Chapter 65: “where Is This?”
……
Not long ago.
When Krystal learned that Lin Xiuyuan had pulled Ji-yeon to join the cult, she was happy, after all, this boy was really willing to listen to her.
But happy as she was, a faint worry followed immediately, so she activated “teaching mode”.
“Lin Xiuyuan, you can’t do this. Don’t agree to whatever people say. Female stars are ordinary people too, just with a halo around them. Why are you panicking?”
These words stunned Lin Xiuyuan, who was eating snacks at the time. “What the heck? Hey, Krystal, wasn’t this what you asked for? Now you’re turning around and saying me?”
“I told you to ‘agree’, but that was me begging you! You have to distinguish clearly. It was me requesting you, not you owing me.”
Krystal waved her hand while saying seriously, “You need to have some stance. Who nods and agrees to help so easily? Don’t be romance brained, okay? I can’t give you anything here except money, but money can’t buy the future or bring back the past.”
The young boy finally understood her meaning. “I didn’t want to date you. I just want money too.”
“This is a metaphor, a metaphor.”
Krystal was almost choked by him, then laughed. “From the moment you chose to help us solve some problems, you’ll definitely meet more girl group idols next. If they say a few nice words to you or act cute, don’t foolishly nod and agree.”
“Directly refuse?” Lin Xiuyuan said.
“Of course! Why do you have to agree the moment they open their mouths? What do you owe them? Logically speaking, some people might even owe you.”
“What if it’s your sister?”
“Even I won’t do.”
Lin Xiuyuan, who half-understood, nodded and kept Krystal’s words in mind.
Then……
……
“So, can we conveniently know how many members the tavern has now?”
“Sorry, it’s not convenient to disclose.”
Yoona was stunned and looked amazingly at this young boy who had refused her, a flash of surprise in her eyes.
How long had it been? It seemed like a long time since she met a fan who recognized her and could refuse her request.
But she wasn’t angry. Instead, she chuckled and gently apologized. “Oh, sorry, that was a bit abrupt.”
Hyo Min and the others nearby were also clearly a bit surprised. They originally thought this young boss seemed a bit shy. Unexpectedly, he could refuse so straightforwardly at the key moment, which was somewhat unexpected.
“No problem. After all, it involves member privacy. If you became members, you definitely wouldn’t want your information leaked either.”
Facing Lin Xiuyuan’s statement, Big Dragon Cub spoke first to excuse her “little fan.” “If you think that way by putting yourself in our shoes, we’d definitely not like it, but that’s pretty good too. It shows it’s safe, right, unnie~”
“Yeah, after he said that, I want to become a member here even more.”
Seeing her own maknae stand up to help her, how could Hyo Min make things difficult for Lin Xiuyuan? She smiled faintly and glossed over the topic. “Since we can’t become members for now, can I order two more drinks? Just as compensation.”
“Of course, no problem. Please wait a moment.”
Watching Lin Xiuyuan return to the bar counter, Ham Eun-jung smiled first. “Boys with principles are indeed more likable than those who only know how to agree, right, Ji-yeon?”
“She’s not wrong either. Who likes their information leaked?”
The teased Big Dragon Cub gazed at Lin Xiuyuan across from her, continuing to speak well of him.
Ji-yeon was right. It was so rare to meet a fan who had liked her consistently for over a decade. This was more loyal than a husband. Naturally, Big Dragon Cub kept it in mind.
On the other side, Yoona quietly observed the interaction between them, a meaningful light flickering in her eyes.
It seems there are other stories.
But after all, it was their first meeting, so it wasn’t good to probe too much.
So the people on the sofa, besides reminiscing about the past, rarely chatted about their current situations.
Even when chatting about current situations, it was just some work developments or minor complaints.
For example, the “stinky” smell Yoona encountered last time she returned to China and was surrounded by fans.
Or advertisements placed at subway stations, etc.
On this topic, the Tara group had things to say too. After all, they had just held a fan meeting there last year.
Fortunately, though they were chatty, they also knew timing and were restrained.
After about an hour or so, Hyo Min spoke first. “I have to go back.”
Lee Ji-eun smiled accordingly. “As expected of newlyweds. Got it. Then we’ll end our gathering here today. Gather again next time when we’re free?”
“Yeah, I need to go back and rest too. I have a schedule early tomorrow morning.” Yoona nodded lightly too.
So just like that, everyone stood up one after another, preparing to leave.
