Hancheng: There is a door between me and the future

Chapter 282 Sweet Eun-jung: "Xiu Yuan, let's give it a try~" (10,000 words, please subscribe and vote)

Shanghai in its 25th year.

The afternoon sun shone through the half-drawn curtains into the hotel room's bathroom, and the rising steam floated gently in the golden light.

Jessica slowly got up from the bathtub.

Water droplets slid down her shoulder line, meandering along her collarbone to her chest, the tiny bubbles shimmering softly in the light.

Then she picked up a towel and wrapped it around her body, her fair fingertips gently brushing away the water droplets on her neck, her movements relaxed and languid.

As she stepped out of the bathtub and stood in front of the mirror, her reflection appeared in the mirror.

Her wet hair clung to her cheeks, her eyes were bright, and the corners of her lips were slightly upturned.

Jessica was stunned for a moment.

She suddenly remembered how she looked standing in front of the hotel bathroom a week ago.

His complexion was pale, his eyes were dull, and his cheeks were thin.

But now her skin has a radiant glow, her blood and energy have returned, and even the look in her eyes has changed.

"This recovery is a bit too much, isn't it?" Jessica murmured to herself, a slight smile appearing on her lips.

Her face, now plump with new collagen, looked exceptionally soft under the steam.

Compared to my past self, who was somewhat weary, I now feel like I've returned to being 18.

This made Jessica stare at herself in the mirror for a while before she slowly dried herself off and put on a soft bathrobe.

The bathrobe fabric clung to her skin, still warm from her shower, as she lightly stepped out of the bathroom onto the carpet.

The light outside the room was gentle, and the sunlight filtering through the curtains fell perfectly on the insteps of her feet, enveloping them in warmth.

"I need to go to the restaurant to get something to eat; I'm a little hungry."

After saying that, Jessica walked towards the wardrobe, preparing to pick out a light-colored shirt to wear, when her phone on the table suddenly vibrated.

The familiar ringtone sounded particularly abrupt in the quiet air.

Thinking of something, she quickly walked over, but when she saw the caller ID, the corners of her mouth that had been slightly raised froze in mid-air.

Because the name displayed on the screen was one that she both knew and loved, yet which often caused her headaches.

After a sigh of resignation, he slid his finger across the answer button.

"Hello?" There was a hint of disappointment in his voice.

On the other end of the phone, Krystal's voice was light and cheerful with a hint of mischief, "Hey Jessica, why do you sound unhappy? Could it be that you were waiting for Xiu Yuan's call but didn't get it, and instead got mine?"

Jessica, who was being teased, immediately retorted, her tone laced with a forced smile, "Enough with the chit-chat, just get to the point."

"Oh, I just wanted to make a phone call and flirt a bit..."

Before she finished speaking, Jessica immediately guessed what was going on, paused slightly, and raised her eyebrows sharply.

"Hey, Krystal Jung!" Her voice suddenly rose, "You're not with Lin Xiuyuan, are you? Let me tell you, if you still dare to treat me like a plaything, I'll teach you a lesson when I get back!"

A hearty, slightly irritating laugh immediately came from the other end of the phone.

"Haha, that was originally my plan, but unfortunately Xiu Yuan just got a phone call and rushed out the door."

Jessica's brow relaxed slightly at this point, and she asked in a gentler tone, "Going out? Where did you go?"

"I heard that there was a problem with Eunjung unnie, but Jiyeon and the others are filming, so he has to go and take a look."

“Oh, it’s alright.” Jessica replied softly. “I remember Eun-jung was hospitalized a few days ago. I guess she asked Xiu-yuan to go and help her.”

“Yeah.” Krystal’s tone was light, as if it were casual conversation, yet also as if she was testing something. “And Jessica, what are you doing?”

"I just finished taking a bath and I'm going to the restaurant to get something to eat," Jessica replied casually.

"Huh? Taking a bath?? That's such a waste."

Upon hearing this, Krystal immediately sighed with feigned regret, "If Xiuyuan and I had come back earlier to make this call, maybe the three of us could be chatting, doing things, and taking a bath together now. That would definitely be more fun, right?"

“Jung Soo-jung! Do you want to die?” Jessica practically screamed her name through gritted teeth.

The laughter on the other end of the phone grew even more unrestrained. "Hahaha, no, I don't want to die. Life is so good now, I've never been so happy in my life."

This made Jessica, who was about to scold her a few more times, suddenly quiet down after hearing these words.

She pursed her lips, her gaze passing over the balcony and looking out the window.

