Chapter 211: Storm Ends
July 10, 2013, late night.
In the studio of Kim Soo-hyun’s agent team in Cheongdam-dong, the atmosphere was so low it was almost solidified.
Kim Soo-hyun paced back and forth in the living room barefoot, his face as dark as the pressing night.
“Where did these things come from!?”
He almost roared these words out.
The agent’s face was pale, his voice trembling, “I don’t know. According to the information from Manager Bae, he inquired through channels with some employees at Dispatch, and they also couldn’t find the source. It’s said they used multiple relays, but it’s very likely it came from overseas.”
“Overseas?”
Kim Soo-hyun’s gaze turned icy, and the first person to emerge in his mind was the girl who had just left.
The girl he had just cherished, yet who had suddenly withdrawn.
“Liu Yina!!!”
The time and scenes of that video were too familiar.
And the terms ‘overseas channels’ and ‘multiple relays’ immediately made Kim Soo-hyun think of her identity.
Because he also knew that she held a US passport.
“Hyung Soo-hyun, are you… sure it’s her?”
The assistant’s voice was as weak as a needle, piercing the dead silence.
No one dared to respond.
Kim Soo-hyun was silent for three seconds, then suddenly raised his hand and smashed the glass cup on the table to the ground, shards scattering everywhere.
“Even if I’m damn sure, what does it matter? The most urgent thing now is to deal with Dispatch. Producer Kim’s phone has been ringing off the hook. The movie is still in theaters, do you know how much box office revenue we lose for every minute it’s delayed?”
Kim Soo-hyun, who was roaring, spoke extremely fast, indicating his emotions were close to breaking down.
In fact, he was also very fortunate that this leak didn’t happen last month.
If this situation had occurred in early June, the box office of his movie *Secretly Greatly* would likely have been halved, or even worse.
At that time, given the methods of the omnipotent big shot Producer Kim, it wouldn’t just be a phone call to urge him; Kim Soo-hyun truly feared being sunk to the bottom of the Han River.
Seeing this, the team leader quickly stepped forward to appease him, “Now is not the time to assign blame. We must counterattack immediately, or the company’s upper management will cut ties with us.”
“I know, let’s suppress the news first.”
The deputy quickly outlined an emergency plan, typing on the computer as he said, “Contact the portal websites and block their homepage push. Use our own statement to push back, first denying it all as fake, maliciously edited, and fabricated rumors.”
“We can also release some dirt on other companies’ artists to divert attention, but don’t touch the big companies.”
“Also, hype up your new movie’s topic and establish an image of being ‘honest and emotionally stable’.”
“If necessary… we’ll hire a few ‘authoritative self-media accounts’ to claim the video is synthesized.”
Kim Soo-hyun closed his eyes, his fingers pressing hard on his temples, as if enduring a headache.
“Do it, do it quickly.”
But before he finished speaking, his mobile phone vibrated violently, as if it would explode the next second.
Because Dispatch had already made their move.
…
Early morning, July 11.
Dispatch’s third phase evidence package arrived as scheduled, completely igniting public opinion across the peninsula.
This time, they no longer beat around the bush but attacked head-on, striking at the core.
The title was as sharp and cold as a blade:
Core materials exposed — Kim Soo-hyun’s complete chat records and original audio files with a minor female student on social platforms are fully released.
This was the first time Dispatch directly mentioned “Kim Soo-hyun” in the title, without any concealment.
The evidence was rigorous and fatal, with a complete structure and meticulous logic, covering the following parts:
Private message records from the initial acquaintance in late 2012 to the contact and inducement in early 2013, clearly displaying ‘secret lover’ type wording and psychologically manipulative communication;
The handwritten diary by the victimized girl that year, attached with a handwriting comparison report certified by a third-party appraisal agency;
Unedited audio file segments, including Kim Soo-hyun’s coaxing tone and the forced situation after the girl’s clear refusal;
An anonymous statement letter from the victim’s mother, accompanied by a lawyer’s statement and authorization to publish;
A detailed timeline chart, cross-referencing Kim Soo-hyun’s public schedule in early 2013 with the video timestamps.
The entire article concluded with a sentence, as calm as it was cruel:
We are not responsible for conviction, but we believe society has the right to know, and the public has the right to judge.
Within ten minutes of the news being published, Dispatch’s official website server briefly crashed due to overload.
In less than half an hour, the top twenty trending topics were entirely dominated by this incident.
In less than five hours, online public opinion had completely shifted from initial confusion and shock to overwhelming condemnation.
