Chapter 258: The Preemptive “lin Xiaolu”
As Lin Xiuyuan sped along, the car quickly drove towards the Han River, and the familiar barbecue restaurant soon came into view.
This was the place Krystal had brought him to before. The evening sun happened to be setting on the not-so-large signboard, and its golden afterglow made it look exceptionally warm, as if welcoming their arrival.
The car slowly drove into the open space in front of the restaurant. From afar, they could already see a familiar black Mercedes-Benz parked at the entrance, reflecting the setting sun’s light. It was clear that Kim Soft Soft, who had been chatting with Park Ji-yeon earlier, had arrived before them.
“We’re here, let’s get out.”
He turned off the engine and opened the car door. The evening breeze immediately rushed in, carrying the unique dampness and coolness of the riverside, making him involuntarily stretch his shoulders.
The three people following behind also got out one after another. They walked towards the restaurant entrance shoulder-to-shoulder, their steps light, as if their moods had also become softer with the wind.
As they entered the restaurant, the scent of charcoal fire mixed with the aroma of barbecue, making one’s appetite whet instantly.
Lin Xiuyuan then walked to the front desk and gave Lin Xiaolu’s name.
Upon hearing this, the employee immediately showed a familiar smile and personally led them through the bustling lobby to a quiet private room in the back.
The moment the door was pushed open, a burst of cheerful laughter came from inside, and the aroma, mixed with heat, became even stronger.
Lin Xiaolu and Kim Soft Soft, who were sitting inside, looked up at the same time and were startled.
“Huh??”
Lin Xiaolu blinked subconsciously, her gaze falling directly on Lee So-hee, who had entered last.
There was a flicker of surprise in her expression, as if she hadn’t expected her to show up too.
In their chat in the group earlier, she had only heard Park Ji-yeon say they were coming for a meal, and that Park Hyomin would also be there, but no one else was mentioned.
Moreover, this familiar figure quickly brought to mind the memories she had gained from 25 years ago. She opened her mouth, about to call out her name.
But after remembering that this was after 2013, she obediently closed her mouth, “This is…?”
Kim Soft Soft was also slightly surprised, then reacted immediately and stood up. With a polite yet curious smile, she looked at Lee So-hee.
Park Ji-yeon, looking as if she was ready to introduce them, said with a smile, “This is the life assistant oppa helped me choose, Lee So-hee. Unnie, let me formally introduce you.”
Then, Lee So-hee, who had been following behind, immediately bowed nervously and greeted them softly.
Her tone carried a hint of nervousness, like a newcomer meeting senior students, her hands unconsciously clasped together.
“She’s so pretty,” Lin Xiaolu sighed softly, her eyes appraising her with a bit more scrutiny.
Kim Soft Soft couldn’t help but agree, “Yes, Xiuyuan, you’ve really hit the jackpot with this one you scouted.”
“Not bad, not bad,” Lin Xiuyuan said with great satisfaction, a smile appearing.
The atmosphere then eased, and everyone took their seats one after another.
The employee brought the menu. Lin Xiuyuan simply pushed the menu towards Park Hyomin and Lee So-hee, smiling as he said, “You guys take a look and see what you want to eat. Order whatever you like. Anyway, Young Master Kim is paying for everything tonight.”
“Young Master Kim?”
Lin Xiaolu blinked, then turned to look at Kim Soft Soft and burst into laughter, “Alright, if Unnie is paying, then I’ll have to eat to my heart’s content later.”
Kim Soft Soft sighed lightly, glanced at Lin Xiuyuan, and couldn’t help but laugh, “Go ahead and order, order. It’s fine to pay.”
Before long, the sound of “sizzling” began on the grill pan. Fat danced in the flames, and the aroma quickly filled the entire private room.
Lin Xiaolu picked up a freshly grilled slice of meat, dipped it in sauce, and narrowed her eyes, looking blissfully happy.
The atmosphere also became more lively with the flipping of the meat slices.
Soon, the conversation turned to the “newcomer,” Lee So-hee.
Kim Soft Soft, while putting meat onto a plate, casually asked, “So, So-hee, why did you suddenly resign? Did Xiuyuan poach you?”
Lee So-hee glanced hesitantly at Lin Xiuyuan before slowly beginning to recount, in detail, how she met Lin Xiuyuan at the coffee shop and was then “interrogated for her contact information” by seniors.