The silver outline of the Oriental Pearl Tower gleamed faintly in the afternoon sun, and the city air was so hot it was almost dizzying.

"Stop talking nonsense."

Her tone softened, her voice so gentle it was almost a sigh, "I know these past few years haven't been easy for you, so make the most of this time. Lin Xiuyuan... he really is a treasure."

Krystal was silent for a moment on the other end of the phone, with only the soft sound of her breathing coming from the receiver.

A few minutes later, her voice finally softened, and she smiled slightly with an almost inaudible tone, "Yes, I know."

Jessica didn't say anything more.

After hanging up the phone, he stood there in a daze, his fingertips still resting on the shirt.

After a moment, she smiled softly, as if mocking herself, or perhaps feeling sorry for herself.

"Really... he hasn't grown up at all."

Sunlight shone on her profile, and the light and shadows filtering through the window curtains fell on the tips of her hair, so soft it seemed as if ten years had passed.

……

the other side.

After the big dragon cub called him, Lin Xiuyuan arrived at Tian Enjing's residence almost without hesitation through the time portal.

The moment the door was pushed open, blinding sunlight slanted into the room through the gaps in the curtains, illuminating the dust motes floating in the living room.

Outside, it was still a bright early autumn afternoon, but inside it was unusually quiet, even the hum of the air conditioner sounded exceptionally soft.

This contrast made him pause in his tracks.

My gaze swept across the room and finally landed on the beige sofa in the living room, where I saw Sweet Eun-jung sitting.

She was slightly turned to the side, wearing a light white loungewear dress.

Her skirt hung down to her knees, her hair was casually tied back, and a few stray strands clung to her slightly sweaty neck, giving her a somewhat languid look.

(P.S.: I couldn't find a skirt, so I'll use this instead.)
When she heard the door open, she looked up at Lin Xiuyuan who had entered, and a gentle, faint smile appeared on her lips. "You're here. I'm sorry to have troubled you to come all this way, Xiuyuan."

As soon as this gentle greeting was uttered, Lin Xiuyuan's previously tense shoulders unconsciously relaxed.

Then she closed the door behind her, shook her head slightly, and said with a hint of concern, "Nothing's wrong. What's wrong? Why is it so quiet?"

Sweet Eun-jung gently raised her chin and pointed to the coffee table.

"Look at that."

Lin Xiuyuan followed her gesture and saw a light silver mechanical device sitting quietly on the coffee table.

With its sleek lines and cool sheen, it was the knee joint booster he had casually ordered online when he visited her the day before yesterday.

"Oh? It arrived so 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, a faint hint of pleasure flashing in her eyes. "I didn't know either. I was quite surprised when I signed for it. The delivery speed is ridiculously fast."

"I guess they have their own warehouse here." Lin Xiuyuan clicked his tongue, bent down to inspect the parts, and casually remarked, "Impressive, the efficiency is indeed quite good."

As he spoke, he raised his head, a gentle smile playing on his lips. "So, Eun-jung, you called me over here because you wanted me to help you install this?"

Sweet Eun-jung nodded slightly, blinked, and looked a little embarrassed. She pursed her lips softly, "I originally wanted to do it myself, but the instructions were too complicated. I spent ages trying to put it together and I was afraid of making a mistake... so I thought I'd ask Ji-yeon and the others for help, but they were all busy filming today, so I had to..."

"Haha, it's alright." Lin Xiuyuan chuckled. "I'll help you."

Then he rolled up his sleeves, sat down at the coffee table, and took the thing in his hand.

As a series of carbon fiber components were carefully disassembled and reassembled in his hands, his movements were clean and efficient.

As Lin Xiuyuan looked at it, he exclaimed, "The technology of 25 years ago is truly a leap forward. Back in 13, they didn't have such a lightweight power assist structure. Similar devices back then required wiring and straps, making them look like mecha."

Sweet Eun-jung, resting her chin on her hand, turned her head and quietly looked at him.

"Does this actually work?"

"Of course." Lin Xiuyuan raised his head, his tone serious and his eyes focused.

As he spoke, he gently lifted her leg, the warmth of his hand penetrating through the thin fabric.

"This exoskeleton can distribute the pressure on the knee joint, reduce the load on the thigh, and prevent the recurrence of old injuries. I've looked at some people's experiences with it, and it seems to be a relatively mature assistive device."

He paused for a moment, then added in a low voice, "However, a true recovery still requires systematic treatment; this can only temporarily alleviate your pain."

Sweetie listened quietly and nodded gently.

