Chapter 279: A Group Photo And “i’m Hungry”
In the afternoon, inside a Western restaurant in Gangnam.
Soft, warm yellow lighting spilled onto the wooden table in the private room, revealing gentle textures and interplay of light and shadow. The atmosphere was quiet and warm.
The air was a blend of the aroma of steak and a subtle hint of roasted wood, causing one to unconsciously slow their breathing. The entire space seemed to have its rhythm gently lowered by time.
At this moment, Yoo Jimin had tied up her hair, with a few strands of fine hair clinging to her forehead, a smile flickering in her eyes.
As she carefully cut her steak, she watched the slight reflection of the lighting on the tip of her knife, her movements steady and elegant.
Occasionally, her gaze would also subtly glance towards Lin Xiuyuan across from her.
The collar of his shirt was slightly open, and his posture was a bit relaxed, yet still carried a sense of nonchalance and rebelliousness.
Just then, as Lin Xiuyuan lowered his head to savor the fried rice in his bowl, a phone ringtone suddenly broke the brief silence of the private room.
Glancing at the caller ID, the name on the screen made Lin Xiuyuan pause slightly: Lee Ji-eun.
This momentary change in expression did not escape Yoo Jimin’s eyes.
She put down her chopsticks, her eyes curved into crescents, smiling easily with a hint of playfulness, “What’s wrong? Don’t tell me some girl has tracked your schedule?”
Lin Xiuyuan couldn’t help but chuckle at her gaze and shook his head.
His expression seemed helpless, yet also held an undisguised sense of amusement.
Seeing this, Yoo Jimin laughed even harder, her tone containing a touch of teasing, “Look at your expression, I knew it.”
“You’re overthinking it,” Lin Xiuyuan replied with a light smile, and picked up the phone at the same time.
“Xiuyuan, what are you doing right now?” On the other end of the phone, Lee Ji-eun’s voice held a hint of suppression, but she deliberately pretended to be relaxed.
“Eating,” Lin Xiuyuan answered casually, his tone flat.
“Where?” Lee Ji-eun pressed, her tone becoming more urgent.
Only then did Lin Xiuyuan notice her unusual emotions, and his brow furrowed slightly, “What’s wrong?”
There was a second of silence on the other end of the line, followed by a response that was almost frantic, her voice tinged with grievance and helplessness.
“You don’t know??? Jessica and Ji-yeon were acting like lunatics today, showing off to me! Can you imagine? They were subtly provoking me the entire meal, and every single word was dripping with sourness!”
Lin Xiuyuan was taken aback. Recalling yesterday’s two situations, the corners of his mouth unconsciously lifted, and he chuckled softly, with a hint of uncontainable joy.
Yoo Jimin, who was cutting her steak, was drawn by his laughter. She turned her head, her eyes filled with both confusion and a curious glow, as if trying to discern the content of his phone call.
“I’m eating with a friend,” Lin Xiuyuan said to the phone with a relaxed and reassuring tone, “Why don’t you ignore them for now? After I finish eating, I’ll come find you later.”
There was a pause on the other end.
Lee Ji-eun’s initial tone had held a hint of expectation, but upon hearing the words “eating with a friend,” her entire demeanor clearly faltered.
After a few seconds of silence, she, not being a typical young girl, immediately and sensibly switched to a gentle voice, replying, “I’m not in a hurry here, just call me when you’re done.”
Lin Xiuyuan responded with an “Mm” and agreed with a smile, ending the call.
When he put down his phone, he saw Yoo Jimin resting her chin on her hands, her eyes sparkling as she gazed at him.
“Who was it?” she asked softly, but her tone was brimming with gossip.
Lin Xiuyuan raised an eyebrow, a smile curving his lips, “Your curiosity is a bit too much, isn’t it?”
Yoo Jimin retorted righteously, “Isn’t it only natural for women to be curious?”
However, seeing that Lin Xiuyuan wasn’t going to answer, she tilted her head and smiled, changing the subject with a light tone, “By the way, how’s that tavern of yours doing? I really want to go again.”
This statement made Lin Xiuyuan pause slightly, a flicker of embarrassment in his eyes, yet his lips couldn’t help but curve into a smile.
In reality, he hadn’t been to that small tavern for quite some time.
That small tavern used to be his forward base and a form of cover when he traveled between two time-spaces.
But now with the “Any Door,” his comings and goings were no longer restricted, and maintaining that tavern seemed redundant.
