Chapter 281: Goo Hara: “you’re Living Together” Or “i Want To!!”
2013.
In the afternoon in Seoul, sunlight filtered through a thin veil of clouds, scattering into soft, silvery-white rays.
The wind at the street corner carried a slight chill, rustling fallen ginkgo leaves on the sidewalk, a faint autumn essence seeping into the air.
At the old-fashioned bibimbap restaurant in Apgujeong, the wooden tables and chairs were slightly polished by the years. A small fan in the corner turned gently, stirring up the scent of sesame oil and barbecue, warm and familiar.
Sulli sat quietly in a booth by the window.
She was dressed simply, a white shirt layered under a beige wool coat, the cuffs slightly rolled up.
A cup of warm water sat beside her, her fingertips gently caressing the rim.
She occasionally lowered her head to scroll through her phone, then looked up towards the doorway again, her expression holding a hint of unspoken expectation.
Just then, the door was pushed open.
A wind chime tinkled, as if the air itself had been lightly stirred.
That familiar figure walked in.
Goo Hara appeared.
She had her hair tied in a high ponytail, with her bangs falling naturally to one side, accentuating her delicate face.
Her khaki dress shimmered with a soft, warm hue under the lights, the cuffs gently cinched, creating a graceful line.
The smile on her lips was one that Sulli found familiar.
It was the kind of smile that could instantly relax someone, even in a crowd, “Jinjin ah~”
Goo Hara, walking quickly towards Sulli, looked at her with unconcealed surprise in her voice.
“Older sister~” Sulli also smiled and stood up.
The two embraced, the air filled with the faint scent of perfume and autumn.
“You haven’t changed at all,” Sulli appraised her, her gaze carrying a hint of teasing.
“Of course, I’m someone who has to live in front of the cameras,” Goo Hara replied with a smile, her tone as cheerful as ever, “Besides, it hasn’t been that long since we last saw each other.”
As she spoke, she pulled out a chair and sat down, casually pushing her hair back, revealing her long neckline.
Then she casually put down her small black bag, unbuttoned her coat, and leaned back in her seat, finally relaxing.
“Ah~ Finally, I can come back to Seoul and eat a proper meal,” she sighed deeply, her voice filled with genuine satisfaction, “Eating lunch boxes and convenience store food every day over there, I almost forgot what bibimbap tasted like.”
“It wasn’t that bad, older sister, they had Japanese food, ramen, and barbecue there too.”
Sulli smiled, pursing her lips, and beckoned the server, “But since you say so, you must eat a lot today.”
“That’s different,” Goo Hara flipped through the menu, her tone a hint of petulant acting cute.
Sulli smiled, her eyes curving into crescents, “Is it because you’re a picky eater, older sister?”
“Hey, you brat!” Goo Hara laughed and reached out to pinch her waist.
Sulli doubled over with laughter, her giggles crisp and clear, drawing glances from the customers at the next table.
After a good deal of playful commotion, the two finally quieted down and each ordered their preferred dishes: beef bibimbap, kimchi soup, and grilled mackerel.
After placing their orders, the atmosphere gradually softened.
Goo Hara stirred her cup, the bottom reflecting a soft glow. She turned her head, looking at Sulli, the corners of her lips curving upward slightly.
“Honestly, Jinjin, if I hadn’t seen the news recently and known about your drama coming out, I wouldn’t have believed it…” she paused slightly, her tone tinged with emotion, “that you actually became a screenwriter.”
“What’s so unbelievable about that? Experiencing it lately, I feel like being a screenwriter isn’t much easier than being an idol.”
Sulli’s smile was light, her tone a little playful.
Goo Hara narrowed her eyes, holding her chopsticks, and couldn’t help but laugh out loud, “That’s because you have Soo Jung with you every day.”
She leaned forward slightly, lowering her voice, “And screenwriting is time-sensitive. After you finish this busy period, you can rest.”
“Older sister, you might have forgotten, I still have my idol identity,” Sulli reminded her.
Goo Hara paused for a moment, then looked up at her intently.
At that moment, the smile in her eyes gradually softened.
“Jinjin, you’ve changed a lot,” Goo Hara said softly, her voice carrying a sisterly tenderness, “You used to not even want to mention that identity, let alone go on schedules or perform on stage.”
Sulli tilted her head, the corner of her lips curving slightly, as if deliberately mischievous, “Then do you think I’ve gotten better or worse now, older sister?”
