Chapter 282: Sweet Eun-jung: “xiuyuan, Let’s Give It A Try”
25 years in Magic City.
Afternoon sunlight filtered through the half-closed curtains, casting into the hotel guest room’s bathroom, where rising steam gently floated in the golden light.
Jessica slowly rose from the bathtub.
Water droplets trickled down her shoulder line, snaking along her collarbone to her chest, and the fine foam shimmered with a soft glow under the light.
She then picked up a towel to wrap around her body, her fair fingertips gently brushing away the moisture on her neck with a calm and languid movement.
As she stepped out of the bathtub and stood before the mirror, her reflection also emerged within it.
Her wet hair clung to the sides of her face, her eyes were bright, and the corners of her lips turned up slightly.
Jessica paused for a moment at this instant.
Because she suddenly remembered what she looked like standing in front of this hotel bathroom a week ago.
Her complexion was pale, her eyes lacked light, and her cheeks were gaunt.
But now her skin glowed with a healthy radiance, her vitality had returned, and even the spirit in her eyes had changed.
“This recovery state is a bit too unbelievable,” Jessica murmured to herself, then a smile touched her lips.
Her face, now full of collagen, appeared exceptionally soft and tender against the backdrop of the steam.
Compared to her slightly weary self in the past, she now felt an illusion of having returned to being 18 years old.
Jessica stared at her reflection in the mirror, lost in thought for a while, before slowly drying her body and slipping on a soft bathrobe.
The bathrobe’s fabric clung to her skin, carrying the warmth of her recent shower, and she stepped lightly onto the carpet, exiting the bathroom.
The light outside the guest room was gentle, and the sunlight seeping through the gaps in the curtains fell precisely on her instep, enveloping her in warmth.
“I should go to the restaurant to eat something, I’m a bit hungry.”
After saying this, Jessica walked towards the wardrobe, preparing to pick out a light-colored shirt to wear, when the phone on the table suddenly vibrated.
The familiar ringtone sounded particularly abrupt in the quiet air.
Realizing something, she quickly walked over, only to have the smile that had been slightly upturned freeze mid-air when she saw the caller ID.
Because the screen displayed the name of someone she both knew well and loved, yet who often gave her a headache.
After a sigh of helplessness, her finger slid across the answer button.
“Hello?” Her tone held a hint of faint disappointment.
On the other end, Krystal’s voice was cheerful and carried a mischievous grin, “Yo, Jessica, why does your voice sound unhappy? Don’t tell me you were waiting for Xiuyuan’s call and got mine instead.”
Teased, Jessica immediately retorted, her voice laced with a smile of gritted teeth, “Annoying, just say what you want quickly.”
“Oh dear, I was just planning to call and have a little flirt…”
Before she could finish, Jessica, who had already guessed what was coming, paused slightly, her eyebrows shooting up.
“Yah, Jung Soo Jung!” she exclaimed, her voice rising, “Are you with Lin Xiuyuan? I’m telling you, if you dare to use me as a plaything for a game again, I’ll teach you a lesson when I get back!”
A hearty and slightly irritating laugh immediately erupted from the other end of the phone.
“Hahaha, I originally intended to, but unfortunately, Xiuyuan just received a call and rushed out.”
Only then did Jessica’s brows relax slightly, and she asked in a gentler tone, “Out? Where did he go?”
“I heard Eun-jung unnie had some kind of situation, but Ji-yeon and the others are filming, so he had to go check on it.”
“Oh, then it’s fine.” Jessica replied softly, “I remember Eun-jung was hospitalized a few days ago. He’s probably going to help her.”
“Yeah.” Krystal’s voice was light, as if chatting casually, but also as if probing for something. “What about you, Jessica? What are you doing?”
“Just finished bathing and getting ready to go to the restaurant for something to eat,” Jessica answered casually.
“Eh? Bathing?? That’s a real shame.”
Upon hearing this, Krystal immediately sighed in feigned regret, “If only Xiu Yuan and I had come back earlier to make this call, maybe the three of us could have chatted and bathed together now, it would have been much more interesting, right?”
“Jung—Soo—Jung!” Jessica shouted her name through gritted teeth.
The laughter on the other end of the phone became even more unrestrained, “Hahaha, no, I don’t want to die. Life is so good now, I’ve never been this happy in my life.”
This caused Jessica, who had been about to scold her further, to suddenly fall silent upon hearing this.
She pursed her lips and looked past the balcony, out the window.
The silver silhouette of the Oriental Pearl Tower shimmered with a faint halo in the afternoon sunlight, and the city air was dizzyingly hot.
“Stop talking nonsense.”