“So, they targeted you because of Xiuyuan?” Kim Soft Soft stopped her chopsticks in mid-air, looking at Lin Xiuyuan in disbelief. “Wow, Xiuyuan~ you’re really a ‘scourge of humanity’.”
Lin Xiaolu couldn’t help but laugh, tapping her bowl with her chopsticks, the sound crisp. “Amazing, Xiuyuan, you even managed to get someone fired from their job.”
The corners of her eyes slightly turned up, half teasing and half playful, as if deliberately fanning the flames.
“Can I be blamed for this?”
Lin Xiuyuan spread his hands, his face full of helplessness, and made a surrender gesture. “Shouldn’t the culprit be your seniority system? People are being ‘bullied’ for just saying a few words to a passerby; this is too much.”
He sighed, and the corners of his mouth couldn’t help but twitch. “Besides, I never thought it would escalate to this extent.”
“But the fact is, So-hee was targeted because of oppa.”
Park Ji-yeon flipped the meat slices, the firelight reflecting on her cheeks, and then pursed her lips, chuckling. “So oppa, you’ll have to take responsibility from now on.”
The words “take responsibility” caused Lee So-hee, who had been sitting quietly beside them, to freeze as if her heart had been pricked. She subconsciously raised her eyes and secretly glanced at Lin Xiuyuan.
Countless famous scenes she had seen in manga flashed through her mind: the male lead saying “I’ll take responsibility,” and then their destinies intertwine, starting a romantic story.
Then, the tips of her ears and her cheeks turned a light red, and even her breathing became a little lighter.
Lin Xiuyuan, unaware of her inner monologue, picked up the conversation. Chewing on beef, he mumbled, “Haven’t I already taken responsibility? Not only did I help her find a new job, but it’s one with boundless prospects.”
After speaking, he turned his gaze to Lee So-hee, his eyes carrying a serious and comforting expression. “So-hee, just work here with peace of mind. This job, as long as you don’t proactively resign, you should be able to earn enough for an apartment in Seoul. Then, save a bit more money, and you can retire early.”
Lee So-hee was stunned by his words. Her entire face burned even redder, and she fumbled to thank him softly.
Her voice was as faint as a mosquito, which made everyone around her laugh, and the atmosphere became even more lively.
“Come, come, let’s toast to So-hee’s new job!”
Lin Xiaolu raised her cup heartily, her eyes curving into smiles. “It’s also like opening an office for your bare-bones Seoul branch. Finally, there’s an employee.”
“Would you like some drinks?” Lin Xiuyuan suggested with a smile.
“No,” Kim Soft Soft immediately waved her hand, her expression serious. “I still have to drive, and I have vocal lessons tonight. A drink will be fine.”
The atmosphere of the meal gradually became relaxed. Lee So-hee finally let go of her initial nervousness and quietly listened to their banter. However, her eyes couldn’t help but linger on Lin Xiuyuan.
She felt a sense of disbelief.
Her boss didn’t seem ostentatious, and he was quite casual even during the meal. Yet, whether it was Lin Xiaolu, Kim Soft Soft, or Park Ji-yeon, they spoke to him with a sense of unspoken familiarity, and could even joke quite boldly.
They could even make jokes that were a bit intimate.
The only one who seemed a bit out of place was Park Hyomin, sitting next to her. She didn’t seem to be able to jump into many conversations.
Who exactly was this new boss?
Lee So-hee muttered inwardly, almost dropping the lettuce she was holding back into the plate. She quickly caught it, startled.
When the barbecue was almost finished, Park Ji-yeon wiped her hands and suddenly turned to look at Lin Xiuyuan, a mischievous smile on her lips. “Oppa, you mentioned buying a car earlier, when are you going to make it happen?”
Lin Xiuyuan was lowering his head to drink water. He raised an eyebrow at the question but didn’t answer directly. He merely glanced at her briefly, his meaning quite clear.
There were outsiders here, so some things weren’t convenient to say.
Kim Soft Soft, having already seen the gossip in the group chat, immediately understood. She raised an eyebrow at him and deliberately drew out her tone, “Oh ho, Xiuyuan, what kind of luxury car are you planning to buy for Ji-yeon? Tell us about it.”
Lin Xiaolu also laughed along. “Yeah, how can you keep something like buying a car a secret from us?”
Lin Xiuyuan glanced at Kim Soft Soft, but remained calm. He put down his water cup and said matter-of-factly,
“Of course, it’s a Mercedes-Benz, and specifically an SLK. Think about it: parking the car under a streetlight, me in the front passenger seat, with a beautiful woman next to me. Even if we’re caught on camera, the scene would be so picture-perfect, it could make the newspapers.”
