Chapter 227: Kim Tae Yeon, Big Dragon Cub, And Jessica’s “chat”
While Lin Xiuyuan and Jessica were touring Georgia, back in Seoul, in their apartment, Kim Tae Yeon finally woke up from her sleep.
As she woke up from her warm bedding, the first thing she saw was the brilliant sunlight streaming into the room through the curtains, casting a soft glow on her bedside.
Then she stretched, hugged her bedding with both hands, and recalled her conversation with Lin Xiuyuan last night.
Those fragmented words, and the tenderness in his tone when he agreed to her.
All of it lingered like a lasting echo, deeply resonating in her heart, bringing waves of subtle emotions.
Thinking of this, Kim Tae Yeon couldn’t help but roll around on the bed a few times, a relaxed smile on her lips, a long-lost joy surging within her.
“It’s so good, so good~”
Whispering to herself, she seemed to feel the warmth brought by that intimacy.
That joy not only made her feel relaxed but also made her realize that her relationship with Lin Xiuyuan seemed to have quietly grown closer.
Stretching her limbs, Kim Tae Yeon finally got out of bed and headed to the bathroom.
After washing up, the clean feeling refreshed her, and the emotional drain from last night made her urgently need a good, energy-replenishing lunch.
So, after tidying her hair a bit, she prepared to find Lin Yoon Ah to eat together, to fill her stomach which had been empty for a long time, and to chat about the variety show in two days.
Noon.
Lin Yoon Ah, who had received the call, arrived as scheduled at the appointed restaurant and saw Kim Tae Yeon already sitting at the dining table.
Seeing her enter, Kim Tae Yeon’s lips curved into a relaxed smile, “Good morning, Yoon Ah, how did you sleep today?”
“Good morning, unnie, I slept very well,” Lin Yoon Ah said, sitting down and smiling at her, “But it’s strange, why do you ask that as soon as we meet?”
Kim Tae Yeon waved her hand and smiled, lightly joking, “No, it’s just that I slept really comfortably last night, so I was just asking you.”
Lin Yoon Ah, who had asked the server for a soda water, also chuckled, “No wonder you seem to be in a good mood today, unnie. Is something good happening?”
Kim Tae Yeon, also drinking water, took a gentle sip, her eyes flickering slightly, “Maybe, it just feels like everything is slowly getting better.”
She paused, pulled her gaze back from outside the window, and looked at Lin Yoon Ah again, “By the way, let’s talk about the recording for the show the day after tomorrow. The script is almost done. Are there any specific parts of your movie that need special promotion?”
Then, Lin Yoon Ah opposite her started discussing the topic as well. They chatted back and forth, and as the food was served, they continued talking while eating.
It wasn’t until Kim Tae Yeon suddenly realized that a peculiar feeling arose in her heart.
It felt as if since getting to know Lin Xiuyuan, her relationship with Lin Yoon Ah, Krystal, and even Jessica had returned to the intimacy of many years ago.
Those long-dormant emotions and the tacit understanding between them had deepened.
It was as if the barriers set up by reality had been overcome, and all words and actions were no longer a burden, leaving only relaxed communication and sharing.
And all of this began after she met Lin Xiuyuan.
Thinking of Lin Xiuyuan, Kim Tae Yeon suddenly turned to Lin Yoon Ah and asked softly, “By the way, Yoon Ah, do you know where Xiuyuan is playing right now?”
Lin Yoon Ah nodded slightly, a smile on her lips, “Yes, Georgia, he mentioned it to me.”
She paused, a flicker of amusement in her eyes, “And he even complained to me about Soo Yeon unnie, saying he didn’t know why Jessica suddenly showed up there, which took away half the joy of his trip.”
Hearing this, Kim Tae Yeon frowned slightly, “Are these two fighting that badly? Even with Soo Jung as a mediator, it’s still like this.”
Lin Yoon Ah continued to eat, replying casually, “There’s no helping it. They really fell out last time. Without Soo Jung, they probably wouldn’t even want to be in the same room, let alone meet and chat.”
“That’s true. Just thinking about the scene you told me about makes it sound terrible.”
