Chapter 157: “gathering Intelligence” And Kim Tae Yeon: “who Is Xiao Taozi?”
In early summer 2025 in Seoul, the afternoon sunlight was originally so bright that it almost made people forget their worries.
Ginkgo trees along the streets swayed gently in the breeze, sycamore shadows dotted the asphalt road, pedestrians in light summer clothes sat at the outdoor seats outside the coffee shop, talking softly to each other, as if the entire city was enveloped in a serene panting.
But the weather is like emotions, sometimes changing faces faster than anyone.
Not long after Kim Tae Yeon hung up the call to Im Yoon Ah, the sky suddenly changed.
The sunlight receded inch by inch, a massive rolling cloud curtain pressed in from the horizon, dark gray like raging waves, and then it was as if someone had suddenly pulled open the curtain of a torrential downpour.
Bean-sized raindrops poured down, smashing into every undefended corner of the city, bringing sudden urgency and chaos.
At this moment, a car was speeding through the streets blurred by the rain curtain.
Behind the steering wheel, Im Yoon Ah adjusted the wiper speed while glancing at the location point on the mobile phone navigation on the passenger seat, muttering, “What is this? This rain came too suddenly. Taeyeon unnie, why did you suddenly call me out?”
More than ten minutes later, the vehicle steadily stopped at the door of a low-key yet stylishly designed afternoon tea restaurant.
Outside, the rain was still falling, even heavier.
Im Yoon Ah glanced at the rain outside, turned to grab an umbrella from the back seat, then pushed open the car door and quickly opened the umbrella to walk into the shop.
As the glass door was suddenly pushed open, the wind chime rang “ding,” and the warm indoor lighting instantly separated from the thunder and storm outside.
After entering, Im Yoon Ah shook off the remaining water droplets on her hands, straightened her clothes a bit, then looked around.
Not far away, at a small round table by the window, Kim Tae Yeon was sitting there.
Today, she wore a cream-white cardigan with a black camisole dress underneath, her hair loosely tied back, quietly gazing at the rain curtain outside the window, her expression thoughtful.
It wasn’t until Im Yoon Ah approached with the umbrella that Kim Tae Yeon turned her head, smiling faintly, “You’re here, Yoona.”
However, in that instant of turning back, Kim Tae Yeon’s gaze suddenly froze, her whole body as if instantly paused.
She instinctively blinked, her gaze focusing forward.
The Im Yoon Ah standing beside her wore a light blue denim shirt, sleeves rolled up to the elbows, revealing a section of fair and slender wrist.
Below, a high-waisted black skirt clearly outlined her figure.
That refreshing and capable outfit with a touch of young girl aura made her seem like a painting stepped out from a summer photo shoot.
But what truly shocked Kim Tae Yeon was her face.
Not the makeup, not the lighting, but that translucent skin, soft contours, and complexion so good it almost glowed.
The whole person seemed polished from inside out, naturally excessive, yet beautifully outrageous.
Especially outrageous was that when she smiled, not even a hint of fine lines appeared at the corners of her eyes.
“Yoona…”
Kim Tae Yeon’s mouth slightly agape, leaning back in the chair, as if struck by lightning, frozen in place, “You… what’s going on with you?”
Im Yoon Ah then smiled and set down the umbrella, hung her bag on the chair back, and sat across from Kim Tae Yeon, “What’s going on? I don’t know what you’re talking about, unnie.”
“Don’t play dumb with me.”
Shocked, Kim Tae Yeon’s speech speed suddenly quickened, her gaze like a scanner sweeping from her face to her neck, then to her arm, even involuntarily leaning over the table to poke Im Yoon Ah’s cheek.
“How can it be so smooth and tender? Did you change skin or something? Did you do medical aesthetics? Tell unnie.”
Poked on the cheek by Kim Tae Yeon, Im Yoon Ah immediately protected her cheek and dodged back, laughing as she swatted her hand away.
“Ah~ Unnie, don’t talk nonsense. What skin change? I just rested well for a while, ate healthily, kept regular hours, drank less alcohol, and persisted with skincare every day.”
“When you say that, even you sound insincere.”
Facing Im Yoon Ah’s explanation, Kim Tae Yeon narrowed her eyes suspiciously, “No way, after so many years as sisters and teammates, you’re hiding this from me?”