A pair of eyes fell on Lin Xiuyuan's lowered profile.

That focused expression, those long and steady fingers, and the warmth that occasionally shone through when he looked up all gave off a sense of peace.

The soft "click" as the machine was gently installed on her lap, intertwined with his deep voice, created an eerie tranquility in the small living room, giving Sweet Eun-jung an unprecedented sense of security.

At that moment, sunlight streamed through the gap in the curtains, falling on Lin Xiuyuan's shoulders and her knees.

This feeling made Tian Enjing suddenly sigh softly, her voice so low it was almost inaudible, "What a pity."

Lin Xiuyuan looked up. "What's a pity?"

Leaning back on the sofa, Sweet Eun-jung tilted her head slightly, a hint of longing in her eyes. "I thought that if I wore this, I could go on stage."

These words left Lin Xiuyuan speechless.

He paused in his movements, then looked up at Tian Enjing.

In that instant, sunlight streamed obliquely through the gap in the curtains, falling on her profile.

With clear and gentle features, a hint of heroism in his eyes and brows, and a slight upturn at the corners of his lips that hides a unique stubbornness and unwillingness to give up.

After glancing at the other person, Lin Xiuyuan sighed softly and tapped something on his foot. "Are you crazy? You're in this state and you still want to go on stage?"

Sweet Eunjung pouted and reluctantly looked away. "Of course, you know how long it's been since we left that place... It's a rare opportunity to be on stage again, and I really don't want to miss it."

"Dreams?" Lin Xiuyuan asked in a low voice.

She turned back, her gaze falling on him, and nodded again with a faint smile. "Pretty much, but making money is important too. But if I could make money while also performing again and being in the spotlight... that would be even better."

Upon hearing this, Lin Xiuyuan smiled and did not offer any further advice.

He just shook his head and sighed, then continued to adjust the retaining ring of the mechanical booster.

Only the faint clicking of machinery and the soft rustling of his fingertips rubbing against the parts remained in the air.

The voice was very soft, but for some reason it made Sweet Eun-jung's heartbeat suddenly become a little erratic.

So my gaze fell on his long, slender fingers, his lowered eyelashes, and his focused expression.

That quiet gentleness made her suddenly realize...

Perhaps more irresistible than the stage lights is the sunlight at this moment.

Thinking of this, Sweet Eun-jung softly called out, "Soo-won~"

"Hmm?" The other person didn't look up, still focused on tightening the fastener.

"Tell me, is your thing even useful?"

Lin Xiuyuan paused, still not looking up, "What is that?"

Sweet Eun-jung's voice lowered, almost trembling slightly, "The one I drank."

Lin Xiuyuan abruptly stopped.

At that moment, the air seemed to be paused, and even the light seemed to become viscous.

He looked up, his eyes flashing with obvious shock and disbelief. "You... what did you drink?"

Sweet Eun-jung didn't answer immediately, but instead curled her lips into a faint smile.

There was a barely perceptible tremor in his eyes, and a tenderness that made it hard to look directly at him.

He leaned back against the sofa, his eyes quietly fixed on Lin Xiuyuan.

Sunlight slid down her hair, falling between the two of them, and reflected a thin ray of light along the metal edge of the silver booster, swaying gently.

As Tian Enjing's voice faded away, Lin Xiuyuan remained frozen for a long time.

So I asked again, "What did you drink?"

He also smiled somewhat awkwardly, trying again to make his tone sound natural.

In response, Sweet Eun-jung blinked, a hint of reproach in her eyes, "What do you think? That... outrageous idea Ji-yeon suggested the other day."

She thought he would laugh and joke, or make a few more teasing remarks.

Unexpectedly, Lin Xiuyuan's smile froze completely upon hearing the name "Zhiyan".

He was stunned, as if struck by lightning.

Seeing this, Tian Enjing was also stunned for a moment, and then called out again, "Xiuyuan? What's wrong?"

Awakened, Lin Xiuyuan slowly raised his head, a look of inexplicable shock and confusion flashing in his eyes.

The scene from that day at the hospital flashed through my mind.

The bathroom was dimly lit, and the wooden door was tightly closed.

He watched as the dragon cub swallowed, its throat bobbing.

Then she very obediently opened her little mouth, letting me see her moist mouth clearly. How could I possibly give this to the sweet Eun-jung in front of me?

He overheard the news of taking medicine while hiding in the toilet and assumed that Daeyongzai had simply gone out and gotten something after following Sweet Eunjung's lead in deceiving Lee Qri and the other woman.