Kim Tae Yeon’s tone was soft and low, her brow unconsciously furrowing slightly.
Facing Lin Yoon Ah’s response, she couldn’t help but recall the situation the other had told her about earlier, the conflict between Jessica and Lin Xiuyuan outside the small tavern.
Although she wasn’t present, the sudden tension and adversarial atmosphere during the narration made her feel as if she were witnessing the conflict right before her eyes.
Lin Yoon Ah smiled at this and continued, “So, it’s already quite remarkable that these two can sit down and talk quietly now.”
“Speaking of which, Yoon Ah, I asked Xiuyuan for a favor last night,” Kim Tae Yeon’s tone suddenly became a bit serious.
“Mm?”
This sudden opening made Lin Yoon Ah look up at Kim Tae Yeon opposite her, wanting to hear what she had to say.
After listening to Kim Tae Yeon recount what happened last night, she let out a sigh, “Hoo~ Unnie, in terms of feelings, I’m on your side. But rationally, I don’t think you did the right thing.”
Her words were casual but carried a sincere undertone that couldn’t be ignored, “You’re kind of holding Xiuyuan hostage with your high moral ground. Have you ever considered how you would answer if you were Xiuyuan when you asked that question? Would you refuse? Or agree?”
Kim Tae Yeon was silent for a moment, lowering her head without answering immediately.
After a moment, she replied, “I know, so I plan to thank him properly.”
She straightened her back, about to say something more.
However, Lin Yoon Ah suddenly interjected, “Don’t say anything about dedicating yourself to him, unnie.”
She shook her head with a smile, “There are too many people competing for him, so don’t join the fray.”
Kim Tae Yeon was stunned and didn’t know how to respond for a moment, only staring blankly at Lin Yoon Ah in front of her.
Because there was a seriousness in the other’s smile.
……
……
While the 2025 Kim Tae Yeon and Lin Yoon Ah were engrossed in conversation, in another timeline, in 2013, the young Kim Tae Yeon was also discussing Lin Xiuyuan with Lin Xiaolu.
In the waiting room backstage at the TV station, amidst the busy atmosphere.
Kim Tae Yeon took advantage of a lull to pull Lin Xiaolu aside and asked softly, “Yoon Ah, do you know where Lin Xiuyuan has been these past few days? I called him, but he didn’t answer, and his messages said he was busy with something.”
“Unnie, do you need something from him?” Lin Xiaolu asked with a touch of curiosity, turning to look at Kim Tae Yeon, a hint of inquiry in her eyes.
Kim Tae Yeon smiled slightly and shook her head, saying, “Yes, it’s not a big deal, actually. He helped me when my car tire blew out last time, so I was thinking of treating him to a meal if he had time, as a thank you.”
Lin Xiaolu knew about this situation, so she showed a look of realization and then a warm smile, “Xiuyuan has been busy helping out the tavern members lately, so he probably won’t be free anytime soon.”
“Tavern members?? Helping out? Seriously, Yoon Ah, what special rights do your so-called tavern members actually have?”
Kim Tae Yeon blinked her eyes, musing, “Every time something happens, you and Soo Yeon always seem to head straight to the small tavern, as if Lin Xiuyuan is some kind of Doraemon, an all-knowing person, right?”
While saying this, Kim Tae Yeon’s tone was tinged with teasing, a hint of curiosity in her voice.
“Hahaha, Unnie, if you put it that way, it’s not entirely wrong. That guy is indeed an all-knowing person.”
While saying this, Lin Xiaolu thought of the AI from 2025. If you wanted to ask something, you could just type it out, and you would basically get the answer or advice you wanted.
And for Lin Xiuyuan to be able to bring them to 2025, calling him an all-knowing person wasn’t an exaggeration at all.
After saying this, she chuckled and pretended to be mysterious, “Haha, Tae Yeon unnie, don’t think too much about it. You know, regarding the membership system, I really can’t reveal anything.”
Kim Tae Yeon still looked a bit confused, but she didn’t press further.
She simply buried this curious thought in her heart, planning to ask how to become a member the next time she saw Lin Xiuyuan.
