Hancheng: There is a door between me and the future

Chapter 279 A Group Photo and "I'm Hungry" (10,000 words, please subscribe and vote)

In the afternoon, inside a Western restaurant in Jiangnan.

Warm yellow light gently spilled onto the wooden table in the private room, reflecting soft textures and shadows, creating a quiet and warm atmosphere.

The air was filled with the aroma of steak mixed with a slight smoky wood scent, making people unconsciously slow their breathing, as if time had gently slowed down the pace of the entire space.

At this moment, Liu Zhimin had tied her hair up, with a few strands sticking to her forehead, and a smile flickered in her eyes.

She was carefully cutting her steak, her eyes fixed on the light reflecting off the tip of the knife, her movements steady and elegant.

Occasionally, her gaze would stealthily drift towards Lin Xiuyuan across from her.

The man's shirt collar was slightly open, and his posture was somewhat languid, yet he still exuded a sense of freedom and unruliness.

Just then, Lin Xiuyuan, who was savoring the fried rice in his bowl, suddenly heard a cell phone ring, breaking the brief silence in the private room.

Lin Xiuyuan glanced at the caller ID and was slightly taken aback by the name on the screen: Li Juli.

This fleeting change in expression did not escape Liu Zhimin's notice.

She put down her chopsticks, her eyes crinkling into crescent moons, and smiled easily with a hint of mischief. "What's wrong? Did some girl check your schedule and end up looking it up on you?"

Lin Xiuyuan couldn't help but chuckle at her gaze and shook his head.

His expression seemed helpless, yet it also carried a hint of undisguised amusement.

Seeing this, Liu Zhimin laughed out loud, her tone laced with a hint of teasing, "Judging from your expression, I knew it was true."

"You're overthinking it," Lin Xiuyuan replied with a light laugh, while still answering the phone.

"Xiuyuan, what are you doing right now?" On the other end of the phone, Li Juli's voice was slightly suppressed, but she deliberately pretended to be relaxed.

"Eating?" Lin Xiuyuan replied casually, his tone indifferent.

"Where?" Li Juli asked urgently.

Lin Xiuyuan then noticed her unusual mood and frowned slightly. "What's wrong?"

There was a moment of silence on the other end of the phone, followed by a frantic response, the voice filled with frustration and helplessness.

"You don't know??? Jessica and Jiyeon were practically going crazy today, bragging to me! Can you imagine? They were subtly mocking me the whole meal, every single word they said was dripping with sarcasm!"

Lin Xiuyuan was stunned for a moment. Recalling the two situations from yesterday, the corners of his mouth couldn't help but turn up, and he chuckled softly, with a hint of undisguised joy.

Liu Zhimin, who was cutting her steak, was drawn by his laughter. She turned her head and looked over, her eyes filled with both doubt and curiosity, as if trying to see through the content of his phone call.

"I'm having dinner with some friends," Lin Xiuyuan said with a smile on the other end of the phone, his tone relaxed and reassuring. "Why don't you ignore them for now? I'll come over to find you later after I finish my meal."

There was a pause on the other end.

Lee Juri's tone was initially expectant, but upon hearing the phrase "having dinner with friends," her emotions clearly faltered.

After a brief silence, she, not being a little girl, immediately adopted a soft voice and replied, "I'm not in a hurry. Just call me when you're done."

Lin Xiuyuan hummed in agreement with a smile and ended the call.

When he put down his phone, he saw Liu Zhimin resting her chin on her hands, looking at him with bright eyes.

"Who is it?" she asked softly, but her tone betrayed a strong sense of gossip.

Lin Xiuyuan raised an eyebrow, a smile playing on his lips. "Your curiosity is just too much."

Liu Zhimin retorted confidently, "Isn't it natural for women to be curious?"

However, seeing that Lin Xiuyuan didn't intend to answer the question, she tilted her head and smiled, then changed the subject, her tone light and cheerful, "By the way, how's your tavern doing now? I'd really like to go there again."

These words made Lin Xiuyuan pause slightly, a hint of embarrassment flashing in his eyes, but he couldn't help but smile.

In fact, he hadn't been to that pub for a while.

That little tavern used to be his forward position when he traveled between the two timelines, and it also served as a kind of cover.

But now that we have the "Anywhere Door," travel is no longer restricted, so maintaining that tavern seems superfluous.

Furthermore, as the number of members increased, the constant coming and going attracted a lot of attention, so they simply decided to combine villas or apartments.