The moment he finished speaking, Kim Soft Soft was first stunned, then reacted. Her face instantly turned red, recalling the “famous scene” from next year that still made her want to smack Kim Tae Yeon.
Thinking of this, she was instantly embarrassed and angry, grabbing a piece of lettuce and throwing it at Lin Xiuyuan. “You shut up.”
Lin Xiuyuan leaned slightly to the side, skillfully dodging, but with a punchable, provocative smile on his face, as if he had expected to be attacked.
“Hahahahaha…”
Lin Xiaolu laughed until she was doubled over, slapping the table, her laughter crisp and hearty.
Park Ji-yeon covered her mouth and chuckled, a light in her eyes.
Having already seen the news in 25 years, they were clearly picturing the same scene in their minds.
Only Lee So-hee and Park Hyomin looked confused, completely unable to follow the group’s rhythm.
Lee So-hee blinked, not daring to speak.
Park Hyomin muttered softly, “What nonsense are they talking about again?”
Although she was used to this kind of inside joke among Lin Xiuyuan and the others, where “only they understood,” she didn’t forget to lean over to Lee So-hee and whisper, “So-hee, your work environment will be like this from now on. You’ll have to listen to them talk about all sorts of secret things every day. Some you’ll understand, some you won’t at all, but you’ll have to pretend to be calm.”
Lee So-hee froze for two seconds, her eyes flashing slightly. Then, a faint smile appeared, and a strange sense of stability arose in her heart.
At least, a dinner table like this made her feel like she had truly been accepted.
Compared to her previous life of returning to her dormitory to space out after work, or being busy looking for a second part-time job, this atmosphere was so comfortable that she didn’t want to leave.
After finishing her conversation with Lee So-hee, Park Hyomin sat in a corner, slowly chewing the meat in her mouth, her eyes involuntarily glancing at the lively group beside her.
Park Ji-yeon and Lin Xiuyuan were bantering back and forth, Kim Soft Soft was laughing heartily beside them, and Lin Xiaolu was even physically “attacking” Lin Xiuyuan.
All these scenes were relaxed and natural, like the tacit understanding and closeness that only exists between old friends of many years.
She suddenly realized that she and Lin Xiaolu had known Lin Xiuyuan for about the same amount of time.
But now, Lin Xiaolu could directly bicker with him and even playfully touch him without reservation, while she always seemed to be half a beat behind.
This feeling of falling behind gave her a sense of inexplicable frustration.
A beauty’s dignity was always so sensitive.
At this moment, Ham Eun-jung’s words suddenly echoed in her ears: “Hyo Min, if you really want to know something, just try to win over Xiuyuan. Once you get him, everything else will fall into place.”
Thinking of this, she couldn’t help but raise her eyes, her gaze carrying a hint of strangeness as she secretly scanned Lin Xiuyuan.
She saw him resting his chin on one hand, idly poking the barbecue in his bowl with the other, occasionally glancing up at the person speaking, a lazy smile always on his lips.
The cuffs of his white casual shirt were rolled up to his mid-arm, revealing firm forearm muscles. His shoulders were broad, but his posture was casual and relaxed, making him look sunny and at ease.
His profile was sharp and clean, possessing the aura of a young man in his early twenties, yet with an undeniable presence.
Moreover, Lin Xiuyuan was very perceptive. He quickly sensed someone watching him, raised his eyes, and met Park Hyomin’s gaze. Then, he gave a gentle smile.
Park Hyomin, already lost in thought, was caught red-handed. A faint blush appeared on her face, and she pouted, wanting to say something.
Just then, she saw Lin Xiuyuan lightly raise the drink in his hand, clink it virtually with hers, and then nonchalantly turn back to Lin Xiaolu, continuing to talk about her upcoming TV series.
Park Hyomin, who was a bit slow to react, took a sip of her water. After being ignored again, she couldn’t help but recall the first time she met Lin Xiuyuan.
It was a very ordinary day when she first followed Park Ji-yeon into that small tavern.
The moment the door was pushed open, a faint scent of wood mixed with alcohol wafted out, carrying a slightly warm, lively atmosphere.
Lin Xiuyuan was sitting behind the bar counter, casually leaning on a high stool, his expression relaxed, as if the whole world had nothing to do with him.
