Chapter 170: Lin Xiuyuan’s Super Grand Gift
One afternoon in June 2025, the sunlight in Seoul finally pierced through the clouds, slanting into the bedroom of this high-rise apartment.
The Big Dragon Cub, who had just woken up not long ago, sprawled on the soft mattress, yawning while lazily picking up her mobile phone.
Slightly messy hair strands draped between her shoulders and the pillow, her slightly hoarse voice carrying the lazy aura of just waking up.
Soon, the Big Dragon Cub leaned against the headboard with her phone, her brows gently relaxing as she smiled and muttered to herself, “It seems like it’s been a few days since I last saw Xiuyuan.”
As soon as she finished speaking, her fingertip lightly tapped on the call list, dialing that incredibly familiar number.
Beep… beep… beep…
The phone hadn’t rung many times before it was answered. However, what came through the earpiece was not Lin Xiuyuan’s familiar voice.
“Hey, Xiuyuan is sleeping.”
It was a woman’s voice, laced with a mix of weariness and amusement, sweet to the point of being cloying.
And… it sounded a bit familiar.
Hearing the other party’s voice, the Big Dragon Cub froze completely, her hand holding the phone unconsciously moving away as she glanced at the number on the screen.
She instinctively thought she had dialed the wrong number, but the other party’s response was so strange.
“Taeyeon unnie?”
After confirming the number was correct and the voice in her ear was right, the Big Dragon Cub couldn’t help but speak up to confirm, her tone carrying a hint of disbelief.
“Yeah, it’s me.”
Kim Tae Yeon on the other end of the phone laughed easily, with a faint teasing edge, “Ji-yeon, Xiuyuan didn’t rest well last night and just fell asleep. Do you need him for something?”
As soon as these words came out, the Big Dragon Cub’s entire face darkened by half. Although Lin Xiuyuan wasn’t her possession, in terms of intimacy, calling them lovers wouldn’t be an overstatement.
So hearing “last night” and “didn’t rest well” combined like that instantly led her to imagine plenty of scenes.
She even quickly analyzed in her mind how much deeper meaning might be hidden in Taeyeon’s words.
But the Big Dragon Cub didn’t erupt immediately. Instead, she changed her tone and chuckled lightly, “Oh, it’s nothing, unnie. I just wanted to ask where he put my bath towel before he went home last time. I can’t find it. Since he’s sleeping, I won’t wake him. Let him rest well.”
This response made Kim Tae Yeon glance down at the sleeping boy beside her, a hint of amusement flashing in her eyes. “Mm, later when he wakes up, I’ll have him call you back.”
“No need, unnie. I’ll call him later. Bye, unnie~”
“Mm, okay.”
As the call ended and the phone moved away from her ear, the smile on the Big Dragon Cub’s face gradually faded.
But she wasn’t angry, just strangely lowering her head to look at the phone screen, her fingertip pausing on the “call ended” interface for a few seconds.
Then she took a deep breath, rolled over to get out of bed, and padded barefoot across the floor into the walk-in closet.
The Big Dragon Cub wasn’t one to sit around waiting for explanations, nor one to let emotions control her.
A few minutes later, when she emerged from the walk-in closet again, she was wearing a fitted sleeveless top and high-waisted white pants, her figure sleek as she walked to the balcony to gaze at the Han River in the distance.
Sunlight slanted onto the tattoo on the Big Dragon Cub’s shoulder, the faintly visible lines seeming to brighten along with it.
Moments later, her lips curved into a smile of unclear meaning, followed by a murmured self-mutter, “Taeyeon unnie, tsk, Xiuyuan~ Don’t wear yourself out too much.”
With that, the Big Dragon Cub called Lee Ji-eun. Upon hearing that she was still hanging out with Ham Eun-jung today, she immediately asked for the address and headed out the door.
Meanwhile, inside the villa.
