Chapter 1313: 907 The Brazen and Shaless Scoundrel (Vote for Monthly Tickets!)
“Are you sure you’re not late?”
Thanks to Taoist Duanmu’s steady driving skills, by the ti they arrived at the destination, the sky had already turned dark.
“So rember to apologize later.”
It’s only natural to apologize for being late.
But shouldn’t it be soone else, not ?
He was just a sidekick after all.
Before Jiang Chen could speak, Cao Jinse had already opened the car door and stepped out.
“Co inside together.” Jiang Chen didn’t overlook the Taoist nun sister—in fact, he was remarkably attentive.
Given the occasion, whether Jiang had dreams in mind or not, bringing more people along certainly beats being the lone third wheel.
Furthermore,
If sothing unexpected were to happen later, having the Taoist nun sister present would at least serve as an extra layer of security.
Of course,
Jiang Chen was certain the person wasn’t ‘that kind of person.’
He opened the car door and stood beside Cao Jinse, politely asking, “You don’t mind having one more person, right?”
How could one respond to that?
Even if they minded, they’d likely be incapable of saying so.
Jiang Chen, seemingly thoughtful and considerate, added softly, “If it’s inconvenient, I can open another table nearby.”
Cao Jinse gave him a sideways glance.
Though she’d originally thought him reckless and fearless, it seed he could be rather cautious at tis.
“You really know how to deal with people—trying to rekindle Taoist Duanmu’s opinion of , huh?”
With that, she turned and addressed Tanki Liuli as she stepped out of the car, her smile refined, “Taoist Duanmu, after you.”
She and Tanki Liuli walked past Jiang Chen and entered the restaurant first.
Jiang Chen lifted his gaze.
Beneath the wind bell hanging from the eaves,
The restaurant lived up to its na.
A plump signboard hung a string of wind bells which swayed lightly, emitting ethereal sounds.
Look at how carefully they’d chosen the location.
Elegant yet avoiding any trace of vulgarity.
Jiang Chen withdrew his gaze and stepped through the restaurant doors.
The earlier suggestion to open another table nearby was undoubtedly a product of unfamiliarity with the layout here. Once inside, Jiang Chen realized the restaurant had no common dining hall. Instead, it consisted entirely of private rooms, maintaining tranquility while ensuring privacy. The decor was all wood-based with a courtyard-like aesthetic close to nature.
As far as the environnt was concerned, Jiang Chen was quite pleased, barring one minor disappointnt—the doors were sliding-style, which vaguely reminded him of that izakaya in East Sea.
“Cling-cling-cling…”
Each door adorned with a string of wind bells as well.
“Why don’t you go in first and say hello?”
Jiang Chen couldn’t help but suggest.
But Cao Jinse ignored his advice entirely, acting as if she hadn’t heard, and directly reached out.
“Swish.”
The door slid to the left.
Inside the room,
Song Chaoge, who didn’t know how long he had been waiting, seed to be a little tired—or perhaps he was lost in thought—sitting alone with his eyes closed, gently massaging his temples.
When he heard the sound, his eyes snapped open, and he turned his head to look.
An extraordinary person indeed.
Even when he saw the unexpectedly large number of people at the doorway, he managed to keep his composure.
He even let slip a faint trace of surprising delight, enough to make one want to applaud.
“Brother Jiang.”
He stood up.
In stark contrast, Jiang Chen’s response paled. Awkwardly, he said, “Mr. Song, dropping by uninvited; I hope you don’t mind.”
“Brother Jiang, no need to be so formal; you’re more than welco. Please, co in.”
“We’ve been chatting all this while, and neither he nor Taoist Duanmu has had dinner yet, so I invited them along. You don’t mind, do you?”
Cao Jinse explained apologetically.
Song Chaoge, naturally smiling and shaking his head, couldn’t help but shift his attention to the possibly unfamiliar Tanki Liuli.
“Song Chaoge, pleased to et you.”
He seed to already know Tanki Liuli.
For Jiang Chen, it was nothing new—even habitual—seeing others recognize her. Despite growing up in the mountains, the number of people acquainted with the Taoist nun sister was unexpectedly vast.
Knowing her personality well, Jiang Chen had intended to offer a reminder. But to his surprise, when it ca to social etiquette, she displayed growth. Facing Song Chaoge’s greeting, she gently nodded in response.
It wasn’t exactly enthusiastic, but it was still comndable.
“Mr. Song, don’t mind her. She’s lived in the mountains since childhood and has a mild temperant.”
Jiang Chen quickly explained.
“Not at all.” Song Chaoge chuckled kindly. “Please, have a seat.”
Guests and host took their seats.
Originally, it should have been a serene eting for two, but the number of attendees unexpectedly grew.
Still, the atmosphere seed unaffected.
Perhaps carrying so guilt for crashing the event, Jiang Chen actively engaged in conversation, striking up a discussion with the host—Song Chaoge.
“Mr. Song, wasn’t our last eting in Haojiang? What have you been busy with recently?”
The one who facilitated this “gathering,” Cao Jinse, listened quietly with a slight smile, not speaking.
But Song Chaoge, perhaps unfamiliar with such casual banter, paused briefly before responding, “To be frank, last ti in Haojiang, I went there to apply for a casino license just to keep myself occupied. But things didn’t go as planned. Since returning from Haojiang, I’ve been idle, so I asked Jin Se to join for dinner.”
“So the reason you asked out for dinner was just to kill ti, huh?”
Cao Jinse chid in.
When it ca to playing along, aside from Taoist Duanmu, everyone else present could be called masters of the art.
Song Chaoge smiled.
“Miss Cao ntioned you two have known each other since childhood?”
Jiang Chen continued, his tone far more proper in addressing Cao Jinse compared to Song Chaoge—abiding by decorum.
Song Chaoge nodded.
“So, childhood sweethearts then,” Jiang Chen mused.
Cao Jinse’s smile remained unchanged, but her seemingly casual glance at the outspoken individual was telling.
“I suppose you could say so.”
Song Chaoge’s eyes bore a hint of nostalgia. “I rember, we were so lively as kids, always in groups day and night. Unlike now, when even finding soone to share dinner with feels uncertain.”
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