Chapter 248: Freaking-out “sunny” And Curious “jung Soo Yeon”
The sunlight was just right, and the street was bustling with people, with traffic and crowds weaving into a bright summer scene.
Kim Tae Yeon put on her sunglasses and walked briskly out of the apartment door, her white jacket casting a soft glow in the sunlight.
Then she got into the car and followed the navigation directly to the venue address sent by Im Yoon Ah.
As the car turned the corner of the residential area, a familiar coffee shop came into view.
The aroma wafting in from outside the glass window seemed to catch her steps, so she paused slightly, a smile curving the corners of her lips.
Thinking about seeing Yoona and the others soon, Kim Tae Yeon changed her mind and stopped the car steadily at the doorway.
A few minutes later, she walked out again, carrying a bag with several cups of coffee.
Sunlight poured through the thin clouds, scattering fine specks of light that danced among her hair strands. The breeze stirred the hem of her white jacket, making her appear radiant and lively.
At this moment, Kim Tae Yeon had a long-lost lightness and freedom in her eyes and brows, as if she had been completely renewed after that special birthday yesterday.
Before long, she arrived at the indoor sports venue that Yoona had mentioned.
The moment she pushed open the glass door, she was met not only by the faint scent of wood in the air but also by a few crisp sounds of billiards balls colliding.
Upon entering the club, Kim Tae Yeon found there were not many people. She then walked further down the corridor and soon discovered Im Yoon Ah, with whom she had spoken on the phone, and the two Big Dragon Cubs and Sunny who were in the middle of a game, in an inconspicuous corner.
Just as she stepped closer, Im Yoon Ah spotted her immediately. Her eyes lit up, and she immediately stood up, waving and calling out, “Unnie, you’re finally here.”
Kim Tae Yeon walked over with the coffee, the corners of her lips curving into a gentle arc, her voice clear and smiling, “Mm~ I brought you guys some coffee.”
After speaking, she placed the bag on a nearby casual table, her movements light and natural, with an air of effortless elegance.
At the same time, the aura radiating from her drew the attention of the others.
So, Im Yoon Ah, after initially greeting her, immediately focused her gaze when she truly saw Kim Tae Yeon’s face, her smile freezing on her lips.
Although she tried to maintain her composure, the shock in her eyes was inadvertently revealed.
On the other side, the club in Big Dragon Cub’s hand stopped mid-air, her gaze fixed on Kim Tae Yeon, her throat involuntarily bobbing.
That face, that state, was too obvious, too familiar.
This made her subconsciously recall her interaction with Lin Xiuyuan yesterday morning, and her heart immediately pounded.
On Sunny’s side, she had just finished a shot and was about to jump up in celebration when she froze upon looking up.
Then, staring intently at Kim Tae Yeon, she remained frozen for a long time.
With over ten years of friendship, she understood Kim Tae Yeon’s ups and downs better than anyone.
She had witnessed her decline from her peak to her fatigue in the past two years.
But this scene before her was completely outside her realm of understanding.
Her skin was so delicate it was almost translucent, her eyes had regained a long-lost sparkle, and her cheeks were rosy and radiant, unlike the person who had eaten at the same table with her just the night before.
“What’s going on, Tae Yeon… You, you are…?” Sunny’s voice trembled slightly, her eyes filled with disbelief.
She practically rushed to Kim Tae Yeon’s side and gently touched her cheek.
Her fingertips traced from her jawline to her eye corner, her movements cautious yet eager, as if to confirm this wasn’t a makeup illusion or a filter hallucination.
“This is too exaggerated, did you secretly get some medical aesthetics done?!”
Sunny’s voice rose slightly, a mixture of shock and pressing for an answer.
After speaking, she turned to look at Im Yoon Ah and Big Dragon Cub, her eyes filled with disbelief.
She clearly remembered that seeing these two this morning had been shocking enough for her.
But now, with Kim Tae Yeon added to the mix…
What on earth was going on? Did they all go to the same clinic?
Kim Tae Yeon was amused by her serious suspicion. She gently pushed Sunny’s hand away, her smile tinged with a hint of helplessness, “Hey, Sunny, what nonsense are you spouting? If I had done something, could I have hidden it from you? We ate together the day before yesterday, how could there be such a fast recovery period.”
