Chapter 182: “i’m Older Than Her, Right?” And “much Older”
As the hull skimmed over the calm sea, the yacht sped towards the small island floating in the distance, resembling an emerald in the ocean.
Before long, Lin Xiuyuan and Lee Ji-eun clearly saw the full picture of their vacation destination, Vera Private Island.
Lush green tropical jungle and white sandy beaches were closely connected, with rows of wooden houses and villas built along the water. Amidst the dappled tree shadows, the golden fine sand shimmered, illuminated by the sun.
“This is our resort island, Vera Private Island.”
Lee Ji-eun smiled and approached him, standing on the aft deck of the yacht. Facing the sea breeze that hit her face, she leaned close to Lin Xiuyuan’s ear and shouted, “I heard they have the largest golf course in the Maldives here. When you get tired of looking at the sea, we can hit a few balls.”
The wind howled, and Lee Ji-eun could only hold Lin Xiuyuan’s arm to get closer. Her soft hair was blown by the wind and brushed against the side of his face.
Since it was Lin Xiuyuan’s first time here and his first time traveling overseas, he nodded slightly while listening to the introduction, giving a thumbs-up to show his approval.
However, when he unintentionally looked back into the cabin and saw the two affectionate couples or newlyweds, he couldn’t help but feel that he and Lee Ji-eun stood out a bit.
Fortunately, no one recognized Lee Ji-eun’s identity, otherwise, a news headline like “T-ara Member Keeps Younger Man, Vacations in Maldives” would likely appear on the internet the next day and spread rapidly through fan groups.
Soon, the yacht slowly approached the island’s pier.
The island had already prepared welcome champagne and spa services for them, but Lin Xiuyuan and Lee Ji-eun declined these enthusiastic arrangements, deciding to go to their residence for a short rest and enjoy them later.
Thus, at their request, the private butler drove an electric cart to take the two to their exclusive two-bedroom beach villa.
The villa was located on a golden beach, facing the boundless sea, surrounded by tropical plants. Verdant palm trees and colorful flowers intertwined to create a serene scroll painting.
The architectural style was simple yet modern, with a wooden exterior and large glass windows, conveying a perfect integration of nature and luxury.
From the villa’s balcony, Lin Xiuyuan could see the azure sea merging with the endless skyline.
The turquoise seawater gently lapped the shore, and the distant tropical jungle was vibrant. Occasionally, a few colorful tropical birds could be seen flying by.
The interior of the villa was spacious and bright. Both the master bedroom and the second bedroom had oversized bedding. The floor-to-ceiling window beside the bed faced the sea.
Lying on the bed, one could feel the warmth of the first rays of sunlight in the early morning and the gentle caress of the sea breeze at night.
The bathroom was equipped with an open-air bathtub. When nightfall arrived, one could bathe while looking up at the starry sky and listening to the sound of waves lapping the shore.
What attracted Lin Xiuyuan the most was the oversized infinity pool in the yard, which ensured privacy and cleverly addressed his concerns about deep water.
Further ahead was their private beach, with excellent scenery, as peaceful as a dream.
After a tour, Lee Ji-eun led Lin Xiuyuan into one of the guest rooms equipped with a large bed.
“Okay, Xiuyuan, this is your room.”
Lee Ji-eun said with a smile, then pointed to the room next door, “I’m staying next door. Actually, I wanted to book a different island, but those places didn’t have much privacy, and the service was inconsistent. Considering everything, this is the best. It’s not bad, right?”
“I’m very satisfied,” Lin Xiuyuan nodded slightly, his gaze sweeping across the clean and spacious room, genuinely agreeing.
“That’s good then.”
Lee Ji-eun smiled relaxedly, “And living close has another advantage: you don’t have to shout to call someone; you can just respond through the wall. You don’t know, some overwater bungalows on certain islands only have a wooden wall between rooms; you could even climb over without much effort. It’s not safe at all.”
She paused, then added lightly, “So this place is very suitable. I can come whenever I want at night.”
