Chapter 2676: South City Tonight Has Rain 38

On the highway leading out of South City, a black off-road vehicle sped smoothly, its front facing the biting mountain wind; on both sides of the road, the winter trees had shed their leaves, revealing the vigorous trunks of ginkgo trees, the cityscape continuously receding behind, free and unrestrained, an extremely uninhibited scene.

The city nightscape outside the window flashed by, lights brilliant as a river of stars, but Xie Linzhou paid no attention, his gaze fixed on Jin Chen in the driver's seat.

"Jin Chen, my heart is racing." Xie Linzhou savored the feeling, "The last time I felt this excited was when I confirmed my return date, just before I was about to see you, and once again..." Xie Linzhou smiled, his eyes somewhat distant, "It was the day I finally made up my mind to build my own team and break free from Xie Qiu Dong's control."

Jin Chen raised an eyebrow, smiling, freed his right hand to rub Xie Linzhou's earlobe, the touch slightly cool.

"Zhouzhou, do you know what your gaze is telling me?"

Xie Linzhou made no attempt to hide it, leaning against the car window, his gaze lingering on Jin Chen's profile, he spoke slowly, "I want to kiss you."

Humanity's obsession with freedom and beautiful things can sometimes reach an almost mad degree.

Moreover, Xie Linzhou, having been strictly restrained in his youth, when he finally had the ability to pursue the freedom he longed for, he nevertheless had to shoulder the responsibility of the law firm and the entire team; over time, even he grew accustomed to this life, but deep down there inevitably remained some regrets of not having fully indulged.

Precisely for this reason, this sudden night escape, breaking free of all plans, now seems all the more precious, every minute and second filled with fresh palpitation.

The off-road vehicle briefly stopped at the service area; Xie Linzhou unfastened his side seatbelt, swung his leg over to sit sideways in Jin Chen's embrace, and put his intention into action.

The cramped driver's seat space was compressed, their bodies pressed tightly together.

Jin Chen's fingers pressed on his nape; Xie Linzhou was kissed until he could barely breathe, only able to lift his head, panting and trembling,

"Wait a moment..." Xie Linzhou finally found a gap, burying his face in Jin Chen's neck, gasping rapidly to steady his breath, his complaint sounding more like a whine, "How can you be like this..."

Jin Chen lowered his eyes languidly, looking at the reddish skin on the side of the person in his arms, his fingertips lingeringly stroking that warm, delicate patch of skin, "Didn't you say you wanted to kiss me, Zhouzhou?"

Xie Linzhou lifted his head, bit Jin Chen's lower lip, then quickly kissed him again, his eyes shimmering with moisture and amusement, "All right."

"You rest a bit; I'll go to the convenience store to buy something to drink, and also pick up some overnight supplies."

"Let's go together." Jin Chen loosened his grip and also unfastened his seatbelt.

After leaving the service area again, they drew nearer to Peaceful Mountain; the latter half of the route was driven by Xie Linzhou, they took turns at the wheel, and yet they did not feel fatigued.

Not long after midnight, the off-road vehicle stopped beside the wide road at the summit of Peaceful Mountain.

The engine was turned off, the lights switched off, the world seemed to quiet; opening the car door, the clear, icy mountain air rushed in, the terrain here was open and far from the city.

Looking up, the stars blanketed the night sky; gazing ahead, the lights of the city at the mountain's base merged into a hazy sea of light, and among the grass faint glimmers flickered—rare winter fireflies, as if heavenly stars had fallen down, everywhere.

Xie Linzhou looked for a while, then turned and ran back to the car; moments later he mysteriously circled to Jin Chen's front.

"Do you believe South City has shooting stars?" he asked, his eyes bright under the starlight.

Jin Chen lowered his head, smiling, kissed his eyes, "I believe."

"... Huh?" Xie Linzhou blinked, not knowing how to continue, so he corrected, "You can't see shooting stars in South City, say it again."

Jin Chen went along with it, a smile appearing in his eyes, "All right, I don't believe."

Only then did Xie Linzhou feel satisfied, his tone lightening, "But I can create a shooting star unique to you."

He said this, extending his clenched fist forward to Jin Chen and opening it.

A slender silver chain dangled from between his fingers, two rings hooked at its lower end; when the chain hung fully, the rings swayed gently, their shifting gleam like the brilliant tail of a meteor streaking across the night sky.

Jin Chen blinked slightly, reached out, and with his fingertips lightly lifted the two rings.

The rings' luster echoed the starlight across the sky, shining brightly.

The corners of Jin Chen's eyes curved slightly, "Very beautiful."

"Too much of a coincidence," Xie Linzhou said, "I've actually been preparing this for a while, wanting to find a suitable moment to give it to you, I didn't expect tonight..."

"You're right, some things shouldn't be hesitated over; if you want to give it, you should give it." Xie Linzhou said, slipping his fingers into Jin Chen's palm, interlocking their ten fingers, his buoyant tone betraying his emotions.

Xie Linzhou gazed into his lover's eyes.

"I will put the ring on you, giving you tonight's South City starlight."

【Detected Villain Blackening Value -5, cumulative 0!】

——

The award notification email from the Design Competition Organizing Committee arrived in the evening of Peaceful Night.

At that time, South City was drifting with rare snowflakes, falling intermittently for two days, cloaking this southern city that seldom sees snow in silver.

Inside Rain Island Bar, Christmas decorations were set up, reflecting the thin snow on the window sill, warm yellow string lights twining around the holly branches; upon entering, one could smell the warm aroma of mulled wine and cinnamon.

Xie Linzhou arrived at the bar; on the snow-covered street side, young regulars were building a snowman, but their manual skills were truly poor, the snowman lopsided, yet it was still amusing.

Someone recognized him, laughing and waving, shouting, "Boss Xie! Come help us! Build a nicer one, otherwise tonight we won't be able to fill the nine-grid for our Moments post!"

Thanks to Fang Ming in the team, who loves documenting life and shares everything on Moments, Xie Linzhou understood the nine-grid culture well, smiled and said okay, but he wondered whether Jin Chen would also like building snowmen.

He put on the lambskin gloves he carried with him and joined this impromptu creation.

At that moment, Jin Chen in the second-floor lounge had received the news ten minutes earlier that Xie Linzhou had arrived at the door, yet he still hadn't seen him.

He had just been about to go downstairs to meet him when he heard cheerful, noisy sounds coming from outside the window below.

"Wow, what a standard snowman! Like an enlarged version of that emoji sticker pack!"

"Whoever has a red scarf, quickly put it on—it's too adorable!"

"Boss Xie, could you build another small one beside it? It's killing me with cuteness!"

"Sure."

Jin Chen now realized that his seemingly cool and mature lover was being detained at the door by what.

He turned to pour a cup of hot drink, then walked downstairs at an unhurried pace.