Seeing this, Lin Xiuyuan’s face lit up with joy, but he didn’t dare show it too obviously, so he restrained himself a bit.
Only when Big Dragon Cub came to pay the bill and asked for the amount did he somewhat embarrassedly speak up. “How about just a casual amount? Members’ alcoholic beverages are free here. The specific price…”
Before he finished speaking, Hyo Min hugged Big Dragon Cub enviously and shouted, “Okay, Xiuyuan, don’t say more. The more you say, the more I want to become a member here. Alcoholic beverages are free.”
The hugged Big Dragon Cub smiled faintly, then transferred 1 million to Lin Xiuyuan via KakaoPay.
“Not sure if it’s enough. That’s all I have anyway. If you feel it’s not enough, remember to tell me. I’ll make it up next time I come.”
“Enough, enough. Thank you for your patronage. Welcome to visit again.”
His response made everyone smile knowingly, and they left the tavern one after another.
Lin Xiuyuan stood at the doorway seeing them off, and only turned back to the tavern after they were far away.
As soon as he entered the door, he saw Ji-yeon lying on the sofa, muttering softly. “Ji-yeon, you old woman, just you wait… You all just wait…”
……
……
The day after tomorrow.
In the blink of an eye, the appointed “opening” day arrived.
So early this morning, Sulli got up at the “call” of the alarm clock.
After getting up and washing up, she originally wanted to do full makeup, but after recalling that this “opening party” was the so-called “funeral”.
She frowned and just applied simple bare-faced makeup.
Then she put on the black long windbreaker with neat tailoring that she bought while shopping with Soo Jung yesterday, paired with a turtleneck sweater and slim pants, feet in patent leather ankle boots, hair in a low bun.
The whole look was simple and restrained, fashionable yet solemn.
Confirming her outfit was correct, she put on sunglasses and left the dormitory.
Downstairs, she hailed a taxi and headed straight to the tavern.
On the way, Sulli looked at the sunny weather outside the window while browsing the group messages.
Today’s 【Solve Worries Small Courtyard】 was particularly lively. Lin Xiuyuan posted early in the morning asking everyone how preparations were going, then Soo Yeon and Ji-yeon echoed his message, and Sulli replied after getting up.
Followed by a bunch of chit-chat, like “remember to eat breakfast” “but don’t eat too full”.
And “it’s raining today, stay warm”.
But Sulli looked at the clear skies outside the car, with pleasant temperature. Where was any rain?
Hugging a belly full of doubts, Sulli finally arrived at the tavern side. After getting off and going in, she found everyone waiting for her.
“Ah, unnie, you’re all here so early. Sorry, I’m late.”
“It’s fine. The time is just right.”
Lin Xiuyuan, sitting on the bar stool, slowly stood up. So now let’s start the “opening”.
On the other side, similarly solemnly dressed Soo Yeon and Ji-yeon looked deeply at Sulli, then nodded.
Then Ji-yeon came to her, handing her a black eye mask. “Sulli, you need to put this on first.”
“Why?” Sulli was a bit stunned.
“It’s the ritual for attending the ‘funeral’.” Lin Xiuyuan answered from the side.
Sulli, who was already a bit hesitant, almost took a step back. But after seeing Soo Yeon smile faintly at her, she gritted her teeth, took the eye mask, and tied it on.
Instantly, the world fell into darkness, with only faint sounds by her ear and tactile sensations to perceive the outside world.
Fortunately, a hand timely held hers.
It was a warm palm, with distinct knuckles and slightly cool fingertips.
Immediately after, Lin Xiuyuan’s voice came. “Hold onto me, follow me. I’ll take you to… see ‘you’.”
After this sentence, the slight tension and restraint in Sulli’s heart slowly relaxed, and she tightly gripped his hand instead.
Afterward, following Lin Xiuyuan’s guidance, Sulli slowly walked toward the unknown.
Along the way, she could feel his breathing, the subtle force in his palm each time he led her, silent yet reliable.
The slow steps and his silent company made Sulli’s heartbeat quicken slightly, like being led into a quiet expectation.
She could clearly feel herself walking out of the tavern, stepping onto a journey, entering some place, taking the elevator, and finally stopping somewhere.
With a crisp unlocking sound, a unfamiliar aura rushed toward her.
Her sharp auditory nerves at this moment heard the roaring rain pouring into her eardrums.
Where is this?
