Chapter 280: [hate stuffing eggs]【try Later】
After autumn arrived in Seoul, the night air carried a touch of chill.
The wind swept from the street corner, stirring up a mix of seafood and charcoal fire scents.
The small shops along the street lit up with strings of soft yellow lights, the dim warm glow falling on signboards and glass, casting a layer of comfortable warmth in the air.
When Lin Xiuyuan followed Lee Ji-eun through the door, before they even sat down, he smelled that rich seafood aroma.
And this “late-night snack” was clearly more than just ordinary eating and drinking.
Geoduck clam, sea cucumber, oysters…
The entire table was filled with high-energy, stamina-boosting seafood, glistening and covering the tabletop, gleaming with a “dangerous” light under the lighting, as if ready to apply a buff.
The sight made Lin Xiuyuan’s scalp tingle.
Picking up his chopsticks, he glanced at the pile of ingredients that looked prepared for some ritual, and couldn’t help but chuckle and shake his head. “Ji-eun, this spread you ordered… you’re sure it’s not for going to war?”
Lee Ji-eun pursed her lips in a smile, her expression relaxed.
Without replying, she leisurely peeled an oyster on her own, her hands moving with an elegance that was almost teasing.
She then held it out to Lin Xiuyuan and said softly with a laugh, “Eat it.”
Lin Xiuyuan hesitated for a moment, taking it as he instinctively said, “Eating this at night, isn’t it a bit too…”
“Just right.” Lee Ji-eun interrupted him, her tone calm yet carrying a meaningfully gentle softness. “What if you get dehydrated and exhausted later?”
Lin Xiuyuan was choked by her words, nearly coughing, and could only raise his glass with a dry laugh to cover it.
Watching his feigned composure, Lee Ji-eun’s smile gradually deepened at the corners of her lips, her gaze softening a bit.
The red glow of the small bulbs reflected on her profile, that smile hiding a little secret thought.
Just as the atmosphere between them slowly brewed, Lin Xiuyuan’s mobile phone suddenly rang.
The ringtone stood out sharply amid the noisy night.
He looked down and saw “Jessica” on the screen.
As soon as he answered, the voice from the other end carried its usual lazy drawl.
“Hey Lin Xiuyuan, do you really have to? I’m about to head out for work abroad, and you won’t even see me off?”
Before he could respond, Big Dragon Cub’s interjection came from the other end, laughing more exaggeratedly than anyone. “Older sister, I think Goo Ri older sister was scared by me yesterday, afraid we’d tease her again, so she sneaked off with Xiuyuan~”
In that instant, Lin Xiuyuan couldn’t help but glance at the person beside him.
Lee Ji-eun had clearly heard the teasing from that side too.
Her small face instantly flushed red, even her earlobes tinged with pink.
But she didn’t explain anything, just lowered her eyelashes, silently picking up a piece of sea cucumber and gently placing it into Lin Xiuyuan’s bowl.
The motion was gentle and a bit guilty, like concealing something with actions.
Lin Xiuyuan saw it all, his lips curving slightly as his tone lightened. “I said I wanted to come out for food, and since you all were sleeping soundly, I didn’t call you, so I didn’t expect you to wake up so soon.”
He paused, glancing sideways at Lee Ji-eun with a deepening smile. “How about…”
Lee Ji-eun looked up, her gaze a bit displeased, as if saying: If you dare agree to them, I’ll really ignore you.
Lin Xiuyuan cleared his throat lightly and continued. “…How about you head back quickly to pack, Jessica, and prepare to catch your airplane. It’s late, no late-night snack for you.”
A dissatisfied “hmph” came from the other end, followed by Big Dragon Cub’s unrestrained laughter.
“Fine, fine, you two enjoy slowly, don’t overdo the tonics~”
The laughter faded from the phone, leaving only the night wind lightly brushing the street.
Lee Ji-eun set down her chopsticks and couldn’t help but chuckle softly.
She said nothing, just glanced at him with the corner of her eye…
That gaze held a bit of satisfaction and a bit of smugness.
Seeing this, Lin Xiuyuan just smiled and shook his head, popping the oyster into his mouth and saying softly, “Tastes pretty good.”
Lee Ji-eun responded softly, unable to hide the smile at her lips.
In that moment, the lights in the whole small shop seemed to grow warmer.
