Chapter 159: Lee Ji-eun: “i’m Looking For You To Fuck Me This Month”
At noon in June, sunlight filtered through the gaps between high-rises, sprinkling onto the city streets, like time that had been ironed flat, silent and bright.
Inside a high-rise Western restaurant in Seoul’s Gangnam District, Lee Ji-eun was leaning against the booth seat by the window, wearing a pink oversized shirt.
The soft fabric draped along her figure, making her look both languid and refined, with an especially vacation-like vibe.
Propping her chin with her left hand, she gazed boredly around, her eyes casually drifting to the rooftop not far away. Originally just wanting to zone out, but the next second, her gaze suddenly froze.
She narrowed her eyes, as if to confirm some fact.
Then she leaned forward a bit more, and a few seconds later, the corners of her mouth lightly curved up as she picked up her mobile phone and dialed.
Sitting across from her, Park Hyomin was flipping through the menu with her head down. Today she was dressed simply yet elegantly; a black fitted long-sleeved T-shirt outlined her beautiful upper body lines, with a large opening at the back that faintly revealed a touch of sexiness.
Hearing Lee Ji-eun actually make a call, Park Hyomin looked up at her. “What’s up? Who are you calling?”
“Guess?” Lee Ji-eun didn’t answer directly, instead smiling as she held up her mobile phone.
After a few rings on the other end, the call connected, and Lin Xiuyuan’s voice came through. “Hello, Ji-eun?”
Lee Ji-eun smiled slightly, her gaze still fixed on that rooftop. “Xiuyuan, I see you~”
On the rooftop side, Lin Xiuyuan was listening to the phone while fiddling with the corner of the table with his head down.
Then, upon hearing this, he jerked his head up, instinctively looking around, but saw nothing.
“Huh? Where did you see me? I don’t see you.”
“Oh, Taeyeon is there too? Lunch date?”
Lee Ji-eun deliberately changed the subject, her tone carrying a bit of teasing, like banter or a deliberate probe without spelling it out.
“Just eating, what are you thinking about this open-air spot.”
Lin Xiuyuan replied with a helpless laugh, then quickly added, “So where exactly are you? Out for food too? You guys are really everywhere.”
Lee Ji-eun didn’t respond directly, just drawled, “Yeah, Hyomin and I are planning to play golf this afternoon. So lunch is casual, and we ran into you. Fate~”
“Where exactly? Don’t keep me in suspense.” Lin Xiuyuan helplessly rubbed his temple, his eyes still scanning wildly around.
Seeing this, Kim Tae Yeon sitting across from him understood what was happening and cooperated by looking around too.
But with her eyesight, whether she could see anything was questionable.
Suddenly, Lin Xiuyuan’s gaze paused slightly as it swept in a certain direction. His eyes narrowed, and he immediately spotted the familiar figure half-leaning behind a glass window on a certain floor of the high-rise across the street, just beyond the rooftop.
As Lin Xiuyuan looked over, Lee Ji-eun smiled brightly at him and waved her hand. “Hi~”
“What the fck, I thought you were in a restaurant over here.” Lin Xiuyuan laughed in surprise too.
“Want to come over together?” Lee Ji-eun asked.
Park Hyomin across from her was a bit surprised but didn’t show any opposition.
But Lin Xiuyuan politely declined. “Nah, next time when there’s a chance. Enjoy your meal.”
“Alright, then I won’t disturb you. You too… take your time chatting.”
After hanging up, Lee Ji-eun put her mobile phone back on the table, but her gaze remained on Lin Xiuyuan on the opposite rooftop, her face always wearing that faint, ambiguous smile.
“Why did you specially call him?” Park Hyomin couldn’t help asking.
Facing the question, Lee Ji-eun lifted her chin, gesturing for her to look outside the window toward the rooftop. “That table by the edge of the opposite rooftop, Xiuyuan and Taeyeon. See them?”
Park Hyomin followed her gaze and soon spotted the familiar pair on the rooftop, her brows slightly raised in surprise. “Huh? When did these two… get so familiar?”
“Who knows, maybe like Ji-yeon, she likes younger guys.” Lee Ji-eun blinked, not spelling it out completely.
At this answer, Park Hyomin chuckled lightly, fiddling with her straw. “Speaking of Ji-yeon, she came looking for me as soon as she got back. Unnie, do you know what she was up to?”
“Resting at home.”
