Chapter 181: King’s Game
“I’m number 4.”
“Damn it, I’m number 6.”
As Jessica and Lin Xiuyuan spoke one after another, the people on the sofa finally couldn’t hold back and started complaining.
“Oh my, what are you guys doing? The beginning was one thing, but now even the punishments are teaming up?”
“Switch cards, switch cards, Ji-yeon, get a new deck of cards. This isn’t how we play.”
“Let’s not talk about that for now, let’s do the punishment first.”
“Exactly, exactly.”
“…”
Hearing Kim Tae Yeon and the others’ teasing, Jessica quickly turned to Lin Xiuyuan, but Lin Xiuyuan immediately looked at Im Yoon Ah, “If we refuse, what was the punishment we agreed on earlier?”
“We pay for drinks per person, one cup each. That means Xiuyuan, you have to drink 8 cups, and Xiuyan Older Sister also has to drink, totaling 16 cups.”
Lin Xiuyuan, having received the answer, looked at Jessica, “Drink it.”
“I’m not drinking. I’ll take the punishment,” Jessica flatly refused, with a hint of a smile on her face.
The mature and charming Jessica dealt with people she disliked not just through expressions and actions, but through subtle torment of the mind and spirit.
When Im Yoon Ah announced the punishment and knew she and Lin Xiuyuan were involved, Jessica had considered refusing.
But before she could speak, a voice from beside her cut in, which made Jessica laugh in anger, and looking at the other person’s reluctant expression, she felt a strange sense of satisfaction.
A thought crossed her mind: if it’s something you hate, then I must certainly lend a hand.
And that led to her answer earlier.
Of course, it depends on the person, the face, and the relationship.
Some people are disliked, yet the relationship isn’t bad.
When Lin Xiuyuan was unwilling, Jessica excitedly contradicted him, and seeing his slightly displeased expression, her heart bloomed with joy.
“So what now? She’ll do it, Yoona, you go with her, and I’ll drink.”
Lin Xiuyuan glanced at Jessica’s smiling face. Not being foolish, he immediately saw her malicious intent and turned his gaze to Im Yoon Ah.
But how could Im Yoon Ah agree?
After playing so many rounds to finally get the King’s position, these two wanted to slink away, and wanted her to take their place? That was too much.
So she immediately said, “Then the game can’t continue like this. Xiuyuan, you and Older Sister can’t cheat.”
“I said, I accept the big punishment, drinks per person, one cup each.”
After Lin Xiuyuan finished speaking and prepared to stand up to get the drinks, Jessica smiled again, “I’m not drinking. If you want to drink, drink it yourself. I’ve already agreed to accept the punishment anyway.”
Upon hearing this, Lin Xiuyuan immediately turned to look at her, frowning slightly.
The others watched the two of them with light laughter, not interfering, all wanting to see how far they would go.
After all, they were all adults. As long as there were no major arguments or even fights, everyone was happy to watch the show.
Besides, this was nothing.
“You mean you’ll drink for me?” Lin Xiuyuan asked.
“No, you don’t have to drink. I’m willing to accept the punishment, but if you’re not willing, then drink all 16 cups.”
Hearing the first part of the sentence, Jessica laughed even more heartily.
“I won’t drink it. Come on, accept the punishment. Yoona, what was the punishment you just said?”
Lin Xiuyuan then asked Im Yoon Ah, who quickly replied, “Hugging each other, face to face, until the next round ends.”
After getting the answer, Lin Xiuyuan unhesitatingly walked to Jessica’s side and gently put his arm around her waist.
Jessica didn’t expect Lin Xiuyuan to be so direct, but she didn’t want to spoil the mood, so she naturally placed her hands on Lin Xiuyuan’s back, pressing close to him, their faces almost touching.
As the two of them made their moves, the surrounding air seemed to instantly freeze. Everyone held their breath, their eyes filled with curiosity and excitement, as if every subtle movement was magnified.
Especially Krystal’s eyes, which were the most expressive.
“Let’s start the next round,” Lin Xiuyuan’s voice was somewhat suppressed, slightly low.
Jessica remained calm. She had been through so much, this little game was nothing, so there was a slight smile on her lips.