Moreover, with the increase in member numbers, his comings and goings would attract quite a bit of attention, so he had consolidated them in villas or apartments.
Of course, these thoughts naturally couldn’t be spoken aloud.
So he simply shook his hand lightly, a smile on his lips, skillfully concealing his momentary embarrassment.
He also replied softly, “It’s okay, everything has been quite stable lately.”
Hearing this, Yoo Jimin pursed her lips and smiled, leaning forward slightly, her tone playful, “Then can I come visit tonight?”
Lin Xiuyuan blinked, raised an eyebrow, his tone laced with teasing, “You’re quite popular these days, aren’t your schedules packed? Are you facing the legendary ‘killer schedule’? How do you have time? For meals, for drinks.”
Yoo Jimin put down her chopsticks and leaned back in her chair, the curve of her lips faint, with a hint of a flippant smile.
“That’s why I said tonight. I still have dance practice and recording rehearsal videos tonight, but I’ll be done after that. Should I call the other members to join? I can introduce you to them too?”
Lin Xiuyuan couldn’t help but laugh as he looked at her sparkling eyes.
“Your charm is a bit too strong.”
He paused, a hint of teasing flashing in his eyes, and said softly, “Forget it, you know my preferences. Besides you in your group, only that… beautiful woman with perfect timing has a figure that could make me a little…”
“Hey…” Yoo Jimin interrupted him with a laugh, giving him a sidelong glance, half-chiding and half-joking, “I only said I’d introduce you, not that you’d date. What are you thinking?”
Lin Xiuyuan was even more amused by her half-chiding, half-joking expression. He raised his glass for a gentle clink, “Alright then, but maybe another time. You just heard my phone call, I have an appointment this afternoon, and I don’t know how long it will be.”
“Okay, we’ll talk next time then.” Yoo Jimin, who was just joking around, didn’t really intend to introduce her members to Lin Xiuyuan.
She was kidding. She had to keep her own romance under wraps, let alone expose this guy who was clearly playing the field with multiple people.
The two looked at each other and smiled, the atmosphere quickly becoming relaxed.
However, a hint of curiosity remained in Yoo Jimin’s eyes.
So, she gently poked at the beef on her plate with her fork and asked casually, “By the way, Xiuyuan, how did you get so close to Bae Joo Hyun?”
Her tone was casual, but it couldn’t hide her probing intent.
Lin Xiuyuan looked up at her, the corners of his mouth curving slightly, and smiled softly without a word.
But that smile stirred a slight tickle in Yoo Jimin’s heart, as if she had been gently teased.
The atmosphere between them gradually softened and became ambiguous with that round of relaxed conversation.
Lin Xiuyuan propped his chin on one hand, his gaze fixed on the exquisite, almost dazzling face opposite him.
Meanwhile, Yoo Jimin forked small pieces of steak, then casually looked up at him. A hint of a playful challenge was hidden in her eyes, as if waiting for his next response, or perhaps testing his hidden secrets.
The light and shadow in the private room flowed between them. The warm yellow light fell on their faces, casting soft halos and gentle contours, as if even the air had been tinted a warm hue, allowing the ambiguity of that moment to gently grow.
“Why are you asking this?” Lin Xiuyuan casually retorted, a hint of a smirk on his lips, his tone carrying a subtle playfulness.
“Curiosity,” Yoo Jimin replied matter-of-factly, her tone light but with a touch of hidden calculation.
Leaning forward slightly, she rested her elbows on the table, her cheek resting on her palm. The loosely tied hair slid down her shoulder, a strand of stray hair blocking her vision, adding to her languid and charming appearance.
Sunlight streamed through the glass of the private room, dappling her profile, casting a soft glow. “After all, I know that Bae Joo Hyun has quite a few admirers, but it’s rare to see her proactively greet a man.”
Lin Xiuyuan glanced at her and said lightly, “How should I put it? I only saw her once before at a restaurant. I wouldn’t say we’re close, just that we know each other.”
After hearing this, Yoo Jimin blinked, then her lips curved slightly, with a smile, “Do you think I believe your nonsense? Yesterday, when we met, Bae Joo Hyun’s gaze towards you was definitely not right, and she even glanced at me. I got so scared I ran away quickly.”
“Is it that exaggerated? Don’t lie to me,” Lin Xiuyuan said, shaking his head with a smile, his eyes creased with mirth, as if amused by her teasing.
“Women have a special intuition for each other, you better believe me,” Yoo Jimin narrowed her eyes slightly, her voice soft but with a hint of pride, as if boasting about her keen observation skills.