Thinking of the situation the night before last, Lee Ji-eun took a sip of juice. “But I heard she signed up for a tennis course, planning to practice properly.”
Park Hyomin was shocked. “Ah?”
……
Meanwhile, at the rooftop restaurant.
After hanging up, Lin Xiuyuan flipped his mobile phone over and casually set it on the table, looking up to meet Kim Tae Yeon’s slightly curious gaze.
“You and Ji-eun… what’s your relationship? Feels like you’re getting closer.”
She asked unhurriedly, her tone calm with a hint of deliberately suppressed gossip. It amused Lin Xiuyuan. “Friends, Taeyeon. What else could it be?”
The answer was natural and casual, without the slightest hesitation.
“Ha~” Kim Tae Yeon smiled lightly, but her eyes were appraising. “It’s not what I think, it’s that I’m afraid you have ulterior motives, kid. Take it easy, Xiuyuan. That age gap between you two, hmm.”
Her last remark was like teasing mixed with a kind reminder.
Hearing this, Lin Xiuyuan raised a brow at her, his expression half-smiling. “Taeyeon, you seem to be like that with Ji-eun too…”
But before he finished, Kim Tae Yeon’s smile tightened, and she narrowed her eyes.
Spotting that Lin Xiuyuan wanted to continue, she quickly reached out to swat him, but he dodged cleverly while laughing.
“Don’t use me as an example.”
As she spoke, Kim Tae Yeon’s lips pursed, her whole demeanor slightly rattled by his one sentence.
“Doesn’t that just show I’m well-liked, approachable, age no boundaries?” Lin Xiuyuan grinned smugly.
Just as the two were bantering back and forth happily, the server pushed a cart over slowly and placed the meal trays on the table one by one.
“Enjoy your meal.” The server smiled and left, and the rooftop returned to quiet.
Seeing fried chicken on the table, Lin Xiuyuan quickly called out to stop the server. “Excuse me, could we get two cans of iced Coke, original, thanks.”
Hearing this, Kim Tae Yeon immediately looked up at Lin Xiuyuan, her eyes curious.
Moments later, the server brought the Coke, and Lin Xiuyuan smoothly opened one and handed it to Kim Tae Yeon. “Here, you can’t eat fried chicken without Coke, right?”
“Yeah, totally right. Thanks, Xiuyuan.”
Kim Tae Yeon was a bit surprised taking the Coke, but her smile was very happy.
Then she looked at the fried chicken on the table, her gaze landing on the dipping sauce nearby. Before she could speak, Lin Xiuyuan beat her to it. “Taeyeon, do you like it with dipping sauce?”
“Ah, I’m fine either way.”
Kim Tae Yeon instinctively toned down, as she rarely made requests, not wanting to burden friends with her tastes.
After all, she was the type who wasn’t used to troubling others.
Then she heard Lin Xiuyuan laugh. “Then original flavor it is. Eating fried chicken without original would be such a waste, right, Taeyeon?”
These two small details made Kim Tae Yeon delighted, her small hand touching the chilled Coke can, lifting her eyes slightly to Lin Xiuyuan across from her. She suddenly asked, “Did Yoona tell you my preferences?”
“Yoona? No.” Lin Xiuyuan answered honestly.
After all, it really wasn’t Im Yoon Ah who said it, but you yourself from 2013, and Sunny over there, the little sun.
Hearing this, the probing Kim Tae Yeon was even happier. “Didn’t expect our tastes to match so well.”
“Fate.”
As Lin Xiuyuan said these three words, the atmosphere between them quieted for a moment.
Then Kim Tae Yeon, who had been cutting the steak on her plate, suddenly looked up at him as if remembering something, her tone more serious. “Right, Xiuyuan, actually I asked you out today to formally invite you to my concert on Hong Kong Island.”
Lin Xiuyuan was holding his water cup about to drink, pausing slightly at this, looking at her in surprise. “Just for this? And specially for lunch?”
“That surprising?”
“A bit. For this… couldn’t you just call? Why make it so formal? I thought something was up.”
“Last time I messaged you, right? And you rejected with ‘schedule too tight.'”
Kim Tae Yeon glanced at him, teasing yet smiling.
Called out, Lin Xiuyuan touched his nose. “That was really unexpected, not pushing on purpose. I was…”
“Okay, okay.” Kim Tae Yeon waved to cut him off. “Past is past. Anyway, I learned my lesson this time, inviting you in person. See if you can run now.”
