Chapter 204: You Cook For Her, And I’ll Join You
In the afternoon of Tokyo’s summer, sunlight poured down from between the high-rises in Ginza, refracting bright light spots on the glass curtain walls.
T-ara’s six members wore sunglasses and masks, weaving lightly and excitedly through the streets and alleys.
Park Hyomin held her mobile phone studying the food map while cheerfully issuing orders like a commander, “Oni~ We must try that wagyu barbecue place today, so barbecue for lunch, matcha beer in the evening, perfect itinerary, let’s go~”
“Agreed!” Lee Ji-eun and Park Ji-yeon and the others chimed in unison, agreeing without hesitation.
Waves of cheerful laughter rippled through the streets and alleys, as if they had instantly returned to that carefree student era.
Then they walked and chatted, occasionally stopping at convenience store doorways for selfies and group photos, enjoying this rare relaxed time.
After shopping for a while, when they arrived at a certain shopping mall, Park Ji-yeon and Ham Eun-jung went ahead to an open-air coffee seat to reserve spots and order drinks, waiting for the main group behind.
At the same time, they could quietly discuss the main matter.
“Eun-jung Oni.”
After sitting down, Park Ji-yeon spoke softly, her fingertip gently rubbing the tabletop, as if organizing her words.
“I’ve chatted with Jinjin again these past couple days, and I still think that supporting role Yoona Oni mentioned before, you really should try for it. Though it’s just a supporting role, this character’s spotlight in that script really doesn’t lose to the female leads in other scripts this second half of the year.”
Her tone was anxious with a hint of worry, her gaze earnestly on Ham Eun-jung, as if afraid the other would hesitate and back out due to pride or other concerns.
Unexpectedly, Ham Eun-jung smiled after hearing it, then nodded, “What are you thinking? I’ve already told the company side, and oppa is working hard to connect with the TV station and writer Kim over there.”
Faced with this answer, Park Ji-yeon laughed too, her gaze much more relaxed, “That’s really great, actually that drama is pretty good, after we go back to Seoul, we can go with oppa to check out the work, then Oni will feel more secure.”
Ham Eun-jung raised her brows, her tone adding some emotion, “Yeah, I know. Actually, that evening’s events still feel a bit dreamlike to me, not very real.”
“I understand what you mean, Oni, like my first two or three times coming and going, I felt the same as you, like dreaming.”
Park Ji-yeon nodded, then gazed at the distant street scene, her tone gradually softening, “Until later trying a few more times, and after Dad’s condition was diagnosed and confirmed, that’s when the real feeling came, my heart was in a panic.”
“Ah, still a few days before we can go back, hearing you say that, I’m getting impatient too.” Ham Eun-jung smiled along.
At this moment, the server brought the drinks, Ham Eun-jung thanked him, then teased Ji-yeon, “If I’d known it’d be like this, we should’ve called Xiuyuan to Tokyo too, then buy an apartment in Tokyo, so we can go back anytime.”
“Yeah, I’ve been thinking that too. Lately I’ve been looking at houses, but good locations are too expensive, budget can’t keep up for now.”
Park Ji-yeon gently shook her cup, shrugging helplessly, “Cheap ones are too small, not enough rooms, not quite usable… can only watch for a while.”
Actually, she wasn’t without the impulse to buy immediately, but her liquid funds on hand had almost all gone into investments before.
Her daily life now was naturally no worry, but for a big purchase like a house, her private fund was indeed stretched thin.
“I have money here, I’ll buy it, didn’t you say joining the cult requires membership fees.” Ham Eun-jung joked smilingly.
Hearing this answer, Park Ji-yeon immediately clutched her head and let out an exaggerated wail, “Ah, Oni, if you do that, then it’s just me who hasn’t paid the membership fee yet.”
Just as she finished complaining, Ham Eun-jung dealt her another heavy blow, “Huh? Didn’t you already pay your membership fee?”
“Ah? When did I pay?” Park Ji-yeon looked shocked, her eyebrows nearly flying off her forehead, “How come I don’t know!”
Ham Eun-jung’s gaze sharpened, reminding her with a half-smile, “Didn’t you team up with Xiuyuan before to deceive, trick, and swindle your 2025 self? That side’s Ji-yeon was already tricked into it.”
Because Ham Eun-jung had only chatted one evening with Sweet Eun-jung, she only half-understood most situations in 2025, and how much information exchange there was between those two time-spaces.
So even now, she wasn’t clear if Park Ji-yeon truly understood or not.