Of course, these thoughts could not be spoken aloud.

So he simply waved his hand slightly, a smile playing on his lips, cleverly concealing the embarrassment in his heart.

He replied softly, "It's alright, things have been pretty peaceful lately."

Hearing this, Liu Zhimin smiled, leaned forward slightly, and asked playfully, "Can I come over for a visit tonight?"

Lin Xiuyuan paused for a moment, raised an eyebrow, and said with a hint of sarcasm, "You're very popular right now, shouldn't your schedule be packed? Is this the legendary 'killer schedule'? How come you still have time? Eating and drinking all the time."

Liu Zhimin put down her chopsticks, leaned back in her chair, and a faint smile played on her lips.

"That's why I said tonight. I still have to practice dancing and record rehearsal videos tonight, but I can get off work around the time I finish recording. How about I invite the members along? I can introduce you to them too?"

Lin Xiuyuan looked into her bright, sparkling eyes and couldn't help but laugh.

"Your temptation is a bit too strong."

He paused, a hint of teasing in his eyes, and said softly, "Forget it, you know my tastes. Besides you, the only other person in your group who can still give me a little...that...auspiciously beautiful woman's figure..."

"Hey..." Liu Zhimin interrupted him with a laugh, rolled her eyes at him, and said with a half-smile, "I just said I'd introduce you, not ask you to date. What are you thinking?"

Lin Xiuyuan was amused by her half-smiling and half-annoying expression, and raised his glass to clink it lightly. "Alright then, but we'll talk about it another time. You overheard my phone call just now. I have an appointment this afternoon, I wonder what the situation is."

"Alright, we'll talk about it next time." Liu Zhimin was just joking and really had no intention of bringing the members to meet Lin Xiuyuan.

Are you kidding me? You have to keep your own relationship a secret.

She wouldn't dare expose this guy who was clearly having an affair with someone else.

The two looked at each other and smiled, and the atmosphere quickly became relaxed.

However, a hint of curiosity still lingered in Liu Zhimin's eyes.

Then she gently poked at the beef on her plate with her fork, and casually asked, "By the way, Xiuyuan, how did you become so familiar with Bae Joo-hyun?"

Her tone was casual, but she couldn't hide the probing tone in her voice.

Lin Xiuyuan glanced at her, a slight smile playing on his lips, but remained silent.

But that smile, when seen by Liu Zhimin, stirred a slight itch in her heart, as if she had been gently teased.

The atmosphere between the two gradually softened and became ambiguous after that round of relaxed conversation.

Lin Xiuyuan rested his chin on one hand, his gaze fixed on the exquisitely beautiful face opposite him.

As Liu Zhimin forked a small piece of steak, she casually glanced up at him, her eyes holding a hint of mocking laughter, as if waiting for his next response, or perhaps probing the secret in his heart.

The light and shadow in the private room flowed between them, and the warm yellow light shone on their faces, reflecting a slight halo and soft contours. It was as if even the air had been warmed up, allowing the ambiguity of this moment to gently grow.

"Why are you asking this?" Lin Xiuyuan asked casually, a half-smile playing on his lips, his tone carrying a hint of amusement.

"Just curious," Liu Zhimin replied matter-of-factly, her tone light but carrying a hint of ulterior motive.

Leaning slightly forward, she rested her elbows on the table, her cheeks lightly against her palms. A loose strand of hair slipped down her shoulder, partially obscuring her eyes, adding a touch of languidness and playfulness.

Sunlight streamed through the glass of the private room, dappling her profile and casting a soft glow. "After all, as far as I know, Bae Joo-hyun has quite a few suitors, but it's rare to see her take the initiative to greet a man."

Lin Xiuyuan glanced at her and said indifferently, "Well, I only met her once before at the restaurant. I wouldn't say we're familiar with each other; I'd just say we know each other."

After listening, Liu Zhimin blinked first, then raised the corners of her mouth slightly with a smile, "Do you think I believe your nonsense? When we met yesterday, Bae Joo-hyun's gaze towards you was a bit strange, and she even glanced at me, which scared me so much that I ran away."

"Is it that exaggerated? Don't try to fool me." Lin Xiuyuan shook his head with a smile, a slight smile in his eyes, as if he was amused by her teasing.

"Women have a special intuition with each other, don't you believe me?" Liu Zhimin narrowed her eyes slightly, her voice soft but carrying a hint of pride, as if showing off her keen observation skills.