Steam rose from the table, the faint aroma dispersing in the air, blurring the outlines under the lights.
The soft yellow lighting fell on Lee Ji-eun’s profile as she lowered her head to gently stir the spoon in her bowl, her eyelashes casting fine fragments of gold in the light, like thin feathers brushing by.
Lin Xiuyuan said nothing more, just quietly watching her.
That face was softer and brighter than when they first met, as if she glowed faintly all over.
The silence between them held no awkwardness, but rather a flowing tacit understanding.
By the time they returned to the apartment, night had deepened.
As soon as the door opened, the indoor lights automatically came on, the warm glow relaxing them.
Lee Ji-eun turned lightly, glancing back at him, her tone natural as if discussing everyday matters. “Go take a shower. You smell like smoke and fire. I’ll leave pants at the doorway later; you can put them on when you come out.”
Her tone was very natural, yet hid an undeniable gentleness.
“Oh, you prepared clothes for me?” Lin Xiuyuan raised an eyebrow with a smile.
Lee Ji-eun, already walking ahead, didn’t respond, just pursed her lips in an ambiguous smile.
A few minutes later.
As hot water hit his skin, steam quickly filled the air.
While showering, Lin Xiuyuan soon heard faint footsteps outside, followed by the sound of clothes being set down.
When he emerged from the bathroom wrapped in a bathrobe, the living room lights had been dimmed.
The floor-to-ceiling window’s curtains were half-drawn, city neon spilling through the gap in fragmented pale pink light, like a wind-scattered dream.
A moment later, Lee Ji-eun emerged from the bedroom, also changed into silky home clothes.
The smooth fabric slid along her shoulder line, revealing a section of collarbone, light flowing over it.
Her shoulder-length long hair was blow-dried smooth, the ends slightly curled, instantly filling the living room air with faint floral fragrance.
“Done showering?” she asked softly, her tone gentle almost like a murmur.
“Mm.” Lin Xiuyuan nodded.
“Good.” She stepped closer, her gaze falling on his chest as she reached out to straighten his bathrobe collar.
As her fingertips brushed his collarbone, their breathing paused almost simultaneously.
Wind from outside the window lightly stirred the curtains, swaying them gently, shadows flickering between them.
Lights flowed over their bodies, even their breathing carrying temperature.
After releasing the collar, Lee Ji-eun asked, “Want something to drink?”
Lin Xiuyuan looked at her, his tone light with a teasing smile. “I thought you’d be impatient. This is a bit unexpected.”
Facing those words, Lee Ji-eun smiled, her gaze soft like the night itself.
“Is it? I’ve been thinking about some things these past couple days.” Her voice was low and slow, carrying an ambiguous sigh. “Compared to Ji-yeon, I feel like I didn’t do as well before.”
The words were like a gentle line slicing the air, landing silently yet rippling with warmth.
“Don’t overthink it. You’re you, Ji-yeon’s Ji-yeon.”
“Mm, I know, so drink something?”
The fragrance from the woman before him—mixed with shampoo sweetness and skin warmth—made Lin Xiuyuan, standing close, feel a bit restless.
Their gazes intertwined in the air, and he said, “No…”
“Have a drink, I’ll be your wine glass~”
At those words, their breathing immediately overlapped.
As the neon outside the window dimmed bit by bit, only the quiet small lamp indoors remained.
The soft lighting cast two silhouettes drawing ever closer.
The story didn’t continue.
But the silence buoyed by heartbeats made the air faintly heat up.
As if time itself didn’t want to disturb their moment of fusion.
……
The next day at noon.
Sunlight filtered through curtain gaps into the living room, falling on the soft carpet in fragmented light and shadow.
The air held lingering warmth from last night and a hint of tea fragrance.
Freshly awake, Lee Ji-eun leaned on the sofa, draped in a thin blanket, a cup of warm tea by her hand.
Tea mist rose gently, blurring her brows and eyes, making her laziness all the more alluring.
Lin Xiuyuan sat at the nearby dining table, head down sorting mobile phone messages, his light gray shirt making him look neat and sharp.
That was the one Lee Ji-eun had given him that morning.
Neither spoke, just occasionally lifting eyes, gazes meeting in the air,
Carrying a bit of smile, a bit of last night’s lingering warmth in their tacit understanding.
Wind outside occasionally stirred the curtain edges, bringing faint city sounds.
“Heading out?”
