Hancheng: There is a door between me and the future

Chapter 43 The Tavern Opens (Please continue reading)
Traffic in Seoul was as congested as ever. It was already 2 p.m. when Jessica Jung and Yoona arrived near the bar.

As the navigation announced "We have arrived at our destination," Yoona subconsciously looked around, intending to find a parking space nearby.

However, before she could find a parking space, Jessica Jung made a nimble right turn, drove the car into a residential area, and skillfully parked it in an empty space.

Looking up at the parking space sign above her head, Lim Yoona quickly said, "Unnie, this is someone else's parking space."

"It's okay, this is the parking space that guy rented, and the one next to him is too."

As she spoke, Jessica Jung turned off the car and looked at Yoona, "Let's go, get out of the car."

"Unnie, you..."

Watching Jessica Jung handle all of this with such ease, a series of thoughts immediately flashed through Yoona's mind—absurd, reasonable, and even things she dared not think too deeply about.

The most outrageous idea was that she, as an unnie, had developed an extraordinary relationship with that "mysterious man," even to the point of sharing orchestral music and exchanging DNA.

Jessica Jung, however, keenly sensed something was amiss and chuckled, "What nonsense are you thinking with that little head of yours?"

"No."

Yoona naturally didn't dare to say what she was thinking, so she quickly got out of the car and walked towards the exit with Jessica Jung.

After leaving the residential area and turning right, the two arrived at the entrance of the small tavern in less than 100 meters.

At first glance, this bar looks no different from an ordinary coffee shop, with its exterior walls made of gray and white bricks, exuding a low-key yet warm feel.

But when you get really close, the differences in the details become apparent.

First, there are the floor-to-ceiling windows on both sides. They seem transparent, but they only allow people inside the store to look out, and no one outside can see in at all.

The two tried to get closer to the glass to take a closer look, but they could only see their own reflections.

Afternoon sunlight streamed through the window cracks, casting dappled light and shadow on the wine cabinet and decorations in front of the window, creating a tranquil yet stylish atmosphere.

Those towering wine cabinets serve both as decoration and as a means to block out the originally open view, leaving only a few slivers of light to pass through in the corners, creating a rather artistic effect.

When her gaze returned to the entrance, Lim Yoona chuckled, "Such a small bar, no wonder you said it's members-only. If there were no restrictions on the number of people, I bet only a few people could squeeze through the door."

“I didn’t expect it to be so small,” Jessica Jung said while looking around. “This is my first time here since the renovation started. I thought he would make it bigger.”

Before them was a dark door hidden in a wooden frame. It was not wide, only allowing one person to pass through at a time, yet it possessed a sense of ceremony.

In particular, the round mirror device embedded in the wooden door abruptly reveals a sense of modern technology in the retro atmosphere—the small camera reminded Jessica Jung of the gate of that villa in 2025.

Just as she was about to go forward to check, the wooden door was slowly pulled open from the inside, and Lin Xiuyuan, who had successfully risen from a laborer, a street urchin, and an unemployed man to a boss, appeared before the two of them.

He had noticed their arrival through the gap in the French windows, so after putting down what he was carrying, he came out to greet them.

"Welcome, gentlemen. Please come in."

He first greeted Jessica Jung, then looked at Yoona standing to the side.

Similarly, the moment Lin Xiuyuan walked out, Lin Yoona had already begun to scrutinize the boy in front of her, who was somewhat unexpected.

As far as she knew, her older sister had always preferred mature and stable men, especially successful men with accomplished careers.

Over the years, she had rarely seen her older sister give young men a kind look, let alone offer to transfer money or chat with them with a big smile.

After their eyes met briefly, Yoona subconsciously looked at Jessica Jung, her eyes filled with a hint of smugness and inquiry: See, unnie, I can get in by using my face, right?

Jessica Jung didn't refute anything, but after confirming with her eyes that the device on the door lock was correct, she also smiled.

As the wind chimes rang at the door, the three of them entered the tavern together, guided by Lin Xiuyuan.

If the tavern doesn't look big from the outside, then once you go inside, you'll find that the interior space is actually quite compact.

Several tables and chairs, along with sofa booths, take up most of the space. To the right is a bar counter against the wall, and at the far end is a mini stage with a few newly unpacked musical instruments. The overall ambiance is warm and comfortable.

"Let me introduce you. This is Lin Xiuyuan, a Chinese."

Upon entering, Jessica Jung looked around before smiling and introducing, "As for this lady, I probably don't need to say anything, right? Im Yoona, the center and visual of Girls' Generation."

"Hello."

"Hello."