The tide had turned.
One popular comment, with over 100,000 reposts and likes, became the most representative voice of public opinion that day: “This isn’t just an idol collapsing; it’s a darkness hidden for years that has finally been dragged into the daylight.”
…
July 12, 7:00 AM.
The news channel on television directly used “The Moment When the Mirage of Fame and Fortune Shattered” as its special title.
Online, multiple brand companies successively called Kim Soo-hyun’s company, with four of them directly issuing formal notices.
Announcement: This brand has terminated its cooperation with Mr. Kim Soo-hyun and resolutely opposes any behavior that violates social ethics.
The attitude of the investors in the movie *Secretly Greatly* was even more direct.
“If the allegations of criminal activity are confirmed, any box office losses will be borne by the actor’s side, and the guarantee agreement will be terminated immediately.”
Meanwhile, Kim Soo-hyun’s public relations team had worked almost sleeplessly.
“No matter how much you yell, this situation is no longer a PR issue.”
In the Cheongdam-dong studio, the agent’s voice was hoarse, “The denial statement we submitted last night wasn’t believed by anyone; it was even used as a joke to analyze, saying your sentence structure and tone were avoiding key information.”
– What kind of apology is that? ‘I’m sorry if I caused any discomfort’? That’s a lawyer’s version, not human language!
– Now is not the time for explanations, it’s the time to collapse!
Looking at the comments on the computer screen, Kim Soo-hyun leaned back on the sofa, his whole body feeling hollowed out.
His face was ashen, his Adam’s apple bobbed, and his voice was nearly hoarse, “The police… are they really going to investigate?”
July 12, 2:30 PM.
The Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency held a briefing.
The original intention was to simply respond to the authenticity of Dispatch’s revelations.
But before the press officer could finish speaking, as soon as the microphone was stabilized, he dropped a bombshell opening statement.
“The police have received formal complaint materials and have obtained some video and data, which are currently under review.”
The reporters present instantly erupted.
“Is Kim Soo-hyun listed as a suspect?”
“May I ask if the victim’s identity has been confirmed?”
“Will Kim Soo-hyun be summoned?”
The police spokesperson answered extremely decisively.
“Yes.”
“And we do not rule out the possibility of using coercive interrogation methods for the investigation.”
This statement marked the official entry of this case into a criminal investigation.
At the same time, at the KeyEast Entertainment headquarters.
The emergency meeting of the company’s senior executives had just concluded, and the final resolution was a single sentence: “Maintain silence externally, and immediately implement risk isolation internally.”
To put it plainly, they were preparing to cut ties.
All information about Kim Soo-hyun on the artist’s official website was quickly removed, his assistant team list was cleared, and all related artist projects began the contract termination process.
Kim Soo-hyun’s contract copy was then quietly moved into a folder named “Frozen” on the internal server.
By the time this news reached the studio, it was already late at night, 11 PM.
July 12, 11:41 PM.
Kim Soo-hyun finally drove to KeyEast company again; he needed to see Bae Yong-joon.
He knew very well that it was no longer about whitewashing or controlling public opinion.
It was about the last window of opportunity to save his life, his freedom, and even his last shred of dignity.
In the office.
Bae Yong-joon sat behind his desk, a stack of Dispatch’s evidence compilation manuals spread out before him.
At the bottom lay a thin, yet profoundly significant, termination of contract application.
Then, he looked up at his student, his brows furrowed, and spoke first.
“It’s not that the company isn’t helping you. In fact, the moment Dispatch obtained this material, someone had already tipped me off. I also immediately contacted Dispatch’s senior management and tried to buy this stack of papers with money.”
Kim Soo-hyun’s head shot up, a flicker of hope in his eyes.
But it lasted only a moment.
Because Bae Yong-joon continued in a steady tone, “…But it’s no use. They refused very bluntly.
If it were just a few blurry photos, a few ambiguous messages, they might have hesitated.
But this time, the evidence chain on your side is too complete. Time, location, video, audio, chat records, one link after another, forming a closed loop, watertight.”
He glanced at Kim Soo-hyun, his gaze like a sharp needle.
“This is no longer a leak; this is a meticulously laid plan. Someone is clearly out to get you, and even if Dispatch hadn’t released the news, other media would have eventually, so Dispatch couldn’t possibly let this golden opportunity pass.”
Kim Soo-hyun clenched his fists, veins bulging, and forced out the words through gritted teeth.
“Who? Who is trying to get me?!”
Bae Yong-joon took off his glasses, slowly wiped the lenses, and said in a low tone.
