Chapter 255: Ham Eun-jung: “xiuyuan’s Different”
After hearing Lin Xiuyuan’s words, Jessica’s emotions clearly flared up.
Her slender fingers unconsciously tapped on the coffee table, the rhythm rapid and chaotic, as if reminding someone not to think they could gloss over it, her gaze locked tightly on Lin Xiuyuan.
“So Lin Xiuyuan, is that so-called ‘member’ identity of yours just a front? How many messy relationships are you hiding behind the scenes? Soo Jung, Ji-yeon, Taeyeon, even Yoona—you’re dragging them all in. How exactly do you all trust this guy?”
That last sentence was clearly directed at Krystal, her gaze revealing a bit of dissatisfaction.
This reaction surprised Krystal a little.
She tilted her head, couldn’t help but wonder inwardly: Jessica’s attitude toward Xiuyuan was complicated before, but it didn’t seem this intense, right?
Now with this stance, it was like the stiff resistance from when they first met, even more intense.
Thinking of this, Krystal subconsciously turned to look at Lin Xiuyuan, her gaze faintly carrying a question, wondering if Xiuyuan had done something to Jessica behind her back.
Being looked at like this by Krystal, Lin Xiuyuan was even more baffled, his face showing a hint of “innocent” expression.
He also caught a bit of misunderstanding in her gaze, quickly shaking his head lightly, signaling with his eyes: How would I know? I’m completely in the dark myself.
He even thought to himself: What’s up with this big sister? Early menopause?
However, Lin Xiuyuan didn’t know that the origin of all these emotions was actually quite small.
It all stemmed from the last time he listened to Jung Soo Yeon’s words, gave Jessica some dessert to eat, and that evening made her two dishes, letting her have a hot meal.
That night, she was somewhat touched deep down.
But in the following days, he acted like nothing happened, simply ignoring her completely.
And a few nights ago when she ordered pizza, she had vaguely expected a similar warmth to reappear.
But nothing happened.
The next day, she was even provoked a few times by Lin Xiuyuan.
So under the heavy accumulation of disappointments, how could this ice princess not feel a surge of pent-up frustration? Thus, she planned to take the opportunity before leaving and give this guy some “eye drops.”
Seeing Lin Xiuyuan and Krystal exchanging glances but staying silent for a long time, Jessica spoke coldly again, “What are you two eyeing each other for? Are you both unable to speak? Or did I hit the nail on the head?”
Stared at helplessly, Lin Xiuyuan cleared his throat lightly, pretending to be calm as he spoke, “This so-called membership system is just a normal private club, not as exaggerated as you think. Just like how you wouldn’t casually discuss your story with Kwon Young Il in front of others.”
At this point, he paused deliberately, using a subtle metaphor.
Krystal nodded in agreement from the side, as if afraid Jessica would explode further, trying to add weight to the explanation, “Yeah, it’s pretty much like that. I swear it’s really not a cult. It’s not like all of us lack brains, right?”
Jessica, stunned for half a second by Lin Xiuyuan’s words, narrowed her eyes, her lips slowly curving up.
“Oh, so Lin Xiuyuan, you’re saying if I trade my story, you’ll tell me?”
This caught Lin Xiuyuan and Krystal both off guard, their expressions a bit “frozen.”
Who could have thought she’d suddenly come up with this loophole-exploiting idea?
Lin Xiuyuan frowned but eventually didn’t bother with more words, coldly tossing out, “No, you’re overthinking it. I just said it’s a metaphor, not that we’re trading. Whatever, think what you want.”
“Heh.” Jessica scoffed, clearly unsatisfied.
The next second, her gaze sharpened as she swept it around, suddenly pointing her finger at the seat beside her, “Then could you move aside? I need to have a private word with Krystal.”
Lin Xiuyuan was stunned: “Huh?”
“Please give up your seat.” Jessica said word by word, her tone brooking no refusal.
Krystal looked at him with a mix of amusement and exasperation, as if saying: Xiuyuan~ For my sake, bear with it. Jessica’s probably in crazy mode again.
Lin Xiuyuan could only shake his head helplessly, stand up, give up his seat, and move to the opposite side.
At the same time, he didn’t forget to move his tea over, then sat down, slowly sipping from the water cup in a leisurely manner, quietly scrolling short videos, completely ignoring whatever antics Jessica was up to over there.
He just couldn’t figure out what was up with her.
Things were fine before, so why suddenly like this?
If not menopause, then luteal phase.
She’s got some issues.
Across from them, Jessica immediately leaned close to Krystal, lowering her voice, “Jung Soo Jung, don’t really sell me out.”