But she didn’t provoke him further, maintaining a quiet state.
However, even though she remained quiet, Lin Xiuyuan could still feel the warm breath she exhaled lingering by his ear. This made him pause for a moment, feeling as if their bodies were getting closer.
To distract himself, Lin Xiuyuan looked around, wanting to see the reactions of others, but found that many people’s eyes seemed to hold excitement and anticipation.
At this moment, Im Yoon Ah couldn’t help but laugh out loud, “Xiuyuan, are you and Older Sister considered an old married couple that bickers?”
“Forget it. I don’t want to get hit,” Lin Xiuyuan replied.
Jessica remained quiet, only the hand around Lin Xiuyuan’s waist moved slightly, wanting to play a trick.
Fortunately, Im Yoon Ah spoke up in time, “Older Sister, no moving. Hug tight.”
Her words eased the atmosphere a little, but the underlying tension still lingered in the air, as the Big Dragon Cub had already opened a new deck of cards and replaced the bottom cards, so everyone started scrambling again.
The next second, Krystal’s happy voice shattered Lin Xiuyuan’s expectation of getting the King card, “Alright, it’s finally my turn to be the King this round. Let me think… number 3 carries number 4 and does 5 squats.”
After hearing the punishment, everyone looked at their bottom cards and then easily flipped them over.
“It’s not me, I’m number 1.”
“It’s not me either, my card is number 6.”
Just then, Jessica’s shout rang out, “What’s going on? It’s me again.”
Immediately, Lin Xiuyuan’s laughter came, “Yo, fun. I’m number 4. That means Jessica carries me and does 5 squats, right?”
“Kill me now.”
Hearing this, Jessica immediately pushed Lin Xiuyuan away, and Lin Xiuyuan also sat back in his seat with a very smug smile.
Then he flipped over his number 4 bottom card, looked up at Jessica, and teased, “I think this punishment is great, I’m willing to accept it. However, if possible, wait for me for a few minutes. I’ll go home and change into a weighted suit and then come back. I guarantee you’ll be able to complete the task.”
Beside them, the Big Dragon Cub, seeing Lin Xiuyuan’s smug smile and teasing words, couldn’t help but laugh.
Jessica glared fiercely at Lin Xiuyuan and turned to Krystal, “What is refusing the punishment?”
“16 cups of wine, just like we said earlier. Aren’t you deaf, Jessica?”
“I didn’t ask you.”
Although Jessica had long anticipated being looked down upon by Lin Xiuyuan tonight, she didn’t expect it to be so confrontational. This time, she couldn’t help but glare back.
But Lin Xiuyuan looked calm, spreading his hands, “It’s a game, happiness is most important. Don’t worry, I’m not heavy, I won’t crush you.”
While the two were bickering, Kim Tae Yeon quietly leaned into Im Yoon Ah’s ear, “Yoona, what’s going on between Xiuyuan and Xiuyan? Their words seem to be getting a bit heated.”
“I don’t know how to explain this to Older Sister. I’ll explain later.”
Im Yoon Ah’s gaze was fixed on the two of them, and she was also curious about what was going on tonight.
It felt like every time she could catch them, could it be that there was really such a thing as being favored by a goddess of luck?
Just then, Krystal suddenly suggested, “Why don’t we have Xiuyuan carry Older Sister?”
“No way. Men and women are equal, Krystal. You can’t look down on Jessica like that. What if she doesn’t need such charity?”
Another sarcastic retort, and the atmosphere at the scene began to become delicate.
Jessica gritted her teeth, paused for a moment, then stood up directly, her back to Lin Xiuyuan, “Come on, it’s just five squats. Let’s start.”
When she made this move, Jessica actually hoped Lin Xiuyuan would be sensible and not foolishly pounce on her.
But she had clearly underestimated Lin Xiuyuan.
Not only did he pounce, he practically leaped onto her.
And he almost made Jessica stumble, nearly falling.
Then, Lin Xiuyuan quickly got up and said with an innocent face, “Ah, Jessica, you have to squat firmly, otherwise how can you carry someone?”
“I’ve never carried anyone, let alone a man. I’m not playing anymore, I’ll drink.”
