Chapter 126: Lin Xiaolu’s Plans And Big Dragon Cub’s Birthday Gift
Just as Lin Xiuyuan and Big Dragon Cub and others were freely playing around on this side in 2025.
On that side in 2013, Sulli also sought out Jung Soo Yeon, in a small restaurant on the second floor of a certain street in Cheongdam-dong, arranging for afternoon tea.
And she arrived here early, ordering some snacks and desserts.
When Jung Soo Yeon and Lin Xiaolu arrived at the doorway, she waved repeatedly at the two to signal them, “Older sister, this side.”
After the group sat down, Lin Xiaolu spoke first with a teasing remark, “What’s up, Sulli? Didn’t we just see each other yesterday? Missing us already?”
Sulli stuck out her tongue, smiling a bit embarrassedly, and said, “We played too wildly last night and I forgot to tell you about oppa.”
“What about him?” Jung Soo Yeon looked at her.
Then Sulli explained how Lin Xiuyuan had agreed to go to Neon with her, and looking at Lin Xiaolu with some concern, she said, “If that’s the case, Yoona older sister’s acting lessons will probably have to be postponed for a while.”
But Lin Xiaolu didn’t take it seriously, “Don’t overthink it. We’re going on concert tour next, super busy, and probably won’t have time to go over anyway.”
After saying that, her eyes narrowed as if thinking of something, “Plus, with Lin Xiuyuan that guy here, I can run over to Neon to hang out with you all, way more convenient than going back to Seoul.”
As she learned more about the rising popularity of the drama 《The Heirs》, Lin Xiaolu was even more reluctant to give it up. Recently, she’d heard the news had spread, with many TV stations and companies swarming like they smelled a hit drama.
This made Lin Xiaolu start feeling a bit nervous. Two months—not too long, not too short. For the past two nights, her mind had been full of Yoona’s advice to her from that side.
She was conflicted every night, practically insomnia every day.
Could she really try method acting?
Beside her, Jung Soo Yeon smiled, “Yeah, no problem. We don’t have anything urgent to go over for now. We know all the big things we need to, just avoid them.”
Actually, she had pretty much the same thoughts as Lin Xiaolu, always feeling that grasping Lin Xiuyuan this key was better than anything.
So after hearing their responses, Sulli immediately breathed a sigh of relief, “Then I’m relieved. I was worried earlier about getting in the way of you older sisters.”
“No, just keep an eye on him later, Sulli. He’s older than you but super impulsive in personality. If anything comes up, you gotta hold him back.”
Maybe it was the last fight that really scared Jung Soo Yeon, so she didn’t forget to remind Sulli again.
This precious thing couldn’t have any issues—he was the guiding light for their bright future path. Success all depended on him.
“Don’t worry, older sister, I will.” Sulli smiled and nodded.
Chatting to this point, Lin Xiaolu suddenly asked, “When are you going to Neon, Sulli?”
“I wanna go next week. Work’s mostly wrapped up lately, prepping for the July album comeback. Besides rehearsals and audio recording, not much work, so I wanna take about a week to go see Hara older sister.”
After Sulli finished, Jung Soo Yeon and Lin Xiaolu exchanged a glance.
Both had been to 2025 and learned the situation, so they fully understood Sulli’s feelings about going to find Goo Hara.
So Lin Xiaolu blinked, with a little scheming tone, “Then why don’t you wait for me to go together? I happen to have some script stuff to chat with Lin Xiuyuan about, and can stay there a few days.”
“Huh?”
This time Jung Soo Yeon was stunned. She knew how packed her second maknae’s schedule was—how could she possibly free up time?
Maybe seeing Jung Soo Yeon’s gaze, Lin Xiaolu said, “Talk to the company about it. Just say it’s the effort for chasing that lead actress role. Lately I’ve realized why idols can’t become actors—we have no time to delve into scripts.”
At this, her tone couldn’t help but sound envious, “Look at Suzy. Back then for filming, she straight-up paused work and dove in, and her company was willing to invest in that effort.”
