163: Chapter 163 Just to have dinner together

The early morning at the hot spring inn was steeped in a faint scent of bamboo, and the morning light filtered through the wooden lattice windows, casting dappled spots of light on the tatami.

Im Yoona was awakened by the crisp chirping of birds outside the window; she turned over and met Liu Zijun's gentle gaze.

Liu Zijun gently brushed away the stray hairs on her forehead. "Yoona! If you don't get up soon, we'll miss the flight to Shanghai."

Im Yoona blinked, still a bit drowsy and lazy, and huddled closer into his arms.

"Hold me for five more minutes, just five minutes."

Liu Zijun chuckled and let her linger in his arms, his fingertips unconsciously stroking her back.

Outside the window, the bamboo forest swayed gently in the breeze, and as the light and shadows shifted, time seemed to stand still in peace.

The five-minute agreement eventually stretched to half an hour before the two of them slowly got up to pack their luggage.

Im Yoona changed into a simple dress and tied her long hair into a low ponytail, looking bright and moving.

Liu Zijun wore a black polo shirt paired with casual pants, his posture tall and upright. As they walked down the inn's wooden corridor, he drew frequent glances from the cleaning lady.

When checking out, the proprietress smilingly handed over a box of exquisitely packaged sweets.

"You two are a couple, right? I can tell you're very much in love. This is a gift for you to have as a snack."

Im Yoona's cheeks flushed slightly as she took the sweets and thanked her. Liu Zijun took the opportunity to hold her hand, their fingers interlocking as warmth flowed between them.

On the way to Tokyo Airport, Im Yoona opened the sweets and handed a piece to Liu Zijun: "It tastes good. Let's bring some back for Sulli and your parents later; they'll definitely like it."

Liu Zijun took a bite of the sweet and smiled, "You're certainly thinking of her, even though you two have been bickering non-stop these past few days."

Im Yoona huffed, but couldn't help the corners of her mouth curling up.

"I was just joking with her. She's been doing activities in China all by herself; she must miss us too."

When they arrived at Tokyo Airport, there was still some time before boarding.

Im Yoona pulled Liu Zijun to browse the duty-free shops. She picked out a cherry blossom-scented hand cream for Choi Sulli and an exquisite silk scarf for Son Ye-jin, then bought many specialty gifts for Liu Zijun's parents. Finally, she bought a bottle of perfume for herself.

Liu Zijun followed behind her, carrying the items she had selected, his eyes full of doting affection.

After boarding, Im Yoona leaned on Liu Zijun's shoulder, scrolling through the photos of the China activities that Choi Sulli had sent to her phone.

In the photos, Choi Sulli was wearing a jersey and smiling while making a finger heart. Surprisingly, there were many fans in the stands holding support banners that read 'Jun and Xue, One Heart'.

Im Yoona poked the Choi Sulli in the photo and said with a hint of pride in her voice, "Our Sulli is getting better and better."

Liu Zijun looked down at the photo and smiled, "She has always been excellent; she was just constrained by too many things before."

Recalling Choi Sulli's former cautiousness and seeing her current composure and brightness, he felt a sense of relief in his heart.

The plane flew steadily through the clouds. After looking at her phone for a while, Im Yoona felt a bit sleepy and gradually fell asleep in Liu Zijun's arms.

Liu Zijun adjusted his posture to make her sleep more comfortably, his gaze falling on the window as his thoughts drifted toward the reunion in Shanghai.

Upon arriving at the hotel in Shanghai where Choi Sulli and the others were staying, it wasn't long before they saw Choi Sulli.

"Sulli!" Im Yoona waved excitedly and pulled Liu Zijun along as she walked over quickly.

When Choi Sulli saw them, her eyes instantly lit up. Like a cheerful little bird, she pounced over, first hugging Im Yoona, then turning to throw herself into Liu Zijun's arms.

"Oppa, Yoona Unnie, you're finally here!"

Liu Zijun caught her, feeling the softness of her body, and smiled, "Was the activity successful? Are you tired?"

Choi Sulli looked up, her eyes full of joy.