However, Sunny still looked suspicious, her eyes fixed on Kim Tae Yeon, her brow furrowed almost into a single line, clearly not believing her casual explanation at all.
“Hey~ Yoona, you two be honest.” She suddenly turned her head, her gaze sweeping back and forth between Im Yoon Ah and Big Dragon Cub, her tone laced with urgency and disbelief, “Did you go with Tae Yeon? The same clinic, right?!”
Her voice came out with a slight sharpness.
In that moment, it felt as if the very air around them had become tighter.
After all, this scene was too shocking, how could someone rejuvenate like this? It made her feel so out of place.
Standing together, she almost looked like their mother.
Im Yoon Ah and Big Dragon Cub exchanged glances, their eyes flickering slightly, but neither spoke.
The truth was, the complex emotions welling up in their hearts made it difficult, as they knew Kim Tae Yeon’s change had nothing to do with medical aesthetics, but if they were to reveal the truth…
Wouldn’t that mean bringing up Lin Xiuyuan’s name?
Not to mention the reason that made their faces blush and hearts pound.
And if they really talked about being in bed… would Sunny believe it?
So, both of them chose silence.
However, this silence in Sunny’s eyes felt like a tacit understanding, making it even more intriguing.
In the blink of an eye, Sunny was frozen on the spot, her face stiff.
The feeling of being left out immediately reminded her of the “isolation” that Park Hyomin occasionally mentioned during their chats.
Her chest immediately felt blocked, and she couldn’t help but mutter, “What is it… what are you guys up to?”
Her gaze swept back and forth over the three of them like a spotlight, finally settling on Kim Tae Yeon.
It was piercing, as if trying to see through Kim Tae Yeon from head to toe.
Feeling a bit flustered by the scrutiny, Kim Tae Yeon stepped forward and hugged her, her smile radiant.
“Stop looking, Sunny. I’ve been sleeping really well these past few days. Yesterday I slept until noon, and last night I went to bed early and just woke up. When you’re well-rested, your state naturally changes.”
Sunny wasn’t buying it. She sharply slapped Kim Tae Yeon’s arm, her voice restrained from shouting because she still had some reason left.
But she still asked in a low, angry tone, “Stop fooling me, Tae Yeon, your complexion, your skin, your entire aura, this isn’t something skincare products can achieve. Be honest, what’s going on?”
Sunny was not like those other fools; she immediately flipped the table.
Kim Tae Yeon pursed her lips, a flicker of guilt in her eyes, and quickly changed the subject.
She smiled and picked up the bag, pushing cups of coffee towards them, her tone light, “Okay, don’t worry about me for now. Come and try the coffee I brought you. Sunny, don’t you love caramel macchiato the most? I even specifically ordered it for you.”
“Bullshit, I like milk tea now.”
Sunny, distracted by Kim Tae Yeon’s sudden change of topic, glanced down at the cup and quickly looked up again, “Hey, don’t change the subject, I’m asking you…”
“Unnie~” Im Yoon Ah suddenly interjected, with a meaningful smile, her voice light but hiding a secret, “Looking at Tae Yeon unnie like this, doesn’t it seem like… she just had a sweet romance?”
As soon as she spoke, Big Dragon Cub couldn’t help but let out a “pfft” and laugh, then quickly covered her mouth with the back of her hand, pretending to cough. But her gaze couldn’t help but dart towards Kim Tae Yeon, with a hint of unspoken understanding.
Kim Tae Yeon, however, maintained a nonchalant demeanor. She let out a soft hum and playfully reached out to pat Im Yoon Ah, “Hmm? Yoona, according to your logic, then you and Ji-yeon, have you also just had a sweet romance?”
Although this pat was meant to change the subject, Sunny had already locked onto the subtle expression on her face.
The moment she noticed something was amiss, her confusion didn’t dissipate; instead, it deepened.
“Hey…” Sunny narrowed her eyes suspiciously, her voice drawn out as she looked back and forth between the three, as if trying to catch clues on their faces, “Why are all your reactions so weird? Yoona, Ji-yeon, do you two know something? Hurry up and tell me!”
Im Yoon Ah turned her head, her eyes sparkling with mischief, pretending to look seriously at the billiard table.
“Oh dear, Unnie, please don’t talk about that. We came here to play billiards. Let’s play first. Ji-yeon is waiting for you, and we have to eat after playing.”