“I’m not hiding it from you, I really didn’t do anything.”
As she said this, Im Yoon Ah yawned, “If I had to say I did something, does staying up all night baking bread last night count? I’m so sleepy now. If you hadn’t called me, unnie, I really wouldn’t have wanted to go out.”
“Wow, amazing, Yoona. Are you showing off, or showing off?” Kim Tae Yeon chuckled, her eyes a bit wild, “Such great skin condition, and you tell me it’s the effect after staying up all night?”
Across from her, Im Yoon Ah pursed her lips in a smile, not responding.
Because last night she really did stay up all night baking bread, the kind of baguette that was overbaked, dry and hard.
Then Im Yoon Ah raised her hand to call the server and ordered an Americano, then leaned back in the chair looking at Kim Tae Yeon, “Unnie, why did you call me out today?”
“Originally wanted to ask you to do spa together, but now…” Kim Tae Yeon glanced at her with complex eyes, “You completely don’t need it anymore.”
She stared at this Yoona who seemed reborn, thoughts surging in her mind, yet unable to say a single serious word.
The person was still the same person, features still the same features, face shape unchanged, but put together, the whole person was radiant.
“It’s fine, unnie, let’s still go together. My waist is a bit sore right now, perfect for a massage.”
Hearing the reason, Im Yoon Ah stretched lazily and agreed.
Last night’s deadly entanglement was indeed a bit excessive, the first fitting of sword and sheath gave her profound feelings, though her energy was amazingly good, the bodily soreness was real.
Especially the waist, very sore and numb.
Kim Tae Yeon didn’t think much, nodded, and casually asked, “By the way, should we call Xiuyuan out for afternoon tea? Haven’t seen him for a while, he didn’t even come to my concert last time I invited him.”
“Xiuyuan?” Im Yoon Ah smiled and hummed lightly, “Unnie, he’s probably busy today.”
“Hm?”
Looking at Kim Tae Yeon gazing at her puzzled, Im Yoon Ah teasingly said, “Unnie, you’re a bit too concerned about Xiuyuan. That little puppy boy joke earlier, you don’t really have that preference, do you?”
“Tch, you’re the one who introduced him to me, now setting me up?” Kim Tae Yeon rolled her eyes speechlessly at her second maknae, then countered, “Or is it that Yoona you really like this young boy and don’t want me to get too close?”
“Yes, unnie.” Im Yoon Ah nodded lightly, smiling but her tone dead serious.
This made Kim Tae Yeon jolt, unconsciously sitting up straighter, “Ah? Yoona, you’re serious?”
“I like him, but not to the ‘romance’ step you think, unnie. Mainly, being with him makes me feel very happy, and that’s satisfying enough.”
“Hiss~”
Hearing Im Yoon Ah’s answer, Kim Tae Yeon immediately inhaled sharply, “Amazing, really like?”
“Really like. Who doesn’t like a little puppy boy?”
Im Yoon Ah didn’t deny it; after all, spending time with Lin Xiuyuan lately had brightened her world and life considerably.
And the emotions when together were quite happy, reigniting her longing for life and future in her somewhat muddled self—this was practically a second spring.
Most importantly, last night’s magical effect made Im Yoon Ah clearly realize she couldn’t be without this young boy.
Eternal youth buff, even in a mythical world, would be irresistibly addictive, let alone for her, a mundane mortal.
Yes, this liking naturally had some utilitarianism, but she didn’t evade it.
For Im Yoon Ah, liking was liking, being together was another matter, baking bread… was yet another world.
She knew the difference and lived openly.
Looking at the serious and calm Im Yoon Ah before her, Kim Tae Yeon was momentarily stunned.
She waved her hand, sighing lightly, “Wait, let me sort out my thoughts…”
Im Yoon Ah smiled faintly, then picked up the Americano the server had just brought and took a sip.
The coffee was bitterly astringent, but her mood surprisingly sweet.
Her mind was already planning the next “baking bread” time.
Once tasted, it’s never limited to the first time.
If it’s the right person, every time is worth looking forward to.
……
……
Seoul in 2025, pouring rain.
Meanwhile, in a KTV private room in 2013, Lin Xiuyuan was being “hung” on by Park Ji-yeon, having a great time with a group of acquaintances.