Lin Xiuyuan chuckled. “You really are…”
“I didn’t just invite you alone.” Kim Tae Yeon smiled lightly, looking at Lin Xiuyuan with interest.
“I asked Yoona to come too, though her schedule is iffy now, but should be fine. You’ll have company then, won’t be too bored.”
“Yoona too?” Lin Xiuyuan softly repeated, a bit surprised.
The two who had just parted last night, and he hadn’t heard Im Yoon Ah mention it. Normally, she probably wouldn’t invite him along.
He was supposed to keep a low profile; how could he openly go to a concert and sit with Im Yoon Ah?
“Yeah.” Kim Tae Yeon lowered her head to cut steak, voice calm. “You two have been hanging out lately, right? Thought maybe during the concert, we could all rest a few days together.”
As she said this, a faint sly glint flashed in her eyes.
Kim Tae Yeon clearly remembered Yoona’s words yesterday: “I like Xiuyuan.”
With years of sisterly tacit understanding, she knew Im Yoon Ah’s personality well; if she truly said “like,” it absolutely wasn’t a joke, nor casual teasing with her.
So she wanted to use this Hong Kong concert to specially arrange a “group invite” for these two—not deliberate matchmaking, but intentionally creating space.
Give them more chances to interact, and maybe it would happen naturally.
Also considered helping out her second maknae.
Though the guy was a bit young, love doesn’t care about size, only passion does.
However, Kim Tae Yeon’s careful arrangement earned a meaningful look from Lin Xiuyuan.
He didn’t speak, but his smile gradually widened, ending in a laughing sigh. “Ah~ Haha, I’m dying. Taeyeon, what have you been imagining?”
“What? Did I say something wrong?” Kim Tae Yeon was surprised at his reaction.
“Don’t know how to respond, so how about this: I’ll chat with Yoona later, see if we go together.”
Lin Xiuyuan waved it off, not explaining much.
……
Meanwhile, in a corner of the rooftop restaurant.
Bae Joo Hyun sat near the railing, with clusters of green plants swaying in the wind behind her. Sunlight filtered through gaps, falling on her smooth hair strands and beige skirt hem, like a serene summer painting.
She was poking at the fruit salad on her plate with a fork, listening to her friend across from her talk about fun stories from the practice room, nodding occasionally and responding briefly.
“Then that person just said in the group chat ‘I dare you to mess up again’… hahaha, isn’t that ridiculous?”
Her friend said this while handing over a slice of orange.
Bae Joo Hyun politely took it, but her peripheral vision stayed on a table not far away.
That was the pair she’d noticed since they entered.
At first she wasn’t sure, until he took off his sunglasses, then Bae Joo Hyun confirmed the woman dressed simply but with exceptional aura.
It really was the senior from the company, Girls’ Generation’s Kim Tae Yeon.
But what intrigued her more wasn’t this senior, but the guy sitting across from her.
He was dressed simply, didn’t seem like an industry person, young clean features, but very unfamiliar.
Yet the casual intimacy in their conversation made it clear at a glance that their relationship wasn’t simple—or rather, quite close.
“Hm?” The friend across noticed her wandering gaze and curiously followed it. “What are you looking at?”
“Nothing… just saw Taeyeon senior.” Bae Joo Hyun said casually, not pulling her gaze back.
Her eyes held a hint of doubt and interest: Kim Tae Yeon was usually low-key and quiet, rarely dining alone with men in public. Why today? And the atmosphere clearly wasn’t work-related.
She glanced over again, pretending casual.
Over there, Kim Tae Yeon was smiling while talking, picking up the water cup to refill for him, while the guy turned sideways responding, voice not loud but aura natural, like they’d known each other forever.
Bae Joo Hyun lightly bit her straw, eyes brightening slightly. She suddenly found it interesting.
But before her curiosity could build, the scene suddenly changed.
Because Bae Joo Hyun saw a sexy figure approaching from the elevator direction—one she recognized, Tara member and senior Lee Ji-eun.
In her view, Lee Ji-eun walked straight to that table, unhesitatingly leaning close to the guy’s side.
The next scene made Bae Joo Hyun nearly forget to set down her juice, instinctively sitting up straighter, her gaze quietly following.
Because Lee Ji-eun leaned down laughing, almost pressing against the guy’s shoulder, face to face in that instant.