Hearing this, Krystal didn’t speak, but repeatedly thought in her mind how to reply, or rather how to stuff the bait into her mouth.
After all, the fish had swum right to the shore; if not for Lin Xiuyuan’s prohibition, she’d want to grab a big rock, knock it out, and carry it home.
After a moment of silence, Krystal seemed to have figured it out, her lips curving into a gentle arc.
Her fingertip idly rubbed the water cup, her eyes holding a smile, that smile carrying a bit of malicious intent yet seeming to control everything.
“Jessica, your current appearance is a bit like when I tried to persuade you back then.”
Krystal’s tone was light, yet it made one’s heart tighten, “But don’t worry, Xiuyuan isn’t like yours. If you knew about his matters, I think you’d bite faster than I did.”
At this, she suddenly seemed to think of something, lightly adding, “Or rather… retrace old paths.”
Jessica froze, instantly choked, her expression complex as if her thoughts were exposed face-to-face, brows furrowed tightly, yet without any strength to retort.
A “have you lost your mind?” expression emerged on her face, but her gaze still uncontrollably glanced toward Lin Xiuyuan not far away.
Her thoughts grew increasingly chaotic.
She really couldn’t figure out what this man had that made so many people willingly revolve around him.
Completely forgetting her earlier emotional ups and downs.
With the conversation here, Krystal no longer dangled the bait; too many hooks would make Jessica overthink.
So she changed the subject, asking, “But Jessica, you had me bring Xiuyuan here just to monitor my life with him? That’s really boring.”
Jessica’s lips moved, finally muttering, “I’m just worried, Mom told me to keep an eye on you.”
“Worried?” Krystal raised an eyebrow, her voice teasing, “But Mom privately told me to yield to you more. So, does that mean Mom really cares more about me, or is she more afraid you’ll cause trouble?”
This left Jessica completely speechless. She opened her mouth but couldn’t respond, falling into stiff silence.
Seeing this, a flash of “frustrated with her” helplessness passed through Krystal’s eyes.
She shook her head, sighing with a hint of guidance, “You, Jessica, since you already know where Xiuyuan lives, how could you waste the opportunity so easily? Change the timing casually, and you might have returned home long ago.”
Jessica abruptly looked up, her gaze somewhat stunned.
She didn’t understand the deeper meaning, but her intuition told her this seemed very important.
But at this point, Krystal knew she couldn’t say more, turning to pack her bag, “Alright, that’s it then. Xiuyuan and I are heading back, so you don’t argue with him here. Be careful over in China.”
“Wait, Krystal, you and Ji-yeon… is it really…” The implication was something even Jessica couldn’t say outright.
Mainly because her own little sister Krystal was involved; otherwise, she’d have been direct.
And as a “fishing expert,” how could Krystal explain clearly? She stood up, grabbed her bag, leaned down to smile at Jessica, “About that, I can only say from last night until now, we did leave from Ji-yeon’s doorway again. As for the rest, I won’t say.”
With that, she lifted her head, smiling with crinkled eyes, “Bye~”
Then Krystal waved at Jessica and turned to walk toward Lin Xiuyuan.
The next second, she naturally linked arms with him, leaving the restaurant together in a lighthearted posture.
The remaining Jessica sat stunned in her seat, her gaze dark and inscrutable, her heart in turmoil.
What does “won’t say the rest” mean? Hasn’t she already said it all?!
Jung! Soo! Jung!!!
Outside the restaurant.
Lin Xiuyuan glanced at Krystal beside him, then back at the restaurant doorway, his brows slightly raised, “What’s up with that one?”
“No idea, probably early menopause.”
Perhaps from spending so much time together, Krystal’s thought briefly synced with Lin Xiuyuan’s, stunning him upon hearing the answer.
Then she linked arms with him and headed toward the car, “Come on, ignore her. Should’ve known better than to come. Back to the villa—I still need to go to class. Now I finally understand Yoona unnie’s helplessness back then. Who knew we were so silly before.”
Lin Xiuyuan couldn’t help but chuckle, “You’d better say that to her face.”
Krystal lifted her chin, “Then you have to give me the chance, right, Xiuyuan~xi~”
“Uh, let’s go, head back.”
“Heh heh heh…”
She was like a cat that stole a fish, in a great mood.
……
……
Meanwhile.
In T-ara’s dormitory in 2013.
Park Hyomin, returning from her schedule, pushed open the door and immediately saw the familiar empty scene.