Feeling the weight on his back, Lin Xiuyuan said with a wry smile, “Ji-yeon, get down.”
“No.”
Park Ji-yeon lay on his back, acting cute righteously, “Oppa, your back is so broad, super comfortable lying on it. Just let me lie for a bit.”
Park Ji-yeon, just turned adult, was much more sensible than many peers, but among friends and close ones, she still easily showed a bit of temper, acting cute, fooling around.
These little tempers weren’t annoying, rather carrying a childish cuteness. Seeing he couldn’t persuade her, Lin Xiuyuan didn’t bother saying more, letting her stay on his back to continue singing.
He spoke up earlier only because this little dragon cub’s singing voice was too “infectious,” piercingly strong, making people chuckle involuntarily.
At this time, Kim Tae Yeon, having just finished a song, returned to her seat, holding a water cup, looking at Lin Xiuyuan and Park Ji-yeon with interest.
Or more accurately, at Lin Xiuyuan.
Lin Xiuyuan ignored her teasing gaze, instead teasing her with a smile, “As expected of Girls’ Generation’s lead singer and captain, you sing really well. Is this a free performance site I can watch?”
“Then you have to pay.” Kim Tae Yeon raised her hand, smiling brightly as she reached toward him, “Xiuyuan, pay up.”
“Owe it first, see how much I can owe, or pay you back in over a dozen years.”
Looking at that small hand, Lin Xiuyuan looked up at her, tone light, eyes carrying depth.
Kim Tae Yeon smiled, small hand not withdrawn.
Nearby, Ham Eun-jung chimed in, “Owe for over a dozen years? By your logic, Xiuyuan, the creditor would be the old one then, hahaha.”
“Who knows.”
Lin Xiuyuan softly agreed, smiling widely.
Park Ji-yeon on his back listened to their conversation, gaze quietly sweeping Kim Tae Yeon, expression subtle.
She seemed to catch something, yet not sure.
After all, heart attacks… are unpredictable, these conditions are sneaky.
A while later, Park Ji-yeon was finally “pulled” off Lin Xiuyuan’s back.
But not voluntarily, pulled down by Park Hyomin.
In her words, “Ji-yeon, be reserved. You’re a girl.”
“Hehe, unnie, what nonsense. Not as serious as you think, I was just whispering to oppa.”
Scolded, Park Ji-yeon grinned and explained, casually drinking water to feign innocence.
“What whisper can’t be said to us?” Park Hyomin raised her brow, gaze sharp.
“Not that it can’t be said, but you wouldn’t understand.” Park Ji-yeon replied.
“What words, say it.”
Park Ji-yeon tilted her head, suddenly asking, “Unnie, do you know what ‘dual gun old woman’ means?”
“What?” Park Hyomin, originally aggressive, was instantly dumbfounded, “Dual gun… what relation to old woman?”
“See, unnie, you don’t know.”
Park Ji-yeon smugly hummed, turning to ask Lin Xiuyuan, “Oppa, do you know what dual gun old woman means?”
“Hm?”
Hearing this, Lin Xiuyuan was first stunned, then quickly reacted—after all, he’d looked at that dual gun pattern for several nights.
Every inch of lines intimately traced, familiar beyond familiar.
So he soon laughed, “Ji-yeon, don’t give people so many nicknames.”
Old woman, dual gun old woman—Lin Xiuyuan was amused.
“Anyway, she doesn’t know.” Park Ji-yeon pouted, humming.
This “encrypted conversation” between them left everyone in the private room baffled, “What? What? What are you talking about?”
“Seems like badmouthing someone.”
“Dual gun old woman, some auntie?”
“Ah, don’t talk halfway, I hate that most, it’s like forcing people to die~”
The last line was shouted by Sunny, whose gossip soul was etched in her bones; she looked at Lin Xiuyuan before her very depressed.
Since knowing this boy, she felt like she’d stumbled into a vast melon field, melons so abundant it dazzled, tempting unbearably.
But soon she found the field fenced off, only one entrance with a sign: “Members Only.”
When she curiously asked Lin Xiuyuan: “How to apply for membership?”
Lin Xiuyuan only replied four words: “Likeable is fine.”
From then, Sunny towards Lin Xiuyuan was both frustrated and yearning.