Even without hearing the words, the tacit understanding in their gazes, and after the whisper, Lee Ji-eun lightly patted his shoulder, nodded smilingly to Kim Tae Yeon, and left goodbye— the whole motion natural as could be.
Yet intimate enough to surprise.
“Whoa, that’s Tara’s Lee Ji-eun senior, right? Greeting Taeyeon senior? Who’s that guy?”
The friend across noticed too, asking curiously.
“Seems… more than a greeting.” Bae Joo Hyun swallowed, voice low, not noticing her tone drifting.
She looked back at the table. Kim Tae Yeon sat calmly, sipping lemon water with head slightly down, while the guy leaned relaxed on the chair back, as if that scene was nothing.
Interesting.
Bae Joo Hyun blinked lightly, her interest quietly shifting direction.
She was originally just curious why Kim Tae Yeon senior would dine alone with a young man in such an open setting.
But now, she wanted to know more: who exactly was this guy?
Able to have Kim Tae Yeon senior gladly meet up, and Lee Ji-eun senior whisper close and pat goodbye.
What was his background?
……
More than ten minutes earlier.
In the neighboring high-rise restaurant, after ordering, Lee Ji-eun couldn’t focus on the menu or topics on the table.
One hand pinching the straw, absently stirring her lemon sparkling water, her gaze subtly drifting out the window toward the opposite rooftop.
That familiar blonde hair and the male silhouette leaning not far away—she knew who without confirming.
“What’s wrong?” Park Hyomin across from her smiled after eating a pre-meal snack. “Unnie, you’re off today, soul not even here.”
“Hm? Am I?”
Lee Ji-eun clicked her tongue lightly with a faint smile, then set down the straw. “Wait a sec, I need the restroom.”
Saying restroom, she stood directly, grabbed her mobile phone casually, pushed back her chair—actions crisp.
Then without hesitation, she took the elevator down, crossed the sidewalk to the opposite building.
Her pace unhurried, yet carried a “certain” urgency.
She didn’t fully understand why this impulse hit, but since the talk with Big Dragon Cub the night before last, that fair glowing face was nailed in her mind, unremovable.
And the name Lin Xiuyuan.
Now for her, it was more than just “chance acquaintance.”
With complex emotions, Lee Ji-eun entered the opposite building, took the elevator straight to the rooftop.
Though not a member here, with her familiar face and “meeting Kim Tae Yeon” excuse, the server hesitated briefly then let her through.
The moment she pushed open the door to the rooftop restaurant, sunlight slanted in; her gaze swept and locked on the target.
The one she and Ji-yeon teasingly called the little golden retriever—Lin Xiuyuan.
He was saying something, expression lazy with a hint of smile from Kim Tae Yeon’s teasing.
Kim Tae Yeon held her water cup, elegantly smiling back; their atmosphere quite natural.
But at that moment, Lee Ji-eun didn’t care what they were saying.
She walked straight over, light flat shoes steady and calm on the wooden floor.
Until Lee Ji-eun stood by Lin Xiuyuan’s seat, Kim Tae Yeon looked up first, pausing. “…Huh, Ji-eun?”
Hearing the sound, Lin Xiuyuan turned too, clearly stunned. “How are you here… Weren’t you across?”
He turned to look at the neighboring building; at her original spot, only Park Hyomin remained.
And the next second.
“Xiuyuan.”
Lee Ji-eun called softly, tone calm.
Then suddenly she leaned close, her cheek nearly against his jaw and neck—distance intimate like old friends, or a rehearsed tacit performance.
Kim Tae Yeon’s movement stalled, fingers pausing, eyes narrowing.
Even Lin Xiuyuan instinctively wanted to lean back but held still, not wanting to embarrass Lee Ji-eun.
“Save some time for me after eating. I need to talk to you.”
Lee Ji-eun’s tone gentle, with calm irresistibility.
This made Lin Xiuyuan freeze a moment, but before he spoke, she leaned closer, voice low. “I came in person; you won’t refuse me, right?”
He looked up, eyes meeting hers.
Lee Ji-eun’s gaze steady, yet with a trace of… expectation.
“…Okay.” He nodded.
Satisfied with the answer, Lee Ji-eun smiled faintly.
Then she straightened, smoothed her skirt, smiled lightly to Kim Tae Yeon. “Sorry to interrupt, Taeyeon. Just came to say a couple words to Xiuyuan.”