Her tone softened, her voice as gentle as a sigh, “I know the past few years haven’t been easy for you, so take this chance to live well. That guy, Lin Xiuyuan… is truly a treasure.”
Krystal on the other end also fell silent for a moment, only the faint sound of breathing blowing from the microphone could be heard.
A few minutes later, her voice finally softened, and with a barely audible tone, she smiled slightly, “Mm, I know.”
Jessica said nothing further.
After hanging up the phone, she stood rooted to the spot, her fingertips still resting on the shirt.
A moment later, she let out a soft laugh, as if mocking herself, or perhaps feeling pity.
“Really… hasn’t grown up at all.”
Sunlight spilled onto her profile, the light and shadow filtering through the sheer curtain landing on her hair tips, soft as if from ten years in the past.
…
On the other side.
After Big Dragon Cub called him, Lin Xiuyuan didn’t hesitate much before arriving at Sweet Eun-jung’s residence through the Time-space Arbitrary Door.
The moment the door was pushed open, blinding sunlight slanted into the room through the gaps in the curtains, illuminating the floating dust motes in the living room.
Outside, it was still the bright early autumn afternoon, but the inside was eerily quiet, even the hum of the air conditioner sounded remarkably weak.
This contrast made him involuntarily pause.
His gaze swept across the room, finally landing on the beige sofa in the living room, where he saw Sweet Eun-jung sitting.
She was slightly turned to the side, wearing a light-colored home dress.
The hem of the dress fell to her knees, her hair casually tied back, with a few stray strands clinging to her slightly sweaty neck, giving her a somewhat lazy appearance.
（PS: Couldn’t find a dress, using this as a substitute）
Hearing the door open, she looked up at Lin Xiuyuan entering, the corners of her lips turning up in a gentle and faint smile, “You’re here, thank you for coming, Xiuyuan.”
With this gentle greeting, Lin Xiuyuan’s tense shoulders unconsciously relaxed.
He then closed the door, shook his head gently, and asked with a hint of concern, “It’s nothing, what’s wrong? Why is the atmosphere so quiet?”
Sweet Eun-jung lightly lifted her chin and pointed to the coffee table.
“Look at that.”
Lin Xiuyuan followed her gesture and saw a light silver mechanical device quietly placed on the coffee table.
Its lines were smooth and its luster was cold; it was the knee joint booster he had ordered online a couple of days ago when he visited her.
“Oh? It arrived this quickly? Didn’t I just buy it the day before yesterday?”
He raised an eyebrow, somewhat surprised.
Sweet Eun-jung couldn’t help but chuckle lightly, a flicker of faint pleasure in her eyes, “I don’t know either, I was surprised when I signed for it just now, the delivery speed is incredibly fast.”
“They probably have their own warehouse here,” Lin Xiuyuan clicked his tongue, bent down to inspect the parts, and added casually, “Impressive, the efficiency is indeed good.”
As he said this, he looked up, a gentle smile on his brow, “So, Eun-jung, you called me over because you want me to help you install this?”
Sweet Eun-jung nodded gently, then blinked, showing a hint of shyness, her voice softly pursing her thin lips, “I originally wanted to do it myself, but the instruction manual is too complicated, and after struggling for a while, I was afraid of installing it incorrectly… so I thought of asking Ji-yeon and the others for help, but they’re all busy filming today, so I had no choice but to…”
“Haha, it’s fine,” Lin Xiuyuan chuckled, “I’ll help you.”
He then rolled up his sleeves and sat by the coffee table, taking the device into his hands.
A series of carbon fiber components were carefully deconstructed and assembled in his hands, his movements very clean and precise.
As he worked, Lin Xiuyuan also commented, “Technology in 2025 is truly a leap forward. In 2013, there wasn’t such a lightweight booster structure. Similar equipment back then needed wires, straps, and felt like wearing a mech suit.”
Sweet Eun-jung, resting her chin on her hand on the sofa, turned her head, her gaze quietly falling on him.
“So, does this really work?”
“Of course,” Lin Xiuyuan looked up, his tone earnest and his gaze focused.
As he spoke, he gently lifted her leg, his palm’s warmth transferring through the thin fabric.
“This exoskeleton booster can distribute pressure on the knee joint, reduce the load on the thigh, and prevent old injuries from recurring. I’ve looked at some user experiences, and it’s considered a relatively mature assistive device.”
He paused for a moment, then added softly, “But, to truly recover, it still requires systemic treatment. This can only help temporarily alleviate your pain.”
Sweet Eun-jung listened quietly, nodding gently.
Her eyes fell on Lin Xiuyuan’s lowered profile.
His focused expression, his long and steady fingers, and the warmth that occasionally appeared when he looked up, all exuded a calming aura.
