Chapter 167: “i’ll Take You To Jeonju Later”
In the silent restaurant, the sound of the spatula flipping in the kitchen grew crisper and sharper, as if also dispelling that trace of silent atmosphere at the dining table.
In just a few minutes, Sulli swiftly finished stir-frying the first dish of stir-fried chili with meat, the aroma hitting the nose.
“Coming up, Lin Xiaolu, don’t just stand there dumbfounded, move the things on the table to the side.”
When Lin Xiuyuan carried out that plate of enticingly colored, glossy and fragrant stir-fried chili with meat from the kitchen, the moment he spoke to break the silence, Lin Xiaolu finally came back to her senses.
She quickly cleared the tissues and cup from the table, then laid out the heat-resistant mats bought that afternoon.
And that alluring aroma also drew the gazes of Kim Tae Yeon and Jung Soo Yeon, then Jung Soo Yeon said in shock, “Wow, daebak, Jinjin, no wonder Yoona just said your culinary skill is great, this aroma is too amazing.”
Several plates of cold dishes were then successively brought to the table, prepared in advance, and delivered one by one by Lin Xiaolu who got up to help.
Lin Xiuyuan washed his hands and walked out of the kitchen, his gaze sweeping over the few people at the dining table, casually asking, “Want something to drink?”
Just as he asked, Lin Xiaolu poked her head out from the kitchen, laughing excitedly, “I want a Long Island Iced Tea, can I drink this time?”
Lin Xiuyuan glanced at her, then at Jung Soo Yeon beside her.
Then Jung Soo Yeon laughed too, “I want a Peach Oolong.”
“Eh? Oppa, you like this too?” Sulli’s voice came from the kitchen, “I want a Peach Oolong too, oppa~”
Then Im Yoon Ah smiled and ordered, “I want ‘Pink Lady’.”
When it was Kim Tae Yeon’s turn, she was a bit confused, looking around the restaurant, “Wait… why are you all ordering cocktails? There’s no bar counter here, no alcoholic beverages cabinet either.”
So under her puzzled gaze, Im Yoon Ah and Jung Soo Yeon flanked her left and right, following Lin Xiuyuan’s footsteps to the hidden small water bar next door.
The space wasn’t large, but it had everything.
Bartending tools neatly arranged on the control panel, gentle lighting, bottles gleaming beautifully.
“OMG!” Kim Tae Yeon’s eyes immediately widened, “Xiuyuan, you installed a bar at home? A bit too free and easy, too much.”
Just as she spoke, Jung Soo Yeon’s laughter came from beside her, “Taeyeon, how did you get so Westernized these years? When you’re surprised here, it’s either ‘oh my’ or ‘daebak’, how come in 25 years it became omg.”
“Hahaha, oenni, don’t say it, Taeyeon oenni’s English has improved by leaps and bounds these years, but it’s all curse words.”
Im Yoon Ah standing on the side laughed too, then exposed Kim Tae Yeon’s old secrets, making the originally a bit downcast Kim Tae Yeon hurriedly reach out to cover her mouth, “Yah, Yoona, don’t talk nonsense, I don’t have that.”
The group made a commotion, the atmosphere gradually warming up.
Lin Xiuyuan was already behind the bar counter, skillfully taking out bartending tools, opening the shaker, pouring in base liquor and ingredients one by one, movements smooth and calm.
At this time, Jung Soo Yeon pulled Kim Tae Yeon to tour the newly renovated apartment, whispering exchanges while looking.
Im Yoon Ah didn’t follow, staying by the bar counter, quietly watching Lin Xiuyuan bartend.
As his wrist turned gently, the crisp sound of ice cubes clinking against metal was clear and pleasing.
That focused and immersed appearance made her lips curve up slightly.
Soon, her ‘Pink Lady’ was ready.
The cocktail in the tall glass was pink and tender, with fine bubbles, perfectly matching the light pink knitwear Im Yoon Ah wore tonight, making her smile even brighter.
Suddenly, Im Yoon Ah stepped closer.