Upon hearing this, Lin Xiuyuan replied casually, "Haha, I really don't know. Yesterday was probably my second... third meeting with the other person, but it was always at a restaurant. Seoul is really too small, we keep bumping into each other."

Taking the opportunity, Liu Zhimin deliberately teased, "So when are you going to take me out to have some fun? Didn't you promise me that when we played Truth or Dare before?"

As she spoke, she put down her fork again, rested her chin on her hand, and stared at him with a smile, as if waiting for an appointment that had been delayed for too long.

"You really mean it?" Lin Xiuyuan raised an eyebrow, his tone half-joking and half-probing, a hint of probing flashing in his eyes.

"Hmph, you dog of a man, you really are just trying to fool me." Liu Zhimin pouted, pretending to be dissatisfied, but she smiled brightly.

"If you really have time, I'll definitely keep you company," Lin Xiuyuan replied casually.

Now it was Liu Zhimin's turn to sigh softly, lowering her head to chop the vegetables on the plate with a knife. Her tone suddenly slowed down, "Never mind, I've been very busy lately. I just finished resting for a few days and then it was all kinds of stage performances again. And with the end of the year approaching, I still have to prepare for the year-end performances."

Lin Xiuyuan looked at her drooping eyelashes, the corners of his mouth slightly turned up, his smile carrying a hint of silence and a touch of melancholy.

Although the girl in front of me is still young, the fatigue left by practicing dance from morning till night is clearly visible in her slightly red eyes and the faint bruises on her arms. It is a kind of seriousness and perseverance.

Just as he was immersed in this subtle observation, Liu Zhimin suddenly looked up, her eyes brightening slightly, filled with relaxed curiosity, "What are you planning to do after you finish eating?"

"Why are you asking this?" Lin Xiuyuan raised an eyebrow, his tone slightly amused.

"Just asking casually, to see if you have any time." Liu Zhimin shrugged lightly, a mischievous glint in her eyes.

Lin Xiuyuan glanced at her, his eyes flickering slightly with a hint of a smile, "Shall we find a place to sit for a while longer?"

The fact that she asked this question shows that she has the time.

Liu Zhimin shook her head, a hint of helplessness mixed with a smile, "Going elsewhere would be too conspicuous, don't you know? These days, you can easily get on the trending topics just by being photographed anywhere."

She smiled wryly and gestured to herself with a fork, "Especially for someone like me."

"Then let's go watch the sunset," Lin Xiuyuan said, a hint of suggestion mixed with a tentative tone. "But you probably don't have time, right?"

As soon as she finished speaking, Liu Zhimin immediately looked up, her eyes crinkling with laughter, a hint of surprise flashing in them. "Are you crazy? Saying you want to go see the sunset in the middle of the day. And don't make false accusations. It's clearly you who didn't have time, wasn't it? Didn't you just make plans with someone else?"

She spoke softly with a smile on her lips, but behind that smile lay a hidden agenda, as if she were testing the waters or anticipating a response.

Lin Xiuyuan felt somewhat helpless under her gaze and glanced down at his watch.

It's only noon now, and it will be quite a while before sunset; the whole afternoon seems like it will last a long time.

"Besides, it would be a shame to waste an entire afternoon, so let's just forget about it." Liu Zhimin murmured softly, her tone tinged with a tired melancholy, yet also revealing a hint of longing.

Lin Xiuyuan heard it and simultaneously caught the hint of weariness in her voice, as well as the soft longing deep within it.

So he lightly tapped the table, smiled, and said with certainty and a hint of seriousness, "Let's go then, stop arguing, let's go straight to wait for the sunset."

Liu Zhimin was taken aback, thinking he was joking, but seeing that he had already gotten up to leave, she suddenly looked up, a hint of surprise flashing in her eyes, "Seriously? What about your friend?"

"I said I'd call later, so let's call later then." Lin Xiuyuan shook his head with a smile, his expression confident and natural, but his eyes held a hint of probing as he glanced at the person opposite him. "But seriously, do you really have the time?"

Since Jessica and Da Longzai have both called out Lee Juri, there will probably be a second event, so he's not in a hurry to go.

Looking at his expression, Liu Zhimin suddenly laughed out loud, her lips curving slightly. "I'm only busy at night, I'm free during the day. I'll go after watching the sunset, there's no rush."