“If you insist on asking who is out to get you, I can only tell you, it’s definitely not just one person.”
He put his glasses back on, looking directly at Kim Soo-hyun:
“It’s a group of people waiting for you to fall.”
Bae Yong-joon pointed to the pile of documents on the desk, his tone as cold as frost.
“The KeyEast internal shareholder meeting just ended before you arrived. Several capital holders with over 10% stake have made their stance very clear: they want us to cut ties with you, for only one reason: to protect the company’s market value.”
Kim Soo-hyun’s face instantly turned deathly pale.
“You’re not unaware that this year and next year are critical periods for the company to attract investment.
As soon as this incident broke out, all investment plans were put on hold.
Including Sohu, and even SM, they’re all taking a wait-and-see approach.”
Bae Yong-joon paused, his expression becoming more somber.
“So the company’s internal shareholders gave me a deadline of 48 hours, which is two days.
If we cannot present an effective counter-public opinion strategy after two days, they will officially announce that KeyEast has terminated its contract with artist Kim Soo-hyun and will fully cooperate with the police investigation.”
The office fell into a deathly silence.
Kim Soo-hyun’s Adam’s apple bobbed, his voice hoarse, “What about you, Master… you’re also one of the major shareholders, can you… can you…”
His voice trembled, like a final struggle.
But Bae Yong-joon just shook his head slowly.
“I’ve helped you this far, and it’s the limit of all my connections.
You have to understand that Dispatch dared to release the third phase because they had already predicted that your side was beyond recovery.
The problem now isn’t ‘can it be cleared up,’ but rather whether you want to live at all.”
Kim Soo-hyun gritted his teeth, his hands clenched tightly on his legs, looking like a wounded beast, panting as he slumped in his chair.
Bae Yong-joon’s tone remained as calm as iron, his words like knives, dissecting reality piece by piece.
“This is no longer just a media battlefield.”
“Those you have offended in the past have long been waiting in the shadows to kick you while you’re down.”
With that, Bae Yong-joon picked up a thick report summarizing public opinion on social platforms and threw it heavily onto the desk.
“Take a look at these yourself.”
“In T-News’s internal anonymous group, there’s an anonymous post from your ‘actor peers,’ directly stating: ‘Finally, someone has exposed his true face.’ It lists all the accusations: stealing roles, sleeping with seniors, forcing actresses to leave – one by one, it’s all out.”
“And a small idol group from J-News directly released a private party video of you from years ago, using this traffic to promote their new rookies.”
“Why have these things, which no one mentioned or dared to mention in the past, suddenly all been dug up?”
Kim Soo-hyun gritted his teeth and murmured, “They were afraid I would climb too high.”
“That’s right.”
Bae Yong-joon nodded, his tone devoid of any pity.
“You became too famous, excessively famous.
*Moon Embracing the Sun* directly made you a god.
*Secretly Greatly*, upon its release, broke all sorts of records.
You are not an ordinary actor; you are a gold mine in the eyes of capital, a variable in the power structure.
The people you stepped on, the resources you cut off, the forces you blocked in the past few years are far more than you realize.”
He then sighed, his voice as low as the night wind:
“Now, they see you about to collapse, so naturally, everyone is rushing to add a final blow.
Your hotel records from when you filmed abroad years ago have also been dug up,
there’s even an anonymous post accusing you of ‘harassing female students while attending language school.’
And those crazy ‘righteous netizens’ have even started digging up clips of us recording variety shows when you first debuted, saying I might have been involved in your messes.
They’re not even letting me off the hook anymore.”
The office fell into a deathly silence.
After a long time, Kim Soo-hyun finally said softly:
“Then… what do you suggest we do now?”
Bae Yong-joon looked at him, his tone steady, like a hammer striking wood.
“First, you need to be prepared for a police investigation.
Dispatch’s materials have been submitted to the prosecution, and under public pressure, the police cannot refuse to open a case.”
“Second, don’t dream that everyone will save you.
The beverage brand and sneaker company you endorsed have already sent me letters of intent today, preparing to claim liquidated damages according to the contract terms, estimated to exceed 700 million Korean Won.”
“Third, the only thing you can do now is not to be stubborn, but to save your life.
Don’t provoke public emotion, don’t continue to release those ‘wronged’ plagiarized articles; you won’t convince anyone.
What you need to think about is: if you really go in, can you silence the second and third victims?”
Kim Soo-hyun froze, his gaze suddenly showing a hint of panic.
“Yes, stop pretending.”
