Chapter 130: “whose Lipstick Mark Is This?”
Half-Mountain Villa, noon.
After a busy morning, Lin Xiuyuan finally came downstairs lazily with Big Dragon Cub.
When they reached the living room, he heard Big Dragon Cub casually say something, then immediately stopped in his tracks and looked back at her in surprise: “So this villa is Qri’s?”
“Mm.”
Big Dragon Cub behind him stretched her limbs while responding softly, “Older sister made quite a bit of money from investments a few years ago, and this villa was bought last year when housing prices dropped.”
As she spoke, she stood up and looked at Lin Xiuyuan, “Xiuyuan, I’m hungry.”
“I’ll see what ingredients there are and make you some food.”
“No need, let’s go out to eat.” She waved her hand, “It’s too messy here. Older sister said she’s already called the housekeeping aunt, who’ll be here soon.”
Lin Xiuyuan, who was about to enter the kitchen, raised an eyebrow, “Alright, then let’s go. Heading out, do we need to tidy up the clothes and stuff?”
“No need, let the aunt handle it. Let’s go, let’s go.”
Big Dragon Cub was already impatiently walking forward, familiarly linking her arm with Lin Xiuyuan’s and pulling him out of the villa.
The natural intimacy in her movements was worlds apart from yesterday.
After starting the car, Lin Xiuyuan glanced at her.
Big Dragon Cub was steadily leaning back in the front passenger seat, wearing a black camisole top paired with loose white long pants. The overall look was simple yet stylish, exuding a lazy and upscale vibe.
Her long hair was slightly wavy, casually draped over her shoulders, shimmering with a soft luster in the clear sunlight, making her look just like the “story-filled” female lead from a photo shoot.
Lin Xiuyuan couldn’t help but stare in fascination.
Seeing Lin Xiuyuan spacing out while looking at her again, Big Dragon Cub was delighted deep down, after all, it meant her charm hadn’t diminished over the years.
Still, she waved her hand in front of his eyes, “What are you spacing out for, Xiuyuan? Let’s go.”
“It’s still hard to believe what happened last night.” Lin Xiuyuan sighed.
“Count yourself lucky.” Big Dragon Cub pursed her lips in a light smile, her gaze bright.
Lin Xiuyuan then teased casually, “So, may I ask Ms. Park Ji-yeon, how did Cao Fan feel last night? Care to share your thought process with this true love fan?”
At these words, Big Dragon Cub clearly froze for a moment, as if she’d never seen him act so shamelessly.
But soon after, she couldn’t help bursting into laughter: “Hey… Xiuyuan, you…”
Laughing, she leaned closer, her eyes crinkling, “If you’d said that last night, I might’ve felt even more stimulated. Seriously, I hadn’t even thought of that. Oh man, what a shame.”
“You’re impressive.”
Seeing Big Dragon Cub’s eager little expression, Lin Xiuyuan chuckled outright and gave her the highest honor a guy could offer.
Then he stepped on the accelerator, and the car sped off, leaving Half-Mountain Villa behind.
By the time Lin Xiuyuan returned to his own villa in Gangnam District, it was already afternoon.
He’d had lunch alone with Big Dragon Cub at noon, then accompanied her for a spa session before they each went their separate ways.
Upon returning to the villa, he immediately headed over to the 2013 side.
But since he’d mentioned in the group chat beforehand that he was ‘busy,’ no one had looked for him yesterday. Just two minutes after he popped up in the group and said ‘work,’ Jung Soo Yeon’s phone call came in.
Curious, Lin Xiuyuan picked up, “Hey, Sulli.”
“Done celebrating Ji-yeon’s birthday?”
Jung Soo Yeon dropped a bombshell right away, startling Lin Xiuyuan, “Y… no, what birthday? Ji-yeon already celebrated hers the night before last.”
She didn’t respond, just let out a light “hehe.”
Lin Xiuyuan immediately felt a chill down his back, sweat breaking out.
Moments later, she continued from the other end, “Too lazy to expose you. I’ll send you an address—come over. I need to talk to you.”
“Urgent? If not, I need to use the restroom first.”
“…”
There was silence on her end. If Lin Xiuyuan were standing in front of her right now, he could probably see the vein throbbing on her forehead, her face dark as a storm cloud.
“When are you going to fix that damn habit of yours, Lin Xiuyuan? Hurry up!!!”
“Got it.”
…
…
Around 5 p.m. in 2013.
