Chapter 218: 【xiuyuan, You Asleep?】or【asleep】
In the end, Lin Xiuyuan and the other two still didn’t go swimming.
Because according to Lee Ji-eun’s statement, that swimming pool wasn’t in Seoul, but in Gyeonggi Province.
A car ride of over an hour directly made Lin Xiuyuan drop the idea.
However, although they didn’t manage to go swimming, they still found a similar pastime—that was—bubble bath.
That’s right, July, the hottest days of summer, going for a bubble bath and incidentally steaming in a sauna.
According to Lee Ji-eun’s statement, soaking the body at this time of year felt even more comfortable than soaking in hot springs in winter.
Although Lin Xiuyuan didn’t study medicine, having grown up in southern China, he had some common knowledge about bodily damp-heat and deficiency-cold conditions from constant exposure since childhood.
Sunbathing, applying summer solstice patches, soaking in hot springs, foot baths during the hottest days—none of it was anything more than replenishing yang energy.
And he really wasn’t lacking in yang energy.
Nevertheless, he still decided to go along.
The location was very close, inside a spa in Gangnam, with a private bubble bath pool directly available, and next to the bath pool was a small house for steaming in a sauna.
Pushing open that concealed glass door, hot steam rushed at his face, like a preview of the laziness and relaxation for the entire afternoon.
As the VIP area of a high-end spa club, it not only had excellent soundproofing, but the environment was also extremely luxurious.
The indoor lighting was gentle, sunlight filtering through sheer curtain-like floor-to-ceiling windows, slanting across the smooth marble floor.
Outside the window was a meticulously trimmed green plants landscape, adding a touch of serene aura to the entire space.
Lin Xiuyuan, who had already changed into a bathrobe, glanced at the empty room and unhesitatingly walked into the bubble bath pool.
Soft steam rose from the water surface, and amid the swirling hot air, even the tips of his hair curled slightly.
The warm water gently enveloped him, and his body and mind completely relaxed in an instant.
A few minutes later, footsteps sounded.
Lee Ji-eun walked in, the white bath towel on her body providing only minimal coverage, her curves fully revealed, her waist slender and straight, her chest boldly prominent without concealment, each step carrying subtle undulations.
Under her long hair piled high, her slender white neck and smooth collarbone lines were exposed, her whole person exuding an undeniable feminine charm.
“Xiuyuan~ How does it feel?”
As she spoke, her voice carried a smile, with an unspoken teasing.
Lin Xiuyuan slightly opened his eyes, his gaze sweeping over her, seemingly with a bit of casual appreciation, but he quickly closed them again, leaning against the pool edge, his tone lazy.
“Not bad, just normal boiled water, lacks a bit of the hot spring feel compared to that.”
Then Big Dragon Cub followed in behind.
Her bath towel was wrapped even more casually than Lee Ji-eun’s, the half-open neckline revealing a large expanse of collarbone, her cheeks slightly flushed, holding a glass of lemon water in her hand, sipping and laughing.
“You mean it lacks sulfur smell? Hahaha~”
“Soak for a bit and see.”
Lee Ji-eun smiled and replied, then hooked her finger on the bath towel and gently lifted it, revealing a black swimsuit with crisscrossing thin straps.
The swimsuit clung tightly to her skin, perfectly outlining her figure, both sexy and elegant.
She then stepped into the water without hesitation, the pool water reaching just to her chest, her skin faintly visible amid the steam and water vapor, like a lotus in the water.
“They added plant essence and skincare oil to this water; you’ll know after soaking a bit.”
As she spoke, she leaned back entirely.
Half-closing her eyes, an extremely relaxed expression emerged on her face, and she added, “And according to the old doctors from your side, Xiuyuan, if you don’t force out the dampness now, it’ll be uncomfortable in winter, right?”
“Yo, you know so much?”
Lin Xiuyuan opened his eyes, his gaze landing on the opposite side, just in time to see the two beauties lazily stretching their bodies amid the steam.
Lee Ji-eun’s slender neck and slightly raised chin outlined a fatal line, her chest faintly visible amid the rippling pool water, stirring imagination.
Meanwhile, Big Dragon Cub had sat into the pool, complaining, “Goo Ri unnie, you’re lying; it’s scalding hot, and you said it was comfortable.”
Although her mouth didn’t spare words, the damp swimsuit clinging to her skin still outlined her graceful figure, her pair of small legs elegantly floating on the water surface, as if freely swimming in the water.
Big Dragon Cub had been invited by Lee Ji-eun several times before, but never came once, since she hated heat the most.
If Lin Xiuyuan weren’t here this time, she probably still wouldn’t have come.
