Chapter 76: “ji-yeon, Are You Thirsty?”
……
Earlier in the tavern in 2013, when Sulli was sending Yoona to drive over, Xiuyuan was chatting messages with the just-awakened Ji-yeon in the tavern.
Then suddenly, the little dragon cub from that side said, “Oppa, do you know where my most sensitive spot is?”
“Huh?”
“Hehe, I’ll tell you.”
Xiuyuan asked in shock, “Ji-yeon, you’re getting harsher on yourself, that’s too dark.”
But the little dragon cub’s response was even more ruthless, “That’s the old woman, not me.”
“9!”
Truly impressive, this dragon cub.
……
Time returns to the small tavern in 2025.
Xiuyuan looked at the big dragon cub who had just stepped through the door, his gaze involuntarily drifting toward Soo Jung again.
But this time, it really wasn’t her fault.
Originally, Soo Jung was eating well with Yoona, and though the topic turned to Xiuyuan, it wasn’t enough for her to come over to find him.
Until midway, the big dragon cub suddenly sent her a message, roughly asking if Soo Jung had Xiuyuan’s contact info.
You think the last time the big dragon cub brought Hyo Min and others to knock on the door was because she didn’t want to call?
That’s because she hadn’t exchanged contact info with Xiuyuan.
With the two older sisters there at the time, how could the big dragon cub bring herself to ask?
She still had to save face.
Until today, looking at the heavy rain outside the window that had been falling for two days, feeling bored cooped up at home alone, she finally wanted to go out for a stroll.
Other places were already boring, but her own ‘true love fan’s’ newly opened small tavern seemed quite interesting, so she found Soo Jung.
When Soo Jung saw the message content, she was a bit surprised too, so she jokingly ‘bragged’ to Yoona, “Looks like besides you, older sister, Xiuyuan has others thinking about him too.”
“Hm?”
Yoona was stunned, then leaned over to glance at the message.
Then Soo Jung smiled at the big dragon cub, suggesting they gather at the small tavern, and she’d call Xiuyuan out to open the shop.
And so, Xiuyuan who had just come from 2013 was quickly ‘sold’ by Soo Jung in a blink.
Though if it was “sold to” Lin Dajun, he wouldn’t agree, but if “sold to” the big dragon cub, Xiuyuan actually had something to say.
Not to mention today’s big dragon cub was in even better form than before.
She wore a black flared-sleeve shirt, collar slightly open, soft yet structured fabric.
Perfectly tucked into high-waisted denim shorts, outlining her slender waist and long beautiful legs.
Those long legs exposed in the air, still strikingly white even under the dim lighting, knees bending and stretching smoothly as she walked, fluid lines carrying effortless tension.
Then with a faint fragrance, an unassuming yet inexplicably tense aura, she arrived beside Xiuyuan and Yoona.
She smiled casually, “Older sister, what are you chatting about, laughing so happily? Mind if I join?”
Yoona smiled, then scooted over a bit, making space for her, “Long time no see, Ji-yeon, come on. I came this time specifically to ask him how to join as a member.”
“Ah?” Xiuyuan looked at her somewhat surprised.
This wasn’t like the question he imagined; wasn’t this Lin Dajun here to consult about ‘Jung Soo Yeon’?
No, she wanted to infiltrate internally, planning to investigate the case herself directly.
Asking questions was unreliable; this woman only trusted her own eyes.
After figuring it out, Xiuyuan wasn’t as panicked as before; after all, membership spots were under his control—no nod or word from him, and no one could get in.
Hearing Yoona’s words, the big dragon cub also turned her gaze to her own ‘true love fan’, “Xiuyuan xi, I really want to know too. Aren’t you my fan? How come even I can’t get in, but Soo Jung can?”
“Didn’t we discuss that before? Uh, Ji-yeon, what would you like to drink? I’ll get it for you.”
Using the big dragon cub’s arrival as an excuse, Xiuyuan quickly distanced himself from Lin Dajun; this woman was way harder to handle than the Lin Xiaolu from 2013.
And indeed it was; after Xiuyuan asked that, and the big dragon cub smilingly ordered a drink.
Yoona chimed in from the side, “Ji-yeon, you know that phrase on the internet over there? ‘Younger guys who don’t call you sister have wild intentions.’”
At those words, not only the big dragon cub, but even Soo Jung who came over to sit, laughed and looked toward Xiuyuan at the bar counter.
Three women past their twenties, with undiminished beauty and even more alluring charm, all staring intently at one young boy—this scene, few could withstand.
Sure enough, Xiuyuan who also heard it felt a bit guilty, because he really had entertained some improper thoughts.
No way around it; faced with such an opportunity and situation, which guy wouldn’t have some thoughts?
Especially since Xiuyuan was a young guy in his early twenties, full of youthful vigor.
But being stared at, he couldn’t pretend not to hear, so helplessly he looked up toward the several smiling beauties on the sofa, each with their own charm.
“It’s not that I won’t call you, it’s just that saying ‘noona’ here feels a bit awkward for me. If you really want to hear it, I’ll just call you sister directly.”
Sister this, sister that, sister fragrant, sister cuddly—doesn’t that sound better than noona?