But now.

To everyone's surprise, Sweet Eun-jung said something like that at this moment, which completely stunned Lin Xiuyuan.

Like a needle, it precisely pierced the hazy fog that obscured the truth in their hearts, dispelling it directly.

The air seemed to freeze between the two for a few seconds, with only the faint mechanical sound of the booster being tightened remaining.

Jing noticed something was off and narrowed her eyes, her gaze sharpening. "Wait a minute, Xiuyuan~ what's with your expression and reaction?"

Although the tone was soft, every word conveyed a sense of keenness and intelligence.

Lin Xiuyuan's Adam's apple bobbed, he swallowed, and remained silent for a long while.

It wasn't until Tian Enjing raised an eyebrow slightly that he spoke up somewhat guiltily in a low voice, "Um... actually, you must have misunderstood something about what happened at the hospital that day."

"Misunderstanding?" Sweet Eun-jung raised an eyebrow slightly.

As Lin Xiuyuan spoke, he recalled the scene at that time.

He spoke slowly and cautiously, as if afraid that saying something too harsh might trigger something.

As Tian En listened quietly, she gradually froze.

When Lin Xiuyuan finished speaking, her pupils constricted noticeably, and she even paused for a moment.

The scene from that day began to replay automatically in my mind.

Juli stood outside the ward door, urging them in a low voice;
When Jiyeon walked in carrying a water glass, she had that usual mischievous, lighthearted smile on her face.

I was completely out of it at the time, and I just grabbed the glass of water without thinking much about it.

Even the water in that glass was so bland it was almost tasteless, I only just realized it now.

You should know that at the time she was comforting herself: maybe too much water was added.

Now that I think about it again, everything has become clear.

Those fragments, pieced together in my mind, eventually formed a truth.

Sweet Eun-jung's expression subtly changed several times within a few 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 glass of water... wasn't real at all? Ji-yeon was just teasing me?"

Lin Xiuyuan sighed helplessly and could only nod, "Probably, you know her thought process, she's more adept at creating trouble than eating."

This is probably how it will turn out, barring any unforeseen circumstances.

You can't exactly scrape someone's throat.

After Lin Xiuyuan finished speaking, Tian Enjing stared at him blankly for a few seconds, then suddenly chuckled softly.

That wasn't a happy laugh, but an instinctive reaction after being utterly speechless.

“I knew it,” she sighed, leaned back on the sofa, and said lazily, “No wonder she looked at me so strangely that day. I thought it was because I drank too much.”

Lin Xiuyuan was almost amused by her words, but he didn't dare to be too obvious, so he could only scratch his head awkwardly.

After a moment, Tian Enjing looked up again, took a deep breath, and looked at Xiuyuan with a mixture of amusement and exasperation. "Xiuyuan... I suddenly feel that our church really needs to set up a 'Truth Committee'."

Lin Xiuyuan couldn't help but chuckle, "I agree, I'll be the first to sign up."

The two looked at each other and finally couldn't help but laugh at the same time.

There was a hint of absurdity, a hint of relief, and a sense of speechlessness that only those who have experienced chaos and misunderstanding can understand.

After Lin Xiuyuan gently closed the last fastener on the support bracket, he looked down and carefully checked the angle to make sure it was not crooked before slowly straightening up.

"All right."

His voice was soft and relaxed, with a hint of deliberate calmness.

A subtle, almost imperceptible awkwardness still lingered in the air between the two.

Sweetie sat quietly on the sofa, her head down, smoothing the edges of the blanket, her fingertips lightly stroking it, without saying another word.

Lin Xiuyuan raised his hand 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?"

When asked, Sweet Eun-jung paused for a moment, her eyes widening slightly, and said softly, "I had some oatmeal this morning, so I'm not very hungry."

"Oatmeal?" Lin Xiuyuan raised an eyebrow, a hint of helplessness creeping onto his lips.

Then, with a fatherly concern and genuine reproach, he continued, "I'm telling you, you're really doing this to yourself. You're sick like this and you're still drinking oatmeal. How can you get better? This is ridiculous."

He muttered to himself as he skillfully pulled out his phone and opened the food delivery app.

"Come on, what do you want to eat? I'll order for you. Delivery in Seoul is pretty fast now, it'll arrive in twenty minutes."

"No." Tian Enjing reached out to stop her, her tone stubborn. "I'm really not hungry, and I haven't been able to stand the smell of takeout lately. It's too cloying."

"That won't do."

