Chapter 223: “xiuyuan, You Can’t Handle Them!!”
By the time Lin Xiuyuan drove into the villa garage, it was already late at night.
The yard was quiet, with lighting casting down from under the eaves, outlining familiar contours.
Lin Xiuyuan, who had just pushed the door open to enter, hadn’t even had a chance to speak when the aroma of fried rice hit him.
The entryway light was on, and late-night snack was already set on the dining table—a plate of freshly made egg fried rice.
Golden in color and still steaming, with a glass cup filled with ice cubes and Coke beside it, bubbles gently popping in the glass cup, exuding a soothing late-night vibe.
Krystal, who had been on the phone earlier, was now sitting at the kitchen island counter, wearing loose white shirt and shorts for home, hair casually tied up, lazily propping her chin as she watched him enter.
“Go wash your hands quickly, or I’ll eat it myself if it’s any later.”
Her tone seemed indifferent, like a command, yet carried a hint of familiar intimacy.
Lin Xiuyuan smiled, slipped on slippers, casually tossed the car keys onto the side cabinet, and teased while heading to the restroom, “Krystal, why are you channeling so much big-sister energy today? Even giving orders.”
“Practicing the vibe for Wimbledon in advance.”
As she spoke, Krystal took out a clean spoon and handed it to Lin Xiuyuan who had just washed his hands, “Eat up, you didn’t have dinner tonight, you must be starving.”
After sitting down, Lin Xiuyuan smiled and took a bite of the fried rice, then raised an eyebrow, “Oh~ This fried rice is really fragrant this time, did you add cheese?”
“Smart.” Krystal tilted her head to look at him, a glint of amusement in her eyes, “Worried you wouldn’t be full, so I had the vendor add some.”
Afterward, one ate while the other chatted, discussing ingredients for fried rice and fried noodles in a seemingly expert manner.
But midway through eating, Lin Xiuyuan suddenly looked up and glanced at Krystal.
“By the way, one question. Isn’t the Wimbledon final still a few days away? How about we detour to other places for a spin these few days? Otherwise, heading straight to London means dealing with the media, can’t go anywhere, and waiting inside would waste time.”
Across from him, Krystal, who had been looking down at her mobile phone, lifted her eyes at his words, gave Lin Xiuyuan a gentle smile, and answered unhurriedly.
“Who said we’re going to London right away this time?”
Lin Xiuyuan was stunned, “You made a new plan behind my back again?”
Krystal took a sip of Coke, ice cubes clinking lightly in the cup, “What do you mean behind your back? It was always a Europe trip. I decided to go to Georgia first.”
“Georgia?” Lin Xiuyuan raised an eyebrow, somewhat surprised, “The one in the Caucasus? When did you decide that?”
Lin Xiuyuan knew of Georgia, a treasure spot in the Caucasus mountains, home to one of Europe’s oldest wine regions, with snow-capped mountains and glacial lakes coexisting, and a rare off-the-beaten-path tourism destination.
“Decided last night.”
As she spoke, Krystal flipped over her mobile phone, the screen showing a photo of a mountain village, scenery majestic yet serene, “Originally planned for Bordeaux, but changed to Georgia on a whim. It’s not crowded there lately, great scenery, and there’s a winery I really want to visit.”
“So you’re going for the wine.” Lin Xiuyuan smiled, finished the last bite of fried rice, leaned back in his chair, and looked at her, “Whatever, we’re going anyway. Now with the time-space door, I can come back here to rest anytime.”
“Most importantly, the cost of living there is low. I’m thinking maybe buy a house there, go over for a stroll and relax when free.”
Krystal glanced at him, a subtle curve at her lips.
But Lin Xiuyuan shook his head, “Forget it. Though that kind of countryside has no cameras, it’s more trouble. If you’re gone a day, people might knock asking what happened, explaining would be a hassle.”
“Yeah, you’re right.” Krystal thought about it and agreed, nodding lightly, “Then never mind.”
She set down her cup, checked the time, “Come on, let’s pack luggage.”
“Pack what? Just throw a couple things in a bag and go. Need anything? I can open the door and bring you back to get it.”
Lin Xiuyuan, now thoroughly accustomed to solving everything with the time-space door, had grown even lazier.
“Still need to bring some things to look the part.” Krystal rolled her eyes at the guy, then pulled him upstairs.
Was she packing luggage?
No, she was just tidying up this increasingly lazy man.
……
Meanwhile.
Back home, Bae Soo Ji frowned at the phone with no reply yet. Even after her shower and skincare, nearly early morning, the phone ringtone finally sounded.
She, with a face mask on, came out, checked the caller ID, curved her lips, and picked up, “Hey, Xiuyuan~ Your ‘I’ll call back later,’ that ‘later’ took too long.”
On the other end, Lin Xiuyuan lay on the bed, let out a long sigh of relief, his voice carrying a hint of amusement.
