Chapter 239: “oppa, Stop Calling Xiuyuan, Or I’ll Get The Wrong Idea”
Krystal: 【 How is it, how is it, Taeyeon, little Taeyeon, big Taeyeon, answer me. 】
Krystal: 【 Haven’t you finished talking yet? 】
Krystal: 【 No, what are you guys talking about, can’t you just look at your phones? 】
Krystal: 【 Alright, alright, you’re all busy and ignoring me, right? 】
Krystal: 【 I’ll fly back tonight after I finish work, Choi… Taeyeon, you just wait for me. 】
Krystal: 【…… 】
Up ahead, as Sulli went downstairs to meet Lin Xiuyuan and the Big Dragon Cub, and then returned to watch the show in the 2013 timeline.
The phone screen on the mobile phone left in the guest room, however, was lit up and flashing due to Krystal’s barrage of messages.
Until everything was finished, and when Sulli returned to the guest room on the second floor, she finally picked up her phone again. Seeing the numerous messages Krystal had sent, the smile on her face was almost incapacitating, and she nearly burst out laughing.
“Ah, I didn’t mean to, Soojung~”
Sulli, talking to herself, couldn’t help but cover her mouth with the back of her hand, but the smile wouldn’t stop, and her shoulders trembled slightly.
The next second, her fingers flew across the keyboard with excitement, her eyes sparkling.
This was the moment she most wanted to confide in someone, and Soojung on the other end of the phone was a gift from heaven, a perfect sounding board.
Sulli: 【 Soojung, hurry back. I guarantee you’ve never seen such an exciting meeting. Oppa and I were both startled. 】
Sulli: 【 I recorded a video. Soojung, hurry back. The video can’t be sent easily. 】
Sulli: 【 You don’t know the scene… and with Ji-yeon’s situation, I’m a bit worried about your plan. If Soo Yeon unnie really meets them, I’m afraid she’ll want to kill someone. 】
Sulli: 【 Okay, I’m going to sleep now. We’ll talk more tomorrow, Soojung~ Goodnight~ 】
After sending the message, she couldn’t help but stretch with a pout, rolling over like a satisfied kitten.
Then she got up wanting to drink some water, only to find that she had already finished the water in her cup earlier.
Helpless, she had no choice but to carry her cup out of the room and head towards the water dispenser at the stairwell corner.
There was originally a water dispenser in the guest room, but the connector of the small water pipe was broken, and Lin Xiuyuan hadn’t had time to buy a new one, so she had to go out to get water.
However, as Sulli approached the stairwell corner with her water cup and was about to press the button on the water dispenser, her ears suddenly twitched.
Intermittent sounds were coming from the third floor above.
At first, it was just indistinct whispers, but soon, the voices became ambiguous, suppressed, yet still carrying a hint of blush-inducing excitement.
“…”
This situation made Sulli freeze, her eyes widening instantly.
The cup in her hand almost fell, but luckily she tightened her grip.
But her face had already turned red as a ripe apple.
“Oh my god…”
Sulli, who couldn’t help but mutter softly, breathed a little rapidly.
The next moment, she almost fled and ran back from this side, tiptoeing lightly, like a startled little rabbit.
Water? She had long forgotten about it.
After scurrying back into the guest room, Sulli slammed the door shut, then threw herself onto the bed, burying her head under the pillow.
Her heart pounded, and the tips of her ears burned.
But no matter how hard she tried to calm herself, fragments of what she had just heard kept reappearing in her mind, even automatically piecing together scenes.
So, she helplessly rolled over and muttered in a low voice, “Oppa is too much.”
But the blush on her face refused to fade,
As a result, she spent the entire night in confusion and palpitations, having spring dreams all night.
The next early morning.
Sunlight streamed through the gaps in the curtains into the room, warm and dazzling.
The Big Dragon Cub, lying in bed, slowly opened her eyes, her body still immersed in the afterglow of the previous night, as if repeatedly washed by the tide.
Her entire mind felt heavy, as if it contained too many things. Memories from last night flashed by, filled with shocking and unfamiliar scenes.
These thoughts made the Big Dragon Cub involuntarily raise her hand to rub her forehead, her emotions as chaotic as an overturned paint palette.
She rolled over, only to find the pillow beside her empty.
The young, cute boy who had clung to her the night before, and who had developed a ‘wolfish nature’ thanks to many people, was nowhere to be found now.
Seeing this, the Big Dragon Cub lay still for a few seconds, only the empty silence in her ears.
