Chapter 197: “afraid I’ll Smell Like Skewers?” And “except Jessica”
One afternoon in 2025, at the doorway of Solve Worries Small Tavern, Jessica parked her car and couldn’t help but glance at the alley next to it.
At this moment, the memory in her mind wasn’t the previous ‘party’, but the ‘accident’ before that.
The same afternoon, the same place, yet an accident made her relationship with Krystal and Lin Xiuyuan and others extremely complicated.
However, things had come to this point, Jessica had no regret, but after parking the car, she tried hard to recall how many minutes it took for Lin Xiuyuan to come out after she called him that afternoon.
She remembered it seemed to be less than ten minutes, probably seven or eight minutes, or even shorter.
Thinking of this, Jessica immediately got out of the car, took out her mobile phone to open the clock, and walked towards the alley next to the tavern while pressing the timer button.
The alley wasn’t big, just wide enough to barely allow cars to pass, with several cars parked on one side and an asphalt road on the other.
Upon entering the alley, Jessica first saw shops facing the street, and further in was a narrow back alley.
Walking further, she saw a network weak current box, then an obviously luxurious villa.
This villa had high walls and a large courtyard, with garden landscapes, and even the gate couldn’t reveal the scene inside.
Jessica just glanced at the villa and continued walking deeper into the alley.
Further in, there were houses similar to the previous villa, but they looked a bit older, and when she reached a two-story residential building, Jessica’s phone clock hit exactly 8 minutes.
So she stopped, looked up at the small building and muttered, “No way, that guy doesn’t seem to have much money, but he runs a tavern and drives a Mercedes-Benz, no way he lives in this kind of apartment.”
After saying this, Jessica turned to look back at the road she came from, gazing at those villas, and felt it was a bit exaggerated.
“That’s not right either, this is Gangnam District, if he really bought a villa here, why would he ask me for 200 million?”
Thinking of this, Jessica finally found the flaw in her words and widened her eyes.
“Wait, that guy runs a tavern and drives a Mercedes-Benz, he doesn’t lack my 200 million at all. So from the beginning, he had his eye on Soo Jung?”
A surge of anger rose in Jessica’s heart, but then she thought of that IOU, which originally seemed fine but suddenly became full of doubts.
She wanted to find the loopholes in it, but she had no clue.
Just like the girl next to Lin Xiuyuan, the problem was indeed big, but she couldn’t find the source, everything seemed messy.
While thinking about these issues, Jessica had unknowingly walked a circle and returned to the alley entrance.
Standing there, she gazed at the clean ground and the occasional car sounds from the alley, suddenly feeling some confusion, not knowing what to do next.
She couldn’t really wait here like guarding a tree stump for a rabbit, who knows when that guy would come out.
Just as Jessica was at a loss, she suddenly heard the roar of an engine, turned her head to look, and saw a Mercedes-Benz AMG sedan slowly driving from not far away, then stopping behind her car.
The car door opened, a familiar figure got out, looking at her with full shock, “Sulli? Why are you here?”
After getting out of the car, Kim Tae Yeon was very shocked why Jessica was here. She originally wanted to find Lin Xiuyuan, but with this one present, it would probably be hard for her to ask Lin Xiuyuan about some ‘secrets’.
Equally shocked Jessica also looked at her, “Taeyeon? Why are you here too.”
Kim Tae Yeon walked to Jessica’s side and said directly, “I’m here to find Xiuyuan, Sulli why are you here?”
“I…”
Jessica originally planned to say she was here to find Lin Xiuyuan, but on second thought, she changed to an excuse, “Oh, I’m here to find Soo Jung, I thought she was with Lin Xiuyuan, but I just called her and she said she’s not.”
Hearing this, Kim Tae Yeon gave her a deep look, showed a faint smile, didn’t expose Jessica’s lie, and casually asked, “Then do you want to go into the tavern and sit for a bit.”
“Ah? Sure, should we call that guy Lin Xiuyuan out?”