After hanging up the phone, Kim Tae Yeon also smiled and set down her phone, grabbing a blanket from the side and gently covering it over Lin Xiuyuan, who was still fast asleep.
She then went into the kitchen to prepare some things before coming back out to rummage through the nearby cabinet for something.
After going in and out several times, she finally got everything ready.
When Kim Tae Yeon returned to the sofa’s side again, she stared at Lin Xiuyuan, who had rolled over, for a moment before leaving the item and note on the coffee table and slowly walking away.
Although there was no rehearsal today, the events from yesterday and this morning had given Kim Tae Yeon too much shock. She urgently needed a private space to adjust her emotions and sort out her thoughts.
Time quietly slipped from noon into the afternoon.
Sunlight filtered through the half-drawn curtains, slanting into the living room and falling on the edge of the sofa, outlining the folds and shadows on that blanket with exceptional softness.
And Lin Xiuyuan, who had slept the entire afternoon, finally stirred awake in this warmth.
Upon waking, he groggily rolled over first, his brows lightly furrowed, as if not yet fully escaped from the stickiness of his dream.
But soon, after noticing that the scent had disappeared, he opened his eyes.
As Lin Xiuyuan opened his eyes and looked, the sofa held only him; the spot beside was already empty.
Only a note and a still-warm insulated cup sat quietly on the coffee table, standing out starkly in the golden afternoon light.
Seeing this, Lin Xiuyuan slowly sat up, rubbed his temple, and then picked up the note to scan it.
“You slept pretty soundly, Xiuyuan~ I stayed with you for a bit, but now I have to head back.
I brewed you a cup of tea—oolong for waking up. Remember to drink some when you wake up. Don’t be all groggy again.
Oh, and there’s something I need to tell you.
While you were asleep, Ji-yeon called, and I answered for you.
Then we had a little ‘spar,’ haha. I told her you were asleep.
So you’ll have to take the blame again, Xiuyuan（ laugh）
—Taeyeon.”
After reading the note once, thinking he’d misread it, Lin Xiuyuan read it over again carefully.
Then he stared at the line “take the blame again” in a daze for two seconds before finally covering his forehead with one hand and muttering lowly, “Did I recruit a member into the cult, or did I recruit a disaster?”
From bringing Kim Tae Yeon in last night until now, not even twenty-four hours had passed, and he’d already teetered on the edge of social death twice.
After his speechless rant, Lin Xiuyuan leaned back against the sofa’s armrest, took a deep breath, picked up the cup, and took a light sip of the oolong tea.
The tea, being in an insulated cup, was still warm despite the time passed, with a slight bitterness.
It also seemed mixed with a familiar aura, like the scent on her body between perfume and shower gel, lingering at his nose.
After sipping two mouthfuls of tea, Lin Xiuyuan stared at the insulated cup in his hand for a moment, then shook his head with a smile. “Alright, at least it’s some consolation.”
After muttering, the finally resigned Lin Xiuyuan picked up his phone from the coffee table and dialed the contact he’d subconsciously dodged for a long time.
The phone rang twice before being answered instantly.
“Yo, Xiuyuan~”
The voice on the other end carried a teasing lilt, unhurried, “I heard from Taeyeon unnie you slept pretty soundly.”
Lin Xiuyuan closed his eyes briefly, fingers gently rubbing his brow, without much explanation, just asking, “Where are you? I’ll come find you.”
Faced with Lin Xiuyuan’s words, if the Big Dragon Cub were her younger self, she’d definitely say: I’m not your anything, why come find me? Go find your Taeyeon unnie.
But she wasn’t her younger self anymore. Big sister might tease the young guy sometimes, but she absolutely wouldn’t push away someone she liked.
So the Big Dragon Cub’s voice remained light, with a faint smile, “You sure you want to come? There are three of us here. What if there’s not enough of you to go around?”
Lin Xiuyuan’s brow twitched, as if guessing something. “Qiu Li and Eun-jung?”