As the mechanism was gently installed on her leg with a soft “click,” interweaving with his deep voice, it unexpectedly brought a peculiar tranquility to the small living room, making Sweet Eun-jung inexplicably feel an unprecedented sense of security.
At that moment, sunlight streamed through the gaps in the curtains, falling on Lin Xiuyuan’s shoulder and on her knee.
This feeling made Sweet Eun-jung suddenly let out a soft sigh, her voice barely audible, “What a shame.”
Lin Xiuyuan looked up, “What’s a shame?”
Leaning back on the sofa, Sweet Eun-jung tilted her head slightly, a hint of longing appearing in her eyes, “I thought that once I put this on, I could go on stage.”
These words left Lin Xiuyuan completely speechless.
His hands paused, and he looked up at Sweet Eun-jung.
In that instant, sunlight slanted down from the gaps in the curtains, falling on her profile.
Her clear and soft features, a hint of heroism between her brows and eyes, her lips slightly upturned but hiding a characteristic stubbornness and unwillingness.
After glancing at her, Lin Xiuyuan looked down and sighed softly, tapping the item on her leg, “Are you crazy? You’re still thinking about going on stage in this condition?”
Sweet Eun-jung pouted, reluctantly shifting her gaze, “Of course, you know how long we’ve been away from that place… It’s a rare opportunity to be on stage again, I really don’t want to miss it.”
“A dream?” Lin Xiuyuan asked softly.
She turned back, her gaze landing on him, a faint smile on her lips as she nodded again, “Something like that, but making money is also important. But if I can earn money while performing again and being under the spotlight… that would be the best.”
Lin Xiuyuan smiled at her words and didn’t try to persuade her further.
He simply shook his head and sighed, continuing to lower his head to adjust the fixing ring of the mechanical booster.
The only sounds in the air were the faint “clicks” of the mechanism and the soft rustling of his fingertips against the parts.
The sound was quiet, yet for some reason, it made Sweet Eun-jung’s heart race a little.
So her gaze fell on his long fingers, on his lowered eyelashes and focused expression.
That quiet gentleness made her suddenly feel.
Perhaps, compared to the stage lights, the sunlight at this moment was harder to escape.
Thinking this, Sweet Eun-jung softly called out, “Xiuyuan~”
“Hmm?” The other person didn’t look up, still focused on tightening the fixing buckle.
“You said, that thing of yours, does it work?”
Lin Xiuyuan paused, his head still not raised, “What thing?”
Sweet Eun-jung’s voice lowered, almost with a slight tremor, “The thing I drank.”
Lin Xiuyuan’s movements abruptly stopped.
At that moment, the air seemed to stop, and even the light felt thick.
He looked up, his eyes flashing with obvious shock and disbelief, “You… drank what?”
Sweet Eun-jung didn’t answer immediately, only curling her lips into a faint smile.
A barely perceptible tremor was hidden in her eyes, along with a tenderness that was almost unbearable to look at directly.
She leaned back against the sofa, her gaze fixed on Lin Xiuyuan.
Sunlight slid down from her hair tips, hitting them and then reflecting off the metal edge of the silver booster, casting a thin, faintly swaying light.
And as Sweet Eun-jung’s voice from before faded, Lin Xiuyuan truly froze for a long time.
So he repeated the question, “What did you drink?”
At the same time, he smiled a little awkwardly, trying to make his tone sound natural again.
In response, Sweet Eun-jung blinked, a hint of playful reproach on her lips, “What do you think? That outrageous idea Ji-yeon mentioned that day…”
She had expected him to laugh or tease her a bit more.
But to her surprise, Lin Xiuyuan’s smile completely froze upon hearing the name “Ji-yeon.”
He stood there, as if struck by lightning.
Seeing this, Sweet Eun-jung also froze for a moment and called out again, “Xiuyuan? What’s wrong?”
Awakened, Lin Xiuyuan slowly raised his head, a look of indescribable shock and confusion flashing in his eyes.
His mind rapidly flashed back to the scene at the hospital that day.
The dim washroom, the closed wooden door.
He had personally watched Big Dragon Cub swallow.
After that, she had obediently opened her small mouth, revealing her moist mouth for him to see clearly. How could she have given it to Sweet Eun-jung here?
At the time, he thought that the medicine he heard her taking in the bathroom was just Big Dragon Cub getting something casually, based on Sweet Eun-jung’s story to fool Ji-yeon and Lee Ji-eun.
But now.
Who knew that Sweet Eun-jung would say such a thing at this moment, it truly stunned Lin Xiuyuan.
Like a needle, it accurately pierced the vague mist that had veiled the truth in their hearts, dispelling it.
The air between them remained stagnant for a few seconds, with only the sound of the newly tightened mechanical booster faintly whirring.