Just as the atmosphere turned slightly weird from “dual gun old woman,” the observing Park Hyomin suddenly narrowed her eyes, slowly smiling, as if thinking of something fun.
“Sung so many songs, let’s play a game.”
“What game?” Sunny perked up, immediately asking.
Everyone’s gazes focused on Park Hyomin, seeing what idea she had—anyway, idle, a game to pass time wasn’t bad.
But Park Hyomin countered, “First decide the game’s punishment: drinking, or something else?”
“Punishment?”
Hearing this, everyone looked at the few scattered beer cans on the table, then Kim Tae Yeon shook her head immediately, “No drinking, not to mention it’s only afternoon, if something sudden comes up, being drunk would be trouble.”
Then Ham Eun-jung smilingly suggested, “How about performance instead: singing, dancing, or personal skills.”
Everyone immediately agreed.
“Good.”
“Fine.”
“Fun suggestion, this one.”
“Then Hyo Min, explain the rules, how to play?”
Seeing everyone agree, Park Hyomin leaned forward, clapped her thighs, tone relaxed:
“Simple, we sit in a circle, ask questions clockwise.”
She paused, then explained, “Each round, the current person asks, next answers. Like me asking ‘Do you think I’m male?’—complete sentence, so the next can guess and answer.
If you answer right, I lose and take punishment; if wrong, you lose and take punishment.”
“Then the asker can just make tricky questions to make the other wrong?”
Sunny raised a brow, eyes full of “I won’t fall for it” vigilance.
“So…”
Park Hyomin smiled, raising her index finger, “Questions and answers must have someone present who knows the correct answer. No making up, or auto-lose and take punishment, OK?”
“Oh? Hidden referee mechanism?” Kim Tae Yeon propped her chin interestedly, “Who decides if the answer is reasonable?”
“That’s the hidden referee part, just casual fun, no need to be too serious.” Park Hyomin answered quickly.
Hearing this, everyone exchanged glances, seeming quite fun.
Lin Xiuyuan tsked, corner of mouth raised, “Sounds like a game easy to expose personal info. Is it appropriate for me to join?”
“No problem oppa, I’ll help you.” Park Ji-yeon grinned immediately, “I like this game.”
“And punishment?” Sunny raised hand again, “If singing, dancing, jokes, maybe add drinking to quench thirst.”
As Girls’ Generation’s known booze hound, she felt drinking made it a real game.
“All fine, loser chooses or setter specifies.” Park Hyomin explained laughing, “Friends playing, rules flexible, don’t be rigid.”
“OK, start.” Sunny clapped thighs, stood and scanned everyone, “Come, move the coffee table, circle up.”
They quickly did, clearing space in the middle of the messy beverage and snack coffee table, sitting in a small circle.
Lighting soft, music turned down, air filled with anticipation and liveliness before “prey” appears.
“Come, I’ll set the order.”
As everyone sat, Park Ji-yeon grabbed an empty beer can, placed it in the table center, grinning: “Spin the bottle for who starts asking, then clockwise.”
“Haven’t played party games in ages.” Kim Tae Yeon rubbed her palms, eyes sparkling, “A bit excited.”
“Ji-yeon, don’t let us pry out all your little secrets in one go.” Ham Eun-jung and Park Hyomin leaned in from left and right, gazes playful, like an interrogation scene.
And so the game quietly began amid rising tension and teasing.
Lin Xiuyuan glanced at Park Hyomin on his left, then Kim Tae Yeon on his right, heart tightening, vaguely feeling… hunted?
But arrow on the string, had to go.
As the can spun on the table, it finally stopped at Sunny.
“Hahaha, Taeyeon, you’re done.” Sunny laughed seeing the result, turning to gloat at Kim Tae Yeon.
Kim Tae Yeon smiled indifferently, leisurely replying, “You’re not asking me, what to fear.”
“Hmph hmph hmph~”
Sunny smirked thrice, eyes sparkling at her, suddenly asking, “Taeyeon, my bust is bigger than Hyo Min’s, do you think so?”
Hiss~
The private room fell into brief silence.
Lin Xiuyuan’s face stiffened, doing a carp flip in his mind: No way, starting so intense?
Even Kim Tae Yeon was stunned, nearly choking, “Sunny, no game starts with a big move like this.”
As she spoke, she signaled with eyes, reminding Sunny not to go wild, mind the image, there’s a boy here.