Then, with her eyes open, she stared blankly at the ceiling, her thoughts seemingly still lingering between last night and the early morning.
After a moment, she slowly turned her head, her gaze falling towards the foot of the bed.
The thick curtains there blocked most of the light, making the room appear dim and oppressive.
“Hoo…”
Letting out a soft breath, the Big Dragon Cub abruptly threw off the quilt and put on a loose T-shirt.
Her bare thighs touched the soft carpet, exuding a lazy and unguarded casualness. She walked to the window and, with a “swish,” pulled open the heavy curtains.
Instantly, strong sunlight hit her, making her instinctively squint.
After adjusting to the brightness, the scene before her gradually came into focus.
The lush, leafy tree stood quietly in the courtyard. The morning breeze blew through, dappling the branches, and light and shadow flowed.
The Big Dragon Cub’s gaze moved down along the branches.
In the courtyard, two figures were busy.
Lin Xiuyuan, dressed in simple home clothes, was bending over the grill, his movements skilled and steady, as if he were accustomed to this kind of life.
Sulli squatted beside him, handing him tools with a small tool in her hand, chattering something and smiling uncontrollably.
The morning light shone on her profile, making her clear eyes sparkle brightly.
The Big Dragon Cub’s gaze gradually focused on Sulli.
Her slender hands, the smile as she squatted before the grill and looked up, and the way her hair swayed gently in the wind, were all deeply imprinted in her eyes.
At this moment, the scene and memory overlapped.
But it was also different.
The figure in memory always carried an indelible gloom and sorrow.
But the Sulli before her now appeared young, vibrant, and cheerful. She smiled without reservation, as if the whole world brightened because of her.
Thinking this, and looking at Sulli in the courtyard, an ineffable feeling suddenly surged in the Big Dragon Cub’s chest.
Even though she had met him last night and experienced an impact that could shake her heart, now, in the morning sunlight, seeing the figure who “shouldn’t exist” again after waking from sleep, she couldn’t help but feel her heartstrings vibrate.
“It still feels so unreal.”
The Big Dragon Cub whispered softly, her voice trembling slightly.
Her fingertips unconsciously clenched the hem of her T-shirt, the fabric pulling into several small wrinkles.
She knew very well that the Sulli before her was the one from the 2013 timeline.
She was not the same person as the one from 2025, but her breathing, laughter, and demeanor were so vivid.
It felt as if fate had played a cruel joke, causing someone long gone to reappear in another form.
This made a sourness well up in the Big Dragon Cub’s heart, and her throat tightened slightly. She then bit her lower lip.
The intensity of last night seemed to still linger on her skin, and her slightly sore arms also told her that the offline PK from last night was not a dream. But at the same time, the morning sunlight brought her a sense of clarity and emotion.
Leaning against the window frame, the Big Dragon Cub’s gaze followed Sulli in the courtyard, letting out a soft sigh, and murmured, “It’s so good, Sulli… I’m really happy to see you smiling so joyfully again.”
Outside the window, Sulli was smiling and looking up at Lin Xiuyuan, her eyes bright like a clear spring.
The Big Dragon Cub was stunned for a moment, and the corners of her lips curved into a faint arc unconsciously.
Just then, Lin Xiuyuan seemed to sense something.
He put down the tongs in his hand and looked up towards the third floor.
Their eyes met.
“You’re awake!”
Lin Xiuyuan shouted cheerfully, “If you’re awake, come down. I’ll make you some grilled fish later.”
Hearing Lin Xiuyuan’s call, Sulli beside him couldn’t help but laugh.
She casually tucked a stray strand of hair behind her ear, her smile blooming, her eyes curving into crescent moons, her whole being exuding a bright youthful energy.
“Hahaha, unnie~”
She looked up at the Big Dragon Cub, who had already come to the third-floor balcony from the side door, her tone carrying a hint of acting cute and teasing.
“Oppa just saw someone eating grilled fish while watching a video, so he insisted on making one for lunch too. I told him it would be fine to just grill it on the kitchen stove, but he refused, saying it had to be grilled over charcoal to be ‘authentic’.”
The Big Dragon Cub leaned against the railing, looking down slightly at the two people in the courtyard, feeling a mix of amusement and emotion in her heart.
The morning light cast a faint halo on her profile. She raised an eyebrow, her voice lazily laced with a hint of playfulness, “As long as you’re happy. But Xiuyuan, when did you wake up? You didn’t even call me.”