“No problem. Join us for lunch?” Kim Tae Yeon smiled back, eyes with a hint of inexplicable playfulness.
“No, Hyomin’s waiting across.” Lee Ji-eun shook her head lightly.
Then she turned, left the rooftop under server guidance, pace as calm as arrival. Until the elevator doors closed, she didn’t look back.
And this whole scene fell into Park Hyomin’s eyes behind the glass of the opposite building’s restaurant.
She had been sipping water casually when a glance spotted the familiar pink figure exit the elevator, cross the road into the opposite building—quick actions, determined expression.
When she saw Lee Ji-eun emerge from the rooftop elevator entrance, approach the couple and lean to the guy’s ear, Park Hyomin’s eyes widened.
“Ha? What’s unnie doing?” she muttered to herself, face full of shock.
Soon, Lee Ji-eun returned to the table composedly, as if she’d just gone down for a smoke.
But Park Hyomin seized the chance. “Unnie, where’d you go?”
“To the restroom, walked around outside.”
“Don’t fool me, I saw you go to the opposite building, the rooftop restaurant?” Park Hyomin widened her eyes, insistent. “What’d you say to Xiuyuan? No lying.”
Lee Ji-eun blinked, smiling shallowly without words. “It’s a secret, Hyomin.”
“Ah~ Unnie.” Park Hyomin laughed, raising her fork. “You aren’t trying to get a guy too, are you?”
Lee Ji-eun didn’t answer, just sipped sparkling water calmly, gaze meaningful.
“Hyomin, some things… you’ll understand when the time comes.”
Pausing, her lips curved slightly, like a casual joke or hidden certainty.
“But you… might have no chance already.”
……
Lin Xiuyuan’s gaze followed Lee Ji-eun’s high heels figure leaving the rooftop until she pushed the door out, then turned back to Kim Tae Yeon across.
Kim Tae Yeon propped her chin, teasing smile asking, “What whisper did Ji-eun say?”
“Hm?” Lin Xiuyuan seemed to snap back, casually brushing off. “Ah… just a couple words.”
“What do you mean a couple words? Faces were almost touching.” Kim Tae Yeon, rare curiosity piqued, pressed on, eyes hiding gossipy amusement. “Fight? Date? Or…”
Lin Xiuyuan coughed, picking up his water cup to cover. “How’s the weather today? Nice sun, light breeze, perfect for eating.”
Kim Tae Yeon stared speechlessly for three seconds, then snorted a laugh, rolling her eyes. “Fine, if you won’t say.”
“Just afraid you’d get jealous.” Lin Xiuyuan teased, taking the out.
“Who’d be jealous of you.” Kim Tae Yeon rolled her eyes, expression lively like hearing a joke.
The topic shifted quickly. Kim Tae Yeon ate lunch while chatting. “Right, the other day I was talking about your small tavern with Sunny.”
“Hm? What about?” Lin Xiuyuan looked up.
“She was curious about the membership system.” Kim Tae Yeon shook her head smiling. “Said she’d drag me over sometime to check it out, mooch some drinks.”
“Then I’d better prep sweet cocktails quick.” Lin Xiuyuan laughed. “Store’s just renovated, paint smell still fresh. Wait a few days for airing before official opening.”
“Remember to call me.” Kim Tae Yeon nodded, tone lightly expectant.
They chatted idly like this, teasing occasionally, atmosphere relaxed and harmonious. Until dessert arrived after the meal, time reaching around 1 PM.
Seeing Kim Tae Yeon pack up, Lin Xiuyuan raised a hand to call the server to pay, but she stopped him with a hand, laughing. “No need, I charged it. Membership restaurant.”
“Wasn’t I treating? You mooched another meal.” Lin Xiuyuan sighed amusedly.
Kim Tae Yeon said, “Then you owe me one. Remember to pay back.”
Lin Xiuyuan smiled and gave an OK gesture.
The two left the restaurant laughing. Lin Xiuyuan walked Kim Tae Yeon to her car in the underground parking lot, watching her get in and fasten her seatbelt before smiling and waving. “Drive safe.”
“Got it.” Kim Tae Yeon waved back smiling, car window rising slowly as the vehicle headed to the parking lot exit.
Lin Xiuyuan watched the car leave, just turning to head to his own when he suddenly spotted a figure approaching from the side.
It was Bae Joo Hyun.
She had just finished eating too, down to drive back, unexpectedly bumping into Lin Xiuyuan.