Jessica angrily flicked her long hair, glared fiercely at Lin Xiuyuan, took a deep breath, and returned to her seat.
Lin Xiuyuan, however, was very proactive. He helped her get the wine glass and the drinks, and sat beside her, watching Jessica drink cup after cup, his eyes fixed on the wine glass.
Whenever there was a little left, he would say, “Jessica, why are you leaving so much? Are you raising goldfish?”
As expected, the “care” before was actually surveillance.
Until Jessica had drunk 4 cups in one go, Krystal finally couldn’t help but pull Lin Xiuyuan, “Okay, leave the rest for Jessica to drink slowly. No need to finish it all at once.”
Others also nodded, and prettily said that this would leave them a way out later.
Afterwards, the King’s Game continued. Excluding Jessica and Lin Xiuyuan, who had personal grudges, the atmosphere at the scene became even more heated.
Everyone’s expressions became more and more relaxed, some even showing anticipation and excitement. They took turns drawing cards, and as the game progressed, the punishments became more interesting and even unexpected.
Sometimes they were asked to dance, sometimes they were asked to call a friend and say something funny, and the losers had to continue playing until the task was completed.
Each round’s punishment was no longer simple, but everyone was fully enjoying this harmless “game.”
As laughter and heated discussions increased, Jessica gradually finished her 16 cups of wine, her cheeks slightly flushed, a hint of lazy glow in her eyes.
Although the slight tipsiness made her look a bit relaxed, she remained clear-headed, with a calm smile on her face, as if she was accustomed to such situations.
Just then, as the discussions and laughter gradually subsided, Jessica drew the King card again.
Her eyes lit up instantly, her gaze quickly swept over the others at the table, finally landing on Lin Xiuyuan beside her.
Then she slightly curved her lips, revealing a triumphant smile, a hint of provocation in her eyes, “Are you ready to accept the punishment I’ve chosen?”
Lin Xiuyuan calmly responded, “Guess my bottom card first.”
Seeing Jessica flip the King card first, Lin Xiuyuan decided not to look at his own bottom card, and would make a decision after she stated the punishment.
Jessica narrowed her eyes, as if thinking about something. Finally, she moved her gaze away from Lin Xiuyuan, and with a relaxed smile, looked at the others, “Then I’ve decided. Let number 1 and number 2 swap tops.”
Jessica, who didn’t intend to continue arguing with Lin Xiuyuan, didn’t expect that the goddess of fortune would play a big joke on them.
As others revealed their bottom cards one by one, everyone was shocked to find that the cards for number 1 and number 2 were not in their hands.
Seeing that no one had these two cards, Lin Xiuyuan had already prepared himself and looked directly at his bottom card.
Upon flipping it over, it clearly showed Diamond 1.
“Then what about number 2?” the Big Dragon Cub asked curiously.
Immediately, everyone’s gaze focused on the King’s bottom card. This card, originally kept for fun, was unexpectedly used by Jessica first at this moment.
Indeed, as Jessica flipped over the King’s bottom card, Heart 2 appeared, and her vision went black, almost making her faint.
She had clearly backed down, not intending to argue with Lin Xiuyuan anymore, but she didn’t expect it to end up like this.
Thinking of this, Jessica looked down at her sleeveless vest, then looked up at Lin Xiuyuan’s T-shirt, and suddenly couldn’t help but laugh, “This is not my fault, you’re just unlucky.”
Lin Xiuyuan’s lips curved upwards upon hearing this. Without any hesitation, he took off his T-shirt and threw it to Jessica, “Here, it’s for you.”
This action drew everyone’s gaze to Lin Xiuyuan. Except for Jessica, everyone else here had seen Lin Xiuyuan’s physique.
However, even though they had seen it before, the display at this moment still made them gasp in admiration.
The firm muscle lines, with an unintentional charm, seemed to instantly capture everyone’s attention.
Jessica, seeing Lin Xiuyuan’s well-built physique for the first time, her eyes slightly widened, and a sentence Krystal had once said to her instantly flashed in her mind: “Older Sister, do you know what shark muscles are? That area feels even more comfortable than abs to touch.”
Jessica hadn’t understood at the time, but today she truly grasped the meaning of those words.