As she spoke, she deliberately leaned closer, her eyes sparkling, as if waiting for Goo Hara’s answer.
Goo Hara chuckled and shook her head, “The fact that you can ask me this question directly shows you’ve truly matured a lot.”
Her tone softened, but a hint of emotion appeared in her eyes, “I don’t know if this is a good thing or a bad thing. The clingy little one from before seems to be gone.”
As soon as she finished speaking, Sulli let out a little laugh and leaned in again, her voice trailing off softly, “Older sister~ I’m still very clingy now~”
“Oh, you…” Goo Hara laughed, swatting away the restless hand while laughing, “Stop fooling around. I just said you’ve changed, and now you’re exactly the same, you little flirt.”
Their laughter mingled with the steam from the pot and the scent of sesame, a warm and cozy sound.
Soon, the dishes were served. The sizzling hot stone pot hissed, and the red oil of the kimchi soup gleamed under the lights.
The air was lifted by the heat, diffusing hazily between the two, like a soft-focus filter.
However, halfway through the meal, Goo Hara suddenly lowered her voice and looked at Sulli with a complicated expression.
“Actually… I found out some things recently.”
Sulli, who was eating her bibimbap, looked up at her in confusion.
“It’s nothing much, just…” Goo Hara sighed lightly, her fingertips tapping the rim of her bowl, “Some friends we used to hang out with seem to have done some shady things.”
She stopped mid-sentence, scooped a spoonful of rice, then put the spoon down, a slight frown appearing between her brows.
“Jinjin, you know me, I’m not one to meddle, but these past few months have felt off somehow,” her voice lowered, “It’s been confirmed now, some people… have gone too far.”
Sulli didn’t speak immediately, just listened quietly. Her gaze was serious, her expression calm, but she inwardly let out a sigh of relief.
Goo Hara continued talking, a faint bitter smile on her lips.
“Sunny, you, and a few other friends had warned me before, saying that those people’s inner circle was too chaotic and I shouldn’t get too involved, but I thought you were making a fuss back then.”
She paused, shaking her head gently, “Thinking about it now, it’s a good thing I listened.”
“So older sister, you’re planning to???” Sulli asked softly.
Goo Hara pursed her lips, her expression returning to a calm demeanor as she replied, “I’m slowly creating distance.”
“Not a complete break, but I’m avoiding occasions where I need to be close. Anyway, I have a lot of schedules, so there’s no need to force ourselves together.” She chuckled, “It’s just… they’ve noticed to some extent, and some people are starting to speak with barbs.”
“Is it going to be dangerous?” Sulli furrowed her brow instinctively.
Goo Hara shook her head, her expression still calm, “It’s fine, I haven’t done anything, and they aren’t killers. Besides, they can’t touch me. I’m not the type of person who can be easily dragged down anymore.”
She smiled, her expression carrying more confidence and composure.
It was the kind of steady composure that only develops after experiencing stages, cameras, fame, and being surrounded by crowds.
After all, Goo Hara at this time was not her future self. While she wasn’t at the absolute peak in Seoul, in Japan, she held the undisputed top position.
However, fate never gives advance notice.
No one could have imagined that a few years later, her company would suddenly make a “smart move,” abandoning the market they had painstakingly built in Japan.
Group member adjustments, reorganizations, and then splits – everything was like an invisible knife, severing the foundation Goo Hara relied on inch by inch.
When she was forced to find new paths, the light that once cheered for her gradually faded.
Later, she appeared on a so-called “beauty show.” The smile under the camera was still there, but the story behind it… no one could have predicted such an ending.
But those were things of the future.
The Goo Hara of the present was still that proud, confident, and captivating woman.
She shook her head gently, and a familiar smile reappeared at the corners of her lips.
“And besides, these past few years in Japan, I’ve learned quite a bit about how to handle the gray areas of relationships.”
Her tone carried a hint of playfulness, as well as a certain calmness after going through trials.
Sulli looked at her, a hard-to-describe emotion stirring in her heart.
At that moment, she suddenly felt that the Goo Hara before her was no longer just the older sister who always smiled and called out “Jinjin,” but a woman who maintained her elegance amidst the storms.
Her gaze softened.
A corner of her heart ached gently.
If fate hadn’t brought so many changes, perhaps years later, the two would only be separated by the distance to a tombstone.
“Older sister, you’ve really… become stronger,” she said softly.
Goo Hara tilted her head and smiled, a soft light flashing in her eyes, “You too, you’ve grown up.”