……
……
At the same time, the Lin Xiuyuan whom the 2013 Kim Tae Yeon was thinking about was currently in 2025 Georgia, leisurely enjoying the beautiful scenery.
Sunlight filtered through the heavy clouds, and the air was filled with the fresh scent of post-rain.
The hustle and bustle of the city gradually faded, and the surrounding environment became quiet and peaceful.
Lin Xiuyuan and Jessica, having just taken shelter from a brief shower under an eave, quickly walked out of the shopping mall and found Krystal waiting for them.
After reuniting, the three headed towards the hotel, preparing to pack their luggage and depart for Mount Kazbek.
Along the way, the scenery outside the car window constantly changed, transitioning from the liveliness and noise of the city to the lush green mountain scenery. The air grew increasingly fresh, as if every breath carried the scent of nature.
In the distance, mountains stretched out in undulating waves, and streams flowed murmuring through the valleys, occasionally reflecting dappled light and shadow. Everything appeared so quiet and mysterious.
By afternoon, the three finally arrived at the guesthouse at the foot of Mount Kazbek.
Although called a guesthouse, it was actually a typical European-style residence, with a classical and elegant architectural style. The exterior walls were covered in ivy, exuding a strong sense of history.
The location of the guesthouse was extremely unique: majestic mountains in the distance, and a winding stream nearby, its gentle murmur creating the feeling of being in a serene landscape painting.
Furthermore, there was a natural hot spring pool in the yard of this house, with hot spring water continuously bubbling from an underground spring eye year-round.
According to the boss, the hot spring water here was shared by the entire area, meaning that if Jessica and Krystal decided to soak in the hot springs tonight, at least people in other rooms could enjoy the water after they bathed.
This piece of information amused all three of them, yet they found it quite unique.
The three looked around, admiring the ancient charm of the building, and soon completed the check-in procedures. After putting down their luggage, they rested for a short while.
After putting their luggage back in the house and resting for a bit, they decided to go find a place to eat nearby.
“After eating, should we go for a walk nearby?” Krystal asked while tidying her luggage, her tone light and cheerful.
Lin Xiuyuan nodded, “Sure, let’s go for a walk after eating. The scenery here should be nice, worth seeing more of.”
Jessica agreed, “I’m fine with that too, we can stroll around and relax.”
Lin Xiuyuan listened to them, his gaze then shifting to the window, “What’s fun around here?”
He asked this question, clearly unfamiliar with the surrounding environment.
Although he had heard of this place, he had never personally visited.
Jessica, who had done her research, answered him, “The most famous is a building called the Holy Trinity Church, which is known as ‘the church closest to the sky in the world’.”
Lin Xiuyuan nodded, but his mind involuntarily conjured the image of the snow-capped mountains he had just passed, “And the snow mountains. If we wake up early, we should be able to see the magnificent sight of the golden sun on the mountains, right?”
Although it was already July, which is summer, the snow mountains still existed, just that the area of accumulated snow was smaller than in winter.
After briefly tidying their luggage, the three decided to dine at a nearby restaurant.
The restaurant was located near a clear stream, with spacious outdoor seating and a pleasant environment, like a picturesque painting.
The three found a window seat, looked out at the scenery through the window, and felt the gentle breeze on their faces.
The menu had many local specialty dishes. Lin Xiuyuan and Jessica chose a few dishes that looked very tempting, while Krystal decided to try an authentic Georgian barbecue.
“It’s finally possible to relax a bit here, unlike in the city where you might run into someone you know,” Jessica said softly, sighing in relief as she flipped through the menu.
“Yes, it really makes you feel relaxed here, and the air is good too,” Krystal looked up at the window, a smile of satisfaction appearing in her eyes.
Lin Xiuyuan remained silent, observing the two of them, not looking at his phone to browse videos.
Only at Krystal’s signal did he pick up his camera and take many beautiful photos of the two opposite him.
Soon, the meal was served. The three of them savored the delicious food while chatting casually, their topics ranging from their respective work to future plans, and then to interesting travel stories and relaxing moments.
Although the conversation was casual, the relaxed and pleasant atmosphere made everyone deeply enjoy this moment of tranquility.