They met eyes, both a bit surprised, but just nodded smiling as a silent greeting.
Lin Xiuyuan nodded slightly, then looked away and continued walking, pace normal.
Bae Joo Hyun stood there a moment, gazing at his back slightly lost in thought, recalling the scenes from the rooftop.
“Who exactly is this person?”
She murmured in her mind, inexplicably more curious about the guy.
Leaving the parking lot, Lin Xiuyuan walked to the alley entrance where he’d parked before, got in his car and started it, fingers tapping the steering wheel lightly but not driving off immediately.
About ten minutes later, the front passenger door opened.
Lee Ji-eun, in her pink shirt with skirt swaying lightly, sat in, casually placing her bag on her knees, then turned to look at him.
“Wait long?”
“Not bad, just came down too. But ditching Hyomin like this, she won’t blame me, right?” Lin Xiuyuan smiled through pursed lips.
Hearing him out, Lee Ji-eun laughed and pointed to a sports car not far. “Hyomin’s right there. Wanna get out and ask?”
Lin Xiuyuan paused, looking up to see only taillights speeding away.
This made him glance at Lee Ji-eun, asking lowly, “That means she’s blaming me, right?”
“Hahaha, ask her then. Haha, drive quick.”
“Where to? What’s up?”
Lee Ji-eun looked at him, lips curving. “To your small tavern. Talk after.”
This time, Lin Xiuyuan said no more, just nodded, turned the steering wheel, hit the accelerator, and the car smoothly left.
Sun bright, day early, city still bustling.
……
……
2013. SM Entertainment.
In the practice room, air still held sweat and lingering audio vibrations.
Sulli lay on the floor, breathing slightly disordered, staring at the ceiling, long hair messily around her, fair forehead damp with sweat. Like a kid after a dance show, exhausted and uncomposed.
“So tiring.” She complained, yet with a hint of satisfaction.
Victoria crouched, handing a water bottle, voice gentle. “Snowball, have you been pushing too hard lately? You can relax a bit.”
Saying this, Victoria was genuinely worried about Sulli; in this half a month, Sulli’s personality change grew day by day.
But one good thing: Sulli’s smiles increased, no longer sitting dazed in corners with empty eyes.
Sulli turned to look at her, smiling. “I’m fine, V mom. Just practicing dance, no other work.”
“I’m not talking rehearsal, it’s… your recent state. Feels like you’re super busy.” Victoria said carefully, brows worried.
Hearing this, Sulli paused clearly, but hard to explain much.
So she blinked, slowly sat up, back against the mirror wall, hand hooking the sweat towel to dab her temple. “Don’t worry, V mom. Really fine, just keeping busy lately.”
Then she smiled, turned to Jung Soo Jung by the water dispenser. “Soo Jung, come, got something to tell you.”
“Hm?” Jung Soo Jung turned back biting her straw, eyes slightly tired.
“Remember that script I told you about? The one I wrote. Recently submitted to the TV station, contacted investors, ready to start.”
“Really?” Jung Soo Jung surprised.
“Preliminary plan to start filming end of next month, crew prepping. So get ready.” Sulli added.
“Ready? Wait, ready for what? I have a role?” Jung Soo Jung tilted her head, not fully getting it.
“Gain weight.” Sulli laughed looking at her. “Your role isn’t some cool aloof beauty. Can’t be stick-thin; eat up to look like a weightlifter.”
The practice room fell briefly silent.
Nearby, Amber just sipped a sports drink and nearly choked. “Sulli, what? Your script’s actually getting filmed?”
Luna’s eyes widened too. They knew Sulli was writing a script, but not that it was really going into production.
Even Victoria, just done talking to Sulli, looked up astonished. “Sulli, didn’t you just start writing it? How…?”
“Wrote it long ago, just finishing and polishing lately.”
Sulli couldn’t say she just ‘copied’ it, so patched quickly. “End of last year, no social life anyway, wrote when free. Inspiration unstoppable.”
“But who invested?” Luna incredulous. “We thought you were just writing for fun.”
“Yeah… started as fun.”
Sulli nodded, smile turning serious as she bluffed. “But writing it, I really wanted to film it. Love the story, want more to see it.”
“Did you tell the company?” Jung Soo Jung asked instinctively.
“Not yet.” Sulli looked at her, gaze earnest and gentle. “So Soo Jung, report to the company. Role not random; wrote it for you. If company okays, you’re the female lead.”