Lin Xiuyuan looked up at her, his brows furrowing slightly. His gaze lingered on her face for a couple of seconds, as if he were considering something.

Then, his gaze shifted to the kitchen. "How about this, what ingredients do you have here? I'll just make you something hot to tide you over, something to tide you over."

Sweet Eun-jung was a little surprised that Lin Xiuyuan would say that, so she quickly waved her hand, "No need, really no need to trouble you, I'm not hungry."

"It's nothing." He had already gotten up and walked towards the kitchen, smiling casually, "I was just a little hungry too."

As soon as he finished speaking, a "click" came from the kitchen as the refrigerator door opened.

A moment later, his voice came through with a hint of amazement, "Eun-jung, your fridge is a bit too plain. Two packs of instant noodles, a half-eaten carrot, and a little bit of beef?"

After finishing his rant, Lin Xiuyuan looked at the beautiful figure on the sofa and smiled, "For these dishes, I'll just make you some stir-fried noodles, something simple."

Sweet Eun-jung smiled, a hint of nostalgia flashing in her eyes, "Stir-fried noodles? Is it the kind you get at the night market stalls where you're from? I used to eat it when I went to perform, it was so delicious."

"You mean that taste?" Lin Xiuyuan smiled, rolling up his sleeves to reveal his arm muscles. "I'll try my best to recreate it for you." Immediately afterward, the pots and pans clattered softly, and the aroma of lunch began to fill the air.

The kitchen light shone on his back, cutting out a soft, bright silhouette.

Then Lin Xiuyuan boiled water to make instant noodles, let them tumble in the pot, then scooped them out, rinsed them with cold water, and shook them dry.

Next, cut the carrots into thin strips and the beef into strips.

With a "pop," the stove fire was lit.

Smoke rose from the bottom of the pot, and the beef sizzled as it was added, as if the afternoon air itself was warmed by the aroma.

Sweet Eun-jung leaned back on the sofa, resting her chin on her hand, quietly gazing at the figure in the kitchen.

Sunlight filtering through the curtains fell on his profile, casting a soft, warm glow.

The rhythm of the spatula tapping the edge of the pan, unhurried and gentle, intertwined with his occasional internal monologue, created a simple yet moving melody.

At that moment, Eun-jung suddenly felt that these little moments filled with life were more comforting than any other form of solace.

So I gently picked up my phone and pointed it toward the kitchen.

"Click——"

One.

Another one.

In the photo, Lin Xiuyuan is looking down and stirring the food, the firelight in the pan reflecting his serious and quiet expression.

The background is a slightly messy small kitchen, with napkins hanging on the wall gently curled up by the steam.

Sweet Eun-jung looked at the photos on her phone, and the corners of her mouth unconsciously curved into a smile.

At that moment, her heart felt as if it had been gently touched by something soft.

It was calm and gentle, yet so tender that it was hard to let go.

Before long, a delicious aroma wafted from the kitchen.

The aroma of beef fat and the sweetness of carrots mingled in the air, like a gentle mist spreading through the small apartment.

"All right."

Lin Xiuyuan wiped his hands and carried out the steaming plate of fried noodles.

After placing the plate in front of Sweet Eun-jung, he said with a hint of smugness and lighthearted joking, "Seoul Limited Edition, produced by Soo Won."

Sweet Eun-jung, who was leaning back on the sofa, suddenly brightened up when she smelled that familiar fragrance.

She immediately sat up straight, her hair gently brushing against her shoulders, and couldn't help but smile. "Wow, it really tastes like that, but why is there only one plate?"

"You don't really think I'm hungry, do you? Go ahead and eat." Lin Xiuyuan waved his hand with a smile, gesturing for her to eat quickly.

"Oh, so you still made it?" Sweet Eun-jung said in surprise.

"We can't let a patient go hungry."

As they were talking, Lin Xiuyuan got up and went to the refrigerator in the kitchen to get himself a bottle of cola and a bottle of soda water for Tian Enjing.

As he sat back down, he said, "I suspect the flavor might be a bit strong. Try it first, and if you can't handle it, have some water."

Upon hearing this, Sweet Eun-jung also picked up her chopsticks, eagerly took a bite, blew on it a few times, and then carefully put it into her mouth.

"Hmm~!"

With just one bite, her eyes widened slightly, her expression lighting up with delight. "This is so delicious! Xiuyuan, did you secretly learn how to make it?"

Lin Xiuyuan was amused by her reaction and sat down opposite her. "What's the point of stealing this? There are tons of tutorial videos online now, all by five-star chefs. Just follow along. I'm not a hopeless cook."