But Kim Tae Yeon forgot: game-mode Sunny and normal Sunny were totally different.
Winning was everything for game ace Sunny; losing was worse than death.
“Stop dawdling, answer!” Sunny urged, smug, “This isn’t bold for me.”
She knew the “Milky Gui” nickname.
But Park Hyomin was a bit annoyed, “Sunny, you’re dragging me down.”
“You suggested playing, can’t blame me.” Sunny smiled innocently.
Kim Tae Yeon knew she couldn’t dodge, sighed, gaze to Park Hyomin.
The latter immediately crossed arms over chest protectively, “Hey Taeyeon, sizing up like that is cheating.”
“Needs a time limit, can’t stall forever.” Ham Eun-jung chimed laughing.
“One minute, timing now.” Park Ji-yeon had phone out, held up like a referee.
Seeing this, Kim Tae Yeon hurriedly said, “I think it’s yours, Sunny.”
Compared to Park Hyomin’s figure, she’d only seen Sunny’s, that grandeur one of the best she’d seen.
Plus current Park Hyomin wasn’t yet the ample future version, so Kim Tae Yeon’s answer was reasonable.
But as words fell, Sunny laughed, “Wrong!! Taeyeon, you lose: performance or drink?”
“Ah, why.” Kim Tae Yeon shocked.
“Because Hyo Min’s bigger.” Sunny paused, adding, “Or rather perkier, mine’s softer type.”
As Sunny wanted to elaborate, nearby Park Hyomin was shy, originally planning to pit Park Ji-yeon and Lin Xiuyuan, but competitive Sunny pitted her first.
Seeing her about to describe more, Park Hyomin waved to stop, “Enough Sunny, next question, or I’ll leave!”
Private room erupted in laughter.
Kim Tae Yeon turned to grinning Lin Xiuyuan, quickly conceding.
“Got it, got it, Sunny wait for me. Add rule: after one round reverse clockwise, can’t keep asking like this, need revenge chance.”
“Fine, fair.” Sunny grinned indifferently.
Lin Xiuyuan leaned on sofa, watching them bicker, finding the girls more entertaining than the game.
After adding rule, Kim Tae Yeon did her punishment—no dancing, Sunny picked a funny song, sang and sat back.
But reseating, looking at Lin Xiuyuan again, her eyes fired up, competitive spirit ignited.
“Xiuyuan.” Kim Tae Yeon raised brow suddenly, smiling, “Do you think I like older or younger?”
Question out, opposite Park Ji-yeon couldn’t hold back laughing first; seeing eyes on her, she waved, “Nothing, continue, continue.”
Lin Xiuyuan didn’t hesitate, straightforwardly, “Younger, little puppy boy type, with abdominal muscles, but not too muscular, thin muscle lines.”
With each detail, Kim Tae Yeon and Sunny exchanged glances, hearts sinking.
After several sinks, Kim Tae Yeon was baffled.
She was shallow, but hadn’t shared these thoughts with outsiders.
Suddenly, she reacted, voice rising sharply, “Wait, did Yoona tell you, or Sulli?!”
Asked, Lin Xiuyuan instinctively looked away.
Couldn’t say it’s your “old habit” from over a dozen years later…
This blame seemed for Little Deer and Jung Soo Yeon.
Seeing this, Kim Tae Yeon got mad, “Wow, amazing, wait till I teach them a lesson, or I’m not Kim Tae Yeon.”
But Lin Xiuyuan didn’t care, laughing, “So I guessed right?”
Kim Tae Yeon stunned in anger, nearby Sunny sneaked a laugh, “OK Taeyeon, sing.”
“Sing your head, I’ll drink.”
Kim Tae Yeon said, directly chugging a big gulp of beer, drowning frustration.
Now Lin Xiuyuan’s turn, he turned to nearby Park Hyomin, looking at this 2025 newlywed member, asking, “Hyo Min, do you think the times we’ve met is odd or even?”
Park Hyomin blinked, surprised at the simplicity, but seriously counted meetings, quickly answering, “Odd.”
As she spoke, listing each encounter, blocking any cheating.
But Lin Xiuyuan still smiled shaking head, “Wrong, even. Don’t believe? Ask Ji-yeon.”