And after seeing Park Ji-yeon’s bewildered expression, she reminded again, “Didn’t you tell me a couple days ago, you planned to trick your future self who went astray to Xiuyuan, and now the plan has successfully completed.”
“Hey~ Wait wait wait, Oni what you said sounds like…”
At these words, Park Ji-yeon instantly straightened up, eyes wide, “Oppa really got together with that old woman over there?!”
Just as she said this, Ham Eun-jung smiled slightly at her, “Ji-yeon ah~”
“Got it, got it!” Park Ji-yeon gritted her teeth and changed her wording, “Ji-yeon, Ji-yeon, I get it, I know. So Oni’s meaning, oppa and that old Ji-yeon have already… gotten together, right?”
“That ‘old’ word and ‘gotten’ word, sigh…”
Ham Eun-jung held her forehead and sighed, shaking her head helplessly.
Faced with Park Ji-yeon’s rebelliousness, what more could she say, she doted on her own maknae, “Yeah, the two are already together, or rather not exactly together, more like a lover relationship.”
“How do you know, Oni.” Park Ji-yeon frowned, her tone full of complex emotions.
Ham Eun-jung countered her, “What do you think.”
This question stunned Park Ji-yeon for a moment, but she quickly realized Ham Eun-jung must have heard it from her future self.
So she immediately gritted her teeth, “Ah, that old woman is like that and still not giving up to come eat tender grass as an old cow? Wait no, then why didn’t oppa tell me?”
“Ah, you didn’t know?”
Park Ji-yeon’s answer finally let Ham Eun-jung understand the situation, looking at her somewhat surprised.
Park Ji-yeon shook her head, her whole face full of “I’m in the dark” bewilderment, “I didn’t know ah, ah, I’m going crazy, Oni, that old woman is really too much.”
“Ji-yeon ah~” Ham Eun-jung called her gently, wanting to persuade her of something.
“Ah, Oni, this is really too much.” Park Ji-yeon no longer minded the address at this point.
And she had the urge to rush back to Seoul quickly, and in the past 2025 find a ring with that old woman for a direct offline real-person PK.
Loser rolls out, winner takes all.
Thinking of this, Park Ji-yeon suddenly remembered something, “Wait, I remember last time oppa and Jinjin came to Tokyo, they seemed to stay in a hotel, so could oppa come to the hotel room?”
“Huh? I really don’t know about that, you want to try?” Ham Eun-jung widened her eyes.
“Yes, I want to go beat that old… Ji-yeon hard.”
Park Ji-yeon who wanted to continue, after meeting Ham Eun-jung’s slightly smiling gaze, depressed changed back the address.
Hearing this, Ham Eun-jung smiled very satisfied, “Then that needs to ask Xiuyuan, but with so much surveillance over there, not too safe.”
“Sigh…”
Hearing【safe】these two words, Park Ji-yeon instantly deflated like a punctured balloon, the whole person wilted.
Then she looked at Ham Eun-jung, eyes sparkling as she spoke, “Oni, let’s go buy a house.”
Ham Eun-jung looked at the maknae before her whose anger hadn’t subsided but whose smile was brilliant, her mind surfacing the hollow-eyed, gaunt-faced other her from Sweet Eun-jung’s phone, her heart dimming slightly.
But she said nothing, just raised a doting smile again, nodding, “Okay~ Buy, buy~”
The two smiled at each other, Tokyo summer sunlight sprinkling on their faces, warm just right.
At this moment, several members not far away carrying shopping bags approached, faces full of smiles and satisfaction.
This instant, youth bright, friendship shining.
Even if reality is complex as a puzzle, at least at this moment, they still have the gentlest foundation.
……
……
At noon, in the Seoul apartment, Lin Xiuyuan who had slept deeply all morning finally woke from heavy slumber.
He lingered in bed a bit, stretched lazily, then slowly walked into the bathroom, simply washed up, then opened the room door and came out.
In the living room, Sulli was curled on the sofa, watching TV variety show while tapping away on the laptop on her lap.
The screen had open the script selection document sorted out after last night’s discussion.
Hearing movement from the bedroom doorway, Sulli instinctively turned to look, seeing Lin Xiuyuan come out, immediately curving her eyes, a light smile on her lips, “Good morning, oppa~”
“Morning, Sulli why are you up so early, not sleepy?”
Yawning Lin Xiuyuan asked.
While Sulli gently pushed the computer aside, she got up to pour him a cup of ice water, tone soft, “Not bad, I just woke up not long ago, didn’t get up too early.”