Speaking of future plans, Lin Xiuyuan inadvertently looked at Jessica, as she had said she was now taking it easy, accepting events and variety shows when they came, but not forcing it.
Occasionally holding fan meetings to meet everyone, and spending the rest of her time traveling and resting, or spending time with her parents.
This answer made Lin Xiuyuan think of the Jung Soo Yeon of 2013. The other person then was extremely busy, working tirelessly for her future brand and career, preparing to lay a solid foundation for the future.
This formed a stark contrast with Jessica’s current relaxed and carefree lifestyle.
The difference between the two was simply too apparent.
“After eating, which direction should we walk in?” Krystal suddenly asked, “If we go to the church now, will it be too late? Or should we wait until tomorrow morning and see if we can catch the sunrise golden mountain view?”
“Alright, then let’s walk around the town at the foot of the mountain for a bit first and see the scenery,” Lin Xiuyuan suggested. “Let’s just relax today and take it easy.”
“Okay, it’s settled then,” Krystal replied with a smile.
Then, the three continued to eat, but when Lin Xiuyuan called out ‘Krystal’, Jessica finally couldn’t help but ask, “No, you guys know each other so well, why do you still call Krystal like that, Lin Xiuyuan?”
“Aren’t you doing the same?” Lin Xiuyuan retorted.
Jessica raised an eyebrow and said with a smile, “We’re used to it, and I often call Soo Jung. On the other hand, in China, the custom is usually to call people by their name, right?”
Facing Jessica’s question, Lin Xiuyuan didn’t answer, just looked at Krystal.
Krystal, feeling mischievous, didn’t explain for him but quietly watched him, wanting to see how Lin Xiuyuan would respond.
Lin Xiuyuan smiled slightly and said, “This is just a bit of fun between us. It’s just that her way of addressing me is a bit inconvenient. Otherwise, you wouldn’t hear her calling me by my name, but by D…”
Krystal, who had been eagerly watching the unfolding scene, immediately reacted and quickly leaned forward, trying to stop Lin Xiuyuan from saying more, “Xiuyuan~”
She gave him a playful glare, then turned to Jessica and said, “It’s just a form of address, it’s no big deal.”
Lin Xiuyuan’s smile grew brighter, like a ray of sunshine illuminating the afternoon.
As this meal, which was both lunch and afternoon tea, concluded, the three packed their things and prepared to head down to the small town at the foot of the mountain, intending to stroll around and experience the local life.
However, before they officially started exploring, they decided to return to the guesthouse for a short rest.
After all, they had woken up early today and had quite a few activities in the morning, so they were a bit tired. A short rest would undoubtedly give them more energy to enjoy the time ahead.
So it wasn’t until evening that the group finally appeared in the small town at the foot of the mountain.
The lingering rays of the setting sun cast upon the ancient streets, and golden light filtered through the layers of clouds, gently spreading over each flagstone, casting a warm veil over this small town.
On both sides of the stone-paved road were small shops, with scattered vendors and leisurely tourists mingling among them, adding a touch of vitality to this quiet town, yet maintaining its peaceful and relaxed atmosphere.
“This place is truly serene. You can see beautiful scenery just by walking a few steps,” Jessica exclaimed as she walked, her eyes occasionally glancing at the winding mountains and ancient buildings in the distance.
“Yes, you can feel the breath of history wherever you go,” Krystal also admired the scenery before her. She slowed her pace, looking down to carefully observe every detail on both sides of the street.
Suddenly, she stopped and pointed to a stall displaying local handicrafts, “The souvenirs here are quite interesting. Xiuyuan, come on, let’s go take a look.”
Lin Xiuyuan followed her gaze to the stall, which displayed various exquisite handicrafts.
He walked over and picked out a few items, smiling as he said, “These things are indeed quite interesting. It’s nice to pick some up as souvenirs.”
He then stood at the stall and selected a few handicrafts, buying some local ceramics and silk products as souvenirs for this trip.
Seeing Jessica next to them both buying ceramics, Jessica reminded them, “These might be difficult to bring back.”
Krystal, however, smiled at Lin Xiuyuan, clearly confident, “Don’t worry, with Xiuyuan here, bringing these back is no problem.”