She had only come because of Park Ji-yeon, but unexpectedly found herself chatting with him easily and comfortably, naturally sitting down in front of him.
Later, she introduced Sulli to him, and the two quickly became familiar with each other amidst laughter.
What truly shocked Park Hyomin came later, when she learned that Sulli, Ji-yeon, Yoona, and even Ham Eun-jung, whom she thought would never interact with Lin Xiuyuan, had all joined the “membership” of that small tavern.
She was extremely depressed during that time, even feeling a sense of isolation and loss.
It was as if everyone was sharing a secret that only they understood, and she was always the last to know, and some things were still being hidden from her.
Thinking of this, Park Hyomin couldn’t help but sigh softly inwardly.
“Win over…”
The word flashed through her mind again. She couldn’t help but lower her head, pouting, unwilling to compromise.
But the thought that arose in her heart was: perhaps Eun-jung was right. If she wanted to truly integrate into this circle, the most direct way would be to first conquer this man.
But before that, she needed to go to the bathroom.
While dealing with the issue, Park Hyomin recalled Ham Eun-jung’s half-joking, half-serious words.
At the time, she had just smiled and didn’t take it seriously, but thinking about it now…
A few minutes later, Park Hyomin, still lost in thought, walked to the sink, casually checked her reflection, touched up her lipstick, took a deep breath, and then slowly walked out.
Just then, faint footsteps were heard from the bathroom doorway.
Lin Xiuyuan, standing in the corridor, was looking down at his arm, which clearly still had barbecue sauce on it from the private room earlier.
And so, they bumped into each other right at the doorway.
“Oh…”
Before she could react, the sauce on Lin Xiuyuan’s arm smudged onto her sleeve, completely ruining his white shirt as well.
“Ah, it’s ruined.”
Park Hyomin was first stunned, thinking she had bumped into someone else.
When she looked up and saw it was Lin Xiuyuan, she couldn’t help but laugh, and the frustration in her heart was instantly relieved.
Seeing the large stain on his cuff and stomach, she suddenly felt relaxed and said with a smile, “This is bad, Xiuyuan. This shirt of yours is completely ruined.”
Lin Xiuyuan glanced at his sleeve but didn’t seem too concerned. He casually said, “Then you’ll have to buy me a new one.”
“Okay,” Park Hyomin said without much thought, a smile on her lips. “I’ll buy you one later.”
“Can I get cash instead?” Lin Xiuyuan looked at her, his tone serious. “I still need to save money to buy Ji-yeon a car.”
Park Hyomin was amused by him. She raised her hand and lightly patted his arm. “Do you want me to just buy that car for you?”
“That’s not impossible.”
Park Hyomin, who had said it as a joke, didn’t notice a faint curve of a smile on Lin Xiuyuan’s lips, and a hint of amusement seemed to flash in his eyes.
Even so, after hearing Lin Xiuyuan’s answer, Park Hyomin was stunned and didn’t say anything further.
Lin Xiuyuan then took the tissue she handed him, lowered his head to wipe his arm and clothes, and the two continued walking back shoulder-to-shoulder.
Returning to the private room, everyone was still enthusiastically grilling meat. However, upon seeing Lin Xiuyuan’s awkward situation, they all asked a few concerned questions.
After confirming there were no major issues, laughter quickly filled the space again. Everyone continued to eat and drink, the atmosphere relaxed and natural.
Park Hyomin sat back down, her mood inexplicably lighter. As she turned her attention back to the meat plate on the table, she silently murmured.
Forget about “winning him over,” but first, she’d buy him a new shirt.
However, in a place she couldn’t see, Lin Xiaolu, who had noticed their situation, narrowed her eyes slightly, a hint of subtle annoyance in her expression.
Kim Soft Soft, beside her, glanced at her, pursed her lips into a slight smile, and then, as if nothing had happened, continued to flip the meat and put a slice into her mouth.
By the time everyone had finished the barbecue, the evening sun had long since disappeared, and night slowly enveloped the Han River.
Streetlights on both sides of the street lit up one by one. The air carried the aroma wafting from the barbecue restaurant and the dampness unique to a summer night. The bustling entrance of the restaurant was brightly illuminated.
Kim Soft Soft clapped her hands, paid the bill decisively, and everyone filed out of the restaurant.
In the small open space at the entrance, the cars were already parked densely.
As the night breeze blew, carrying a hint of coolness, it made those who had just eaten deeply inhale and sigh with relief.