Lee Ji-eun broke the quiet first.
Her tone was light, as if afraid to shatter the moment.
“Mm, have to.” Lin Xiuyuan looked up with a smile. “Need to pick someone up.”
“A woman?” She narrowed her eyes, the smile at her eye corners faint.
“Uh…” He paused, his tone lightly guilty and casual.
“Got it.” Lee Ji-eun responded softly, setting down her teacup and walking to his side.
She reached out, gently straightening his collar.
As her fingertips brushed his neck, a faint current sparked.
“Need to tidy up properly.” She said softly, her tone mixed with gentle reproach. “At least you look like you just showered.”
Gazing at such a Lee Ji-eun, Lin Xiuyuan paused slightly, then laughed. “Don’t make it seem like I’m not coming back. I’m just in Seoul, not going far.”
“Hey, rare atmosphere, don’t ruin it.” Lee Ji-eun pouted; she loved this romantic drama vibe.
When Lin Xiuyuan left the apartment later, the sunlight overhead was just right.
After driving the car out of the garage, he followed navigation arrows in silence until slowly stopping at a familiar location.
He then took out his mobile phone and typed: 【I’m here.】
Then glanced at the weather outside the car window.
A bit later, the door of the house roadside was pushed open from inside.
Soo Jung came out.
Her appearance almost made the air pause for an instant.
Because her outfit that day was stunning at first glance.
A tube top short skirt hugged her curves, black stockings extending down her long legs, topped with a light camel windbreaker loosely belted at the waist.
A breeze from the street corner lifted the hem lightly, revealing glimpses of the skirt edge beneath.
Fine-heeled high heels on her feet, with smooth ankle curves.
Long hair cascading, her pale skin almost glowing softly in the daylight.
Staring at the scene, Lin Xiuyuan froze, hand still on the steering wheel, undisguised admiration flashing in his eyes.
The visual impact disordered his breathing a bit.
Meanwhile, Soo Jung in his gaze reached the front passenger seat, opened the car door, and leaned in to sit.
Her fragrance entered with her, a mix of vanilla and subtly sweet fruit notes.
Turning her head that instant, Soo Jung saw Lin Xiuyuan’s feigned nonchalance, pursed her lips slightly, a meaningful smile hidden in her eyes. “Looks like this outfit wasn’t wasted.”
She tilted her chin up slightly, the windbreaker collar arching to reveal an inch of pale skin at her neck.
Sunlight through the car window fell on her hair strands, shimmering faint gold.
“Looks good.” Lin Xiuyuan smiled at her, tone unhurried.
Then added, “No need to change when we get home.”
The follow-up made Soo Jung chuckle lightly, part deliberate, part smug.
Her gaze swept over his shirt, pausing slightly. “Where’d you go last night? This shirt isn’t the one from our video call yesterday, right?”
Lin Xiuyuan, who had guilty thoughts moments ago, scratched his head, tone a bit evasive. “Uh, went for a late-night snack, got the original dirty, so changed into this casually.”
“Late-night snack?” Soo Jung raised a brow, voice airy yet teasing. “What kind of late-night snack? Abalone? Buns? Butterflies? Or…”
She paused deliberately, lips quirking up. “Or that top-tier one you’ve always been thinking about…”
“Stop—!”
The increasingly heated words made Lin Xiuyuan interrupt with a chuckle and head shake. “Soo Jung, no need to be jealous. I rushed over first thing after waking up to pick you up—you get me?”
Soo Jung pursed her lips in a smile, the little emotion in her eyes instantly dispelled by him. “Fine, let you off this time.”
Leaning back in her seat, she exhaled long, slender fingers adjusting her windbreaker hem.
Suddenly, as if remembering something.
She lightly lifted one leg, black silk stockings shimmering faintly in morning light, teasingly visible.
She stealthily slid a fingertip from her knee downward, the motion casual yet provocative.
“So, Xiuyuan, tell me.” She turned her head gently to look at him, brow arched. “Does this outfit make me sexy?”
Lin Xiuyuan’s grip on the steering wheel tightened slightly.
From the corner of his eye, Soo Jung half-reclined in her seat, eyes smiling yet challenging.
Clearing his throat, he feigned calm. “How am I supposed to answer that?”
At that, Soo Jung blinked, tone softly enticing. “Just be honest.”
