Chapter 186: The Rising Design Star Jung Soo Yeon
One day in June 2013.
The small tavern was missing the usual figure standing behind the bar counter, but although Lin Xiuyuan wasn’t there, Sulli’s slender figure had taken his place.
And sitting in front of the bar counter were still the familiar few people: Park Ji-yeon, Ham Eun-jung, and Jung Soo Yeon were all there, just Lin Xiaolu was absent.
That was because she had gone to Kim Eun Sook’s side to study the script.
After all, in a short while, Lin Xiaolu would formally meet everyone from the film crew. Although she had nailed the personal emotions by taking the “method acting” shortcut, she was still a bit immature in handling details, so this period was perfect for polishing them.
“Jinjin, your bartending technique is still a bit short of Oppa’s level.”
Park Ji-yeon took a sip of the alcoholic beverages in her glass, then sprawled over the bar counter, teasingly looking at Sulli with a smile.
“Then don’t drink the ones I make, go find Oppa.”
Sulli pretended to be angry and shot back, smiling as she reached to snatch the wine glass in front of Ji-yeon.
Startling Park Ji-yeon to quickly hug her glass and lean back, laughing, “Heehee, no way, it’s good, it’s good~”
At this moment, Jung Soo Yeon, who had closed her laptop from the sofa behind, also came to Ham Eun-jung’s side. After exchanging a smile with her, she looked at Sulli and asked, “So, Sulli, what you mean is that Lin Xiuyuan’s time-space door has evolved again?”
Today’s gathering was organized by Sulli, with the purpose of reporting the situation of this “time-space door” to the members of the 13 small team.
At the same time, she also proposed a suggestion she had thought of: that is, to have Lin Xiuyuan find time to go to each person’s apartment or residence to set a location, of course, with safety first.
This way, in the future, whether for dinner parties or meetings, as long as everyone coordinates the information, they can completely use the time-space door’s shuttle to directly avoid the sight of media and fans, without worrying about any more problems.
So after just hearing Sulli’s explanation, Jung Soo Yeon immediately closed her computer and came over, both shocked and vaguely expectant.
“Yeah, impressive, right, Unnie.” Sulli proudly blinked, casually pouring her a glass of ice water.
At this time, Park Ji-yeon also had a bit of resentment in her tone, “As expected, living close is great. If Jinjin you hadn’t said it, we wouldn’t have known about these issues.”
“Oppa didn’t deliberately not tell you all, it’s mainly that you’re too busy, either rehearsing or filming, can’t even make an appointment.”
Facing Park Ji-yeon’s complaint, Sulli also defended Lin Xiuyuan a little, then smiled, “And now I’ve told everyone, right? In the future, for things where Oppa has no time or opportunity to find you, I’ll say them for him.”
“Secretary assistant, huh.” Park Ji-yeon raised an eyebrow teasingly.
“Wrong, little traitor.” Sulli grinned, her tone playful.
Everyone was stunned upon hearing this, then burst into laughter.
The atmosphere became even more relaxed. They sat at the bar counter drinking while seriously discussing the specifics of this time-space door upgrade, and whether certain entrances could be preset in advance or secret passages set up.
After thinking for a bit, Jung Soo Yeon suddenly turned to Sulli, “When Lin Xiuyuan comes back next time, tell him to set a location at my apartment too.”
“What if Unnie you have no time then.” Sulli asked.
“I’ll give you the password, you can go there yourselves.”
As she said this, Jung Soo Yeon’s gaze narrowed slightly, then slowly opened moments later, her expression already resolute.
At this time, Ham Eun-jung chatted with Jung Soo Yeon beside her about some recent news she had caused, “Soo Yeon, those news about your clothes and bags are starting to appear on quite a few news outlets and magazine forums now. Did you pay for them, or did the media write them on their own?”
……
Recently, with Jung Soo Yeon frequently appearing at airports or private occasions wearing clothes and bags she “designed,” and none of these items available as duplicates on the market, it sparked enormous attention and speculation.
Thus, her “designer” identity naturally emerged, formally opening the curtain.
One report after another successively hit the news homepages, with content praising her design philosophy, interpreting her use of color, and touting her personal aesthetic taste.
These news stories, fueled by Jung Soo Yeon’s popularity, quickly spread to the entire K-pop fan groups, further amplifying her influence and popularity.
During this period, SM company was not uninvolved.
They had tried proactively approaching Jung Soo Yeon to talk, hoping to launch a clothing brand under the name of “cooperation” to mass-produce her design products.