In the courtyard, Lin Xiuyuan looked up, a smile on his lips, and said matter-of-factly, “Seeing how soundly you were sleeping, I didn’t want to wake you.”
As he said this, he didn’t forget to bend down, set up the newly bought grill, and then carefully arrange the charcoal pieces into the fire pit layer by layer.
A moment later, he lit a few pieces of fire-starting paper and bent slightly to fan the flames.
The intense flames gradually engulfed the charcoal blocks, and a faint charcoal scent filled the air, carrying a unique courtyard life atmosphere.
“Jinjin, help me watch the heat here and don’t let the flames get too strong.”
Lin Xiuyuan instructed, handing her the fan.
“Got it, oppa~” Sulli replied readily, taking the fan and obediently squatting beside him to watch.
Lin Xiuyuan patted her shoulder, then turned and went into the house.
Inside the kitchen, the air suddenly became much quieter.
A large fish was already laid out on the cutting board, its scales scraped clean, and its belly opened. It only needed to be washed and then placed on the grill.
However, before that, he had to prepare some side dishes for the grilled fish.
Bean sprouts, dried bean curd, onion, chives, and so on.
The sound of water and the rhythm of the knife hitting the board formed a quiet and familiar atmosphere.
However, just as he was engrossed in cutting the onion, a soft set of footsteps suddenly sounded from behind him.
The next moment, a pair of warm hands wrapped around his waist.
Lin Xiuyuan’s movements paused slightly, the blade stopping on the onion, but he didn’t turn around.
He felt a sense of unusual weight and seriousness in that momentary embrace.
“What’s wrong, Ji-yeon?” he asked softly.
The voice from within his embrace was also soft, but it was sincere and earnest, almost trembling, “Xiuyuan~ Thank you.”
Lin Xiuyuan lowered his eyes, his fingertips gently caressing the knife handle, and a smile slowly curved at the corners of his lips.
He of course understood her “thank you,” which was not just for the grilled fish at hand.
It was for last night, for this morning, and for the complex emotions that had been torn apart and reassembled in her heart by fate.
So, without turning around, he simply smiled and replied, “If that’s the case… then from now on, you’ll be responsible for the villa’s utility bills, right?”
The Big Dragon Cub froze for a moment, staring blankly at his back, then let out a “pfft” and laughed.
She lightly rested her forehead on his broad back, her voice filled with a mix of exasperation and amusement, “Ah, Xiuyuan~ Can’t you be serious for a moment?”
“Then will you pay or not?” Lin Xiuyuan still didn’t turn around, his laughter laced with a bit of teasing.
“I will, I will.” The Big Dragon Cub also laughed, her eyes curving into crescent moons, appearing a little smug.
After all, this young boy was willing to accept her offerings, which meant he was truly accepting her.
Then she poked her head out from behind Lin Xiuyuan, her hair still carrying a hint of moisture, and let it fall lightly towards his shoulder. She looked at the large fish, already cleaned, on the chopping board, her tone carrying a hint of curiosity.
“So, Xiuyuan, are we eating this for lunch?”
“Don’t you like it?” Lin Xiuyuan put down the knife, glanced at her sideways, and the corners of his mouth curved, “Then I’ll grill you a steak.”
His tone was light but filled with a casual pampering.
“It’s not that I don’t like it.” The Big Dragon Cub shook her head, her gaze drifting a bit, her tone softening, “It’s just been a long time since I’ve eaten it… When I used to work in China, I’d eat it for late-night snacks with Goo Ri unnie, but I rarely ate it after coming back.”
When she mentioned Lee Ji-eun, she obviously paused for a moment, then pursed her lips, her gaze returning to Lin Xiuyuan, her tone becoming more serious.
“Oh right, speaking of unnie, Xiuyuan~ You’re not planning to tell unnie about her situation, are you?”
The kitchen knife in Lin Xiuyuan’s hand stopped mid-air, the blade resting on the onion.
He didn’t answer immediately, staring at the cutting board as if organizing his words.
After a long pause, he finally spoke softly, “How should I put this… I really can’t guarantee that everyone will have the same thoughts after knowing the situation. Those who know so far are those who have attachments and desires.”
The Big Dragon Cub blinked, her brow furrowed slightly, her lips pouting, her tone carrying a slight complaint, “Then why didn’t you tell me earlier? Why was it in 2013? It’s like you’re saying I don’t want my family to be healthy.”