And so the three casually leaned at the triangular positions of the round bath pool, not deliberately arranged, yet forming a subtle tension.
“Xiuyuan.”
Lee Ji-eun suddenly approached a bit, her shoulder gently against the pool edge, her movements fluid like a water snake, the warm fragrant steam wrapping her body as it pressed against Lin Xiuyuan’s side.
She then tilted her head slightly, a hint of moved smile in her eyes, and asked softly, “Is your body hot?”
“Not bad.” Lin Xiuyuan didn’t move, letting her approach.
“Let me touch and see?”
Beneath the lighthearted words was a small probe.
But not probing Lin Xiuyuan, rather probing Big Dragon Cub on that side.
Sure enough, just after saying it, Big Dragon Cub fiercely slapped the water surface, water droplets splashing as she glared at the two with feigned anger.
No, glaring at Lee Ji-eun, “I say, we’re here for a bubble bath; can you settle down, Ji! Eun! Un! Nie!”
“Aiya, so stingy.”
Lee Ji-eun just smiled, slightly turning her head, her gaze shifting as her palm quietly pressed against Lin Xiuyuan’s arm bend.
That warm, steamy touch spread across his skin, gently like a feather brushing his nerve endings.
Then Lin Xiuyuan chuckled lightly, “Don’t mess around; if Ji-yeon really gets mad in a bit, I can’t help you.”
“Scumbag~”
Lee Ji-eun huffed coquettishly, as if blaming, yet as if enjoying the reminder.
After withdrawing her hand, she slid back into the pool water, but her gaze still occasionally glanced his way.
Diagonally opposite, Big Dragon Cub seemed to have sweated from the stuffiness, her cheeks flushed pink.
Thinking of something, she suddenly straightened her legs, leaning her whole body back, like releasing some kind of signal.
So Lin Xiuyuan, who had just closed his eyes, sensed in the next second a slippery jade foot underwater, vaguely brushing his knee, then deftly climbing up along his thigh.
The bath pool was large enough to seat two more people comfortably, but this foot precisely landing on his leg…
Lin Xiuyuan looked down and sure enough, a fair slender ankle was gently rubbing on his thigh, like a fish swimming in water, both agile and clingy.
And at the same time, on the other side.
A slightly cool small hand also slid to his abdomen, fingertips gently tracing lines underwater, like playing an “ants climbing a tree” game, or like igniting a thin fuse.
At this moment, the underwater world seemed to become another silent drama, calm on the surface, yet surging with undercurrents below.
Lin Xiuyuan closed his eyes and leaned back against the pool edge, outwardly calm as he enjoyed it all.
But deep down, it was like a slowly rising furnace fire ignited bit by bit in the warmth.
After a few seconds, that foot grew bolder, rubbing back and forth, even reaching his waist side, while that hand had quietly tugged at his pants waistband.
This time Lin Xiuyuan finally had to open his eyes, glancing sideways at the two figures who seemed to be doing nothing.
Lee Ji-eun was tilting her head playing with the water surface, a light smile at her lip corner.
Big Dragon Cub was leaning her head against the pool wall, smiling ambiguously at him, as if asking: “Fun?”
“Can’t you just properly soak in the bath?”
Lin Xiuyuan couldn’t help laughing, his voice low with a hint of teasing.
“Who said I’m not properly soaking?” Lee Ji-eun smiled at him, the smile faint and elusive, lingering in the air like steam, alluring yet hard to grasp.
Big Dragon Cub muttered softly, “Yeah, yeah, aren’t we properly soaking right now? Xiuyuan, what nonsense are you saying.”
With that, surprisingly none of the three continued, but that ambiguous aura between heart-stirring and seriousness permeated the entire bubble bath pool like steam, dense and impenetrable.
As the hot water gradually cooled, the three emerged from the bubble bath pool, their bodies slightly reddened, exuding a moist warm aura.
Lee Ji-eun slowly wiped the water droplets from her body, slightly bending at the waist, the bath towel slipping accordingly, revealing perfect curves.
She wasn’t in a hurry to put on clothes, instead gently wiping away sweat beads with her hand, as if each droplet’s slide released some tension and suppression.
“Alright, ready to go steam in the sauna?”
She looked up, a hint of playfulness in her brows and eyes, her gaze sweeping over Lin Xiuyuan and Big Dragon Cub, seemingly waiting for some response.
“Let’s go, steam for a bit.”
Lin Xiuyuan replied unhurriedly, his gaze still mild, as if nothing had happened.
In the steam room, only a dim yellow lamp was lit, the three sitting side by side on the wooden bench, wrapped in towels, the air filled with faint mint fragrance.