At that moment, her smile was exceptionally gentle, like a beam of light cast through the clouds by the autumn sun.
As her words fell, her expression gradually relaxed, and her tone returned to its familiar brightness.
She tucked a strand of hair behind her ear, and a mischievous smile suddenly appeared at the corner of her lips.
“Oh right, Jinjin, I have something to ask you.”
“Hmm?” Sulli put down her spoon and looked up, a faint smile still on her lips.
Goo Hara glanced around as if afraid of being overheard, then leaned closer.
Her eyes, which held a smile, hid a hint of inquisitiveness, “Last time we were in Tokyo, we met that… what was his name? Lin Xiuyuan, right?”
Sulli froze and let out a soft “Mm.”
“It seems I remembered his name correctly,” Goo Hara smiled, her voice lowering further, “Back then, wasn’t he quite close with Yoona? How are things now?”
As she spoke, she gestured lightly with her chopsticks, a mischievous smile on her lips, “I’ve specifically checked the news here lately, but I can’t find anything. No one in the circle is talking about it. You know both of them, so tell me, what’s their relationship now?”
Sulli, who was about to drink her soup, was startled by the question and nearly choked. She coughed lightly.
“Older sister, this question… you’ll have to ask oppa yourself.”
After blinking, her tone was light, as if she were holding a secret.
“Ah? Ask him?”
Goo Hara’s chopsticks paused, her eyes widened, and her voice involuntarily rose by half an octave, “I’m not that familiar with him. We only met once in Tokyo last time. How can I ask him?”
She wrinkled her nose, like a kitten suddenly teased, her tone tinged with helplessness, yet unable to hide the spark of curiosity.
Sulli finally couldn’t help but laugh out loud.
Her laughter was crisp and soft, like ice cubes gently clinking in a bowl, her eyes curved into crescents, and her lips held a mischievous glint.
She put down her spoon, leaned back against the chair, and gently shook her head, “That’s simple too, older sister. If you really want to ask, then… just come home with me.”
“Home?” Goo Hara froze for a few seconds, her chopsticks suspended in mid-air, a flicker of confusion in her eyes, “What home?”
“My home.”
Sulli’s smile deepened, her voice soft, but it seemed to hold a deliberate playfulness.
“You, why are you asking me to your place?” Goo Hara tilted her head, looking completely puzzled.
“Because…”
Sulli lowered her head, her fingers gently tracing circles on the table, her lips slowly curving upward, her tone deliberately slowed, carrying a hint of elusive slyness, “I’m living with Xiu Yuan oppa.”
The moment she said this, the air completely froze.
The surrounding noise of the restaurant seemed to fade into a distant background hum.
Even the clinking of bowls and chopsticks from the next table sounded blurry and faint.
“You, what did you say?”
Goo Hara froze in place, her eyes as if struck by electricity, looking at her in disbelief.
She blinked rapidly, her lips parted, her voice stuttering, “You just said… you and… Lin Xiuyuan… are li-living together?!”
Sulli nodded gently.
Her expression was incredibly calm, not even a ripple in her eyes, and she even had an innocent sweetness, “Yes, if older sister comes back with me later, you might even run into oppa.”
Hearing this, Goo Hara’s small hands trembled again, her chopsticks almost falling to the floor.
“This, this is too exaggerated! Are you kidding me?”
“No, I’m not.”
Sulli propped her chin with her hand, tilting her head slightly, her eyes as clear as if hiding a bit of mischief, “Why would I lie to you?”
“Bu-but…”
Goo Hara couldn’t finish her sentence for a moment, her mouth opening and closing, her gaze wandering, her whole body flustered by the sudden news.
She instinctively leaned back against the chair, hugging her arms, as if trying to create some distance for herself.
Sulli watched her flustered reaction, the corners of her lips curving slightly.
The smile was faint, a mixture of triumph and a gentle, mischievous intent.
In fact, she had anticipated this reaction from her older sister.
After all, in others’ eyes, for a girl who hadn’t officially started dating to suddenly say she was living with someone outside the industry…
No matter how you looked at it, it sounded like a fairy tale.
But Sulli didn’t explain.
She simply picked up her cup, took a sip of juice, her gaze fixed on the floating bubbles in the cup, a faint smile playing on her lips.
While Goo Hara was still immersed in shock and curiosity, a scene from a certain night in the past slowly surfaced in Sulli’s mind.
…
It was late at night.