Now even more so, after stepping onto the actor path, Bae Soo Ji had basically no commercial performances besides team activities and red carpet endorsements, all focused on precipitation. Plus that bit of talent, her acting skills had progressed greatly.
“Companies have different priorities.”
Hearing the resentment in Lin Xiaolu’s words, Jung Soo Yeon sighed lightly. Lin Xiaolu also nodded understanding, then said, “But you still need to give me some time.”
“Yeah, ask about it. This drama’s really worth it.” Jung Soo Yeon nodded.
Across from them, Sulli chimed in, “Yeah, I stayed up lately and finished watching it. Actually, not many spots need real acting skills—just the crying scene and some arguments with the male lead and supporting male. As long as you don’t mess up elsewhere, it’s fine.”
Actually, purely on acting skills, Sulli was way better than Lin Xiaolu or Soo Jung. Not sure if related to childhood experience, but her emotional expression and delivery surpassed those two.
The only pity was no great scripts, so gradually, she got overshadowed by the younger ones coming up.
But now it was fine. She no longer cared about actor or idol identity.
She just wanted to be happier, live well.
“Yeah, I know. Been thinking about this lately.” Lin Xiaolu responded softly.
She knew clearly if she could hop on this express train this time, her future path would speed up more and more with “God’s Perspective” help, no need to wait for the next “opportunity wave.”
So all these issues circled back to Yoona’s advice to her from that side.
Method acting, success soaring to the peak.
Acting skills type—she didn’t seem to have much acting skill.
Whenever thinking of that latter one, Lin Xiaolu got mad, both angry and annoyed.
Angry at the other, annoyed at her own lack of fight.
Then Sulli pulled Lin Xiaolu into discussing some acting topics, which Jung Soo Yeon couldn’t chime in on at all, so she just sat there drinking coffee, eating desserts, thinking about what to do next.
Just like that, some more time passed. As Sulli and Lin Xiaolu’s discussion voices grew louder, Jung Soo Yeon finally interrupted them.
“Alright alright, save these topics for the tavern side. You’re almost arguing now—if photographed, it’ll hit the news again.”
“Older sister, we’re not arguing, just debating.”
“Yeah yeah.”
But after being interrupted, Lin Xiaolu and Sulli paused the discussion, started eating some food to recharge, and chatted about recent interesting stories.
Not long after, Jung Soo Yeon got up to leave early—she still needed to personally confirm those design drafts she’d brought.
She planned to ride this wave of her peak popularity to fully establish the “genius designer” reputation, then after enough precipitation, it’d be her takeoff time.
While Sulli and Lin Xiaolu stayed to continue discussing the Neon side itinerary arrangement, figuring out exact departure and return days.
After talking forever, with Lin Xiaolu unable to decide, she grabbed her bag and stood, “Forget it, go back to the company and chat directly with oppa and them. Let’s go, Sulli.”
Sulli across from her didn’t say much, just got up and left the restaurant too.
Lin Xiuyuan was completely unaware of all this right now.
At the moment, he was still at the swimsuit party in 2025, admiring those undulating waves.
……
……
2025.
Half-Mountain Villa.
Lin Xiuyuan, just called out by Big Dragon Cub earlier, hadn’t even warmed his seat when Lee Ji-eun shooed him off to work.
Great figure, sunny looks, clean vibe… so what.
One of the absolute main reasons for calling Lin Xiuyuan to this swimsuit party was needing a barbecue master.
Couldn’t have a bunch of sisters in bikinis doing it themselves—that’d be too undignified.
So after hearing this explanation, Lin Xiuyuan immediately looked toward Big Dragon Cub. She guiltily avoided his gaze, jumping straight into the swimming pool, returning the “true love fan”‘s efforts with those pure white splashes.
Seeing this, how could Lin Xiuyuan not get it? He chuckled, then got up, slipped on slippers, and went to the terrace by the swimming pool.
Wiping water droplets from his hands while eyeing the multifunctional barbecue grill nearby, clearly brand new.