Lin Xiuyuan, unconcerned, continued to select items he liked.
He thought that placing these small trinkets in the small taverns in both locations might even create a unique tourist souvenir corner, like collecting stamps, to record the memories of each trip.
However, seeing the implicit understanding between the two, Jessica couldn’t help but feel a subtle emotion.
At the same time, she felt a bit displeased, thinking, are these two intentionally isolating me?
As time passed, the sky gradually darkened.
The three decided to find a place to sit down and rest, and enjoy dinner.
Finally, they found a table at a restaurant in the town. The dim music and warm lighting created a quiet and comfortable atmosphere.
At the dining table, the three of them savored their food while discussing their feelings about the trip.
They occasionally shared photos on their phones and sometimes immersed themselves in the surrounding tranquil atmosphere.
After the meal, they decided to go to a small bar in town for a while to see what taverns in different places were like, and to continue enjoying this rare relaxed time.
……
……
On the same evening, at a restaurant in Seoul, all the members of T-ara, after many days, finally gathered together again.
Da Long Zai, Sweet Eun Jung, Lee Ji Eun, and Park Hyomin sat around a round table, enjoying their meal and casually chatting about recent interesting events and their moods.
As everyone was chatting merrily, Park Hyomin suddenly raised a question, “I’ve noticed that there have been more and more activities lately. But unnie, you and Ji Yeon’s condition have both improved a lot recently, so why aren’t you taking on any more schedules?”
While saying this, her gaze was directed at Lee Ji Eun, with a mix of confusion and curiosity in her eyes.
In fact, Lee Ji Eun and Da Long Zai had recently refused quite a few invitations for activities. Lee Ji Eun had even only accepted a follow-up job for a past event.
Da Long Zai, on the other hand, had participated in almost no activities, only appearing occasionally, and was basically only present for team performances.
Lee Ji-eun and the Big Dragon Cub exchanged a glance, and then both of them chuckled.
They clearly had a tacit understanding, so they were on the same side regarding this issue.
This tacit understanding made Park Hyomin feel even worse, “Ji-yeon, and unnie, don’t laugh, answer this question, I really can’t understand it.”
Feeling somewhat helpless, and also a bit gossipy, she felt like she was being strung along like a fool by these two good sisters.
Lee Ji-eun smiled slightly and replied gently, “It’s not that we don’t want to accept it, but… we’ve discussed it privately, and considering our current state and pace of life, we’ve decided to be a bit more low-key.”
Her tone was calm but carried a firmness that couldn’t be ignored.
The Big Dragon Cub nodded beside her and added, “Yes, we feel that since our current state is very good, we don’t need to participate in so many public activities. Instead, we hope to have more private space and enjoy life.”
The real reason they weren’t taking on activities was simply to prevent Lin Xiuyuan from being potentially exposed to the camera, to protect him.
Otherwise, with their revitalized state, they would definitely be scrutinized together.
Although the Big Dragon Cub and the others knew that some activities could indeed bring more opportunities and income, they were already financially free, so they didn’t need that much exposure.
Instead, they valued quality of life and health more, or rather, their youthful appearance.
After experiencing so much, being able to enjoy this state was what they wanted most right now.
These words stunned Park Hyomin. She clearly couldn’t immediately grasp the deeper meaning, “No, what does state and pace have to do with being low-key?”
“Haha, Hyomin, just think of us as still young, but not wanting to constantly strive on this path.” Lee Ji-eun replied with a smile, “Slow down the pace at the right time and enjoy the present.”
Sweet Eun-jung chimed in at this moment, with a hint of teasing in her eyes, “Unnie, I understand, but what you just said is a bit much. What do you mean you’re still young? You’re clearly long past that age.”
“We’re very young now.” Lee Ji-eun happily gestured to her face. Although she hadn’t had injections in a while, her appearance was still on point.
Park Hyomin watched the conversation between these sisters and suddenly realized she seemed to be isolated, because Eun-jung seemed to understand the meaning, only she was still confused.
“What is it, what are you two talking about in riddles?”