Hearing this, Lin Xiuyuan found it amusing and asked, “Can’t we rest and sleep at night?”
“Whatever you want,” Lee Ji-eun raised an eyebrow, gave him a meaningful look, and turned to leave.
But Lin Xiuyuan smiled and stopped her, picking up his travel bag, “Never mind, it’s not much difference with two rooms. You stay here, I’ll go next door.”
“That’s fine too,” Lee Ji-eun nodded in agreement and turned towards the sofa, then suddenly asked, “Do you want to rest for a bit? Or go for a swim later?”
The reason she asked this was that the time difference in the Maldives was four hours behind Seoul. So even though they departed at 11 AM, it was only early afternoon when they arrived, not even evening yet.
Carrying his bag, Lin Xiuyuan shrugged, “Either way is fine with me. It’s up to you. Are you tired?”
Lee Ji-eun looked around at the sunlight and sea view outside, bright and gentle, and her mood lightened, “I’m okay. I’ll have the staff bring some fruit platters. Let’s go out and get some sun, we’ve been in the air conditioning for so long.”
“OK.”
Lin Xiuyuan nodded in agreement and then took his bag to the adjacent room.
During this time, Lee Ji-eun’s voice could be heard intermittently from next door.
For the next ten minutes or so, Lee Ji-eun’s voice would occasionally drift over from next door, asking what he was doing, saying the fruit platter had been ordered, or suddenly asking what color he liked.
About ten minutes later, her voice rang out again, “Xiuyuan, the fruit platter has arrived. Come out.”
“Coming.”
Lin Xiuyuan finished replying to a few messages while sitting on the sofa, stretched, got up, walked to the balcony, and opened the glass sliding door.
The moment he stepped out, his gaze was instantly captivated by the scenery before him.
Sunlight filled the beach, and Lee Ji-eun, sitting in the interplay of light and shadow, looked like she had stepped out of a fashion magazine.
A white one-piece swimsuit, with a simple yet alluring design.
The V-neck design of the swimsuit was daring and deep, perfectly showcasing her curves, while the cutout design at the waist, combined with the circular inlay in the center, added a touch of modernity and unique artistic flair to the overall look.
Her long, straight legs appeared even more gracefully curved in the sunlight, and the stylish sunglasses and exquisite accessories she wore elevated her overall aura to another level.
She exuded an undeniable sense of freedom and confidence with every movement, as if she had become one with the tropical beach scenery.
Both sexy and elegantly fresh.
Lin Xiuyuan was momentarily lost in thought, feeling that his vacation experience seemed to officially begin at this moment.
“How is it? Didn’t you say you liked white?”
Lee Ji-eun, sitting on the sofa in the thatched pavilion, noticed Lin Xiuyuan’s somewhat fixed gaze. The corners of her lips curled into an amused smile.
Hearing her words, he let out a “tsk” and then walked over to the single sofa next to her, jokingly saying, “Tsk, tsk, if I had said I liked red just now, would you have had a red swimsuit in your suitcase too?”
“I actually do,” Lee Ji-eun took off her sunglasses, her eyes curving as she looked at him, “Do you want to see? I can change into it for you.”
Her teasing tone was playful, her eyes full of flirtation, as if waiting for Lin Xiuyuan’s reply.
Lin Xiuyuan was stunned by her frankness, “Wow~ Ji-eun, your suitcase isn’t full of swimsuits, is it?”
Although he teased her, his eyes involuntarily swept over Lee Ji-eun’s exquisite makeup and her delicate, translucent skin. A certain expectation was quietly brewing in his heart.
“Of course not, there are also some clothes and shoes.”
Lee Ji-eun shook her head with a light smile and then sat down beside him. The faint floral scent emanating from her enveloped Lin Xiuyuan, stimulating his senses.
Then she blinked, took a bite of fruit from the table, and gently pursed her lips, which carried an alluring fruity aroma, seemingly unintentionally making his heart race.
Then, as if casually, she asked, “By the way, Xiuyuan, why did you say you’d only be free in three days? If it wasn’t for waiting these three days, maybe Ji-yeon could have come with us.”