Lin Xiuyuan sat in the middle, with two sweat-drenched bodies on either side.
One was Lee Ji-eun, leaning quite close, occasionally turning her head to rest on his shoulder.
The other was Big Dragon Cub, her legs naturally crossed, yet inadvertently brushing his foot back, not dodging even after touching.
No one spoke, only the sound of steam spraying and occasional breathing gradually becoming slow and deep.
Lin Xiuyuan had his eyes closed, but his nerves were extremely taut; although they were all intimate partners, this so-called vague physical contact felt nothing new.
But that was in a 1+1 scenario; now it was 1+2, which made him somewhat tense.
Fortunately, in the end, nothing like plot from those books happened.
Until after exiting the steam room, Lin Xiuyuan rushed straight to the bathroom; holding on any longer, and his pants would burst.
Afterward, the three showered again, changed into clean bathrobes, and under the service staff’s lead, entered the treatment room.
In the treatment room, the masseuses had been waiting for a long time, the entire room filled with the mixed aroma of lavender and cedar.
Three beds in a row, the three lay down respectively for full-body care.
From back essential oil massage, to arms, calves, then shoulder-neck relief, every inch of skin was gently tended.
The entire afternoon slowly passed in such an atmosphere.
From blazing sunlight to dusk’s faint light through the blinds, their skin glowed softly from steam and essence, even their voices turning lazy.
This hottest-days hot spring trip was far more stimulating and intimate than the original swimming pool plan.
Only Park Hyomin, who had returned home early, was sitting on the apartment sofa watching television, somewhat dazed, until evening.
Upon exiting the spa, Lin Xiuyuan, who had soundly slept a big nap during the later treatment, comfortably stretched lazily, then turned to the two beside him, “So, now do we each head home, or grab dinner before parting?”
Big Dragon Cub and Lee Ji-eun exchanged a glance, smiling slightly, with Lee Ji-eun speaking first.
“I won’t go eat with you; I ditched Hyo Min at lunch, so I need to make it up tonight, but I need Xiuyuan to drive me home first.”
Then Big Dragon Cub, “Xiuyuan, send unnie back first; I’ll go to the shopping mall to browse and buy some things, then head to the restaurant to wait for you; just come directly later.”
Lin Xiuyuan hadn’t thought much, just nodding in agreement.
However, when he dropped Lee Ji-eun at her apartment and was about to drive away, she grabbed his collar, “Where to?”
“To find Ji-yeon.” Lin Xiuyuan replied.
Lee Ji-eun smiled slightly, her gaze meaningful, “Park the car, come up with me.”
“Huh?”
And so, originally dropping Lee Ji-eun off took less than 20 minutes, but leaving her apartment took over an hour.
By the time Lin Xiuyuan arrived at the private room of that restaurant following Big Dragon Cub’s location pin.
The one already seated inside smiled with pursed lips upon seeing him enter, “Come, Xiuyuan~ I ordered some good food for you.”
Lin Xiuyuan looked down at the table, seeing geoduck clam, kidneys, sea cucumber, even seahorse stew.
This made him chuckle inwardly, looking up at Big Dragon Cub, “What’s this mean?”
“Nothing, just felt like eating it, and conveniently ordered some signature dishes from here for you, Xiuyuan.” Big Dragon Cub smiled brightly, looking up at Lin Xiuyuan, her eyes full of innocent sparkle.
“Is it really tasty?”
“Really tasty~”
Later that evening, in the apartment, Big Dragon Cub kneeling on the carpet, her eyes watery as she looked up at Lin Xiuyuan above, softly responding.
……
……
Late at night, after much effort settling that divorced wife starved for over a week, Lin Xiuyuan finally walked out of the master bedroom.
He was wearing pajamas that Big Dragon Cub had specially bought from the mall while he was rolling around with Lee Ji-eun, other clothes casually placed in the wardrobe.
Emerging into the living room, Lin Xiuyuan first drank a glass of water, then glanced at the early morning clock, and looked down at the text from Im Yoon Ah.
He then sat on the sofa scrolling videos for a bit to dissipate the fragrance on him, before entering a second bedroom in Big Dragon Cub’s apartment, grasping the bathroom door inside, pushing it open… entering the 13-year apartment.
He then glanced at the living room where the main lights were off, only some auxiliary lights left, thinking Sulli had probably rested, so he didn’t disturb her further, pushing open the time-space door again and leaping into Im Yoon Ah’s home.
Unlike the dim lights in his own apartment, Im Yoon Ah’s living room was brightly lit.
And Im Yoon Ah, who had just days ago trended on newspaper hot searches for her youthful state resurgence, was now lying asleep on that sofa, dozing off.