And looking at Lin Xiuyuan’s physique before her, she couldn’t help but imagine a scene.
A scene of someone lying in bed, holding onto a firm waist.
Then an ineffable emotion welled up in her heart. She quickly lowered her head, regaining her composure in this brief moment.
Then, Jessica, holding the T-shirt, disappeared in the direction of the restroom, while Lin Xiuyuan sat in his seat, looking at the eager eyes around him, and said with a hint of amusement, “Can you guys tone it down a bit?”
Lee Ji-eun replied first, “We can’t help it, with such beauty before us, who can control themselves?”
As she spoke, she almost pressed her eyeballs onto Lin Xiuyuan. If Sweet Eun-jung hadn’t pulled her back, she would have wanted to reach out and touch him.
“How can someone have such muscle lines without exercising beforehand and getting pumped? It’s not scientific!”
She couldn’t help but mutter.
It’s not scientific!!!
Then, the Big Dragon Cub and Im Yoon Ah and a few others also teased Lin Xiuyuan. However, since he had already wrestled with them, Lin Xiuyuan was somewhat immune.
Finally, after a while, Jessica returned with Lin Xiuyuan’s T-shirt. Wearing this T-shirt, she exuded a mature aura, like a woman wearing her boyfriend’s clothes.
Then she handed the sleeveless vest to Lin Xiuyuan, “Here, it’s your turn.”
Lin Xiuyuan looked up at her, confused, “I won’t be able to wear it, right?”
After all, Jessica’s clothes were clearly smaller than his physique.
“No, the game rules require you to wear it, Xiuyuan,” Krystal said with a mischievous smile from the side.
Lin Xiuyuan shrugged helplessly and hung the shirt on his shoulders. A subtle scent wafted towards him, and he instinctively took a deep breath.
The scent carried Jessica’s delicate and gentle fragrance, which made him frown. He didn’t like it.
Jessica stood by, seeing Lin Xiuyuan drape her vest over his shoulders, and couldn’t help but be a little lost in thought. But she didn’t say anything more.
She just looked down at Lin Xiuyuan’s T-shirt on herself. Although it was a bit big, she surprisingly found the man’s scent to be appealing and unconsciously began to question if she had gone too far.
Unfortunately, after 16 cups of wine, the alcohol swirling in her system made her brain sluggish. After a moment of confusion, she decided to continue participating in the game.
At this moment, both of them suddenly felt a subtle atmosphere. Their eyes met involuntarily, as if they read something ineffable from each other’s eyes.
That subtle tension permeated the air again, filled with indescribable emotions.
Instantly, both of them gently averted their gaze. After all, they were both people they detested, so that so-called feeling was thrown to the back of their minds.
As the game continued, the atmosphere gradually became more relaxed and stimulating, and everyone’s attention began to follow the King card closely.
The next few rounds were relatively calmer, and the atmosphere was not as wild as before.
Soon, everyone’s gaze focused on Lee Ji-eun. She seemed to have been waiting for a long time and finally grasped the King card in her hand at this moment.
Then her gaze passed over everyone at the table and quickly settled on Lin Xiuyuan beside her, a glimmer of anticipation in her eyes.
Seeing this, Lin Xiuyuan couldn’t help but laugh and tease, “When you guys play this game, do you all target me? Why do you always look at me?”
But Lee Ji-eun’s eyes lit up, seemingly amused by his words. She nodded and shook her head, “I’d like to, but who knows who I’ll draw? However, Xiuyuan, you’re really unlucky tonight. I hope I draw you.”
As soon as she finished speaking, everyone around couldn’t help but laugh.
Lin Xiuyuan raised an eyebrow, a hint of curiosity in his eyes, “Then tell me, what punishment are you planning to give?”
Lee Ji-eun immediately revealed a triumphant smile and said without hesitation, “I’ve decided that number 5 and number 6 will go outside the tavern and brave the cold wind, take a selfie under a streetlight, and then come back to the tavern after waiting for 5 minutes.”
As soon as this sentence was spoken, the tavern fell silent for a few seconds. Everyone looked at her in surprise.
