Chapter 254: Jessica: You Three On A Trip??.
Inside the Big Dragon Cub’s apartment in 2025.
“Ah…”
Seeing the other person standing in a high position, Park Ji-yeon glared with puffed-out cheeks, her eyebrows laced with anger.
Just as she was about to retort, her throat rumbled, and she suddenly remembered the main purpose of her visit.
Helpless, she could only take a deep breath, forcefully suppressing the impulse, and cleared her throat. Her tone softened slightly, “Never mind, I have something serious to ask you, Old…”
“Hmm?” The Big Dragon Cub raised an eyebrow at her, a hint of a smile in her eyes.
Park Ji-yeon stopped short, omitting the address, “Regarding Dad’s condition, how is his recuperation arranged here? I’ve heard the doctor’s orders, but I still feel uneasy.”
When speaking of her “father,” her gaze noticeably softened.
The stubbornness in the corner of her eyes faded, replaced by a subtle hint of worry.
The Big Dragon Cub looked at her serious demeanor, her lips gradually losing their smile. She raised a hand and gently tucked a strand of hair from her forehead behind her ear, her expression becoming more composed.
“My side, well, we mainly follow the doctor’s rehabilitation plan. The focus is on controlling diet and regular exercise. Less oil and salt, don’t eat cold things, and pay more attention to emotions. You know Dad’s temper, he can get agitated easily, so someone needs to be there to watch him constantly.”
She paused, her gaze shifting slightly to Lin Xiuyuan, a gentle smile forming on her lips as she added.
“However, your situation is much better than mine. With Xiuyuan there, and from what you’ve said, it hasn’t worsened. So you don’t need to worry too much; just pay attention normally. My surgery went quite smoothly, and I’m in good condition now.”
“Hmph, I know.” Park Ji-yeon clicked her tongue lightly, unable to resist pressing further, her eyes flickering, “But… is there anything else to be aware of besides these?”
“What else are you worried about?”
The Big Dragon Cub paused for a moment, then quickly understood her thoughts.
Having experienced storms, her eyes held a calmness that came from understanding the world.
“Ah, I see. You’re afraid it might gradually become like my situation, right? If you’re really worried about that, you should take Dad for a trip overseas and have him undergo a comprehensive check-up at the best hospital. I went through that once, and the answers I got were all similar. It depends on what you think.”
“…”
Park Ji-yeon frowned, her gaze awkwardly shifting aside, yet she blurted out in her familiar sarcastic tone, “Heh, you’re not much to look at, but you have pretty good ideas. Aren’t you just thinking that after I leave, you’ll get to be with oppa…”
Mid-sentence, the young woman suddenly realized something, her cheeks flushing slightly. She bit her lower lip and forcefully swallowed the rest.
To the contrary, the Big Dragon Cub wasn’t annoyed at all; she laughed even more heartily.
She even leaned towards Lin Xiuyuan and practically nestled into his arms, deliberately speaking in a cute, acting-cute tone.
“Oh my, if you put it that way, it’s as if I can’t be close to Xiuyuan when you’re around.”
Lin Xiuyuan shook his head, half-amused and half-exasperated, put down his phone, and looked up at Park Ji-yeon opposite him, his gaze gentle, as if soothing the temper of a feisty little dragon.
“Tch…”
Seeing this, Park Ji-yeon’s cheeks involuntarily puffed out, and she turned her head away.
Although she felt a bit awkward inside, there was also an indescribable envy mixed in.
Then she secretly glanced at her future self.
That face, maintained to an almost youthful appearance, was radiant and full of life, with a bright smile.
At the same time, she silently asked herself: If it were her sitting across from him, would she have that boldness and composure?
The answer was… a bit uncertain.
After adjusting her emotions slightly, she continued to press, “Then… what about exercise? Does Dad also need to do exercises to improve his health?”
“Of course.”
The Big Dragon Cub’s expression was serious as she slowly nodded, even gesturing arm stretches in the living room, “The doctor gave a few key points. The main thing is to be consistent in the morning and evening. The movements don’t need to be large; regularity is key.”
As she spoke, a hint of cheerful laughter returned to her lips.
“But don’t worry, there are professional sports rehabilitation centers. I found a very reliable one, and I’ve been going consistently. When you need it, just take Dad there directly. The doctors and nurses there are all very nice and attentive.”