The television was playing an old romantic movie, the scene frozen on a warm moment.
Lin Xiuyuan chuckled softly and walked slowly forward; just as he was about to reach Im Yoon Ah, the lightly sleeping figure suddenly looked up toward him, her gaze like that of a startled Little Deer Bambi.
Only upon realizing it was Lin Xiuyuan did she exhale a long held breath, raising both arms and mumbling, “You’re here.”
“Yeah, why not go inside to sleep.”
Lin Xiuyuan smiled and stepped forward to pick her up, holding her in his arms as the two nestled together on the sofa.
Im Yoon Ah, burying her face in Lin Xiuyuan’s neck, sniffed that fragrance, huffed coldly with heavier breaths, then hugged the man in her arms tightly again.
“Waiting for you; thought it’d be until midnight. Looks like you’re not a total scumbag; didn’t make me wait too long.”
“…”
Knowing he was in the wrong, Lin Xiuyuan had learned to stay silent now.
According to what the beauty in his arms had said before, big sisters would self-regulate their emotions; he just needed to avoid adding fuel to the fire.
Seeing Lin Xiuyuan not speak, Im Yoon Ah huffed coquettishly too, “Comfort me a bit, Xiuyuan-ssi~”
“Didn’t you say before that at times like this, I’ve learned silence is best?” Lin Xiuyuan smiled cautiously.
Hearing this, Im Yoon Ah laughed in exasperation, charmingly rolling her eyes at him, “I’m not really mad; as long as a girl isn’t truly angry, you have to coax and comfort her.”
“Then how to tell fake anger from real?”
“See if they’re still talking to you; who, truly angry, would still speak to you?”
Im Yoon Ah lightly pursed her lips, gazing at him with a half-smile.
Lin Xiuyuan was amused by her gaze, “Alright, I’ve finally learned a new skill; next time I’ll adjust.”
“You idiot.”
After playfully scolding Lin Xiuyuan, Im Yoon Ah got up from his embrace and said, “Want something to drink?”
The next second, just as Im Yoon Ah tried to walk quickly, Lin Xiuyuan pulled her back into his arms, “No need; hug a bit more. Thinking that the goddess media praised yesterday for returning to her 20s, I get to hold tonight; why would I need water?”
Hearing this novice sweet talk by her ear, Im Yoon Ah couldn’t help giggling, turning back to poke his head.
“Really? Afraid it’s not that someone ate and drank his fill at another’s place, so no need for hydration here.”
“No way, Yoona, don’t slander me.”
On such matters, Lin Xiuyuan was very much like a man.
The dead-duck-stubborn type.
Denying was fine; everyone knew tacitly.
Admitting would be disastrous; who provokes face-to-face like that?
Sure enough, after Im Yoon Ah heard, she burst out laughing, “You, you; can’t learn the good stuff, but pick up the bad fast.”
Lin Xiuyuan shrugged, changing the topic, “Right, you said Little Deer found you for something today; what are you two chatting about?”
“Nothing major, just discussing her next drama.”
Im Yoon Ah smiled slightly and extended two fingers, then under Lin Xiuyuan’s gaze, lightly touched their pads together.
“2014 has no good dramas; I think she could go to China for a bit, or try some artistic films; poor results wouldn’t matter. But she thinks having just finished a hit drama, she can’t waste the popularity, so we agreed to share a bed tonight and see who convinces whom.”
After hearing Im Yoon Ah’s answer, Lin Xiuyuan raised a brow, “Got it; want to head there now? Her place should be empty, right?”
“We agreed; probably no one.” Im Yoon Ah said.
But just before Lin Xiuyuan rose, Im Yoon Ah pressed down hard on his shoulder, staring intently and asking, “Xiuyuan, did you brush your teeth?”
The question seemed unrelated, but Lin Xiuyuan got it instantly, smiling without answering but nodding.
So the next second, Im Yoon Ah held his face and kissed him fiercely.
……
……
Early morning.
Inside Lin Xiaolu’s 2013 apartment.
Lin Xiaolu, who had just gotten off work and returned home not long ago, had just showered and come out, then glanced at the living room clock, unsure when the person from that side would arrive.
Any later, and she really had to sleep.
Thinking this, Lin Xiaolu turned to look at the nearby second bedroom door; as far as she knew, that was Lin Xiuyuan’s location door.
And just as her thoughts wandered, the door suddenly pushed open from inside, and then Lin Xiuyuan and Im Yoon Ah, under her shocked gaze, stepped across the door and entered.
“Why so shocked; never seen it before?”
Lin Xiuyuan laughed after entering and closing the door.