Lin Xiuyuan let out a soft sigh, put down the knife, and looked up at her. His gaze held a hint of helplessness and indulgence, and a smile tugged at the corners of his lips.
“Mainly, what happened in 2025 cannot be changed. But what happened in 2013 can be changed. For constraint, of course, 2013 is stronger.”
“That reason is so far-fetched, Xiuyuan~” The Big Dragon Cub pouted, her eyes filled with an “I don’t believe you” look.
Lin Xiuyuan spread his hands, looking defeated, his eyes full of helplessness and a smile, “Okay, to put it bluntly, I hadn’t met you back then. I met you later, but by then Ji-yeon was already there frantically…”
“Frantically scolding me, right?”
The Big Dragon Cub immediately interjected, huffing twice, her eyes narrowed into crescent shapes, with a playful provocation. She tilted her head, looking at him, her voice sweet with a hint of sharpness.
“Hmph, old woman~ Xiuyuan, do you think so too?”
Lin Xiuyuan finally couldn’t hold back his emotions, a low chuckle escaping his lips, and then he shook his head, “Stop messing around. I know your body, whether it’s old or young, fair or rosy, the depth of your well, and so on.”
“Hmph, good thing you’re sensible.” The Big Dragon Cub proudly raised her chin, her expression showing a hint of smug satisfaction, as if she were the victor of this conversation.
But soon, she let out an amused, petulant sound, annoyed at this young, cute boy who had teased her, “But Xiuyuan~ You’re really getting better at charming women.”
“That’s because you all taught me well.”
“You rogue~”
Outside the kitchen window, Sulli in the courtyard was still diligently fanning the charcoal fire, completely unaware of the ambiguous and lighthearted atmosphere between the two in the kitchen.
As time passed, the aroma of grilled fish soon filled the entire villa.
The charcoal fire in the courtyard burned fiercely, and the fish on the grate made a “sizzling” sound. The tiny splashes of hot oil mixed with the aroma of the golden fish skin, making one’s mouth water.
Lin Xiuyuan carefully flipped the fish with tongs, occasionally getting his hand burned by the hot oil, but he just cursed with a laugh and continued his work.
At this moment, Sulli brought out several plates of cold dishes and hot soup from the kitchen and arranged them on the small table in the courtyard.
Sulli put down the bowls and chopsticks, turned around, and excitedly called out, “Alright, oppa, we can start eating now!”
After saying that, she couldn’t help but lean closer to the grill and take a deep breath, her eyes shining brightly like a greedy little cat, “Wow, it smells so good.”
Clapping her hands, she excitedly looked up and called towards the third floor, “Unnie, hurry down! If you don’t come soon, I’ll start eating without you.”
The Big Dragon Cub, who had come downstairs earlier, was told by Lin Xiuyuan to change into a loose T-shirt because she had put on her own clothes.
When she heard the noise and came downstairs, she smelled the aroma of charcoal-grilled fish, couldn’t help but curve her lips, and her eyes gained some warmth.
Without further ado, the three of them sat around the small table in the yard. The steaming fish and side dishes were placed on an iron plate to grill slowly. The entire plate was full, and a sense of indescribable warmth arose.
“Come, come, try some.”
Lin Xiuyuan picked up a piece of belly meat and first offered it to Sulli, then to the Big Dragon Cub.
“Wow, so tender.”
The Big Dragon Cub picked up the piece of fish and put it in her mouth. As soon as she bit into it, her eyes brightened with the burst of fresh flavor and crispy skin.
She couldn’t help but squint her eyes, chew twice with satisfaction, then give Lin Xiuyuan a thumbs-up, “Xiuyuan, your skill is amazing! It’s even better than what I’ve eaten outside before!”
Sulli also took a bite of the fish, chewing and smiling, “Mmm, it’s delicious! But unnie, don’t be deceived by oppa. He actually learned it while watching short videos. He almost burned the fish just now.”
“Hey, hey, Jinjin, don’t reveal my secrets.” Lin Xiuyuan said with a wry smile.
After a burst of laughter, the atmosphere gradually quieted down. At this moment, Sulli couldn’t help but bring up the topic, “By the way, unnie, you said you wanted to go back with us to find Ji-yeon. What’s wrong? You’re not going to start a fight again, are you?”
As she spoke, she winked, her tone playful, but she had already made up her mind.
If that were the case, she would definitely buy a sports camera to hang around her neck, so she wouldn’t miss a good show.