Taking advantage of Lin Xiuyuan focusing on the next cocktail, she tiptoed and planted a quick kiss on his lips.
Soft lips gently pressed, just a short second, yet soft like cotton candy, with a sweet hint of alcohol.
After touching and parting, when Lin Xiuyuan reacted and turned to look at her, her laughing words sounded in his ear.
“This is on behalf of Taeyeon oenni thanking you.”
Her breath brushed Lin Xiuyuan’s slightly cool side of the face, laughter already rippling in her eyes.
Lin Xiuyuan didn’t move; that kiss was light but clearly carried Im Yoon Ah’s usual playful provocation.
At this moment, Im Yoon Ah stood very close to him, one hand propped on the bar counter, looking up at him.
Light and shadow on her face, that bright and ambiguity-intertwined expression like a cocktail not yet stirred.
This made Lin Xiuyuan, hearing this, laugh too, “What the heck, this kiss can represent others?”
“What? Don’t tell me you want…”
Im Yoon Ah widened her eyes, pointing with her little finger, expression shy and annoyed.
Lin Xiuyuan didn’t answer, just smiled, but his hands didn’t stop, soon making Lin Xiaolu’s Long Island Iced Tea and handing it to Im Yoon Ah.
“Alright, no more chit-chat, take the drinks over.”
“You haven’t explained what you meant just now.”
Facing Im Yoon Ah’s pressing, Lin Xiuyuan just glanced sideways at her, smiling, “I mean, is that the extent of thanks?”
“Hm?” Im Yoon Ah raised a brow slyly, “Then what do you want?”
Then Lin Xiuyuan leaned forward slightly, whispering something in Im Yoon Ah’s ear.
After hearing it, Im Yoon Ah paused, but didn’t back down; though her face flushed with shyness, she nodded frankly, “Sure, consider it a reward for you, but you can’t touch.”
Lin Xiuyuan clearly didn’t expect her to agree so quickly, stunned for a moment, then nodded rapidly like a triumphant boy.
This little action made Im Yoon Ah laugh, tossing “shameless” before picking up the drinks and leaving.
When returning to the small water bar, she didn’t forget to laugh at Jung Soo Yeon and Kim Tae Yeon nearby, “Oenni, hurry up with the tour, Xiuyuan bartends fast, food will be ready soon.”
“Got it.”
Soon, as Lin Xiuyuan finished Kim Tae Yeon’s “Cranberry Martini” last, he wiped his hands while looking at the drink-carrying little sister Im Yoon Ah ahead, “Done, take them over, I’ll tidy up and join.”
“Don’t tidy, we’ll probably drink later.” Im Yoon Ah holding the tray said.
“Ah, light sipping is fine. More drinking, not planning to go back tonight?”
Lin Xiuyuan looked up, somewhat surprised at Im Yoon Ah.
“Who knows.” Im Yoon Ah shrugged, “Looking at Taeyeon oenni’s state, she’ll probably stay with Sulli tonight. That’s good too, saves her going back alone and overthinking.”
At this, her tone paused, sighing lowly, “You don’t know how many thoughts are in oenni’s little head, what if she has a brain fart and does something silly, it’s not like it hasn’t happened.”
Just as she finished complaining to Lin Xiuyuan, Kim Tae Yeon’s annoyed voice came from behind, “Yoona, when badmouthing me behind my back, can you watch your volume? I heard everything clearly.”
“Aiya, oenni~ I’m worried about you.”
Im Yoon Ah turned, seeing Kim Tae Yeon behind her, immediately softened her tone coquettishly, eyes curving in smile.
It amused Jung Soo Yeon beside them.
Kim Tae Yeon just lightly raised… her eyes, not pursuing, just casually sliding her fingers along the sofa backrest, gaze sweeping between Im Yoon Ah and Lin Xiuyuan, expression complex and inscrutable.
Soon after, everyone returned to the restaurant.
By now the dining table was filled with dishes, that stir-fried chili with meat still emanating tempting aroma, cold dishes fresh in color, the just-served pan-fried tofu crispy outside and tender inside.