This punishment seemed simple, but it wasn’t entirely easy. After all, the alley next door was sparsely populated, so there wouldn’t be any major problems, it was just a bit troublesome.
Just then, Lin Xiuyuan unhesitatingly picked up his card from the table and quickly threw out the number 6 card, his eyes filled with helplessness and mockery.
“I’m not playing after this round. This isn’t a game, it’s like playing with me!”
Just as Lin Xiuyuan was feeling a bit helpless, the Big Dragon Cub happily flipped over her bottom card and said with a smile, “Xiuyuan, stop complaining. This time I’ll give you some flowers too.”
She happily held up her number 5 card, her eyes filled with teasing and anticipation, “See, this is exactly playing with you.”
As the Big Dragon Cub stood up, everyone’s gazes began to focus on her and Lin Xiuyuan.
A moment later, Lin Xiuyuan teased, “So am I supposed to go out shirtless? Wouldn’t that be considered hooliganism?”
“There’s no one around,” the Big Dragon Cub’s eyes sparkled with excitement.
Seeing this, Qiu Li silently wailed in her heart, thinking: It’s over, Ji-yeon has paved the stepping stone for her again.
At the same time, Im Yoon Ah and Krystal also looked at the two strangely.
Despite complaining, Lin Xiuyuan stood up, gently put down the shawl hanging on his shoulder, and walked out of the tavern with the Big Dragon Cub.
When they reached the doorway, Lin Xiuyuan turned around and looked at the people inside, with a hint of provocation and frustration, “If I catch the king later, none of you will get away.”
“I didn’t say anything, Xiuyuan,” Sweet Eun-jung immediately stated.
“Collective punishment, sweep everyone.”
With that, Lin Xiuyuan turned and walked out of the tavern, heading with the Big Dragon Cub towards that quiet alley, and soon arrived under a streetlight.
In the cold wind, Lin Xiuyuan originally planned to adjust his angle and strike a pose for a selfie of the alley at night.
However, the Big Dragon Cub suddenly pushed him against the wall, her body pressing tightly against him, her hands wrapped around his waist.
Before Lin Xiuyuan could react, a light chuckle sounded, “What picture are you taking, Xiuyuan? Take a picture of me, you can take it anywhere, it’s fine.”
The Big Dragon Cub whispered in his ear, her voice carrying a hint of provocation, her eyes flashing with a deep emotion, “You’ve made me miss you so much.”
In that moment, Lin Xiuyuan froze. Just as he was about to say something, his gaze met the Big Dragon Cub’s deep eyes, and his heart suddenly fluttered inexplicably.
The next second, the Big Dragon Cub gently stood on her tiptoes and covered his lips with hers, both tenderly and possessively.
The air was filled with cold wind, but between the two, there seemed to be an invisible flame, warm and scorching.
Under the streetlight, their figures were elongated, their reflections intertwined.
The shadows on the wall seemed to stretch long and thin, every ray of light like a poem embedded in the night.
The kiss deepened, and all sounds seemed to disappear, leaving only the rhythm of two hearts beating and the melody of intertwined breaths.
The Big Dragon Cub gently released Lin Xiuyuan’s lips but did not completely let go of him.
Their breathing was a little rapid, and the temperature in the air seemed to rise unconsciously.
The Big Dragon Cub’s gaze remained gentle but carried a hint of suppressed desire. He lowered his head, gently pecked Lin Xiuyuan’s neck, and whispered, “Don’t you feel it? You always make me unable to control myself like this.”
“Five minutes, we have to go back soon. Ji-yeon, can’t you wait?”
Lin Xiuyuan, regaining his senses, hugged the Big Dragon Cub, gently caressing the texture of her shirt, as if he could feel the warmth and smoothness of her skin beneath the fabric.
At this moment, the Big Dragon Cub’s hand slowly moved to Lin Xiuyuan’s abdomen, her fingertips gently stroking his firm abdominal muscles, “Just consider me having tasted the sweetness and wanting more.”
The touch on her fingertips seemed to make one forget everything, leaving only that delicate warmth.
The Big Dragon Cub’s movements were gentle and meticulous, each touch as if exploring Lin Xiuyuan’s body with a calm and deep affection.