After handing the water cup to Lin Xiuyuan, she casually asked, “Oppa what do you want to eat? I’ll make something for you?”
Lin Xiuyuan took the cup and drank a sip, his gaze glancing at the wall clock already past 11 am.
So he shook his head, smiling, “Almost noon, no need to bother. Rest a bit, later we’ll order takeout at the villa side. Krystal seems back in Seoul today too, perfect to gather.”
Sulli nodded obediently in agreement.
But just as she wanted to sit back on the sofa, the phone ringtone beside rang, Sulli looked down at the caller ID and smiled as she answered, “Hey, Soo Jung ah, what’s up.”
“Sulli where are you now?” Jung Soo Jung on the other end of the phone asked directly.
“Me, at home.” Sulli answered naturally.
But on the other end, Jung Soo Jung was standing at the doorway of the apartment Sulli used to live in, having pressed the doorbell several times, yet no one opened.
This made her suspiciously furrow her brows, “No, I’m at your home doorway right now, the doorbell is about to be pressed broken by me.”
“Ah~”
Sulli upon hearing, looked at the surroundings, then remembered something, haha laughed, “Oh, Soo Jung, I moved to a new place recently.”
She said it lightly, her laughter carrying a bit of embarrassment.
After all, living together with Lin Xiuyuan, not easy to explain in detail to members, so didn’t inform in advance.
“Okay, then where do you live now, I’ll come find you, there are some script issues to ask you.”
And regarding Sulli’s move, Jung Soo Jung didn’t think much, after all between people, some things don’t need to be all said, private space is necessary.
But Jung Soo Jung’s question made Sulli glance somewhat troubled at Lin Xiuyuan beside her.
The latter saw her difficulty, smiled lightly at her, then pointed at the time-space door in the room corner leading to the small tavern, meaning: I’ll withdraw first, you arrange freely.
Hearing this, Sulli hesitated a moment, then gave the small tavern’s address, “Soo Jung ah, let’s meet at oppa’s small tavern, just in time I’m a bit hungry, go out and eat something together, chat while eating.”
Jung Soo Jung on the phone end who had already turned to the elevator preparing to go down to the parking lot to drive, upon hearing immediately had some odd thoughts.
Thinking if Sulli was dating and didn’t want her to know.
Or had some secret or something, not easy to say.
But she wasn’t the type to pry to the bottom, though a bit curious, she just kept it in her heart.
So she thought a bit, then softly agreed, “Okay, then I’ll head over now.”
“Yeah, see you soon.”
Seeing Sulli hang up, Lin Xiuyuan immediately asked, “Why not let her come over, saves you going out.”
Sulli pouted her small mouth, tone gentle as she answered, “Forget it, I’m afraid next time Soo Jung directly blocks the doorway, that’d be troublesome, better to meet outside more steady.”
Saying so, she turned to look at Lin Xiuyuan, a slightly apologetic smile on her lips, “But like this, I can’t go back to the villa to meet that side’s Soo Jung, oppa help me tell her, say see you in the evening, I’ll make something delicious to compensate her then.”
Lin Xiuyuan after hearing, raised his brow lightly, unceremoniously raised his hand to knock her head, “What messy thoughts in that little head of yours? It’s not like we won’t meet, what nonsense.”
Sulli smiled lightly, lowered her head obediently, “Got it, I won’t say that next time.”
No more delay, the two soon left the apartment.
One headed downstairs to the small tavern, the other passed through the time-space door to the 2025 villa side.
However, what Lin Xiuyuan didn’t expect was, just as he stepped into the villa, there was already a figure quietly sitting on the living room sofa.
Afternoon sunlight through the floor-to-ceiling window sprinkled into the living room, wrapping the entire space in a gentle golden glow.
That familiar figure sat in the sofa center, wearing a light khaki work jacket, body slightly leaning forward, making her long legs appear even straighter and more elegant.
Hand holding an unopened pack of snacks, yet as if already forgotten its existence.
The other’s side face was still as fair and delicate as last meeting, skin like congealed fat translucent, as if a gentle pinch would make it bounce back.
Brows and eyes faint, yet hiding the sharp contours unique to a mature woman, and those light pink lips like early spring petals, gentle with a touch of cool tone.
So Lin Xiuyuan just pushed open the door, his gaze landing on her, the whole person paused.
At the same time, Krystal keenly sensed his arrival.