Sunlight streamed in through the window, falling on the table between the two of them and illuminating the glimmer in her eyes as she smiled.

At that moment, the atmosphere suddenly softened.

It's like a gentle flower slowly blooming from some unexpected corner in the afternoon.

After the plan was finalized, the atmosphere immediately became lively.

The two of them leaned towards the center of the table almost simultaneously, their shoulders touching without them even realizing it.

Lin Xiuyuan held his phone, while Liu Zhimin leaned forward, her hair gently brushing against the back of his hand, carrying a faint fragrance.

The two were so close that they could almost hear each other's soft laughter mixed with their breaths. That subtle distance made their hearts beat a few beats slower involuntarily.

The air was filled with a relaxed and ambiguous atmosphere, like the afternoon sun shining through a windowpane, warm yet clear, quietly drawing them closer.

"Watch the sunset from the hillside by the river?" Lin Xiuyuan asked tentatively.

"It's too lively." Liu Zhimin shook her head, a helpless smile in her voice.

"What about the viewing platform on the mountain?" he asked, offering another option.

"There are even more people."

"What are we going to do then? If you show up in this outfit, it'll probably be in the top five trending topics." Lin Xiuyuan joked with a smile, his tone relaxed and teasing.

Liu Zhimin chuckled, swiping her finger across the screen and tapping the map as she murmured, "I need to find a secluded place, but not too far... otherwise I'll have to rush back."

“Look at this…” Lin Xiuyuan pointed to the screen.

"Which one?"

"Written in the comments section."

The two of them leaned close to the screen almost simultaneously. It was a post uploaded by a netizen about a small hillside by the river, located a little outside Seoul, not far from the estuary.

The comments said that there are few houses in that area, and only occasionally do couples or photographers go there to take pictures of the sunset; it's peaceful and open. It's just a few minutes' drive back to get back onto the main road.

"This is good." Lin Xiuyuan nodded.

Liu Zhimin's eyes lit up instantly, and she smiled like a child, "Then this one!"

After confirming the location, the two quickly paid the bill. Lin Xiuyuan handed over his credit card first, not giving Liu Zhimin a chance to speak, "It's on me."

"I haven't even said I'm going to compete with you for it yet." Liu Zhimin snorted softly, but the corners of her mouth couldn't help but turn up.

After leaving the restaurant, the two got into Lin Xiuyuan's car.

Sunlight streamed in through the windshield, illuminating Liu Zhimin's profile with a subtle golden glow.

She rested her chin on her hand and looked out the window, her long hair swaying in the wind, a long-lost relaxed expression on her face.

As the car drove towards the suburbs, the hustle and bustle of the city gradually faded away, replaced by the vastness of the riverbank and the sound of the wind.

More than half an hour later, the road ahead gradually narrowed and the terrain rose slightly.

The small hill was indeed as the comments had said—

The slope is not high, but you can see the entire horizon in the distance.

Ahead lay a wide expanse of water, its surface shimmering in the wind, with occasional waterbirds skimming by in the distance.

Clumps of wildflowers grow on the hilltop. When the wind blows, the grass ripples and waves, and the air is filled with a sweet scent of grass and moisture.

Lin Xiuyuan parked the car at the bottom of the slope. As soon as the engine stopped, the world became quiet.

"Wow~" Liu Zhimin immediately pushed open the car door and walked into it, facing the wind.

Her long hair was lifted by the wind and swayed gently, softening her entire demeanor and making her seem to blend into the tranquil scenery.

As Lin Xiuyuan watched her retreating figure, a rare sense of ease welled up in his heart, and he followed her.

"It's so quiet here." Liu Zhimin turned to Lin Xiuyuan and smiled, her eyes sparkling with the joy of discovering some secret.

"Indeed quite good." Lin Xiuyuan squinted at the distant sky. The clouds on the horizon were slowly pushed and rolled by the breeze, and golden light seeped out from the gaps, sprinkling on the river surface and creating ripples.

However, this tranquility did not last long before it was broken by a cell phone ringing.

"jingle……"

Liu Zhimin glanced down at the caller ID, her expression instantly freezing.

She hesitated for a few seconds, her fingertips tightening slightly, but she eventually swiped to answer the call.

Lin Xiuyuan didn't say anything, but just leaned against the car, his hands in his pockets, and quietly watched her.

The voice coming from the other end of the phone gradually changed Liu Zhimin's expression.

