Chapter 199: “is This Member Benefit? Or What?”
Inside the villa in the 25th year, Lin Xiuyuan had just sat down not long ago when he heard the doorbell ring, followed by Kim Tae Yeon’s voice coming through the doorbell into the lobby’s audio equipment.
Jung Soo Yeon heard the sound and turned to look at the yard outside, then gazed at Lin Xiuyuan beside her, teasing, “You didn’t give Taeyeon the password?”
“This is her second time coming to my side, give what?”
Lin Xiuyuan responded with some complaint, then shouted the smart butler’s command, and the door opened automatically.
Then Kim Tae Yeon walked into the yard and saw the living room through the floor-to-ceiling window but didn’t see Jung Soo Yeon, mistakenly thinking she had already left.
As a result, when the sound of the gate closing rang out, a small head slowly poked out from behind the sofa’s backrest, and the two made eye contact, smiling at each other.
Then Kim Tae Yeon walked into the living room, very happily asking, “Oh, Soo Jung, you didn’t go back?”
“I went back for a bit, then came over again. There was originally a rehearsal in the evening, but the later schedule wasn’t arranged.” Jung Soo Yeon, who had stood up, waved at Kim Tae Yeon, “Come sit, Taeyeon, what’s up with you today, coming over here.”
“I’m here to find Xiuyuan.” Kim Tae Yeon turned to look at Lin Xiuyuan.
Lin Xiuyuan was lowering his head replying to messages, then looked up somewhat puzzled, “Ah, what do you want with me?”
Kim Tae Yeon first glanced at him, then looked at Jung Soo Yeon beside her, seeming not to have anything to say right away, “We’ll talk about this later. Right, Soo Jung, did you just go out with Xiuyuan?”
“Yeah, today I talked with Xiuyuan about some things, then he brought me here and we strolled around.” Jung Soo Yeon nodded in response.
“What did you talk about?”
Kim Tae Yeon asked, unclear.
Then, Jung Soo Yeon shared her idea of entering the domestic entertainment industry and also told Kim Tae Yeon the suggestions Lin Xiuyuan had mentioned before, to see what this leader with over ten years more experience than her thought.
As soon as Kim Tae Yeon heard this, she immediately replied.
“Asking me is useless, I feel you should ask Jessica instead. She understands the situation over there with Xiuyuan and them better than us. Or Eun-jung from Tara and them, but Eun-jung and them have a cooperative company, not sure if it’s suitable for you.”
“What about Yoona, Yoona’s that…”
Before Jung Soo Yeon finished, Kim Tae Yeon spoke again, “Yoona won’t work either. Yoona’s was a semi-official cooperation between the company and that side, feels a bit like putting on a show. After that period, she had nothing, whereas Tara and them are better off.”
Facing Kim Tae Yeon’s words, Jung Soo Yeon’s brows slightly raised, feeling a bit uncertain inside.
So she instinctively turned to look at Lin Xiuyuan, her gaze carrying some expectation and a plea for answers.
Stared at by her, Lin Xiuyuan chuckled, “Don’t look at me, I’m not reborn, nor am I in the circle. I really don’t understand this stuff.”
After saying this, some ideas flashed through his mind, “If it really doesn’t work, take another route. First go the big V route on Weibo to accumulate fans; wait two years for YouTube’s internet to mature, then go that side’s channel route to solidify the overseas market. Finally, when China’s short videos launch, you can be the first to dive in and reap massive traffic.”
Jung Soo Yeon listened, her brows slightly furrowed, clearly hesitant, “Wouldn’t that mean waiting several years?”
Kim Tae Yeon quietly listened to Lin Xiuyuan’s suggestion beside them, then lifted her head, a flash of approval in her eyes, and gently nodded.
“What Xiuyuan said is the safest, but I think, Soo Jung, your plan can also be discussed with the company. Not necessarily just pick one. Grab both plans with both hands. Anyway, these things don’t require too much effort.”
“I’m listening, next time when there’s time, I’ll chat with Eun-jung and Yoona and them to see.” Jung Soo Yeon also nodded.
Lin Xiuyuan on the sofa saw Kim Tae Yeon had come, so he stood up and said, “Since Taeyeon is here, you two chat nicely. I won’t disturb you, going upstairs to play games.”
After saying that, Lin Xiuyuan prepared to head to the stairs, but was stopped by Kim Tae Yeon.