Bae Yong-joon’s tone turned completely cold.
“I am not a police officer and will not arrest you, but I know what kind of person you are.
The reason you’ve reached this position today is not primarily due to your acting skills, but your intuition, your packaging, and your methods.”
“But you also forgot, methods can never defeat time.”
Bae Yong-joon, who had stood up, walked to the desk and patted Kim Soo-hyun’s shoulder, as if smoothing the collar of someone about to walk to the guillotine.
His tone was low, but every word was like a knife.
“What you should be considering now is not ‘can I still turn things around,’ but how to ensure you don’t die too disgracefully.”
Kim Soo-hyun’s voice was hoarse, “Master… please save me. I don’t want to go to prison. Do I have any other opportunities?”
Bae Yong-joon, after gazing deeply at Kim Soo-hyun, sighed, “If this incident had exploded half a year later, by this time next year, perhaps everything would be different.”
“…”
Kim Soo-hyun, who had suddenly looked up, stared at him in confusion, as if wanting to ask why Bae Yong-joon said that.
Bae Yong-joon’s tone was calm, but with an unconcealable regret.
“I’ve actually been in contact with HBE recently—did you know? Jun Ji Hyun is making a comeback in a drama. If you hadn’t had this incident, I might have been able to secure the male lead role in that script for you.”
“Jun Ji Hyun’s comeback drama will undoubtedly be a phenomenal hit. If you could ride the wave of this drama’s popularity, your status would elevate another level. Then, I could package you as the image ambassador for Peninsula Culture to be exported overseas.”
“At that point, even if something happened to you, the company would go all out to protect you.”
Bae Yong-joon said, then added helplessly again.
“But all of this is nonsense now. You’re unlucky; the scandal broke too early.”
“Currently, you are replaceable in terms of status, value, and market positioning. The company has no reason to drag the entire enterprise down for one actor. Especially this time, you’ve directly caused us to lose several potential major investors.”
As he spoke, Bae Yong-joon looked at the student he had mentored, a complex emotion surfacing in his eyes.
Since 《Dream High》, he had built Kim Soo-hyun into a star, pouring in resources and packaging him with all his might, sending him to the divine altar step by step.
But now, he had to push him down with his own hands.
As someone who had been in the same boat, Bae Yong-joon didn’t actually think Kim Soo-hyun was “that terrible.”
In fact, in his opinion, who in this industry was truly clean?
It was just a matter of being exposed.
But while thinking this, Bae Yong-joon also knew very well that even if he was unwilling, he had to cut ties with him.
So he sat down again, his tone even more severe.
“Xiuyuan, there’s actually another problem: besides your personal situation, the company will definitely seek compensation from you for its losses. You’d best be prepared for this in advance; I can’t help you much with this.”
He sighed and gave one last low reminder, “But I can give you one piece of advice: keep your mouth shut. Then, there might still be a chance.”
If Kim Soo-hyun really started talking recklessly, not only would the company not let him off, but Bae Yong-joon would also be in trouble.
And as KeyEast Entertainment headquarters let go, everything seemed to have hit the accelerator, pushing Kim Soo-hyun into the abyss he deserved.
…
July 13, 2013, 9:45 AM, Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency.
Under the pressure of overwhelming public reports and continuous media bombardment, the police once again announced externally:
“An official investigation has been launched into Kim’s alleged illegal activities. He is scheduled to be summoned for questioning soon. Relevant audio and video evidence has been obtained at this stage, and will be verified in conjunction with online forensics technology departments.”
Simultaneously, the prosecution confirmed receipt of copies of the three-stage original evidence materials from Dispatch, and is cooperating with the victim’s legal team in the evidence collection process.
On the same day, 10:32 AM.
Several top endorsement brands that had not yet terminated their contracts yesterday jointly issued a termination statement:
【Given that artist Kim Soo-hyun is embroiled in a major negative controversy, in accordance with the cooperation agreement, all brand collaborations are immediately terminated, and the right to pursue economic damages is reserved】
Less than two hours later, other endorsement brands followed suit, one after another announcing the termination of their contracts.
Within half a day, all of Kim Soo-hyun’s endorsement contracts were terminated, and his advertisement images were removed from all major online stores, physical stores, and official channels.
At the same time, the official account of the movie The Great Hidden intended announced an emergency pause on updates and deleted all promotional materials related to Kim Soo-hyun.
July 13, 3:10 PM.
The representative lawyer for the first victim held a press conference and played an audio excerpt.
The reporters present were all silent.