Lin Xiuyuan smiled at this, giving her a sidelong glance, “Are you sure?”
At the same time, he thought of the itinerary for these three days, which felt like a “human oil extraction accident,” with realistic sound effects and visually alluring scenes.
For example, on the day the game ended, after everyone went their separate ways, Lin Xiuyuan took Krystal to the apartment. As he hadn’t seen Sulli in a long time, nothing happened that night, and Krystal slept with Sulli.
But when Lin Xiuyuan woke up the next day, or rather, before he was fully awake, the room door was pushed open from the outside.
There was no such thing as whether morning activities were good or bad. For Krystal, this was just morning exercise.
A “warm-up exercise” that could consume the entire morning.
If Jung Soo Yeon hadn’t called later to ask what they wanted to eat, Krystal wouldn’t have let him off the hook even when she came back with the food.
Even so, after lunch, the two returned to the villa in 2025, where they would surely not be disturbed.
The environment was quiet and peaceful, with the right time and place.
So it wasn’t until evening that Lin Xiuyuan managed to escape.
The reason was that he had to go back to 2013 to sleep, and Krystal still wanted to snuggle with Sulli.
The next day followed.
Krystal had an advertisement to film, so she went to work.
Similarly, Lin Xiuyuan was also busy. He went to Im Yoon Ah’s apartment early in the morning and made bread with her all morning.
Oh, real bread, not what you might be thinking.
Later that night, it was unclear whether Lin Xiuyuan had become stronger or Im Yoon Ah had exhausted her stamina.
In any case, that night, Im Yoon Ah even begged for mercy several times, her soft, sobbing voice satisfying Lin Xiuyuan immensely, finally allowing him to be a “baker” for a change.
Then came the third day. Today, Lin Xiuyuan originally thought he could rest a bit because Im Yoon Ah, Krystal, and others had work, and even Kim Tae Yeon had departed for her concert tour.
However, the Big Dragon Cub called him to her house. Although she felt unwell, after drinking something in the alley the night of the party, she discovered that drinking it was effective.
So Lin Xiuyuan had almost no rest that day. If he hadn’t had to leave for the airport the next day and had left quickly at night, he probably wouldn’t have escaped.
Thinking of this, Lin Xiuyuan looked at Lee Ji-eun and heard her say, “If it weren’t for these three days, Ji-yeon might have been able to come along.”
His first reaction was: Are you sure you can win against her?
“Never mind, let’s not talk about that.”
As if remembering something, Lee Ji-eun put down her fork and stood up, walking towards the beach by the pool.
She then adjusted the angle of the sun umbrella, turned to look at Lin Xiuyuan, her eyes filled with a smile, “How about it, Xiuyuan, can you help me apply sunscreen?”
This time, her tone was gentle yet firm, leaving no room for refusal.
“Can’t you apply it yourself?” Lin Xiuyuan couldn’t help but laugh and shake his head, his tone teasing.
“No, my arms aren’t long enough, especially for my back. Only you can help me.”
Lee Ji-eun smiled slightly, turned around, and gracefully stretched her arms, letting the sunlight fall on her exposed shoulders and back.
The golden beach and bright sunlight made her silhouette even more captivating, and her figure swayed between light and shadow with a unique charm.
Lin Xiuyuan could still remain calm, after all, he had just experienced three days of “high-intensity exercise.”
But the former visual center of T-ara, her figure, her aura, were even more stunning and… dangerous than the previous ones.
So by the time he came to his senses, his steps had already unconsciously led him to her side.
Sunlight dappled the beach, a gentle sea breeze whispered past his ears, and the air was filled with the mingled scent of sea salt and sunshine. Even the surrounding tree shadows seemed to tremble with a hint of warmth.
Lee Ji-eun, lying on the beach chair, slightly raised her head, seemingly enjoying the beautiful and serene beach.
Her shoulders and waistline appeared even more elongated under the sunlight, and her skin took on a warm hue under the golden rays, every inch radiating an alluring glow.
