Chapter 2641: Nancheng Tonight Has Rain 03

That day, Ren Xian did not appear at the club.

He accompanied Xie Shao on a short trip, returning dusty and weary only two days later.

Jin Chen was on the night shift.

The sky gradually darkened; it was not yet the official evening business hours, the lobby light was dim, with only a few spotlights on, making it feel rather deserted.

Behind the bar, Jin Chen wore the club's uniform—a simple black shirt that broadened his shoulders and narrowed his waist, sleeves casually rolled to his forearms, holding a glass and wiping it with a soft cloth, his fingers clean and slender.

The spotlight from above cast a dim light, shadows falling on his high nose bridge and brow bone, making him look indifferent to everything.

He was tall, standing behind the bar he was conspicuous; to see anyone, one often only needed to lower their gaze. During this time working here, many people, both men and women, tried to strike up a conversation openly or secretly, but no one received any special treatment.

Besides the boss Ren Xian, the other employees didn't even have his personal contact information.

Ren Xian walked straight to the bar, his face showing some fatigue, but the displeasure in his brows and eyes was more obvious.

He sat on a high stool, tapping his fingertips on the counter, and said, 'One Crystal Amber.' Ren Xian spoke, his voice somewhat low.

Jin Chen lifted his eyes and gave him a faint glance.

Before the official peak business hours, there were few customers in the venue, so he proceeded to make the drink as requested.

The shaker clinked crisply in his hand, ice cubes tinkling.

'I want to resign.' Jin Chen repeated the words from his earlier text message, his tone calm.

Ren Xian's brows furrowed even tighter.

He had come specifically to settle this matter, but hearing Jin Chen say it in such an uncompromising tone still sparked a flash of unnamed anger in his chest.

Before he started dating Xie Shao, he hadn't been completely indifferent to Jin Chen—this person was striking in appearance, with a unique demeanor, yet aloof like a lump of ice that refuses to warm.

If it weren't for the fact that I had helped him several times before, Jin Chen probably wouldn't have agreed to their plan.

And when he originally chose Jin Chen, Ren Xian's subconscious may have indeed been because he was certain—someone like Jin Chen, with extremely low emotional needs, would never truly develop feelings for anyone.

'Why must you resign?' Ren Xian suppressed his anger, his gaze unconsciously following Jin Chen's hand as he mixed the drink, 'You couldn't really have fallen for Xie Linzhou, could you?'

He probed, 'Don't forget what you promised us back then.'

Jin Chen glanced at him, his hand movements uninterrupted, his voice languid, 'He's about to return to the country.'

He slowly poured the prepared liqueur into the cup, then lifted his eyes to meet Ren Xian's gaze.

'The boss of the club where I work is you—do you think he won't find out after he returns?'

Ren Xian startled, withdrew his gaze, and began to think instinctively.

This is indeed a problem; Xie Linzhou isn't stupid—before, it was only because of the network and distance that he didn't suspect anything.

Once he returns, even a slight investigation would make it hard not to reveal the flaw.

'Then where do you want to go?' Ren Xian asked from a different angle, his tone easing, 'With your qualifications, there shouldn't be few bars and clubs eager to poach you.'

Jin Chen: 'Lin Island Bar.'

Ren Xian: '?'

He ran through a list of somewhat famous bars in Nancheng in his mind, confirming he had never heard this name before: 'Where is it? How come I've never heard of it?'

Jin Chen pushed the prepared Crystal Amber toward him, the liquid showing a pure amber hue.

'The bar I want to open.'

Ren Xian froze, first instinctively glancing at that cup of wine.

The rich smoky aroma and sweet vermouth wonderfully blended, creating a unique vibe, which is his favored taste.

He gripped the icy rim of the glass, yet his words carried a sneer: 'Lin Island? Which Lin? Is it the Lin from Xie Linzhou?'

Ren Xian snorted, 'Is this what you said—that you haven't fallen for him?'

Jin Chen picked up the clean soft cloth beside him and wiped his hands leisurely, 'You never stipulated exactly how I should carry out the mission; this matter doesn't require your interference.'

Ren Xian was choked by those words, momentarily speechless.

He tilted his head back and took a big gulp of wine, yet couldn't quell the inexplicable irritation in his heart.

He stared straight at Jin Chen's expressionless face, tugged at the corner of his mouth, and said ambiguously, 'Really novel.'

Xie Linzhou actually possesses such charm.

'At least finish this week.' Ren Xian finally stepped back.

Jin Chen's resignation is a loss to him, whether from the perspective of bartending skill or attracting clientele; he is unwilling to let him go.

But for now, the thing hasn't been secured yet; if Xie Linzhou were to notice the clue first, it would truly be a loss not worth the gain.

Jin Chen: 'Okay.'

Ren Xian lowered his gaze, watching the amber liquid sway in the cup, his tone somewhat complex: 'This drink…… I quite like it. I'm afraid that once you leave, no bartender will be able to replicate this flavor.'

Jin Chen had already begun washing the used tools, the water flow making a splashing sound.

He didn't lift his head, his voice coming through the water noise: 'Boss, it's almost time for business.'

Again, it's like this.

As long as they finish discussing what he deems necessary topics, Jin Chen won't utter another superfluous word.

Ren Xian felt suffocated inside but had no recourse; he picked up that Crystal Amber, turned, and went upstairs.

Jin Chen turned off the faucet and carefully dried his hands with a paper towel.

Before the first batch of evening customers arrived one after another, he took out his phone, fixed it in an inconspicuous spot on the bar, and opened the video.

Jin Chen took out a new set of clean tools, the liquids mingling in his hand, poured into a pre‑chilled martini glass, the liquid appearing translucent pale purple, like the last streak of evening sky glow.

Jin Chen took a close‑up of this drink and sent the video to Xie Linzhou.

Immediately, he placed that glass into the storage compartment beneath the workstation, where no customer could see it.