The girl’s voice trembled but was firm:
“I am not seeking revenge, but to ensure that ‘there will not be another me in the future’.”
This sentence, like a spark falling into dry grass, instantly ignited the entire social network.
The number of shares and comments exceeded one million, and the hashtag soared to the top of the trending list.
#WeWereAllThatGirl
#KimSooHyunOutOfTheEntertainmentIndustry
#TheDaysOfUsingPowerToSilenceAreOver
These became the top trending topics on Twitter, NAVER, and DAUM.
…
July 14, Early Morning.
International mainstream media such as CNN, BBC, and NHK successively broadcasted the report, with the title:
【Asia’s Top Actor In Scandal of the Decade（ Asian Top Actor Involved in Decade’s Most Sensational Scandal）】
Global attention soared to its peak.
The Peninsula Ministry of Foreign Affairs received a joint petition from several overseas women’s rights organizations, calling for a thorough investigation of the case and ensuring the safety of the victims.
It was this “international news” that completely sealed Kim Soo-hyun’s lifeline as a top-tier actor, and brought irreversible consequences to everything associated with him.
After all, for the Peninsula, the entertainment industry had once been a symbol of the country’s soft power.
Now, this scandal had become a brand of national shame.
And when the Lighthouse Nation also expressed concern and questioning, this “celebrity incident” officially escalated into a “diplomatic crisis.”
This situation would be the last straw that broke Kim Soo-hyun.
July 14, 10:00 AM.
KeyEast’s stock price fell by the daily limit as soon as the market opened, with a single-day market value evaporation of approximately 7.9 billion Korean Won.
The company subsequently issued a 《Major Risk Disclosure》 announcement on the portal website:
【Artist Kim Soo-hyun’s contract matters have been transferred to the legal department for handling. The company will cooperate with the investigation in accordance with the law and pursue full contract breach compensation.】
Meanwhile, the comment section of KeyEast’s official Weibo was flooded with messages, with a large number of netizens demanding an investigation into the “internal protection chain.”
Public opinion had shifted from Kim Soo-hyun personally to the power structure of the entire entertainment industry.
Some netizens posted photos of Kim Soo-hyun at a party with Bae Yong-joon and CJ executives in his early years, stating directly: “This is not a house collapsing, it’s a group collapsing.”
At the same time, Dispatch released a sensational preview.
【The final consolidated materials for Phase Four will be released tonight.】
The accompanying image was a blurred scan of a contract, but the signatory could still be identified as: KeyEast Legal Department Supervisor.
This news caused a massive stir.
July 14, 7:22 PM.
Kim Soo-hyun made a low-key appearance at the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency to cooperate with the investigation.
News live vans were stationed outside the police station, and a photo of him wearing a mask, looking pale, became the front-page news of all evening papers that night.
It went viral across the internet, and public opinion erupted once again.
Within the police department, a mid-level officer in charge of evidence collection quietly remarked, “This case is bigger than we imagined. Kim Soo-hyun is just the entrance.”
The supervising officer ahead replied without turning his head, “Don’t talk too much. This matter is probably going to end here.”
…
July 15.
At 1 AM, Dispatch’s server experienced a brief outage.
They were scheduled to release the final evidence package for “Phase Four” but it was suppressed by a “technical adjustment” at the last minute.
Within less than five hours, the headlines of almost all Korean portal websites, search engine hot lists, and video bullet comment keywords.
All of this, with astonishing consistency, quietly shifted the narrative.
Kim Soo-hyun’s name seemed to be stripped from the internet by an invisible hand.
There was no wind, no aftershocks, not even a ripple left.
No one said it explicitly, but everyone understood.
This scandal could not continue to ferment.
…
July 16, 9:00 AM.
At the Blue House’s regular press conference, a foreign correspondent pressed the government on its stance regarding the Kim Soo-hyun incident.
The spokesperson took a sip of water and said only a few words: “The Peninsula is a society of laws.”
The words were plain, but like the final hammer blow on a coffin, they signaled the government’s unwillingness to waste any more effort on handling an “idol scandal.”
After all, in a few months, the Peninsula would be hosting multiple major international events and cultural festivals, with billions and tens of billions of Korean Won in investment and foreign capital awaiting confirmation.
No one wanted to contaminate the country’s image with the name “Kim Soo-hyun” at this time.
That same morning, the capital board behind KeyEast convened an emergency closed-door meeting.
In attendance were high-level executives from CJ Entertainment and Kakao Entertainment, as well as a risk control representative from Mirae Asset.
