Hancheng: There is a door between me and the future

Chapter 286 In the Movie Theater (Please Subscribe and Vote)
The lights in the theater went completely dark, with only the large screen emitting a faint blue glow.

The opening of "The Conjuring" carried a somewhat somber tone reminiscent of a documentary. Lin Xiuyuan and Lin Xiaolu sat side by side in the center of the best viewing area, chatting quietly while the plot was still unfolding.

"My recent tour schedule has been so packed, I feel like I haven't even had a chance to put my feet on the ground," Lin Xiaolu muttered, picking up a piece of popcorn.

"You've taken on quite a few commercial activities and brand ambassadorships, haven't you? Although I don't watch the news much, when I occasionally turn on the TV, the reports on it are practically your 'walking billboards'," Lin Xiuyuan replied with a smile, his arm naturally resting on the back of her chair, forming a semi-embracing posture.

"It's alright, it's mostly team activities."

As Lin Xiaolu spoke, a hint of anticipation for the future suddenly appeared in her tone. She smiled and said, "Anyway, I've already started to reduce my personal activities. Filming for 'The Heirs' will officially start next month, and we've already had several script readings. I feel a bit of pressure."

She has indeed been gradually adjusting her work focus recently, preparing for the upcoming TV series filming.

Furthermore, some promotional photos and character settings for the drama have already been released and generated considerable buzz.

After all, one is the center of Girls' Generation, and the other is a male star who is currently considered a top-tier celebrity.

Especially after Kim Soo-hyun's downfall, his popularity soared even higher. It can only be said that Lin Xiuyuan indirectly helped him.

However... among those who kicked Kim Soo-hyun when he was down, there was also someone like him.

So after listening, Lin Xiuyuan nodded and asked another question, "By the way, Yoona, have you watched 'Weightlifting Fairy Kim Bok-joo' starring Krystal and Jinri?"

"Of course I'm paying attention!"

Upon hearing this, Lin Xiaolu's eyes lit up. Although the lower half of her face was covered by a mask, Lin Xiuyuan could still vaguely imagine that smile from her tone and eyes.

"Although the female lead was changed compared to that other show, the results after it aired were unexpectedly good. I remember that the highest viewership rating in your show didn't even break 10%, but I heard that the latest episode of Krystal's version has already reached 12%, and the online discussion is also very high, with great reviews."

There was no envy or jealousy in his tone, only joy at being happy for his two younger sisters.

The two chatted quietly about work, partners, and future plans while watching the big screen in front of them, creating a relaxed and pleasant atmosphere.

However, as the film's plot progresses, the background music gradually becomes gloomy and eerie, and the camera work slowly begins to create an unsettling atmosphere.

So Lin Xiaolu's body, which had been relatively relaxed, began to tense up unconsciously. Her voice became softer and softer, and she subconsciously moved closer to Lin Xiuyuan, almost burying herself in his arms.

Until the door of the old wardrobe on the screen suddenly sprang open without warning, and a pale, distorted shadow flashed out accompanied by a piercing sound effect...

“Ahhhh——!!!”

Lin Xiaolu, who was already terrified by the atmosphere in front of her, let out a sharp scream almost instantly.

Then she suddenly curled up into a ball and buried herself in Lin Xiuyuan's arms without a care.

The little head was buried tightly in his chest, its hands gripping his clothes tightly, and it was still unconsciously shouting, "Ah! You scared me to death! What was that?!"

If there were other audience members in the theater right now, given her image and pride, she would probably only let out a short scream.

Then she immediately covered her mouth tightly, closed her eyes, and threw herself into Lin Xiuyuan's arms.

Then, she would try to remain calm and would never lose her composure like she had now.

But all of that is nonsense, because there is no one here at the moment.

Therefore, Lin Xiaolu can freely and without burden release the fear aroused by the horror plot, exposing her most authentic reaction to Lin Xiuyuan.

Lin Xiuyuan, who was being held tightly, was also startled by her overreaction.

But he was quickly amused by her screams and laughed, putting his arm around her slightly trembling shoulders and gently patting her to comfort her, "Okay, okay, it's over. That scene has already cut to the closet, it's just a wardrobe, it's not scary at all."

Upon hearing this, Lin Xiaolu, still shaken, lifted her head slightly from his embrace.

After glancing at the images on the big screen, her flushed cheeks finally relaxed, but she couldn't help but punch him playfully, "Lin Xiuyuan, you bastard! I told you, who goes on a date to watch a horror movie?! It was terrifying!"

"Isn't this great?" Lin Xiuyuan looked down at her watery eyes and her startled deer-like expression, and smiled even more happily. "Now we have a perfectly legitimate reason to hug each other."

"Humph!"

Lin Xiaolu glared at him angrily, then leaned close to his ear and whispered through gritted teeth, a hint of reproach and shyness in her voice, "You've already eaten me clean... do you really need a little hug? You jerk..."