Luckily, as soon as he finished, Soo Jung laughed and teased, “Forget it, if you’re really willing to call it, I’d worry you have even more ideas. Just call me by name.”
This seemed like teasing, but was actually bailing him out.
“Haha, no problem, calling me by name makes me feel young too.” The big dragon cub laughed along, easing his embarrassment.
Seeing both react that way, Yoona grew even more curious; what was so good about that young boy?
But soon, as Xiuyuan brought the juice over, the big dragon cub slowly noticed something off.
Though while she was chatting with Yoona and Soo Jung, this ‘true love fan’ next to them stayed silent.
But that gaze… why did it make her body feel so hot?
Especially that burning gaze, since he sat down, it had hardly left below her jawline, trailing down her throat to the elegant curve of her collarbone hollow.
Like a scalding electric current, wandering along her skin.
She subconsciously swallowed, feeling her throat dry; the juice just brought had been drunk empty in minutes.
Her body also started heating up, as if tiny bugs were crawling under her skin, making her restless.
Yoona suddenly noticed her oddity and looked at her puzzled, “Ji-yeon, are you very thirsty?”
“A bit.”
She softly replied, her voice slightly hoarse.
Then swallowed saliva again, as if that could relieve the burning sensation of being stared at.
Her small hand involuntarily lifted, touching her own throat, trying to block that someone’s gaze with the motion.
And this action made Xiuyuan nearby cry out inwardly for mercy.
……
“Oppa, my sensitive spot is at the throat, that small section from the Adam’s apple to the collarbone hollow.”
“Ah, then that’s useless.”
“No, oppa, I’m very sensitive there; even staring too long feels uncomfortable, so…”
“Staring gives you a feeling? Ji-yeon, what kind of constitution is that?”
“Ah, oppa~ I meant the old woman.”
“Hard to imagine, sounds ridiculous. Plus, staring too long makes the gaze creepy and disgusting.”
“Not that kind of creepy stare, it’s a different feeling.”
“Ha~”
“Anyway, just try it and see. If she touches it with her hand, then I’m right.”
“Alright.”
“Mm-hmm, oppa~ good luck, consider this the interest on my pending membership fee; pay the rest later.”
……
Oh my god, little Ji-yeon’s sensitive spot is actually real.
Xiuyuan initially thought Park Ji-yeon was joking with him; after all, for sensitive spots, kisses or touches might work since there’s physical contact.
But just a gaze causing a reaction? That’s pure fantasy.
Who would’ve thought it was true.
While Xiuyuan was lost in thought, Soo Jung from over there suddenly called, “Xiuyuan, what are you doing, spacing out?”
Snapped back to reality, Xiuyuan’s expression froze, then he composed himself and looked at the others, “Ah, what’s up?”
“Why are you staring at Ji-yeon like that? Can’t you see she’s uncomfortable? Even as a fan, that’s not okay.”
Saying this, Soo Jung felt exasperated with Xiuyuan; clearly she had given him a hard lesson last night, yet today he was still so easily hooked away.
Fine, fine, young people are young people, falling for one after another.
And as her thought landed, Xiuyuan over there apologized to the big dragon cub, “Sorry, didn’t sleep well last night, zoned out.”
Hm?
Soo Jung’s eyes widened sharply, glaring at him hard.
Last night? You mean you ‘didn’t sleep well’ wherever you were last night, huh.
Glared at, Xiuyuan finally realized he’d picked the wrong excuse, so he dry laughed, fell silent, and said no more.
“No problem,” the big dragon cub smiled. “Right, Xiuyuan xi, let’s add contacts or friends.”
After accepting the apology, the big dragon cub, no longer bothered by that burning gaze, relaxed fully.
Then she said, “Since I can’t join your small tavern’s membership, sneaking over for a couple drinks and a rest when no one’s around should be fine, right?”
“Of course, uh, add Kakao?”
“Sure.”
And so, Xiuyuan and the big dragon cub added friends right there, ignoring everyone else, leaving Yoona stunned and glancing at Soo Jung.
In her view, this young cute boy should be Soo Jung’s exclusive; why no reaction?
Since that’s the case, she’d fan the flames.
Then she took out her mobile phone, opened the app, and smiled sweetly at Xiuyuan, “Xiuyuan xi, can I add too?”
“Of course, an honor.”
Adding was fine anyway; whether they chatted was another matter.
He usually chatted with Soo Jung and Yoo Jimin on TikTok while watching videos, rarely using Kakao unless for video calls or sending files.
So when Soo Jung saw Xiuyuan and the others add friends, she asked, “That settles today’s business, let’s go eat.”
“Where to eat, with this downpour.”
Yoona glanced at the drizzling rain outside the window and asked.
The big dragon cub added, “Soo Jung, any recommendations?”
“None.”
Hearing that, the two—no, three—suddenly exchanged looks.
Then.
“So…”
“Order takeout.” *3
The three said in unison and burst out laughing, sitting back down after starting to stand.
Yoona and Ji-yeon huddled to find restaurants, while Soo Jung went to the record player, putting on some mellow light music.
In the small tavern, laughter mingled with music, the atmosphere quietly warming up.
Are you thirsty?