Hearing this, Lin Xiuyuan replied dismissively, “Hahaha, I really don’t know then. Yesterday was probably my second… third time meeting her, but it was always at a restaurant. Seoul is really too small; you keep running into people.”
Yoo Jimin seized the opportunity to deliberately tease, “Then when will you take me out to play? Didn’t you promise me when we played Truth or Dare before?”
As she spoke, she put down her fork again, propped her chin with one hand, and stared at him with smiling, curved eyes, as if waiting for a promise that had been delayed for too long.
“Are you serious?” Lin Xiuyuan raised an eyebrow, his tone half-joking, half-inquisitive, a flicker of testing in his eyes.
“Hmph hmph hmph, you dog man, you’re really good at brushing people off,” Yoo Jimin pouted, pretending to be displeased, but smiling brightly.
“If you’re genuinely free, I’ll definitely accompany you,” Lin Xiuyuan replied casually.
Now it was Yoo Jimin’s turn to sigh softly, lowering her head to cut the vegetables on her plate, her tone suddenly slowing, “Forget it, I’m very busy lately. After resting these past few days, it’s all stages again. Towards the end of the year, I still have to prepare for the year-end performances.”
Lin Xiuyuan looked at her lowered eyelashes, the corners of his mouth curving slightly, his smile tinged with silence and a hint of melancholy.
Although the young girl before him was still young, the fatigue from practicing dance from morning till late at night was clearly visible in her slightly reddened eyes and the faint bruises on her arms. It was a testament to her dedication and perseverance.
Just as he was immersed in this subtle observation, Yoo Jimin suddenly looked up, her eyes brightening slightly, with casual curiosity, “What are you planning to do after eating?”
“Why are you asking?” Lin Xiuyuan raised an eyebrow, his tone with a hint of a smile.
“Just asking casually, to see if you still have time,” Yoo Jimin shrugged lightly, a hint of playfulness flashing in her eyes.
Lin Xiuyuan glanced at her, his eyes moving slightly, with a hint of a smile, “Then, do you want to find a place to sit for a while longer?”
Asking this question meant she had time.
Yoo Jimin shook her head, with a hint of helplessness and a smile, “Going somewhere else would be too conspicuous, don’t you know? Any photo taken of me now could make it to the trending topics.”
She smiled wryly, using her fork to gesture at herself, “Especially someone like me.”
“Then let’s go watch the sunset,” Lin Xiuyuan’s lips curved, his tone suggesting and testing, “But, you probably don’t have time, right?”
As soon as he finished speaking, Yoo Jimin immediately looked up, her eyes curved into smiles, a flash of surprise in her eyes, “Are you crazy? Talking about watching the sunset in the middle of the day. And don’t wrongly accuse me, it’s clearly you who doesn’t have time, right? Didn’t you just make plans with someone?”
When she said this, her tone was gentle, with a smile on her lips, but behind that smile, there was a subtle undercurrent of calculation, as if testing, or perhaps anticipating a certain response.
Lin Xiuyuan looked at her eyes with some helplessness, then glanced down at his watch.
It was only noon now, and it would still be quite a while until sunset. The entire afternoon seemed very long.
“And it would be a shame to waste the whole afternoon, so let’s forget it,” Yoo Jimin murmured softly, her tone carrying a hint of tired weariness, yet hiding a slight longing.
Lin Xiuyuan heard her, and at the same time, he caught that unintentional fatigue and the soft desire deep in her voice.
So he lightly tapped the table, smiled, and said with certainty and a touch of seriousness, “Then let’s go, stop dawdling, let’s just go wait for the sunset.”
Yoo Jimin blinked, thinking he was joking, but seeing him already getting up to leave, she couldn’t help but look up abruptly, a flash of surprise in her eyes, “Seriously? Then what about your friend?”
“I said I’d call later, so I’ll call later,” Lin Xiuyuan shook his head with a smile, his expression confident and natural, a hint of testing in his gaze as he looked at her, “But seriously, do you really have time?”
Since Jessica and Big Dragon Cub had called out Lee Ji-eun, they would likely have a second event. He wasn’t in a hurry to get there.
Yoo Jimin looked at his expression and suddenly laughed too, the corners of her lips curving slightly, “I’m busy in the evening, I’m free during the day. We can watch the sunset and then go, no rush.”
Sunlight streamed in from the window, falling on the tabletop between them, illuminating the sparkle in her eyes as she smiled.
At that moment, the atmosphere suddenly softened.