Lin Xiuyuan, realizing that his little scheme had been exposed, was not embarrassed at all. Instead, he laughed even more heartily and said confidently, "Hehehe, Yoona, it's different, the feeling is different."

"Damn it~ You bastard~ That really scared me to death just now."

Lin Xiuyuan, who was being scolded by Lin Xiaolu, was not angry. Instead, a wicked smile appeared on his lips.

Their eyes instinctively scanned the empty, dimly lit theater quickly, and after confirming once again that there was indeed no one else besides them...

The right hand that had been tightly holding Lin Xiaolu suddenly appeared silently somewhere.

Then, taking advantage of the cover of her light gray plaid loose jacket, he precisely and quickly slipped his hand under the hem of her dark short skirt, and his warm palm immediately covered her soft and smooth thigh...

"ah!!!"

This sudden attack, with its cool touch and considerable force, made Lin Xiaolu stiffen instantly.

Like an electric shock, goosebumps instantly spread from the touched area to the entire body.

Before leaving home today, she chose a very clean and neat outfit because she was going on a date with someone.

The casual layering of a loose-fitting jacket over a white shirt, paired with a sleek dark skirt and black ankle boots, showcases both urban sophistication and style…

It certainly provided great convenience for someone's "bad deeds".

However, after being "harassed" by Lin Xiuyuan, Lin Xiaolu subconsciously squeezed her legs together, trying to block the evil hand.

At the same time, her ears turned bright red, and she whispered in embarrassment and anxiety, "Lin Xiuyuan, what are you doing? We're still in the movie theater."

The man whose name was mentioned lightly brushed his fingertips across the thin layer of lace fabric. The touch was delicate yet unfamiliar, causing him to pause slightly in surprise.

He then chuckled softly, "The movie theater is the best; it's not this exciting outside of the movie theater."

These words were like adding fuel to the fire, making Lin Xiaolu, who was already so embarrassed she had nowhere to hide, even more flushed, with her cheeks burning and her neck turning as red as if it had been painted.

At this time, 13 years later, she was still that young idol in her early twenties with a very thin skin, far from the mature and sophisticated woman she would be ten years later, able to remain calm and composed in the face of all teasing and provocation.

So her voice trembled as she scolded Lin Xiuyuan in a low voice, both anxious and embarrassed, "There are...there are surveillance cameras, stop messing around, okay? I'll give it to you properly when we get back, we'll go back in a bit, okay?"

After saying that, she completely collapsed into his arms, as if all her strength had left her, and reached out to push away his mischievous right hand.

However, just as her fingertips touched Lin Xiuyuan's wrist, he leaned close to her ear and whispered something quickly.

"Don't move! The infrared night vision monitor is right above us. Your coat is currently shielding us, but if you move, your skirt will lift up and we'll all be filmed."

The words in her ear were like a spell that froze Lin Xiaolu, who was about to make a move, and she dared not make any more sudden movements.

This led her to angrily mutter "bastard" and "scoundrel" under her breath.

A few minutes later, the movie screen erupted with another sudden, terrifying sound effect and visual.

At the same time, Lin Xiuyuan's right hand stopped, and he gently stroked Lin Xiaolu's soft hair with his left hand, his tone smiling, "It's okay, it's okay, it's just a movie, it's all fake, what's there to be afraid of?" However, Lin Xiaolu had already stopped looking at the screen and buried her face deeply in his shoulder.

Upon hearing this, she suddenly raised her head and glared fiercely at the other person with her pair of bright, deer-like eyes.

Her eyes were filled with shame, anger, and accusation. "Lin Xiuyuan, that bastard, are you sure I'm afraid of movies?!"

Amused by her blushing and angry expression, Lin Xiuyuan chuckled and leaned close to her ear again.

His hot breath brushed against her sensitive earlobes and neck, carrying an undisguised teasing tone. "But speaking of which, what's wrong with you? Why aren't you wearing a cotton tracksuit today? Did someone sneak off with you? Or did they whisper something to each other? Or have you quietly awakened to a new preference?"

"boom……"

These words struck the most shy and unspeakable corner of Lin Xiaolu's heart.

Underneath the mask, her entire face looked like it was on fire, burning hot to the point of being frightening.

Filled with shame and indignation, Lin Xiaolu used all the remaining strength in her body to tightly grip Lin Xiuyuan's arm. If she weren't so weak, she really wanted to bite him hard.

Then her voice trembled, filled with a panicked attempt to cover it up, "Don't say anymore, what pure cotton... what lace... I, I don't know!"

But Lin Xiuyuan seemed not to hear her denial and continued to comment on her own, his tone tinged with a wistful mockery.

"Actually, pure cotton sportswear is quite nice, especially the kind that's tightly wrapped and accentuates the lines... It makes that perky butt look quite different from lace, and even more energetic."