But since Jung Soo Yeon neither monetized through brands nor registered independent trademarks, and all products at this stage were for “self-production and self-use,” the company couldn’t find a suitable, legitimate stance to interfere.
But unfortunately, Jung Soo Yeon, who had long seen through these routines, directly declined them politely, even cleanly shutting down all possible excuses by saying the patents didn’t belong to her alone.
And indeed, although these design drawings were “designed” by Jung Soo Yeon, she had added Lin Xiuyuan’s name to the patents.
For no other reason, just for that justification and excuse.
After SM investigated and confirmed, they could only choose to back off, merely giving her a symbolic warning: “Don’t do things that bypass the company and are hard to explain; it’s not good for anyone.”
For this kind of reminder laced with “threat,” Jung Soo Yeon naturally couldn’t be bothered to care.
Knowing the future trajectory, she no longer liked tearing faces with the company, but she absolutely wouldn’t swallow a mute loss.
Anyway, it was still that sentence: as long as no actual profit relations were generated, no one could say anything about her.
I’m not selling, not cooperating on production, and haven’t independently founded a brand—what can you accuse me of?
Accuse me of using the group’s popularity to boost the “design” fame? Then is it illegal for me to wear clothes I designed myself?
Does it conflict with endorsement aspects or economic contracts? Non-compete contract?
And then there’s the voices within the team.
When you all one by one use Girls’ Generation’s fame to do side gigs, launch trendy brands, pave resources for relatives and friends.
Have I questioned anyone?
Have I said you’re consuming Girls’ Generation’s popularity?
Now just because I wear my own designed clothes and carry designed bags, you’re jumping up?
If you can’t stand it, you can directly flip me over, but the premise is don’t let your own butt sit crooked.
I have a clear conscience, I just fear you’ll break your face and not even know it.
And these words were what she directly threw back face-to-face after being nagged by a few gossipy members; at that moment, everyone instantly fell silent.
Without solid reasons or clear mistakes, even if someone was upset inside, they fundamentally couldn’t make a fuss.
Jung Soo Yeon knew full well that the 930 incident in another time-space exploded because she had truly been caught with leverage back then.
But now it was 2013; reborn once, she was already extremely cautious and impossible to repeat the same mistakes.
During this time, she acted decisively and straightforwardly, with a sharpness when retorting that evoked her debut days—neither humble nor arrogant, perfectly gauging the boundaries even with seniors and juniors.
Respectful, yet also proud.
The internal atmosphere of the entire Girls’ Generation faintly tensed up, as if returning to the high-pressure, high-glory phase around the “Black Sea.”
During this, Kim Hee-chul, Lee Donghae, and others specifically came to chat with Jung Soo Yeon, wanting to ease the atmosphere for her and prevent things from getting too stiff.
But when she laid out the overall situation without reservation for analysis, the seasoned “Blue House members” immediately understood the truth.
Though it wasn’t convenient to publicly take sides, they didn’t idle either.
First advising Soo Yeon not to be too impulsive, then privately warning a few “scheming” people upon returning.
Palm and back of the hand are both flesh; that’s all they could do.
Of course, if it really came to taking sides, they weren’t unwilling, just felt it unnecessary.
Oh, except for Kim Hee-chul.
Kim Hee-chul directly pointed at some people and cursed them out; after he was done, the atmosphere immediately eased.
……
“Some are promotional resources I sought myself, but most aren’t. After all, this is the peak of my popularity now; the cameras are focused on me anyway. Can only say the timing is just right now—too early would be too aggressive, too late too slow, not easy to start either way.”
Hearing Ham Eun-jung’s curious question, Jung Soo Yeon answered candidly. Facing these members of the small tavern, she had nothing to conceal.
And the word “time” made Ham Eun-jung unconsciously furrow her brows slightly, recalling the scene that evening when she grabbed Lin Xiuyuan’s collar.
The situation she had expected back then was actually not much different from what Jung Soo Yeon meant in these words.
If Lin Xiuyuan could have opened the door two years earlier, perhaps T-ara’s fate now would be completely different.
Even as sacrifices in upper-level struggles, without concrete “threads” and “leverage,” the sacrificial targets might not have been them; the victims could have shifted to other groups.
Unfortunately, everything was set in stone.
Ham Eun-jung understood the past couldn’t be changed; the only thing she could do now was work hard to make money, make it fast, and secure her future and old age steadily.
Thinking of this, she couldn’t help glancing at the few sitting at the bar counter.