Big Dragon Cub chimed in, suppressing a laugh, “Yeah, yeah, Unnie, please continue. We agreed earlier that the loser treats, you’re not going to go back on your word, are you?”
Their back-and-forth, while seemingly casual, made Sunny even more convinced that something was amiss.
So, in her impatience, she almost lunged forward to grab them and demand an explanation, “Hey~ you three are definitely hiding something from me. Tell me, did you all run into the same man?”
Kim Tae Yeon was startled and couldn’t help but let out a “pfft” of laughter, her shoulders shaking.
The laughter seemed to have hit a secret, tinged with a bit of guilt, but also mixed with lightness and playfulness.
Im Yoon Ah and Big Dragon Cub exchanged glances, a look of surprise flashing in their eyes.
They were surprised that Sunny had guessed it so directly, and also found her straightforward guess so amusing that they couldn’t help but laugh and cry.
In the end, Kim Tae Yeon shook her head with a smile and gently patted Sunny’s hand, her voice soothing yet teasing.
“Alright~ don’t overthink these messy things, Sunny. Are you acting out a Korean drama in your head every day? Honestly, where would the few of us get any men?”
Kim Tae Yeon said it lightly, a smile on her lips, as if it were all casual.
But her vague and ambiguous attitude, however, did not provide a direct answer.
Im Yoon Ah and Big Dragon Cub also maintained a tacit silence, not exposing anything. Their gazes, however, drifted, as if unintentionally avoiding contact.
Because they all understood in their hearts that Kim Tae Yeon’s current change was by no means due to skincare products and rest, but rather “who” was the key answer.
This point, everyone who had experienced it, had already come to a conclusion in their hearts.
Sunny scratched her head, her heart itching intensely, feeling as if she were suspended in mid-air. Just looking at their “protesting too much” attitude, she couldn’t get a single word out of them.
But she also knew that her question, “Did you run into the same man?” was just a slip of the tongue born out of frustration.
A few minutes later.
By the billiard table, with a gentle stroke of the cue ball, a crisp collision echoed through the venue.
Im Yoon Ah bent over to aim, her posture elegant and her movements sharp. With a clear “crack,” the red ball smoothly rolled into the pocket.
She then slowly straightened up, her long hair falling gently over her shoulders. As she turned her head, her peripheral vision secretly caught Kim Tae Yeon’s eye, the smile in her eyes impossible to hide.
Big Dragon Cub, standing opposite her, spun the cue stick between her fingers, her palm even breaking out in a fine sweat.
But the corners of her mouth remained unable to hold back, an unsmiling smile hanging in an arc.
Every time their eyes met, they couldn’t help but exchange a knowing glance, and then simultaneously suppress a smile and look away.
And this scene, in Sunny’s eyes, only made her itch with impatience.
Unable to bear it any longer, she suddenly slapped the cue stick and walked straight to Kim Tae Yeon’s side, assuming a “coercion” posture.
With her hands on her hips, her gaze was so bright it seemed capable of dissecting Kim Tae Yeon. “Tae Yeon, be honest, what’s going on! I’m itching so much, you know my personality best, I can’t live without gossip.”
Her eyes were sharp, with a hint of threat, but more so with an excitement that was about to explode with gossip.
Kim Tae Yeon almost choked, and hastily picked up the coffee in her hand and took a sip, pretending to be indifferent, “Oh my, why are you so prone to overthinking? I just slept, and my condition has recovered a bit.”
Sunny, of course, didn’t believe it. She let out a “hmph,” her gaze sharp.
She suddenly reached out and pinched Kim Tae Yeon’s face, pressing her fingers back and forth on her smooth skin, leaning in extremely close to observe carefully.
“Liar, your skin is completely different from yesterday. The fine lines have faded, and your complexion is like you just had a water-light injection. Be honest, did some divine doctor work on you? I want to go too.”
“There’s no such technology now,” Kim Tae Yeon quickly shook her head, her eyes flickering.
Sunny was relentless, speaking rapidly, “Who says there isn’t? There is in Singapore! Some Chinese traditional medicine clinics run by old white-haired men, they say just a few needles can restore vitality and make a person look brand new.”
This statement made Kim Tae Yeon’s heart suddenly tremble, a brief look of surprise flashing in her eyes.
