witty remark lightened the atmosphere considerably.

The reason why the two could talk about these ambiguous topics so naturally as soon as they met was because of their online teasing and flirting during this period. Although they had only met twice in real life, they were already as familiar with each other as old friends.

The bouquet of flowers, in particular, completely soothed Liu Zhimin's heart.

So she didn't press the matter further, but instead leaned back slightly and gently brushed her long, smooth, black hair behind her back.

Sunlight streamed in obliquely from the window, falling on her slender neck and well-defined shoulders.

Today she wore a light-colored V-neck vest, which accentuated her slender waist and impressive bust.

The two prominent curves stretched the fabric almost taut, rising and falling slightly with her breath, creating a strong visual impact.

Lin Xiuyuan's gaze was almost unintentionally drawn to it.

Liu Zhimin noticed his gaze, and a meaningful smile slowly appeared on her lips. Her voice was low and soft, yet tinged with a hint of teasing, "Then Xiuyuan, who do you think has a better figure, me or Senior Zhiyan?"

This sentence was like a spark that ignited an atmosphere of ambiguity.

Lin Xiuyuan's mind flashed instantly to Jessica's dazzling "headlights" from last night, almost making him lose his composure.

He then coughed lightly, a sly smile playing on his lips, and said, "They all look good, they all look good."

Upon hearing this, Liu Zhimin gave him a playful, slightly reproachful look.

She seemed dissatisfied with his perfunctory attitude, yet her heart secretly warmed by his words.

……

……

Inside the SM building, the corridors were still quiet in the early morning.

Bae Joo-hyun was carrying several documents and was about to go to her studio when she saw a familiar figure walking towards her.

"Taeyeon sunbaenim".

"Joohyun, are you at work?"

The two exchanged a smile and exchanged brief pleasantries.

Kim Tae-yeon smiled politely and gently as always, while Bae Joo-hyun nodded slightly, her eyes clear.

"Yes, there was a recording today."

"Me too, I just finished and am going back to rest for a bit."

The words were spoken casually, with a touch of everyday politeness.

Logically, after exchanging pleasantries, they should have turned and left, but as Kim Tae-yeon's figure gradually receded into the distance, Bae Joo-hyun suddenly stopped.

She tilted her head slightly, her gaze following the receding figure, a strange emotion welling up in her heart.

Memories of those chance encounters with Lin Xiuyuan flashed through my mind: Lin Xiuyuan's conversations with Kim Tae-yeon, their eye contact, and even the subtle atmosphere between them.

Thinking of this, Bae Joo-hyun gently bit her lip, slowly took out her phone, and opened the chat history window from last night.

Those few simple words lingered in her mind for a long time.

The faint light from the phone screen reflected in her eyes, causing her expression to gradually become silent.

the other side.

After being spanked by Lin Xiuyuan, Jessica finally got out of bed.

I walked into the bathroom with light steps, and the mirror reflected my face, which was clear and radiant.

Her eyes were clear and bright, and her skin even had a youthful glow.

She gazed at herself in the mirror, a slow smile curving her lips.

"Heh..." She chuckled softly, then a hint of amusement flashed in her eyes.

So Jessica quickly grabbed her phone, pulled out her contacts, and dialed a number.

"Hey, Jiyeon? Are you free for lunch? Let's grab some." Her tone was light and cheerful, with a hint of playful mischief.

The little dragon on the other end of the phone paused for a moment, but quickly replied, "Sure."

Jessica's smile deepened, and she added, "Let's go play ball this afternoon, it's been a long time since I exercised."

Da Longzai didn't think much of it, assuming it was just a gathering of friends, so he readily agreed. He even followed Jessica's suggestion and casually called his unnie, "Hey, Qri unnie, have you eaten yet..."

Lee Juri was putting on makeup in front of the mirror, her expression much more somber than usual.

She was taken aback when she received the call from Da Longzai. After hearing the general situation, she hesitated for a moment but then nodded in agreement, "Okay, see you later."

Unbeknownst to her, behind this seemingly ordinary invitation, a silent malice was slowly brewing, quietly approaching her.

So after finishing her makeup, she left the apartment, went downstairs, and drove to the restaurant where they had arranged to meet.

After a while, she parked the car and walked at a leisurely pace along the familiar street to the restaurant where Jessica and Da Longzai had arranged to meet.

As soon as she stepped into the restaurant, the lights instantly illuminated her face, making her look more radiant and her complexion exceptionally clear, thanks to the details of her morning makeup.

Her hairstyle was smooth and natural, with slightly curled ends swaying gently over her shoulders, complementing her clear eyes and the faint curve of her lips.

However, just as Lee Juri walked toward the dining table, her elegant steps involuntarily slowed slightly, and her gaze suddenly fixed on two figures not far away.

Seeing their expressions, Lee Juri's pupils contracted slightly, and she froze on the spot as if she had been electrocuted.

At this very moment, Jessica and Da Longzai, who were not far away, looked noticeably brighter and more radiant than when she last met her, exuding a sense of composure and confidence that came from a baptism of fire.

Especially the big dragon cub, we just met yesterday, and the difference is quite obvious.

But what Li Juli didn't expect was that Jessica, who was so proud and full of self-esteem, would also encounter this situation.

Having experienced similar situations before, Lee Juri naturally wouldn't miss the clues.

So he immediately understood what this really meant.

Shocked, a long-buried desire within Lee Ju-ri was instantly ignited, and her need for that familiar figure grew ever more urgent.

But before that, she had to endure the bullying during lunch today.

So he took a deep breath, adjusted his breathing slightly, as if to encourage himself or to suppress the turmoil in his heart, and smiled as he met the two people over there.

After everyone was seated, the atmosphere at the table became subtle and tense.

Jessica remained calm, her words carrying a subtle hint of mockery, while Da Longzai added occasional laughter and teasing, creating a relaxed yet subtly intimidating atmosphere around the table.

Only Lee Ju-ri, the "bullied," bit her lip and ate, silently cursing her two "fake sisters" while secretly calculating how to respond to each of their words.

Shortly after, she excused herself to go to the restroom, then got up from her seat and walked quickly toward the restroom.

After going inside and locking the door, he immediately took out his phone and dialed Lin Xiuyuan's number.

The moment the call connected, her voice followed immediately, asking, "Xiuyuan, what are you doing right now?"

"Oh? Eating?"

Where should we eat?

Lee Juri's questioning voice carried an barely suppressed urgency, mixed with a hint of hidden expectation.

It was a strong, possessive desire that was directed directly at someone on the other end of the phone.

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