“This is my first time applying sunscreen for someone,” Lin Xiuyuan said softly, looking at her, his fingertip pausing slightly at the opening of the sunscreen bottle, “Tell me if any part is uncomfortable.”
Lee Ji-eun turned her head and gave him a gentle smile, “Whatever you do is fine with me. Don’t worry, do as you please.”
The soft words seemed to silently release a tightly fastened switch.
Lin Xiuyuan took a deep breath, pressed the bottle, and the sunscreen slowly flowed out, its cool texture carrying a light fragrance, creating a subtle contrast with the summer temperature.
Then he dipped his fingertip into the lotion and gently applied it to Lee Ji-eun’s shoulder.
The skin beneath his touch was soft and warm, and the delicate sensation made Lin Xiuyuan hold his breath.
As he spread the sunscreen, his fingertips moved slowly down her shoulder, and when they reached her back, her body trembled slightly, as if she could feel the warmth of his fingers.
She then smiled gently, her quiet voice like a whisper on the wind, “Xiuyuan, your hands are very warm, and very soft. They don’t feel rough like a man’s at all.”
As she spoke, she deliberately turned her body slowly, revealing her slightly angled figure, her eyes full of playfulness and seduction, “How is it? Doesn’t it feel pretty good to apply sunscreen for a girl for the first time?”
Faced with this gaze, Lin Xiuyuan was clearly taken aback. His eyes inadvertently met hers, and there seemed to be a flicker of fire in her beautiful eyes, as if she were expecting something, yet appearing very calm.
Fortunately, after experiencing a few scenes, Lin Xiuyuan cleared his throat, quickly masking his sudden nervousness, “To have you, Ji-eun, be my model for my first time makes the experience level maxed out.”
As he spoke, Lin Xiuyuan’s movements unconsciously became gentle and slow. His fingertips traced circles on her back, applying lotion to every inch of her skin, as if he were sketching some sacred texture.
In the sunlight, Lee Ji-eun’s skin, with the help of sunscreen and sunlight, shimmered faintly, possessing an almost dreamlike texture.
With each touch from Lin Xiuyuan, her body trembled slightly, as if in response to the sensation, or as if silently guiding him.
“How is it, Xiuyuan, is my skin still soft and tender?”
Lee Ji-eun’s voice was low and soft, with a hint of a light laugh. She tilted her head slightly, squinting her eyes, seemingly enjoying the warmth and intimacy of the moment.
Hearing this, Lin Xiuyuan couldn’t help but compare her to the women he had been with in the past few days. Although the results weren’t ideal, he replied tactfully, “Yes, it feels very good.”
The next second, Lee Ji-eun changed the topic, precisely hitting on his reaction: “Nonsense, compared to Ji-yeon and Yoon-ah, how can my skin be that good?”
Lin Xiuyuan’s fingers paused, stopping in the middle of her back.
She, however, had already slowly turned around and lay back lazily on the lounge chair, facing him.
Sunlight spilled onto her shoulders, sliding down her collarbones, casting soft halos on the white swimsuit.
The white swimsuit clung to her figure, outlining perfect curves.
The deep V-neck was daring and elegant, her slender waist accentuated by the cutout design on the sides, and her long, angular legs were crossed naturally on the lounge chair. She leaned back against the chair lazily, yet exuded a silent allure.
“Don’t just focus on my back, my legs need sunscreen too.”
Lee Ji-eun said lightly, but deliberately stretched her legs, tensing her knees, making her muscles and curves even more alluring in the sunlight.
“The UV rays here are very strong. You don’t really want me to get sunburned, do you, Xiuyuan?”
This time, Lee Ji-eun looked up at Lin Xiuyuan with eyes that seemed coated in silk, so soft they could almost drip water.
Lin Xiuyuan was momentarily unsure how to respond, his gaze fixed on her thighs for a few seconds. His Adam’s apple involuntarily bobbed.