The meeting was held to decide only one thing.
That is: sacrifice the pawn to save the king.
…
On July 17, the court formally indicted Kim Soo-hyun.
The charges included: forcible indecency, seducing a minor for sexual intercourse, and three other serious accusations.
KeyEast released an announcement that evening:
【Our company respects the independent judgment of the judicial authorities. We have now terminated all contracts with Kim Soo-hyun. Compensation matters will be determined by a third-party arbitration body.】
That night, Kim Soo-hyun was transferred to the Seoul Detention Center to await further trial proceedings.
At this moment, he was not met by fans, nor chased by flashing lights; only a silent lawyer and himself were by his side.
And just when the outside world thought the dust had settled, the next wave of public opinion began to brew.
Three days later, a veteran variety show host in Korea was exposed for tax evasion, quickly dominating headlines and becoming the new focus of public attention.
The media began to tacitly shift their focus, and the trending lists changed like a cruel tide.
Within 24 hours, discussions about Kim Soo-hyun had almost completely disappeared.
His incident ended abruptly, like a circus performance without an encore, quietly closing its curtains.
Someone commented on a forum:
–Is it really over?
–No, it’s just locked away in a deeper cabinet.
Several victims who had spoken out were relocated abroad with the assistance of an NGO, and fell into silence thereafter.
Some people tried to pursue the matter, but could no longer find any effective clues or responses.
It was as if a calm and firm hand had made the decision for them.
“Enough, it’s time to stop.”
…
July 25, KeyEast’s stock price slightly rebounded, and investors resumed negotiations.
The Dispatch reporter was transferred to the overseas desk, and the original report was archived for members only, without public explanation.
Thus, the entire incident, from explosion to suppression, took just over half a month.
Kim Soo-hyun, the cultural idol who once represented “Korean soft power,” now didn’t even leave a formal “house collapsing” label, only a rumor within the industry:
“He wasn’t forgotten, just suppressed.”
————————Divider————————
And at the beginning of all this, on the morning of July 10.
After watching the first piece of evidence released by Dispatch, Lin Xiuyuan realized he could now step back.
Then he looked down at his still vibrating mobile phone. In the group chat Solve Worries Small Courtyard, continuous @ mentions were popping up.
Lin Xiuyuan chuckled softly and typed a message on the screen.
【Stayed up all night, time to sleep】
A few seconds later, there was a knock on the room door.
Sulli’s voice came through the door, soft and familiar.
“Oppa, why don’t you have breakfast before resting?”
Hearing this, Lin Xiuyuan rubbed his temples, pushed the door open, his steps carrying a hint of fatigue, but his eyes were clearer than ever before.
Outside the door, Sulli smiled brightly at him, like the morning light just breaking in summer.
Soon, in a corner of the kitchen, she stood by the dining table wearing an apron, carefully arranging the breakfast plates.
Two golden toast sandwiches, filled with fried egg and lettuce, Sulli’s movements were not fast, but steady and quiet.
“It’s ready, Oppa~”
Sulli, carrying the plate to the table, smiled at Lin Xiuyuan, her voice as light as the wind thawing in the early morning, “You can eat now, Oppa~”
“So soon? You’ve worked hard, Sulli.”
Lin Xiuyuan, who was watching the news on his mobile phone on the sofa, turned his head and smiled at her, then walked to the dining table and sat down, taking a bite of the toast.
The edge of the toast was crisp, and the egg yolk still had a warm, runny taste. One bite, and it was even more delicious than he had imagined.
“This egg is really delicious, you should have some too, Sulli.”
Lin Xiuyuan said with a smile, chewing and looking up at the person opposite him.
Sulli sat opposite him, nodded, and was about to speak when she suddenly lowered her head.
Lin Xiuyuan noticed something was wrong, stopped, and looked at her with confusion, “What’s wrong?”
Sulli was silent for a moment, then softly said, “Thank you, oppa~”
Lin Xiuyuan was slightly taken aback, “Thank you for what?”
Sulli looked up at him, her eyes carrying a hint of complexity, “I checked the news materials at the villa and know that the me from 2025 was likely also… taken advantage of by someone like Kim Soo-hyun.”
She paused, as if trying to choose gentler words to cover memories she hadn’t experienced.
“So… seeing him from 2013 in such a bad state because of you, unable to even recover, I felt incredibly relieved.”
Then she bit her lower lip and continued, “Even though it’s not the same timeline, it still feels like you got revenge for me.”
Lin Xiuyuan didn’t answer immediately, just looked at her quietly.