Sensing something unusual, Sweet Eun-jung narrowed her eyes slightly, her gaze becoming sharp, “Wait a minute, Xiuyuan~ what’s with that expression and reaction?”
Although her tone was light, every word conveyed a sense of acuteness and intelligence.
Lin Xiuyuan’s Adam’s apple bobbed, and he swallowed before speaking, remaining silent for a long time.
Only when Sweet Eun-jung raised her eyebrows slightly did he say in a somewhat guilty whisper, “That… actually, you might have misunderstood what happened at the hospital that day.”
“Misunderstood?” Sweet Eun-jung’s eyebrows gently rose.
As Lin Xiuyuan spoke, he recalled the scene at the time.
His words were slow and his tone cautious, as if afraid that a single word might trigger something.
And as Sweet Eun-jung listened, her entire body gradually stiffened.
When Lin Xiuyuan reached the final part, her pupils visibly constricted, and her breathing momentarily ceased.
Her mind began to automatically replay the scene from that day.
Ji-yeon standing outside the hospital room, urging her in a low voice;
Ji-yeon walking in with a cup of water, a familiar mischievous smile on her face, light and cheerful;
And I myself was completely out of it at the time, so I just took the cup of water, not thinking about it at all.
It was only now that I suddenly realized that the water was so bland it almost had no taste.
At the time, I even comforted myself, thinking: maybe they just added too much water.
Now, thinking back, everything became clear.
Those fragments, pieced together in my mind, finally formed a truth.
Sweet Eun-jung’s expression changed subtly several times within seconds.
From shock, to bewilderment, to utter speechlessness.
“So, according to you,” Sweet Eun-jung asked softly, her voice a little dry, almost incredulous, “that cup of water… wasn’t real at all? Ji-yeon was just playing a trick on me?”
Lin Xiuyuan sighed helplessly and could only nod, “Most likely, you know her thought process, she’s more adept at messing around than eating.”
If nothing unexpected happened, it was probably like this.
Can’t exactly shave my throat.
So after Lin Xiuyuan finished speaking, Sweet Eun-jung stared at him blankly for a few more seconds, then suddenly let out a soft laugh.
It wasn’t a happy laugh, but an instinctive reaction after being utterly speechless.
“I knew it,” she exhaled, leaning back against the sofa, slumping back, her voice lazy, “no wonder she looked at me so strangely that day. I thought I had drunk too heartily.”
Lin Xiuyuan almost burst out laughing at her remark, but dared not be too obvious, so he awkwardly scratched his head.
After a moment, Sweet Eun-jung looked up again, took a deep breath, her gaze carrying a hint of wry amusement, “Xiuyuan… I suddenly feel like our church really needs to establish a ‘Truth Committee’.”
Lin Xiuyuan couldn’t help but chuckle, “Agreed, I’ll sign up first.”
They exchanged glances and finally couldn’t hold back, bursting into laughter at the same time.
In their laughter, there was a touch of absurdity, a touch of relief, and even more of that speechless feeling that only those who have experienced chaos and misunderstanding can comprehend.
Afterward, as Lin Xiuyuan gently fastened the last buckle of the support brace, he lowered his head to carefully check the angle, and after confirming it was not askew, he slowly straightened up.
“Done.”
His voice was soft, with a hint of relaxation, mixed with a deliberately concealed calmness.
A subtle, almost imperceptible awkwardness still lingered in the air between them.
Sweet Eun-jung sat on the edge of the sofa, fiddling with the corner of the blanket, her fingertips grazing it faintly, saying nothing more.
Lin Xiuyuan then reached up to touch the back of his neck, cleared his throat, as if looking for an excuse to get the atmosphere flowing again, “Um, Eun-jung, have you eaten today?”
Sweet Eun-jung, who was asked, paused, her eyes slightly glazed over, and she replied softly, “I had some oatmeal this morning, I’m not very hungry.”
“Oatmeal?” Lin Xiuyuan raised an eyebrow, a hint of helplessness escaping his lips.
Then, with a fatherly concern, he continued with genuine reproach, “I’m saying, you’re being too hard on yourself, drinking oatmeal when you’re sick like this, how can you get better? What kind of approach is that?”
While mumbling, he took out his phone and skillfully opened the takeout app.
“Come on, what do you want to eat? I’ll order for you. Seoul’s delivery is pretty fast now, twenty minutes.”
“No,” Sweet Eun-jung reached out to stop him, her tone with a bit of stubbornness, “I’m really not hungry, and I haven’t been able to stomach the taste of takeout lately, it makes me nauseous just smelling it.”
“Then that won’t do.”