"No wonder." Sweet Eun-jung chuckled softly, her lips warm with a long-lost warmth.

There was a hint of ease in that smile, and a strange warmth permeated it as well.

But not long after, Sweet Eun-jung suddenly slowed down her movements.

She stirred the bowl gently with her chopsticks a few times, as if she was hesitating about something.

Her expression held a hint of something unspoken, which made Lin Xiuyuan unable to resist looking up at her.

After a moment, she finally spoke, her tone calm yet earnest, "Xiuyuan... do you think that thing of yours will really be effective against this damage?"

As soon as he said that, Lin Xiuyuan almost choked on the water he had just drunk.

After coughing lightly twice, she looked at Tian Enjing with a wry smile, "Huh? Weren't you there when Jiyeon asked me last time?"

He scratched his head, laughing somewhat helplessly, "I'm not a holy body, and my thing isn't an elixir of immortality, it's not that exaggerated."

Having already heard these words, Sweet Eun-jung didn't respond, but simply looked down at her ankle, which was wearing a brace.

The splints gleamed coldly in the sunlight, making her ankles appear even more slender.

Then he gently stroked the edge of the support with his fingertips, looking thoughtful.

He then stirred the noodles in the bowl with his chopsticks, picked up a bite and put it in his mouth, but didn't actually chew it.

Her gaze occasionally drifted to Lin Xiuyuan after he finished speaking, as if she were thinking or sizing him up.

Lin Xiuyuan, feeling uneasy under her constant gaze, asked, "Why...why are you looking at me like that?"

"It's nothing." Sweet Eun-jung smiled, her tone light and airy, yet it held a hint of something unfathomable.

The meal ended in a quiet, almost imperceptible silence.

As Sweet Eun-jung slowly put down her chopsticks, her fingertips gently circled the rim of the bowl.

She raised her head again, her voice soft yet carrying an undeniable determination, "Why don't we give it a try?"

Lin Xiuyuan was stunned. "Huh? What did you say?"

Sweet Eun-jung looked up at him, her expression gentle but her tone unusually firm, "I think Ji-yeon is right. If we don't try, who knows if it will really work?"

At that moment, Lin Xiuyuan froze completely in place.

He stared at the woman in front of him.

The usually gentle and sweet Eun-jung now has a bright determination in her eyes.

"Eun-jung... are you serious?" he asked in a low voice.

Sweet Eunjung nodded gently, her tone still calm, "Yes, I was already a little tempted by the changes that Jiyeon and Yoona had made, and now that my foot is in this condition, I've finally made up my mind."

Lin Xiuyuan smiled awkwardly, "Maybe we should stop messing around. If it doesn't work, it'll be a waste of time."

Sweet Eun-jung pursed her lips, a few crow's feet appearing at the corner of her eyes. "Then let's take good care of our faces. We're going to be on stage anyway, so we should look better."

As she spoke, she leaned forward slightly, her gaze carrying a hint of teasing and a touch of seriousness, and softly added, "Or... Xiu Yuan, you actually don't think much of me?"

These words, spoken in a light tone, somehow created a subtle tension in the air.

"Huh? No, no!!!"

Lin Xiuyuan was so stunned by her words that he almost froze on the spot.

She waved her hand instinctively, her tone slightly flustered, "No way! I just... it's just that this happened so suddenly."

Sweet Eun-jung leaned back on the sofa, a gentle smile spreading across her lips, like a breeze rippling across a lake.

His eyes, however, were unambiguous, carrying a hint of seriousness and a touch of flirtation. "What's so sudden about this? People meet at bars and have one-night stands, they're done for the same night. We've been together for ages."

"Uh, that's different."

Lin Xiuyuan's lips twitched, his Adam's apple bobbed slightly, and it took him a while to squeeze out a sentence, "Besides, given your condition..."

Before he could finish speaking, he could hear the panic in his voice.

But Sweet Eun-jung just smiled, her eyes curving into crescent moons.

Then she gently pushed the bowl off the table, her skirt swaying slightly as she stood up, her footsteps so light they were almost silent.

The moment she stood up, even the temperature in the air seemed to change.

She then turned to look at him, a glint in her eyes, her tone gentle yet expectant, "Wait for me to brush my teeth."

After saying that, she walked barefoot and limped toward the restroom.

The floor was slightly cool, and the footsteps were light and soft.

The fabric of her loungewear swayed gently with her movements, tracing a soft arc.