“Impressive, Xiuyuan.” The Big Dragon Cub chuckled lightly, pausing subtly in tone. “I didn’t even tell you, how did you know? You didn’t secretly have some little story with Qiu Li unnie behind my back, did you?”
“Uh… no, really not.”
Lin Xiuyuan was truly at a loss for words this time.
Because if there had been something, he could say a few words or explain, but there really wasn’t anything between them.
In fact, the Big Dragon Cub had already known when she met Lee Ji-eun that afternoon that her unnie had suffered a crushing defeat on her big golden retriever.
So after hearing the response, she didn’t press further but changed the subject leisurely. “Fine, on account of you calling me right after waking up, I’ll let you off this time.”
“How did you know I called you right after waking up, Ji-yeon?” Lin Xiuyuan asked curiously.
“Because I already sent you the address ages ago, you little Chunan.”
“…”
Lin Xiuyuan paused for two seconds, then finally looked up at the ceiling, letting out a sigh laced with resignation. “You one by one, sigh. Wait for me, I’ll be there soon.”
“Mm, take it slow. Drive carefully. We’re not in a hurry to head back.”
After hanging up, Lin Xiuyuan leaned against the sofa in brief contemplation.
Ever since discovering his ‘dregs’ constitution, Lin Xiuyuan had been avoiding various things. Though he’d enjoyed it during that time, he always felt something off inside.
But after experiencing and witnessing the incident with Kim Tae Yeon and her father this morning, he suddenly woke up to it.
A month ago, upon learning about the time-space door, he’d been bold enough to charge at Jung Soo Yeon.
Why was he still hesitating now? What was there to fear?
Having this constitution was clearly a good thing. Wouldn’t conquering more beauties be thrilling?
Why overthink? Just go for it.
Better to be free and easy than to agonize.
Forget all that yin-supplementing nonsense. Just ask yourself: does it feel good? That’s what matters.
Even if it leads to a crazy death soon, it’d still be a free and easy life.
So Lin Xiuyuan looked down at his little brother and seriously asked.
“Feels good?”
“Feels good.”
…
…
Around 5 PM in the suburbs of Seoul in June 2025.
Lin Xiuyuan was driving that familiar Mercedes-Benz SUV toward the coastline, heading straight for the location sent by the Big Dragon Cub.
Sunlight slanted down from the west, gilding the clouds on the horizon with a layer of pale golden warmth.
The sea surface sparkled with waves of light, sea breeze pouring in through the car window cracks, carrying a salty tang mixed with summer’s unique warmth.
His destination this time was actually an open yet relatively secluded estuary.
The shore there extended into a concrete fishing area, calm like a mirror within the breakwater’s enclosure.
A lighthouse stood quietly in the distance, and by now, an open space on the shore already had a camping table and several picnic chairs set up.
Along with half-eaten snack bags scattered on the ground and several fishing rods stuck into the concrete cracks, outlining a leisurely, casual afternoon scene.
The three figures sitting amid this scenery each had their own distinct vibe.
Ham Eun-jung wore a sports jacket, head lowered intently watching the water, gripping her fishing rod as if trying to summon fish with her mind.
Lee Ji-eun sat at a slant, stuffing a cheese biscuit into her mouth while her gaze occasionally flicked toward the Big Dragon Cub.
The Big Dragon Cub was in her earlier outfit, just with an added baseball cap.
One hand propping her chin with the just-hung-up phone, the other holding a fishing rod, eyes half-squinted, corners of her mouth holding a smile.
Seeing the Big Dragon Cub hang up, Lee Ji-eun was the first to scoot over, eyes sparkling. “How’d it go? Is Xiuyuan coming, Ji-yeon?”
The Big Dragon Cub didn’t answer right away, instead shaking her fishing rod with a smiling brow. “He called, and I already sent the location earlier. What do you think, unnie?”