Driving the barely used new Land Rover, Lin Xiuyuan followed Jung Soo Yeon’s directions to a sloped area.
After parking steadily, he pulled out his mobile phone to call her. It rang twice before she picked up.
“I see you. Get out and look up.”
Though surprised, Lin Xiuyuan turned off the engine and got out, looking up at the surrounding buildings.
He soon spotted Jung Soo Yeon waving from the rooftop of a 4-story building diagonally across, and asked puzzledly, “Why’d you go up there?”
“Quit nagging, hurry over.” Her tone was curt. “Oh, right—grab two bottles of soda water from the convenience store on the way. Hanging up.”
After putting down the phone, Lin Xiuyuan didn’t quite get why two bottles but still brought them up to Jung Soo Yeon. Then, right beside her, he saw the younger version of Kim Tae Yeon from just a few days ago when they’d sat down for a meal—Little Kim, Tae Little Soft, Kim Twitchy.
“Hi, nice to meet you.”
Seeing Lin Xiuyuan again, Kim Tae Yeon proactively greeted him this time.
Lin Xiuyuan naturally responded politely, nodding slightly and extending his right hand, “Hello, I’m Lin Xiuyuan.”
“I’m Kim Tae Yeon.”
Jung Soo Yeon, standing nearby, couldn’t help but snark, “First time meeting?”
“Didn’t get a chance to greet last time.”
Kim Tae Yeon smiled lightly, withdrawing her small hand, “Nice to meet you, Boss Lin. I’ve heard Sulli and Yoona mention you a lot lately. It was a shame we didn’t properly meet last time.”
“No no, Captain of Girls’ Generation—I’ve heard so much about you.”
After some pleasantries, Lin Xiuyuan handed the bag of soda water to Jung Soo Yeon, “Here, what you wanted. Why’d you call me over today?”
Taking the bag, Jung Soo Yeon gave one bottle to Kim Tae Yeon before saying, “If I called you over, obviously it’s for something.”
She then pointed to the space in front of them, “You see this factory, right?”
“Yeah, it’s pretty big. Leather goods processing?”
Answering casually, Lin Xiuyuan glanced around.
The whole floor was empty, with leather piled in the corner and several sewing machines sitting quietly on the workbenches.
As soon as he finished speaking, Jung Soo Yeon shared her idea, “What I want to say is to take this place over, then unify production of all my designs here—bags, clothes, small accessories, whatever. What do you think?”
Faced with Jung Soo Yeon’s pitch, Lin Xiuyuan didn’t answer right away but glanced at Kim Tae Yeon.
She was looking down drinking water, seemingly not too concerned.
Seeing that, Lin Xiuyuan then replied, “Sure, whatever. But if you’re not selling, it’d be like maintaining a team of employees for your private customization. It’ll cost a pretty penny.”
“No problem, I have money.”
Jung Soo Yeon’s response made Kim Tae Yeon burst out laughing.
Lin Xiuyuan was somewhat amused and exasperated, “I know you have money, but pure spending like this won’t be wasteful?”
Jung Soo Yeon’s retort was quite amusing, “Nah, if I really take this place, I can buy fewer clothes in the future. Invest the money I’d spend on clothes and bags here—in fact, I might even save some.”
“But as an idol, you can’t wear your own designs to important events, right?” Lin Xiuyuan was curious about that.
Jung Soo Yeon replied, “For important ones, I’ll wear brands. For unimportant, I prefer my own designs.”
With that, she looked at Kim Tae Yeon beside her, “Taeyeon, what do you think?”
Only then did Lin Xiuyuan realize why Jung Soo Yeon had called Kim Tae Yeon over.
Kim Tae Yeon wasn’t dumb and got the idea. She looked around before responding after a moment, “If you design and wear it yourself, as long as you don’t care what others say, what’s the problem? It’s not illegal and not making money, right?”
Her words sounded casual but hit the core.
No profit means no one can complain—it’s purely personal.
As long as it doesn’t involve commercial activities, it’s just self-entertainment.
Fame has no binding clauses from start to finish. As long as it doesn’t turn into cash, no one can criticize Jung Soo Yeon.
So Kim Tae Yeon’s answer made Jung Soo Yeon laugh, and she raised an eyebrow meaningfully at Lin Xiuyuan, “You hear that?”
Lin Xiuyuan shrugged, “Then go for it. Design something for me too when you do—I’m too lazy to buy clothes.”