"It was successful! The fans in China are so passionate. A lot of people came to yesterday's event, and some fans even gave me handmade peach charms. I really like them."

Im Yoona patted her shoulder and handed over the gift in her hand.

"A gift I brought for you."

Choi Sulli was very happy and praised Lin the Mistress for being sensible, which prompted Im Yoona to slap her on the butt twice.

Then she came to Liu Zijun seeking comfort with a pitiful expression.

They just took a brief tour of Shanghai, and due to time constraints, they soon flew to the capital.

When the plane landed at Beijing Capital International Airport, it was already evening.

Walking out of the airport, they saw the driver sent by Liu Zijun's parents already waiting outside.

The black sedan drove steadily on the road toward the city center. The street scene outside the window gradually took on the colors of the night. The skyscraper-filled CBD was ablaze with lights, which was completely different from the prosperity of Seoul, possessing a bit more weight and grandeur.

The car drove into a familiar Hutong. The grey-brick and blue-tiled courtyard walls were covered with lush green vines, and the air was filled with the aroma of food.

They walked into Liu Zijun's parents' home in Beijing.

Lin Wanrou came forward with a smile, first taking Choi Sulli's hand and then looking at Im Yoona, her eyes full of affection.

Both of her family's daughters-in-law were exceptionally beautiful!

"Jin-ri, Yoona, you're here!"

"Yoona is getting more and more beautiful. Come quickly and sit down."

Liu Qingmu also nodded with a smile and greeted them, "It's been a long journey. Sit down and rest; the food will be ready soon."

Choi Sulli and Im Yoona greeted them obediently and sat beside Lin Wanrou, chirping away as they shared interesting stories from their trip.

"Auntie! This is a gift I brought for you and Uncle!"

Lin Wanrou took Im Yoona's hand and said, "Why are you still calling me Auntie? Call me Mom!"

A look of surprise flashed in Im Yoona's eyes, which even welled up with tears, and she shyly called out, "Mom!"

Lin Wanrou beamed with joy upon hearing it and laughed incessantly while holding Im Yoona's hand, asking all sorts of caring questions.

Liu Zijun sat to one side, watching his mother's affection for the two girls, a smile remaining on his face.

The dishes were served one by one, featuring Beijing specialties like Sautéed Shredded Pork in Sweet Bean Sauce and roast duck, as well as Choi Sulli's favorite tteokbokki and Im Yoona's favorite Sweet and Sour Pork Ribs. Every dish showed careful preparation.

"Mom, the Sweet and Sour Pork Ribs you made are delicious!"

Im Yoona took a bite of a rib, and her eyes instantly lit up; she couldn't help but give a thumbs up.

Choi Sulli also nodded repeatedly, her mouth full of tteokbokki: "The tteokbokki Mom makes is even better than the ones in restaurants outside. I could eat another bowl."

Lin Wanrou laughed very happily.

"If you like it, eat more."

She turned to see Liu Zijun eating by himself, and her expression immediately soured as she scolded, "You don't even know to serve them food; you're just busy eating yourself."

Liu Zijun smiled helplessly, picked up the serving chopsticks, put a piece of roast duck on Choi Sulli's plate, and added a rib for Im Yoona.

"Hurry up and eat; don't just focus on the compliments."

During the meal, Liu Qingmu asked about their recent situation, and Choi Sulli and Im Yoona responded one by one.

After finishing the meal, the two elders didn't ask the two women to stay. It wasn't that they didn't want to, but rather that they felt for them.

Learning that both women had schedules early tomorrow morning, they told them to fly back to Seoul tonight so as not to delay their work; they could still get a night's rest back there.

Lin Wanrou took their hands and instructed them carefully, "Take good care of yourselves while you're away. Don't work too hard. If anything happens, call Ji-Jun or call us. Home will always be your support."

Choi Sulli and Im Yoona's eyes turned slightly red as they nodded vigorously.

This unreserved affection made them feel very warm.

When the plane landed at Incheon International Airport, it was already dark.

Although they were very tired, both women felt it was worth it. After all, they had met Liu Zijun's parents and had a meal together.