Chapter 286: In The Movie Theater
The lights in the movie theater completely dimmed, with only the big screen emitting a faint blue glow.
《Soul Summoning《’s opening remarks carried a touch of documentary-like dullness. Lin Xiuyuan and Lin Xiaolu sat side-by-side in the center of the best viewing area, currently taking advantage of the plot not yet having gotten to the main point to chat in hushed tones.
“The recent concert tour schedule is packed so full, I feel like my feet haven’t touched the ground.” Lin Xiaolu picked up a piece of popcorn and complained softly.
“You’ve taken on quite a few commercial activities and endorsement deals, haven’t you? Even though I don’t watch the news much, every now and then when I turn on the TV, the reports about you are practically turning you into ‘walking billboards’.” Lin Xiuyuan responded with a smile, his arm naturally resting on the back of the chair behind her, forming a semi-embrace.
“It’s okay, it’s mainly team activities.”
As Lin Xiaolu spoke, her tone suddenly carried a hint of anticipation for the future, and she pursed her lips into a smile, “Anyway, my personal activities have started to decrease. Next month, 《The Heirs《 will officially start filming. We’ve already had several script read-throughs, and I feel a bit stressed.”
Recently, she had indeed been gradually adjusting her work focus, conserving energy for the upcoming TV series filming.
Moreover, some promotional photos and character settings for this drama had already begun to be teased and announced, sparking considerable attention.
After all, one was the center of Girls’ Generation, and the other was a currently top-tier male star with considerable traffic.
Especially after Kim Soo-hyun’s fall from grace, his popularity had only increased. One could say Lin Xiuyuan had indirectly helped him.
However… among those who had kicked Kim Soo-hyun when he was down, there were traces of that person’s involvement.
So when Lin Xiuyuan finished listening, he also nodded and asked another question, “Mm, right, Yoona, Soo Jung, and Jinjin, have you watched their 《Weightlifting Fairy Kim Bok-joo《?”
“Of course I’ve been following it!”
Upon mentioning this, Lin Xiaolu’s eyes lit up. Although the lower half of her face was covered by a mask, Lin Xiuyuan could still vaguely imagine her smile from her tone and gaze.
“Although the female lead was changed compared to the original, the ratings after broadcast have been surprisingly good. I remember your highest rating didn’t even break 10%, but for Soo Jung’s version, I heard the latest episode has already reached 12%, and the online discussion is super high with great reviews.”
Her tone carried no envy or jealousy, only joy for these two younger sisters.
The two continued to chat in hushed tones about work, partners, and future plans, while watching the big screen before them, the atmosphere relaxed and happy.
However, as the movie plot progressed, the background music gradually became somber and eerie, and the cinematography began to slowly build an atmosphere of unease.
Consequently, Lin Xiaolu’s previously relaxed body began to unconsciously tense up, her voice grew quieter and quieter, and she instinctively moved closer to Lin Xiuyuan, almost pressing into his embrace.
Until the old wardrobe door on the screen suddenly sprang open without warning, and a pale, distorted shadow flashed out with a piercing sound effect…
“Ahhhh—!!!”
Lin Xiaolu, already a bundle of nerves from the preceding atmosphere, let out an extremely piercing scream almost at that instant.
Then, she shrank into a ball and unhesitatingly threw herself into Lin Xiuyuan’s arms.
Her small head was buried tightly against his chest, her hands gripping his lapels, and she was unconsciously muttering, “Yah! You scared me to death! What was that thing!!”
If there had been other audience members in the theater, with her idol image and pride, she would have likely let out a brief shriek.
Then she would have immediately covered her mouth tightly, closed her eyes, and buried herself in Lin Xiuyuan’s arms.
She would have then forced herself to appear calm, and absolutely refused to act so out of sorts as she was now.
But that was all moot, because at this moment, the place was empty.
So Lin Xiaolu could freely and unburdened release the fear provoked by the horror scenes, exposing her most genuine reaction to Lin Xiuyuan.
Lin Xiuyuan, who was being tightly clutched, was also startled by her extreme reaction.
However, he was quickly amused by her screams and laughed heartily, wrapping his arm around her slightly trembling shoulders and patting her gently, “Okay, okay, it’s over, it’s over. That shot has already passed. It was just a wardrobe, it wasn’t that scary.”
Hearing this, Lin Xiaolu finally lifted her head slightly from his embrace, still shaken.
After her eyes scanned the scene on the big screen, her flushed cheeks finally relaxed with relief, but she didn’t forget to playfully punch his arm, “Lin Xiuyuan, you jerk, I told you no one goes on a date to watch a horror movie!! You scared me to death!”
“Isn’t this good?” Lin Xiuyuan looked down at her watery eyes and her startled, deer-like expression, smiling even more happily, “It gives me a legitimate reason to hug you.”
“Hmph!”