A moment later, Sulli lowered her head again and chuckled softly, as if trying to diffuse the emotion, “If this were ancient times, such a life-and-death enmity would warrant offering oneself in marriage.”
Lin Xiuyuan stared at her face for a few seconds, took another bite of toast with a slight smile, and said softly.
“Jinjin, the phrase ‘offering oneself in marriage’ is too old-fashioned. What’s most important in this era is knowing what kind of person you want to become, especially for you.”
Sulli was taken aback, her cheeks flushing, but she nodded seriously, “I know.”
Outside the window, sunlight streamed through the blinds, quietly falling on the tabletop.
The wind was gentle, like a soft period at the end of a long period of reckoning and deep sleep.
Lin Xiuyuan finished the last bite of his sandwich, took a sip of milk, leaned back in his chair, closed his eyes, and let out a long sigh.
“Ah, after working for a few days, it’s finally done. I’m going to have a good long sleep.”
Sulli nodded and said softly, “Oppa~ Why don’t you go to the villa and let Soo Jung know you’re safe? You haven’t been there these past few days, she’s probably worried sick. I can keep an eye on things here.”
Lin Xiuyuan didn’t say much more, just softly agreed, got up, and slowly walked towards the Time-Space Door.
Sulli watched his receding back as he disappeared behind the door, let out a soft breath, and raised her slightly reddened eyes, lost in thought.
On the other side.
Arriving at the villa in 2025, Lin Xiuyuan had just stepped out of his room into the living room when the bright sunlight streaming in from the floor-to-ceiling window made him squint.
In fact, he hadn’t been completely absent during these ten days.
On the day he returned to Seoul after a detour overseas, Lin Xiuyuan had briefly visited once, but he didn’t stay long.
He had simply informed Krystal and Lin Yoon Ah of his current situation and immediately returned to the 2013 apartment, keeping watch at his computer for the storm about to break.
Until today, when the incident began to explode, Lin Xiuyuan no longer needed to keep an eye on the remaining matters.
So, at Sulli’s reminder, Lin Xiuyuan came to the villa again.
After sending a simple text message to Krystal to let her know he was safe, Lin Xiuyuan went upstairs to the master bedroom, ready to catch up on the most peaceful sleep he’d had in days.
Since handing over the evidence to Dispatch, Lin Xiuyuan had barely slept.
So today, he planned to sleep like the dead.
By the time Krystal saw the text message Lin Xiuyuan sent her, it was already noon.
After waking up, she simply washed up and rushed out, heading straight for the villa.
Sunlight slanted into the floor-to-ceiling window, illuminating the entire living room with warm light.
The curtain in the master bedroom on the third floor was half-open, and the soft light fell precisely on Lin Xiuyuan’s profile.
His breathing was steady, his expression peaceful, as if he had fallen into the most secure dream of the past few days.
And in the living room on the first floor, there suddenly came a series of light yet restrained footsteps.
Krystal, who had arrived at the villa, had just pushed the door open when she found the living room empty and quiet. After calling out and receiving no response, she immediately thought of something.
So she looked up towards the third floor; he should be up there.
Indeed, upon reaching the master bedroom, Krystal finally saw the figure that had been weighing on her mind for the past few days.
Lin Xiuyuan lay quietly on the bed, fast asleep, with a few strands of hair slightly disheveled on his forehead. He exuded a sense of relaxation and exhaustion from having shed his burdens, even his breathing carried a sense of secure fatigue.
Krystal leaned against the doorframe and watched him quietly for a few seconds, her lips unconsciously softening.
Then she walked over softly, carefully lifted the corner of the blanket, and lay down beside him, her head resting on his shoulder, her hands gently embracing his waist.
Although she herself had only just woken from sleep, Krystal, curled up in his embrace, felt she could drift back into a peaceful slumber for a while longer.
Time slipped away unnoticed.
When a streetlight shone through the blinds into the room, falling on the wooden floor at the foot of the bed, Lin Xiuyuan finally slowly opened his eyes.
The warmth beside him was gone. Reaching out to the side, Lin Xiuyuan couldn’t find anyone. When Krystal lay down at noon, he hadn’t been awake, but he had had some awareness.
Thinking this, Lin Xiuyuan sat up, put on a shirt over his bare upper body, and walked out of the bedroom.
Faint familiar laughter could be heard from downstairs.
Lin Xiuyuan squinted his eyes, not yet fully adjusted to the light, walked to the edge of the stairs, and leaned against the railing to look down.