“Every inch of your skin makes me want to get closer,” the Big Dragon Cub whispered, her voice hoarse and implicit, “Every touch makes me crave more.”
As she spoke, the Big Dragon Cub’s fingers slowly roamed Lin Xiuyuan’s abdomen, gently stroking from below his ribs to the outline of his abdominal muscles, each movement precise and full of seduction.
Lin Xiuyuan, standing against the wall, trembled slightly. The lines of his abdomen became increasingly prominent under the Big Dragon Cub’s fingertips, as if being massaged and kneaded into another form of tension and anticipation with each gentle touch.
“Be careful…” Lin Xiuyuan barely managed to lift his eyes to look at the Big Dragon Cub, his lips moving slightly as if to persuade her, but his eyes held a hint of helplessness and longing, “Like this, I really… won’t be able to control myself.”
The Big Dragon Cub smiled slightly, lowered her head to kiss Lin Xiuyuan’s cheek, and her fingers continued to wander over his body, “Then let me help you relax, okay?”
As soon as she spoke, her fingertips pressed harder against his abdominal muscles, digging deep into the muscle groups, making every touched part feel his warm and powerful palm.
Lin Xiuyuan only felt indescribable sensations surge in his heart. The tension in his body seemed to slowly loosen with this warm massage, leaving only that ineffable attraction and desire.
…
Inside the tavern.
As Lin Xiuyuan and the Big Dragon Cub went out, everyone exchanged glances, and then Im Yoon Ah asked, “Shall we play a couple of rounds first?”
“Five minutes, it should be quick. Let’s take a break.”
Sweet Eun-jung lowered her head to look at her wristwatch, took a sip of her drink, and the others agreed.
Then, they smiled and chatted about some interesting things from the game earlier.
However, Krystal’s peripheral vision would occasionally glance towards the doorway, her brow slightly furrowed, seeming a little worried.
…
Outside.
In the nearby alley.
Under the streetlight, the two parallel shadows suddenly underwent a subtle change. The reflections under the light distorted, and the originally symmetrical shadows were now one high and one low.
With the change in movement and shadows, their breathing began to deepen, and the weight of their bodies slowly shifted.
One hand still rested on the lower shadow, which seemed to need some support. It tightly gripped the cold, hard lamppost, as if trying to maintain a sliver of reason.
And with this action, the rhythm below the lower shadow also began to change.
Under the light, the shape of the shadow became increasingly asymmetrical. That intense contrast made the entire scene more vivid and subtle.
The standing shadow seemed to be pulled by an invisible force, tilting gently, its lines sharp and stretching longer and longer.
It spread along the ground, casting on the mottled street, as if breaking through the surrounding silence and extending towards an unknown direction.
And the lower shadow gradually became more distorted. Its originally stable outline began to show a unique rhythm, as if swaying slightly.
The bottom of it gently lifted, as if moving with the wind. A part of the shadow began to rise slightly, carrying an unstable wave that suddenly formed a strong contrast with the surrounding calmness.
After one hand let go and then gripped the lamppost again, the change in the shadow became even more apparent.
The image of the lamppost was elongated, its slender body intertwined with the shadows of the two, as if becoming one.
The taller shadow began to stretch rapidly, while the lower shadow followed closely, gradually rising and becoming somewhat distorted, as if the interaction between the two bodies had begun to seep into the reflections.
As that hand tightened its grip on the lamppost, the rhythm of the lower shadow’s changes became even more significant.
The undulation and reaction of the shadow seemed to be synchronized, and the originally fixed outline gradually became blurred.
At that moment, the refraction of light made the shadow’s outline more distinct, illuminating the interweaving of the two shadows on the ground. The black lines wove together like an invisible net, exuding an ineffable tension.
…
Inside the tavern, after chatting for a while, several people suddenly realized a problem.
Their gazes flickered between each other, and something seemed amiss.
Then Im Yoon Ah asked, “How many minutes have Xiuyuan and Ji-yeon been out?”
Everyone looked at the time and realized that more than ten minutes had passed, and the two had not yet returned.
The problem was that the two had not returned yet.
At this moment, Lee Ji-eun, who had thought of something, gritted her back teeth, having a NTR delusion of “bitter regret year after year suppressing golden threads, working to wed for others.”