“This thing’s kinda complicated…”
As someone from the “old era,” facing this high tech, Lin Xiuyuan frowned and muttered softly.
Beside him, Ham Eun-jung had already brought over a pile of meats and marinated ingredients, and called Sunny and Lee Ji-eun to help. The three in cool swimsuits draped with bath towels crowded around the grill like watching some big project.
“Xiuyuan, do you know how to use it?”
Sunny squinted at him, casually shaking her beer can.
“Men have a natural talent for this stuff.”
Lin Xiuyuan bent over fiddling with the charcoal fire, declaring confidently, “Just needs a bit of time to figure out.”
He waved them off, “You all go play. I’ll call when it’s ready to eat.”
Ham Eun-jung and Sunny smiled and left upon hearing that, jumping into the pool or chatting with others.
Only Lee Ji-eun stayed put, arms crossed, eyeing his back.
“Xiuyuan, that sounds a bit like showing off.”
“We’ll see later. If I mess up, I’ll put on clothes and leave right away.”
He turned back with a smile.
Lee Ji-eun chuckled, glancing at him.
Her gaze fell on his side profile outlined by the sunlight, especially that faintly visible mermaid line, and she couldn’t help shifting her eyes slightly, “Fine, but don’t burn it. If it’s good, there’s a reward.”
“What reward?”
Hearing that, Lin Xiuyuan immediately looked up at her.
Lee Ji-eun still had arms crossed over her chest, naturally lifting it a bit. As she gently shifted, weight on one leg, her curvaceous figure struck a lazy yet extremely teasing pose.
“Wait till you grill well, then we’ll talk.”
Her tone was soft and glutinous, tail end drawn out long, very seductive.
Lin Xiuyuan looked at her half-teasing appearance, momentarily unsure what to say, throat dry. He coughed, “Then I’ll grill my life away to make it good.”
“Then you better work hard.”
Lee Ji-eun winked at him, then slowly lowered her crossed arms, casually brushing her slightly damp hair strands by her ear, turning toward the poolside. Her back swayed in the sunlight, waist-hip curves intensely alluring.
Watching her back recede, Lin Xiuyuan gritted his teeth, “This woman, deadly.”
Then, get to work.
Luckily, though this multifunctional grill had lots of tech add-ons, the core was still charcoal grilling.
So as long as Lin Xiuyuan ignored the high tech, treating it pure as a barbecue rack, no problem at all.
Soon, with the charcoal fire lit, he glanced at the nearby ingredients and spices, grabbed a few beef skewers to put on first, testing his hand.
He’d barbecued in the yard with family and relatives during holidays before, so skilled. Just the spices here differed from back home—he had to test bit by bit.
While he focused on flipping skewers, Big Dragon Cub came over.
Still in that super teasing three-piece bikini, draped with a thin gauze blouse, steps leisurely, holding two bottles of lemon soda.
“Xiuyuan, barbecue started?”
“Testing first.”
Lin Xiuyuan flipping beef skewers answered, then teased amusedly, “Ji-yeon, next time just say you need a barbecue master. Don’t make me overthink.”
Hearing that, Big Dragon Cub laughed charmingly, pulled a stool to sit beside him. Her long legs gleamed faintly in the sunlight, casually handing over a beverage, “Then you profited too, right? So many beauties here.”
“If you put it that way, yeah, I did.”
While talking, Lin Xiuyuan loosened up, glancing sideways at Big Dragon Cub sitting behind him.
She glared smilingly but made no cover-up move, instead deliberately stretching her body—that curve nearly drove one mad.
As the charcoal fire blazed hotter, the earlier beef skewers sizzled, fragrance spreading, drawing gazes from the sunbathing crowd afar.
But seeing Big Dragon Cub already sitting with Lin Xiuyuan, they withdrew eyes, whispering about the two, glances occasionally thrown over.
Especially Sunny—this was her first time hearing the full story of Lin Xiuyuan and Big Dragon Cub knowing each other from Ham Eun-jung and Park Hyomin.