This sentence plunged the practice room into unbelievable silence again.
Jung Soo Jung opened her mouth, seeming to want to speak, but no sound came.
Sulli sat quietly, gripping her water bottle, eyes bright and clear, like a lake under afternoon sun, gentle and firm.
Victoria watching her felt a daze.
The once silent, low lost little sister seemed truly transforming quietly into a driver gripping the wheel toward the future.
Same time, Girls’ Generation members finally learned Lin Xiaolu passed Kim Eun Sook and SBS TV station audition, officially landing the female lead in The Heirs.
After all, with this morning’s formal signing and news release, it was settled.
“Really? Yoona unnie, you got Kim Eun Sook writer’s script female lead?” Seo Hyun held her mobile phone, shocked with subtle emotions.
“What, can’t I?” Lin Xiaolu smiled at her.
“No, not that.” Seo Hyun waved quickly. “Just… surprised, whoa.”
Though a bit envious, not jealous enough.
Then Choi Soo Young chimed in nearby, tone fluctuating slightly. “Yoona, heard competition for this script role was fierce, Park Shin Hye auditioned too?”
“Yeah, saw her right after my audition.” Lin Xiaolu answered calmly.
“Heard other actors too, didn’t expect you to get it. Unbelievable, your acting improved so fast?” Tiffany popped up curiously.
With her words, all eyes focused on Lin Xiaolu.
Unable to explain, Lin Xiaolu saw Jung Soo Yeon enter and immediately went to link arms. “Heehee, thanks to Soo Yeon unnie. She got me an acting coach for last-minute tutoring.”
“Acting coach?” Everyone asked together.
“Soo Yeon unnie knows someone in that?” Someone surprised.
“Too amazing, snagging Kim writer’s female lead just like that.”
“…”
Watching encircled Jung Soo Yeon and Lin Xiaolu, Sunny sidled to Kim Tae Yeon. “Taeyeon, know where Soo Yeon found the acting coach?”
“No idea, Sunny. You know?” The tone made Kim Tae Yeon instinctively ask back.
“Heehee, of course.” Sunny smiled.
Back then Lin Xiaolu didn’t know the small tavern secret, so told her about the ‘acting coach,’ not detailing much.
But that was enough to pique Kim Tae Yeon, grabbing Sunny’s hand. “Who?”
“Don’t know who.”
Kim Tae Yeon paused, then glared dissatisfied. “Then why say anything?”
But Sunny continued, “Heard it’s a member of Xiuyuan’s small tavern. Thought it was a joke or casual tutoring, but it actually worked. So surprising.”
“Member of Xiuyuan’s tavern?” Kim Tae Yeon’s eyes widened.
“Yeah, Yoona told me then, but when I asked who later, she clammed up. Said the person doesn’t want exposure, so I dropped it.”
After hearing, Kim Tae Yeon pursed her small lips, brows furrowed slightly. “Member again. Xiuyuan’s small tavern is too mysterious.”
“Yes, wanna join membership, but he said ‘if I like the look.’ Pissed me off.”
“Hahaha, wonder if I’d catch his eye.”
“Taeyeon, ask him.”
“Next time.”
……
……
Back to 2025.
Driving from the restaurant to the small tavern entrance, Lin Xiuyuan parked, turned to Lee Ji-eun in the front passenger seat.
“Here.”
Hearing him, Lee Ji-eun turned to the small tavern doorway, smiling. “Long time since here, Xiuyuan. When do I get a membership? Hard finding a drinking spot.”
“When there’s a chance.”
Lin Xiuyuan smiled back, turned off engine and got out.
He went to the tavern door, opened it, turned on lights and equipment.
Lee Ji-eun following curiously toured the place. Not her first time, but previously not familiar and others present, couldn’t explore freely. Now she could take her time.
A while later.
“Right, Ji-eun.” Lin Xiuyuan finished adjusting equipment, looked at her. “You haven’t said why you wanted me.”
“Want you to… do me…”
Lee Ji-eun looked smilingly, tone light with playfulness.
“???”
“Joking, just need your help with something.”
Ten Thousand Daily ends, thanks to godfathers for support and votes.
Then monthly tickets over 12K, Ten Thousand Daily +3.
Ten Thousand Daily progress bar: 39/47.
Begging monthly tickets, subscriptions, subscriptions, rewards, everything!!!!