Lin Xiaolu, who was initially ashamed of the previous conversation and someone's actions, was trembling slightly.

Upon hearing this, she abruptly raised her head, her beautiful, misty eyes instantly igniting with raging anger and deep resentment. She practically spat out the words through clenched teeth, "Lin Xiuyuan, who are you talking about?! You're really something, playing me for a fool, but you're thinking about another woman, aren't you?! You scumbag! You bastard!"

She thought Lin Xiuyuan was comparing her to others, so jealousy and grievance instantly overwhelmed her shyness.

But the next second.

Lin Xiu, who had been scolded by her, moved even closer to her, almost whispering words into her burning earlobe that made her tremble violently, more so than ever before.

"I'm talking about you from 25 years ago. Yoona~ It seems you two have swapped clothes in perfect unison? She's back to wearing cotton, while you... secretly changed into lace."

"..."

This answer completely froze Lin Xiaolu, leaving her mind blank.

All the struggle, shame, and jealousy froze at that moment.

An indescribable sense of shame and a strange connection, transcending time and space, coursed through her body like an electric current.

The intimate clothing she chose to wear because of some subtle connection, at this moment, was being used by this man who knew everything…

They perceive and tease with such clarity.

That feeling was far more overwhelming and disorienting than simple physical intimacy.

So afterwards, Lin Xiaolu could only bury her burning cheeks even deeper into Lin Xiuyuan's neck, letting out helpless, soft whimpers like a young animal.

At this point, she completely gave up resisting.

She let that wicked hand and seductive words drag her into this vortex of terrifying sound effects and extreme ambiguity.

……

Meanwhile, Lin Xiuyuan and Lin Xiaolu were engaging in some intimate acts in a dimly lit corner of the cinema, under the cover of the horror movie's sound effects.

In another upscale apartment in Seoul, Sulli was slowly waking up.

The dull ache from the hangover pattered gently against her temples like a gentle tide, causing her to unconsciously furrow her delicate brows.

So after opening his eyes, he rubbed them and looked around.

The familiar yet unfamiliar decor made her realize that she hadn't gone back to her own place or to Soojung's place last night, but had instead stayed overnight at Goo Hara's apartment.

Then memories gradually returned; the two seemed to have endless things to talk about last night, opened several bottles of wine, and sat on the sofa chatting until late at night.

Thinking of this, Shirley threw off the covers, stepped barefoot onto the soft carpet, pushed open the bedroom door, and went out.

In the living room, Goo Hara had woken up much earlier than her and was currently busy in the open kitchen with her back to her, the air filled with the aroma of toast and coffee.

"Good morning, unnie."

Sulli, who had just woken up, walked out and gently hugged Goo Hara from behind, resting her chin on her shoulder.

Anyone who didn't know better would think the two had some kind of intimate relationship.

However, Goo Hara naturally turned her head, touched her hair with her cheek, and smiled gently, "Awake? Does your head still hurt? Go wash up, breakfast will be ready soon."

Shirley obediently let go of his hand and walked towards the bathroom.

When she returned to the restaurant refreshed, a simple Western breakfast was already laid out on the table: perfectly toasted bread, tender scrambled eggs, and two steaming cups of coffee.

The two then sat facing each other and quietly enjoyed their loving breakfast.

Sunlight streamed through the window, illuminating the fine dust particles in the air, creating a tranquil and warm atmosphere.

After eating for a while, Goo Hara, while lightly spreading butter with a knife, casually asked Sulli, "Jinri, didn't someone text you last night asking why you didn't go home?"

The two of them basically knew who this "someone" referred to.

So Sulli paused slightly as she picked up the coffee cup and looked up at Goo Hara.

Seeing the other person's lowered eyelashes and the seemingly casual yet subtly concerned look, she immediately put down her cup, her eyes suddenly curving into a smile, a hint of teasing in it, "Unnie,"

Her voice was soft, but clear: "How about I ask oppa out so you can meet again? Wouldn't it be better to ask him yourself?"

The little hand that was spreading butter suddenly stopped.

After a few seconds of silence, Goo Hara seemed to be quickly reviewing the news she had heard yesterday and the thoughts she had been processing all night.

Then, looking up and meeting Shirley's smiling gaze, she nodded decisively, "Okay, let's meet again."

Shirley saw the renewed sparkle in her friend's eyes, and her smile grew even brighter.

Then he picked up a slice of toast and happily took a bite, as if he had solved a major problem on his mind.

The atmosphere at breakfast seemed to become more relaxed and cheerful because of this decisive decision.

And those threads of fate that will soon intersect again...

　I'm on sick leave for tenosynovitis, need a few days of rest before returning to work!
　　(P.S.: I love Cao Pi so much!!!!)

　　(PS: Not the original version, the original version hehehe~)

　　
　
(End of this chapter)