“Just forgot while driving on the road, sorry sorry. Right, what did you want to say earlier?”
“Just wondering if you’re free tomorrow? Let’s go play some baseball. I’ve been cooped up in the gym every day lately, going crazy. I prefer outdoor exercise.”
Facing Bae Soo Ji’s invitation, Lin Xiuyuan replied somewhat troubled, “Ah, might not be free tomorrow, gotta head to Europe.”
“Europe?”
Bae Soo Ji immediately thought of something upon hearing the place, “Wimbledon?”
“Yeah, going to play around.” Lin Xiuyuan didn’t deny it.
“That’s a bit early though.” Bae Soo Ji continued.
“So detouring to other places first, plenty of time anyway.” Lin Xiuyuan answered casually.
Hearing this, Bae Soo Ji fell silent for a moment, though vague thoughts stirred in her mind, she still smiled and said, “Then have a pleasant trip, have fun.”
Then she hung up, sitting bored on the living room sofa.
Just thinking about taking Lin Xiuyuan out tonight made her unconsciously sink into brief contemplation.
……
At the same time, in the villa’s master bedroom.
He had just hung up and hadn’t sighed yet when Krystal emerged from the bathroom, drying her damp hair, wrapped in a bath towel, towel in hand, tilting her head to ask, “Who was it?”
“Bae Soo Ji.”
Hearing the name, Krystal paused, her gaze sharpening instantly, “When did you two get together, Xiuyuan~ You can’t handle that woman, don’t get too close.”
Lin Xiuyuan nodded, grinned, “Hahaha, female player, right? Don’t worry, I’m not too close with her. Just happened to run into her at the gym when visiting Ji-yeon yesterday, then tonight we played some baseball.”
He also mentioned running into Song Hye Kyo and Han So Hee.
Krystal, hearing all this, tensed visibly for a moment, “Xiuyuan~ Did you join some 《top female player atlas》 audition site?”
Luckily, to her remark, Lin Xiuyuan immediately assured, “Don’t worry, for those big female leads, I definitely keep my distance. With you all… I can manage. Playing with them? I’d probably get picked clean.”
Hearing Lin Xiuyuan’s words, Krystal didn’t know whether to be glad or worried, but seeing how clear-headed he was, she relaxed.
“Yeah, you know best. Mainly their social circles are too complicated, better steer clear.”
But as soon as she finished, Lin Xiuyuan added, “Though Han Ga-in and Han Chae-young seem approachable, they’ve had it rough.”
Krystal, wrapped in her bath towel, narrowed her eyes at that, and soon a voice tinged with anger sounded, “Hey, you into real wives or what?”
“Who wouldn’t like that.”
“Bastard.”
Though saying that, she pounced on him.
Scold she did, eat she did. Krystal looked at this man full of impropriety yet always knowing boundaries; her heart annoyed, yet unsure if more jealousy or more moved.
Tonight, she decided not to let him off, and to see what “all night long” really meant.
……
……
Next day early morning.
Sky just dimly lit, Incheon Airport already bustling.
Passengers dragging suitcases queued at the automated check-in counter, bustling yet orderly.
In contrast, Lin Xiuyuan and Krystal appeared exceptionally calm.
Because they took the first-class exclusive channel, skipping queues and security hassles, smooth sailing all the way.
In the first-class lounge, they had a simple breakfast. Krystal leaned on the sofa with eyes closed resting, while Lin Xiuyuan checked his mobile phone, confirming flight info.
At 9:10 AM, the flight to Almaty departed on time, flight time about seven hours.
At boarding, smiling cabin crew guided them to seats. The first-class private space like a mini suite, with fully flat reclining seats, personal screens, and customized dining, nearly isolating external noise and haste.
As soon as the airplane took off, Lin Xiuyuan adjusted his seat angle, glanced sideways at Krystal who had donned an eye mask, and teased softly.
“Yo, you actually feel sleepy? Didn’t hear you say that last night, Krystal.”
Krystal didn’t remove the eye mask, but her tone was clear and calm, “That’s to sleep straight through to landing today. Don’t disturb, close your eyes and sleep.”
Pausing, she added lazily with a hint of amusement, “Though, Xiuyuan, if you’re really not sleepy… I don’t mind joining you for a ‘thousand miles a day’ in-flight experience. Men like pushing limits, right?”
Lin Xiuyuan stiffened at her words, shivered instantly, hurriedly pulled up the blanket to cover himself, and pretended to sleep with eyes closed.
“No no, I… suddenly got sleepy.”
He wasn’t afraid of real combat, but feared that pure extraction technique—too vicious, too ruthless.
Outside the window, sea of clouds surged, while inside the cabin, quiet and comfortable.
This unknown journey had just begun.
Ten Thousand Daily ended, thanks to godfathers for support and votes.
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