“Mhm.”
Park Ji-yeon responded blankly, her gaze drifting, her mind clearly not present.
The Big Dragon Cub on the sofa saw this and decided to stop being polite, lazily leaning against Lin Xiuyuan again.
The delicate line of her jaw lifted slightly, her eyes narrowed, her entire posture conveying a desire to snuggle into his arms like a kitten, with an expression of utter fondness.
Park Ji-yeon’s brows furrowed again as she stared at the scene, unable to help blurting out, “Hey, are you invertebrate? Can’t you sit up straight, why do you have to lean on oppa?”
“Because Xiuyuan smells good.” The Big Dragon Cub stated without reservation, raising an eyebrow, her smile carrying a hint of deliberate provocation.
“Old woman.” Park Ji-yeon’s eyes sharpened, and she coldly spat out the three words without restraint.
“Tsk, a little kid is just a little kid; you don’t even know how to argue.”
The Big Dragon Cub didn’t care at all, her smile deepening. With a slight curl of her lips, she lazily retorted, “But it’s normal. For someone like you, the only thing you can offer Xiuyuan is a fuzzy peach – all fuzzy and prickly, not sweet and juicy like my nectarines.”
This analogy stunned Park Ji-yeon, and her cheeks instantly turned red.
Lin Xiuyuan, on the other hand, was taken aback and almost choked.
He quickly reached out and gently pulled the Big Dragon Cub’s arm, half-laughing and half-exasperated, and whispered, “Alright, alright, stop provoking her.”
At the same time, he sighed inwardly: These two are probably sworn enemies.
However, as the conversation progressed, the atmosphere gradually stabilized.
She walked back from the floor-to-ceiling window and sat on the sofa, legs crossed, body slightly turned.
Her gaze was fixed on the Big Dragon Cub, her expression hesitant, before she finally asked.
“By the way, there’s one more thing… We in 2013 are planning to break into the domestic entertainment industry. You know how deep the waters are there. Eun-jung unnie mentioned it before, but I still want to hear your opinion. Is there anything special we should pay attention to?”
This time, the Big Dragon Cub didn’t joke around. With lowered eyelashes, she pondered for a moment before finally speaking slowly.
“First, don’t trust anyone too much. Even if someone seems to treat you very well, keep a part of yourself guarded. Even with your staff, there are too many rich people there. If they can’t get to you, they might target your staff, and you might end up in someone else’s bed without even realizing it.”
As she spoke, her tone was calm, but her eyes were sharp, as if shadows from her memories still lingered.
“Second, don’t rush to climb into the upper circles. Without a backer, just make money honestly. China has channels for foreign artists to get by, but they’ve never prepared a real seat for us. If you aim too high, you might get crushed before you even reach the top.”
“Third, don’t casually offend anyone who seems to have ‘no background,’ but also don’t be so afraid of offending people that you freeze. Just pretend to be indifferent, act as if nothing bothers you. That circle is too big and too messy; even a seemingly insignificant person might have a massive background behind them that we can’t contend with.”
As she said this, her expression softened, and her tone eased.
“Someone once told us: You must approach it with the mindset of ‘earn fast money and leave,’ then nothing major will go wrong.”
The air fell silent for a moment. The sky outside the floor-to-ceiling window gradually darkened. A breeze swept through, rustling the curtains, adding a somber atmosphere.
The Big Dragon Cub sighed softly, her gaze returning to Park Ji-yeon’s face, with a smile that seemed to offer comfort.
“However, compared to our lack of control here, the pool in China is vast enough to accommodate many pure and clean small water sources. So most of the time, it’s clearly priced, and they rarely resort to dark tactics like drugging. Plus, foreign artists have a natural protective shield. As long as you don’t cross boundaries, there won’t be any major problems.”
The Big Dragon Cub’s tone, after another pause, became much gentler.
It was as if she was admonishing a junior, or perhaps comforting herself, “Last but not least, protect yourself. For our family, the most important thing is safety.”
As this sentence fell, Park Ji-yeon was stunned.
Her eyes flickered slightly, and a gentle touch seemed to resonate deep within her chest.