“Krystal, how did you…”
Words not finished, he saw Krystal suddenly stand up, almost without hesitation, like a kite with cut string flying toward him.
In those brief steps, the jacket rose slightly with her movements, the pillow idly folded on her wrist instantly falling to the ground.
Followed by a light leap, straight pouncing into Lin Xiuyuan’s arms.
Her swift actions didn’t give Lin Xiuyuan time to react, he had already instinctively opened his arms.
“Hey hey… wait…”
Then he quickly steadied his steps before Krystal crashed into him, at the moment of impact reaching out to hold her slim waist, one hand naturally cupping her perky butt, gently holding her in his arms to prevent her from falling.
Then without giving Lin Xiuyuan time to recover, Krystal already cupped his face with both hands, without hesitation, without warning, fiercely pressing a kiss on his lips.
“…”
“…”
The whole villa instantly quieted, only left with their slightly intermingled breathing sounds.
Her lips soft almost unreal, carrying a slight coolness, yet making Lin Xiuyuan heat from his heart to his limbs, like suddenly ignited.
Then he low laughed, “Is it necessary? We haven’t been apart that long, no need to be so urgent.”
Krystal had no intention of arguing with him, instead gently pressed to his ear, using a tsundere yet matter-of-fact tone to whisper, “Don’t care long or short, anyway I’ve missed you to the point of going crazy, not gonna kiss me back?”
Lin Xiuyuan was made speechless for a moment by her sudden enthusiasm, her soft temperature still lingering on his lips, his nose full of her scent.
Breathing in, clean fruit fragrance and shampoo fresh scent mixed into a familiar aura that stirred the heart.
Krystal in his arms hugged his neck refusing to let go, small face tightly against his shoulder nook, as if hating not to pour out all these days’ longing at once, not giving him any space to escape.
“Krystal, have you been getting more uninhibited lately?”
Lin Xiuyuan laughed while gently holding her waist, lightly patting twice on her back under the loose jacket, actions unconsciously gentle.
Krystal lifted her head, her watery eyes with a bit of small pride, “I’m uninhibited, so what?”
Her voice soft and glutinous with provocation, like a kitten baring claws rubbing coquettishly.
“Alright alright.” Lin Xiuyuan shook his head helplessly, eyes full of amusement.
Then Krystal rubbed in his arms again, like a deliberately coquettish kitten, then as if suddenly remembering something, slightly pulled back from his embrace but arms still around his neck, blinking eyes looking at Lin Xiuyuan up close.
“Right, early this morning, Oni started complaining to me about last night. Said she was clearly home too, yet didn’t look for her, said I always revolve around you.”
“Oh? And then?” Lin Xiuyuan lightly raised his brow.
“Then this time she didn’t curse you, nor me, just asked some questions about you again.”
At this, Krystal’s expression suddenly turned serious, her tone lowering.
“Xiuyuan, my previous plan, when Jessica still had resistant emotions, really wasn’t easy to push. But now it seems implementable, she seems, not so resistant anymore.”
After saying, she looked at Lin Xiuyuan, blinked, those clear eyes bright like hiding starlight, “Xiuyuan your dinner last night, really genius move, teased her pretty hard.”
“You knew?” Lin Xiuyuan raised his brow again.
Krystal smiled slowly, “What? You still want to hide from me?”
“You’re the one still not giving up.”
“The plan I worked hard to devise, how could I halfway abandon?”
Lin Xiuyuan opened his mouth, about to say something, but Krystal suddenly straightened, stiffened her back, clamped his waist, once again leaning her body over.
“But this topic, talk later.”
She said softly, hands gently cupping his face, gaze serious not like flirting, but a warm solemnity.
“Last night you said Jessica is my sister, so cooked for her, then today, as the little sister me…”
Krystal smiled lightly, voice soft like feathers, “Of course needs to properly reward you too. Though XXOO wait a bit, but can give some interest first~”
Words just fell, she once again sent herself to his lips, soft lips pressed up.
This time without the previous suddenness and urgency, but slowly, gently kissing, like carefully tracing every curve of Lin Xiuyuan’s lip shape.
You cook for her, I give you XXOO?
This situation stunned Lin Xiuyuan for a moment, then he lowered his head, closed his eyes, silently responding to Krystal’s deep affection.
Sunlight slanted into the living room, everything quiet as if melted by this tenderness.
Krystal whole person pressed in Lin Xiuyuan’s arms, small hands through his hair strands, fingertips quietly tightening.