Hearing this, Lee Ji-eun perked up instantly, shoving the biscuit in her hand into her mouth, jumping up, her milk bun and hair strands bouncing along.
Then she looked down at her outfit, dressed quite covered for sun protection. “No good, I need to go to the car and change.”
Ham Eun-jung beside her just rolled her eyes at the sight. “Calm down, unnie. Don’t scare Xiuyuan off again.”
“Of course I know to be calm, but I can’t calm down.”
Lee Ji-eun clutched her chest, face serious with long-awaited anticipation, eyes fixed on the Big Dragon Cub who still had some effect lingering. “This isn’t like those bootlicker nice guys you can call anytime. This is a potent big pill, a great tonic!”
With that, Lee Ji-eun winked at Ham Eun-jung, making the other’s mouth twitch wildly as she lightly swatted her.
“You’re the one who wants to eat it. Don’t wink at me. I still think what you said is a bit crazy, unnie. It’s not that exaggerated. Ji-yeon’s complexion has improved a lot, but not that much.”
“Forget it, too lazy to explain to you.”
Facing Ham Eun-jung’s distrustful look, Lee Ji-eun innocently spread her hands, not explaining further.
Instead, she sidled up to the Big Dragon Cub, lowering her voice excitedly. “Ji-yeon, so how are you planning to handle this? Tease him about Taeyeon, or play innocent to reel him in?”
The Big Dragon Cub answered directly, “Tease what? Reel what? When Xiuyuan gets here, I’ll just pounce right into his arms.”
Ham Eun-jung, who was learning fish-reeling techniques, whipped her head around, face full of frustration. “Poise, poise, Ji-yeon.”
The Big Dragon Cub burst out laughing. “Can’t poise, unnie. Xiuyuan smells too good. You wouldn’t get it.”
Lee Ji-eun beside her reacted to the tone by leaning back dramatically, calling out loudly, “Aigoo, how good does he smell? When can I get a taste?”
“Unnie, can your voice get any louder?”
Ham Eun-jung, who had just noticed the bait being nibbled but hadn’t reeled in yet, had the fish scared off by the shout nearby. She was so mad she nearly flung the rod into the speaker’s mouth. “Are you trying to scare off the fish in the sea or the incoming Xiuyuan?”
Lee Ji-eun opened her mouth, making a zipping motion, but her eyes still sparkled brightly, like she was ready to bounce up and welcome the protagonist anytime.
At this moment, the Big Dragon Cub on the outermost side chuckled lightly, propping her chin as she gazed at the water.
A breeze lifted her hair tips, her eyes under the cap brim still bright.
A good while passed.
Sea breeze brushed her face, the air mixed with the scent of seawater and sunlight.
In the distance, a familiar SUV slowly entered the seaside embankment area, tires rubbing lightly on the concrete before steadily parking not far from the Big Dragon Cub and the others, lined up with their two cars.
“He’s here, he’s here!” Lee Ji-eun straightened up first, eyes on the car door. “I was really afraid he’d bail last minute.”
And the next second, before even seeing Lin Xiuyuan, Lee Ji-eun watched as the steadily seated Big Dragon Cub suddenly paused.
Then the fishing rod in her hand clattered to the ground beside her, and she shot up like an arrow from a bow, running toward Lin Xiuyuan who had just stepped out of the car.
“Xiuyuan~”
The familiar female voice rang in his ears, carrying unmasked joy and eagerness.
Lin Xiuyuan, just out of the car, hadn’t reacted when a figure pounced over. He instinctively opened his arms to catch her, staggering back a step to steady himself.
“Wait, Ji-yeon, slow down.”
Lin Xiuyuan spoke with a smile, but before he finished, the Big Dragon Cub’s arms had already wrapped tightly around his waist, head buried in his neck hollow.
Lee Ji-eun behind was shocked. “Ji-yeon is for real.”
Ham Eun-jung beside her also gaped, not closing her mouth for a while, whispering, “I thought she was joking to tease us.”
