Chapter 268: A Pair Of Kings
By the swimming pool on the rooftop, the wind carried a hint of cool moisture, as the sky slowly transitioned from golden yellow to orange red.
Jung Soo Jung, sitting on the lounge chair, was frozen like she was nailed in place, stiffly staring at the phone screen.
The sunset’s glow reflected onto her face through the screen, making her eyes appear even more hollow.
Her fingertips were clenched white, her chest felt blocked by something, stuffy and oppressive.
News headlines popped up one after another, those familiar names hitting her ears like heavy blows, making her head buzz.
So her fingertips began to tremble uncontrollably, nearly sliding to the ground.
The text on the screen was slowly obscured by a layer of fog, unclear and indistinct.
She didn’t understand, and couldn’t comprehend.
“How… how could this be…”
Her lips moved several times before she barely squeezed out this sentence, her voice dry like sandpaper rubbing, almost inaudible.
Her heartbeat pounded chaotically in her chest, hurting her eardrums, blood rushing to her head, making her momentarily dizzy and nearly lose balance.
“How could Snowball…”
“Hara older sister… and Jonghyun oppa… is this real or fake?”
She murmured those names repeatedly, each one stabbing her chest like a needle.
Her eyes began to redden, her nose souring, the tears about to spill unnoticed even by herself, as if her body no longer belonged to her.
The next second, she abruptly looked up, her gaze panicked as she looked at Park Ji-yeon beside her, as if seeking an explanation from the other’s expression, even if just a reason to believe the world was still normal.
That gaze was almost childlike in its plea for help, filled with panic and helplessness, like someone who suddenly fell into the deep sea, desperately clutching the only floating piece of driftwood.
“Older sister…” Her voice was so soft it seemed it would dissipate the next second, “Do you know what happened? How could they…”
Park Ji-yeon met her gaze for a few seconds, then just shook her head.
“Don’t ask me, Soo Jung, I’m from 2013 too.”
Her voice carried helplessness and frustration, “I actually have a lot of questions about these things too, but I didn’t dare ask for those details, can’t reopen those scars for Krystal and older sister.”
“But you can ask, because you’re Soo Jung.”
At this, Park Ji-yeon reached out and patted Jung Soo Jung’s shoulder, “So if you really want to know, you can only ask her yourself, the her who’s been through it all will surely have all the answers for you.”
Jung Soo Jung blinked dazedly, tears finally spilling over, sliding down her chin.
She didn’t wipe them, just stared blankly into the distance.
Her mind suddenly recalled the question that had popped up earlier at the apartment side.
That was, why did the future her she learned about from Lin Xiuyuan, from her older sister and Snowball, have such a vastly different personality and style from herself?
Now looking down at the scrolling news on the phone screen again, she suddenly seemed to understand something.
The wind blew over, ripples spreading across the swimming pool surface, the sunset refracting a layer of golden mist in her teary eyes, her nose tip so sour she could hardly breathe.
She took a deep breath, her fingertips continuing to slide the screen.
Keywords were entered one by one, news popping up one after another, as if to drown her completely.
Until that bold black headline appeared, she stopped: 【f(x) announces official disbandment】
She froze, blinked, though she had long known this result from Sulli, she still couldn’t help clicking into the details page.
The news photo showed four familiar figures.
No Sulli.
In that instant, her chest felt even more blocked, tears blurring her vision again.
The short statement coldly read: “Due to differing personal development directions of members, group activities end here.”
But the screen didn’t stop, pushes continued popping up—
【Jessica announces departure from group】
【Girls’ Generation officially disbands】
【SM Entertainment executives reorganize】
Each one hit Jung Soo Jung like a heavy hammer, her eyes widening more and more.
Then several more glaring headlines appeared—
【Jessica listed on credit blacklist for unpaid liquidated damages, high consumption restricted】
【Krystal leaves SM Entertainment company, preparing new start elsewhere】
【f（x）’s last member Jung Soo Jung also leaves, SM has no more f（x）】
Jung Soo Jung stared dazedly at the screen, her breathing growing more erratic, her fingers several times wanting to slide but stopping.
Her whole body felt trapped in a silent glass dome, hearing her heartbeat but not the world.
And at this time, in the living room downstairs, Im Yoon Ah had already driven over to this side.
As soon as she entered the door, she noticed the scene in the living room.
Big Dragon Cub, wearing a bathrobe, was sitting together with Jung Soo Yeon, their expressions unreadable, the atmosphere somewhat quiet.