Park Hyomin stunned, looked to Park Ji-yeon.
Park Ji-yeon naturally knew: counting 2025 time-space times, nodded suppressing laughter wildly.
“Correct, unnie, I testify even.”
“You two teaming up on me?” Park Hyomin glared, wryly amused.
Facing this, Lin Xiuyuan stayed silent, but Park Ji-yeon didn’t, “No cheating, unnie.”
“Who’s cheating!”
Park Hyomin yelled, grabbed cup and gulped beer, gaze to nearby Ham Eun-jung, intense, “Next you.”
Scaring Ham Eun-jung to speak quickly, “Hyo Min, not me who upset you, don’t vent on me.”
“When you stole my persona, unnie, why not clarify?” Park Hyomin rolled eyes, pretending indignant hum-laugh.
Thus, after several “mines,” atmosphere ignited, game entering white-hot phase.
As everyone loosened, questions unbounded, punishments varied endlessly.
Not just singing dancing, imitating members, even specified idol debut ad lines; Sunny even forced by Kim Tae Yeon to reenact her old recording cracked note segment, sending everyone into laughter fits.
Lin Xiuyuan won some lost some, but biggest gain: “accidentally” extracted many little secrets and personal info from questions answers, especially Kim Tae Yeon.
“Taeyeon, when eating fried chicken, sauce-dipped or original?”
“Original.”
“Real or fake?”
“Real! I don’t even dip sweet sour, pure skin, get that crispiness?”
Sunny burst laughing, “She eats chicken no Coke, like a criminal.”
Lin Xiuyuan nodded silently, noted: fried chicken=original, Coke.
Several rounds later.
From Sunny, Lin Xiuyuan learned she showers face first or hair—answer face.
From Ham Eun-jung, post-shower ice cream habit; even Park Hyomin “accidentally” revealed when down, she’d find pretty spot, dress sexy, take photos online.
These life details etched in Lin Xiuyuan’s mind, not a word missed.
Game increasingly wild, less about win-lose, more reminiscing, spilling beans as new fun, laughter nonstop, gasping several times.
“Xiuyuan, you collecting intel?”
As everyone played merrier, observant Sunny finally teased Lin Xiuyuan, “Your wins superficial, losses practical.”
“Hm? Too conspiratorial?”
Lin Xiuyuan knocked table with bottle, seriously, “I earned your trust with sincerity, OK?”
Opposite, Park Ji-yeon watching Lin Xiuyuan joyfully with everyone, quietly snapped photo on mobile to Jung Soo Yeon, message: Unnie, all per plan.
Then thought: Old woman, see how you win me.
Meanwhile, teasing and laughter continued, lively atmosphere like early summer soda, cool with stimulation and sweetness, lighting faces.
Game went on, their tacit understanding invisibly drawing closer.
Time soon evening, everyone tired from play, paid bill and prepared to disperse.
Park Ji-yeon wanted to follow Lin Xiuyuan to his apartment, but Park Hyomin yanked her, seriously, “Ji-yeon, no improper contact between sexes, back to dorm with me, Eun-jung and I will teach you properly.”
Who made Park Ji-yeon side Lin Xiuyuan whole game, pitting sisters multiple times, time for lesson.
Lin Xiuyuan watched the “education scene,” couldn’t help laughing.
Then he waved to Kim Tae Yeon and Sunny, drove back to apartment.
When Lin Xiuyuan returned, a familiar figure was tidying things inside.
Hearing door lock click, she turned, seeing him, smiled, “Oppa, you’re back?”
Sulli smiled welcoming, face rare relaxed joy.
“Hm?”
Lin Xiuyuan nodded, somewhat surprised, “When did you return? Thought you’d stay longer in Tokyo.”
Earlier return from Tokyo only him and Lin Xiaolu.
Sulli still in Tokyo, planning alone time with Goo Hara to urge her detach from complex connections.
By her words then, at least few more days.
So Lin Xiuyuan didn’t expect her back in Seoul so soon.
“I returned to Seoul just this afternoon, went to dorm first to pack, then moved here directly.” Sulli smiled eyes curving.
She blinked asking suddenly, “Oppa, the skincare products, computer, scripts in my room—you prepared?”
Lin Xiuyuan casually, “Yeah, skincare from Krystal’s room set for you, computer new. House felt empty, so arranged your space, not sure if you like.”