And from Lee Ji-eun’s mouth, some later interactions and situations.
So finally voicing her curiosity, “So Ji-yeon’s into this young guy Xiuyuan, wants a taste?”
Sunny didn’t say like, let alone feelings.
As the recently divorced Big Dragon Cub, what she could think of was indulgence, indulgence—that’s why “taste.”
Beside, Ham Eun-jung didn’t respond, just looking over at Big Dragon Cub chatting laughingly with Lin Xiuyuan—her spirit much better than before, though her eyes still lacked that former sparkle.
“Dunno, maybe.”
Park Hyomin picked up Sunny’s curiosity, glancing at the two, “But I don’t care. Seeing her so happy now, as long as that guy’s not awful.”
“Shouldn’t be, or Soo Jung and Yoona probably wouldn’t approach him, let alone join his tavern member.” Thinking of the guy who got Yoona to ask Taeyeon to bring her to meet, Sunny helped out a bit.
“Yeah, Xiuyuan’s personality is pretty good, at least so far. And he’s Ji-yeon’s ‘true love fan,’ shouldn’t be a bad guy.”
Meanwhile, Lee Ji-eun also spoke well of Lin Xiuyuan, even concluding, “At most he’s lusting after Ji-yeon’s body. But with his figure, Ji-yeon seems to profit more.”
“Hahaha, older sister what conclusion is that? No one says it like that.” Park Hyomin laughed wildly.
“Exactly, that figure—impact speed, terrifying just thinking.”
Even Ham Eun-jung couldn’t stand it, crying-laughing as she called, “Older sister stop. They’re right there.”
She worried if not stopping Lee Ji-eun, this older sister would say anything.
But Lee Ji-eun kept going, “What are you pretending for? Look at Xiuyuan over there—I don’t believe you don’t feel moved.”
With that, the group looked over.
At the grill, Lin Xiuyuan stood bare-chested, in light casual shorts, black flip-flops on feet.
Sunlight poured from above, plating a fine sheen on his slightly tanned skin. His defined shoulders, back, and arm lines showed power in every meat-slice flip.
Hot flames quietly licked the grill, occasional charcoal smoke wisps making his figure hazy.
Sweat slid slowly from his temple, down chin to collarbone, snaking along chest, finally vanishing into the mermaid line and shark muscle grooves.
He seemed oblivious, head down focused on flipping grill ingredients, brows and eyes clear with seriousness.
Lee Ji-eun half-leaned under the parasol, gaze after speaking never leaving that slightly sweating upper body.
“Don’t you think Xiuyuan’s figure is too foul?”
“A bit.”
“Definitely eye-catching.”
For a moment, silence, then all nodded.
A bit later, Big Dragon Cub returned to the group, instantly surrounded by Park Hyomin and Sunny, pulled into water for new merriment.
When back ashore again, Ham Eun-jung, who hadn’t gone in much, suddenly spoke, “Right, Ji-yeon, what birthday gift do you want most this time? Tell us, see if we got it right.”
“Gift?”
Big Dragon Cub, re-draped in bath towel, softly repeated, gaze wandering for an instant.
Moments later, she smiled, bright as ever, “Mm~ Actually I don’t want anything. Everyone agreeing to wear swimsuits and go crazy with me like this—I’m already super happy.”
“How’s that crazy? We’re having fun too.” Sunny jumped in quick—her emotional intelligence always leading the crowd.
“Yeah yeah.” Then her screen nodded too.
Comforted, Big Dragon Cub smiled happier, eyes glancing at the grill boy, smiling as she watched.
Lips curved lightly, she softly replied, “If I have to say the most wanted gift, there—see.”
Crowd startled, following her gaze.
Lin Xiuyuan at charcoal fire, sweat like threads, gaze firm, moves skilled.
Light and shadow outlining the youth’s contours, just like summer’s most heart-stirring heatwave.
“I think… my most wanted birthday gift tonight… is him.”
Monthly Ticket!