She was first stunned, then raised an eyebrow, turning her gaze to Lin Xiuyuan sitting on the other side of the sofa.
Her gaze carried some odd amusement, as if wondering if this guy had been caught in the act.
Lin Xiuyuan, having exchanged microbiota and fluids with her so many times, could easily see through Im Yoon Ah’s wild thoughts, and quickly said, “Don’t jump to conclusions, Yoona, Ji-yeon was just swimming upstairs and happened to run into us, that’s all.”
“How would I know if you don’t say?” Im Yoon Ah’s lips curved, with a teasing smile, lightly retorting.
Then she quickly walked to Jung Soo Yeon’s side, proactively taking Jessica’s phone, swiping the screen while patiently introducing the contacts she remembered.
Especially Jessica’s work team, agent, assistant, makeup artist, stylist, she explained them one by one, even adding a few memorable details.
Time passed bit by bit, the living room filling again with soft conversation, the air no longer as oppressive as before.
About ten minutes later, footsteps came from the stairwell, everyone looking up.
Jung Soo Jung slowly came down, her face already washed of the earlier tear stains, her expression feigning casualness.
But her somewhat unsteady steps showed her emotions were unstable.
Especially upon clearly seeing Im Yoon Ah by the sofa, she froze again.
After a moment, she softly called out in an uncertain tone, “Yoona older sister?”
“Mm, it’s been a long time since I’ve seen you like this.” Im Yoon Ah smiled slightly, her gaze softening, “Little Crystal is still so cute.”
Big Dragon Cub leaned against the sofa edge, glancing behind her and casually asking, “Soo Jung, where’s that little kid?”
Jung Soo Jung was stunned, clearly not reacting to the nickname at first, until Im Yoon Ah laughing explained “Ji-yeon,” then she realized, a flash of surprise on her face, and replied, “Older sister went to shower and change clothes.”
After saying that, her gaze fell on the phones in everyone’s hands, silent for a few seconds, seeming to steel herself before speaking, “Older sisters, are you really going to force the older sister here out of the industry?”
The words dropped, and the living room went quiet for a few seconds.
The phrasing was a bit awkward, but everyone understood.
They exchanged glances, then all laughed out together.
That laughter seemed to shatter the earlier oppressive air, sweeping away the tension.
“Soo Jung, are you a fool? How could you think we’d be that heartless?”
Jung Soo Yeon, holding back laughter, got up and went to Jung Soo Jung’s side, smoothing her messy hair strands, then warmly explained, “We just want her people there to know she’s safe first, and buy some time for her to figure things out herself.”
Jung Soo Jung froze, still digesting the words, her gaze instinctively turning slowly to Lin Xiuyuan on the other side of the sofa.
After staring at him for a few seconds, she hesitantly spoke, “But I clearly just heard you two saying you were going to…”
“Just scaring her.” Jung Soo Yeon couldn’t hold back this time, laughter spilling out fully, even waving her hand as if to dispel the earlier tense air, “Just thinking about this is evil enough, actually doing it…”
She didn’t finish, shaking her head first, with a bit of reluctance and refusal.
At this, Lin Xiuyuan nearby spread his hands, “As if I’d actually do it, I asked her if she had time before letting her in, you think I’d mess around? The time for locking her in the little black room was something she said herself.”
Im Yoon Ah chimed in right after, “Don’t worry, Soo Jung, we’re not like that.”
Then she seriously explained, “Forcing someone out of the industry ruins their career and older sister Soo Yeon’s whole life, who would really do it? If we did, unless we keep older sister Soo Yeon locked here forever, once she’s free, she’ll chop us all up one by one sooner or later.”
“That’s true.” Big Dragon Cub nodded seriously, “It’s older sister’s style.”
“Definitely, I’d really do that.” Jung Soo Yeon nodded cooperatively, her tone still amused.
Lin Xiuyuan deliberately pursed his lips toward them, then raised an eyebrow at Jung Soo Jung, smirking playfully, “So for her to ask that, in her eyes, I’m probably no different from an irredeemable pervert, right? Isn’t that so, Jung Soo Jung?”
Called out, Jung Soo Jung felt exposed, instinctively stepping back half a step, pursing her lips and staring at him, her expression conflicted and a bit panicked.
After a moment, she turned her face away, mumbling softly, “Not really, just thought it was a bit excessive.”