It was as if a gentle flower had slowly bloomed from an accidental corner of the afternoon.
After settling on this plan, the atmosphere suddenly became lively.
The two almost simultaneously leaned towards the center of the table, their shoulders unknowingly touching.
Lin Xiuyuan held his phone, while Yoo Jimin leaned her head forward, her hair gently brushing against his hand, carrying a faint fragrance.
They were very close, almost able to hear the soft laughter mixed with each other’s breaths. The subtle distance made their heartbeats involuntarily slow down a few beats.
The air was filled with lightness and ambiguity, like sunlight shining through a glass window in the afternoon, warm yet clear, quietly closing the distance between them.
“A slope by the riverside for the sunset?” Lin Xiuyuan tentatively asked.
“Too lively,” Yoo Jimin shook her head, her tone with a hint of wry amusement.
“Then how about the viewing platform on the mountain?” he suggested another option.
“Even more crowded.”
“Then what should we do? If you show up outside dressed like that, you’ll probably hit the top five trending topics,” Lin Xiuyuan teased with a smile, his tone light and playful.
Yoo Jimin chuckled, her fingers sliding across the screen as she tapped on the map, murmuring, “We need to find a place that’s not too crowded, but also not too far… otherwise, we’ll be rushed getting back.”
“Look at this…” Lin Xiuyuan pointed at the screen.
“Which one?”
“It’s written in the comments.”
The two of them leaned closer to the screen almost simultaneously. It was a post about a small riverside slope uploaded by a netizen, located a bit outside of Seoul, not far from the river mouth.
The comments said that there weren’t many people there, only occasional couples or photographers going to take pictures of the sunset. It was quiet and expansive. And just a few minutes’ drive back would put them on the main road.
“This looks good,” Lin Xiuyuan nodded.
Yoo Jimin’s eyes lit up instantly, and she smiled like a child, “Then this is it!”
After confirming the location, the two quickly settled the bill. Lin Xiuyuan was one step ahead, handing over his credit card before Yoo Jimin could even speak, “My treat.”
“I didn’t even say I was going to fight you for it,” Yoo Jimin hummed softly, but her lips couldn’t help but curve upwards.
Leaving the restaurant, the two got into Lin Xiuyuan’s car.
Sunlight streamed in through the windshield, casting a slight golden halo on Yoo Jimin’s profile.
She propped her chin on her hand, looking out the window, her long hair gently blowing in the wind, a rare look of relaxation on her face.
The car drove towards the suburbs, the city’s hustle and bustle gradually receding, replaced by the vastness of the riverside and the sound of the wind.
After more than half an hour, the road ahead gradually narrowed, and the terrain began to rise slightly.
The small slope was indeed as described in the comments—
The slope was not high, but it offered a panoramic view of the horizon.
In front was a vast expanse of water, the river surface shimmering in the wind, with occasional waterbirds flying in the distance.
Wildflowers grew in clusters at the top of the slope, and when the wind blew, the grass swayed, filling the air with a sweet scent of grass and water vapor.
Lin Xiuyuan parked the car at the foot of the slope. As soon as the engine stopped, the world fell silent.
“Wow~” Yoo Jimin was the first to open the car door and walk up towards the wind.
Her long hair was lifted by the wind, fluttering gently. Her entire demeanor softened, as if she had merged with this tranquil scenery.
Lin Xiuyuan watched her receding figure, feeling a rare sense of ease himself, and then followed.
“It’s so quiet here,” Yoo Jimin turned to Lin Xiuyuan with a smile, her eyes sparkling, like a child who had discovered a secret and was filled with joy.
“It is indeed nice,” Lin Xiuyuan squinted towards the distant sky. The clouds on the horizon were slowly pushed and rolled by the breeze, and golden light seeped through the gaps, sprinkling on the river, creating rippling waves.
However, this tranquility didn’t last long before it was broken by a phone ringtone.
“Ding ling…”
Yoo Jimin looked down at the caller ID, her expression instantly freezing.
She hesitated for a few seconds, her fingertips tightening slightly, but finally swiped to answer.
Lin Xiuyuan remained silent, leaning against the car, hands in his pockets, quietly watching her.
The voice from the other end of the phone caused Yoo Jimin’s expression to gradually change.
From initial calmness to a furrowed brow, then to biting her lip, her entire face became like clouds scattered by the wind, gradually darkening.
She listened without a word, gave a soft “Mm,” and then slowly hung up the phone.
Silence hung in the air for a few seconds, as if even the shimmering on the river had slowed down.