Then he slowly lowered his head, squeezed some sunscreen into his palm, and a helpless smile curved his lips, “You can probably apply this much yourself, right?”
“Then why would I bring you out on vacation?” Lee Ji-eun’s voice was light, but she didn’t hide her intentions at all, “If someone’s helping, of course, I’m going to lie down and enjoy it.”
As soon as she finished speaking, she lazily stretched as if deliberately provoking him, her graceful curves fully displayed in the sunlight. Especially her prominent cleavage almost made Lin Xiuyuan’s eyes go black.
“Damn, she’s really big.”
This thought suddenly popped into his mind, startling him so much that he quickly averted his gaze, and began silently comparing the body curves he had experienced in the past few days.
They were all good, but just not… voluptuous enough.
“Hurry up, Xiuyuan,” Lee Ji-eun called to him, a smile on her lips.
Lin Xiuyuan could only sigh and squat down in front of her lounge chair, gently supporting her lower leg with one hand and slowly applying sunscreen with the other.
However, the moment his fingertips touched her delicate thigh, Lin Xiuyuan couldn’t help but gasp.
Her legs looked exceptionally sexy in the sunlight, and as he slowly spread the sunscreen, a faint sheen appeared, making her skin look even smoother, like silk.
With this thought, Lin Xiuyuan’s movements unconsciously slowed down, from his ankle to his calf, and then upwards from his knee.
With each swipe of his fingertip, Lee Ji-eun’s leg muscles would tremble almost imperceptibly.
She naturally noticed Lin Xiuyuan’s meticulousness and nervousness, so she deliberately relaxed her body, stretching one leg out completely, while lazily resting the other on the edge of his arm, touching his skin, completely unguarded, even with a hint of intimate dependence.
“You’re applying it quite carefully, Xiuyuan,” Lee Ji-eun’s lips curled, her eyes scrutinizing his movements with mischief.
“I can’t help it, your legs are just too long.”
Lin Xiuyuan tried his best to remain calm, his smile still in place, but he was clearly struggling to control the direction of his gaze.
However, Lee Ji-eun seemed to have caught the flash of desire in his eyes. She gently curved her lips, suddenly raised her hands, swept her long hair back, and tied it into a loose high ponytail. The movement was casual but extremely provocative.
This action not only released a faint floral scent but also caused her upper body to lean back slightly, making the curves of her chest even more prominent to Lin Xiuyuan.
At the same time, with a smile, she looked at Lin Xiuyuan’s profile and asked, “Xiuyuan, whose figure is better, mine or Ji-yeon’s?”
“Why don’t you ask about skin anymore?” Lin Xiuyuan laughed this time.
“Hmph, if it weren’t for you, Xiuyuan, I would dare to compare myself with Ji-yeon. Besides, I’m older than her.”
With Lee Ji-eun’s candid statement, Lin Xiuyuan subconsciously stopped his movements, looked uncomfortably at a certain spot, and then nodded with a smile, “Indeed, much older, by several years.”
“Ya, Xiuyuan~”
Lee Ji-eun exclaimed angrily, and in the next second, she “fiercely” pounced over, wrapping her arms around his neck from behind, as if to teach him a lesson.
However, her harmless “complaint” was full of playfulness and acting cute. She pressed herself against him, completely disregarding the fact that she was wearing that boldly cut white swimsuit.
The movement of half-kneeling on the lounge chair caused the curve of her chest to brush past Lin Xiuyuan’s jaw, a soft, hot sensation making his mind buzz, as if he’d been swept away by a sudden wave.
“You call me old? You’re asking for it.”
Lee Ji-eun’s voice carried annoyance, but it couldn’t hide a hint of acting cute and a smile in her tone.
Her face slowly drew closer to Lin Xiuyuan, her nose tip almost touching his cheek. Her gaze was fixed on him, a feigned serious expression on her lips, but her moist eyes held a playful glint.
Lin Xiuyuan was startled by her sudden approach. His hands, which had been resting on her lower legs, instinctively paused before reflexively holding her waist.
