Chapter 236: Big Dragon Cub: “sulli?? A Ghost?!”
Villa entrance.
Lin Xiuyuan stood there, watching Big Dragon Cub walk over slowly, his inner surprise almost fully visible.
His gaze was involuntarily drawn to those long thighs and red high heels, as if the whole person was pulled by her aura.
That familiar impact from her mature older sister vibe and popularity made him lose a lot of reaction time.
But instinctively, he still subconsciously glanced back inside the villa.
After all, Sulli was still inside. What if Big Dragon Cub wanted to go in?
In that instant, a trace of panic flashed in Lin Xiuyuan’s gaze, his heartbeat involuntarily speeding up a bit.
However, none of this escaped Big Dragon Cub’s eyes. Her steps gradually slowed, the smile at the corner of her mouth becoming more obvious, carrying a bit of teasing and playfulness.
Her gaze lingered on the fleeting expression on Lin Xiuyuan’s face, her eyes seeming to hide a complex look like prey about to fall into the net, as if she herself actually didn’t want to see this scene.
But these thoughts were quickly shaken off by Big Dragon Cub, then she walked up to Lin Xiuyuan, slightly tilting her head up, her gaze bright and mischievous, a smile curving at the corner of her mouth.
“Yo, Xiuyuan~ Did you hide some treasure inside? That look you just had was like you were doing something sneaky.”
While saying this, Big Dragon Cub’s tone carried a light flirtation, deliberately hiding that teasing deeply.
But every word and sentence was perfectly gauged, ruthlessly teasing Lin Xiuyuan’s nerves.
Lin Xiuyuan was stunned for a moment, realizing that his earlier action had unintentionally exposed a hint of panic in his heart.
So he couldn’t help but let out a dry laugh, somewhat awkwardly, “You’re overthinking it. There’s nothing. I just thought I forgot to turn off the television earlier.”
“Television?” Big Dragon Cub lowered her head and chuckled lightly, with a tone of slight uncertainty, “Why bother? You’re living in a place like this, and you’re worried about a little electricity bill?”
At this point, Big Dragon Cub also turned her head to look at the villa next to her, then said with a somewhat emotional tone, “For real, Xiuyuan~ I thought you lived in an apartment a bit further back. I really didn’t expect you to live here. How much is the rent?”
“Why ask that? Are you going to pay it for me?” Lin Xiuyuan smiled and gently put his arm around Big Dragon Cub who had come to his side.
Feeling that familiar embrace, Big Dragon Cub first pursed her lips, wrinkled her nose, “If you can answer my next few questions, paying rent for you wouldn’t be a problem.”
“What questions?” Lin Xiuyuan laughed.
The next second, Big Dragon Cub’s gaze became sharper, as if she could see through every expression of Lin Xiuyuan and discern all the hidden thoughts in his heart.
After pausing for a moment, she then left his embrace, stepped back one step, and looked deeply at him, her tone becoming low and serious.
“Then you have to tell me first, is there anyone inside? Who is it? I’m feeling a bit… sensitive about some things today.”
Big Dragon Cub’s words carried a bit of urgency, her gaze flashing with unignorable vigilance, as if probing Lin Xiuyuan’s and her own bottom line.
A gentle breeze brushed over her hair tips, bringing a faint coolness.
The roadside lighting cast mottled shadows in the night, the street unusually quiet, as if every tiny sound between the two was amplified.
The occasional cicada chirps quietly broke this silence, yet also added a bit of loneliness and tension to the night.
“Tsk tsk, Ji-yeon, you’re indeed a bit sensitive.”
Lin Xiuyuan, speaking softly, thought to escape this topic, but before he finished, he was interrupted by her unignorable gaze.
Opposite him, Big Dragon Cub still stared straight at him.
Her gaze like two sharp blades, dissecting every bit of his inner thoughts.
“Xiuyuan~ What I want to know isn’t just this, but also the membership system at the small tavern over there? I’m very worried it’s something with dark elements, but why can’t you tell me at all? I know I’m not a good person myself, but after going through so much, I really don’t want to stumble at this final step.”
While speaking, Big Dragon Cub’s tone seemed calm, but every word carried urgent weight.
Facing the question from the figure before him, Lin Xiuyuan’s heart jumped hard, his pupils contracting slightly.
Looking at Big Dragon Cub’s furrowed brows and slightly pale lip corners, he realized she wasn’t joking.