Yoo Jimin forced a smile and turned to Lin Xiuyuan, her tone deliberately cheerful, “It’s over, I have an event I need to attend last minute, so it looks like…”
Before Yoo Jimin could finish speaking, Lin Xiuyuan gently interrupted her, his tone carrying a gentle warmth, “It’s okay, we can come again next time. Life, after all, must leave some regrets, otherwise, how would there be a next time?”
His words were like a gentle breeze in the afternoon, lightly sweeping over her previously tense expression, taking away some of the heaviness, and allowing her heart to loosen slightly.
Yoo Jimin blinked, and finally, a genuine smile finally curved her lips, “You’re quite good at comforting people.”
Yoo Jimin blinked, and the corners of her lips finally lifted slightly into a genuine smile. “What you said is quite comforting.”
Her gaze unconsciously returned to the horizon, the orange-gold clouds reflecting soft points of light in her eyes, like gentle ripples of light on the water’s surface.
She then took out her phone, took a photo of the skyline, bit her lip slightly, and suddenly turned, “How about we take a picture together?”
“Okay,” Lin Xiuyuan agreed with a smile.
The two stood side by side, with the blazing sun directly overhead behind them.
In the photo.
Liu Jimin tilted her head slightly, leaning towards Lin Xiuyuan, a gentle smile at the corner of her lips, strands of hair occasionally brushing his shoulder in the breeze.
Lin Xiuyuan lowered his head slightly, his gaze drifting towards her, his expression gentle, yet harboring a hint of imperceptible amusement, as if sharing this tranquil moment with her.
The bright midday sun still shone on their faces, like a scene frozen in an overexposed photograph, radiant and brilliant, with an unspeakable warmth.
After taking the photos, the two walked back to the car in silence. Once inside, the car was quiet, with only the sound of the wind gently tapping the car window and soft music playing, as if it were the background music for this moment.
As the car drove into a less crowded street in the city’s outskirts, Lin Xiuyuan stopped the car, placed his hand on the steering wheel, and said softly, “It’s more convenient to catch a taxi from here.”
Liu Jimin nodded, smiling as she opened the car door and reached up to adjust her hair, which had been messed up by the wind, “Then I’m off.”
Lin Xiuyuan raised his hand in a gentle wave, watching her get into the taxi.
The moment the car slowly drove away, he looked down at his phone.
The screen lit up, and the photo Liu Jimin had just sent appeared. In the picture, they stood shoulder to shoulder under the bright sun, her head slightly tilted, a smile on her lips, her hair gently blowing in the wind.
Below it was a line of text: 【 Next time I have a chance, I’ll show you a serious side of myself. 】
The corners of Lin Xiuyuan’s lips curled up slightly, and he couldn’t help but laugh out loud. His fingertip swiftly typed a reply on the screen: 【 A dream girl, I’m the self-disciplined little Chu Nan. 】
In the back seat of the taxi that had just driven away, Liu Jimin’s previously downcast eyes suddenly brightened.
She stared at the message for a few seconds, the corners of her mouth turning up slightly.
Laughter spilled out like sunshine, and her entire being seemed to be cleared of gloom, instantly becoming brighter.
The driver glanced at her in the rearview mirror and couldn’t help but laugh and ask, “Did your boyfriend message you?”
Liu Jimin pursed her lips, gently put away her phone, and her gaze fell on the sky outside the window, which was tinged red by the bright sun.
She didn’t answer, but looked at the orange-red sky with a smile, her heart feeling as if it had been gently brushed by someone’s voice, warm and soft.
As Liu Jimin left, Lin Xiuyuan leaned back in the driver’s seat, quietly looking at the call history on his phone screen, the corners of his mouth twitching slightly.
With a gentle swipe of his fingertip, he dialed Lee Ji-eun’s number.
However, after two rings, it wasn’t her voice that answered, but…
“Hello~”
A lazy, teasing voice with a laugh came from the other end of the phone, “What is it, Xiuyuan~ Miss me?”
“Jiyeon?” Lin Xiuyuan raised an eyebrow, his voice low and tinged with doubt.
“Mhm, it’s me.” Big Dragon Cub’s voice was lazy and smiling, and the crisp sound of a tennis racket hitting a ball could be vaguely heard in the background. “Why are you calling Goo Ri unnie? She’s busy right now.”
“She just called me to complain,” Lin Xiuyuan said, loosening his collar with a hand, his smile hidden in his low tone. “What do you think I’m calling for?”