The Big Dragon Cub put down her chopsticks, squinted her eyes, but her tone carried a hint of amusement, “No more fighting. I was just a bit angry last night.”
As she spoke, she paused slightly, her gaze falling on the fish on the table, as if she were seeing a more distant past through it.
“Actually, I just want to talk to Ji-yeon about entering the domestic entertainment industry. I’ve been through it, so I know very well that it’s a very perfect choice. The market is large, and it’s easy to make money. With their conditions and the opportunities at the time, if they could seize them and the company could cooperate well, they might have transitioned more perfectly than we did last time.”
Her tone was unhurried, but her expression gradually became serious. A flash of pride crossed her eyes, as if she were looking at her younger, desperate self.
“Eun-jung and the others mentioned this last night too, so, Ji-yeon, you don’t need to bring it up again.”
Lin Xiuyuan was eating the fish tail and interjected casually, his tone very natural, “Recently, it seems more and more second-generation idols are returning to the domestic entertainment industry to compete for jobs. However, it’s not really competing for idol jobs, it’s more like snatching the jobs of those internet celebrities… it’s a bit like a dimensionality reduction attack.”
“If you must ask if I want to go back and see,” Lin Xiuyuan, “my ~”
The Big Dragon Cub was interrupted and couldn’t help but cast him a sideways glance, a look of coquettishness, full of charm. She snorted softly, smiling flirtatiously, as if she really wanted to act cute and bicker with him.
Immediately after, listening to Lin Xiuyuan’s words, a wave of emotion surged in her heart.
After lowering her gaze for a few seconds, she spoke softly, “Yes, yesterday during dinner, I heard Park Hyomin unnie say that the company had contacted her too, and they’ve been communicating recently. And it’s not just her, there are people from JYP too. In terms of short video platforms, China is indeed more profitable than the international market.”
“It’s not just about making money,” Lin Xiuyuan said softly, picking up a slice of potato to eat, “but it’s already standardized there.”
In the past two months, he had seen some live broadcasts and trending topics, so he naturally had a good understanding.
At this moment, Sulli asked, “Are you thinking of doing the same thing, unnie?”
“Me?”
The Big Dragon Cub first smiled, her eyes brightening for a moment, but then she restrained them as she thought, and her voice became softer, “I don’t want to do anything in 2025, I’m really tired.”
She took a sip of soup, lowered her eyes, and said very calmly, “I plan to maintain a semi-retired state. I’ll make occasional appearances, and spend the rest of my time being Xiuyuan’s little secretary, helping him hide, making calls, and managing everyone’s timelines. That would be quite good.”
As these words fell, Sulli paused the hand that was picking up food, her movement freezing mid-air.
She stared blankly at the Big Dragon Cub, her eyes widening slightly, her lips pursing, and finally blurted out, “Ah? Then… what about me?”
The yard fell silent for a moment, then Lin Xiuyuan and the Big Dragon Cub exchanged a look and both burst into laughter.
The laughter was filled with warmth and a hint of indulgence, gently melting away the slight heaviness of the moment.
…
…
And as Lin Xiuyuan, the Big Dragon Cub, and Sulli were eating hot grilled fish in the yard of the villa in 2025, their laughter occasionally echoed under the sunlight.
In a shopping mall in 2013, the afternoon schedule was still in the waiting room.
In the corridor, the lighting was bright, and the air was filled with a mixed scent of coffee and cosmetics.
Staff members leaned against the walls in twos and threes, some whispering about the upcoming announcements, others passing the time on their phones.
The atmosphere seemed relaxed, yet it still exuded the unique busyness of the entertainment industry.
Park Ji-yeon stood to the side of the crowd, biting her lower lip with some indecision, her palms covered in fine cold sweat, her gaze shifting back and forth between several figures.
Finally, after a while, she made up her mind, took a deep breath, and quickly walked towards Ham Eun-jung, who was pouring herself some coffee.
“Unnie, come with me for a moment.”
Her voice was urgent and brooks no refusal.
“Ah? What is it, Ji-yeon?”
Before Ham Eun-jung could react, Ji-yeon grabbed her arm and half-pushed, half-pulled her deeper into the corridor.
The coffee cup almost spilled, but she managed to steady it, her face full of confusion.
The two of them turned into a secluded corner at the end of the corridor, a place that was remote and quiet, dimly lit, with almost no one passing by.
“Hoo…” Park Ji-yeon, after looking around to confirm no one was there, let out a long breath.
The expression on her face was indescribably strange, a mixture of nervousness and hesitation.