Jessica’s eyes lit up, she nodded in agreement. As far as she knew, this small tavern could only be opened by Lin Xiuyuan or members, right now…
Wait, what is Taeyeon doing?
Wait, how did the door open?
Just as Jessica was thinking of using this opportunity to have Kim Tae Yeon call Lin Xiuyuan out, Kim Tae Yeon had already walked up and effortlessly unlocked the tavern door.
Then she turned back to her, “Come in, Sulli, what are you spacing out for.”
Gazing at the opened tavern door, Jessica then remembered that Kim Tae Yeon was already a member, so she looked up at her, “By the way, Taeyeon, when did you become a member of this tavern.”
“Not long ago.” Kim Tae Yeon smiled somewhat.
However, looking at Kim Tae Yeon’s face, and thinking of Im Yoon Ah, Krystal and others, Jessica had a question she wanted to ask but ultimately didn’t.
The main reason was simple: Big Dragon Cub and Lee Ji-eun weren’t members, but they were radiant too.
Thinking of this, Jessica stepped forward to follow Kim Tae Yeon into the tavern.
And although it was Kim Tae Yeon’s first time coming in by herself, Lin Xiuyuan had previously introduced her to the circuits and layout of this small shop, she just needed to turn on the main switch, and no other issues needed attention.
If you know bartending, do it yourself; if not, add some ice cubes and drink something ready-made.
Obviously, both Kim Tae Yeon and Jessica belonged to the latter, and both had driven over, so they just came in to find a place to sit.
At the same time, Jessica curiously asked again, “Taeyeon, since you’re a member, do you know what the membership standard for Lin Xiuyuan’s tavern is?”
“Ah, the standard?”
Being asked, Kim Tae Yeon was somewhat clueless, because apart from enjoying the Time-Space Door member benefit, she knew nothing about other benefits, let alone any standards.
So she answered, “Probably depends on Xiuyuan’s mood.”
Seeing Kim Tae Yeon’s expression didn’t seem like she was deliberately hiding it, Jessica hesitated for a moment, then continued asking, “Then have you met other members of the tavern, besides Soo Jung, Yoona, and Eun-jung?”
Although she didn’t know why Jessica was so curious, Kim Tae Yeon still nodded lightly.
Then, Jessica asked, “Then do you know who the girl is who looks about my height, similar figure, wearing black toenail polish? Have you seen her?”
“Similar to you?” Kim Tae Yeon’s heart tightened suddenly.
“Yeah, just now when I was eating…”
Then, Jessica recounted how she and Big Dragon Cub went to pick up someone at the airport today, then ate together, and discovered Lin Xiuyuan bringing out a masked member, so she went down to say hello.
The result… the other party opened her mouth and cursed at her.
This was still okay, the main thing was the voice was too much like her own, tone, small gestures, etc.
Although saying these things, Jessica herself felt it was a bit far-fetched, but with no way to find Lin Xiuyuan for an explanation right now, and having caught a member Kim Tae Yeon, she wanted to ask more to see what was really going on.
And after hearing Jessica’s words, Kim Tae Yeon’s first reaction was: 2013’s Sulli came?
After all, someone who could say “you’ve become so ugly” to Jessica, Kim Tae Yeon couldn’t think of anyone besides Jung Soo Yeon for the moment.
So she subconsciously laughed out loud, attracting Jessica’s gaze, “Why are you laughing, Taeyeon, do you know who she is?”
“Ah, I don’t know, I just joined. Although I’ve seen several members, I haven’t met them all.”
Being asked, Kim Tae Yeon immediately denied it, mainly because she didn’t know how to explain.
“Then ask Lin Xiuyuan?” Jessica asked next.
To this, Kim Tae Yeon answered very directly, “Ah, Sulli don’t you have his phone? Ask him yourself, I’m embarrassed to ask about other members’ info.”