But the next second, she stubbornly turned her gaze away, her tone laced with a hint of dismissive pride, “As if you’re so mature, yet you were so badly deceived.”
“Oh my, you’re doing that again.”
The Big Dragon Cub “angrily” raised her hand but didn’t actually bring it down. Instead, she tilted her body and naturally hooked her arm around Lin Xiuyuan’s.
Tilting her head up slightly, her smiling face looked like she had suddenly found a protective charm, feeling safe, her voice carrying a hint of spoiled teasing, “Never mind, let’s just consider everything in the past as a prelude to the present.”
“Tsk…”
Park Ji-yeon shot her a fierce glare, her lips pressed tightly together, but ultimately said nothing more.
She unconsciously hugged the cushion in her hands tighter, as if seeking an invisible barrier.
The atmosphere in the room thus swung between bickering and seriousness.
It was like a tit-for-tat, yet it exuded an indescribable warmth and tacit understanding, a bit comical, and a bit heartfelt.
Park Ji-yeon’s posture with the cushion was slightly defensive, but her eyes remained fixed on the Big Dragon Cub, unable to resist asking further, “Be more specific. You’ve only talked about general principles, which I already know. Are there no minor issues?”
Seeing this, the Big Dragon Cub gently curved her lips and couldn’t help but laugh.
Then she slowly spoke, her voice drawn-out and languid, yet with a hint of seriousness.
“Okay, I’ll tell you in detail. For example, reporters. No matter what questions they ask when you meet them, don’t rush to answer. Count ‘one, two, three’ in your head first to give yourself some buffer time. Even if you end up just saying something perfunctory, it’s better than being trapped by their questions.”
As she said this, her eyes paused, as if recalling something. Her gaze deepened, falling on Park Ji-yeon’s face, her expression more solemn than before.
“I was too hot-tempered back then, which led to some irreversible mistakes. Although looking back now, I don’t have much regret, if it could have been avoided, perhaps my acting career would have gone better. So if you truly want to pursue this path long-term, temper is the aspect you need to overcome the most.”
“Oh?” Park Ji-yeon raised her eyebrows lightly. On the surface, she pretended to be indifferent, but there was a moment of silence in her eyes, as if a certain knot had been touched.
The Big Dragon Cub ignored this and continued.
“Also, make sure to read the contracts carefully. Don’t let those glamorous conditions blind you. Especially the so-called ‘resource exchange.’ It sounds like an opportunity, but it’s actually a disguised contract to sell yourself. If you sign carelessly, by the time you regret it, it’ll be too late to cry.”
As the Big Dragon Cub said this, her gaze fell on Lin Xiuyuan, and she curved her lips, “Xiuyuan probably understands this best, right?”
“Hey, why are you bringing me into this again.” Lin Xiuyuan waved his hand helplessly, a hint of awkwardness in his brows. How would he understand these intricacies?
“How do you not understand?” The Big Dragon Cub narrowed her eyes, smiling slyly, “Members and joining cults, Xiuyuan, you’ve got us all completely in your grasp.”
Being named this time, Lin Xiuyuan could only smile and touch the tip of his nose, as if in tacit agreement.
“Then… what about interpersonal relationships?” Park Ji-yeon asked again, her voice lower than before, with a hint of hesitation, “The situation over there must be different from Seoul, right?”
The Big Dragon Cub leaned back against the sofa, her fingertips tapping rhythmically on the cola can beside her, like a soundtrack to the conversation.
“That’s simple. Be respectful to those above, maintain boundaries with those below. Don’t be too close, and don’t be too distant. If you’re too enthusiastic, people will think you’re fawning; if you’re too cold, they’ll say you’re putting on airs. So the safest way is to always be polite and maintain distance, but don’t let them grasp your intentions.”
“You sound like you’re good at pretending.”
Park Ji-yeon immediately added with a sour jab, her tone carrying a hint of playful provocation.
“This isn’t pretending; it’s emotional intelligence, little sister.”
The Big Dragon Cub didn’t care at all. Instead, she adopted a “senior lecturing a child” posture, and smugly snuggled closer to Lin Xiuyuan again, as if deliberately showing off, smiling triumphantly.
“And I pretend willingly, what’s it to you?”
“Ya…”
Park Ji-yeon couldn’t help but roll her eyes dramatically, hugging the cushion with a “too lazy to deal with you” expression.