Lin Xiuyuan looked up at her, his brows furrowed, his gaze lingering on her face for two seconds as if contemplating.
Immediately, his gaze shifted towards the kitchen, “How about this, do you have any ingredients here? I’ll make you something warm, it’ll at least line your stomach.”
Sweet Eun-jung, who didn’t expect Lin Xiuyuan to say that, was a bit surprised, so she quickly waved her hands, “No, really, don’t trouble yourself too much, I’m not hungry.”
“It’s fine,” he was already getting up and walking towards the kitchen, chuckling nonchalantly, “I’m a bit hungry myself.”
As he spoke, the sound of a refrigerator door opening with a ‘clack’ came from the kitchen.
A moment later, his voice, with a hint of lament, came through, “Eun-jung, your refrigerator is a bit too simple. Two packs of instant noodles, a half-eaten carrot, and some beef?”
Lin Xiuyuan, having finished his complaint, looked at the silhouette on the sofa, a smile playing on his lips, “With these ingredients, I’ll just stir-fry some noodles for you, keep it simple.”
Sweet Eun-jung pursed her lips and smiled, a hint of nostalgia flashing in her eyes, “Fried noodles? Like the kind from the night market stalls back home? I used to eat them when I went for performances, they were so fragrant.”
“You mean that kind of taste,” Lin Xiuyuan smiled and rolled up his sleeves, revealing the lines of his arms, “I’ll try my best to recreate it for you.”
Immediately, the clinking of pots and pans began, and the aroma of lunch started to fill the air.
The lighting in the kitchen cast a gentle, bright outline on his back.
Then Lin Xiuyuan boiled water to make the noodles, letting them tumble in the pot, then drained them and rinsed them under cold water, shaking them dry as he went.
Next, he cut the carrot into thin strips, and the beef into strips as well.
Following that, with a ‘pop’, he lit the stove.
Smoke rose from the bottom of the pot, and the beef made a sizzling sound as it hit the pan, as if the afternoon air was imbued with warmth by the aroma.
Sweet Eun-jung leaned against the sofa, resting her chin on her hand, quietly gazing at the figure in the kitchen.
The sunlight filtering through a gap in the curtains fell on his profile, casting a faint warm glow.
The rhythm of the spatula tapping against the pot rim, unhurried, intertwined with his occasional exchanges with her, creating a melody that was both ordinary and moving.
In this moment, Sweet Eun-jung suddenly felt that these small moments filled with life were more comforting than any words of solace.
So she gently picked up her phone and aimed it in the direction of the kitchen.
“Click—”
One shot.
Another shot.
In the photos, Lin Xiuyuan was looking down, stir-frying, the fire in the pan illuminating his expression, focused and quiet.
The background was a slightly messy small kitchen, with the paper towels hanging on the wall gently curling from the heat.
Sweet Eun-jung looked at the photos on her phone, her lips curving unconsciously.
At that moment, her heart felt as if it had been gently touched by something soft.
Without any disturbance, but so tender that it was reluctant to let go.
Before long, a fragrant aroma wafted from the kitchen.
The savory scent of beef and the light sweetness of carrots intertwined in the air, like a gentle mist spreading throughout the small apartment.
“Done.”
Lin Xiuyuan wiped his hands and walked out with the steaming plate of fried noodles.
After placing the plate in front of Sweet Eun-jung, he said with a hint of triumph and a playful tone, “Seoul limited edition, Xiuyuan’s special.”
Sweet Eun-jung, who had been leaning on the sofa, her eyes lit up when she smelled the familiar aroma.
She immediately sat up straight, her hair gently sliding over her shoulder, her lips curving involuntarily, “Wow, it really has that taste, but why is there only one plate?”
“You didn’t really think I was hungry, did you? Eat up,” Lin Xiuyuan said with a smile, waving his hand and urging her to eat quickly.
“Ah, then why did you make it?” Sweet Eun-jung asked, surprised.
“Can’t let a sick person go hungry, can I?”
As he spoke, Lin Xiuyuan got up again to go to the refrigerator in the kitchen, got himself a bottle of coke, and brought a bottle of soda water for Sweet Eun-jung.
When he sat back down, he said, “The taste might be a bit strong, try it first, and if it’s too much, you can drink some water.”
Hearing this, Sweet Eun-jung picked up her chopsticks, eagerly picked up a bite, blew on it a few times, and then carefully put it in her mouth.
“Mmm~!”
With just one bite, her eyes widened slightly, her surprised expression as if illuminated, “This is too delicious, Xiuyuan, did you secretly learn how to cook?”
Lin Xiuyuan chuckled at her reaction and sat opposite her, “What’s there to learn secretly? There are tons of tutorial videos online now, all by five-star chefs. Just follow them, I’m not clumsy.”