On the other side of the car, Lin Xiuyuan looked down at the woman hanging on him like a cat, chuckling helplessly.
“Enough already. Qiu Li and them are watching.”
The Big Dragon Cub’s body heat transferred through their pressed bodies, her breathing rhythm in his ear. He could smell the mix of sunlight, sweat, and faint perfume on her.
It was that uniquely sultry, summer mature woman scent.
“You’re dressed a bit skimpy.”
Lin Xiuyuan lightly stroked the Big Dragon Cub’s smooth skin a few times, gently pushing her shoulders back.
Then looking down, he saw she wore only a fitted sleeveless vest, her bare shoulders and arms glowing with a healthy honeyed sheen from the sun. “Playing like this here? Not afraid of getting sunburned or bitten by mosquitoes?”
“Rushed out, didn’t bring any.”
The Big Dragon Cub still clung to Lin Xiuyuan, tilting her head up with a smile, eyes sparkling.
Lin Xiuyuan shook his head, turned to open the car door, grabbed a thin jacket from the front passenger seat, and draped it over her without hesitation. “Put this on. Wind’s strong by the sea. Don’t catch a chill.”
“Yes yes yes~ Dr. Lin is online.”
Facing this caring gesture, the Big Dragon Cub obediently let Lin Xiuyuan fuss over her, even deliberately shrugging her shoulders, grinning like a little fox that had just hooked a toy.
At the same time, Lin Xiuyuan leaned out, waving to Lee Ji-eun and Ham Eun-jung a few meters away.
“Qiu Li, Eun-jung, good afternoon.”
Lee Ji-eun snapped back and waved immediately. “Come sit and chat, Xiuyuan~”
Compared to the Big Dragon Cub and Lee Ji-eun, Ham Eun-jung was calmer, just nodding with a smile. “Good afternoon, Xiuyuan. Come fish with us.”
Lin Xiuyuan smiled, pulled the Big Dragon Cub along as they walked over, and couldn’t help glancing around at the campsite the three had set up.
“You all… what are you doing? How’d you end up camping by the sea?”
“This is our secret base. Telling you this time, but no bringing others.”
The Big Dragon Cub pulled him toward the chairs, explaining lightly, “On nice weather days, we come here to take photos, enjoy the breeze, chat, and fish a bit.”
“You all fish too?” Lin Xiuyuan looked incredulous.
“Who says we have to be good at it?” Ham Eun-jung chimed in, rolling her eyes. “Just playing around. See who catches something. Not counting on eating it.”
“But we did reel in a you.” Lee Ji-eun joined in teasingly.
This made Ham Eun-jung shoot her a stunned look. Was she really not afraid of scaring Xiuyuan off?
Fortunately, Lin Xiuyuan just gave Lee Ji-eun a meaningful look, then smiled and sat down with the Big Dragon Cub on the chairs.
Sunlight filtered through thin clouds, warming them all.
The group sat around the small camping table, sunlight on the sea and their smiling faces.
The Big Dragon Cub shifted to sit beside Lin Xiuyuan, one hand propping her face to look at him, the other stuffing fish skin snacks from a bag into his bowl nonstop. “Right, Xiuyuan~ When’s your tavern finally getting decorated? Haven’t had a few casual drinks in ages. Unnie went last time and said it hasn’t even started.”
“Airing out the smell. Who opens right after finishing? Qiu Li really wanted in that time, no choice.” Lin Xiuyuan munched snacks while laughing.
Then Lee Ji-eun leaned in, elbows on the table, feigning seriousness as she stared at Lin Xiuyuan. “So Xiuyuan, let’s head there later for a couple drinks.”
“No way, I just got here and you’re talking about going back for drinks?”
Facing Lee Ji-eun’s advance, Lin Xiuyuan calmly gestured at the surroundings. “Besides, for drinking, I think this spot’s comfier than the small tavern.”