“We’ll talk about that later,” Jung Soo Yeon’s gaze shifted, “The more important issue right now falls on you.”
Hearing this, Lin Xiuyuan was puzzled, “What do you mean?”
“I called you over to help me check this out—should I buy this place or rent it?”
Krystal had actually discussed real estate with them before, but today while checking it out, Kim Tae Yeon suggested buying would be more convenient, which made Jung Soo Yeon hesitate.
Perfect timing since Lin Xiuyuan had just returned from 2025, so Jung Soo Yeon called him over to ask while also meeting up.
Hearing Jung Soo Yeon’s question, Lin Xiuyuan didn’t hesitate, “Why buy? For personal use, just rent. When you disband later, for factory stuff, I still suggest moving overseas. The assembly lines here aren’t great.”
As soon as he spoke, there was a smack—Jung Soo Yeon unceremoniously slapped him, “Hey, what disband? Cursing us?”
She tried to follow up with a kick, but Lin Xiuyuan dodged in time and smiled apologetically at Kim Tae Yeon, “Sorry, mouth ran ahead.”
“No worries.” Kim Tae Yeon smiled lightly, “We’ve heard that stuff before, just first time someone’s said it to our faces.”
Kim Tae Yeon looked at Lin Xiuyuan curiously—someone Jung Soo Yeon would actually listen to when making choices.
And such intimate roughhousing, which she’d never seen with anyone else, not even Park Jung-soo oppa and the like.
After some back-and-forth, Jung Soo Yeon finally made up her mind, looking around, “Fine, listen to you—rent it. Turn it into my private studio for producing my designs, so I don’t have to keep asking friends for help every time.”
“Yeah, sounds good.” Lin Xiuyuan nodded.
Asking for favors is troublesome and incurs debts; do it too often, and designs might get stolen someday.
Better to be self-sufficient from the start than fall out later.
With consensus reached, Jung Soo Yeon turned toward the elevator, “Let’s go, it’s getting late. Find a place to eat first.”
“Ah, I’m not hungry.”
Lin Xiuyuan, fresh from a spa, really had no appetite—there’d been buffet tea snacks there, and he’d eaten his fill while waiting for Big Dragon Cub.
Unexpectedly, Jung Soo Yeon turned back and glared fiercely, “I’m hungry. Can’t you treat me to a meal?”
Lin Xiuyuan finally smiled, “Fine fine, let’s go. Should’ve said so earlier.”
“Can’t you have some awareness?” Jung Soo Yeon retorted.
“But I’m not hungry.” Lin Xiuyuan said.
Beside them, Kim Tae Yeon watched their bickering and smiled.
Until, lowering her gaze and lifting it again, her eyes caught something on the collar of Lin Xiuyuan’s pure white T-shirt that made her expression falter slightly.
A few minutes later, downstairs and back in the car, she glanced at Jung Soo Yeon in the front passenger seat.
After sharing the navigation address with Lin Xiuyuan, she casually asked, “Sulli, this Boss Lin—does he have a girlfriend?”
“Him? Girlfriend?”
The question stunned Jung Soo Yeon, who had just sent a text, and she shook her head, “Nah, this guy’s been busy running around lately. No time for romance.”
The next second.
Kim Tae Yeon smiled lightly, “But I saw a lipstick mark on his collar.”
Half an hour later.
Lin Xiuyuan pulled up to the navigation spot. Before he could get out, Jung Soo Yeon appeared roadside, standing by the car door with a smile at him.
Behind her, Kim Tae Yeon had an amused, curious, and amused expression.
As Lin Xiuyuan turned off the engine and got out, Jung Soo Yeon immediately grabbed his collar, startling him, “What the fck, what are you doing?”
Jung Soo Yeon didn’t reply, just tilted her head to look at the lipstick mark on his collar, staying quiet for two seconds.
Then she let go, impatiently patting his clothes, “Didn’t you know there’s dirt on your collar?”
She turned and walked into the nearby restaurant without looking back, leaving Lin Xiuyuan baffled by the car, trying to look down but unable to see where the dirt was.
Until Kim Tae Yeon walked over laughing and pointed it out, tapping the lipstick mark on his collar, “Right here, Boss Lin. Don’t you check the mirror before heading out?”
She chuckled lightly and entered the restaurant.
Lin Xiuyuan rushed straight to the restroom, then saw the red lip mark on his collar in the mirror. His mind flashed to that morning, returning from the suburbs to the city area with Big Dragon Cub, when they stopped to admire some scenery en route.