Lin Xiuyuan stood there, stunned, watching her leave.

As the figure gradually disappeared behind the door, even his breathing became a few beats heavier.

Then he reached up and touched the back of his neck; his palm was burning hot.

This pace suggests something big is about to happen.

……

the other side.

The concert poster shoot was scorching hot under the lights, with flashes going off frequently and rhythmic shutter sounds echoing through the air.

The background music is a powerful electronic beat, mixed with the photographer's instructions.

Lee Qri, Park Hyomin, and Daeyongzai stood aside, waiting for the next set of looks.

As they adjusted the accessories the stylist handed them, they chatted casually about the scenes they had just filmed.

"The lighting for this outfit is a bit too heavy, isn't it?" Park Hyomin raised her hand, shielding her eyes from the bright light, and frowned slightly. "I feel like the skin tone will look too cold."

"I'll talk to the director of photography later. Let's see the renderings first," Li Juli replied calmly, her expression focused and her tone as steady as ever.

On the contrary, the little dragon seemed a bit distracted at this moment.

She held a pair of earrings in her hand, paused for several seconds, and looked somewhat dazed.

"Qri unnie," she suddenly looked up, "do you think... something might have happened to Eunjung unnie?"

Lee Juri raised her eyes, looked at her obviously worried expression, and smiled gently.

"Didn't you call Xiuyuan over?" Her voice was gentle, with a touch of composure.

“Yes.” Da Longzai nodded, still a little hesitant. “But when she showed me the video, the support frame looked quite complicated. I’m afraid the two of us won’t be able to handle it.”

"How could Xiu Yuan not know how to use something he gave him?"

Li Juli smiled faintly, her gentle tone carrying a firm confidence, "He's a very thoughtful person. If something really happens, wouldn't he call for help? There's no use in you worrying here."

Park Hyomin, who was standing to the side, also looked up. Although she usually kept her distance from Lin Xiuyuan, she nodded slightly at this moment. "Yes, it's better to have him around than to have Eunjung messing around on her own."

Upon hearing this, the little dragon felt a little more at ease and let out a long sigh.

"Phew~ Alright then." She muttered to herself, wiping the sweat from her forehead, and then joined the two people next to her to get back into the next set of photos.

Inside the photography studio, lights flickered, casting beams of light and shadow upon them.

The background music, with its strong rhythm, vibrated the air, and the photographer's voice almost drowned out the beat.

"Come closer... Oh, right, Jiyeon, tilt your head slightly to the right and look this way, nice~"

"Hyomin, add a little more sparkle to your eyes, okay, that's it, keep it up."

Flashbulbs went off one after another as the three followed instructions, constantly changing their poses, tilting their bodies slightly, turning around, and looking back.

After just a few rounds, the sweat that had just been wiped away started to reappear, wetting his bangs.

When the photographer announced a short break, the three of them almost simultaneously breathed a sigh of relief.

Da Longzai then sat down on the stool, picked up the bottled water on the table, and took a swig, his throat bobbing.

But the worry in my heart did not go away with the water.

After hesitating for a moment, I still subconsciously picked up my phone.

"Should I make a call and ask?" she said, glancing up at Li Juli.

Lee Juri was touching up her makeup when she heard this. She smiled gently and said in a soft tone, "If you're worried, just call. It's my rest time anyway."

"Okay, I'll call then."

Da Longzai took a deep breath and dialed Tian Enjing's number.

The screen was lit, and she stared at the series of dial tones, her fingertips tightening slightly.

"Beep-beep-beep-"

The phone rang several times, and just as it was about to hang up automatically, a faint hissing sound finally came through.

"Hello... Jiyeon?"

Sweet Eun-jung's voice was languid and slightly hoarse, as if she had just woken up, her throat still constricted. "What's wrong?"

"Unnie, are you alright over there? How did Xiuyuan do when he went over to help you?" Dalongzai's tone was full of concern.

There was a few seconds of silence on the other end of the phone, as if the other person was catching their breath.

Then came the soft laughter of Tian Enjing, so gentle it seemed to melt into the air. "Yeah, it's okay. Xiuyuan came over and fixed it for me."

Her tone was relaxed, yet carried a hint of ambiguity.

The little dragon breathed a sigh of relief, and the corners of its mouth curved up. "Is Xiu Yuan nearby?"

"Yes, I'm here." Sweet Eun-jung smiled meaningfully, with a strange, drawn-out tone in her voice. "Wait a minute, I'll give it to him."

A faint clattering sound came through the receiver, as if someone was moving something.