After glaring at him angrily, Lin Xiaolu then leaned close to his ear and lowered her voice, a hint of teasing and shyness in her voice as she gritted her teeth, “You’ve already eaten and finished… you still need this hug? You damn guy…”
Discovering his little thoughts had been exposed, Lin Xiuyuan wasn’t embarrassed; instead, he laughed even more heartily and said righteously, “Hehehe, Yoona, that’s different, it feels different.”
“Jerk~ Bastard~ That scene just now really scared me to death.”
Lin Xiuyuan, still being scolded by Lin Xiaolu, wasn’t angry; rather, a mischievous smile played on his lips.
His gaze unconsciously swept quickly around the empty, dim theater, and after confirming again that there was indeed no one else but them…
His right hand, which had been tightly holding Lin Xiaolu, suddenly moved imperceptibly to a certain spot.
Then, under the cover of her light gray plaid loose jacket, it precisely and swiftly slipped beneath the hem of her dark short skirt, his warm palm covering her tender, smooth thigh…
“Yah!!!”
This sudden assault, with its slightly cool touch and undeniable force, made Lin Xiaolu stiffen violently.
Like an electric shock, goosebumps instantly spread from the touched area to her entire body.
She had chosen a clean and neat outfit before leaving the house today because she knew it was a date with someone.
The casual layered look of a loose jacket over a white shirt on top, and a neat dark short skirt with black boots on the bottom, showcased urban sophistication and style…
It also provided great convenience for someone’s “naughty deeds.”
However, after being “harassed” by Lin Xiuyuan, Lin Xiaolu instinctively clenched her legs, trying to block the offending hand.
At the same time, the tips of her ears turned completely red, and in a mix of shame and urgency, she whispered, “Lin Xiuyuan, wh-what are you doing? We’re still in the movie theater.”
The man’s fingertip lightly grazed that thin lace fabric, the touch delicate and unfamiliar, causing his eyes to momentarily falter.
He then chuckled softly, “The movie theater is good, isn’t it? If it weren’t the movie theater, it wouldn’t be this stimulating.”
His words were like pouring oil on the fire, making Lin Xiaolu, who was already too ashamed to hide, now have burning cheeks, even her neck flushing red as if painted.
In 2013, she was still that over twenty-year-old, thin-skinned girl idol, far from the mature “big sister” who could face any teasing or provocation with a calm expression ten years later.
So her voice trembled, both urgent and ashamed, as she hissed at Lin Xiuyuan, “There’s… there’s surveillance, don’t mess around anymore, okay? When we get back, I’ll properly… we’ll go back soon, okay?”
After saying this, her entire body went limp in his arms as if completely drained, and she reached out to push away his offending right hand.
However, the moment her fingertips touched Lin Xiuyuan’s wrist, he leaned close to her ear and quickly whispered.
“Don’t move, okay? The infrared night vision monitor is right above us, diagonally. Your jacket is shielding it perfectly right now. If you move, and your skirt hem lifts, it will all be recorded.”
The words by her ear were like a binding spell, instantly freezing Lin Xiaolu, who had been about to act, and she dared not make any more large movements.
This forced her to angrily and furiously curse “jerk” and “bastard” in a low voice.
A few minutes later, the movie screen erupted with another sudden horrifying sound effect and image.
At the same time, Lin Xiuyuan’s right hand stopped appropriately, and he used his left hand to gently stroke Lin Xiaolu’s soft hair, his voice laced with a smile, “It’s okay, it’s okay. It’s just a movie, it’s all fake, what are you afraid of?”
However, Lin Xiaolu, who was no longer looking at the screen and had buried her face deeply in his shoulder.
Hearing this, she suddenly lifted her head, glaring fiercely at him with her watery, deer-like eyes.
Her gaze was filled with embarrassment and accusation, “Lin Xiuyuan, you damn guy, are you sure I’m afraid of the movie?!”
Amused by her embarrassed and angry expression, Lin Xiuyuan chuckled and leaned close to her ear again.
His hot breath fanned her sensitive ear and neck, with unconcealed teasing, “But speaking of which, what’s up with you? Why aren’t you wearing the cotton sportswear today? Did someone else sneak away from you? Or did you have a secret chat? Or did you quietly awaken yourself and develop new preferences?”
“Boom…”
This sentence precisely hit the most shy and unspeakable corner of Lin Xiaolu’s heart.
Under the mask, her entire face felt like it was burning, terrifyingly hot.
So, in a mix of shame and anger, Lin Xiaolu used the last of her strength to tightly pinch Lin Xiuyuan’s arm. If her body weren’t so weak, she really would have liked to bite him hard.
Then, her voice trembled with unconcealed panic, “Don’t say it anymore, what cotton… what lace… I, I don’t know!”
But Lin Xiuyuan seemed not to hear her denial, continuing his commentary as if savoring it, his tone filled with teasing.
“Actually, the cotton sportswear is also quite good, especially that kind that fits tightly, highlighting the curves… that perky butt looks different from lace, even more energetic.”