But she had to speak up for her group’s maknae, “Could it be that they didn’t know the time? They don’t seem to have their phones with them.”
“Then I’ll go call them out,” Jessica, who was closest to the door, said.
And this action scared everyone except Kim Tae Yeon, who quickly exclaimed in unison.
“No, no, Older Sister, I’ll go call them.”
“I’ll go.”
With that, Krystal was about to get up and prepare to go out to see what the two were doing.
However, just as everyone was preparing to act, the tavern door was pushed open, and Lin Xiuyuan and the Big Dragon Cub slowly walked in.
“Finally back, wasn’t it supposed to be five minutes?” someone couldn’t help but tease.
“We didn’t pay attention to the time. Xiuyuan said he was cold, so we came back,”
The Big Dragon Cub said, while taking out her phone and showing a selfie with Lin Xiuyuan taken outside.
“See, don’t you have your phone? How could you not have seen the time?” Kim Tae Yeon said with a smile.
“Forgot,” the Big Dragon Cub blinked her eyes and smiled slightly.
Im Yoon Ah looked sharply at the two, or rather at Lin Xiuyuan, but found nothing.
It wasn’t until the two sat back in their respective seats that Jessica accidentally glimpsed Lin Xiuyuan’s mermaid line, where there was a strange mark below it.
It was red, somewhat like a bruise, and somewhat like dirt that hadn’t been washed off.
However, the area below was too sensitive, so she didn’t look further and withdrew her gaze.
As the two sat back, the atmosphere in the tavern returned to relaxed, and everyone started playing a few more games, but obviously, after the previous scene, everyone’s enthusiasm was not as high as before, so the game ended quickly.
For the remaining time, everyone stopped focusing on the game and began to casually chat about their daily lives, discuss travel plans, and future aspirations.
In this relaxed atmosphere, Lin Xiuyuan and Jessica exchanged tops and returned to their original seats at the bar counter.
The tavern’s lighting flickered gently, adding a warm hue to everything.
Lin Xiuyuan rested his elbows on the bar counter, his gaze sweeping over his friends, but his face showed no unusual expression, as if the recent “storm” had invigorated him.
He had just thought of “oil field” drilling, and didn’t expect to be pulled to the bottom in the blink of an eye. He didn’t know if it was urgency or something else, but it was definitely satisfying.
But after it was over, the feeling of his marrow being drained made him unable to hold on.
Primarily, as that intense sense of satisfaction gradually faded, the fatigue began to quietly creep in.
And while Lin Xiuyuan was spacing out, a body suddenly sat down in front of him. He looked up and saw Lee Ji-eun with a face full of resentment.
Lin Xiuyuan chuckled, “What’s with that look?”
“You must have had fun with Ji-yeon,” Lee Ji-eun said.
Lin Xiuyuan replied, “Didn’t you say it was a punishment game?”
Lee Ji-eun’s eyes flickered slightly. She sat up straight, her empty glass not yet refilled, looking somewhat vacant.
“You know in your heart that you had so much fun with Ji-yeon, delaying it from 5 minutes to over ten minutes. Was that a punishment or a reward?”
After saying that, she added, “So, let’s go out to sea.”
Picking up the empty glass, Lin Xiuyuan washed it and prepared to make her another drink, “I really don’t have time.”
But Lee Ji-eun was not willing to give up and pressed the topic, “The weather in the Maldives is great recently.”
She gently shook her phone screen, which was full of beautiful photos of the Maldives, and very attractive wooden houses.
Then she looked intently at Lin Xiuyuan, as if hinting at something.
Lin Xiuyuan did not reply immediately, but continued to make the cocktail. The colors of the cocktail gradually formed distinct bands, and the lights on the bar counter reflected brilliant colors in the glass, accompanied by the surrounding noise, creating a sense of tranquility.
Lee Ji-eun did not rush to speak further. She seemed to be waiting for Lin Xiuyuan’s response.
There was no threat in her eyes, but rather a rare sincerity, as if she wanted him to experience a different way to relax.
“Maldives?” Lin Xiuyuan finally spoke, a slight smile spreading across his face, “Do you really want me to go there, or would any island do?”