The crystal chandelier hung askew, and soft lighting swayed gently in the air. Through the hazy light, he saw the warm scene in the living room.
Krystal had changed into comfortable home clothes, her hair tied up casually. She was leaning on the sofa, holding a cushion, looking relaxed and at ease.
Sitting beside her was Kim Tae Yeon, her eyes crinkling with laughter, and Lin Yoon Ah, scooping ice cream with a spoon.
The three had a relaxed atmosphere, their conversation filled with trivial interesting stories from daily life.
Just then, Kim Tae Yeon, the first to notice Lin Xiuyuan upstairs, smiled at him, “Oh, you’re awake, Xiuyuan.”
“Yeah,” Lin Xiuyuan rubbed his hair, looking at the familiar and lively scene in the house, and smiled, “Why are you guys here?”
“Came to visit a ‘great hero’ who brought justice to heaven,” Lin Yoon Ah raised her spoon, smiling playfully.
“We heard you haven’t slept for days. You’re finally resting today?” Kim Tae Yeon’s tone was teasing but also caring.
Lin Xiuyuan chuckled and exhaled, “I’ve been a bit tired these past few days. It’s been a long time since I’ve slept until I woke up naturally… What time is it now?”
“It’s past 8 o’clock. Are you hungry?”
Krystal, looking up, asked Lin Xiuyuan, “I’ve ordered some simple meals for you. Go wash up, and you can heat them up to eat.”
“Sure, that would be great. I am a bit hungry.”
Lin Xiuyuan nodded, turned back into the room, and simply washed his face.
A few minutes later, he came downstairs wearing a clean T-shirt, sat between Krystal and Lin Yoon Ah, and took a bite of a chicken roll.
Then he looked up at Lin Yoon Ah, who had been staring at him, “What’s wrong? Why are you looking at me like that?”
“With something this big, why didn’t you tell us beforehand? If I hadn’t asked Soo Jung the other day, Tae Yeon unnie and I would probably still be in the dark.”
Lin Yoon Ah said, her tone a mix of playful reproach and sincerity.
Lin Xiuyuan chewed, swallowed his food, and replied, “The information came suddenly. As soon as I got the evidence, I went back to 2013. I really didn’t have time to say anything.”
“But it’s almost wrapped up now. Dispatch has already started making moves. Even if this wave doesn’t take him down, he won’t have much room to develop in the short term. And with this news out, Kim Sae-ron and the others probably won’t be so easily swayed anymore.”
Hearing this, Kim Tae Yeon was still somewhat shocked, “I never thought… Xiuyuan, you really took that scumbag down.”
“It’s not 2025. His foundation in 2013 wasn’t stable enough; one 《hug the moon》 wasn’t enough.”
Speaking of this, Lin Xiuyuan began to explain, “Besides, this isn’t the kind of scandal about cheating or a third party. For a legal offender, even if they can protect themselves, it’s hard to make a comeback.”
“I was worried that Bae Yong-joon would lend a hand, so I made some extra preparations. Now it seems Bae Yong-joon doesn’t have the final say at KeyEast anymore.”
As Lin Xiuyuan finished speaking, Lin Yoon Ah linked her arm through his.
“Hehe, you’re right. So, Xiuyuan, hurry up and open the door. We want to go over there and see how things are developing. Such a big piece of gossip, it would be a waste not to see the reactions on the spot.”
Kim Tae Yeon beside her also couldn’t help but laugh and nod, while Krystal, though also tempted, paused for a moment upon seeing Lin Yoon Ah holding Lin Xiuyuan’s arm.
However, she just pursed her lips slightly and said nothing more.
Kim Tae Yeon, who sensed her emotion, her eyes flickered slightly, but she didn’t point it out.
Afterward, led by Lin Xiuyuan, they all traveled back to the 2013 apartment.
Sulli was still rehearsing in the practice room today and hadn’t finished work yet.
As soon as they arrived, Lin Yoon Ah and Krystal, as if returning to their own home, walked into Lin Xiuyuan’s room as if it were familiar territory, opened the computer, and began refreshing the news pages page by page.
Although Kim Tae Yeon wasn’t entirely familiar with the place, she also followed them in, crowding around the computer and reading with great interest.
Lin Xiuyuan was the only one left standing in the living room, stretching and yawning. He then turned and walked towards the small bar counter next door.
Tonight, cheers~
We won’t go home until we’re drunk!!!
Daily Ten Thousand finished. Thanks to my godfathers for your support and votes.
Daily Ten Thousand progress bar report: 64/69.
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