But the hint of thoughtful consideration deep within her eyes couldn’t be concealed: she was actually taking every word to heart.
Later, the two exchanged remarks, and the conversation gradually shifted from the heavy topic of their father’s illness and the rules of the entertainment industry back to casual bickering.
The atmosphere was no longer oppressive; instead, it became lively, like a family gathering.
Lin Xiuyuan, half-curled up on the sofa, was scrolling through short videos on his phone, his expression lazy.
But his peripheral vision would occasionally glance sideways, watching the two bicker and clash, and he couldn’t suppress his inner amusement.
Especially when he saw Park Ji-yeon seemingly on the losing end of their arguments, the smile on his lips deepened, and he almost couldn’t hold back a laugh.
Then he checked the time, rubbed his temples, and said with a smile, “Alright, we’ve been talking for so long, you must be hungry by now, right? Let’s find something to eat.”
“I’m okay, but it’s about time too. How about we go back to 2013 to eat? It’s convenient anyway.”
Park Ji-yeon spoke first, her tone carrying a hint of casualness about not being picky, but it was more like feigned composure.
The Big Dragon Cub shook her head, leaning against the sofa armrest with a smile, “No need to run back and forth. Eating there now is the same old stuff. We’ve rarely met, so I’ll treat you to some new things from 2025.”
“Hmm?”
“Don’t dare to eat it?”
“I’ll eat it.”
Not long after, the doorbell rang.
The Big Dragon Cub jumped up excitedly like a child and quickly ran to open the door to get the takeout.
When she brought it back, Park Ji-yeon followed behind, looking with curiosity. The moment the other opened the packaging, her expression completely froze.
The neatly arranged vacuum-sealed hot pot base, sealed vegetables, and meat slices before her made her feel somewhat incredulous.
“This… this is the new delicacy you mentioned?” Park Ji-yeon pointed at the ingredients on the table, her tone filled with confusion and disbelief.
“Pre-packaged hot pot, little sister.” The Big Dragon Cub said with a smile, her eyes curved, brimming with pride, as if it were the most natural thing in the world. “It’s very popular now, clean, convenient, and saves trouble.”
“Saves trouble?” Park Ji-yeon almost burst out laughing, “These still need to be heated up and then arranged, right?”
“Of course.” The Big Dragon Cub grabbed her arm, leaving no room for refusal, “Come on, come with me to the kitchen. You can’t expect me to do all the work alone.”
“I… I don’t want to…”
Before she could finish speaking, Park Ji-yeon was already half-pushed and half-dragged into the kitchen, her cheeks slightly red, appearing both helpless and embarrassed to resist.
“I’ll help too.” Lin Xiuyuan started to get up.
However, the Big Dragon Cub glanced at him and gave him a look, “No need, Xiuyuan, you just rest here.”
Lin Xiuyuan sat on the sofa, watching the two of them, one reluctant and the other cheerful, enter the kitchen. He couldn’t help but smile and shake his head, thinking that today’s lunch was going to be exceptionally lively.
In the kitchen, the countertop was quickly covered with various hot pot ingredients. The Big Dragon Cub moved nimbly, tearing open the base, pouring it into the pot, and turning on the heat. The aroma immediately filled the air, diffusing throughout the entire space, making people unconsciously take deep breaths.
She hummed a little tune as she worked, clearly in a good mood, her face glowing faintly.
In contrast, Park Ji-yeon stood to the side, pouting. She held a packet of enoki mushrooms but hesitated to open it, looking as if she was forced to participate, her face showing her unwillingness.
“Little kid, you can’t even arrange vegetables, can you?” The Big Dragon Cub teased, her tone light and with a hint of provocation.
“Who said I can’t.” Park Ji-yeon huffed, finally making up her mind. She tore open the package and neatly arranged the enoki mushrooms on the plate, muttering softly, “I just think this kind of hot pot… lacks class.”
“Class?”
The Big Dragon Cub glanced at her, smiling gently, “What do you know? This is the favorite delicacy of fast-paced city dwellers. Besides, whether it’s high-end Western cuisine or roadside snacks, the most important thing is to eat with someone you like.”
This answer stunned Park Ji-yeon. She instinctively looked up at her, wanting to say something, but ultimately just lowered her head and continued unpacking.