Lin Xiaolu snapped back, lips curving up, pretending composure, “First time seeing it in my own home; you’re a bit late.”
Before she finished, Im Yoon Ah spoke first without waiting for Lin Xiuyuan, pointing out proficiently, “Look at your damp hair; you definitely just showered. Someone who just got off work says we’re late; should we have come early to wait around?”
“Nag.” Seeing this, Lin Xiaolu didn’t retort, just pursed her lips.
Lin Xiuyuan, seeing the two about to bicker, quickly turned back, “Then you two chat first; I’ll head back. I’ll come pick you up tomorrow morning, Yoona.”
“Mm, go; don’t want her to wake up finding no one beside her pillow, then blame me.”
“Don’t spout nonsense.”
Hearing this, Lin Xiuyuan instinctively glanced at Lin Xiaolu over there; sure enough, she showed a surprised gaze.
So after tossing out that line, Lin Xiuyuan immediately turned and bolted, not wanting to stay to explain or face Lin Xiaolu’s gaze attack.
Watching the second bedroom door close again, Lin Xiaolu immediately asked Im Yoon Ah, “What did you mean by that just now?”
“What what meaning.”
Im Yoon Ah smiled slightly, her gaze playful.
“Just the literal meaning; if you don’t need Xiuyuan, that doesn’t mean Ji-yeon and the others in ’25 don’t. Right now, Xiuyuan is like Tang Monk from Journey to the West; you’re really wasting resources.”
Before Im Yoon Ah finished, her eyes swept to Lin Xiaolu’s legs, saying with a half-smile.
“With physical therapy like this, it’ll take quite a wait; by shooting time, I remember the first scene is short skirt, beach fresh style outfit.”
Hearing this, Lin Xiaolu clenched her small fists tightly, glaring at the woman opposite with gritted teeth.
That infuriating face, so punchable.
If her thoughts now were known to Sunny and others, they’d probably laugh and retort: You only now realize you’re punchable?
But ultimately, Lin Xiaolu released her fists, exhaling a long held breath, turning her head aside somewhat displeased, “Go wash your face.”
“Wash my face? I freshened up before coming; even wearing pajamas.”
Im Yoon Ah didn’t know why Lin Xiaolu said that, but still explained.
Until she saw Lin Xiaolu point at her, then squeeze out a very annoyed line, “Your mouth area is full of marks, all glossy lipstick shining; are you sick?”
At this, Im Yoon Ah burst out laughing.
Touching the gloss at her mouth corners, she laughed again, then said teasingly.
“Aiya, sorry; forgot I got a bit carried away with Xiuyuan just now.”
“Im! Yoon! Ah!”
“Hahaha, I’ll go wash my face, I’ll go wash my face.”
……
……
On the other side.
After sending Im Yoon Ah to Lin Xiaolu’s place, Lin Xiuyuan returned to this apartment side, but didn’t leave for Big Dragon Cub’s apartment in ’25.
Instead, he picked up his mobile phone on the coffee table and checked today’s messages.
Nothing special; aside from a few mentions in the group chat, no one sought him.
Apart from interactions with Jung Soo Yeon and others, Lin Xiuyuan remained a small transparent in this world.
Even his parents rarely contacted him, just occasionally sending an emoji on WeChat, to which Lin Xiuyuan replied with one indicating he was still alive, not gone.
And that was it.
After checking through, Lin Xiuyuan just set down the phone to return to ’25 when the screen suddenly lit up.
Looking down at the message, surprisingly it was from Kim Tae Yeon.
Kim Tae Yeon: 【Xiuyuan, asleep?】
Lin Xiuyuan stared at the message, a thought flashing in his mind: Kim Tae Yeon is interested in me.
Honestly, this wasn’t one of life’s four great delusions for Lin Xiuyuan.
Mainly because according to Big Dragon Cub before, if not really missing Lin Xiuyuan, why would she message or call him late at night?
And in her view, a girl messaging or calling a guy late at night meant her fondness had exceeded mere friendship.
And the outcome was only two possibilities:
Either childhood playmates~
Or preparing to become childhood playmates~
One a noun, one a verb.
Back then, Lin Xiuyuan hadn’t understood at first, until Big Dragon Cub whispered in his ear, making him gasp, “So dirty-minded? Ji-yeon, where did you learn all this?”
After recalling, looking down again at Kim Tae Yeon’s message, Lin Xiuyuan pursed his lips, momentarily unsure how to reply.
Lately practicing a scumbag persona, suddenly switching to pure love scenes left him a bit dazed.
So after spacing out for a while, he foolishly replied.
Lin Xiuyuan: 【Asleep.】
One more chapter later; I’ll post ASAP~