Lin Xiaolu, who had been feeling ashamed and trembling from the previous conversation and his actions.
Suddenly lifted her head after hearing this, her misty eyes instantly ignited with raging anger and deep resentment, and she gritted out the words from between her teeth, “Lin Xiuyuan, who are you talking about?! Fine for you, playing with me, but you’re thinking of other women in your heart?! Scumbag! Bastard!”
She thought Lin Xiuyuan was comparing her to someone else, so jealousy and grievance instantly overwhelmed her earlier shyness.
However, the next second.
Lin Xiuyuan, whom she had just scolded, moved even closer, almost nibbling her burning earlobe, and with a whisper that made her body tremble more violently than ever before.
“I’m talking about you in 2025. Yoona~ It seems you two have cleverly swapped outfits? She’s back to cotton, and you… secretly changed into lace.”
“…”
This answer completely froze Lin Xiaolu, her mind going blank.
All struggle, embarrassment, and jealousy froze at this moment.
An indescribable, time-transcending sense of shame and peculiar connection surged through her limbs like an electric current.
The intimate apparel she had chosen due to some subtle connection, at this moment, was being so clearly perceived and teased by this man who knew everything…
That feeling made her lose her composure and feel even more at a loss than simple physical intimacy.
So Lin Xiaolu could only bury her burning face deeper into Lin Xiuyuan’s neck, emitting a helpless, faint whimper like a young beast.
At this moment, she had completely given up resisting.
Allowing the offending hand and teasing words to drag her into this vortex of mixed horror sound effects and extreme ambiguity.
……
And as Lin Xiuyuan and Lin Xiaolu engaged in some private actions in the dim corner of the theater, masked by the horror film’s sound effects.
In a high-end apartment in another part of Seoul, Sulli was slowly waking up.
The dull ache of a hangover washed over her temples like a tide, causing her to unconsciously furrow her delicate brows.
So after opening her eyes, she rubbed them and looked around.
The familiar yet unfamiliar decor made her realize she hadn’t returned to her own place last night, nor had she gone to Soo Jung’s, but had stayed at Goo Hara’s apartment for the night.
Then, memories gradually returned. They seemed to have had endless things to talk about last night, opened a few bottles of wine, and sat on the sofa talking until late into the night.
Thinking of this, Sulli lifted the quilt and, barefoot, stepped onto the soft carpet, pushed open the bedroom door, and walked out.
In the living room, Goo Hara had woken up quite a bit earlier than her. She was currently with her back to Sulli, busy in the open-plan kitchen, with the aroma of toast and coffee filling the air.
“Unnie, good morning.”
Sulli, walking out, spoke with a lazy, sleepy nasal voice, walked over, and gently hugged Goo Hara’s waist from behind, resting her chin on her shoulder.
Anyone who didn’t know would think they were in some unspeakable intimate relationship.
However, Goo Hara naturally turned her head, nuzzled her hair with her cheek, and smiled gently, “You’re awake? Does your head still hurt? Go wash up quickly, breakfast will be ready soon.”
Sulli obeyed, released her embrace, and obediently walked towards the restroom.
When she returned to the dining room, refreshed, a simple Western breakfast was already laid out on the table: perfectly toasted bread, soft scrambled eggs, and two cups of steaming coffee.
Then, the two sat opposite each other, quietly enjoying this lovingly prepared breakfast.
Sunlight streamed through the window, illuminating the fine dust motes in the air, creating a quiet and warm atmosphere.
After eating for a while, Goo Hara, while lightly spreading butter with her knife, asked Sulli softly, as if mentioning it casually, “Jinjin, did that ‘someone’ text you last night asking why you didn’t come back?”
Who this “someone” referred to was something they both tacitly understood.
So Sulli’s hand, holding the coffee cup, paused slightly, and she looked up at Goo Hara.
Seeing her friend’s lowered eyelashes and the seemingly casual yet subtly concerned look, she immediately put down her cup and suddenly curved her eyes into a smile, a hint of teasing in her expression, “Unnie,”
Her voice was soft, but clear, “Why don’t I ask Oppa to come out, and you can meet him again? It would be better to ask him directly.”
The hand spreading butter stopped abruptly.
After a few seconds of silence, Goo Hara seemed to rapidly re-process the news she had heard yesterday and her thoughts from the entire night.
Then she looked up, met Sulli’s smiling gaze, and nodded decisively, “Okay, let’s meet him again.”
Sulli looked at the renewed sparkle in her friend’s eyes, her smile widening.
Then she picked up a slice of toast and took a happy bite, as if a major concern had been resolved.
The atmosphere of breakfast seemed to become even more relaxed and bright due to this decisive decision.
And the threads of fate that were about to intertwine again…
On sick leave for tendinitis, resting for a few days then aiming for ten thousand daily!!!
（PS: I really love Cao Pi!!!!）
（PS: Not the original version, the original version hehehe~）
（PS: Not the original, the original hehehe~）