And all of this suddenly became so serious, no longer the familiar teasing and play between them, but a test with unknown consequences.
The streetlights continued to flicker, and the evening breeze with a bit of coolness brushed Lin Xiuyuan’s hair tips, bringing a fresh feeling.
But all these external impressions had nothing to do with him now; at this moment, Lin Xiuyuan’s entire world seemed surrounded by Big Dragon Cub’s string of questions, becoming turbulent and struggling.
A chill spread from his spine, and having rolled in the sheets with her so many times, he clearly realized that his upcoming explanation would determine the direction of their relationship.
“Tsk… Hiss…”
Lin Xiuyuan lowered his head and tsked, seeming to want to say something, but suddenly stopped, as if something was stuck in his throat.
In the early morning air, the quiet aura grew thicker, like an invisible net enveloping the two standing at the villa entrance.
Big Dragon Cub stood before him, brows slightly furrowed, quietly waiting for the answer.
Her gaze was no longer the initial playfulness, but filled with unease and urgency.
Her hands gently clenched, as if waiting for Lin Xiuyuan’s response, expecting an answer that wouldn’t disappoint her.
Moments later, as Lin Xiuyuan’s silence prolonged, the atmosphere grew more tense.
And every second of silence at this time was like stretching the distance between them.
Finally, cicada chirps rang out again, breaking the silence, but Big Dragon Cub’s gaze remained fixed, still staring intently at Lin Xiuyuan.
Seeing he still didn’t respond immediately, an uneasy aura began to spread in the air, as if all surrounding sounds vanished at this moment.
Big Dragon Cub’s gaze began to change, her mouth corners drooping slightly, as if realizing she might have guessed something, her emotions starting to sink.
What followed was a wave of hesitation… reluctance.
Fortunately, at that moment, Lin Xiuyuan standing opposite her took a deep breath, breaking the silence.
“Sigh~ Ji-yeon, what you want to know might not be what you want to hear, and it might not be good for you, me, or everyone, so I’ve been hesitating whether to tell you.”
“Xiuyuan, do you mean that if I knew these things, it would be bad for everyone?”
Big Dragon Cub narrowed her eyes, clearly feeling Lin Xiuyuan was brushing her off, her impatience and anger growing stronger.
Her tone carried a bit of coldness, as if waiting for his next explanation.
Seeing Lin Xiuyuan actually nod, Big Dragon Cub was so angry she almost exploded.
But she still held back her temper, took a deep breath, and said coldly, “Then since that’s the case, for the questions I just asked, pick the ones you can answer and tell me.”
This time, Lin Xiuyuan didn’t hesitate anymore, but quickly gave a reply.
“There is indeed someone inside, but I can’t say who. However, the president of the small tavern has nothing dark; you can ask Eun-jung directly. That place is actually very positive.”
“Really someone, Xiuyuan~ It’s only been this short time, how did you go from a pure young guy to a scumbag?”
Big Dragon Cub actually didn’t care too much about this question; men and such, she had seen through long ago.
But she still vented unhappily.
Lin Xiuyuan replied unusually calmly, “Don’t make a fuss. I have no relationship with the person inside, just a pure friend. No need for me to lie to you about this.”
After giving him a deep look, Big Dragon Cub continued, “Then next question: during this time together, have you ever deceived me?”
“Yes.” Lin Xiuyuan nodded without hesitation.
“Good thing or bad thing?” Big Dragon Cub asked immediately.
This time, after a moment of silence, Lin Xiuyuan gave an answer, “Schrödinger’s level, hard to determine good or bad; it depends on how you think.”
Because his deception of Big Dragon Cub was that so-called ‘persona’ from the very beginning.
Everything after dropping the ‘persona’ was perfectly fine.
If judging by actions not heart, there’s no issue; but if reversed, then he’s a big villain.
Big Dragon Cub’s expression changed slightly, but she still didn’t speak, just quietly looking at Lin Xiuyuan.
Two minutes passed, and her gaze suddenly turned to the villa entrance, extending that slender white tender finger, lightly stroking the cold surface of the iron gate.
“Then Xiuyuan, can I go inside to take a look?”
Lin Xiuyuan was slightly stunned.
Immediately after, Big Dragon Cub continued, “You can have them hide. I don’t care who it is; I just want to see what your place looks like.”
While saying this, her gaze had some amusement, also with a bit of provocation.
