Chapter 2675: South City Tonight Has Rain 37

At the dinner gathering, the members present were longtime partners, familiar with each other, chatting freely about whatever came to mind, with no restraint.

Ning Xu Ming had been following up on a project alone afterward and hadn't seen everyone for a while, so it was inevitable that they would discuss many industry topics and work details known only to insiders.

In theory, adult dinner gatherings usually take everyone's feelings into account and wouldn't end up like this.

Jin Chen could hardly miss Ning Xu Ming's thoughts, but he didn't mind and had no intention of forcing himself into the conversation, quietly sitting beside Xie Linzhou.

Ning Xu Ming brought up again the fun stories from when they worked in Mi Lan, and Jin Chen's fingertip lightly touched the back of Xie Linzhou's hand under the table.

Xie Linzhou glanced sideways, and his hand was taken by Jin Chen, who gently rubbed his finger joints beneath the table where no one could see.

Jin Chen's palm was always a little warmer than Xie Linzhou's, comforting the skin; his finger twitched slightly but he didn't pull away.

"Are you feeling a bit bored?" Xie Linzhou asked, tilting his head toward Jin Chen.

Jin Chen lazily propped his chin with his hand, turned his head to look at him, his eyes showing a hint of carefree weariness.

"Yeah, a little. Let's sneak out and go on a date."

He was always aloof toward outsiders, but this lazy, carefree demeanor now had a different kind of charm, making Xie Linzhou constantly want to move closer and kiss him.

Xie Linzhou chuckled lightly, picked up a sugar-coated pulled potato and brought it to Jin Chen's lips, "It's so late—where do you want to go on a date?"

Fang Ming, sitting nearby, perked up his ears, shifted his attention from the team's chat, and switched to gossip mode.

"What? We're here properly eating our meal, and you two are actually plotting to sneak off for a date?"

Now the topic had turned to the two of them.

After all, compared to recalling the hard work on the project, chatting about the boss's gossip was obviously more exciting.

Xiang Wenqing also became interested, "There are plenty of places for a date in South City at night."

Jin Chen put on an attentive look, gazing at Xiang Wenqing: "Go on."

Ning Xu Ming lowered his eyes, silently spooned a mouthful of soup into his mouth, and his gaze lingered thoughtfully over Jin Chen.

He thought this person seemed cold and aloof, yet his mind was quite sharp; Ning Xu Ming didn't intend to continue the topic he himself had raised, turned to Xie Linzhou, and said in his usual tone, "Come to think of it, you've always said you wanted to go back to Peaceful Mountain for a look—this time you're back in South City, but you still haven't gotten around to it, right?"

Xie Linzhou's face showed a hint of wistfulness, "Yeah, I still haven't found the right time."

Locals are more used to calling it Peaceful Mountain; the range stretches long, crossing the border between South City and the neighboring city, and with one thing after another at the office, people are always looking ahead and behind, making it hard to actually go.

Ning Xu Ming smiled, "Compared to staying in the bustling city, you indeed still prefer going to see mountains and seas; this habit… is actually not easy for people to notice."

He shifted his tone slightly, his gaze sweeping over Jin Chen as if unintentionally, "It's no wonder Mr. Jin might not be aware of it either."

An Yu, sitting beside him, heard this and instinctively glanced at Xie Linzhou, then at Jin Chen, and nudged Ning Xu Ming with her elbow, "What are you saying this for? That's weird."

Jin Chen curled the corner of his lip, held Xie Linzhou's hand, increased the pressure of his stroking slightly, and asked in a low voice, "Want to go to Peaceful Mountain?"

Anticipation rose in Xie Linzhou's eyes, "Yeah, I often went there when seeking inspiration; let's find a time to go together."

"No need to specially set aside time." Jin Chen glanced at his phone screen, which showed 7:12 p. m.

"Have you eaten enough?" he asked.

Xie Linzhou vaguely sensed something, and his heartbeat quickened a bit.

Jin Chen: "Driving from here to the peak of Peaceful Mountain takes about five hours; if we leave now, we'll arrive in the early hours, just in time to see the mountaintop stars and sunrise together."

Fang Ming exclaimed, "Holy shit, you really mean just go?"

Ning Xu Ming was somewhat taken aback, and instinctively reminded, "You're not making any arrangements? There might still be… tomorrow."

"Go." Xie Linzhou's lips curled up, cutting off Ning Xu Ming's unfinished words, and he agreed straightforwardly.

He immediately stood up and told the team members present, "You keep eating; I've already paid."

Xiang Wenqing laughed and raised his hand, "Long live the boss! Wishing you a super romantic night!"

As they left the private room, Jin Chen brushed past the seated Ning Xu Ming, raised a hand to press on his shoulder, and said, "Thanks."

Ning Xu Ming: "……"

He froze, watching Xie Linzhou's lively back disappear around the corridor corner, and the vague anticipation in his heart also faded away.

Ning Xu Ming slumped slightly against the chair back, already understanding the deep meaning behind Jin Chen's thanks—a warning to stop right there.

"Forget it," he thought, "at least Jin Chen gave him face and didn't call him out to his face, so it won't come to the point where he and Xie Linzhou can't even be friends in the future."

That man really is… Ning Xu Ming gave a wry smile, shook his head, his thoughts deep, his methods also clever.