“Wait, I came to find you, why are you running?”
“Is it urgent?” Lin Xiuyuan asked. Seeing Kim Tae Yeon shake her head, he smiled, “Since it’s not urgent, you chat first, we’ll talk at dinner later.”
After saying that, Lin Xiuyuan ignored the two behind him, quickly ran up to the second floor, then slipped into the esports room.
The two left in the living room watched his back disappear, then smiled at each other again. Next, Kim Tae Yeon also sat beside Jung Soo Yeon and softly chatted with her about some things.
From group to solo, from songs to schedules, from work to private matters, under the connection of Lin Xiuyuan and the time-space door, they entered a mode of talking about everything.
As time passed, a plate of fruit somehow appeared on the living room coffee table, and the air was filled with a relaxed atmosphere.
However, just as they were immersed in conversation, the villa’s gate rang again.
Then Jung Soo Yeon, like Lin Xiaolu before, instinctively shrank behind the sofa backrest, afraid of being discovered doing something improper.
At the same time, Kim Tae Yeon, who had come the second time, also tensed up, afraid Jung Soo Yeon would be discovered.
This scene made Im Yoon Ah, walking in while closing the door after glancing at the two inside the floor-to-ceiling window, burst into laughter.
“Ah, unnie~ You don’t need to be so nervous. Xiuyuan didn’t give the password to anyone else, only Soo Jung and I have it. No need to worry.”
Jung Soo Yeon breathed a slight sigh of relief, looked up at Im Yoon Ah walking into the living room, and asked somewhat surprised, “Yoona, how did you get here?”
“Xiuyuan called me. I was supposed to go to the company for a meeting this afternoon, but I skipped it and pushed it to tomorrow.”
Im Yoon Ah walked to the sofa side, put down her bag, and greeted Kim Tae Yeon.
At that moment, Jung Soo Yeon suddenly frowned, her gaze sharply scanning Im Yoon Ah’s face, “Wait, Yoona, your complexion looks much better than last time we met.”
Im Yoon Ah’s smile stiffened instantly, seeming caught off guard, not knowing how to respond.
She turned her head, her gaze somewhat evasive, trying to change the topic.
However, Kim Tae Yeon then spoke softly, “Soo Jung, do you know what I came to ask Xiuyuan this time?”
“What?”
Jung Soo Yeon was puzzled. As someone from 2013, how would she know the real-time situation here in 2025.
Beside her, Im Yoon Ah couldn’t help but open her mouth wide upon seeing this, her gaze complex with worry and helplessness, secretly signaling Kim Tae Yeon not to continue.
However, Kim Tae Yeon clearly had no intention of dropping it, directly saying, “I noticed that Soo Jung, Yoona, Ji-yeon, and Qiu Li, who are close to Xiuyuan, have all become younger, with better complexion, better skin, and even their mental state has recovered remarkably.”
Jung Soo Yeon’s eyes narrowed slightly, clearly not fully understanding the deeper meaning in Kim Tae Yeon’s words.
“Hm?”
So she repeated somewhat confused.
Kim Tae Yeon didn’t speak again, but gently shifted her body, leaned close to Jung Soo Yeon, and handed her a few comparison photos.
In the photos, the facial changes of the few she had just mentioned were strikingly obvious.
Whether complexion, skin, or mental state, all had undergone significant changes.
These photos made Jung Soo Yeon’s eyes widen suddenly, her pupils contracting sharply.
Beside her, Im Yoon Ah, standing there, covered her forehead.
We’re done for, Soo Jung~
……
……
And in the afternoon not long ago, Big Dragon Cub and Lee Ji-eun had just finished eating, rested a bit, then moved to an afternoon tea restaurant on the other side.
Over there, Park Hyomin and Ham Eun-jung were already waiting. Seeing the two walk in, they immediately greeted them warmly.
However, after Lee Ji-eun sat down, Park Hyomin and Ham Eun-jung simultaneously focused their gazes on her, surprise flashing in their eyes.
“Unnie, what’s going on with you?”
Shocked, Park Hyomin blurted out, her tone carrying disbelief, “How do you look… completely refreshed, nothing like your previous thin, exhausted appearance.”
Beside her, Sweet Eun-jung also lowered her head, carefully examining Lee Ji-eun’s face, her gaze carrying doubt and shock.
Although she already knew some special situation, seeing this actual case right in front of her still made her exclaim in amazement.