Lin Xiuyuan sighed lightly, lips hooking up. “Hate sexy~”
The three short words stunned Soo Jung, then she burst out laughing.
She laughed till her shoulders shook slightly, as if poked in her softest spot.
The car continued forward, stopping at a traffic light where street sunlight fell just right on the windshield.
Pale golden light filtered through the car window, bathing the interior in gentle ambiguity.
Lin Xiuyuan gripped the steering wheel, his profile sharply outlined in light and shadow, but as he eased off the accelerator, Soo Jung beside him softly called, “Xiuyuan~”
The voice was so light it nearly drowned in the engine, yet precisely entered his ears.
So he turned slightly, gaze shifting, his breathing halting in that instant.
Soo Jung had at some point removed her black high heels, barefoot and curled in the front passenger seat, pale ankles peeking from the windbreaker hem, toes wrapped in semi-sheer stockings.
Curled in the passenger seat, one leg bent, the other dangling naturally, posture lazy and teasing.
Sunlight fell perfectly on her legs, fine light patterns tracing the stocking lines like a shimmering boundary.
The ambiguous atmosphere made the air faintly sticky with heat.
She turned her face toward Lin Xiuyuan, lips curving gently, eyes sparkling with mischief.
“Xiuyuan~” she called again, tone laced with faint amusement.
Her voice low, trailing with breath.
“Say~ should we find a place…” She paused, eyes twinkling. “To park and do something else?”
Hearing this, Lin Xiuyuan’s hands unconsciously tightened on the steering wheel.
The leather creaked audibly.
But his gaze stayed on the flashing red light ahead, Adam’s apple bobbing as he held back. “You, you…”
His voice low and husky, struggling to control his rising heat. “Soo Jung, I prefer bigger spaces, more fun.”
Soo Jung tilted her head, lips curving in a naughtier smile, eyes gleaming provocatively.
“Isn’t outside more stimulating?” She arched a brow lightly, tone deliberately seductive.
Lin Xiuyuan didn’t reply immediately, just sighed softly, gaze briefly on the steering wheel.
As the green light came on, the car started smoothly, merging into traffic, engine hum echoing inside.
“Eat first.” He finally spoke, tone gently restrained. “Stop teasing; I’m really about to explode.”
Lin Xiuyuan knew Soo Jung had barely eaten from last night till now.
Besides the photo shoot and promotion filming, she’d reshot some shots, busy almost all night.
So casting aside his desires, he worried more about her body and stomach; over the surging lust, filling her belly first was his priority.
After his words, Soo Jung paused, surprise flashing in her eyes.
Then she couldn’t help but chuckle “pfft.”
Pursing her lips, her smile full of tenderness and sweetness, as if his words melted her instantly.
Light slid through her hair strands, casting warm gold flecks, her smile wrapped in sunlight-softness.
So she slipped her high heels back on, but the lightness and subtle ambiguity lingered.
Leaning in her seat, Soo Jung’s fingers idly stroked her windbreaker hem, voice turning playful. “Right, Xiuyuan~ how’s Jessica?”
Hearing this, Lin Xiuyuan immediately replied caringly yet evasively. “You were up all night, not tired? Nap a bit.”
“Hmph hmph, even if you don’t say, I know. Jessica video-called me last night, tone full of bragging.”
“…”
“Just tell me, was it you being proactive, or her?”
“…”
Seeing Lin Xiuyuan ignore her, Soo Jung narrowed her eyes, then pouted aggrievedly with a coquettish whine. “Xiuyuan~ you’ve changed. Do all men act like this once they have someone else outside?”
“Okay okay, fine, talk talk.”
Seeing he’d really become a scumbag if silent longer, Lin Xiuyuan smiled helplessly. “By Jessica’s thinking, strictly speaking, nothing happened between us.”
Soo Jung immediately pouted, eyes skeptical. “You’re fooling me; my eyes aren’t blind. How’s that possible?”
“Mm, we just had a spring dream.” Lin Xiuyuan blinked; he wasn’t lying.
“Xiuyuan~ if you keep talking like that, I really want to stuff these stockings in your mouth.”
“…” After a moment’s silence, Lin Xiuyuan said, “Try it later.”
Soo Jung: “? ? ?”
That’s it for tonight. Hope the godfathers who skipped enjoyed it—consider going full subscription~ Also, monthly tickets: last two days, hope godfathers vote lots.