Plus a steaming egg roll, the dinner atmosphere officially began.
Jung Soo Yeon sat down while sighing, “This dining table is too bountiful, Lin Xiuyuan, I’m a bit envious you live with Sulli like this.”
At these words, Kim Tae Yeon jolted again, “Ah, Xiuyuan and Sulli cohabiting?”
Sulli coming out of the kitchen with rice heard this, hurriedly waving to explain, “Not the kind you think, oenni, just want to live together, then follow oppa to 25 years to accompany Soo Jung, or when Soo Jung comes, no need to go out to find me.”
Kim Tae Yeon hearing this, recalled that previous scene in her mind, her gaze softening, sighing lightly, “Indeed, Soo Jung misses you so much.”
Pausing, she finally sorted a bit of her inner doubts, “No wonder Soo Jung and Yoona are so intimate with Xiuyuan, even though just met not long ago, so that’s it.”
“Even if not, Xiuyuan is great.” Im Yoon Ah added beside her.
“Aiyo, no need to comfort me, I can take this blow.”
Lin Xiuyuan made a “I’m used to it” face, waving, everyone burst into laughter.
The atmosphere gradually relaxed, even Kim Tae Yeon’s lips finally curved into a smile.
“Come, cheers.”
Jung Soo Yeon always watching her raised her glass too, “For this belated party, and for… everyone sitting together again to eat, cheers.”
One sentence, carrying reunion emotion and tenderness, made Kim Tae Yeon unconsciously bite her lip.
Her gaze lingered on Jung Soo Yeon and Sulli, holding back emotions to smile and raise her glass, “Sure, cheers.”
Then Im Yoon Ah and others raised glasses, laughter continuous.
Lin Xiuyuan protested softly beside, “No cheers, I don’t want to bartend after one bite, drink slower, slower okay?”
“Hahaha~”
Amid crisp clinks of glasses, laughter intertwined with lighting, air adding warmth.
After one round of drinks, the dining table atmosphere grew softer.
Sulli smilingly picked tofu for Lin Xiuyuan with chopsticks, Im Yoon Ah like a cat stealing candy, under Lin Xiaolu’s gaze, occasionally stealing glances at Lin Xiuyuan’s side, making Lin Xiaolu full of displeasure.
Jung Soo Yeon softly reminiscing past things with Kim Tae Yeon.
That ‘cheers’ seemed still echoing in the air, alcohol scent, food aroma, and that unspeakable “farewell yet reunion” complex emotion, made Kim Tae Yeon’s just settled emotions surge again.
She reminisced past with Jung Soo Yeon while low-headed, eating rice bite by bite.
Chopsticks held between fingers, somewhat unsteady, when the stir-fried chili with meat first entered her mouth, Kim Tae Yeon still smilingly praised Sulli, saying the taste was excessively good.
But halfway through eating, the smile on her lips slowly stiffened.
A familiar taste emerged.
This so-called taste wasn’t a specific dish, but the taste of “someone seriously cooking a meal for you”.
Accompanied by spicy sauce heat rushing up the nose, her eyes suddenly felt hot.
This familiar to painful reaction made Kim Tae Yeon abruptly lower her head, using bangs to cover her face.
Kim Tae Yeon tried sucking a breath, stuffing food into her mouth, but the more she chewed the harder to swallow, as if something blocked her throat.
That illusion of “always missing something yet suddenly back”, with fatigue and reunion loneliness, caught her off guard.
So Kim Tae Yeon continued trying to sniff.
Even with reddened eyes, she stubbornly held back tears.
“I say…”
Suddenly raising her head, Kim Tae Yeon’s voice steady, tail slightly trembling, smiling asked, “Xiuyuan, so that small tavern member basically means people who know the time-space door secret, right?”
At these words, the chatting and eating group lightly stunned.
All looked at Kim Tae Yeon, sensing something off, quickly averting gazes.
Then Jung Soo Yeon laughed first, “Roughly so, Taeyeon, want to join this church?”
This time before Lin Xiuyuan spoke, she said it.