The city lights twinkled in the distance outside the window. Neon glowed through the partially covered blinds, casting dappled patterns into the room.
The air was filled with a faint scent of lemon soda. Two unfinished drinks sat on the table, fine water droplets clinging to the glass walls, catching the dim light.
In the living room, a variety show played on the television, filled with laughter and merriment.
Sulli was curled up on one end of the sofa, hugging a cushion. Her laughter gradually subsided.
Her gaze was fixed on the TV screen, but she didn’t seem to be watching the show, her eyes somewhat distant.
That thoughtful expression made her entire demeanor appear soft and serene.
“Oppa.”
Suddenly, she called out softly, her voice as if gently wrapped in the night.
Lin Xiuyuan leaned back on the sofa, holding his phone in one hand, his expression as calm as ever. Hearing her voice, he immediately turned to look at Sulli, “Mm? What’s wrong.”
Sulli bit her lower lip gently, seeming to hesitate whether to ask.
After a moment, she finally spoke, “Do you think… older sister Hara, could she also go over there?”
Upon hearing this, Lin Xiuyuan’s finger paused slightly. He turned off his phone screen and placed it on the coffee table, a clear “click.”
Then he looked up at Sulli, “If she can see those people clearly, see her own position…”
Lin Xiuyuan’s tone was low and thoughtful, “If it really comes to that, then let’s meet and talk.”
His words were few, yet they were enough to linger.
Sulli listened and couldn’t help but laugh.
That smile held a hint of playfulness, and also a sense of relief.
She knew that since Lin Xiuyuan hadn’t said “no,” it meant there was still a chance.
And, a significant chance at that.
So she turned her head again, her gaze lingering on his profile for a moment, then she suddenly asked softly, “Then can I tell her… that you and I are living together?”
Lin Xiuyuan paused, clearly not expecting her to ask that.
A moment later, he chuckled, shaking his head as he looked down.
“You, you~” He reached out, his fingertip gently pinching her soft, pale cheek, “You want to use me to scare or stimulate her, don’t you?”
Sulli pursed her lips and smiled, her eyes crinkling as she did.
That expression of slight smugness made her little thoughts transparent at a glance, yet one couldn’t bear to expose them.
“Go ahead and say it.”
Lin Xiuyuan sighed helplessly, his tone softening with a hint of indulgent affection, “It’s not like I’ll lose a piece of myself.”
At that moment, Sulli remembered the warmth that flickered in his eyes, a warmth of pampering, and also of a certain trust.
Her heart warmed in turn, and the smile on her lips became even more radiant.
She leaned in gently, a smile on her lips, her voice so low it was almost drowned out by the background noise, “Then I’ll really say it.”
“Mhm.”
…
And now, sitting at the dining table with bibimbap, she had finally fulfilled her promise of “Go ahead and say it.”
The steam swirled above the stone pot, carrying the aroma of sesame oil and barbecue, but also a subtle silence.
Returning to reality, Goo Hara was still lost in thought.
“So… you’re really living with him now?” She confirmed again, her voice a little shaky.
“Mhm.” Sulli blinked, her expression as if to say, “What’s so strange about that?”
“Oh my god…”
Goo Hara finally came back to her senses, leaning back completely, her voice a mixture of shock, disbelief, and a hint of undisguised envy.
“You’re too brave, Jinjin… Aren’t you snatching Yoona’s man? Be careful she doesn’t make things difficult for you.”
“Ah, unnie~” Sulli suppressed a laugh, her tone gentle yet tinged with helplessness, “It’s not that dramatic.”
“How is it not dramatic?” Goo Hara became more animated as she spoke, slapping the table, her chopsticks trembling slightly.
“I could tell last time, the way Yoona looked at Lin Xiuyuan wasn’t right! I know that look, a woman’s intuition is never wrong. You guys played dress-up together, and then ate and chatted so intimately… If there’s nothing going on, I’ll twist my head off for you!”
As she spoke, she couldn’t help but laugh, but her tone was genuinely serious with gossip.
Sulli rested her chin on her hand, watching her quietly, the corners of her mouth turning up slightly.
At that moment, she suddenly found the agitated unnie in front of her a little cute, and a little nostalgic.
“Does unnie still want to ask about oppa’s relationship with Yoona unnie now?”
Her tone was light, with a hint of laughter at the end.
“I…”
Goo Hara was momentarily speechless, glaring at her, her expression like that of a caught child.