There was a clear two-second pause on the other end of the phone, followed by a burst of hearty laughter.
“Haha! It’s all because of you. Sulli unnie looked for me and told me to find Goo Ri unnie. I was so confused when I heard this call. It wasn’t until we met that I realized you’d caused trouble again. You have no idea how good you felt, but how uncomfortable it made us!”
“Me?” Lin Xiuyuan let out a soft scoff, his tone carrying a hint of provocation. “Are you sure you were involved too, Jiyeon?”
Big Dragon Cub let out a “tsk” and laughed even more wildly. “Forget it, it’s not clear over the phone. Why don’t you come over? We’re at the club, we can sit together.”
“Okay,” Lin Xiuyuan replied crisely. “Send me your location.”
A few seconds later, a location message popped up on the screen.
— A newly opened high-end comprehensive club in Gangnam District.
Lin Xiuyuan knew about this club; it was not far from the villa and was newly opened.
It had fitness facilities, a swimming pool, a spa, and a restaurant.
It was a membership system with an excellent environment.
After receiving the address, Lin Xiuyuan immediately drove over. Sunlight streamed through the windshield onto his face, casting dappled shadows on the street.
After some time, the car smoothly pulled into the club’s parking lot.
As he turned off the engine, Lin Xiuyuan also took out his phone to call someone inside, as this club required membership, but thankfully, members could bring guests.
So, by the time he reached the entrance, a familiar figure also walked out.
It was Jessica, not Big Dragon Cub whom he had called.
She was wearing sports clothes, her hair tied up high, with a few strands of hair on her forehead sticking to her cheeks, emanating the heat of just having exercised.
Fine beads of sweat slid down her neck and into her collar.
Seeing Lin Xiuyuan approach, Jessica finally revealed a slightly teasing smile.
Lin Xiuyuan raised an eyebrow, asking with a hint of curiosity, “Why is it you?”
“What, are you unhappy that I’m here to pick you up?” Jessica smiled casually, a hint of playfulness in her eyes.
“Not at all,” Lin Xiuyuan replied faintly, a smile rising to his lips.
“Hmph hmph~ Are you here to work out too?” Jessica’s tone, as she teased, carried the unique vitality of someone after exercise.
“No, you are.”
“Exercising,” Jessica said, raising the towel in her hand. “Just finished a game, I’m so hot.”
“Tennis?” Lin Xiuyuan asked.
She nodded, reaching up to wipe the sweat from her forehead, her hair slightly clinging to her cheeks from the exertion.
Her gaze, however, inadvertently swept over Lin Xiuyuan with a slight smile. “Stop asking me. Why did you suddenly come over?”
Lin Xiuyuan didn’t beat around the bush and simply recounted the teasing incident on the phone with Big Dragon Cub, his tone calm but with a hint of amusement.
Jessica couldn’t help but burst out laughing on the spot after listening.
“Oh~ So Goo Ri reported you? That’s no wonder. She was almost driven crazy just now.” She turned her head to look at Lin Xiuyuan, her eyes sparkling, her tone carrying a hint of triumph. “But they used to tease me like this all the time, so it’s okay for me to show off a little now, right?”
“No problem,” Lin Xiuyuan said with a smile and a shake of his head.
As they walked, the two of them went into the club side by side, their footsteps echoing in the spacious corridor, the echo seeming to stretch with the light and shadow, carrying a subtle rhythm.
Sunlight poured in through the floor-to-ceiling windows, casting light spots on their shadows, creating a bright and tranquil atmosphere.
As they approached, the scene inside gradually became clear.
Two courts stood side by side, one empty, and on the other, two figures were running back and forth.
The tennis ball drew a beautiful arc through the air, landed softly, and made a crisp “pat” sound.
Among them, Lee Ji-eun, wearing a light-colored tracksuit, her ponytail flicking out in a clean, sharp arc, moved with crisp efficiency and a sense of power.
Big Dragon Cub, opposite her, wore a black short-sleeved shirt, sweat dripping down her skin, her physique sharp, her movements agile and precise.
The moment the ball landed, Lee Ji-eun turned and saw Lin Xiuyuan standing at the entrance with the first glance.
This situation clearly made her freeze for a moment, her steps faltering, her racket drooping slightly.
A complex mix of emotions flickered across her previously focused gaze.
Surprise, resentment, and a long-lost sense of familiarity intertwined, subtle and hard to describe.