“No wonder,” Sweet Eun-jung chuckled softly, a long-lost warmth on her lips.
In her smile, there was a hint of ease and an inexplicable warmth spreading.
But before long, Sweet Eun-jung suddenly slowed down her movements.
Her chopsticks stirred lightly in the bowl, as if she were hesitating about something.
Her expression carried a faint hint of thought, which made Lin Xiuyuan involuntarily look up at her.
After a moment, she finally spoke, her tone light but serious, “Xiuyuan… you said that thing of yours, will it really help with this injury?”
As soon as she said this, the water Lin Xiuyuan was drinking almost choked him.
After coughing a couple of times, he looked at Sweet Eun-jung with a wry smile, “Huh? Ji-yeon asked me last time, weren’t you there?”
He scratched his head, smiling helplessly, “I’m not a saint, and my stuff isn’t an elixir, it’s not that exaggerated.”
Sweet Eun-jung, who had already heard this, didn’t reply, but lowered her eyes to look at her ankle, which was in a brace.
The splints shone with a cold light under the sunlight, making her ankle appear even more slender.
Then she gently ran her fingertip along the edge of the brace, her expression thoughtful.
Afterward, she poked the noodles in the bowl with her chopsticks and took another bite, but didn’t really chew.
Her gaze occasionally flickered towards Lin Xiuyuan, as if she were thinking or appraising him.
And Lin Xiuyuan, under her gaze, felt a bit restless, “Why… are you looking at me like that?”
“Nothing,” Sweet Eun-jung pursed her lips and smiled, her tone light and airy, but with an unfathomable meaning hidden within.
This meal finally ended in such a subtle quietness.
As Sweet Eun-jung slowly put down her chopsticks, she gently twirled her fingertip around the rim of the bowl.
Looking up again, her voice was soft, but with an undeniable determination, “How about we give it a try?”
Lin Xiuyuan froze, “Huh? What did you say?”
Sweet Eun-jung looked up at him, her expression gentle but her tone exceptionally firm, “I don’t think Ji-yeon is wrong. If we don’t try, how will we know if it’s really effective?”
At that moment, Lin Xiuyuan completely froze.
He stared at the woman in front of him.
The usually gentle Sweet Eun-jung now had a clear determination in her eyes.
“Eun-jung… are you serious?” he asked in a low voice.
Sweet Eun-jung nodded gently, her tone still calm, “Yes, I was already a bit tempted by the changes Ji-yeon and Yoona experienced, and my current situation with my foot has made me finally decide.”
Lin Xiuyuan chuckled awkwardly, “How about we don’t mess around with this? If it doesn’t work, won’t it be a wasted effort?”
Sweet Eun-jung pursed her lips, a crow’s foot appearing at the corner of her eye, “Then let’s just take good care of my face. Since I have to go on stage anyway, I might as well look better.”
Saying this, she leaned forward slightly, her eyes carrying a hint of teasing and seriousness, and softly added, “Or… Xiuyuan, you actually don’t fancy me?”
This sentence, though spoken softly, made the air become delicate.
“Ah? No, no!!!”
Lin Xiuyuan was so stunned by her words that he almost turned to stone on the spot.
He instinctively waved his hands, his tone even a bit flustered, “How could that be! I just… it’s just too sudden.”
Sweet Eun-jung leaned back against the sofa, a gentle smile spreading across her lips, like a light breeze rippling across a lake.
But her eyes were not vague at all, carrying a sense of seriousness and a hint of provocation, “What’s so sudden about this? People meet in a bar and have a one-night stand, and they’re together that same night. How long have we known each other?”
“Uh, that’s different.”
Lin Xiuyuan’s mouth twitched, his Adam’s apple bobbing slightly, and after a long moment, he managed to squeeze out a sentence, “And with your condition…”
He didn’t finish speaking, and even he could hear the panic in his tone.
But Sweet Eun-jung just smiled, her eyes curving into crescents.
Then she gently pushed the bowl on the table aside, stood up, her skirt swaying slightly, her steps so light they were almost silent.
The moment she stood up, the temperature in the air seemed to change slightly.
Then she turned to look at him, a spark in her eyes, her voice gentle yet full of anticipation, “Wait for me to brush my teeth.”
With that, she hobbled barefoot towards the restroom.
The floor was slightly cool, her footsteps light and fragmented.
The fabric of her loungewear swayed gently with her movements, forming a soft arc.
And Lin Xiuyuan just stood there, watching her leave.
Watching her receding figure disappear behind the door, his breathing even deepened.
Then he reached up to touch the back of his neck, his palm burning hot.
This rhythm, something big was about to happen.
……
On the other side.