'Ding-a-ling~'

Just as the two met, the wind chimes at the door rang, drawing the attention of Lin Xiuyuan and the others to the entrance.

Then three girls filed in. The girl in the lead, with a ponytail, smiled happily when she saw Lin Xiuyuan and said, "Oppa~" Then she noticed the people next to her and quickly added, "Wow, Xiuyan unnie, Yoona unnie, you're here too."

"Long time no see, Jiyeon."

Im Yoon-ah politely greeted Park Ji-yeon, then turned to greet Ham Eun-jung and Park Hyo-min.

The two people responded in kind, and for a moment, the tavern was filled with a chorus of "hello"s.

"Yoona, it's been a long time."

"Jessica, hello, it's been a long time."

"Eun-jung, it's been a long time."

"..."

Looking at the bustling scene, Lin Xiuyuan recalled how quiet the tavern had been just a few minutes ago, and was immediately glad that the door lock had been installed correctly.

It's not convenient to start the verification system right now, so let's wait.

The casual conversation quickly came to an end, and everyone turned their attention to Lin Xiuyuan. Apart from Jessica Jung and Jiyeon Park, the others scrutinized him with a slightly critical look, making him feel a chill run down his spine.

Fortunately, the two women stepped forward in time to help Lin Xiuyuan out of the predicament, and at the same time introduced this 'friend' to their respective members.

Compared to Yoona's previous confusion and disbelief, Ham Eunjung and Park Hyomin didn't think too much about it. Because at first glance, this boy seemed quite clean and handsome, and it wasn't impossible for their little dragon to fall for him.

Lin Xiuyuan, who was greeting so many female idols for the first time, obviously had no experience and didn't know what to say, so he simply said politely, "Please sit down, it's tiring to stand."

Then he turned around and went to the counter to get a few cups, pouring soda water for everyone.

Just as he brought the water up, Jessica Jung looked towards the lintel and suddenly asked, "Lin Xiuyuan, haven't you taken down the sign for your tavern yet?"

When she was outside, she noticed a sign hanging above the door, but it was covered by a red cloth and hadn't been taken down yet.

"Well, I was thinking of having a witness when you all come over."

Lin Xiuyuan nodded, then looked at the group of beautiful figures in front of him with some emotion, "I just didn't expect so many people to come. I thought it would just be you and Zhiyan."

Sitting next to her, Park Jiyeon said with some concern, "Oppa, your bar opening is too simple. You didn't even have a flower basket. If you had told me earlier, I would have sent you two rows."

“It’s not too late now,” Park Hyomin thought for a moment. “When I was driving by just now, I noticed that there seemed to be one nearby, and it would be quick to deliver.”

"Really?"

Just as Park Jiyeon was about to get up, Lin Xiuyuan pressed her back down into her seat. "No, please don't. I don't plan to become famous. Let's just sit together and have a simple chat."

Knowing what Lin Xiuyuan was worried about, Zheng Xiuyan smiled and said, "Now that everyone is here, shall we unveil the signboard and open for business?"

“Sure, it’s just a piece of red cloth.” Lin Xiuyuan did not refuse.

So, everyone who had just settled down went outside together.

Park Jiyeon excitedly took out her phone, turned on the camera function, and pointed the lens at Lin Xiuyuan, who was standing at the door.

He reached out and gently pulled down the hanging red cloth. As the cloth fell, a simple wooden signboard was quietly revealed to everyone.

Two powerful characters are carved on the wooden surface: "解忧" (meaning "to relieve worries").

The bottom right corner is engraved with two small, vertical characters in regular script: 【杜康】.

Like a signature, or a whisper, it subtly reveals the tavern's motto: Only Du Kang (a legendary figure associated with wine) can dispel sorrow.

Just then, Lin Xiuyuan, who had rolled up the fabric, walked to the door lock, turned around and smiled slightly at Jessica Jung and Jiyeon Park, "Come on, ladies, please register your membership information so you can enter from now on."

"Fingerprint lock?"

Upon hearing Lin Xiuyuan's words, Lin Yoona subconsciously asked a question.

“No,” Lin Xiuyuan said calmly, “it’s a dual iris and fingerprint sensing system.”

Upon hearing this, not only was Im Yoon-ah surprised, but Ham Eun-jung and Park Hyo-min also couldn't hide their astonishment.

They all looked at the unassuming door lock with surprise, not expecting it to be so high-tech.

At this moment, Ham Eun-jung suddenly recalled the note that Park Ji-yeon received that night, and the contents of it seemed to be quietly confirmed at this moment.

The doors of this tavern seem to open only to those who are chosen.

(End of this chapter)