One was the future female CEO Park Ji-yeon, one a potential screenwriter writer Sulli, and the rising designer star Jung Soo Yeon.
Suddenly, Ham Eun-jung felt a bit confused.
What about herself? What should she do next?
……
……
While Jung Soo Yeon and the others were having a small gathering in the 2013 small tavern, far away in 2025 Maldives, Lin Xiuyuan finally lazily got up in the morning with sunlight spilling over the windowsill.
Not long after the two simply washed up, a gentle knock sounded at the door.
Then, the villa’s personal housekeeper pushed the door in, calmly and elegantly placing breakfast one by one on the living room round table.
Exquisite island-style breakfast paired with freshly squeezed juice and brewed coffee, with meal trays edged with delicate flower rings made from tropical fruit slices, pleasing to the eye like an art exhibit.
After the housekeeper left, Lee Ji-eun came out draped in a thin gauze blouse, elegantly sitting down.
She forked a piece of avocado toast and bit into it, squinting her eyes with a satisfied smile emerging on her face. “Xiuyuan, you’re practically the turning point of my life state.”
“Huh?”
Lin Xiuyuan also sat down, picking up a glass of juice with a smile, “This evaluation is a bit too high, Ji-eun. This reminds me of your 2012 turning point; I don’t want to become that.”
“Nonsense.” Lee Ji-eun gave him a glance, with a touch of charm.
Then she changed the subject, her smile subtle, “But Xiuyuan, I have a question I want to ask you.”
“Shoot.” Lin Xiuyuan looked at her.
“Why did you agree to come to Maldives with me? You clearly knew what I intended; you could’ve refused, or… just sleep with me directly in Seoul.”
As she said this, Lee Ji-eun’s tone was casual, yet like dropping a bombshell firework.
In fact, even if Lin Xiuyuan refused to come, Lee Ji-eun wouldn’t let him off, just needing to spend a bit more effort.
Lin Xiuyuan was drinking juice and nearly choked on her words, coughing twice with a smile, “Ji-eun, can you say it more reservedly? So direct, I can’t even react.”
“Isn’t it the truth?” Lee Ji-eun raised an eyebrow, utterly righteous.
Lin Xiuyuan smacked his lips, as if recalling something, then chuckled softly, “The reason, well, it’s kinda related to what you just said, and very simple and crude.”
“What is it?” Lee Ji-eun’s eyes lit up, clearly interested.
“That is, in Seoul I’d be exploited by Ji-yeon and the others. Thinking about the number of people there, better to come play with you, Ji-eun. You’re just one person; at least you let me catch a breath. This state should count as ‘vacation,’ right?”
As soon as he finished, Lee Ji-eun was laughing so hard she doubled over, leaning on the chair back, nearly tearing up, “What kind of ghost reason is this? Exploited… hahaha, Ji-yeon and them? No way, I’m dying laughing. Aren’t you afraid I’ll tell Ji-yeon?”
Lin Xiuyuan watched Lee Ji-eun laugh uncontrollably, helplessly shaking his head while peeling a plate of tropical fruit, gazing toward the distant infinity pool sea.
“Right, Ji-eun.”
Lin Xiuyuan suddenly spoke up, “Where are we playing today? I checked the nearby itinerary last night: island speedboat tour, snorkeling, and that… sea bottom walk.”
“And helicopter island sightseeing.” Lee Ji-eun, after laughing, chimed in while drinking coconut juice, “But I don’t want to tire too much today; mainly last night was a bit draining. Let’s do something simple first.”
“So what do you want?” Lin Xiuyuan said.
“I want to stay here sunbathing first, then go snorkeling when it heats up at noon.”
At this point, Lee Ji-eun paused, her lips curving, “Right, Xiuyuan, I brought lots of swimsuits. Which one do you want to see? Nurse style, pirate style, or catwoman?”
Lin Xiuyuan directly nearly choked on his juice again, “God, Ji-eun, are you here for vacation or to shoot a photo collection?”
“Neither,” Lee Ji-eun said seriously, “I’m here to soak you.”
She said it without concealment, even propping her chin to look at Lin Xiuyuan earnestly, “Originally worried you couldn’t handle it, so I only brought a few sets. Now thinking about it, too conservative; should’ve brought more.”
“Should be able to buy some here too.” Lin Xiuyuan’s eyes brightened.
……
……
Meanwhile.
In early summer 2025 Seoul, sunlight slowly spilled through the floor-to-ceiling window into a bedroom of a certain high-end apartment.