“Let’s go, let’s go,” Park Ji-yeon called to everyone as they headed towards the parking lot.
Lee So-hee was about to follow Lin Xiuyuan’s direction when she saw Lin Xiaolu suddenly stop. Her eyes flashed slightly, and she looked at Lin Xiuyuan with a hint of meaning, “Xiuyuan, I have something to talk to you about.”
The tone didn’t sound spontaneous; it was more like she had been waiting for this moment.
Lin Xiuyuan raised an eyebrow and nodded in agreement, “Alright, let’s go.”
Park Ji-yeon immediately understood. She gently pulled Lee So-hee and then casually tugged on Park Hyomin. “Then oppa, we’ll be going ahead. You take Yoona Unnie home, and we’ll go back in Taeyeon Unnie’s car.”
Kim Soft Soft’s lips curled. “Get in.”
The three quickly got into her Mercedes-Benz. Their taillights gradually disappeared into the night, leaving behind a lingering sense of lively afterglow.
Lin Xiuyuan watched their car drive away before turning to walk towards his own car, casually asking, “What’s up? You’re in such a hurry to talk to me?”
Lin Xiaolu stayed by his side, her voice low, with a hint of quiet seriousness, “Teacher Kim Eun Sook said my eye acting still needs some work… so, I plan to spar with you again.”
This answer caused Lin Xiuyuan’s originally relaxed expression to stiffen, and the car keys in his hand paused.
Spar?
The “spar” between them…
If he wasn’t mistaken, it should be…
“Spar in what aspect?” He couldn’t help but confirm.
Lin Xiaolu just smiled, not answering, but her eyes held a hint of amusement, mixed with a bit of playfulness.
Soon, the car stopped at the bottom of Lin Xiuyuan’s apartment building.
The two entered one after another, and before they could even change their shoes, Lin Xiaolu suddenly tiptoed, hooked his collar with her fingers, and kissed him directly on the lips.
The entryway had only a dim yellow wall lamp, the light was ambiguous, and the atmosphere instantly heated up.
Lin Xiuyuan instinctively wrapped his arms around her waist, pulling her into his embrace.
“This is your sparring?” he asked in a low voice between her lips, chuckling.
“Mhm,” Lin Xiaolu’s gaze deepened slightly, her breathing carrying a laugh, “This way I’ll remember it better.”
It felt like a long time had passed since their last passionate kiss.
After a bit of fumbling in the entryway, Lin Xiuyuan suddenly got energized and lifted Lin Xiaolu’s pert backside, the familiar posture and figure making him naturally embrace her, preparing to walk towards the living room.
However, after only a couple of steps, he discovered two figures quietly sitting on the sofa.
Sulli sat with her legs crossed, holding a can of soda, a mischievous smile on her face, her eyes filled with the amusement of watching a show.
Beside her, Jung Soo Jung’s hands rested naturally at her sides, her eyebrows slightly raised, her eyes wide open with disbelief, staring intently at the two.
“Unnie, you guys continue, we’ll pretend we didn’t see anything.”
Sulli spoke first, her tone playful, as if silently indulging their “little actions.”
Jung Soo Jung remained silent, her gaze fixed on Lin Xiaolu, as if trying to discern if she was serious or joking.
Then she turned to Sulli, completely unable to understand why Lin Xiuyuan and Lin Xiaolu from the apartment had suddenly appeared here; everything seemed so unbelievable to her, like a dream.
Fortunately, Lin Xiaolu’s initial surprise was quickly replaced by composure.
She gently stepped down from Lin Xiuyuan’s arms, tidied her hair, and stood there calmly, as if nothing had happened, looking at the two.
“Sulli, Soo Jung, what are you two doing here?”
“I told oppa,” Sulli said cautiously.
Indeed, upon learning that Lin Xiuyuan had returned, Sulli was already on her way back to her apartment. So she had called Lin Xiuyuan to say she wanted to bring Jung Soo Jung over for a meal.
It was also an indirect way of telling Lin Xiuyuan not to use that Any Door.
Lin Xiuyuan had agreed with Sulli at the time, but he forgot about it while eating, and thus, this happened.
So when Lin Xiaolu finished listening to Sulli’s explanation, her first reaction was to look at Lin Xiuyuan behind her. He was currently rubbing his temples in exasperation, “Alright, I admit I forgot.”
At this moment, Jung Soo Jung finally spoke, “What is it, Snowball, do you live with Yoona Unnie?”
Clearly, this was the most outrageous situation she could think of.