However, this topic came to an end. Lee Ji-eun and the Big Dragon Cub changed the subject and started talking about the recent appearances of second-generation idols at events, and the atmosphere gradually became relaxed and pleasant.
After a while, Lee Ji-eun got up to go to the restroom, and Park Hyomin followed her.
The Big Dragon Cub and Sweet Eun-jung were left behind. The Big Dragon Cub, rarely showing concern, asked about the filming of her drama crew, which made Sweet Eun-jung look at her with some surprise.
“Oh, Ji-yeon, I was prepared for you to ask about Xiuyuan, what’s going on? I thought you were going to keep fussing about this membership thing.”
A few days ago, when Lin Xiuyuan was busy with the ‘Kim Soo-hyun’ incident, the Big Dragon Cub had truly pestered Sweet Eun-jung to the point of fear, constantly asking all sorts of questions.
She had used all sorts of indirect methods, stratagems of self-harm, and sarcastic remarks.
So when Sweet Eun-jung came for the dinner party today, she had already mentally prepared herself to be ‘interrogated’. To her surprise, the Big Dragon Cub didn’t ask a single question, which made her somewhat surprised.
After hearing Sweet Eun-jung’s reply, the Big Dragon Cub smiled, “Because I suddenly feel like it doesn’t matter anymore. As long as Xiuyuan is still here.”
This simple yet profound sentence brought Sweet Eun-jung a sense of relief, but at the same time, she felt a bit puzzled, “Ji-yeon, do you have feelings for Xiuyuan, or are you just looking at the effect he has?”
“Unnie, do you think I’m using Xiuyuan as a tool?” The Big Dragon Cub’s gaze was gentle, yet carried a hint of provocation.
Sweet Eun-jung shook her head, “It’s not that exactly, it’s just that your current attitude makes me a bit curious.”
The Big Dragon Cub blinked and smiled, “How should I put it? At first, I really just treated it as playing around, wanting to find a young person to liven things up, and since he’s Soo Jung’s junior, he should be good in all aspects.”
She paused and said meaningfully, “But after spending more time with Xiuyuan, I suddenly felt he was really good. At that time, my thought was no wonder so many women like young, cute boys. They have youth and strength, but don’t know how to control it, just keep going at it relentlessly, it’s really fun.”
“As for what happened later, unnie, you understand. There aren’t many ways to a woman’s heart, but if you keep knocking, she’ll eventually open up.”
“So the effect is only part of it, but the person himself is the most important.”
Facing the Big Dragon Cub’s explanation, Sweet Eun-jung replied, “So what if someone else had this effect?”
The Big Dragon Cub was silent for a moment, her gaze becoming firm.
“That hypothetical situation doesn’t exist, unnie. How old are we? Why are we still playing these hypothetical games like children?”
“For a person, it’s yes or no, it needs to be clear and obvious. On the other hand, when it comes to matters, it’s okay to be a bit vague, to embrace the occasional confusion.”
“Alright, I understand what you mean.”
The last sentence made Sweet Eun-jung smile with great reassurance, nodding lightly.
At this moment, Park Hyomin and Lee Ji-eun also returned. The four of them sat around the dining table, continuing their long-awaited conversation, laughter and chatter filling the entire private room.
……
……
The night at Mount Kazbek deepened, and the temperature became refreshingly cool as the sun set.
As night fell, Lin Xiuyuan and his two companions, after having a couple of drinks at the small tavern, finally returned to the guesthouse and went to their respective rooms to wash up.
However, Lin Xiuyuan did not take Krystal back to the villa to wash up tonight. Instead, he went to get a set of clothes and pajamas for the next day and then returned to the guesthouse.
According to Krystal’s suggestion, it would be better to enjoy the mountain night here. Washing up here not only allowed one to see the starry sky but also offered a unique feeling.
Perhaps it was the tranquility and natural atmosphere of the mountains that made everything more comfortable and relaxing.
Since the woman still needed to remove her makeup, Lin Xiuyuan took this opportunity to quickly take a shower. Then, while Krystal was showering, he went out to the living room.
He sat on the sofa, boiled some water, made a pot of hot tea, and stretched his body, which was tired from the day’s activities.