The air seemed to soften considerably at this moment.
Seeing this, the Big Dragon Cub stopped teasing and asked softly, “By the way, Ji-yeon, how is Dad’s recuperation in 2013?”
Mentioning her father, Park Ji-yeon’s expression became noticeably more serious, and her voice softened, “Since we intervened early, there haven’t been any major issues. He just needs regular check-ups and to take his medicine on time. Otherwise, it’s no different from before.”
Upon hearing this, the Big Dragon Cub’s eyes suddenly softened, and her movements slowed. She put down the ingredients in her hand and slowly recalled the details of the past.
She then meticulously recounted her anxiety when she first learned of the situation, what her brother had concealed at the time, how she cooperated with rehabilitation training afterward, and even small details like opening the window for ventilation at night and adjusting the indoor temperature, all recounted vividly.
Her tone carried a hint of emotion, as well as a gentle warmth and helplessness, making one involuntarily immerse in the scene she described.
Park Ji-yeon listened quietly, occasionally interjecting a few words, her voice soft but earnest, gratitude and concern flashing in her eyes.
The aroma of food permeated the air, along with a faint smell of cooking, making the entire kitchen feel warm and cozy.
At this moment, the two seemed like twin sisters without a generation gap, their distance closing unconsciously.
By the time the hot pot broth began to bubble, hot steam carrying the aroma diffused into every corner of the apartment.
The table was neatly set with a spread of ingredients, fresh-looking vegetables and neatly arranged meat slices shimmering under the lights, as if gilded with a warm glow for their reunion.
It was during this calming atmosphere that Park Ji-yeon suddenly stared at the radiant face of the Big Dragon Cub, her gaze becoming complex.
She remembered the shock and heartache she felt when she first saw the Big Dragon Cub from 2025 in photos from video materials of her unfamiliar self.
Then, thinking of the confident, bright-smiling Big Dragon Cub before her now, her heart inexplicably tightened, and her emotions became somewhat subtle.
After hesitating for a long time, she finally asked in a low voice, “Hey~ Park Ji-yeon, oppa’s… is it really that effective?”
The Big Dragon Cub was stunned for a moment, then burst into a loud laugh, so much so that tears almost welled up, and she doubled over.
“Yo! You little brat, you’re even daring to ask this now. What do you want!”
…
On the other side.
Jessica, having finished her morning workout, emerged from the bathroom after washing up. Seeing that her phone on the coffee table still hadn’t responded, she couldn’t help but frown, her brow furrowed slightly.
She had called Krystal before starting her workout, but no one answered.
Assuming the other person was busy with work, she sent a few more messages, but still received no reply, so she put her phone aside and continued with her morning exercise.
But now that her workout was done and she had showered, Krystal still hadn’t responded, which made her a little worried.
Even if Krystal had been filming or on schedule before, she would have responded within two hours.
Thinking this, Jessica pressed another number in her contacts and dialed after a moment of hesitation.
Inside Big Dragon Cub’s apartment.
The hot pot broth was simmering, and the aroma filled the room. Lin Xiuyuan, who had gotten up to sneak some food, had just picked up a slice of fatty beef and was about to put it in his mouth to try it first when…
Just then, his phone screen suddenly lit up.
Caller ID: Jessica.
Lin Xiuyuan paused for a moment and subconsciously glanced at Park Ji-yeon beside him. She was putting shrimp paste into the pot with a relaxed expression, completely unaware of his gaze.
“Whose call is it?”
Instead, Big Dragon Cub, standing opposite, looked up and asked.
“Jessica,” Lin Xiuyuan replied, and then answered the phone.
From the other end of the line, Jessica’s voice came through, “Hello, Lin Xiuyuan, are you busy? Do you know what Soo Jung is doing? I’ve been calling her for two hours and she hasn’t replied to my messages. I thought she was busy, but she still hasn’t responded.”
Lin Xiuyuan didn’t answer immediately. Instead, he subconsciously pressed the mute button on the call and turned his gaze to Big Dragon Cub beside him, asking with a questioning tone, “Should I go and call Soo Jung over to eat together?”
Big Dragon Cub nodded slightly, a smile flashing in her eyes. “Sure, it’ll be more lively if we eat together.”