The living room was eerily quiet, even the pillow on the sofa neatly upright, making her involuntarily raise her hand to her forehead, brows raised as she looked back, full of helplessness.
“Hey, Eun-jung, after Ji-yeon busied for so many days, on her rare day off, she didn’t run off to Lin Xiuyuan’s place again, did she?”
Ham Eun-jung was changing shoes, hearing this her lips curved, she pursed them into a smile, pretending innocence, “Don’t ask me, how would I know? I was with you today.”
But this deflection obviously didn’t fool her. Park Hyomin’s gaze shifted sharply, directly exposing, “Something’s off, Eun-jung. You two are acting weird now. Ever since I called you out a few times, you’ve been taking turns—one of you always with me, right?”
“You’re overthinking, Hyo Min.”
Called out, Ham Eun-jung couldn’t help laughing, her smile tinged with a bit of guilt.
In fact, Park Hyomin was spot on.
She and Park Ji-yeon had discussed it, feeling it wasn’t good to keep isolating Hyo Min, so they came up with a “work game.”
Rules as follows:
One of them must “work” to accompany Hyo Min, only then could the other “get off work” and freely go to the 25-year side or find Lin Xiuyuan and the others.
This way, Park Hyomin wouldn’t feel isolated.
This little design worked well, elevating the originally sidelined Park Hyomin from a marginal role to a key NPC in “Earth OL.”
But Park Hyomin had no mind for analysis, staring at Ham Eun-jung for a long time before lowering her voice, her gossipy expression about to explode as she asked, “Hey, Eun-jung, be honest—did Ji-yeon and Lin Xiuyuan get it on?”
This question stunned Ham Eun-jung, then she burst out laughing, nearly spraying the water in her hand.
“You, how do you just blurt it out so directly?” Ham Eun-jung patted her arm, shaking her head, “Don’t overthink.”
But the next second, Kim Soft Soft’s earlier suggestion flashed in her mind, and a small idea emerged.
How about… switch approaches and let Park Hyomin contact Lin Xiuyuan?
This would solve the issue Kim Soft Soft and others mentioned, integrate Park Hyomin, and free up her and Park Ji-yeon—perfectly solving three problems at once.
With the idea formed, Ham Eun-jung’s gaze shifted, a spark of interest in her eyes.
So she smiled and countered, “Hyo Min, what about you? What do you think of Xiuyuan?”
“Huh?”
Park Hyomin was stunned, blinking for a good while before thoughtfully saying, “Me? What else? Just friends. He’s pretty handsome, good height, mostly silent but occasionally humorous when he speaks… pretty good.”
At this, she paused, then frowned.
“But I’m really curious—how does he get you all to play so openly? Making you run to him every few days, and this membership system—super suspicious.”
Ham Eun-jung saw her “mouth says no, eyes say yes” look and secretly chuckled inwardly: Opportunity here.
So she leaned in deliberately, mysteriously whispering, “Hyo Min, if you really want to know something, it’s not impossible.”
“Really?”
Park Hyomin perked up instantly, leaning forward, eyes sparkling, her gossip soul burning fiercely.
As the second-in-command of the Bagua Sect, her curiosity was second only to sect leader Sunny.
Ham Eun-jung paused dramatically, building suspense, then slowly said, “Yeah, it’s simple—just win over Xiuyuan. If you get him, you’ll know everything.”
“Ha?!”
This answer nearly made Park Hyomin jump up, eyes wide, completely dumbfounded, “Eun-jung, you’re joking, right? I just asked casually—why throw me into the fire pit? Sacrifice myself!”
Ham Eun-jung laughed cheerfully, spreading her hands with a smile, “I didn’t say you have to do anything. I’m just telling you a shortcut. Otherwise, I don’t know how to explain. But if you become one of us, everything’s easy to say.”
Park Hyomin was speechless, looking at Ham Eun-jung’s “all schemes” expression, muttering, “So you and Xiuyuan got it on?”
“Me~”
Ham Eun-jung hummed, thinking of certain traits valued by the 25-year crowd, then smiled brightly, “If necessary, offering myself a few times isn’t a big deal. After all, church members offering to the pope—isn’t that normal?”
“Ya…”
Park Hyomin’s eyes widened in shock, voice pitching up, “And you say this isn’t a cult? What else is it?!”
“You don’t get it, Hyo Min.”
Ham Eun-jung’s smile faded slightly, her expression serious, tone carrying an indescribable certainty.
“Xiuyuan is different.”
Her gaze deepened instantly, as if hiding an entire secret world.
He really is different!!!
Typhoon, rain, overtime—no Ten Thousand Daily today, that’s it~