While sipping the hot tea and feeling its aroma and warmth flow into his heart, Lin Xiuyuan slowly looked up at the night sky outside the courtyard, then got up and opened the room door leading to the courtyard.
A gust of evening breeze greeted him, the air carrying a gentle fragrance. With the arrival of nightfall, the quiet of the town further highlighted the tranquility of the hot springs.
As Lin Xiuyuan leaned in the doorway, gazing at the night scene he hadn’t seen for a long time, he heard a door open nearby, and he instinctively turned his head to look.
Not far away, Jessica was standing in front of her doorway, wearing a cool and sexy camisole nightgown.
Her hair was slightly damp, suggesting she had just showered. Her shoulders were subtly visible, and the light hem of the camisole dress swayed gently in the breeze, exuding a mature woman’s charm.
In an instant, Lin Xiuyuan’s heart seemed to quicken a few beats, but he quickly regained his composure.
Although he knew Jessica was much older than Jung Soo-yeon, the maturity and charm she exuded still made him momentarily stunned.
Her sophisticated aura and the unique charm of a mature woman were something the younger Jung Soo-yeon couldn’t match. Even though their previous acquaintance hadn’t been pleasant, facing such a woman, Lin Xiuyuan couldn’t help but be attracted to her for a moment.
This was the instinctive admiration of humans for beauty.
Jessica, upon seeing Lin Xiuyuan, was also a bit surprised, “Why are you so fast?”
“You call me a straight man, yet you speak without thinking.” Hearing this, Lin Xiuyuan retorted directly.
Jessica, who understood immediately, showed a smile, “No, I didn’t mean that. Why are you so sensitive? Or is it…”
“Just shut up.” Lin Xiuyuan regretted speaking to her.
Jessica wasn’t angry. Instead, she walked to the sofa, picked up a cup, poured a cup of hot tea, and took a sip. The tea’s aroma brought her a moment of relaxation.
“Oh, this tea is really good.” She said with a smile, but her gaze unconsciously swept over Lin Xiuyuan.
Lin Xiuyuan didn’t respond, and Jessica continued to text on her phone by herself.
At this moment, Krystal, having finished her shower, also came out. She casually pulled her bathrobe and looked at Jessica, “Why are you so fast?”
“How am I fast? Think before you speak, Soo Jung.” Jessica pursed her lips and smiled, using the opportunity to tease someone a little.
Beside them, Lin Xiuyuan remained silent.
Krystal, following Jessica’s gaze towards Lin Xiuyuan, guessed the strange tone of the remark and then laughed heartily, “It seems you two had a very happy chat.”
Her relaxed tone instantly made the subtle atmosphere in the air even more relaxed.
She then waved her hand, “Let’s go. It’s rare to be in such a beautiful place, we can’t waste the hot springs.”
Following Krystal’s suggestion, the three of them walked through the room door into the courtyard.
Night had completely fallen, and the entire courtyard was quiet and cozy.
A gentle night breeze brushed past, carrying the scent of earth and flowers. In the night sky, countless stars dotted the deep firmament, twinkling with a diamond-like glow.
The fresh air made one feel refreshed, as if all the hustle and bustle had faded with the night.
Krystal and Jessica followed closely behind Lin Xiuyuan. The three of them lined up and walked to the other side of the courtyard, where a small house contained the hot spring room of this place.
This hot spring pool was hidden and private, completely isolated from the outside world.
It was surrounded by lush vegetation, which swayed gently in the night breeze, creating a warm atmosphere.
Above was a transparent glass roof, allowing direct stargazing, as if bathing under the starlight, filling the entire space with relaxation and comfort.
The steam from the hot spring gently rose, and the water surface reflected a soft light, emitting a warm and pleasant aura.
“Finally here.”
Krystal, who entered first, glanced at Jessica from a discreet angle after seeing the hot spring. Without hesitation, she shed her pajamas and walked into the hot spring pool wearing only her underwear, a triumphant smile on her face, “This hot spring is amazing.”
This scene directly made Jessica’s eyes widen, but she didn’t know a more shocking scene was yet to come.