Lee Ji-eun smiled slightly, gently propped up her chin, and a sly expression flickered in her eyes as she looked at Lin Xiuyuan.
“Why can’t we have both? Look, I’ve been a bit troubled lately and want to find a place to cool down. The beaches of the Maldives are just right, quiet enough.”
“Are you going alone?” Lin Xiuyuan playfully raised an eyebrow, a faint smile on his lips, “Or are you planning to forcibly drag me along?”
Lee Ji-eun took a deep breath, seeming impatient, and said directly.
“I know you’re busy lately, but you should take a break now and then, go somewhere far away, and relax. The water in the Maldives is clear, the sand is fine, and the weather is just right. It’s really suitable for relaxation.”
Lin Xiuyuan poured the wine, saying lightly, “I’d love to go, but I really don’t have time these few days.”
Hearing this, Lee Ji-eun looked back at Krystal, Im Yoon Ah, and the others with some envy.
However, she seemed determined not to give up, and leaned closer, a hint of expectation in her eyes, “No matter what, you can always squeeze out some time, Xiuyuan. A trip like this, a change of environment, might lead to encountering more beautiful things.”
Lin Xiuyuan gently placed the wine glass on the bar counter. After a moment of silence, he turned and met Lee Ji-eun’s gaze, finally showing a smile.
“Maldives, huh… Alright, I’ll see how things are later and then decide.”
“When?” A hint of anticipation flashed in Lee Ji-eun’s eyes.
“Three days later.”
And so…
Three days later.
At Incheon Airport, sunlight streamed through the large glass windows onto the floor, the air filled with the moist scent of early morning.
Amidst the flow of people, Lin Xiuyuan stood in the lobby, dressed in simple beach shorts and a light white T-shirt, wearing slippers, looking exceptionally relaxed.
His attire was out of place in the busy airport environment, exuding a relaxed atmosphere, as if he had completely entered vacation mode.
He casually held his phone, occasionally lowering his head to look at the screen, seemingly waiting for a message.
Then his gaze would sweep across the crowd, observing everyone who passed by, with a mix of anticipation and a bit of uncertainty in his heart.
After all, he wasn’t going on this trip alone.
Just then, his gaze landed on a familiar figure, who quickly approached through the crowd.
The figure was tall and elegant, with a brisk yet relaxed gait.
Lee Ji-eun was wearing a simple black dress, a thin denim jacket over it, and simple white sneakers.
Her long hair was gently blown by the breeze, fluttering with her steps, making her look fresh and full of vitality.
Her eyes quickly locked onto Lin Xiuyuan in the crowd. The corner of her mouth curved slightly as she walked towards him. Lin Xiuyuan also saw her, and as he looked up, the corner of his mouth unconsciously turned up, his eyes revealing a relaxed smile.
“Going?” Lee Ji-eun stopped in front of him and asked softly.
“Going,” Lin Xiuyuan replied with a smile.
…
At the same time.
In a high-rise restaurant in Gangnam District, Jessica, seeing Krystal again after a few days, had an almost frozen expression, her shock lingering for a while.
She sat in her seat, her gaze somewhat vacant, finding it hard to believe the change in her sister.
Krystal’s face was completely different from three days ago. Her skin was even brighter, as if a glow emanated from within, so delicate it could be described as “porcelain.”
The fine lines around her eyes that had looked tired just a few days ago were now gone, replaced by a firm contour and more defined features.
Her face appeared more three-dimensional, her skin seemingly smoothed by time, everything looking so perfect.
What shocked Jessica the most was the change in Krystal’s overall aura.
She was radiant, as if she had undergone a profound transformation. The fatigue and traces of time were instantly dispelled, replaced by a new brilliance.
She stood there, as if radiating a soft halo, making people want to approach.
“Krystal… what… what happened to you?”
Jessica finally found her voice, her gaze scanning Krystal’s face, an incredulous emotion flashing in her eyes.
Krystal smiled gently, “Do you want it? Jessica.”
Daily ten thousand completed, thank you to my godfathers for your support and votes.
Thank you to Chang Le Meng for the reward, daily ten thousand +1.
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