That amorous Dragon Cub had straddled him for a hot kiss lasting more than ten minutes—that mark must be from then.
Thinking of this, Lin Xiuyuan first smiled wryly, then washed his hands.
But he didn’t wipe the mark off with water, just casually wiped the sweat from his forehead.
Then he left the restroom, returned to the restaurant, and sat across from Jung Soo Yeon and Kim Tae Yeon.
Jung Soo Yeon glanced up at him and snorted coldly, but still handed him the menu amid Kim Tae Yeon’s laughter, “We’ve ordered. See what you want.”
Scanning the menu, Lin Xiuyuan ordered Thai royal fried rice and white-cut pork knuckle.
Once ordering was done, Kim Tae Yeon excused herself from the dining table, leaving Lin Xiuyuan and Jung Soo Yeon staring at each other.
Unable to stand the cold shoulder, Lin Xiuyuan spoke first, “Come on, is this cold violence necessary? Let me state upfront—I hate cold violence. Just say it straight.”
At that, Jung Soo Yeon got to the point, staring straight at him, “Fine, tell me—who’s lipstick mark is that?”
“Hold on, you asking doesn’t mean I have to answer.” Lin Xiuyuan’s lips curved into a smile.
But Jung Soo Yeon sneered, “Hmph, I can guess even if you don’t say. Definitely Ji-yeon’s, right? Gave herself to you for her birthday.”
She didn’t notice Lin Xiuyuan’s expression across from her as she spoke.
Gave herself away? Are you talking about Big Dragon Cub or me?
Jung Soo Yeon’s voice continued, a bit lower, her gaze slightly sullen as she looked at Lin Xiuyuan, “Happy now? Your married woman XP actually came true.”
“I have the right not to answer.”
Though Lin Xiuyuan’s XP was a bit unique and he was a bit lecherous, it didn’t mean he was a bad person.
If you like it, say so outright; teasing needs moderation.
But it was this attitude that made Jung Soo Yeon roll her eyes while her lips quietly quirked up.
She quickly composed herself, snorting coldly, “Take it easy. If Little Ji-yeon finds out, she’ll blow up. She was already pissed, and now you’ve been marked by her—haha.”
Lin Xiuyuan suddenly got interested, tilting his head at her, “What if the mark’s from Krystal?”
Clink~
The knife and fork nearby clinked, and Jung Soo Yeon grabbed them, eyes wide, “Believe I’ll kill you right now?”
Lin Xiuyuan leaned back slightly, amused yet exasperated.
How to explain he was also a victim?
Soon, Kim Tae Yeon returned to her seat, and servers brought the food.
During the meal, Lin Xiuyuan casually noticed Kim Tae Yeon eat just a few bites before setting down her utensils, and thoughtfully said, “Taeyeon xi, have you had no appetite lately? Is your stomach feeling off too?”
Lin Xiuyuan’s sudden remark startled both Kim Tae Yeon and Jung Soo Yeon; the former’s eyes widened, “Ah, a bit. How’d you tell, Boss Lin?”
“Tongue coating.” Lin Xiuyuan pointed to her mouth, “Yours is white and thick, indicating spleen-stomach cold deficiency or excess internal dampness, which can cause poor digestion and loss of appetite.”
Hearing this, Kim Tae Yeon’s eyes grew more surprised—her stomach had indeed been uncomfortable lately, and she’d considered going to the hospital. Unexpectedly, Lin Xiuyuan, whom she’d just met, nailed it.
Still shocked, she instinctively looked at Jung Soo Yeon beside her.
The latter waved her hands, “I didn’t say anything. I didn’t even know your stomach was off.”
Lin Xiuyuan smiled too, “No big deal, just offhand. But if it feels off, I personally suggest a hospital checkup to avoid small issues turning big—affecting schedules and not great for your health.”
Kim Tae Yeon was about to respond when a call interrupted; she smiled apologetically and left the table again.
With just the two left, Jung Soo Yeon couldn’t resist looking at Lin Xiuyuan, “When did you learn medicine? No pulse needed?”
“What are you thinking?” Lin Xiuyuan waved laughing, “Another Kim Tae Yeon told me. She said her gastritis flared up during the world tour, multiple hospital trips—early intervention might’ve made it less miserable.”
“And the tongue coating…”
“Reverse-engineer from symptoms—a quick Google search. If it matches, good enough.”
“Tch tch, like how you fooled me, huh.”
“This is called care.”