Then it was Lin Xiuyuan's voice, "Ah, Zhiyan, I just finished setting up the support frame for Eunjung."

His tone sounded tense, as if he was trying to suppress something, "What are you doing?"

"Shooting a pictorial," Da Longzai replied with a smile, wiping away sweat as he did so. "Thanks for your hard work, Xiuyuan~"

There seemed to be a pause on the other end of the phone.

This was followed by a soft gasp.

"Hiss~ What you're saying, there's nothing hard about it... No, it's nothing serious."

His voice was a little unsteady, his tone fluctuating as if he was trying his best to make his tone sound natural.

But that subtle unease still seeped out from every pause.

Da Longzai didn't think much of it, assuming that his legs had gone numb from squatting for too long, and replied with a grin, "That's good, be careful."

The two chatted casually for a few more minutes before hanging up.

At the moment the call ended, the little dragon subconsciously touched his chin, his expression somewhat subtle.

"There's something off about Xiu Yuan's tone."

"Ok?"

Lee Juri, who was fixing her makeup, looked up when she heard the sound, her eyes showing a hint of curiosity.

"It's nothing." The little dragon came to its senses and smiled to cover up its thoughts. "Maybe I'm overthinking it."

Lee Juri raised an eyebrow and smiled, "Alright, hurry up and get ready for the next set, the photographer is waving over there."

"Oh, here we come."

Da Longzai took a deep breath, handed the phone back to his assistant, composed himself, put on his familiar professional smile, and strode towards the center of the studio.

When the background lights came on again, the music reverberated throughout the venue once more.

But even under the bright spotlight, a lingering doubt remained in her heart.

I always felt that the two people on that phone...

Their breaths seemed a little too close.

……

In the apartment on the other side, a faint warmth still lingered in the air.

The sunlight outside the window was strong, streaming through the gap in the half-closed curtains and falling on the off-white walls of the living room, refracting into a layer of soft light.

Sweet Eun-jung leaned back on the sofa, her short hair tucked behind her head, looking a bit messy, and her cheeks flushed a light pink from the heat.

Sitting in front of him was Lin Xiuyuan, who seemed a little uncomfortable.

A few drops of sweat still clung to his forehead, his sleeves rolled up to reveal his strong arms, and he sat ramrod straight on the back of the sofa, pressed against the wall.

Just then, the bell on the coffee table behind me rang.

After fidgeting a few times and realizing the phone was still ringing in rejection, Sweet Eun-jung turned to look at the screen, then smiled slightly, "It's Ji-yeon calling, do you want to answer?"

Lin Xiuyuan didn't look up, but just looked at that pretty face and said "Hmm", "Go ahead and answer it. She's probably worried about you, so this will save her from worrying."

Sweet Eun-jung gently slid the answer button.

The moment the call connected, the living room became so quiet that only the sounds of breathing and water could be heard.

"Hello... Jiyeon?"

She deliberately lowered her voice, her tone as soft as if melted by heat.

When asked about Xiu Yuan, she chuckled softly, her fingertips lightly tapping the edge of one of her calves.

"Yes, wait a moment, I'll give it to him."

She leaned forward slightly and handed over the phone.

Water droplets dripped from her fingertips and landed on Lin Xiuyuan's instep.

Lin Xiuyuan took the phone and immediately said, "Ah, Zhiyan, I just finished setting up the support bracket for Eunjung."

He subconsciously cleared his throat as he spoke, trying to keep his tone steady.

"What are you doing?"

"They're shooting a magazine cover."

The other person's voice came through with the vibration of background music, subtly revealing vitality.

Xiu Yuan smiled, intending to offer a few casual words, but just then...

The scene in front of me suddenly swayed, splashing up tiny water droplets that bounced back and forth.

This action startled him, and he subconsciously took a breath, his voice becoming somewhat unsteady.

Sweet Eun-jung looked at his feigned composure and couldn't help but smile, continuing to move her fingers with her small hand.

On the other end of the phone, Da Longzai was still saying something, while Lin Xiuyuan just nodded and said a few perfunctory words before hanging up.

The air fell silent once the phone was placed back on the coffee table.

As the heat from the living room slowly rose, a thin layer of fog appeared on the glass next to it.

The reflection showed Sweet Eun-jung leaning against the sofa, her voice so soft it was almost swallowed by the sound of water, "She seems to... have figured something out."

Lin Xiuyuan didn't reply, but simply raised his hand to wipe the sweat from his forehead, a flash of headache in his eyes.

Finished.

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