She seemed to have immediately thought of a similar effect brought about by some kind of “needle,” and her heartbeat involuntarily quickened.
However, Sunny’s fingers were pinching a bit painfully. She quickly slapped Sunny’s hand away and used the opportunity to change the subject, “Hey, hey, hey, let’s play billiards quickly. You’ll delay the progress if you keep this up, I’m a bit hungry.”
Im Yoon Ah couldn’t help but laugh at this. Her eyes, however, in an angle Sunny couldn’t see, exchanged another meaningful glance with Big Dragon Cub.
In that brief exchange of gazes, they almost silently saw the figure of that boy in each other’s eyes.
Lin Xiuyuan…
Thinking of this, Big Dragon Cub bit her lip, her chest heaving slightly, and finally let out a soft sigh.
The image of that person hurrying out of the bedroom yesterday morning uncontrollably surfaced in her mind.
Now, looking down at the current Kim Tae Yeon, the unconcealable happiness in her eyes intertwined with the bright radiance on her face.
The answer was almost obvious.
Seeing this, she pouted helplessly and muttered, so low that only she could hear, “If only I had known, I shouldn’t have let Xiuyuan go back…”
Sunny, however, was still not giving up.
She simply put down her cue stick, crossed her arms, and walked over to Im Yoon Ah and Big Dragon Cub, leaning in and lowering her voice to press them, “Yoona, you two, tell me honestly, did you secretly go for some new medical aesthetics treatment without me? Or the same treatment? Otherwise, why are you looking at Tae Yeon with such strange eyes?”
Her gaze was sharp, with an aura that brooked no evasion.
After all, as the all-around President Lee, how could she not see the subtle gestures these two had just exchanged? Those looks were like they were hiding something.
However, when she said this, Im Yoon Ah almost couldn’t hold back and nearly choked with laughter.
She quickly raised her hand to cover her mouth, forcing herself to cough twice, pretending to be serious, “Unnie, have you been watching too many dramas? Why do you always imagine things like that?”
Big Dragon Cub also chimed in, deliberately putting on a serious expression, “Yes, Unnie, are you being too sensitive? Our and Tae Yeon unnie’s state is really just from resting well.”
“Bullshit, I rest well too!” Sunny retorted indignantly, her eyes wide.
Kim Tae Yeon immediately exposed her without mercy, “You rest well? Lee Sunny, you dare to say that. When do you not stay up all night playing games? Your dark circles are so pronounced, they could be used for a panda role.”
“Hey! Kim Tae Yeon.” Sunny puffed out her cheeks indignantly and made a move to chase after her.
The venue was instantly filled with their playful banter, and the originally tense atmosphere gradually dissipated with laughter.
After this small interlude, Sunny temporarily pushed her doubts aside, picked up her cue stick, and continued playing billiards with Kim Tae Yeon, bickering all the while.
As a result, at another table, Im Yoon Ah and Big Dragon Cub huddled together, their backs to Sunny, their voices very low, as if exchanging some secret.
“Unnie… how did she get involved with Xiuyuan?” Im Yoon Ah’s eyes twinkled with curiosity, her tone laced with suspicion.
Big Dragon Cub pursed her lips and nodded slightly, her voice equally low, “Her father’s birthday. We mentioned it during dinner before, perhaps it was last night.”
Im Yoon Ah understood without Big Dragon Cub finishing her sentence. She smiled and pursed her lips, “Ah, I see. Unnie used it as an excuse to pull Xiuyuan in, tsk tsk. Wailing pitifully in the early morning hours would indeed be very effective against a young boy like Xiuyuan.”
“This isn’t a good thing, Unnie,” Big Dragon Cub squinted her eyes, sighing with a hint of emotion.
Im Yoon Ah shrugged, spreading her hands, and said with a half-joking smile, “What can we do? Should we lock him up and not let him out?”
As she said this, she was about to look up when she suddenly met a fleeting light in Big Dragon Cub’s eyes.
That brief expression startled her, and she hurriedly added, “Hey, Ji-yeon, don’t do anything rash. I was just saying it casually!”
Big Dragon Cub immediately laughed and waved her hand, “Don’t worry, Unnie, I wouldn’t really do that. I was just… wondering what Xiuyuan is doing right now.”
Im Yoon Ah followed her words with a teasing whisper, “What else could he be doing? Sleeping.”