Lin Xiuyuan stood by, took off his top with ease, leaving only a pair of loose sweatpants, and then walked towards the hot spring pool. His solid, natural muscle lines were slightly outlined under the lighting, a figure that caught the eye of the person behind him.
So when Jessica, standing at the doorway, saw this scene, her eyes couldn’t help but flash with surprise.
Although she had seen Lin Xiuyuan’s physique once before, looking again at the young man with firm and natural muscle lines, it was completely unlike the body of a young person his age.
Usually, Lin Xiuyuan wore such modest clothes that one would assume he just had normal abdominal muscles, so seeing this scene again made Jessica involuntarily stop, her gaze lingering on Lin Xiuyuan for a few seconds, somewhat shocked.
However, she quickly regained her composure and looked down at her own camisole nightgown, a faint smile appearing on her face.
She had chosen to wear this camisole after her shower specifically for the convenience of soaking in the hot spring at this moment.
So, without hesitation, she confidently walked towards the hot spring and entered near Krystal. Being across from Lin Xiuyuan with a large pool in between, there was no hint of ambiguity.
“Mmm, the water temperature is just right.” Jessica said softly, gradually relaxing herself and slowly sinking into the hot spring pool.
“Hot springs are truly a wonderful place. They can relax both body and mind, and allow us to enjoy this moment of peace.”
Krystal leaned against the pool wall, stretching her body, and looked up at the starry sky, her eyes revealing a hint of enjoyment, “Sometimes, when we don’t travel, we really miss out on too many opportunities for relaxation.”
Lin Xiuyuan nodded, his gaze distant, fixed on the starry sky, his eyes somewhat unfocused.
If he were to follow his path in 2013, such an enjoyable trip wouldn’t have been impossible, but it wouldn’t have been so easy to obtain, let alone with the famous JK sister duo from Korean Entertainment accompanying him for a hot spring soak.
Jessica adjusted her posture slightly, leaning against the edge of the pool, “Indeed, it feels good to be able to relax and not be bothered by work and other things.”
“So where is your man?” Krystal suddenly blurted out, stunning Jessica.
“Don’t say discouraging things, Jung Soo-jung.” Jessica pursed her lips and smiled, responding softly.
“Hahaha.”
All three of them burst into laughter, and the atmosphere gradually became relaxed and natural.
Although there was a subtle distance between Lin Xiuyuan and Jessica, at this moment, all burdens seemed to be smoothed over by the warmth of the night sky and the hot springs. They began to relax and chat happily.
“By the way, your little tavern membership is really mysterious,” Jessica suddenly posed a question, looking towards Lin Xiuyuan.
Lin Xiuyuan blinked, his gaze still fixed on the starry sky ahead, “Yes, it’s quite mysterious to outsiders, but not to those within the organization.”
Krystal chimed in, “Are you curious, Jessica?”
“Yes, that’s right.”
Jessica nodded thoughtfully. This was the first time she had admitted it, “After all, secrets are sometimes truly alluring.”
Little did she know how deeply Krystal smiled in her eyes as she admitted this.
So, she lifted her leg to kick Lin Xiuyuan opposite her. However, the hot spring pool was quite large, and she wasn’t a giant with two-meter-long legs, so she couldn’t reach him at all, only kicking up some water splashes.
Seeing this, Krystal said, “Xiuyuan~ Did you hear that? Jessica says she’s curious.”
“Mmm, I heard. It has nothing to do with me. I’m just the one watching the store.”
Feigning ignorance, Lin Xiuyuan had no desire to dwell on this topic.
Because he could tell that Krystal, the silly girl, was still stuck on her ‘crazy’ plan and insisted on tormenting Jessica, regardless of whether she was willing or not.
Besides, he wasn’t too keen on it either.
I was too busy today to make up for the chapter I owed yesterday, so consider it a day off for me.
Continuing with ten thousand words today, and after reaching the daily goal, thank you to my godfathers for your support and votes.
With monthly tickets exceeding 5K, another day of ten thousand words +1.
Daily ten thousand word progress report: 72/82.
Requesting monthly tickets!! Requesting subscriptions!! Requesting rewards!! Requesting everything!!!