“How to drive back after drinking here?” Ham Eun-jung reminded.
“Why go back? Camp here. Sleep in the car till dawn, watch the sunrise.”
“Easy for you to say, Xiuyuan. Sunrise isn’t even that way.”
The Big Dragon Cub covered her mouth in a light laugh, glancing sideways at Lin Xiuyuan’s reaction.
Luckily, Lin Xiuyuan’s skin was much thicker now than before. He grinned without care. “Then enjoy the breeze till your head clears, then head back.”
“You enjoy the breeze alone then.” Ham Eun-jung smiled with narrowed eyes. “I wanna go home to sleep in bed. Car’s too bumpy.”
At this, Lee Ji-eun grabbed a bottle of juice and handed it to Lin Xiuyuan. “Enough talk. We didn’t bring alcoholic beverages here, but we have drinks and juice.”
“Thanks.” Lin Xiuyuan took it, but the next second passed it to Ham Eun-jung. “I dare not drink it. Afraid you’ve poisoned it.”
“Hey, Xiuyuan~”
“Hahaha~”
The atmosphere instantly warmed up, sunset glow bathing them warmly.
Just as everyone was chatting lively, the Big Dragon Cub’s fishing rod nearby suddenly twitched.
Lee Ji-eun spotted it sharply and exclaimed, “Hey hey hey, fish! Fish!”
“For real?”
The Big Dragon Cub jumped up and rushed over, fumbling to reel in, but too late—the fish was gone.
She wailed in disappointment. “That was my first one today.”
At this, Lin Xiuyuan got excited too; the urge to fish seemed etched in men’s DNA. “Any extra rods? I wanna try.”
“Here, Xiuyuan~” Lee Ji-eun generously handed hers over. “I haven’t caught any. You play.”
Lin Xiuyuan, taking the rod, quickly went to the edge, with the Big Dragon Cub and Ham Eun-jung following.
Eyeing the prepared bait nearby, Lin Xiuyuan loaded it without fuss—after all, just for fun, not pro.
But a surge welled up in him, his gaze shifting as he looked at the two beside him.
“Ji-yeon, Eun-jung, let’s bet on who hooks first.”
“Bet? What stakes?” The Big Dragon Cub’s eyes lit up, staring at Lin Xiuyuan, already thinking wild thoughts.
Ham Eun-jung nodded. “Sure, how?”
“Whoever hooks first, I’ll give her a super big gift.”
“Deal, I’ll give one too.” The Big Dragon Cub’s eyes gleamed.
Ham Eun-jung followed. “Me too.”
Thus, the impromptu fishing showdown began.
Sitting on a stool, Lin Xiuyuan gazed at the calm estuary, suddenly sentimental, recalling some lines.
A lifetime to a hundred is just over thirty thousand days.
Most live to seventy or so; minus ten ignorant years, ten frail ones, leaves fifty.
Half of those fifty are dark nights, so twenty-five left.
Factor in trivial matters, truly free time is scarce.
He’d already wasted over twenty years. With rare chance now for exciting days, how could he keep squandering?
Thinking this, Lin Xiuyuan glanced left at the Big Dragon Cub, right at Ham Eun-jung, then back at Lee Ji-eun sorting snacks at the table.
“Qiu Li, wanna join?”
Lee Ji-eun spread her hands. “Ah, no rod left.”
“Then this one’s yours.” Lin Xiuyuan grinned brightly.
Though Lee Ji-eun didn’t get what Lin Xiuyuan was up to, she loved effortless perks, especially his.
So she nodded immediately. “Sure.”
“Deal then.”
Lin Xiuyuan gripped the rod with one hand, smiling. “Three rods. Whoever hooks first gets… a super big gift from me.”
Got off work late tonight, updated seven thousand words first, three thousand more later. No need to stay up, check tomorrow morning.
Part-time writing, forgive me, godfathers.
（PS: Who wants it?）