…
…
At this moment, Lin Xiuyuan, who was being discussed by them, was just coming out of his apartment room in 2013.
After taking a shower, he emerged from the bathroom, still carrying the scent of water. He was wearing a light-colored T-shirt and casual pants, looking relaxed.
However, the moment his feet landed in the living room, he froze.
On the sofa, Jung Soo Yeon was casually leaning back, her legs elegantly crossed, holding a water cup.
She herself still exuded a cool, lazy aura, with a hint of confidence and composure in her eyes.
Today, she was uncharacteristically wearing a white off-the-shoulder lace top with soft, billowy sleeves. The slight pleats and delicate embroidery added a touch of romance. She paired it with dark blue straight-leg jeans and beige laced cutout high heels, exuding a cool yet sweet aura.
Sunlight streamed through the window onto her, outlining her silhouette and making people unconsciously look at her more.
The moment she saw Lin Xiuyuan, her eyebrows slightly raised, and she spoke with a hint of teasing, “Oh? Why the expression? Shouldn’t you be surprised to see me?”
Lin Xiuyuan was stunned, then smiled, “Xiu Yeon, why are you here?”
Jung Soo Yeon gently shook the water cup in her hand. The empty cup contained only ice cubes, making a crisp clinking sound.
And she remained cool and composed, her tone nonchalant and a hint of pride in her voice, “Come chat with Sulli about the female lead’s clothing in the TV series. It’s rare for the screenwriter to be her, and the protagonist to be Soo Jung. Might as well spread my designs through the TV series.”
Hearing this, Lin Xiuyuan walked to the refrigerator, opened the door, took out a bottle of Coke, and while twisting the cap, raised an eyebrow, “Will the TV station allow it?”
Jung Soo Yeon’s lips curled, her gaze sharp yet a little indifferent, “Why not? They’re not paying for it anyway. Plus, my designs can be a promotional point they can leverage, they’re more than happy to.”
As she spoke, she didn’t forget to gently tuck a strand of hair behind her ear, her movement elegant and confident.
Lin Xiuyuan opened the can with a “click,” poured the Coke into her cup, and chuckled, “Will SM Entertainment be willing?”
After Lin Xiuyuan had poured more than half of the Coke, Jung Soo Yeon, with her slender fingers, naturally handed it to him, then took the can back from Lin Xiuyuan, took a sip, and then spoke.
“This brings us back to Taeyeon’s meeting earlier. It pulled a lot of people down with me, so now I don’t have as many restrictions.”
Her tone was light, but there was an undeniable hint of cheerfulness in her expression, clearly satisfied with the current situation.
This answer made Lin Xiuyuan chuckle, “In that case, things are looking pretty good, aren’t they?”
Jung Soo Yeon shook her head slightly, her gaze falling on him, “More comfortable than I imagined.”
Then she changed the subject, a faint trace of inquiry flashing in her eyes, “By the way, Xiuyuan, you went to Jeonju with Taeyeon last night, right?”
Lin Xiuyuan paused, his movements unconsciously slowing a beat, “Yes, it was her father’s birthday. And Taeyeon from 25 years ago also went.”
As soon as he said this, Jung Soo Yeon’s hand, which had been playing with the can, also paused, and she sighed, “25 years ago. Sigh, I really can’t understand how in just ten years, such huge changes can happen.”
A brief silence fell in the living room. Sunlight streamed through the sheer curtains, falling on her profile and outlining her delicate features.
“Who knows.” Lin Xiuyuan smiled and waved his hand, placing the water cup on the coffee table, “By the way, why are you so free today? Weren’t you always very busy?”
Sulli, who had been sitting quietly in the armchair, finally leaned forward and explained softly to Lin Xiuyuan, “Oppa~ Unnie and the others just finished their concert tour in Taipei, so they should be resting.”
Jung Soo Yeon nodded, her gaze returning to Lin Xiuyuan, her eyes suddenly softening, “Mm.”
She then looked at Lin Xiuyuan, “Let’s have dinner together tonight, it’s been a while since we chatted.”
Sulli blinked her eyes and immediately chimed in, “Ah, dinner. Unnie~ I’m definitely busy tonight, I have to go to the studio soon. The film crew just started shooting, and I have to visit occasionally.”
She said this while standing up, as if deliberately leaving space for them.