Big Dragon Cub was the complete opposite. As soon as she saw Lin Xiuyuan, she smiled, still holding her racket in mid-air, her voice clear, “Oh, Xiuyuan~ You’re finally here, I’ve been waiting for you for a long time.”
“You guys called me here, didn’t you?” Lin Xiuyuan replied with a smile.
Jessica smiled slightly from the side and teased Lee Ji-eun, “See, Goo Ri, your savior is here.”
Lee Ji-eun didn’t respond, but simply lowered her head, unscrewed a water bottle, took a sip, and then calmly raised her eyes to look at him.
Her gaze seemed to say, it’s been a while.
Seeing this, Big Dragon Cub laughed heartily, “Unnie, your expression is too obvious!”
“Hmph,” Lee Ji-eun turned her head away. “I didn’t say anything.”
Jessica’s shoulders shook with laughter, and she turned to Lin Xiuyuan to whisper, “See, she’s actually waiting for you like this, you better be careful.”
Lin Xiuyuan raised an eyebrow. “Is that so? Careful about what?”
“Come on, you know what to be careful about, don’t you? Be careful you don’t get sucked dry.” Jessica pushed him with a smile and then moved aside, “Go in, we’ve just finished warming up, you’re just in time to receive some ‘punishment’.”
Lin Xiuyuan smiled helplessly, shook his head, and stepped onto the court.
The lights shone down from above, dividing the court floor into several bright strips, reflecting the moving figures. Their shadows lengthened and shortened with the swing of rackets and the movement of feet, like some silent declaration of war.
And as Lin Xiuyuan stepped onto the court, he was immediately enveloped by the heat.
The sound of rackets swinging, the “screech” of shoe soles on the floor, and the laughter and playful shouts of Big Dragon Cub and Lee Ji-eun mingled into a relaxed yet tense rhythm.
Then Jessica spoke first, “Since you’re here, don’t think about slacking off. Goo Ri just said she wanted to play doubles, and I think it’s perfect, you two as a team.”
Lee Ji-eun pursed her lips, glanced at him, neither refusing nor responding, but re-tied her hair tie, as if concealing her emotions.
Seeing this, Lin Xiuyuan chuckled inwardly, this game probably wouldn’t be easy.
He then walked over to stand with Lee Ji-eun and said softly, “I’ll cover the front, you play freely in the back.”
“Are you sure?” Lee Ji-eun looked up, with some doubt.
“Yes,” he smiled. “You play more steadily than I do.”
As soon as he finished speaking, Jessica had already eagerly served.
The white ball cut through the air with a whistling sound, bounced on the ground.
Lee Ji-eun almost instinctively met it, her movements crisp, and returned a beautiful backhand.
“Good shot!” Lin Xiuyuan couldn’t help but shout.
Lee Ji-eun ignored him, but the corners of her lips turned up slightly, and a hint of seriousness flashed in her eyes.
The pace of the game was fast in the next few minutes.
Jessica occasionally hit a few balls at tricky angles, and Lin Xiuyuan countered them all, his movements crisp and clean, as if he were casually handling them, yet with an imperceptible calmness.
Big Dragon Cub was the happiest throughout, running and laughing, “Oh my! Your coordination, how can it be a temporary team—you’re terrifyingly in sync!”
Jessica rolled her eyes at her and provocatively shouted at Lee Ji-eun, “Goo Ri, don’t let him just block balls, see what he’s really capable of!”
“Then don’t hold back,” Lee Ji-eun replied calmly, her voice not loud, but carrying a clear sense of competition.
The tennis ball flew up again, hitting the racket with a “pat—pat—” crisp sound, light and shadow flickering on the court.
The laughter and panting of the players intertwined, gradually creating a wonderful rhythm, as if every swing of the racket was a silent competition of tacit understanding and reaction.
Until the last ball landed.
With a “thud.”
Lee Ji-eun leaned to the side to receive the ball, her center of gravity shifted, and she almost stumbled.
Seeing this, Lin Xiuyuan instinctively reached out to steady her, and the two almost touched.
Jessica, watching from the opposite side, clearly saw this, and the corners of her mouth curled up slightly, her expression meaningful.
“Well done, unnie, you almost fell into someone’s arms,” Big Dragon Cub laughed exaggeratedly. “I’ll give you ‘courage points’ for that shot.”
Lin Xiuyuan shook his head, smiled, and slung the racket over his shoulder, sweat from his forehead dripping down his chin. “Jiyeon, is this playing tennis or a talk show? Are we done? I’m almost dehydrated.”