Just after saying this, Kim Tae Yeon saw Jessica’s expression change, then she took a deep breath and said with full resentment, “Lin Xiuyuan that guy blocked me.”
This shocked Kim Tae Yeon again, her mind recalling the evening after the party when Im Yoon Ah explained to her the ‘conflict incident’ between Lin Xiuyuan and Jessica.
So she quickly pretended to realize, smacking her lips lightly, “Tsk, then this is a bit tricky.”
“Taeyeon help me arrange to meet him, I want to ask clearly, okay?” Jessica’s voice was low, with a hint of helplessness.
Kim Tae Yeon thought for a while, then nodded, “I’ll call him and try, but no guarantee he’ll agree, Xiuyuan is pretty stubborn.”
Towards the end, Kim Tae Yeon couldn’t help laughing, which made Jessica feel a bit uncomfortable.
……
……
Inside the villa.
Lin Xiuyuan was still playing that subtle “jade foot game” with Jung Soo Yeon, toes occasionally touching, and the distance between them getting closer in this unspoken contact.
At the same time, one hand was quickly replying to messages on the mobile phone, with a slight smile on his face.
On the phone screen, messages from Yoo Jimin were still flashing continuously, and he quickly replied to a few.
Suddenly, Jung Soo Yeon spoke to break the silence, “Xiuyuan, if I really go develop in domestic entertainment industry, do you have any suggestions?”
Lin Xiuyuan was slightly stunned, glanced at her legs, then at her eyes, “Didn’t you listen to what I said earlier?”
“I mean, are there other ways?” Jung Soo Yeon gave him a light eye roll.
“Want to take a shortcut?” Lin Xiuyuan raised an eyebrow, teasing.
Jung Soo Yeon smiled, “Just to know more.”
Lin Xiuyuan turned around, a helpless smile on his face, “You currently already have some market appeal, so the most direct way is to create buzz. In the future entertainment industry, traffic is king, whoever attracts attention becomes the focus.”
“For example?” Jung Soo Yeon continued asking, curiosity in her eyes.
“For example, buy trending searches…”
Just as Lin Xiuyuan was about to continue, his phone ringtone suddenly rang, he looked down, “Huh, call from Taeyeon.”
Having just seen Kim Tae Yeon’s concert video in short videos earlier, Jung Soo Yeon smiled with some envy in her gaze, “Taeyeon just finished her concert tour, right.”
“Mm-hmm.”
Lin Xiuyuan nodded and answered the call, “Hello, Taeyeon.”
Kim Tae Yeon on the other end smiled upon hearing the voice, “Yeah, it’s me, Xiuyuan where are you?”
“Me? At home, what’s up? Want to come over?”
Hearing Kim Tae Yeon’s straightforward question, Lin Xiuyuan thought she wanted to go back to the 2013 side, so he was just about to invite her.
But then he heard Kim Tae Yeon’s reply, “No, I mean do you want to come to the tavern and sit? I’m here with Sulli.”
Sulli?
This name made Lin Xiuyuan subconsciously look up at the opposite side, Jung Soo Yeon also put down her phone, narrowing her eyes slightly.
If it was a call from Jessica, Lin Xiuyuan would definitely say he’s busy or hang up, but it was Kim Tae Yeon’s call, which put him in a dilemma.
Fortunately, Jung Soo Yeon was very understanding, not putting pressure on Lin Xiuyuan, she stood up and pointed at the Time-Space Door, smiling lightly.
Seeing this, Lin Xiuyuan raised his sword-like eyebrows, and answered, “Wait for me, I’ll be out in a bit.”
“Mm, see you in a bit.”
“See you in a bit.”
After hanging up, Lin Xiuyuan’s first words were, “Impressive, it’s only been this short time, found Soo Jung and now Taeyeon, Sulli, are you this crazy?”
“Probably I stimulated her.”
Putting herself in the situation, Jung Soo Yeon thought if the 2013 her suddenly saw a figure very similar to herself on the road, who came up and said something in her own voice then ran, she would probably want to figure it all out too.