However, the truth was…
“No, I live with Xiuyuan oppa,” Sulli answered righteously.
Hearing this, Jung Soo Jung was struck by lightning again. She looked up and stared intently at Lin Xiuyuan, her eyes filled with disbelief and suspicion.
Lin Xiuyuan was a bit bewildered. His memory had almost messed things up. Fortunately, he could still fix it now, so he subconsciously looked at Lin Xiaolu and said, “How about we go out and get a room?”
This sudden suggestion stunned both Sulli and Jung Soo Jung where they stood.
Lin Xiaolu immediately grabbed a pillow from her side and threw it at him, “Hey, what are you talking about.”
However, two minutes later, she had composed herself and said goodbye to Sulli and Jung Soo Jung with a serious expression, “Well, you guys chat, I’ll have Xiuyuan take me back.”
And just like that, the two disappeared from the apartment, as if they had dropped a bomb and left.
Leaving the two young girls on the sofa stunned.
Then Jung Soo Jung looked at Sulli, bewildered, “What is it, Snowball, are Yoona Unnie and this person really together?”
“I don’t know, probably not,” Sulli replied, also confused.
Then, as if thinking of something, she added in a low voice, “But if it’s just a passionate kiss or something, it shouldn’t count, right?”
However, for Jung Soo Jung, Sulli’s answer did not comfort her at all; instead, it made her even more stunned and agitated.
So she shouted, “What do you mean, they’re hugging and kissing like that and they’re not together? Then what are you guys doing? And another question, how did you and Lin Xiuyuan end up living together?”
“That’s a long story, I’ll tell you later, Soo Jung,” Sulli replied with a hint of amusement.
“No, you have time now, why later.”
“Mainly because of your identity, it’s not convenient for me to explain to you.”
Hearing this, Jung Soo Jung immediately thought of their so-called membership system for Lin Xiuyuan and the others, and her eyes widened, “You guys aren’t really up to some cult, a celestial banquet, or something like ‘impart’, are you?”
“What are you thinking, Soo Jung, nothing like that,” Sulli quickly waved her hand to deny it.
“Then how did you end up living with him?” Jung Soo Jung persisted, her voice filled with anxiety and confusion.
“It’s over, I don’t know how to explain,” Sulli lowered her head, looking somewhat helpless.
“So, is it a cult?”
Jung Soo Jung pressed, her gaze seeming to search for the last shred of logic.
On the other side.
After leaving the apartment, Lin Xiaolu immediately started hitting Lin Xiuyuan’s arm, “Ah, Lin Xiuyuan, you idiot, I’m going crazy. How could Soo Jung and Sulli see us? How could you forget about this?”
Lin Xiuyuan could only dodge and placate her with a smile, “What the fck, take it easy, I’ve been overusing my brain lately, my memory’s gotten bad.”
“Overusing your brain for what?” Lin Xiaolu’s face turned red with anger, her voice lowered.
“Sleeping too much.”
Lin Xiuyuan answered with a serious expression, a hint of a mischievous smile on his face.
“You~”
Lin Xiaolu was both angry and embarrassed. She raised her hand and hit him again, but couldn’t help but burst into laughter.
The two descended the stairs, playfully bickering, their atmosphere shifting from awkwardness to ambiguity.
Soon, they pushed open the hidden door of the small tavern and passed through the familiar Time-Space Door, instantly traveling from Seoul in 2013 to a villa in 2025.
Then, at Lin Xiaolu’s request, they returned to her apartment in 2013.
The advantage of the Time-space Arbitrary Door was obvious: even if their intimate moment was interrupted, they could immediately move to another location and continue without affecting the mood or foreplay.
As soon as the two entered Lin Xiaolu’s apartment and closed the door, Lin Xiuyuan was about to apologize a few times when Lin Xiaolu pounced, her lips directly silencing all his words.
The two stumbled and fell onto the sofa in the living room.
The floor lamp cast a warm, dim yellow light, the air filled with the night’s temperature and an ambiguous atmosphere. The pillows on the sofa were kicked onto the floor with a soft sound.
After a long while, Lin Xiuyuan managed to catch his breath between kisses and couldn’t help but laugh, “What’s gotten into you tonight? Are you really sparring with me to practice your ‘eye acting’?”
Lin Xiaolu stared at him, her breathing still somewhat rapid, but her gaze held more hesitation.
“…No.”