Kim Tae Yeon puzzled looked at Jung Soo Yeon, not understanding ‘church’, until Jung Soo Yeon explained the origins, development, and some jokes, then she grinned, looking at Lin Xiuyuan.
“So Xiuyuan, you’re the so-called pope of this church?”
“Just joking, don’t take it seriously.” Lin Xiuyuan eating rice answered.
“No, I think it’s good, 【solve worries】, really solves worries.”
Murmuring softly, Kim Tae Yeon looked up laughing, “Decided, I want to join this church.”
Then Im Yoon Ah laughed, “Oenni, from the moment you stepped in, you’ve default joined.”
“Seems so.” Kim Tae Yeon answered.
Then she got curious, “How many people in the church now?”
“Basically all here, plus Krystal and Ji-yeon.” Jung Soo Yeon said beside.
Krystal… Kim Tae Yeon guessed that, given the closeness with Lin Xiuyuan, but ‘Ji-yeon’ puzzled her, “Which Ji-yeon here, 25 years or 13 years?”
“13 years.” Lin Xiuyuan said.
Kim Tae Yeon ‘ah’-ed at the answer, “Thought it was 25 years, Xiuyuan you play so well with Ji-yeon there, turns out not her.”
Words out, Jung Soo Yeon couldn’t help glancing at Lin Xiuyuan, but just swept then continued eating.
Observing Im Yoon Ah quickly chimed, “If 25 years Ji-yeon knew, probably hard to accept, just divorced, trivial matters too draining.”
“Probably.” Kim Tae Yeon echoed lowly, then self-mockingly smiled, “Actually I’m struggling to accept too.”
Her gaze hid a string of unspoken questions and emotions.
“Why not open the door earlier?”
“If I knew sooner, would it not have…”
But she didn’t say it.
Because Kim Tae Yeon knew even if the door opened then, Lin Xiuyuan couldn’t know the future.
After all, that time’s him was just fumbling forward in fog too.
Feeling that intense gaze, Lin Xiuyuan looked up at her, raising brow teasingly, “Why stare like that, tell you first, joining requires membership fee, aka door fee, I don’t open for free.”
As Lin Xiuyuan mentioned fees, the table atmosphere livened again.
Im Yoon Ah, Sulli, Lin Xiaolu successively spoke, cleverly protesting to Kim Tae Yeon how Lin Xiuyuan ‘exploited’ them.
Listening to everyone’s words, Kim Tae Yeon grew happier, eyes still slightly red but smiling, “So Xiuyuan what do you want, I’ll buy it after going back, saved quite a bit these years.”
“Tsk tsk tsk, this line, so lavish.”
Hearing this, Lin Xiuyuan looked at Jung Soo Yeon, “Soo Jung, hear that, Taeyeon earned so much, Jessica probably more. How about we follow Krystal’s idea, kidnap her back.”
“Stop messing, you short on money?” Jung Soo Yeon rolled eyes speechlessly.
Lin Xiuyuan laughed happier, “Not short on money, want to help you vent.”
“What happened.” Kim Tae Yeon curiously asked.
Then Jung Soo Yeon somewhat depressed and helpless, explained to Kim Tae Yeon Krystal’s crazy idea, those steps making Kim Tae Yeon stunned.
Kidnapping, confinement, rape, pregnancy.
So ruthless, really ruthless.
Thinking this, Kim Tae Yeon felt fortunate not messing up, and being first to join.
What if this side her joined first, who knows what crazy notions her twitchy head would have.
After this interlude, Kim Tae Yeon’s emotions clearly steadied.
The table atmosphere grew warmer and livelier.
Until food bottomed out, drinks ran low, everyone realized time quietly passed.
Lin Xiaolu suddenly checked time, reluctantly saying, “Soo Yeon oenni, we should go back, tomorrow 4am wake to head to Gimpo, too late hard to rest.”
“That late?” Jung Soo Yeon checked phone screen, numbers from 7pm unknowingly slid past 10pm.
Already nearing midnight.