And the person involved was someone she knew, not a stranger, she would definitely ask to the bottom.
“I’ll send you back first.”
Helpless, Lin Xiuyuan could only stand up and say, “Later after handling the situation, I’ll come find you, or…”
“Evening rehearsal, probably until early morning, we’ll see then.” Jung Soo Yeon answered.
Seeing this, Lin Xiuyuan didn’t say more, brought Jung Soo Yeon to the Time-Space Door, opened it, and behind the door was Jung Soo Yeon’s own apartment.
Before going in, Jung Soo Yeon made him stop, turned to look at Lin Xiuyuan.
With a strange and somewhat nervous gaze, she said, “Lin Xiuyuan, don’t touch Jessica, I won’t say anything about others, but not this one.”
The voice in his ear made Lin Xiuyuan look at Jung Soo Yeon in surprise. No longer little Chu Nan, after thinking it over, he suddenly realized something, looked at Jung Soo Yeon in front of him with interest, and smiled slightly.
“What, afraid I’ll get jealous?”
“Get lost~”
Not expecting Lin Xiuyuan to be so direct, Jung Soo Yeon blushed, cursed angrily, then stepped back to her apartment.
Then turned to Lin Xiuyuan and warned seriously again, “Don’t, got it?”
“Relax, don’t worry.” Lin Xiuyuan smiled.
Just as Lin Xiuyuan was about to close the door, Jung Soo Yeon suddenly stopped again and blocked him.
A few seconds later, her tone softened a bit, “She probably hasn’t had it easy either, when you go out, don’t stimulate her.”
Lin Xiuyuan was stunned, looked at Jung Soo Yeon, nodded lightly, then closed the door.
Then he stood at the door pondering for a moment before turning towards the main gate.
……
……
Leaving the villa, Lin Xiuyuan soon arrived at the tavern side.
The moment he entered the tavern, Lin Xiuyuan glanced at the bar counter, Kim Tae Yeon was already standing there drinking a beverage, smiling at him.
“You’re here, Xiuyuan,” Kim Tae Yeon smiled.
“Mm, how come you have time to come today.”
Lin Xiuyuan’s gaze swept over Jessica sitting next to Kim Tae Yeon, ignored her, then turned to greet Kim Tae Yeon on his own.
“Concert tour ended, came to find you for something, didn’t expect to run into Sulli at the intersection.”
Kim Tae Yeon very concisely reminded Lin Xiuyuan of Jessica’s situation.
Just as Lin Xiuyuan was about to respond, Jessica sitting aside suddenly spoke, tone calm but a bit anxious, “Lin Xiuyuan, that masked girl who was with you on the street before, where is she?”
Lin Xiuyuan’s movement paused, his gaze subconsciously swept over Kim Tae Yeon, finding she had no particular reaction.
Only then did he look at Jessica, “What do you want with her?”
Then he sneered, “Not because she called you ugly, so you want to pick a fight and curse back.”
The response in her ear shocked Jessica, the scene of the previous ‘conflict incident’ emerged in her mind, she gritted her teeth, frowned at Lin Xiuyuan.
“You’re a big man, can you not be so petty? Didn’t I already apologize for that incident? And you hit someone too, your anger should be gone by now.”
Hearing Jessica’s explanation, Lin Xiuyuan couldn’t help laughing out loud.
“Big man? Hey, I’m not that mature, not that old. I’m just a vengeful young guy, young and vigorous, bad temper, thinking about revenge all day.”
“…”
Jessica looked at Lin Xiuyuan’s smug appearance, extremely depressed in her heart, wanted to curse him, but ultimately held back, took a deep breath.
“How to make peace, draw a line.”
“Tsk tsk tsk tsk~”
Seeing Jessica’s familiar response, Lin Xiuyuan couldn’t help praising, “Impressive, you’ve met quite a few bold people in domestic entertainment industry, huh, this has such a gangster vibe.”