From initial calmness, to furrowed brows, and then to a slight bite of the lips, his entire face gradually darkened, like clouds scattered by the wind.

She listened without saying a word, then softly hummed in agreement before slowly hanging up the phone.

The air fell silent for a few seconds, and even the shimmering light on the river seemed to slow down.

Liu Zhimin forced a smile, turned to Lin Xiuyuan, and said in a deliberately lighthearted tone, "Oh no, I have an event I need to attend at the last minute, looks like..."

Before Liu Zhimin could finish speaking, Lin Xiuyuan gently interrupted her, his tone warm, "It's alright, you can come again next time. Life is about leaving some regrets, otherwise there will be no next time."

His words were like a gentle afternoon breeze, lightly brushing past her tense expression, taking away some of the gloom, and making her heart relax slightly.

Liu Zhimin blinked, and the corners of her mouth finally turned up slightly, revealing a genuine smile. "You're quite good at comforting people."

Her gaze unconsciously returned to the horizon, where the orange-gold clouds reflected in her eyes, shimmering with soft light, like ripples on the surface of water.

Then he took out his phone, snapped a picture of the skyline, gently bit his lip, and suddenly turned his head, "How about we take a picture together?"

"Okay," Lin Xiuyuan replied with a smile.

The two stood side by side, with the blazing sun overhead behind them.

In the photo.

Liu Zhimin tilted her head slightly, leaning gently against Lin Xiuyuan, a soft smile playing on her lips. Strands of her hair, fluttering in the wind, occasionally brushed against his shoulder. Lin Xiuyuan lowered his head slightly, his gaze directed at her, his eyes gentle yet holding a subtle, almost imperceptible smile, as if sharing this moment of tranquility with her.

The midday sun still shone on their faces, as if frozen in an overexposed image, bright and dazzling, with an indescribable warmth.

After taking the photos, the two quietly walked back to the car. Once inside, the car was very quiet, with only the sound of the wind gently tapping against the windows and soft music playing, as if it were background music for this moment.

As the car drove into a quiet alley outside the city, Lin Xiuyuan stopped the car, placed his hands on the steering wheel, and said softly, "It's easier to get a taxi here."

Liu Zhimin nodded, smiled, opened the car door, and reached out to brush her wind-blown hair. "Then I'm off."

Lin Xiuyuan raised his hand and waved gently, watching her get into the taxi.

As the car slowly drove away, he glanced down at his phone.

The screen lit up, and a photo that Liu Zhimin had just sent caught my eye. In the photo, the two stood side by side under the bright sun. She tilted her head slightly, a smile on her lips, and her hair fluttered in the wind.

Below is a line of text: 【Next time I have the chance, I'll give you a proper look at me.】

Lin Xiuyuan's lips curled slightly, and he couldn't help but chuckle. His fingertips flew across the screen as he replied: "[Dream Girl, I'm the virtuous Chu Nan.]"

In the back seat of the taxi that had just driven away, Liu Zhimin's previously downcast eyes suddenly lit up.

She stared at the message for a few seconds, a slight smile playing on her lips.

Laughter overflowed like sunshine, instantly brightening my whole being as if the gloom had been dispelled.

The driver glanced at her in the rearview mirror and couldn't help but chuckle, asking, "Did your boyfriend text you?"

Liu Zhimin pursed her lips, gently put away her phone, and looked out the window at the sky dyed red by the bright sun.

She didn't answer, but looked up at the orange-red sky with a smile, as if someone's voice had gently brushed against her heart, warm and soft.

After Liu Zhimin left, Lin Xiuyuan leaned back in the driver's seat, quietly looking at the call history on his phone screen, a slight twitch at the corner of his mouth.

With a flick of his finger, he dialed Li Juli's number.

However, after two rings, it wasn't her voice that answered, but...

"Hello~"

A lazy, teasing laugh came from the other end of the phone, "What's up, Xiuyuan~ You miss me?"

"Ji-yeon?" Lin Xiuyuan raised an eyebrow, his voice low and tinged with doubt.

"Hmm, it's me." Da Longzai's voice was lazy and amused, with the faint sound of a tennis racket hitting a ball coming from the background. "Why are you calling Qri unnie? She's busy right now."

"She just came to me complaining," Lin Xiuyuan said, loosening his collar as he spoke, a smile hidden in his low voice. "Why did you complain about me?"

There was a noticeable two-second pause on the other end of the phone, followed by a burst of hearty laughter.