“If you can think of it, you don’t really think we didn’t, right?” Lin Xiuyuan continued teasing deliberately, his tone mischievous.
Jung Soo Jung suddenly felt even more embarrassed, lowering her head and not responding.
“Alright, alright, stop teasing her.” Jung Soo Yeon pulled Jung Soo Jung to her side, patting her shoulder, “Don’t worry, Soo Jung, no one here really wants to harm me, whether from 2013 or 2025, they’re all thinking for me.”
With this little interlude fading, everyone regained composure, sitting back around the living room to seriously discuss how to communicate with Jessica’s team next, both safely and without flaws.
“Don’t end up speechless when they ask a few questions.” Im Yoon Ah said half-jokingly, half-reminding.
Big Dragon Cub was the first to suggest, “How about using vague wording first, just tell them older sister has something temporary come up and needs to delay a bit, explain nothing else, stall for now.”
But Im Yoon Ah shook her head, tone serious, “That can stall for a moment, but if it messes up her work schedule badly, it’ll be trouble for older sister to handle when she goes back, we need a wrap-up excuse.”
As everyone shared ideas and the atmosphere grew focused, a phone ringtone suddenly rang.
The crisp alert sounded especially abrupt in the quiet living room, everyone instinctively pausing.
Lin Xiuyuan glanced down at the caller ID, raising an eyebrow in surprise, then pressed to answer and held the phone to his ear.
“Hey, Xiuyuan~”
As soon as Lin Xiuyuan connected, Krystal’s urgent but restrained voice came through, with a hint of anxiety, “What’s the situation now?”
That familiar slightly anxious voice made 2013 Jung Soo Jung on the sofa abruptly look up, freezing in place, instinctively staring at the phone in Lin Xiuyuan’s hand.
Lin Xiuyuan gave no preamble or suspense, concisely explaining the situation, without naming names, but Krystal understood the meaning.
So there was brief silence on the other end, then Krystal spoke, her voice calmer than before, “Got it, I’m on my way back now, wait for me a bit, I’ll be there soon.”
“Okay, drive slow, no rush.” Lin Xiuyuan replied.
About to hang up, he suddenly looked at Jung Soo Jung sitting opposite, a meaningful curve to his lips, half-smiling as he added, “Oh right, your student is here too, Soo Jung, you better prepare yourself mentally.”
The words dropped, and the other end exploded, Krystal’s voice an octave higher than before.
“What?! Say that again? No, Xiuyuan, what are you up to?”
Lin Xiuyuan just chuckled, too lazy to explain, “Talk when you get back, hurry over.”
The other end went silent for a long time, so long that Jung Soo Jung frowned uneasily, even thinking Krystal might say something.
But the next second, the call ended silently in the quiet.
Jung Soo Jung clenched her hands, her heartbeat inexplicably quickening half a beat.
With this call, the previously lively discussion in the room gradually stopped.
Big Dragon Cub stretched lazily, got up for a shower, and changed into casual clothes.
Im Yoon Ah sat next to Jung Soo Yeon and Jung Soo Jung, chatting idly with them, even specially turning on the TV to find the original version of that TV series for Jung Soo Jung to watch this side’s production.
“This way, you’ll have a reference for comparison when you act it later.” Im Yoon Ah’s tone was very gentle, like deliberately easing Jung Soo Jung’s tension.
Jung Soo Jung on the sofa pursed her lips, watching absentmindedly, occasionally stealing glances at the living room doorway, like waiting for someone.
About twenty minutes later, a familiar engine sound came from outside the villa.
Soon the villa door was opened.
At the doorway, Krystal was still in her promotional activity outfit, the microphone cord from her collar removed, long hair loose and somewhat disheveled by the wind.
But her expression wasn’t panicked as imagined, instead very calm as she pursed her lips and stepped into the living room.
Everyone in the living room instinctively looked at her.
But Krystal’s gaze skipped over Im Yoon Ah, Big Dragon Cub and others, finally landing on Jung Soo Jung at the other end of the sofa.
Their eyes met.
In that moment, it was like the air stretched for an instant, all sounds muted, leaving only the light of mutual scrutiny in their gazes.
Because typhoon tomorrow, overtime at company warehouse rushing harvest tonight, no time for Ten Thousand Daily.
No way, Guangzhou has no typhoons, only rainy slippery roads, be safe going to work!!!!
（PS: Typhoon zone godfathers, stay safe ah!!!!）