“Don’t scare me, why so mysterious?”
Ham Eun-jung felt a chill down her spine from Ji-yeon’s gaze and unconsciously rubbed her arms.
Park Ji-yeon bit her lip, her eyes drifting, but her voice was kept very low, “Unnie, last night… I saw the old woman.”
“Ah?” Ham Eun-jung froze, blinked a couple of times, and didn’t understand at all, “You said… who?”
“The old woman, that is… my 2025 self.”
Park Ji-yeon blurted it out in one breath, her heart pounding.
Ham Eun-jung was stunned, and after a long pause, managed to stammer, “Wait, Xiuyuan brought her back?”
Park Ji-yeon nodded, “Yes.”
Hearing this, Ham Eun-jung actually chuckled first, as if trying to ease the strange atmosphere, “So how did your conversation go? One from the past and one from the future, you must have had a lot to talk about.”
“We didn’t talk,” Park Ji-yeon lowered her head, but her eyes suddenly lifted, her expression complex, “We fought.”
The air suddenly fell silent.
As Park Ji-yeon said this, Ham Eun-jung’s eyes widened, as if she doubted what she had heard. She froze in place.
After a long while, she barely managed to squeeze out, “Ji-yeon, did you say something wrong? What did you just say?”
“Unnie, I’m not joking with you.”
Park Ji-yeon’s eyes widened, and she gestured with her hands to describe the actions from last night, “The ‘us’ after we met last night really fought. Damn it, even though she’s an old woman, she’s still strong and cheats. She almost beat me down, my hands are still sore.”
Ham Eun-jung was completely dumbfounded, almost crushing the coffee cup in her hand, her eyes wide open, her lips trembling, “What the heck are you talking about?! Did you really fight?”
Her voice involuntarily rose, and after speaking, she was startled and immediately covered her mouth, nervously lowering her voice, as if afraid this secret would be heard by others.
Although Ham Eun-jung also knew that Park Ji-yeon used to practice Taekwondo and always said it was to “beat up the old woman of the future.”
But in her heart, she had always thought it was just a joke from Park Ji-yeon, at most just a young person’s boast.
She never expected that Park Ji-yeon would actually go all out with her 2025 self.
Afterwards, Park Ji-yeon recounted the entire incident of Lin Xiuyuan bringing the “Big Dragon Cub” to her apartment last night, word for word.
When describing her “passive defense,” she even demonstrated a few punches and kicks, her demeanor so serious it was exasperating.
Finally, she paused abruptly and nodded firmly, her tone full of grievances, “That’s how it happened, unnie!”
Park Ji-yeon’s eyes flickered with unspeakable grievance and unwillingness, “That old woman was too cunning, she used tricks I don’t know. She even shamelessly cheated, and as a result, I lost to her… it makes me so angry.”
Ham Eun-jung was completely stunned, leaning against the corridor wall, and it took her a long time to recover.
Then she murmured, full of disbelief, “When Yoon-a and Little Deer met, they just exchanged a few complaints. When I met myself, we didn’t even argue, we just talked about business. And when Taeyeon and the others met, they cried their eyes out… How did it turn into a fight with you?”
She reached up and rubbed her forehead, sighing deeply, her heart a mix of emotions, and she couldn’t help but say with some helplessness, “Didn’t I tell you, the Big Ji-yeon also had a hard time.”
“Hmph! Who told her to make me angry!”
Park Ji-yeon looked wronged, hugging her arms, puffing out her cheeks, “Unnie, you don’t know, what she said last night was explicit and infuriating. I was so angry, how can anyone mock themselves like that.”
Listening to Park Ji-yeon, although Ham Eun-jung wanted to side with her maknae, the Big Dragon Cub was also her maknae, so she smiled and said, “But you also called her an old woman.”
“Hmph hmph hmph—”
At this, Park Ji-yeon was immediately speechless, only managing to hmph a few times as if sulking, then she pounced over and grabbed Ham Eun-jung’s arm, shaking it as if acting cute, “Ah~ unnie, are you on my side or her side? I’m your maknae!”
Seeing her like this, Ham Eun-jung couldn’t help but smile.
Although there was indeed a new maknae in the group now, this “Little Dragon Cub” she had watched grow up was still the one she felt most sorry for.
“Of course I’m on your side,” she said gently, but with a hint of a lecture, “But I can’t just watch you throw a tantrum. If you’re really dissatisfied, you should say it properly, not start fighting right away.”