After lowering her eyes and falling silent for a moment, she then looked up at Lin Xiuyuan and softly recounted the “Feeding the Tiger with My Own Body” plan that Kim Soft Soft had mentioned.
After Lin Xiuyuan listened, he burst into laughter, “My heavens, hahaha, is that little one crazy? She could actually say something like that.”
However, after the laughter subsided, he asked with doubt, “That’s not right either. If it were just that, didn’t Sulli say something similar before? And I didn’t see you being this proactive then.”
This answer made Lin Xiaolu suddenly look up at Lin Xiuyuan, “How do you know that.”
“I have informants,” Lin Xiuyuan chuckled.
“Sulli?” Lin Xiaolu asked.
Lin Xiuyuan didn’t answer, but his silence was an admission. Lin Xiaolu then added, “I knew it. You all live together, how could Sulli still hide things from you.”
Then she suddenly thought of something, her eyes flickered, and she stared at Lin Xiuyuan, “Wait a minute, you two?”
“Don’t talk nonsense, I treat Jinjin like a sister,” Lin Xiuyuan repeated what he had said before and retorted, “You haven’t answered my question from earlier yet. Why are you so anxious this time?”
Lin Xiaolu pouted, a flicker of hesitation in her eyes. She then recounted what she had heard last night, along with her doubts and thoughts, all at once.
Their breathing filled the air, along with the lingering ambiguity. The light and shadow on the sofa danced between them, as if time had slowed down.
…
Last night.
After returning to the dormitory with Park Ji-yeon and the others, Lin Xiaolu, Kim Soft Soft, and Sunny first helped Sunny relax and unwind.
Then, the three of them each took a seat on the living room sofa, enjoying this rare moment of leisure.
But at that moment, Lin Xiaolu noticed Kim Soft Soft holding her phone and smiling faintly, so she leaned over to see what was happening.
As a result, Kim Soft Soft directly told her the situation, which was roughly Ham Eun-jung’s idea of pulling Park Hyo Min into something.
But it was just an idea, not yet implemented, so she was just chatting with Kim Soft Soft as a joke.
However, Lin Xiaolu took this situation to heart.
Raising her eyebrows slightly, her heart wasn’t completely at ease.
The main reason was that Lin Xiaolu had obtained much more information from Im Yoon Ah than Kim Soft Soft and Ham Eun-jung did.
For example, Lin Xiuyuan’s XP, and his preferences, etc.
If, according to Ham Eun-jung’s suggestion, Park Hyo Min were to make a move, she doubted Lin Xiuyuan could resist the approach of a future “married woman.”
Especially considering the subtle glances and small gestures between Park Hyo Min and Lin Xiuyuan during their meal earlier, each one felt like a quietly ignited signal, causing Lin Xiaolu to feel an inexplicable sense of crisis.
It was the same principle.
A beautiful woman’s dignity was always the most sensitive.
If it were someone from the member group, everyone would be on similar footing, and they would understand each other. If they lost, they would accept it. Lin Xiaolu would at most only grumble inwardly.
But if it were Park Hyo Min…
The quiet yet sharp aura of that woman made Lin Xiaolu feel that she absolutely could not show weakness easily.
She could accept losing to those crazy women from 25 years ago, but to lose to someone from the same time period, an outsider, Lin Xiaolu truly couldn’t stand it.
…
“So you decided to strike first?”
Lin Xiuyuan, sitting on the sofa, looked at Lin Xiaolu, who was straddling him in a duck sit, his eyes filled with playful curiosity, his tone laced with laughter.
Lin Xiaolu pursed her lips, straightened her back slightly, and her gaze darted away, “No, I’m just executing an occasional ‘feeding the tiger’ plan, don’t think too much of it.”
Usually as gentle as Little Deer Bambi, she was now acting proud and stubborn today.
Lin Xiuyuan paused for a moment upon hearing this, then chuckled softly, “Ah~ I understand, so Yoon Ah, you’re jealous.”
This sudden address struck Lin Xiaolu’s heart like a small hammer. Her face flushed slightly, and she lowered her head to his forehead, their noses lightly touching, and asked softly.
“Am I Yoon Ah? Lin Xiuyuan, look carefully.”
Hearing this, Lin Xiuyuan naturally wrapped his arm around her waist, placing his palm lightly on her back, his voice deep and gentle.
“What are you doing, you think I’m confused? It’s Yoon Ah in 25 years, but how could it not be Yoon Ah in ’13? Lin Xiaolu is just a name, but as Lin Yoona, how could I possibly be mistaken.”