Then her tone shifted, and she couldn’t help but complain, “With you like this, isn’t that guy a scumbag? He’s with you, but still looking at Yoona?”
Sulli shook her head gently, her smile deepening.
“Well, I won’t explain that to you. Unnie, if you really want to know, go ask oppa yourself.”
Her tone was as soft as the wind, yet it carried a light provocation.
Goo Hara stared at her expression, suddenly narrowing her eyes, as if catching something amiss, “Wait a minute, Jinjin… aren’t you digging a hole for me?”
Sulli blinked, feigning innocence, but did not answer.
They looked at each other for a moment, and the next second, they both burst into laughter.
Their laughter was teasing, but also held an indescribable intimacy.
It was a tacit understanding unique to sisters, a “I understand you” unspoken agreement.
The food had long gone cold, but the atmosphere grew warmer.
“Alright, if we’re meeting, we’re meeting.”
Goo Hara sighed, picked up her spoon to stir the food, and said with a smile and a shake of her head,
“Even though this sounds a bit off, who else would you be if not my beloved sister. Sigh, living together… I never would have imagined.”
She mumbled softly, her tone a mix of curiosity and helplessness.
Sulli just watched her quietly, the corners of her lips curved, her smile gentle.
The wind outside swept across the street, rustling fallen leaves and gently tapping against the glass.
The autumn sunlight streamed in through the gap in the curtains, casting light and shadow on their faces.
At that moment, time seemed to stretch, and the air was so quiet that only laughter and the clinking of tableware could be heard.
Sulli’s gaze fell on Goo Hara’s smiling face, and her heart suddenly felt a pang.
She knew clearly that her unnie before her, right now, still didn’t know the fork in the road that fate would lead her down.
At this moment, she was still that bright, confident woman, gossiping with a smile.
And this meal, in her eyes, was perhaps just an ordinary reunion.
But for Sulli!
Some stories were silently beginning a new chapter at this very moment.
…
…
25 years.
Lin Xiuyuan gripped the steering wheel with both hands, his expression composed, as if he had transformed the subtle ambiguity from earlier into the fragmented sunlight outside the car window, gently tucking it away in his heart.
Krystal, in the passenger seat, leaned against the car window, a smile in her eyes, her fingertips tapping rhythmically on the glass, like a child counting passing stations.
The faint curve of her lips made the atmosphere in the car quietly charged with a hint of ambiguous warmth.
Soon, the two found a Chinese restaurant that wasn’t too lively but also not inconspicuous, and parked the car at the entrance.
The shop wasn’t large, but it was clean and reassuring. The wooden tables and chairs exuded a faint old wood scent. There were a few potted green plants in the corner, and even the air carried a hint of light tea.
After sitting down, Lin Xiuyuan ordered several home-style dishes without hesitation: stir-fried pork, dry-fried green beans, cold beef salad, and finally, a large plate of pork ribs.
Aside from the last large dish, the others were dishes that could be served quickly but were flavorful.
The steam from the dishes quickly filled the air, their fragrance tantalizing.
Looking at the plates of food being served, Krystal’s Adam’s apple bobbed slightly.
Having not eaten since yesterday afternoon, her appetite was completely whetted as soon as she sat down.
However, even though she was truly hungry, she didn’t eat quickly, but rather picked up and ate her food slowly and deliberately.
Lin Xiuyuan watched her patiently, occasionally picking up food and placing it in her bowl with steady and delicate movements.
During this time, they also chatted about Jessica and Jung Soo Yeon, but didn’t dare to say too much, who knew if there were ears everywhere.
“Honestly, Soo Jung, your work state is really a bit strange,” Lin Xiuyuan said, reaching out to wipe a bit of soup from the corner of her mouth. “Either you’re bored to death, or you’re busy until dawn. If you keep this up, don’t wear yourself out.”
Krystal looked up, a smile in her eyes. “If it were before, I would indeed worry.”
Then the corners of her lips curved up, revealing that playful and slightly amused arc. “But after meeting you… I don’t worry anymore. After all, with you here, I can always replenish some energy.”
She then hummed softly, concluding in a low voice, “Xiuyuan, you don’t know how alluring you are.”
Lin Xiuyuan, caught off guard by her teasing, raised an eyebrow and chuckled softly, “Eat properly, talk properly, don’t learn the tone of those hooligans.”