After resting briefly in the apartment, Lin Xiuyuan changed into a more presentable shirt and tidied his hair, making him look fresh and neat.
Jung Soo Yeon was already ready. Her outfit today highlighted her unique aura, and she exuded a cool yet sweet charm in the sunlight. Her silhouette was distinct in the light and shadow, like a tranquil scroll painting.
By the time the two of them got out of the car, evening had fallen, the lights were on, and the evening breeze, nearing August, had a slight chill.
Jung Soo Yeon subconsciously tucked her hair behind her ear and slowed her pace, waiting for Lin Xiuyuan to catch up.
The streetlights stretched their shadows, casting faint, swaying streaks of light. The street in the night appeared quiet and intimate.
“Let’s go, I’ve booked a restaurant here.” Her tone was light, but a hidden smile flickered in her eyes.
Lin Xiuyuan’s lips curved slightly, his smile as relaxed as ever, “So it was all planned.”
It was a Chinese restaurant that had recently become quite popular in Seoul’s circles, with the owner claiming to aim for Michelin stars with “authentic Eastern cuisine.”
At that moment, the signboard outside the restaurant had a warm, soft yellow glow. Pushing open the glass door, a complex aroma greeted them.
Mingled with spices, oil, and a hint of the unknown, it made one unsure whether it was anticipation or caution.
After being seated, Jung Soo Yeon and Lin Xiuyuan casually flipped through the menu and finally ordered a set meal.
As the dishes were served one by one, their presentation was exquisite. Small plates held a few paper-thin slices of beef, a small mound of piled-up green vegetables like a sculpture, and even the soup was served in glass containers resembling perfume bottles.
Under Jung Soo Yeon’s gaze, Lin Xiuyuan took his first bite, and his expression instantly stiffened. The action of swallowing took three times longer than usual.
He even picked up his water cup and took a sip of water to help.
He then looked up, meeting Jung Soo Yeon’s expectant eyes, and couldn’t help but give a wry smile.
“Soo Yeon, I have to be honest.”
Putting down his chopsticks, Lin Xiuyuan carefully glanced around, then lowered his voice.
“Actually, it’s possible to eat Michelin-starred food, but only Western cuisine. Whether it’s our Chinese food or Southeast Asian dishes, the chefs here cater to Michelin judges with Western standards and tastes to get that useless badge. But in terms of the overall flavor, it’s… you know, flashy and completely wrong for the local palate.”
Jung Soo Yeon was stunned, her chopsticks frozen in mid-air. She took a bite of the so-called “innovative mapo tofu” by her hand, frowned, and her tongue was met with a strange cream and pepper taste that made it feel sour.
Helpless, she had to gently put down her chopsticks, her lips twitched, and a look of disappointed helplessness appeared in her eyes.
It was a rare outing for the two of them tonight, a small date, but it turned into such a ridiculous situation.
This made Jung Soo Yeon grumble softly, scolding with a young girl’s petulance. Although Lin Xiuyuan couldn’t make out the exact words, he could feel that she was probably cursing quite fiercely.
Seeing this, he secretly smiled and immediately noticed the drop in her mood.
Then he pushed the menu away, decisively stood up, extended his hand to her, and smiled, “Let’s go, don’t suffer here. I know a place, it was a Chinese canteen I used to frequent when I was still doing photography. The taste there is truly authentic.”
Jung Soo Yeon was taken aback, looking up at him, as if surprised by his directness.
Afterward, she let out a soft hum, but couldn’t help but curve her lips, placing her hand into his.
The two quickly walked out of the restaurant. The night breeze blew, and Jung Soo Yeon’s high heels made a “clack-clack” sound on the stone path.
After coming out, she said in a low voice, half complaining and half teasing, “Why didn’t you say so earlier? You made me book such a dreadful place.”
Lin Xiuyuan laughed heartily, “Why were you so secretive and didn’t tell me? I thought you had found some great place. Don’t worry, this time I’ll make sure you eat to your satisfaction.”
Half an hour later, Lin Xiuyuan drove Jung Soo Yeon to the Yangcheon District, then turned into an unremarkable alley.
It was an old canteen with a faded signboard. Local people sat at a few tables outside, and the aroma of steaming wok hei and the smell of cooking filled the air.
In stark contrast to the deserted Michelin restaurant earlier, this place was bustling and warm.