“Wow, unnie, after coming back from this Maldives trip, you’ve totally changed. Better complexion, smoother skin, and your mental state looks super great.”
Facing such direct praise, Lee Ji-eun felt her face heat up slightly, adjusted her hair with her hand, and smiled.
“Actually, I just relaxed for a while, nothing special. The sunlight and seawater in Maldives really made me feel refreshed.”
She tried to conceal her inner joy, pretending indifference, “The accumulated fatigue and stress from these years finally got some relief.”
But Park Hyomin clearly wasn’t letting her off easily. After glancing at her, she immediately turned to Big Dragon Cub sitting beside, “Unnie went to Maldives for tourism and relaxation. Ji-yeon, what’s your deal then?”
Big Dragon Cub felt her scalp tingle under Park Hyomin’s gaze, but she still gave the most direct answer without hesitation, “I rolled in the sheets with Xiuyuan. Young guy has lots of vitality, he nourished me back to health.”
At these words, the other three at the round table fell silent, even Park Hyomin not daring to ask further.
Who knew what more shocking words this crazy maknae would blurt out.
Lee Ji-eun heard this, her mouth corners couldn’t help but curve up slightly, secretly chuckling inside.
Because she knew Big Dragon Cub was telling the truth, so she had to admire her straightforwardness and fearlessness.
Meanwhile, Park Hyomin turned her gaze back to Lee Ji-eun, staring intently, seeming to want to say something but hesitating out of fear of hearing an even more stimulating answer.
So just like that, with the topic ending, their conversation finally returned to normal.
The afternoon dessert atmosphere relaxed again, until the end of afternoon tea when everyone was preparing to leave, Sweet Eun-jung’s phone suddenly rang.
The moment the caller ID appeared, everyone’s gazes focused on her phone screen, or rather on that caller ID name.
That curious and inquiring gaze made Sweet Eun-jung instantly feel immense pressure, like walking on thin ice.
She answered the call, “Hello, Xiuyuan~”
“Eun-jung, are you free tonight?” Lin Xiuyuan on the other end got straight to the point.
Sweet Eun-jung was silent for a moment, thought about it, then answered, “Yeah, free. Just having afternoon tea with Ji-yeon and them, no schedule later.”
“Then come over for a meal gathering later.” Lin Xiuyuan’s tone sounded relaxed, then as if guessing someone was beside her, he added, “It’s a tavern member gathering.”
So just like that, after hanging up, Sweet Eun-jung looked at the three pairs of eyes on her and found it amusing.
“Don’t look at me, this is my first time at this so-called tavern member gathering too. Who let you and Qiu Li not catch fish last time, Ji-yeon.”
“Ah~ Xiuyuan didn’t say earlier.” Big Dragon Cub said with some resentment.
If he had said earlier, she probably would’ve cheated directly.
Fishing?
Chumming, netting fish.
“Can only say the young guy is too unpredictable, we can’t quite keep up with Xiuyuan.”
However, just as Sweet Eun-jung finished, Big Dragon Cub beside her quipped, “Can’t keep up? Hmph hmph, he plays with my emotions, I play with his body. Each gets what they need, fair and square.”
At these words, the atmosphere froze again, the four instantly falling into silence, even the air seeming to thicken.
……
……
Probably around 5 PM in the evening, Sweet Eun-jung finally arrived at the villa side, then curiously glanced at the automatically opening room door and stepped into the yard.
However, before Sweet Eun-jung fully entered the living room, she sensed something unusual in the atmosphere.
Within sight stood several familiar figures: Kim Tae Yeon, Jung Soo Yeon, and Im Yoon Ah.
Lin Xiuyuan stood diagonally across from them, right at the stairwell, his gaze revealing an expectation like seeing a lifesaver.
Sweet Eun-jung instinctively stopped, and the moment her eyes met Lin Xiuyuan’s, she almost subconsciously wanted to turn and leave, her heart full of alertness, as if stepping into a trap.
But unfortunately, Lin Xiuyuan had no intention of letting her go, calling out loudly, “Oh, Eun-jung, you’re here?”
With Lin Xiuyuan speaking, Jung Soo Yeon took a deep breath, then turned to look at Sweet Eun-jung entering the living room.
Gazing at this Sweet Eun-jung who was only slightly plumper but otherwise not much different from Ham Eun-jung in ’13, she couldn’t help but feel surprised.