Lin Xiuyuan didn’t bother overthinking, smiled slightly, nodded, turned to open the villa door, signaling her to follow.
“Sigh~ If you want to come in, come in. Let’s go, I’ll take you inside.”
As the two passed through the doorway, Lin Xiuyuan led her around the garden in front of the villa, along the winding path to the spacious living room.
The night air carried a slight coolness, but the courtyard of this villa was filled with a tranquil and luxurious aura.
Along the way, large trees hung overhead, branches lush and leafy.
Colorful flowers were scattered on the surrounding grass, occasional breezes bringing a fresh fragrance.
And as she followed Lin Xiuyuan’s steps into the living room, the spacious space was filled with simple luxury, a light-colored carpet on the floor, exquisite artwork hanging on the walls.
And most eye-catching was the huge floor-to-ceiling window, reflecting the courtyard scenery outside the window into the living room, adding a touch of nature.
Big Dragon Cub looked up at this scene, a hint of invisible shock in her eyes.
Mainly, this location and such a villa didn’t seem like something you could rent just with money.
This level of luxurious decoration didn’t look like it was for renting out at all.
Thinking of this, Big Dragon Cub scanned the luxurious living room again, and suddenly, her gaze unconsciously stopped at a certain corner.
Then she walked lightly over there, standing at the rack placed in front of a door, with about ten mobile phones on the rack.
This situation made Big Dragon Cub raise her brow curiously, turned to smile at Lin Xiuyuan, her tone carrying some curiosity.
“Xiuyuan~ Are you doing telecom fraud or some business? Why so many mobile phones? Could they be tools for trading information?”
Lin Xiuyuan stood beside, the corner of his mouth twitching involuntarily.
Facing Big Dragon Cub’s teasing, he smiled helplessly in his heart, then shook his head.
“Not that exaggerated. Those mobile phones are just for me and friends to keep in touch. Don’t overthink it. If it were telecom fraud, the whole living room would be full of phones.”
Hearing the answer, Big Dragon Cub giggled a few times, “Is that so? I really thought you’d turned into some black-hearted boss, collecting so many phones for shady dealings.”
She deliberately drew out her tone, her smile not fading, continuing to mutter, “But from what you say, it’s not a big deal.”
Then she turned toward the sofa, leaning back on the soft cushion of the sofa, looking relaxed and at ease.
“Also, Xiuyuan~ How much is the rent for this villa? Feels like it’s not cheap. I need to consider whether to cover it for you.”
The next second.
“No need for money. This house is mine, free. So if Ji-yeon you really want, covering the property management fees and utilities is fine.”
Saying this, Lin Xiuyuan had a helpless smile at the corner of his mouth, standing by without sitting.
But Big Dragon Cub was startled upon hearing this, looked up at him, “Yours?”
“Mm.”
Then Lin Xiuyuan grinned, looking at the sharply imposing Big Dragon Cub before him; from earlier hesitation to now, his thoughts finally dropped the hammer here.
“Also, let me introduce my ‘secret lover’ to you.”
“Ah, I don’t want to. If you don’t want to say, forget it.”
On this point, Big Dragon Cub directly shook her head, seeming uninterested in these matters.
Lin Xiuyuan laughed, “Didn’t you come to catch me cheating?”
“That’s secondary. What I’m worried about most is Eun-jung unnie. Since you dare say to ask Eun-jung unnie, forget the rest.”
Big Dragon Cub looking down at the carpet actually understood well what ‘strategic ignorance’ means.
As long as the bottom line wasn’t crossed, the rest didn’t matter.
Just that in the future, playing with this young boy, she’d have to be more careful, not as unrestrained as before.
Thinking back, she had indeed been a bit carried away.
However, just as Big Dragon Cub was muttering to herself, planning to extricate from this ‘male charm’.
Lin Xiuyuan standing beside her looked up toward the second floor and called out, “Sulli~ Your close friend is here.”
In just an instant, Big Dragon Cub who had just been regretting this young cute boy suddenly lifted her head sharply.
Just hearing the name “Sulli” made her gaze numb and trembling.
By the next second, seeing the figure appearing on the second floor, the completely unprepared Big Dragon Cub directly screamed out.
“Ah… ghost…”
Went to the traditional Chinese medicine clinic today for acupuncture on hand and waist, rested in the evening, so that’s it for tonight; ten thousand daily tomorrow.
（PS: AI generated a villa pic, make do with it）