At this moment, Park Ji-yeon, who had heard the conversation, also returned to the kitchen. “Then I’ll wash another set of tableware.”
Her tone was cheerful, as if she could already feel the atmosphere of a small party.
After finishing their conversation, Lin Xiuyuan unmuted the call and said to Jessica, “Soo Jung is here with me. Is there something you need from her?”
On the other end, Jessica was stunned for a moment, her voice filled with surprise and confusion. “With you? Then why didn’t she reply to my message?”
Lin Xiuyuan replied nonchalantly, “Do you open your eyes to reply to messages when you’re sleeping?”
Then, he smoothly came up with an excuse. “She was a bit tired last night and hasn’t woken up yet. When she wakes up, I’ll have her call you back.”
On the other end, Jessica was silent for two seconds, as if processing Lin Xiuyuan’s words, and looked a bit dazed.
Seeing that she didn’t respond further, Lin Xiuyuan didn’t say anything more, assuming Jessica had understood the situation, and hung up the phone.
He then opened the Time-Space Door and returned to the apartment in 2013. Arriving in his guest room, he looked at Krystal, who was currently taking a lesson with Jung Soo Jung using voice-changing software, and walked behind her, smiling, “Teacher Jung, lunch is ready. It’s time to eat.”
Krystal was startled by the sudden voice from behind her and exclaimed, “Oh my, you scared me to death!”
Lin Xiuyuan patted the chair by the table with a smile. “Let’s go, time to eat.”
He then looked at the screen of Jung Soo Jung and Sulli on the computer and said gently to them, “Alright, that’s all for today’s lesson for now. We’ll continue tomorrow.”
Krystal smiled. “I’ve only been at it for a little while.”
Lin Xiuyuan narrowed his eyes and continued smiling, “Then let’s take a break.”
Although her voice was altered, Sulli knew who the male voice that suddenly appeared was, so she immediately cooperated. “Okay, thank you, Teacher Jung. Let’s meet again later.”
Jung Soo Jung, having just learned something, was a bit reluctant, but the reason of having lunch was too significant, so she didn’t dare to say anything.
She could only say softly, “Thank you, teacher.”
Then, watching the call end, she looked at Sulli. “Sulli, why do I feel like Teacher’s voice changed today?”
“I don’t know.”
Sulli shrugged. Did she have to say that she had suggested it to Krystal herself? So she said, “Alright, Soo Jung, we should eat too. We have filming in the afternoon after we finish.”
Jung Soo Jung nodded, then opened the lunch boxes that had been placed aside and started eating with Sulli.
“Soo Jung, do you want to eat two boxes?”
Sulli, who had opened her lunch box, asked Jung Soo Jung next to her.
Jung Soo Jung, already eating, looked a bit conflicted. “Let’s eat first. I’ll try to eat more. The director still thinks I’m a bit too thin. Although I can wear those props, it’s better to gain some weight myself for a more natural look.”
“You’ve worked hard, Soo Jung.”
“If I didn’t know this script was written by you, Sulli, I would really suspect the screenwriter was taking personal revenge on me.”
“Heh, heh…”
Meanwhile, Lin Xiuyuan on the other side brought Krystal, who had retrieved her phone, to Big Dragon Cub’s apartment and to the dining table.
The aroma of the hot pot wafted through the air, instantly whetting their appetites.
Compared to this, fast food seemed insignificant at the moment.
Upon arriving, Krystal first greeted Big Dragon Cub and Park Ji-yeon, then sat down with Lin Xiuyuan and simultaneously picked up her phone to call Jessica back.
The call connected quickly, and Jessica’s familiar voice came through, “Hello, Jung Soo Jung? You finally called me back. Sleeping until now, isn’t that a bit exaggerated?”
However, because Lin Xiuyuan had already provided her with an excuse, Krystal found it convenient to answer. “I was just too sleepy and didn’t hear it. I’m sorry.”
The voice on the other end was silent for a few seconds, as if she were considering Lin Xiuyuan and Krystal’s situation, then slowly continued.
“Never mind, it’s good to know you’re okay. Actually, I called to let you know that I’ve sorted out my work arrangements and will be working in China for a while. Before I leave, I wanted to have afternoon tea with you. Since you two are together, you should both come.”