“Stop nagging, just say if we can make peace, if you can tell me what I want to know.”
Hearing Lin Xiuyuan’s taunt, Jessica was extremely annoyed and losing patience, so she asked directly.
Lin Xiuyuan looked at her, was about to provoke more, but Kim Tae Yeon gently tugged his clothes, gave him a mild look.
Thinking of Krystal’s side, and what Jung Soo Yeon said earlier, Lin Xiuyuan then patted Kim Tae Yeon’s little hand, smiled, turned to Jessica, “We can make peace, but no telling what you want to know.”
“I just want to meet her.” Jessica said lowly.
“No.”
“Then can I ask her a few questions?”
“No.”
“Then I only ask you a few questions about her, okay?”
Lin Xiuyuan thought for a moment, then nodded, “Sure, premise is make peace first.”
Jessica had just breathed a sigh of relief, before she could be happy for two seconds, Lin Xiuyuan’s words poured cold water, helpless she sighed, “You say, how to make peace.”
“Hiss, I need to think about this.”
Lin Xiuyuan rubbed his chin, as if thinking of something, his gaze fixed tightly on Jessica.
Until he made her feel creeped out, he then said, “I won’t make it hard for you, like this, you’re a designer, right, just draw me a hundred design drawings, no problem.”
Jessica immediately widened her eyes, “What do you take design for, it’s not that simple to draw.”
Lin Xiuyuan smiled indifferently, “Relax, I don’t want your original designs. For example, if I say I like a piece of clothing, give you the style, have you trace it back to design drawings, no problem right.”
Now not only Jessica, even Kim Tae Yeon was puzzled, “Xiuyuan what do you need these design drawings for.”
“Don’t worry about it, Jessica, yes or no? You can find someone else to do it or draw yourself, this condition for peace is simple right.”
Jessica gave Lin Xiuyuan a deep look, hearing he said others could do it, ultimately agreed, “Sure.”
And Kim Tae Yeon watching these two felt like watching kids play house, couldn’t help laughing, “You two… so childish, feels like kids fighting.”
“Yeah, very childish.” Jessica glanced at Lin Xiuyuan.
Lin Xiuyuan calmly ignored her gaze, this condition he wanted was basically to find a workhorse to help Jung Soo Yeon draw design drawings, so she wouldn’t stay up all night alone working like a fool.
After complaining about Lin Xiuyuan, Jessica spoke again, “Then can I ask questions now.”
“Ask away.” Lin Xiuyuan walked behind the bar counter, grabbed a can of iced coffee for himself.
“If I directly ask who she is, you definitely won’t say, right.” Jessica stared straight at Lin Xiuyuan.
“Member confidentiality agreement, ask Taeyeon, will she say?” Lin Xiuyuan casually gestured to Kim Tae Yeon.
Kim Tae Yeon next to them quickly waved her hand, “You guys chat, I won’t interrupt, but if it were me, I’d like this confidentiality agreement too.”
Jessica exhaled heavily, continued, “Then can I know her age?”
“Age? Younger than you and Taeyeon by 12 years.” Lin Xiuyuan said this answer without hesitation, tone slightly cheerful and teasing.
Kim Tae Yeon felt a bit hurt, something unrelated to her, why drag her in as example.
So she immediately gave Lin Xiuyuan a big eye roll, pissed.
Then Jessica asked, “Then can I know where in Seoul she is from?”
“Seoul?”
Hearing this question, Lin Xiuyuan looked up at Jessica, smiled, “She’s not a Korean person, next question.”
“Do I know her.”
“You do, next.”
“Does Ji-yeon know her?”
“Pass, next.”
“How tall is she.”
“About your height.” Lin Xiuyuan raised an eyebrow slightly, seeming to savor the fun of this question.
“How much does she weigh.”
“Lighter than you.” He answered without thinking again, tone carrying some playfulness, as if enjoying this sense of unresolved mystery.