At this moment, Park Hyomin, who had finished talking with her manager, looked back and saw that her two good sisters had disappeared.
She frowned, and as she was wondering, the new maknae next to her cautiously pointed outside.
So Park Hyomin naturally walked to the corridor and looked around. Finally, at the end, she saw Ham Eun-jung and Park Ji-yeon huddled together.
Her eyes darted slightly, a hint of curiosity arose in her heart, and she didn’t rush to call them, but lightened her steps and slowly walked towards them.
As she got closer, she could indeed hear intermittent voices.
“Don’t fight next time you meet, it’s all you, what’s the point of fighting amongst yourselves, right, Ji-yeon.”
“Unnie, but what if that old woman wants to fight then, what should I do.”
“Do you think that’s possible?”
“Yes, who knows, right, unnie.”
Just as Ham Eun-jung was about to say something more, she caught sight of Park Hyomin appearing behind her out of the corner of her eye. Startled, she quickly withdrew her words, “Ah, Hyomin, when did you get behind us? Wow, you scared me.”
“Scared me?”
Park Hyomin crossed her arms, her eyes full of suspicion, playfully tinged with a bit of temper, “You two were so secretive, whispering in the corner, what were you talking about?”
She blinked, first looking at Ham Eun-jung, then glancing at Park Ji-yeon, her tone laced with teasing, “I heard everything just now, what fighting, old woman, and whispering in the corner. Were you two talking about me behind my back?”
“Ah? No, no…”
Ham Eun-jung chuckled nervously, a little shaken, and instinctively reached out to touch Park Ji-yeon’s head, as if to cover up the atmosphere, “It’s just… a little playful bickering, Ji-yeon was naughty, just kidding.”
“Right, right, right~” Park Ji-yeon also quickly nodded, looking guilty, “Unnie, you’re thinking too much. The old woman we were talking about isn’t you, how could it be you.”
“Hmm?” Park Hyomin narrowed her eyes, her suspicion deepening, she put her hands on her hips, indignant, “Then who is it? Tell me, you’re hiding too many things from me, I’m really going to get angry.”
Seeing this, Park Ji-yeon was momentarily speechless, her eyes darting around, feeling extremely guilty.
So she hurriedly forced out an excuse, “Ah, it’s just… that, that villainous aunt in the TV series! We were watching and complaining yesterday, saying she was very annoying, so we just casually cursed her.”
“TV series?”
Hyomin looked suspiciously at Ham Eun-jung, “Is that true?”
Ham Eun-jung forced a smile and nodded, “Yes, it is. You know Ji-yeon, she gets very immersed when watching TV and will curse using lines when she gets excited.”
“Is that so?” Park Hyomin was half-skeptical and turned to stare at Park Ji-yeon, “But Ji-yeon, we’ve been together almost every day these past few days, and the TV in the dorm is rarely turned on. Where did you watch that TV series, and what’s its name? I want to watch it too.”
“Oh, unnie~ Why are you so sensitive? How could I bear to speak ill of you.”
There was no TV series, it was all a lie. Park Ji-yeon, seeing that she was about to be exposed, immediately linked her arm with Park Hyomin’s and shook it like she had just acted cute towards Ham Eun-jung, “You are my favorite Hyomin unnie, really, there isn’t.”
“Hmph, well said.”
Being coaxed by the child she doted on, Park Hyomin, although her heart felt a little warmer, her temper hadn’t completely subsided, so she glared fiercely at Park Ji-yeon and Ham Eun-jung, “Then you two are not allowed to chat in secret behind my back anymore. If there’s anything, we’ll talk about it together, otherwise I’m really going to get angry. You’ve really been isolating me a bit too much lately.”
“Got it, unnie~” Park Ji-yeon stuck out her tongue, looking obedient, but secretly breathed a sigh of relief.
Ham Eun-jung also smoothed things over, “That’s right, the three of us sisters are of one heart, how can there be secrets.”
However, in a direction Park Hyomin couldn’t see, the two exchanged a look, their eyes filled with worry and helplessness.
Park Hyomin, having been “deceived” again, looked at the two of them. Although she didn’t press further, her curiosity and dissatisfaction remained in her heart.
And she muttered to herself: These two definitely have something to hide from me… Hmph, when she finds an opportunity, she’ll definitely uncover their secret.
Meanwhile, Xiao Ba, who was in the waiting room, was staring at the waiting room door, wanting to go out to check on her unnies, but she didn’t dare to move her body at all.