Lin Xiaolu looked into his eyes, her breathing hitched, and after a long pause, she whispered, “Then I want an answer.”
“What answer.”
“Is Lin Xiaolu better, or is Lin Yoona better.”
Lin Xiuyuan stared at her for a few seconds, then suddenly smiled, raising his hand to pinch her cheek, “Then I’ll give you the answer tonight.”
With that, he flipped her over again, pressing her onto the sofa, their breathing gradually intertwining.
Only the sound of shallow breaths and the occasional soft rustle of a pillow kicked to the floor remained in the living room.
…
Meanwhile.
After sending off Park Ji-yeon and the others, Kim Soft Soft was driving, talking and laughing with the person on the other end of the phone.
“Hahaha, our plan is working a bit, Yoon Ah took the bait immediately.”
“It’s time to give her a push. Sulli said she’s still dawdling, what’s she waiting for?” The voice on the other end also chuckled.
Kim Soft Soft asked curiously, “But Eun-jung, how are you so sure Yoon Ah will take the bait?”
“Who knows,” Ham Eun-jung replied with a hint of amusement on the other end, “Whether it works or not, let’s give it a shot first. It’s like baiting the hook. Getting a fish is the ideal outcome, and if we don’t catch one, there’s no loss.”
“Impressive, Eun-jung. Using Hyo Min as bait, you’re even more ruthless than I am.”
“Taeyeon, you’re not bad either, using Yoon Ah as bait.”
“Likewise.”
“Agreed, agreed.”
The night outside the car window was gentle, and the city lights reflected on Kim Soft Soft’s profile. Her smile was light yet harbored calculations, as if this “game” had just begun.
…
At the apartment.
The moment Lin Xiuyuan flipped over, gently pressing Lin Xiaolu onto the sofa, a subtle tension instantly filled the air.
The floor lamp cast dim yellow shadows, reflecting on both of them, stretching the curve of their lips and bringing their breaths closer.
Lin Xiaolu, lying on the sofa, tilted her head up slightly, her eyes showing a bit of shyness and a hint of anticipation. Her fingers instinctively reached out towards Lin Xiuyuan’s shoulder, as if seeking a point of support.
Lin Xiuyuan looked down at her, his fingers lightly tracing her arm, feeling her delicate skin and slight tremble. His voice carried a smile, “What’s wrong, a little nervous?”
Biting her lower lip, Lin Xiaolu’s cheeks flushed. Her fingers gripped his shoulder tighter, applying a slight force, as if “protesting” or perhaps testing.
Suddenly, she looked up at Lin Xiuyuan and asked, “Who was more proactive, you or Yoona?”
Lin Xiuyuan was taken aback by the sudden question.
But his delayed reaction already led Lin Xiaolu to guess the answer. So, with a hint of childish pique, she instinctively pushed him with her hand.
However, the force was so light that it was almost negligible, merely pushing Lin Xiuyuan away slightly.
But Lin Xiuyuan didn’t retreat. Instead, he leaned his body slightly with her movement, placing his palm gently on her waist, steadily supporting her body, and pulling her even closer.
“What, are you jealous of yourself too?”
Lin Xiaolu felt his warm body press against hers, her breathing quickened, and the blush on her face deepened.
She felt a small panic inside, yet also a bit of frustration. She lightly patted his chest with her hand and muttered in a low voice, “It’s precisely because it’s the same person that I care a bit. If it were someone else, I wouldn’t even bother thinking about it.”
Lin Xiuyuan chuckled at this, his lips curving upwards as his fingers gently slid down her waist.
“How about we try it?”
Lin Xiaolu raised her eyebrows and blinked her slightly teary eyes, “Try what?”
“Let’s see who’s more skilled, you two.”
These words were like a bomb dropped, Lin Xiaolu’s pupils constricted slightly, she narrowed her eyes and looked at him, a hint of expectation and provocation flickering in her eyes.
Then, she decisively rolled over, propped her body on Lin Xiuyuan’s chest, and leaned down to reply softly.
“Mhm, let’s give it a try then.”
Under the dim yellow lighting, their breathing gradually intertwined, the distance on the sofa was pulled infinitely closer, and every touch of their bodies carried an ambiguous current.
It was as if the entire living room had stopped, leaving only the sound of each other’s slightly trembling heartbeats.
Daily ten thousand is complete, thank you to my godfathers for your support and votes.
Daily ten thousand progress bar: 92/101.
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