"Haha! It's all because of you. Jessica unnie called me and asked me to call Qri unnie. I was completely confused when I heard the call. It wasn't until we met that I realized you'd caused trouble again. You have no idea you've had your fun, but we're the ones who are suffering!"

"Me?" Lin Xiuyuan scoffed, his tone laced with provocation. "Are you sure you're in there, Zhiyan?"

Da Longzai clicked his tongue and laughed even more unrestrainedly, "Come on, it's hard to explain over the phone. Why don't you come over? We're at the club, we can sit together."

"Okay," Lin Xiuyuan answered readily, "Send me your location."

A few seconds later, a location information popped up on the screen.

—A newly opened high-end integrated club in Jiangnan District.

Lin Xiuyuan knew about this club; it was located not far from the villa and was newly opened.

It has a gym, a swimming pool, a spa, and a restaurant.

Membership-only, excellent environment.

After getting the address, Lin Xiuyuan immediately drove there. Sunlight streamed through the windshield and fell on his face, casting dappled shadows on the street.

After a while, the car came to a steady stop in the club's parking lot.

As he turned off the engine, Lin Xiuyuan took out his phone and made a call to the people inside. This club required a membership system, but fortunately, members could bring others.

So when he reached the entrance, a familiar figure followed him out from inside.

It was Jessica, not the "big dragon cub" he told her about over the phone.

She was wearing sportswear, her hair was tied up high, and a few wisps of hair clung to her cheeks, still warm from her workout.

Fine beads of sweat slid down the side of his neck and into his collar.

Upon seeing Lin Xiuyuan, Jessica finally gave a slightly teasing smile.

Lin Xiuyuan raised an eyebrow slightly and asked with some curiosity, "Why is it you?"

"What's wrong? Are you unhappy that I came to pick you up?" Jessica smiled easily, a hint of amusement in her eyes.

"No, not at all," Lin Xiuyuan replied casually, a smile playing on his lips.

"Hehe~ Are you coming to work out too?" Jessica teased, her tone brimming with the energy unique to exercise.

"No, what is this?"

“Exercise,” Jessica said, waving the towel in her hand. “I just finished a game, and it’s so hot.”

"Tennis?" Lin Xiuyuan asked.

She nodded, reached out and wiped the sweat from her forehead, her hair slightly sticking to her cheeks from the exercise.

Her gaze, however, seemed to intentionally or unintentionally sweep over Lin Xiuyuan, a slight smile playing on her lips. "Don't just ask me, why did you suddenly come here?"

Lin Xiuyuan didn't beat around the bush and simply recounted the teasing from Da Longzai on the phone, his tone calm but with a hint of a smile.

Jessica couldn't help but burst out laughing after hearing this.

"Oh~ it was Juri who complained? No wonder, she was almost driven mad just now." She turned her head to look at Lin Xiuyuan, her eyes gleaming, her tone tinged with smugness. "But they've often provoked me like this before, so it's okay for me to show off a little now, right?"

"No problem." Lin Xiuyuan smiled and shook his head.

The two walked side by side into the clubhouse, talking as they went. Their footsteps echoed in the empty corridor, the echoes stretched out by the light and shadow, carrying a slight rhythm.

Sunlight streamed through the floor-to-ceiling windows, casting dappled patterns of light onto the two people's shadows, creating a bright and tranquil atmosphere.

As they approached, the scene inside gradually became clearer.

Two courts stood side by side, one empty, the other with two figures running back and forth.

The tennis ball traced a beautiful arc in the air, landed gently, and made a crisp "thud" sound.

Among them, Lee Juri wore a light-colored tracksuit, her ponytail swinging in a clean and neat arc, her movements crisp and powerful.

The dragon cub opposite her was wearing a black short-sleeved shirt, sweat dripping down his skin, revealing his sharp features and agile movements.

The moment the ball hit the ground, Li Juli turned around and immediately saw Lin Xiuyuan standing at the door.

This situation clearly startled her; she paused, and her racket drooped slightly.

A complex emotion flickered in his previously focused gaze.

A mixture of surprise, resentment, and a long-lost sense of familiarity created a subtle and indescribable feeling.

Da Longzai, on the other hand, smiled as soon as she saw Lin Xiuyuan, her hand still swinging her racket in mid-air, her voice crisp, "Oh, Xiuyuan~ you've finally arrived, I've been waiting for you for so long."