“As if you don’t like it,” Krystal blinked, her tone carrying a hint of mischief. “Don’t all you men like that type who can ‘enter the hall and manage the kitchen’? I can’t go into the kitchen, but… a little more allure, that’s fine, right?”
Saying this, she picked up a piece of beef and slowly put it into her mouth, her eyes fixed on Lin Xiuyuan’s face.
The smile was hidden in her eyes, like a touch of incredibly moist luster.
The next moment, her legs, clad in black silk stockings and high heels, quietly stretched forward.
The smooth tip of her shoe lightly brushed against the hem of his pants under the table, and then, as if nothing happened, slipped inside.
The sensation of that moment caused the muscles in Lin Xiuyuan’s waist to tighten slightly, and he almost dropped his chopsticks.
So he quickly lowered his voice, “Don’t mess around.”
Krystal looked up and laughed, her lips pursed, her voice soft and mischievous. “I want to.”
Seeing this, Lin Xiuyuan didn’t say anything further, only took a deep breath, concealing the fleeting smile in his eyes.
After the meal, the two didn’t linger at the restaurant.
The sunlight was just right, and the street breeze was gentle.
As Lin Xiuyuan started the car again, silence returned to the car, with only the low hum of the engine and the rhythm of sunlight flowing through the windshield.
Krystal, in the passenger seat, took off her jacket, casually draped it over her knees, and leaned back in her seat, closing her eyes.
The cool air conditioner breeze blew through the vents, gently lifting her hair strands, exuding a faint, sweet fragrance.
And as the car slowly drove into the villa’s garage, the yard was bathed in the warm afternoon sun.
Lin Xiuyuan parked, turned off the engine, and got out to circle around to the passenger side, ready to open the door for Krystal so she could go back and rest.
Before Lin Xiuyuan could even help open the car door, Krystal in the passenger seat had already unbuckled her seatbelt.
Then, with a light movement, she pounced towards the figure who was helping her open the door, her arms wrapping tightly around his neck, leaping up, the whole person hanging on him like a light little animal.
“Hey, hey, hey~ Be careful.”
This sudden action made Lin Xiuyuan momentarily startled, followed by a low chuckle.
However, Krystal jumped perfectly, her body pressed against his chest, her long legs in high heels gently wrapping around his waist.
His hands were steady on her thighs and perky buttocks, supporting her weight, and his steps were not a bit flustered.
The feel of the nylon stockings gently rubbed against his palms, carrying a slight warmth and a delicate smoothness, causing Lin Xiuyuan’s breath to momentarily falter.
“Come down,” he said in a low voice, patting her leg, his tone gentle, “We’re home.”
Seeing that the other party didn’t respond, Lin Xiuyuan smiled helplessly again, and reached out to pat her perky buttocks once more, his actions gentle and a little coaxing, “Soo Jung ah~”
However, Krystal just pressed closer, her face buried in the side of his neck, her breath warm, carrying the faint scent from her body, as if the air itself was dyed sweet.
Her voice slid into his ear with her breath, soft and smiling, “Carry me inside, I’m so sleepy, I don’t want to move.”
Lin Xiuyuan tilted his head, his gaze sweeping past her temple, the corners of his lips curling into a helpless yet doting smile, “Are you really sleepy, or are you intentionally acting cute?”
“Then if it’s intentional, will you still carry me?”
She smiled more obviously, a hint of triumph hidden in her tone.
Her fingers traced circles on his shoulder blades, as if confirming his presence and warmth at that moment.
Lin Xiuyuan said no more, only sighed, and finally extended his arms to steady her waist, carrying the girl who was almost entirely hanging on him, and slowly walked towards the yard.
Two minutes later, the only sound in the yard was the slight friction of shoe soles against the stone slabs, fragmented, yet with a certain private rhythm.
The rustling of leaves in the autumn breeze seemed to accompany their approach.
Upon entering the villa, the glass door closed softly and automatically behind them.
Lin Xiuyuan steadily put Krystal down, his movements gentle but with a clear sense of possession, as if reclaiming this woman into his territory.
But Krystal didn’t stay still.
The moment she collapsed onto the sofa, she pulled with her hands, almost dragging Lin Xiuyuan entirely towards her.
This allowed her to lean against his chest as much as possible, a smile on her face, as if the surprise attack on the lips she had longed for was a matter of course.
The next second, their lips met.
Her soft lips lightly met Lin Xiuyuan’s, filled with a smile and warmth, like a planned surprise attack.
Only after a moment did she release him, allowing their breaths to intertwine in the air.