Jessica frowned tightly, feeling played, “Is she in the industry or outside?”
“She’s an Earthling.” Lin Xiuyuan showed a smile, “Next.”
Lin Xiuyuan who was fiddling with equipment lowered his head, noticing after he spoke Jessica went silent, then looked up at her, “What’s up, done asking?”
“Answering like this is a bit perfunctory, Lin Xiuyuan.” Jessica gave him a speechless look.
To this, Lin Xiuyuan directly laughed, “How is this perfunctory, at least I answered, and I guarantee my answers are accurate to the max, don’t believe ask Taeyeon.”
Kim Tae Yeon who was watching the show nearby quickly shook her head, “Xiuyuan you guys talk, don’t drag me in, I already let go of you calling me old earlier.”
“Anyway if I wanted to brush you off, why not just not answer at all, wouldn’t that be more straightforward, right.” Lin Xiuyuan shrugged too.
Jessica took a deep breath, the answers to the questions just made her thoughts even messier.
So after a while, she said, “Not asking anymore, that’s it.”
“Then OK, welcome to come again next time.”
Lin Xiuyuan who got the answer turned to the door, gestured to Jessica.
This small action made Jessica’s just calmed emotions stir again, “Wait, Lin Xiuyuan what do you mean, kicking people out? We agreed to make peace, words don’t count?”
To this, Lin Xiuyuan shook his head, but his words made Jessica even more annoyed, “No, next is chat between members, you an outsider sitting here isn’t appropriate.”
But his gaze was towards Kim Tae Yeon.
Kim Tae Yeon smiled lightly at Lin Xiuyuan, “It’s fine, I can chat with you later, haven’t chatted with Sulli in a long time, Xiuyuan don’t kick people out.”
“Then you chat, I’m going home to sleep.” Lin Xiuyuan smiled.
At this time, Jessica said, “Lin Xiuyuan, does your home live in the alley next door?”
“Mm, what’s up?” Lin Xiuyuan didn’t quite get her intention.
“Just curious where you live.”
Saying this, Jessica stared tightly at Lin Xiuyuan, in her view, anyone with emotional intelligence would follow her words and invite her over to sit and visit.
But Lin Xiuyuan’s response was, “Then keep being curious, bye. Taeyeon whenever you’re done chatting, come over yourself.”
After saying that, Lin Xiuyuan really just grabbed that half-finished can of Coke and left the tavern directly.
Until the tavern door closed again, Jessica still hadn’t come back to her senses, only after a while did she turn to Kim Tae Yeon, “Taeyeon, does he talk to you like this too?”
“No, Xiuyuan is pretty easygoing, and… he’s quite gentle deep down.”
Saying this, Kim Tae Yeon thought of the time Lin Xiuyuan ‘sent’ her back to Jeonju, her lips curved into a gentle smile.
But Jessica saw her eyebrows furrow, she noticed that everyone who stayed with Lin Xiuyuan seemed to change a bit from before.
Starting from Krystal, then Yoona, Ji-yeon, Qiu Li… now Taeyeon joined too?
If not for Kim Tae Yeon’s unchanged complexion, Jessica really would hire a detective to track what kind of person Lin Xiuyuan was, why women close to him all changed appearance.
Oh, except Taeyeon.
Suddenly remembering something, Jessica looked at Kim Tae Yeon, “Right, Taeyeon do you know where Lin Xiuyuan’s home is?”
“I do.” Kim Tae Yeon nodded.
“Then can I go see?” Jessica said surprised.
But Kim Tae Yeon gently shook her head, “No can do, Sulli, confidentiality agreement.”
This answer made Jessica grip the glass cup in her hand tightly, extremely upset she said, “Why, that guy, clearly I knew him earliest.”
Kim Tae Yeon hearing this, raised an eyebrow.
Then lowered her head and sent Lin Xiuyuan a text: Xiuyuan, do you want a woman?
A few seconds later, reply: Except Jessica.
7K first, another chapter later.
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