Jessica, who had just woken up, wrapped in silk pajamas, barefooted into the bathroom.
In front of the mirror, she brushed teeth, cleansed, patted water, applied essence, spread face cream—the entire skincare routine executed proficiently like muscle memory.
But after all that, she looked up at herself in the mirror; that slightly fatigued face still showed no hint of “renewal.”
She paused for a moment, staring at herself in the mirror, when suddenly yesterday’s scene emerged in her mind.
Krystal’s flawless, supple face, skin glowing from within, confidence in her demeanor almost dripping water.
And that casual yet profound sentence: “Want it? Jessica.”
Want it?
Want it…
Jessica gazed into her own eyes in the mirror, softly murmuring and repeating that sentence; without any hesitation, the answer surfaced in her heart: Of course she wanted it.
That state—which woman of advancing age could refuse?
Even young ones forever crave “better.”
Especially her, Jessica who once stood at the center of the masses, couldn’t accept that reality of “being pulled apart by time.”
Even if not said outright, her heart was already gently stirred by that emotion called “jealousy.”
But unfortunately, even though she had clearly expressed her desire to Krystal that day, Krystal still hadn’t told her how to obtain it.
Thinking of this, Jessica furrowed her brows, and a certain person’s figure emerged in her mind.
Actually, even without Krystal saying, she vaguely guessed who it was.
Because Krystal’s change began after meeting him.
Before that, she was just a somewhat sharp but occasionally confused little sister.
But after meeting that person, everything seemed to start going “out of control.”
Especially that incident, which made Jessica first truly feel that Krystal was no longer just “her sister,” but would stand opposite her on certain stances.
That shock, grievance, and loss still faintly ached in her heart even now.
While thinking these, Jessica sighed softly, then sat at the vanity to start applying makeup.
Layers of makeup overlaid, concealing those unspeakable emotions.
Finally, she braided her long hair into a neat long braid, tidied up, and entered the walk-in closet to rummage for clothes.
After hesitating a moment, thinking of the person she’d meet soon, she ultimately chose a slightly mature casual outfit.
A loose white shirt casually tucked into denim shorts on one side, the other side hanging loose, exuding a casual yet non-bulky vibe.
Paired with nude low heels, carrying a light blue handbag, wearing a simple gold necklace and black-rimmed glasses—intellectual with a hint of playfulness.
In front of the mirror, Jessica gave her overall look a final check, smiling slightly and saying softly to the person in the mirror, “Jessica, can’t lose your aura today.”
With that, she left the apartment, took the elevator, got into the car, and drove toward today’s appointed location.
It was a private French restaurant hidden deep in a Gangnam alley, quiet and refined, reservation-only, no signboard at the doorway.
When Jessica stepped into the restaurant, a sharp-eyed server recognized her identity, politely bowing and inviting her to follow, leading her to a round table by the window.
And as she approached, the two already seated both looked up simultaneously.
Seeing Jessica’s outfit, Krystal hooked her lips in a smile, her gaze clear with a hint of probing, while not forgetting to smile slightly at Big Dragon Cub opposite.
At the same time, Jessica, who thought it was just a meal with Krystal, didn’t expect Big Dragon Cub to be there too, and seeing Big Dragon Cub’s evidently rejuvenated face like Krystal’s, she was directly stunned in place.
That face was familiar, yet seemed to glow with a luster not belonging to this age.
Skin tight, spirited, even the smile’s curve elastic with youth, just like when she saw Krystal last night.
And seeing Jessica like this, Krystal’s smile grew even brighter, almost unable to hide that bit of small pride and scheming.
This meal was precisely her careful arrangement.
Calling Jessica out while also bringing Big Dragon Cub along had a very simple purpose.
Stimulating, stimulating, and more stimulating.
She didn’t believe any woman of age could resist such a visual impact.
No time given to ask “how to get better,” directly show the “result” first, leaving no space for hesitation.
And at this moment, seeing Jessica’s slightly dazed expression, Krystal suddenly recalled a sentence Little Ji-yeon said in the villa.
【Dealing with old women, no beating around the bush, be direct.】
Hmm…
She completely agreed now.
Hand cramped after typing a bit, still not very effective, tough~
Tonight I’ll see if I can update another chapter; everyone don’t wait, check tomorrow morning.
Also, if I don’t complete Ten Thousand Daily that day, it won’t count toward the Ten Thousand Daily debt, so no need to worry.
Above, hand-disabled party begging for monthly tickets, subscriptions!!!