There was the warmth from just entering the house, and the faint sweetness from her perfume, even the surrounding air was imbued with an ambiguous scent.
But before Lin Xiuyuan could withdraw his hand, Krystal grabbed it again.
She raised her leg slightly and hooked it, the feel of the silk stocking brushing against his forearm, bringing a subtle, tantalizing sensation.
The movement was neither hurried nor hesitant, as if issuing a silent challenge.
“Hey, what are you doing?” Lin Xiuyuan chuckled, reaching out to counter, but Krystal skillfully dodged.
She lay there quietly on the sofa, her head tilted slightly, her hair falling over her shoulder.
She smiled slyly, as if declaring a small victory.
“Didn’t you say you’d carry me inside? Then I have to give a return gift.”
But before she finished speaking, Lin Xiuyuan’s hand suddenly reached out and tickled her foot.
“Yaa—!”
Krystal’s scream immediately erupted, and she almost jumped up from the sofa, shaking with laughter.
“Don’t mess around… Xiuyuan… I’m warning you…”
“Warning?”
Lin Xiuyuan raised an eyebrow and attacked again with a smile.
Krystal immediately pounced, as if to retaliate, and bit his shoulder, her voice muffled by laughter, “Let you bully me!!!”
Their laughter and breathing intertwined, their bodies tumbling on the soft sofa.
Light and shadow were shattered by their movements, and the sunlight from outside the window streamed in through the gaps in the curtains, warming the air.
Outside the yard, the leaves swayed, and inside the house, only intermittent panting and laughter remained.
After an unknown amount of time, Krystal finally leaned into his embrace, her laughter gradually fading.
Her head rested on his shoulder, her hair dishevelled, her breathing shallow.
The light from outside the window cast a shallow golden halo on her profile.
She looked up gently, her gaze soft and quiet, the corners of her lips curved, “Xiuyuan, do you think we… look like a couple like this?”
Lin Xiuyuan looked down, his forehead touching hers, his voice deep and gentle, “More than just like it, couples don’t have as many bonds and entanglements as we do, don’t you agree.”
As soon as he finished speaking, Krystal in front of him lifted her chin, a mischievous smile curving her lips, her eyes glinting with knowing playfulness.
“Then tell me, between you and Jessica, who made the first move?”
Lin Xiuyuan was rendered speechless and amused by her gaze, reaching out to gently tap her forehead, his tone laced with helplessness, “You still won’t give up.”
“Ouch, I’m curious.”
Krystal blinked, her tone sweet and soft, “I really want to know how you managed to win over Jessica. You know, we all thought she’d at most just acknowledge the secret of that ‘safety protocol’ out of respect for me and you. Even if she cooperated, it would probably just be silent compliance, who would have thought you’d hit a home run?”
When she said “home run,” she deliberately lowered her voice, dragging out the end of the word, making it sound ambiguous, and then more ambiguous.
Just as Lin Xiuyuan was about to reply, she interrupted him with a lean forward.
Krystal burrowed into his embrace like water, her movements agile, her legs lifting and wrapping around his waist as she settled gently.
Those long legs clad in black stockings clung to him tightly, their curves and warmth pressing in, suffocatingly close.
“Xiuyuan~ ah~~ oppa~~ Brother Lin~”
Her voice was laced with laughter and acting cute, her trailing end as soft as a kitten’s meow drawn from her throat.
“Just tell me, please.”
That voice, that posture, ignited every nerve in Lin Xiuyuan’s body almost instantly.
After all, these words came from Krystal’s lips.
The girl who appeared cold and distant to the outside world was now soft as a puddle in his arms. Even a man who normally maintained composure would find himself losing a bit of his cool.
But thankfully, Lin Xiuyuan was no longer the naive young man he once was. Facing the temptation of a top-tier succubus like Krystal, while his body’s instinctive reaction couldn’t be controlled,
he managed to suppress the restlessness and excitement in his mind by firmly squeezing her perky backside, exchanging it for a sliver of rationality before quickly pushing it down.
“Stop fooling around, I can’t say anything about this. Jessica explicitly told me it was just a spring dream.”
“A spring dream?” Krystal raised an eyebrow, her smile widening. “Tsk tsk… you two really know how to play. You can even have chapters in your dreams?”
Her words were like warm needles, gently pricking at Lin Xiuyuan’s defenses.
The next second, she pressed herself into his embrace again, her body fitting so closely that the air itself seemed to thicken.