And Lin Xiuyuan naturally hugged her back tight, palm against the curve of her shoulder blades, slowly caressing that familiar softness.
Until the two finally slowly parted, Krystal lightly panting, small face flushed with a faint red, like just rolled in a sugar jar.
Her forehead against Lin Xiuyuan’s brow center, corners of mouth with a mischievous smile, “Xiuyuan, you can do more ‘nice guy’ behaviors in the future, I’ll reward even harder.”
Lin Xiuyuan chuckled, “You’re instigating me to be someone else’s good man? Careful Jessica one day brings a pot chasing me to smash, or that shoe-pull face really comes for real-person PK with me, what then?”
“Hmph, I’m not afraid.” Krystal pursed her lips, unceremoniously raising Lin Xiuyuan’s evaluation, “With his three melons two dates level, definitely can’t beat Xiuyuan you, you’re the best.”
Not sure if Jessica’s reaction made her particularly happy, today’s portion of Krystal was especially lively, whole person like sprinkled with sugar, tone light and playful.
“Your logic…” Lin Xiuyuan was amused.
Soon, he carried Krystal back to the sofa, gently setting her down.
Just sat steady, Lin Xiuyuan suddenly remembered something, casually said, “Right, Sulli not coming today.”
“Ah?” Krystal blinked, “Why? Yesterday she said she had no schedule today.”
The two who chatted on software yesterday had agreed to meet today.
“No schedule, but she temporarily took Jung Soo Jung’s call, the other has something to find her.”
Lin Xiuyuan shrugged as he spoke, “Honestly, I suspect that side’s you deliberately picked the time to call, we were about to come over.”
Then added, “But she said, evening she’ll cook delicious for you.”
“Oh~” Krystal nodded, not minding much, instead smiled meaningfully, “She knows to avoid suspicion too.”
“Ha?” Lin Xiuyuan didn’t get it for a moment.
Krystal smiled without speaking, just sat next to him on the sofa, naturally leaning on his shoulder, “Recent work I’ve wrapped up, this period will be quite free, finally can properly accompany you, and Snowball.”
“Perfect then, lately I’ve been thinking to find time to clean the rooftop swimming pool, then we can play in the water together.”
Lin Xiuyuan smiled looking at her.
“Hmph hmph, exactly wanting to see me in swimsuit, or Snowball? Or… others?”
Krystal deliberately narrowed her eyes at him.
Lin Xiuyuan whose little thoughts pierced learned her and smiled without answering, just lowered his head slowly twining a lock of her long hair, gently playing with his fingertips, “Then how long can you rest.”
“Hmm… Except going to Wimbledon next month, other times free.”
Krystal speaking here, voice lightened a bit, like carefully probing, “Xiuyuan, I want to go on-site to watch Wimbledon, haven’t watched that level match in a long time… accompany me, okay.”
Lin Xiuyuan paused.
“Me? Watch tennis?” He gently repeated.
Krystal immediately caught his hesitation, eyes widening slightly, tilting her head, tone with accusation.
“Not asking you to play, just treat as accompanying me out for a walk, also counts as vacation relaxation. Willing to accompany Lee Ji-eun, not me, right.”
Lin Xiuyuan gazing at her serious yet coquettish eyes, amusement rising in his eyes, finally nodding lightly, “Go, accompany you.”
“Yay!” Krystal blinked and smiled, a triumphant look, leaning even closer.
“I’ll go kitchen cut some fruit, did you order lunch.” Lin Xiuyuan asked as he rose.
“Ordered, arriving soon.”
Krystal smiled answering, then hugging the pillow laughed like a small wild cat who stole fish successfully.
And taking advantage of Lin Xiuyuan entering the kitchen, took out her mobile phone, fingertips flying on the screen typing a line.
【Jessica, planning to go to London next month for Wimbledon, wanna come together?】
Jessica’s reply jumped out quickly.
【Not going, busy starting in a couple days, time not right.】
Krystal looking at that simple direct text, pursed her lips, eyes turning lightly, then added:
【Xiuyuan going too.】
This time, the message over there paused a long time.
Krystal stared at the “typing…” prompt for a full dozen seconds, thinking the other would type a lot, yet finally only received a simple reply:
【Okay.】
She stared at that concise somewhat ambiguous word, but her lips slowly curved up, smile quietly blooming on her face.
While Lin Xiuyuan in the kitchen was quietly cutting fruit, completely unaware that in those short few minutes just now, he had once again become someone’s sneaky “fishing” bait.
One more chapter, update later~
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