"I was called here by you guys, right?" Lin Xiuyuan replied with a smile.

Jessica smiled slightly and teased Li Juli, "See, Juli, your savior has arrived."

Li Juli didn't reply. She just lowered her head, unscrewed the water bottle, took a sip of water, and then glanced at him indifferently.

That look seemed to say, "It's been a while."

Seeing this, the little dragon laughed heartily, "Unnie, your expression is way too obvious!"

"Hmph." Lee Juri turned her head away. "I didn't say anything."

Jessica laughed so hard her shoulders were shaking. She turned to Lin Xiuyuan and whispered, "Look, she's actually waiting for you like this. You'd better watch out."

Lin Xiuyuan raised an eyebrow. "Really? What are you being careful about?"

"Come on, do you think you don't know what to watch out for? You'll be sucked dry." Jessica laughed and pushed him aside, then stepped aside. "Come on in, we just finished warming up, you'll have just enough time to get a 'punishment'."

Lin Xiuyuan smiled helplessly, shook his head, and stepped onto the court.

The lights shone down from above, cutting the court floor into several bright stripes of light and casting shifting shadows. Those shadows lengthened and shortened with the swing of the racket and the movement of the feet, like a silent declaration of war.

As soon as Lin Xiuyuan stepped onto the field, he was immediately enveloped by the heat.

The sound of the racket swinging, the "squeak" of the shoe soles rubbing against the ground, and the laughter of Da Longzai and Li Juli blended together to create a relaxed yet tense rhythm.

Then Jessica spoke first, "Now that you're here, don't even think about slacking off. Juli just said she wanted to play doubles, so I think it's perfect, you two can be a team."

Lee Juri pursed her lips, glanced at him, neither refusing nor responding, but simply tightened her hair tie again, as if trying to hide her emotions.

Seeing this, Lin Xiuyuan chuckled inwardly; this game probably wouldn't be easy.

Then he walked over and stood to one side with Lee Juri, and said softly, "I'll hold the frontcourt, you can play freely from behind."

"Are you sure?" Lee Juri looked up, a hint of doubt in her eyes.

“Hmm,” he smiled, “you play more steadily than I do.”

As soon as she finished speaking, Jessica couldn't wait to serve.

The white ball cuts through the air with a whooshing sound, then bounces off the ground.

Lee Juri almost instinctively went to meet her, her movements swift and precise, delivering a beautiful backhand.

"Good shot!" Lin Xiuyuan couldn't help but shout.

Lee Juri ignored him, but the corners of her mouth turned up slightly, and a hint of seriousness flashed in her eyes.

The pace of the game quickened in the next few minutes.

Jessica occasionally hit a few tricky shots, but Lin Xiuyuan neutralized them one by one with crisp and clean movements, as if dealing with them casually, yet with an imperceptible composure.

The little dragon was the happiest throughout, running and laughing, "Wow! The way you two work together is incredible, it's not like you were just teaming up on the spot!"

Jessica rolled her eyes at her and defiantly shouted at Li Juli, "Juli, don't let him just focus on blocking the ball, let's see what he's really capable of!"

"Then don't be soft-hearted," Li Juli replied calmly, her voice low but carrying a clear competitive edge.

Then the tennis ball flew up again, hit the racket face, and made a crisp "snap-snap" sound, with light and shadow flashing on the court.

The laughter and panting of the group mingled, gradually creating a strange rhythm, as if each swing of the racket was a silent contest of teamwork and reaction.

Until the last ball landed.

There was a "pop" sound.

Li Juli turned to receive the ball, but her center of gravity shifted and she almost tripped.

Seeing this, Lin Xiuyuan subconsciously reached out to help, and the two almost touched each other.

Jessica could see everything clearly from across the way, and a slight smile played on her lips, her expression meaningful.

"Okay, unnie, you almost fell into someone's arms." Da Longzai laughed exaggeratedly, "I'll give you a 'courage point' for that shot."

Lin Xiuyuan shook his head, smiled, and slung the racket back over his shoulder. Sweat dripped from his forehead and down his chin. "Playing tennis, Zhiyan, is this a tennis game or a stand-up comedy show? Are you done yet? I'm almost dehydrated."

"Then go and get some water," Jessica said casually, putting down her racket with a hint of teasing.

Li Juli then asked softly, "Xiuyuan, would you like something to drink? I'll get you something."