Then, before Lin Xiuyuan’s widened eyes, Krystal slowly swayed her hips, her voice low and soft, “But even if it’s a dream, shouldn’t there be a first and last, right? My dear brother~ why don’t you tell me?”
“How about I call Jessica right now?”
Lin Xiuyuan, unable to resist completely, tossed out a half-smile.
Krystal froze for two seconds, then her eyes curved into a smile, her breath gently caressing his neck, carrying a faint floral scent and a hint of provocation.
“If you want to call, then call,” she murmured. “Anyway, haven’t you always wanted to try ‘phone call play’? As long as you tell me the truth, I’ll… cooperate with you properly later.”
“When did I ever want that?!”
Lin Xiuyuan’s eyes widened, his face radiating righteousness. “Soo Jung, don’t make things up and slander me!”
Krystal slowly sat up, looking down at him, her gaze carrying a hint of amusement, as if appraising prey.
“Are you sure? You really never thought about it?”
Stared at by those eyes, Lin Xiuyuan suddenly felt a pang of guilt. He shifted his gaze, muttering, “I really didn’t say that…”
“Then do you want to?”
Krystal pursed her lips, her voice so soft it could drip honey. “Answer seriously… while I’m still a bit impulsive, I might agree to you. But if this impulse passes, then it’ll be…”
“Yes.”
The answer came without hesitation.
His tone was so crisp that even Lin Xiuyuan himself was taken aback for a moment.
But a man, a true man, can bend and stretch.
It’s just a little bit of slander, so I’ll just go along with it.
I, Lin Xiuyuan, will accept this minor tarnishing of my reputation.
Krystal stared at him, paused for a few seconds, and then suddenly burst out laughing.
She then threw her head back and forth with laughter, leaning on his shoulder, hitting his chest as she laughed, tears almost welling up.
“Hahaha, Xiuyuan! You’re going to make me die laughing!”
“Who acts like you? Hahaha, no, I regret not recording this. Your expression just now was too perfect, too classic… Hahahaha!”
Lin Xiuyuan helplessly placed a hand on her back, “A man should dare to face his inner desires.”
“Well said…” Krystal gasped for breath between laughs.
“So when are we going to call?” Lin Xiuyuan asked seriously.
“??? Hahahaha??? Hahahaha???”
……
……
Magic City.
The midday sunlight filtered through the partially drawn curtain, casting a glow across the frosted glass of the hotel bathroom.
In the rising mist, the entire bathroom was shrouded in a hazy fog.
Jessica leaned against the side of the bathtub, her arm resting casually on the rim, her fingertips still bearing traces of foam.
Her eyes were closed, her hair half-wet, a few strands clinging to her fair neck, rising and falling subtly with her breathing.
The air was a mixture of the floral scent of shower gel and the warmth of the water, creating an atmosphere that was both ambiguous and tranquil.
She slowly opened her eyes, her gaze falling on the glass opposite the bathtub.
What reflected back was none other than herself.
A self whose skin and rosy complexion were a little unfamiliar.
In her mind, memories began to surface one by one.
From the sudden “kidnapping,” to the inexplicable confinement, to the scenes that still left her unsure of their reality.
The emotion was no longer simple anger or fear, but a lingering aftereffect mixed with absurdity and confusion.
Jessica raised her hand, gently touching the corner of her lips, her fingertip lingering there for two seconds.
As if confirming a sensation that had long since vanished, yet still retained its lingering warmth.
“A spring dream?” she murmured, a flicker of emotion in her eyes.
She then let out a soft chuckle, a hint of coldness and annoyance returning to her lips, “Next time, I’ll definitely let you try it too.”
With that said, she leaned back again, her shoulders slumping slightly. Foam slid down her arm, dissolving into the water.
The water swirled gently, the temperature rising bit by bit, steam creating a thin, golden-white mist in the light.
Her eyes in the bathtub gazed at the ceiling, a bright spark in them.
It was neither anger nor helplessness.
It was more like a vigilance, stirred by an unexpected touch.
Her fingertips traced circles on the water’s surface, and she whispered, “It’s been a day. Aren’t you going to call me, you damn man?”
Her voice was soft, but delivered with a firm edge.
It was remarkably clear in the steamy bathroom.
Daily ten thousand words completed. Thanks to my godfathers for your support and votes.
Monthly tickets exceeded ten thousand, plus two daily ten thousand words.
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Double points for National Day. I hope everyone will vote.
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