“Afternoon tea?”
Krystal instinctively turned to look at Lin Xiuyuan, her eyes filled with a hint of inquiry, as if waiting for his opinion.
With her eyebrows slightly raised, a faint smile on her lips, she seemed to be a little expectant of Jessica’s initiative.
Lin Xiuyuan paused his action of picking up food, recalling the incident at the bowling alley a few days prior. Jessica had also given him face that time.
Thinking this, his heart stirred slightly, and he nodded at Krystal, a knowing smile in his eyes.
Receiving the affirmative signal, Krystal immediately replied, “Okay, Jessica, see you later then. Send me the time and location first, and I’ll go with Xiuyuan.”
“Then it’s settled.”
After hanging up, Krystal gently put away her phone and murmured, a smile on her lips. “Jessica seems really worried about me. Xiuyuan, it seems you’re still considered a dangerous level by her.”
“It would be strange if a sister wasn’t worried about her sister,” Lin Xiuyuan said with a smile, picking up a piece of shrimp paste for her and placing it in her bowl, smoothly changing the subject. “Alright, let’s eat first. We can talk about afternoon tea later.”
Seeing this, Big Dragon Cub leaned closer to Park Ji-yeon and teased, “Did you hear that, Park Ji-yeon? An older sister cares about her younger sister. So, in return, the younger sister should also respect the older sister, right?”
Park Ji-yeon, not to be outdone, seized the opportunity to retort sharply, “As long as you admit you’re the older one, I’ll definitely respect you very much.”
As soon as she finished speaking, a sly smile appeared on her face, and the atmosphere became lively.
Thus, the lively atmosphere around the table gradually heated up with their back-and-forth teasing.
The four of them ate and chatted, occasionally bursting into lighthearted laughter.
The steaming heat from the hot pot seemed to gently dissipate the previous barriers, and every roll of the soup surface seemed to remind them that the warmth of the moment was slowly spreading.
However, they were unaware.
Just as everyone was immersed in the lively scene at the dining table, on the other side, after hanging up the phone, Jessica was gripping the steering wheel with one hand and her phone tightly with the other.
Following the navigation, she drove to the entrance of Lin Xiuyuan’s villa.
Then she stopped the car there and looked at the unfamiliar house through the windshield. “Is this it? I should confirm first.”
Her fingertips tapped unconsciously on the steering wheel, a mixture of doubt, a sense of inexplicable unease, and worry in her heart.
But in the end, she didn’t get out of the car. She sat quietly inside, staring at the large door as if waiting for an answer.
As time slowly passed, Jessica began to feel agitated.
As the hands of the clock moved forward, her initial nervousness gradually turned into impatience.
She kept lighting up her phone screen, mentally counting: thirty minutes… forty minutes… an hour, still no one out?
Jessica’s gaze remained fixed on the main entrance of the villa. Every slight movement made her instinctively sit up straight.
But finding it was just the wind blowing leaves or a passerby, her impatience deepened.
Finally, unable to bear it any longer, she dialed Krystal’s number.
The call connected quickly, and Krystal’s voice came through the earpiece, crisp and relaxed. “Hello, Jessica, don’t rush me. I’m just about to go out. What’s wrong?”
Jessica was stunned for a moment and subconsciously looked at the still excessively quiet villa entrance before her, frowning and asking, “About to go out? Where are you guys?”
“At Lin Xiuyuan’s place,” Krystal replied naturally. “He and I are on our way to the restaurant we agreed on. Where are you?”
“I’m coming out too,” Jessica responded.
However, after hanging up, she looked at the villa entrance again. Another half an hour passed, and there was still no sign of movement.
Just as Jessica was about to lose her mind, her phone rang again, and Krystal’s voice came through the earpiece. “Jessica, we’ve arrived. Where are you?”
Hearing this, Jessica felt a surge of anger rush to her head. She stared intently at the villa, feeling frustrated in her heart: You’ve arrived? I’ve been waiting here for two hours, and you disappeared into thin air?
But she couldn’t say these words out loud.
She just bit her lower lip, suppressing the anger in her heart, then exhaled softly, her voice extremely low. “Mhm, I’m on my way. My car had a bit of a problem, I’m coming now.”