"Cola or mineral water is fine."

Lee Juri gave a soft "hmm" and turned to walk towards the rest area.

Only when her figure disappeared beyond the stadium did Jessica look at Lin Xiuyuan again, her eyes holding a half-smile.

“Xiuyuan, I think her condition today… is more than just exercise.”

"Don't make wild guesses. By the way, aren't you usually quite busy with work? How come you still have time to come and play ball?"

When Lin Xiuyuan asked her question, Jessica replied casually, "My flight is tonight, I still have some time, let's play a little longer."

The little dragon laughed out loud, thinking to himself, "Is this a joke? It's clearly showing off."

She's about to fly off to work, but she still has to come out and show off. Looks like she was really angry before.

Then Jessica's eyes suddenly lit up as she remembered something. "By the way, Xiuyuan, do you think we should buy an apartment in Shanghai? That way you can go there and it will be convenient to travel back and forth."

"Magic City?"

Upon hearing the name, Lin Xiuyuan was immediately shocked. "Jessica, are you sure you have enough money?"

This answer made Jessica narrow her eyes, snort, and roll her eyes at him. "What's it to you? Do you want it or not?"

“Don’t underestimate Soo-yeon unnie.” Da Longzai chimed in from the side, his tone light and cheerful. “Besides, the housing prices in Shanghai aren’t that outrageous, right? They should be about the same as in Seoul. Although you can’t buy a big apartment or a villa, buying a small apartment is a piece of cake.”

Lin Xiuyuan smiled and shook his head, looking at Jessica, "Really? Then you can buy it."

“I’m asking if you want it or not,” Jessica said, glancing at him with a hint of provocation.

Lin Xiuyuan hesitated for a moment, thought about it carefully, and then slowly replied, "Let's not buy it. Anyway, we don't have many opportunities to travel around. The surveillance there is too exaggerated. We can just rent one place long-term. It will be convenient to come and go if someone is there."

Jessica pondered for two seconds, and then nodded gently, thinking that what he said made sense. "Okay, that does make some sense."

When Lee Juri returned, the topic had already been naturally moved on.

After chatting for a while, drinking some water, and laughing and joking around, the group went to wash up and change before heading downstairs to the spa area.

I don’t know how long it took.

The warm aroma of incense slowly filled the air, and the low, soothing music was like a hypnotic melody, making people drowsy.

Lying on the massage bed, Lin Xiuyuan's eyelids became heavy from the gentle massage, and even his breathing became slow.

Suddenly, a gentle touch woke him up.

Someone is shaking him.

He opened his eyes slightly and immediately saw Lee Juri leaning over him, her eyes cautious yet mysterious.

Upon seeing Lin Xiuyuan open his eyes, she immediately made a gentle "shh" gesture to him.

Jessica and Da Longzai were already fast asleep in the two seats next to them.

Lin Xiuyuan lowered his voice and asked, "What?"

"Come out," Lee Juri said softly, a strange light in her eyes.

After hesitating for a moment, Lin Xiuyuan got up, put on his coat, and followed her out of the private room.

The corridor was quiet, and the lighting was soft.

Lee Juri walked ahead, her steps slow, as if she were deep in thought.

She didn't stop until she turned a corner, and took a deep look at Lin Xiuyuan behind her.

"Where?"

Lee Juri didn't answer, but suddenly took his arm, a mysterious smile on her lips, and said, "Go get me something good to eat."

The moment Lin Xiuyuan was led forward by her arm, he also caught a whiff of her fragrance.

It carried a faint scent of sweat, a lingering aroma of massage oil, and the subtle pressure of her fingertips.

The corridor lights were soft, and footsteps were muffled on the empty carpet.

Lin Xiuyuan couldn't help but whisper, "Are you sure we're going to eat?"

Lee Juri didn't turn around, but just smiled gently, "Yes, I'm hungry."

Hearing this, Lin Xiuyuan found it somewhat amusing, as if he understood something. He gently touched Li Juli's waist with his finger, causing her to tremble.

Then, with a smile, he asked, "Then why did you bring me along?"

"Because I can't eat it all by myself."

　The voting for the 10,000 votes has ended. Thank you to all the godfathers for your support and votes.

　　Daily progress bar: 105/128.

　　Double votes for National Day! We hope everyone will vote more.

　　Please vote with monthly tickets!! Please subscribe!! Please donate!! Please do anything!!!
　　
　
(End of this chapter)