Hearing, Sulli happily said, “Thanks oppa~ I like it a lot.”
“Thanks what, this house is actually yours, I’m the one staying here.”
They chatted entering living room, outside night deepening, wind over window sill faint whine, but inside warm, new home fresh expectancy.
Lin Xiuyuan draped jacket on sofa back, about to speak, heard kitchen water running; Sulli rolled sleeves to cook.
“Hm? Cooking? Go to villa side eat, takeout easy, no need fuss.”
Sulli pouring rice into cooker, seriously, “No oppa~ First meal in new house must cook yourself for homey feel.”
Tone light with long-missed satisfaction solidity, “I’ll cook tonight, OK?”
Lin Xiuyuan stunned, then smiled, “You can cook?”
“Oppa, what tone~” Sulli turned, laughing happily, “My V mom is master chef, didn’t learn much from her, but few side dishes I got.”
“Oh? Victoria, our side’s beauty.”
Lin Xiuyuan raised brow, teasing yet interested, “Then I’m in for treat today.”
“Of course.”
Sulli smugly lifted chin, took veg bag from shopping bag, “Bought pork belly, tofu, chili pepper… Tonight tofu stew, stir-fried pork, green vegetables, egg rolls, few cold dishes, OK?”
“Fine, you’re chef, you decide. I sit wait eat.”
Lin Xiuyuan smiled, sat at dining table, watching her busy back, suddenly asked, “Call more people over eat together?”
Sulli without turning, “Already asked in group afternoon, everyone busy. Ji-yeon wanted, but pulled back to dorm by Hyo Min unnie them.”
“Ah, no wonder Ji-yeon insisted following me.” Lin Xiuyuan clapped, realizing, “Didn’t say, probably didn’t want everyone knowing you moved in with me.”
He laughed shaking head, then, “How about I go villa side, ask Krystal and Yoona if want come eat?”
Compared to these busy here, 2025 half-retired rich ladies had time aplenty.
“Hm?” Hearing, Sulli looked up, eyes lighting, “They free?”
“Should be, ate together last night.”
“Great!” Sulli set spatula, excited OK gesture, “Quick call, if they come, small party tonight!”
“OK, going now.” Lin Xiuyuan stood, toward time-space door, turned asking: “How long for this meal?”
“Half an hour or so, not too long.”
“OK.”
……
……
2025, some SPA center in Seoul.
Im Yoon Ah just finished deep massage, refreshed, waist no longer sore, legs no pain.
“Eat dinner here?”
Similarly face-washed Kim Tae Yeon stood behind eyeing mirror’s rosy glowing Im Yoon Ah, couldn’t help eye-roll, bit envious.
Im Yoon Ah about to nod, phone rang; seeing caller, smile rose, “Unnie, wait.”
“Hey~ Xiuyuan, what’s up.”
“Little Peach cooking, asks if you want come eat.” Phone other end, Lin Xiuyuan’s laugh transmitted.
Im Yoon Ah brow raised, agreed without hesitation, “Coming.”
“Then come, cooking started, late means dishwashing.”
“Got it.”
Few simple words, call ended.
Hung up, Im Yoon Ah turned, saw Kim Tae Yeon squinting at her, “Who’s that ‘Little Peach’ Xiuyuan mentioned?”
Question nearly broke Im Yoon Ah’s expression, but years acting not wasted, calmly, “Tavern member friend.”
“Members again, thought I could tag for free meal.”
Kim Tae Yeon pouted, to her, “So you’re… ditching me?”
“Unnie, accompanied you all afternoon. How ditching? Time to give Xiuyuan some time~ I like him.”
Saying last, Im Yoon Ah beamed brilliantly.
“Got it, got it, no flaunting, go.” Kim Tae Yeon eye-rolled hard.
“Then I’m off, unnie, next time~”
Said, Im Yoon Ah breezily left SPA center, drove straight to Gangnam villa.
Strangely, separated half day, already missing Lin Xiuyuan uncontrollably.
However, as she parked and just got out, another car slowly approached behind.
Parked, engine off, got out.
Then, Krystal gazed at this rosy glowing, skin shining Im Yoon Ah, utterly different from last night, heart tightened.
Her gaze sharpened, mind one phrase:
Something wrong, big trouble.
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