“Then go rehydrate,” Jessica put away her racket, her movements casual but with a hint of teasing.
Lee Ji-eun asked softly, “Xiuyuan, would you like something to drink? I’ll get it for you.”
“Coke or mineral water is fine.”
Lee Ji-eun softly said “mm” and turned to walk towards the rest area.
The moment her back disappeared from the court, Jessica looked back at Lin Xiuyuan, her eyes smiling noncommittally.
“Xiuyuan, I actually think her state today… isn’t just about exercise.”
“Don’t guess wildly. By the way, aren’t you usually very busy with work? How do you have time to come play?”
In response to Lin Xiuyuan’s question, Jessica replied nonchalantly, “I have a flight tonight, so I still have some time. Let’s play for a bit longer, okay?”
Big Dragon Cub burst out laughing beside them, thinking, is this playing? It’s clearly showing off.
She’s flying off to work, and she still wants to come out and show off, it seems she was really upset earlier.
Then Jessica’s eyes suddenly lit up, remembering something. “Oh right, Xiuyuan, do you think you should buy an apartment in Magic City? Then you can go there too, making travel convenient.”
“Magic City?”
Lin Xiuyuan was immediately shocked upon hearing the name. “Jessica, are you sure you have enough money?”
This response made Jessica squint, let out a humph, and directly gave him a glare. “It’s none of your business, do you want to or not?”
“Don’t underestimate Sulli unnie,” Big Dragon Cub chimed in, her tone cheerful. “Besides, Magic City’s housing prices aren’t that outrageous. They should be about the same as Seoul. Even if you can’t buy a large flat or a large villa, buying a small apartment is a piece of cake.”
Lin Xiuyuan smiled and shook his head, looking at Jessica. “Really? Then you buy it.”
“I’m asking if *you* want to,” Jessica glanced at him, half-provocatively.
Lin Xiuyuan hesitated for a moment, thought about it seriously, and then slowly replied, “I’ll pass on buying. I don’t have much opportunity to travel around anyway, and the surveillance there is too extreme. Renting a place long-term is enough, then someone can easily come and go.”
Jessica pondered for two seconds and also felt he had a point, so she nodded slightly. “Alright, that does make sense.”
By the time Lee Ji-eun returned, the topic had naturally been set aside.
The group chatted a bit more, had some water, and laughed together before heading to the SPA area downstairs to wash up and change.
It’s unclear how much time passed.
The warm aroma of aromatherapy slowly permeated the air, and the low, soft music was like a hypnotic melody, making one drowsy.
Lying on the massage bed, Lin Xiuyuan’s eyelids grew heavy from the gentle massage, and even his breathing became slow.
Suddenly, a gentle touch woke him.
Someone was shaking him.
Opening his eyes slightly, he immediately saw Lee Ji-eun leaning over him, her gaze careful and a little mysterious.
Seeing that Lin Xiuyuan had opened his eyes, she immediately made a “shushing” gesture towards him.
In the two seats next to them, Jessica and Big Dragon Cub had already fallen into a deep sleep.
Lin Xiuyuan lowered his voice and asked, “What is it?”
“Come out,” Lee Ji-eun said softly, a strange light in her eyes.
After hesitating, Lin Xiuyuan still got up, put on his jacket, and followed her out of the private room.
The corridor was quiet, the lighting soft.
Lee Ji-eun walked ahead, her pace not fast, as if contemplating something.
It wasn’t until she turned a corner that she stopped and looked deeply at Lin Xiuyuan behind her.
“Where are we going?”
Lee Ji-eun, looking at him, didn’t answer, but suddenly linked her arm through his, a mysterious smile on her lips. “To get something good to eat.”
And the moment Lin Xiuyuan walked forward with her arm linked through his, he also caught a whiff of her fragrance.
It carried a hint of post-exercise freshness, the lingering scent of massage oil, and the subtle pressure of her fingertips.
The corridor lighting was soft, and footsteps were muffled to an extremely low level on the empty carpet.
Lin Xiuyuan couldn’t help but whisper, “Are you sure we’re going to eat something?”
Lee Ji-eun didn’t turn around, just smiled gently, “Mm, I’m hungry.”
Hearing this, Lin Xiuyuan found it a bit amusing, seeming to understand something. He lightly touched Lee Ji-eun’s waist with his finger, causing her to tremble slightly.
Then he smiled and asked, “Then why bring me along?”
“Because I can’t eat it all by myself.”
Daily Ten Thousand complete, thank you to my godfathers for your support and votes.
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