As soon as she got out of the car, Jung Soo Yeon’s nose caught the familiar scent of stir-fried dishes, and her eyes immediately brightened.
Then she looked at Lin Xiuyuan, her earlier small annoyance completely vanished, replaced by an indescribable sense of groundedness.
The two pushed open the wooden door of the small canteen, and were met with the smell of wok hei mixed with soy sauce.
The place was bustling with people, every table was full, and the sound of woks stirring in iron pots was crisp and powerful.
Compared to the lifeless “Michelin restaurant” earlier, this was the true spirit of life.
As soon as he entered, Lin Xiuyuan saw a familiar figure, his eyes lit up, and he chuckled softly.
“Wow~ Uncle Gui! What’s going on today? Are you personally serving the dishes?!”
（ Wow~ Uncle Gui, what’s going on today, you’re personally serving the dishes.）
“Hey, you rascal! Long time no see, I thought you had returned to the countryside!”
（ Brat, long time no see, I thought you had gone back to the countryside.）
The old man, whom Lin Xiuyuan called Uncle Gui, glanced at Jung Soo Yeon, frowned slightly, and then smiled gently. Seeing that her aura and appearance were different from his impression, the old hand immediately understood something.
“Alright, let the old man get you a private room to sit down and eat, okay?”
（ Let’s go, the old man will get you a private room to sit and eat, how about it.）
“It’s Uncle Gui’s sharp eyes!”
（ It’s still Uncle Gui’s sharp eyes!）
“Save your breath! We’re here, you go in and sit down yourself. Come to the kitchen later to order what you want.”
（ Save it! We’re here, you go in and sit down yourself. If you want to eat anything, come to the kitchen later to order.）
“Mm, OK.”
After speaking, Lin Xiuyuan pushed open the door to the adjacent private room and motioned for Jung Soo Yeon behind him to quickly follow.
Behind him, Jung Soo Yeon turned her head to look at some figures in the lobby, both young and old. The languages spoken were not just Chinese, but also Korean, Japanese, and even Southeast Asian languages.
It was noisy and chaotic, yet it felt lively and interesting.
Afterward, she walked into the private room with Lin Xiuyuan and sat down. He expertly took out a menu and placed it in front of her, asking, “See what you want to eat.”
Jung Soo Yeon quickly flipped through the menu and immediately ordered several signature dishes: spicy crayfish, sizzling beef… The aroma seemed to leap from the words themselves.
Lin Xiuyuan also added a few more dishes and handed the order slip to the kitchen.
In a short while, dishes steaming with white mist were brought up, the sauce bubbling, the aroma strong and pungent.
Jung Soo Yeon picked up a bite with her chopsticks, was stunned for a moment upon entering her mouth, and then her lips gradually curved upwards.
Her squinting eyes resembled a contented kitten, and she couldn’t help but scoop up more soup to drink.
“Ah, as expected, I really had to be brought here by you, Xiuyuan. I’ve been to so many Chinese restaurants on my own, but none compare to this.”
The girl, squinting and smiling, even her spoon trembled with happiness.
Seeing her like that, Lin Xiuyuan couldn’t help but smile, “I told you earlier, when you come out to eat with me, you’ll never eat poorly.”
As he said this, he added another piece of beef to her bowl.
His movements were natural and casual, yet carried a hint of unconscious intimacy.
Jung Soo Yeon lowered her head and then raised it, giving him a look, “I said it earlier, but that depends on you being here.”
Then she smiled again, but her tone was a little down, and a little emotional, “But you seem tired too, running back and forth without any personal time, right?”
“It’s fine, I’m just playing.”
The atmosphere gradually became more relaxed. As they ate, they chatted about their recent lives.
Jung Soo Yeon spoke first, “By the way, Xiuyuan, you and Little Deer and Softie… have things been a little subtle lately?”
As she spoke, she had a half-smiling expression, her gaze appraising his face.
Lin Xiuyuan’s hand paused, he cleared his throat, and feigned composure, “Cough, how are things ‘subtle’?”
“Don’t pretend.” Jung Soo Yeon pouted, “These two mention you all the time when they chat with me.”
“Isn’t that normal? You’re the same, aren’t you?”