The concert photoshoot site was bathed in intense lighting, with frequent flashes of light, and rhythmic shutter sounds filling the air.
The background music was a powerful electronic beat, with the photographer’s commands mixed in.
Lee Ji-eun, Park Hyomin, and Big Dragon Cub stood to the side, waiting for the next set of looks.
While organizing the accessories handed to them by the stylist, they casually chatted about the previous shots.
“The lighting for this outfit is a bit too harsh,” Park Hyomin raised her hand to shield her eyes from the intense light, frowning slightly, “I feel like my skin tone will look too pale.”
“We’ll talk to the photography director later, let’s see the test shots first,” Lee Ji-eun replied indifferently, her expression focused, her tone as calm as ever.
On the other hand, Big Dragon Cub was a bit absent-minded at the moment.
She was holding a pair of earrings, her movements paused for several seconds, her expression somewhat dazed.
“Goo Ri unnie,” she suddenly looked up, “do you think… something might be wrong with Eun-jung unnie?”
Lee Ji-eun raised her gaze, looking at her obviously worried expression, and chuckled softly.
“Didn’t you ask Xiuyuan to go over?” Her voice was gentle, with a touch of composure.
“Yes,” Big Dragon Cub nodded, still somewhat hesitant, “but when she showed me the video, the support brace looked quite complicated. I’m afraid two people might not be able to handle it.”
“If it’s something Xiuyuan sent, wouldn’t he know how to use it himself?”
Lee Ji-eun smiled faintly, her tone gentle but certain, “He’s very meticulous. If there was a real problem, wouldn’t he call for help? Worrying here won’t do any good.”
Park Hyomin, who was nearby, also looked up. Although she usually kept a “respectful distance” from Lin Xiuyuan, she nodded gently at this moment, “Yes, with him there, it’s better than Eun-jung fumbling around by herself.”
Hearing this, Big Dragon Cub’s mood relaxed slightly, and she let out a long sigh.
“Hoo~ Alright then,” she mumbled softly, wiping the sweat from her forehead, and then re-engaged with the other two in the next set of shots.
Inside the photo studio, lights flashed, beams of light and shadow crisscrossing on them.
The rhythmic background music vibrated the air, and the photographer’s voice almost drowned out the beat.
“Closer… That’s right, Ji-yeon, tilt your head slightly to the right, look over here, nice~”
“Hyomin, put more ‘sparkle’ in your eyes, good, that’s it, hold it.”
Flashes lit up one after another, and the three of them continuously changed poses according to the instructions, tilting their bodies slightly, turning, and then looking back.
After just a few rounds, the sweat they had just wiped away reappeared, soaking their bangs.
When the photographer announced a short break, the three of them let out a sigh of relief almost simultaneously.
The Big Dragon Cub, seizing the opportunity, sat on a stool, picked up the mineral water on the table, and took a gulp, her throat rumbling.
However, the worry in her heart did not go down with the water.
After a moment of hesitation, she subconsciously picked up her mobile phone.
“Should I call and ask?” she said, looking up at Qiu Li.
Qiu Li, who was reapplying her makeup, smiled gently upon hearing this and said softly, “If you’re worried, just call. It’s break time anyway.”
“Okay, I’ll call then.”
The Big Dragon Cub took a deep breath and dialed Sweet Eun-jung’s number.
The screen was lit, and she stared at the pulsating dialing tone, her fingertips trembling slightly.
“Ring—ring—ring—”
The phone rang several times, and just as it was about to automatically hang up, a faint, muffled sound finally came through.
“Hello… Ji-yeon?”
Sweet Eun-jung’s voice was a little lazy and slightly hoarse, as if she had just woken up and her throat was still contracting. “What’s wrong?”
“Older sister, is everything okay on your end? How is Xiuyuan helping you?” the Big Dragon Cub’s tone was full of concern.
There was a few seconds of silence on the other end, as if the other person was adjusting their breathing.
Then Sweet Eun-jung’s gentle laughter slowly came through, so soft it almost melted into the air. “Yes, I’m fine. Xiuyuan came and helped me fix it.”
Her tone was relaxed, yet with a hint of faint ambiguity.
The Big Dragon Cub breathed a sigh of relief, her lips curving upwards. “Is Xiuyuan there with you?”
“Yes.” Sweet Eun-jung’s laughter was meaningful, with a strange drawl in her tone. “Hold on, I’ll give it to him.”
The earpiece carried faint clattering sounds, as if someone was moving something.
Then Lin Xiuyuan’s voice came through. “Ah, Ji-yeon, I just finished helping Eun-jung with the support bracket.”
His voice sounded a bit strained, as if he was holding something back. “What are you guys doing?”