Im Yoon Ah seeing this stood too, “Then I should go too, tomorrow more promotion, Taeyeon oenni, you want to…”
As Im Yoon Ah’s gaze turned, Kim Tae Yeon hugged Sulli’s arm, shaking head, “Tonight sleep with little snowball, not going back, tomorrow just company rehearsal, no schedule.”
This answer made Im Yoon Ah nod lightly, then smile, glancing at Lin Xiuyuan.
This gentle smile fell into Lin Xiaolu’s eyes, making her frown slightly.
And the issue soon arose.
“How you planning to go back?”
Lin Xiuyuan on sofa looked up calmly.
“I’ll taxi back with Xiaolu.” Jung Soo Yeon said.
Lin Xiaolu nodded, “Yeah, two safer.”
Finished, she suddenly turned to Im Yoon Ah, tone teasing, “But you, Im Yoon Ah? Alone?”
Facing the teasing question, Im Yoon Ah glanced lightly, lips curving, “Xiuyuan send me.”
Saying so, looking at Lin Xiuyuan, gaze naturally intimate, “Right, Xiuyuan? You won’t make me taxi alone?”
“But Xiuyuan drank.” Lin Xiaolu frowned reminding.
“I drank pineapple beer, just beverage.” Lin Xiuyuan smiled, explanation dispelling her concern.
“No issue, even if he drank, taxi back with me, then he returns after dropping.”
Im Yoon Ah smiled sweetly, tone adding insistent cheer.
But that smile made Lin Xiaolu’s teeth itch, impulse to fight her.
Also suddenly felt her Soo Yeon oenni extra, why not her alone for Xiuyuan to send.
But finally, Lin Xiaolu just glared fiercely at Im Yoon Ah, suppressing emotions, silently following Jung Soo Yeon, leaving villa amid goodbyes.
Im Yoon Ah linked Lin Xiuyuan’s arm, entering villa with him.
Kim Tae Yeon and Sulli followed, as Kim Tae Yeon needed to check phone messages, inform assistant, avoid trouble of not finding her and freaking out.
Back at 2025 villa, Im Yoon Ah released Lin Xiuyuan’s arm, waving lightly, “Okay, Xiuyuan, rest, I’m off.”
“No send?” Lin Xiuyuan asked.
“Not a kid, send what.”
Im Yoon Ah smiled, tone playful, “Just now teasing Lin Xiaolu, my assistant came long ago, waiting at street corner now.”
Saying so, Im Yoon Ah shook phone, clearly showing missed calls and assistant’s location screenshot.
Lin Xiuyuan said no more, just walked her to villa entrance, watching her wave goodbye.
Turning back inside, he looked at Kim Tae Yeon and Sulli, “Where you staying tonight?”
Before Sulli spoke, Kim Tae Yeon preempted, “Apartment side. Just told company, no rehearsal tomorrow, rest day.”
Don’t look light, but tone hid faint expectation.
Because Kim Tae Yeon knew she just wanted closer.
Closer to that time without regrets, closer to those not-yet-missed family and friends.
So Kim Tae Yeon’s light tone drew Lin Xiuyuan and Sulli’s gazes.
Especially Lin Xiuyuan, quietly looking seconds, then sighing lowly, “Forget it, shower first, I’ll send you to Jeonju later.”
This calm sentence like thunder in Kim Tae Yeon’s mind.
“…What did you say?”
Kim Tae Yeon froze, abruptly looking up at him, eyes instantly showing disbelief shock and excitement.
Lin Xiuyuan didn’t reply immediately, walked to time-space door opening it, then casually repeated, “Said shower first, later send you back to Jeonju, just distant glance, no getting out, promise?”
Kim Tae Yeon stunned.
Gaze almost trembling to condense, like tightly strung string finally plucked, yet fearing just casual joke.
Her voice carried cautious tremble, “You… serious?”
“Not deceiving me?”
Repeating lowly almost inaudible.
“Mm.”
Lin Xiuyuan nodded gently.
This response like a pebble dropped in air.
Not earth-shaking, but enough ripples.
Monthly tickets, godfathers, monthly tickets, later another chapter, monthly tickets, monthly tickets!!!!!