Saying this, Lin Xiuyuan quickly found an excuse, “Besides, the two of them, one has her father’s situation, and the other is preparing for filming. They’re probably a bit nervous.”
Jung Soo Yeon pursed her lips and smiled, staring at his guilty look, and couldn’t help but shake her head, “I’m not asking what happened between you. Anyway, the one who loses out definitely won’t be you.”
Lin Xiuyuan looked up, his eyes with a hint of helplessness and amusement, “Ah, you say that…”
“Isn’t it?” Jung Soo Yeon had a hint of a smile, her eyes slightly raised, her tone light but with a touch of provocation.
Lin Xiuyuan couldn’t help but laugh, “You have a point there.”
As soon as he finished speaking, he saw Jung Soo Yeon lean closer, her eyes filled with curiosity and a hint of expectation, “So Xiuyuan, how exaggerated is that effect of yours?”
“What effect?” Lin Xiuyuan was startled.
He thought only people from 25 years ago were watching his ‘Tang Monk’s flesh’, why was Jung Soo Yeon here too.
Jung Soo Yeon rolled her eyes at him, a smile on her lips, “Don’t play dumb, you know what I’m talking about.”
“Soo Yeon, don’t mess around, you don’t need it.” Lin Xiuyuan shook his head with some helplessness.
In 2013, Jung Soo Yeon was at the peak of her appearance. Her complexion, face, and aura had all reached their ultimate state.
In Lin Xiuyuan’s opinion, Lin Xiaolu was still no match for Jung Soo Yeon, while Park Ji-yeon, who had gradually matured, had some fighting power.
Jung Soo Yeon shrugged her shoulders, squinted her eyes, and said with curiosity, “I don’t need it, but I’m curious.”
Facing Jung Soo Yeon’s answer, Lin Xiuyuan found it a bit amusing. He then casually picked up a piece of beef, put it in his mouth, and chewed slowly, “I don’t know how to explain it. It seems to have some effect. Taeyeon’s vitality today is even more rosy than last night.”
“Taeyeon? Hey, you got involved with Taeyeon again?”
Jung Soo Yeon’s eyes widened in shock.
Originally, she was just curious about Im Yoon Ah and Krystal, but Lin Xiuyuan had just revealed such news.
“Wait, Sulli…” she couldn’t help but ask.
“Don’t mess around, I treat Sulli like a sister.” Lin Xiuyuan stopped Jung Soo Yeon’s words with his hand, his tone a mix of helplessness and amusement.
Jung Soo Yeon looked at him deeply, as if probing his limits, and continued to press, “Can Taeyeon’s face still be saved?”
“I didn’t look closely, I was in a hurry to get back to Jeonju this morning. However, those bone shavings probably can’t be fixed. At most, it’s to fill out the cheek meat so it’s not so gaunt.”
Lin Xiuyuan answered Jung Soo Yeon’s question while eating, referring to Lee Ji-eun’s situation.
The result was met with Jung Soo Yeon’s teasing, “You’re so familiar, Xiuyuan~ Are you a goalkeeper now, or a gigolo masseuse?”
“I don’t want to either.” Lin Xiuyuan gave a wry smile, his tone full of a headache.
This made him not know what love was… although he didn’t care much.
“Don’t act like you’re complaining when you’re getting the benefits.”
“Sigh~”
Just as Lin Xiuyuan was giving a wry smile, Jung Soo Yeon across from him suddenly dropped a bombshell, “By the way, I have a question for you. Jessica, can you ask her a few questions for me?”
Lin Xiuyuan’s head shot up, his eyebrows slightly raised, “What questions?”
Jung Soo Yeon’s gaze was serious and slightly flickering as she slowly said.
“Ask her how she and Kwon Young Il are now, ask her what her future plans are, and ask her if she regrets it.”
As she spoke these three questions, Jung Soo Yeon’s tone was not threatening, but it carried an undeniable firmness that made Lin Xiuyuan’s heart tighten.
No, what is this all about?
……
……
Meanwhile.
In 2025, Jessica was once again alone at home, ordered a pizza, and sat on the sofa staring blankly.
The last time she was like this, Lin Xiuyuan had appeared and given her many illusions.
She wondered if anyone would come this time…
（ PS: Check the author’s notes.）
PS: There will be a September lucky draw activity at midnight. Everyone can participate. The prizes for this activity are quite interesting, hee hee hee~
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