“We’re doing a photo shoot,” the Big Dragon Cub replied with a smile, casually wiping away some sweat. “Thank you, Xiuyuan~”
There seemed to be a pause on the other end of the phone.
Then, a slight sharp intake of breath followed.
“Hiss~ Your words are too kind, it wasn’t hard at all… It’s, it’s nothing major.”
His voice was a bit shaky, his tone rising and falling, as if he was trying very hard to sound natural.
But the subtle wrongness seeped out from every pause.
The Big Dragon Cub didn’t think much of it, assuming he had leg cramps from squatting for too long. She replied with a giggle, “That’s good. Be careful.”
They chatted casually for a few more minutes before hanging up.
The moment the call ended, the Big Dragon Cub subconsciously touched her chin, her expression somewhat subtle.
“Why did Xiuyuan’s voice sound a little off?”
“Hmm?”
“Hm?”
Qiu Li, who was tidying her makeup nearby, looked up at the sound, a hint of curiosity in her eyes.
“It’s nothing,” the Big Dragon Cub snapped back to reality, giving a somewhat concealing smile. “Maybe I’m overthinking it.”
Qiu Li raised an eyebrow, her lips curving. “Alright, hurry up and get ready for the next set. The photographer is waving over there.”
“Oh, coming.”
The Big Dragon Cub took a deep breath, returned her mobile phone to her assistant, re-composed her emotions, put on her familiar professional smile, and quickly walked towards the center of the photo studio.
As the background lights turned on again, music once again vibrated through the entire space.
But under the bright spotlight, a lingering doubt remained in her heart.
She had a feeling that the two people on the phone…
…their auras seemed a little too close.
……
In the apartment on the other side, the air was still filled with a faint warmth.
Sunlight streamed in from outside the window, filtering through the partially open curtain, falling on the off-white living room walls and reflecting a soft glow.
Sweet Eun-jung sat leaning against the sofa, her short hair perhaps a little messy, tucked behind her ears. Her cheeks were faintly flushed pink from the heat.
Seated in front of her was Lin Xiuyuan, looking rather uncomfortable.
A few beads of sweat still dotted his forehead, his cuffs rolled up to reveal his toned arms. He sat rigidly against the back of the sofa, close to the wall.
Just then, the doorbell on the coffee table behind them rang.
After a few wriggles, realizing the ringing persisted, Sweet Eun-jung turned to look at the screen and then curved her lips slightly. “It’s Ji-yeon calling, do you want to answer?”
Lin Xiuyuan didn’t look up, only looking at her pretty face and saying, “Yes, take it. She’s probably worried about you, so let’s ease her mind.”
Sweet Eun-jung lightly slid the answer button.
The moment the call connected, the living room became so quiet that only breathing and the sound of water could be heard.
“Hello… Ji-yeon?”
She deliberately lowered her voice, her tone soft as if melted by the heat.
When the other side asked about Xiuyuan, she chuckled softly, her fingertips lightly tapping the edge of someone’s calf.
“Yes, hold on, I’ll give it to him.”
She leaned forward slightly and handed over the mobile phone.
Water droplets dripped from her fingertips, falling onto Lin Xiuyuan’s instep.
Lin Xiuyuan, taking the phone, immediately said, “Ah, Ji-yeon, I just finished helping Eun-jung with the support bracket.”
He cleared his throat subconsciously as he spoke, trying his best to maintain a steady tone.
“What are you guys doing?”
“We’re doing a photo shoot.”
The other party’s voice came through with the vibration of background music, faintly energetic.
Xiuyuan smiled, intending to reply casually, but at that moment…
The scene in front of him suddenly shifted, splashing tiny water droplets, undulating back and forth.
The movement startled him, and he involuntarily sucked in a breath, his voice becoming somewhat shaky.
Sweet Eun-jung watched his attempt to appear calm and couldn’t help but purse her lips and smile, her small hand continuing to move, guiding her fingers.
The Big Dragon Cub on the other end of the phone was still saying something, while Lin Xiuyuan just nodded, replied a few perfunctory words, and then hung up.
When the mobile phone was placed back on the coffee table, the air returned to silence.
As the warmth in the living room slowly rose, a faint mist also appeared on the glass beside them.
Reflecting Sweet Eun-jung leaning on the sofa, her voice so soft it was almost drowned out by the sound of water, “She seems to… have noticed something.”
Lin Xiuyuan didn’t reply, merely raising a hand to wipe the sweat from his temples, a momentary look of a headache flashing in his eyes.
It’s over.
Daily ten thousand words finished, thank you to my godfathers for your support and votes.
Monthly tickets exceeded ten thousand, reaching 12,000, with +2 to daily ten thousand.
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