…
…
In the blink of an eye, it was evening again.
The sunset streamed into the villa living room from the floor-to-ceiling window, casting a warm orange-red glow over the entire space.
On the 2025 villa side, Lin Xiuyuan and the Big Dragon Cub were nestled on the sofa watching a movie, while Sulli had returned to the 2013 apartment after lunch to busy herself with matters.
To put it plainly, she was guarding the information and phone in case the TV station or film crew looked for her and couldn’t find her.
The Big Dragon Cub was leaning against Lin Xiuyuan, her hair falling on his shoulder, holding a small bag of leftover snacks.
They had watched several movies that afternoon, laughing and complaining, spending an unprecedentedly relaxed time.
This was the most relaxed and happy day she had spent since meeting Lin Xiuyuan.
The heart-to-heart and intimacy from last night had completely closed the distance between their bodies and minds, making them incredibly close.
“Do you want to go back to 2013 and grab something to eat first? I’m a bit hungry.”
The Big Dragon Cub turned her face to the side and mumbled softly, her eyes sparkling, “I remember there were many delicious things there, and it’s a shame they’re all closed now.”
“Sure, what do you want to eat?” Lin Xiuyuan smiled and rubbed the top of her head.
As they were talking, his phone suddenly vibrated.
Lin Xiuyuan picked it up and saw that the caller ID was Lee Ji-eun.
“Goo Ri unnie?” The Big Dragon Cub blinked, her expression immediately becoming vigilant, her eyes narrowing.
Before Lin Xiuyuan could react, she reached out, snatched the phone, cleared her throat, and answered, “Hello? Goo Ri unnie, right?”
Lee Ji-eun on the other end of the phone was stunned for a moment, then burst out laughing, “Ji-yeon? Why are you answering?”
“Unnie, don’t call Xiuyuan anymore, it will make me misunderstand.” The Big Dragon Cub’s tone was righteous, even a little proud.
You don’t know the secret, unnie, but I know it now!!!
Lee Ji-eun was taken aback, then burst into laughter, “Hey~ What are you thinking about all day in that little brain of yours.”
“Hmph~ Then why did you call him?” The Big Dragon Cub pressed on.
“I’m calling, what’s it to you?”
Lee Ji-eun was left speechless, half-laughing and half-crying.
“Anyway, Xiuyuan belongs to me these few days. Unnie, don’t bother us, we’re going to have some alone time.”
The Big Dragon Cub finally snorted and hung up the phone decisively.
On the other end of the phone, Lee Ji-eun stared at the black screen, stunned for a good ten seconds before reacting.
When did this maknae get so bold?!
However, before the Big Dragon Cub could bask in her triumph for a few seconds, her phone vibrated again.
She thought it was Lee Ji-eun calling back stubbornly, and with a curl of her lips, she answered without even looking at the caller ID, “Hello, Goo Ri unnie, didn’t you understand what I just said? Xiuyuan is mine these days, so don’t call to disturb us.”
As soon as she finished speaking, there was a three-second silence on the other end of the phone.
Then, an unexpected voice came through, “Ji-yeon?”
The Big Dragon Cub froze, and dazedly raised her eyes to stare at Lin Xiuyuan.
And the voice from the phone, filled with surprise and disbelief, was exactly Jessica, who had returned to Seoul with Lin Xiuyuan from London just two days ago.
“Huh?” The Big Dragon Cub was completely stunned.
When she reacted, her face instantly flushed to the roots of her ears. She hastily shoved the mobile phone back into Lin Xiuyuan’s hand, and then, like an ostrich, buried herself in his embrace, too afraid to look up.
Lin Xiuyuan, however, was quite shameless, holding the phone and smiling as he said, “Hello, Jessica, it’s me, is something wrong?”
There was a long silence on the other end of the phone before Jessica’s clear and cool voice came through, “I was calling to tell you that Krystal is landing in Seoul in the early morning, around 4 AM. Did you know?”
Lin Xiuyuan was taken aback, his eyebrows slightly raised, “What? She’s coming back? I really didn’t know.”
……
Sulli: It’s all my fault, oppa.
Krystal: Peach, you just wait.
……
Daily ten thousand words completed. Thank you to my godfathers for your support and votes.
Monthly tickets broke 10,000, daily ten thousand words +1. Thanks to the lovely Lin big shot for the alliance leader, daily ten thousand words +1.
Daily ten thousand words progress bar: 83/91.
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