“Come in quick. Can you tell if this is the 2013 or 2025 version?” Lin Xiuyuan said with a smile while walking down the stairs.
“Of course I can tell.”
Sweet Eun-jung smiled slightly, then proactively walked forward to greet Jung Soo Yeon.
Seeing the topic diverted, Lin Xiuyuan finally breathed a sigh of relief, then looked up at Im Yoon Ah smiling slightly over there, his brows furrowing, completely not knowing how to explain.
At this time, Kim Tae Yeon spoke, “Xiuyuan, now we’re all here. How are we eating tonight? Call takeout?”
“Eating takeout every day isn’t healthy. How about I cook.”
Hearing this, Sweet Eun-jung immediately pursed her lips, smiled at Jung Soo Yeon and Kim Tae Yeon and the others, “I’ve been idle these years and studied quite a few recipes. My culinary skill is decent.”
Hearing Sweet Eun-jung say this, Lin Xiuyuan suddenly thought of something and said, “Alright, I’ll go find someone to assist you.”
Then, without waiting for the women to speak, he hurriedly opened the time-space door and slipped back to the 2013 side.
The remaining few exchanged glances, and a few seconds later, all couldn’t help but laugh out.
With the laughter spreading, the atmosphere finally relaxed a lot.
Sweet Eun-jung seized the moment to ask, “What was that just now? Xiuyuan got scared off by you all.”
Better not to ask; once asked, Jung Soo Yeon and Kim Tae Yeon’s gazes locked dead onto Sweet Eun-jung’s face.
A few seconds later, the two finally withdrew their gazes and tacitly exchanged a look.
“Eun-jung doesn’t have it.”
“Yeah, luckily not.”
Hearing this exchange, Sweet Eun-jung felt a sudden realization, as if she had just heard something similar from Park Hyomin.
So Sweet Eun-jung turned to Im Yoon Ah, her gaze fixed on her radiant face, suddenly reacting and couldn’t help but chuckle softly, “Oh, I get it. You were just interrogating Xiuyuan.”
“This isn’t interrogation.”
“Exactly, this is called exchange.”
Beside them, Im Yoon Ah listened to Jung Soo Yeon and Kim Tae Yeon’s back-and-forth, could only smile lightly, not daring to speak.
Her thoughts couldn’t help drifting back to more than ten minutes ago.
Right after Im Yoon Ah entered the villa and was “caught” on site by Kim Tae Yeon, Lin Xiuyuan, who had been focused on gaming upstairs, was also called down.
Lin Xiuyuan, who had just finished the call with Sweet Eun-jung, didn’t think much and got up to leave the room.
When he saw Im Yoon Ah already there, his eyes lit up, and he greeted happily, “Good afternoon, Yoona.”
“Good afternoon.”
Im Yoon Ah smiled lightly, but inwardly thought: You’re in for it soon, Xiuyuan.
Sure enough, when Lin Xiuyuan reached the stairwell, Kim Tae Yeon struck first, “Xiuyuan, I have a question I want to know.”
“What question?”
Lin Xiuyuan stood at the stairwell, brows slightly furrowed, looking puzzled at the two on the sofa, a trace of alertness rising in his heart: Why have their gazes suddenly become so sharp?
Kim Tae Yeon smiled slightly, her mouth corners curving meaningfully, “I want to know, after joining the tavern member, is there any benefit I haven’t claimed yet?”
“?”
Lin Xiuyuan was puzzled, “Tavern member’s benefits? Isn’t it just the parallel dimension? Anything else?”
“Really just that? Then why do Soo Jung, Yoona, Ji-yeon, and Qiu Li seem a bit different?”
While saying this, Kim Tae Yeon was still sliding her phone screen, then under Lin Xiuyuan’s gaze, unhurriedly handed the screen to him, “See for yourself. Before knowing you and after, they’re completely different appearances.”
Jung Soo Yeon wasn’t backing down either, lifting her head, her gaze sharply fixed on Lin Xiuyuan, mouth corners slightly upturned, like waiting for a clear answer.
“Xiuyuan, is this a benefit? Or something else?”
Typhoon day today, double work, so just one chapter tonight.
Later I’ll see if I can write a second chapter. If not, supplement tomorrow morning. Everyone rest early. Can read tomorrow too.
Above: Seeking monthly tickets, seeking subscriptions, seeking everything!