It was an instinctive action, as if he were afraid she would fall, but it also brought them an inch closer.
Lee Ji-eun’s waist was incredibly soft. The delicate, warm touch seeped into his heart through his fingertips, as if a slight touch would explode in his mind.
“Qiu Li, you coming over like this… isn’t it a bit inappropriate?”
Lin Xiuyuan spoke in a low voice, his tone slightly deep, but his gaze remained fixed on her, as if afraid of missing any subtle change in her expression.
“What, you scared to look now?”
Lee Ji-eun’s smile grew more playful. She slowly tightened her arms, throwing herself onto Lin Xiuyuan’s neck with an endless tease, her face almost pressed against his ear. “You were so thorough wiping it earlier, why are you shy now?”
The sea breeze blew from the direction of the beach, lifting Lee Ji-eun’s long hair. A few strands playfully swept across Lin Xiuyuan’s cheek, so light they felt like a silent caress.
Lin Xiuyuan unconsciously tightened his grip slightly, his hold on her becoming steadier.
Lee Ji-eun, however, showed no intention of letting go. Instead, she found a more comfortable position and clung even tighter.
Sunlight dappled between them. Lin Xiuyuan’s hands still had a bit of unfinished sunscreen on them, and Lee Ji-eun gazed at him from such close distance, like a silent game of probe on the island.
She said nothing, but conveyed all her implications perfectly.
The atmosphere quietly heated up, the ambiguity like the sea salt mist steaming in the air, condensing and accumulating, becoming thick and impossible to ignore.
Fortunately, at this moment, the doorbell rang from the villa’s main entrance.
Lin Xiuyuan seemed to pull himself out of the steamy heat instantly, got up immediately, and said with a smile, “I’ll get the door.”
Then he turned and left as if escaping, leaving Lee Ji-eun, still hanging on the lounge chair, watching his retreating back and muttering with slight dejection, “Ah, I missed it again.”
On the entryway side, as Lin Xiuyuan opened the main door, the private butler, accompanied by several staff members, entered and neatly arranged a new round of fruit and light snacks on the pavilion table. They left quietly without lingering.
With this brief interlude, the matter of applying sunscreen naturally became a non-issue.
And Lee Ji-eun, as if changing channels, suddenly leaped into the swimming pool, splashing a string of sparkling water, making Lin Xiuyuan look helpless but unable to suppress a smile.
“Hey, Qiu Li, if you wanted to swim, why did you make me apply sunscreen earlier?”
“Sunscreen is waterproof~”
In the swimming pool, Lee Ji-eun glided for a bit like an agile mermaid before leaping out of the water. She tilted her head back, looking at Lin Xiuyuan on the shore, her smile bright. “Want to come down and play together?”
“Sure, I’ll go change into my swimming trunks.”
Lin Xiuyuan nodded, his gaze lingering briefly on her wet shoulder line and her smile, before turning towards the room.
However, there were no swimming trunks in the tote bag he had brought this time, so he had to go back and get them.
With this thought, Lin Xiuyuan arrived at the bedroom bathroom door. He took a deep breath, gripped the doorknob, and gently pushed it open.
In an instant, the scene behind the door, which had been the bathroom, changed to an apartment in 2013.
At that moment, Taozi was curled up on the sofa, eating snacks and watching a variety show, laughing heartily.
Noticing Lin Xiuyuan’s arrival, she turned her head, her eyes lighting up. She raised the bag of potato chips in her hand and greeted him with a smile.
“Good evening, oppa~”
“Good evening.”
Lin Xiuyuan walked in, but his gaze was directed towards the dark night outside the window.
He had just been in the Maldives, amidst the bright sunlight, the azure seawater, and the warm beach.
Now, he had suddenly returned to this familiar yet entirely different city night. Even Lin Xiuyuan couldn’t quite adapt immediately.
The difference in temperature and time zones was like falling from midsummer into early spring, causing a slight daze.
Lin Xiuyuan withdrew his gaze, glanced back at the door that had already closed, and suddenly recalled a moment from two days ago.