After hanging up the phone, Jessica took a deep look at the villa, her fingers tightly gripping the steering wheel, a trace of hesitation still in her heart.
However, she finally took a deep breath, started the car, and drove along the familiar route to the agreed-upon restaurant.
Pushing open the restaurant door, the aroma of food wafted through, mixed with the scent of coffee and baked goods, instantly making one feel relaxed.
Jessica’s gaze quickly locked onto a seat by the window. Lin Xiuyuan and Krystal were already sitting there, both looking relaxed. Krystal even waved at her with a smile, her eyes carrying a hint of youthful playfulness.
Jessica walked over and sat down, a faint smile on her face, as if testing the waters, or perhaps masking her slight nervousness.
She chatted casually about everyday matters and the restaurant’s atmosphere for a while, then, as if by chance, brought up the question that was on her mind. “By the way, Soo Jung, where did you come from just now? How did you get here so quickly?”
Krystal frowned slightly, a hint of confusion in her eyes, but she answered again. “From Xiuyuan’s place. It’s not far, so it was quick to get here.”
Jessica’s smile suddenly froze. This time, she couldn’t hold back, and her tone became sharp. “But I waited there for a long time. How come I didn’t see you two come out?”
As soon as she finished speaking, Krystal’s eyes widened, and the spoon in her hand almost fell. “Ah? You were waiting there?! Jessica, what do you mean by that?”
Lin Xiuyuan also paused slightly, his eyebrows raised. He knew inwardly that things were not good, but he maintained a calm and composed demeanor, looking at Jessica indifferently.
Jessica let out a cold snort, turned her phone screen upwards, and opened the video she had just recorded in her album.
In the scene, the familiar villa entrance stood quietly, clearly indicating where Jessica had been.
She placed her phone on the table, her gaze sharp, and looked at the two opposite her with a soft but imposing voice. “Don’t tell me this isn’t the place you said Lin Xiuyuan lives.”
Krystal froze for a moment, then her face tightened, and she frowned. “Jessica, do you know what you’re doing?”
Fortunately, Lin Xiuyuan quickly pressed her tense right hand and shook his head with a smile, looking at Jessica with a hint of teasing in his tone.
“Tsk tsk, Jessica, when did you start stalking me? Idol artists don’t make much money, are you planning to switch careers to a private detective? Even recording videos as evidence?”
Then, changing the subject, his eyes held a relaxed challenge. “So, what were you doing squatting at my door?”
Jessica frowned slightly and said, “I was worried Soo Jung had joined a cult. There have been too many of those things this year.”
Lin Xiuyuan raised an eyebrow, a smile on his lips. “That’s a very versatile excuse.”
“Jessica, I’m not that stupid. On the other hand, your stalking is a bit excessive,” Krystal said with a frown, her tone filled with reproach and displeasure. “But how did you know this was Xiuyuan’s house? I remember you’ve never been there before.”
Her gaze shifted to Lin Xiuyuan, with obvious probing.
Lin Xiuyuan spread his hands. “Don’t look at me. Even if my brain were gone, I wouldn’t let her in.”
Hearing this, Jessica snorted coldly, her tone impatient. “You two don’t need to worry about…”
Lin Xiuyuan chuckled at this, picked up his water cup and took a sip, his voice unhurried. “Ah, if you tell us not to worry, then you should also not worry about the fact that Soo Jung and I just came from Ji-yeon’s place.”
“Ji-yeon?…”
Jessica froze on the spot, her pupils widening slightly, her expression instantly becoming extremely complicated.
In her mind, the scene of Krystal saying she had just woken up, the scene of Lin Xiuyuan and Krystal being tired last night, and Big Dragon Cub’s fondness for Lin Xiuyuan all flashed through her mind.
Thoughts flooded into her mind like a torrent. Countless absurd yet self-explanatory speculations flashed like shadows, each one wild and contradictory, an indescribable shock and tension subtly rising within her.
Immediately, a familiar song began to play in her mind.
【 Even if he’s still holding your hand
Even if you’re tired, I’ll be here
One person stays, two feel guilty, three are in a relationship
Quietly, from afar, perhaps reluctant
…】
Daily Ten Thousand words finished. Thank you, Godfather, for your support and votes.
Daily Ten Thousand words progress bar: 90/100.
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