NOVEL NEXT Chapter 1519: 1024 Happy Birthday
No doubt about it.
Cao Jinse clearly intended to treat us.
However, Jiang Chen didn't seize the opportunity to splurge and instead chose a Chinese restaurant that could hardly be called upscale.
Be it Italian, French, or Japanese cuisine that's highly sought after, perhaps it really is due to his grassroots upbringing that despite being a different person now, some habits Jiang Chen can't shake off. For instance, when it comes to food, he always finds Chinese cuisine more comfortable and suitable to his palate.
Especially when in a foreign land, eating hometown dishes has a special kind of sentiment.
"Eating the same thing domestically and abroad."
After sitting down, Cao Jinse commented. It wasn't so much a complaint as casual chat.
"I'm a person of single-minded devotion."
Alright.
The old habit kicked in again.
Cao Jinse was used to this long ago. Changing the topic would likely go in one ear and out the other for her, so she wouldn't waste her breath, but at this moment, she still added a line.
"You, single-minded?"
Not many words.
And there was a deliberate pause in the middle, splitting it into two lines.
But the effect was extremely piercing.
Understanding is mutual.
Jiang Chen understood her; doesn't she also "understand" Jiang Chen?
Jiang Chen, who prided himself as a negotiation expert, didn't exercise his eloquence, dismissively brushing the topic aside.
"Order food. I checked online reviews. Although it's not high-end, the reviews are pretty good. A lot of People of Shenzhou working in Tokyo have dined here."
Cao Jinse laughed and followed up with a question: "So is there a group deal?"
"Seems like there is, let me check."
Jiang Chen pulled out his phone.
Have a look.
There's no shame in group deals.
Even top-tier rich people do it, right?
Sure enough, it ended with a group deal for a double set meal. It's economical; why not dine at the Peninsula Hotel?
For VIP clients, as long as there aren't excessive personal requests, daily meals at the Peninsula Hotel are provided for free.
Around six o'clock, right at dinner time, the restaurant was doing well, and almost all the faces were People of Shenzhou, making one forget they're in a foreign land, stirring an inexplicable sense of comfort.
Back at home, provinces might not see eye to eye, but abroad, compatriots feel closer than strangers.
"Give me the ticket."
When the food was served, Cao Jinse suddenly held out her hand.
"What?"
Jiang Chen was puzzled.
"The Conan ticket stub from earlier."
"What, planning to reimburse it?"
Jiang Chen laughed and said casually, "You're too polite."
Frankly speaking, it's just like how Cao Jinse mentioned, no wonder the Taoist nun sister was ruthless during their "debates" sometimes someone's just begging for a beating.
CEO Cao surely dislikes using violence to subdue others; at most, if truly enraged, she'd probably just bankrupt the other party.
But for this guy, leaving him penniless, most likely CEO Cao doesn't have the capability.
"Lost it?"
So, facing this person, perhaps what Cao Jinse felt the most was helplessness.
"No."
Jiang Chen reached into his jacket pocket, pulled out two movie ticket stubs, neither casually discarded nor crumpled, both neatly intact.
Upon seeing this, Cao Jinse glanced at him and gestured with her outstretched hand, "Give it to me."
"Why?"
"Just give it to me."
Cao Jinse didn't explain.
Many things in the world require no explanation.
Jiang Chen didn't insist, only placing one ticket stub in that warm palm.
"I'll keep one."
"What are you keeping it for? It's not valuable."
Cao Jinse blurted out.
Indeed.
Used ticket stubs are worthless, having no practical value.
"For remembrance."
Jiang Chen seriously put his ticket stub back into his pocket, "This is my first time in Dongying, and also my first time watching a movie abroad."
Hmm.
Considering that, the ticket stub does indeed have some commemorative significance.
Upon hearing this, Cao Jinse no longer insisted on taking both tickets, withdrew her hand, lowered her head, and chuckled softly, "I don't even know how long it's been since I last watched a movie."
"CEO Cao, lying's not a good trait for a good kid." Jiang Chen teased.
"Where did I lie?"
Cao Jinse looked up.
"Didn't you say you went to support 'That Blue'? So were you lying last time or this time?"
Cao Jinse was left speechless, then clarified, "I did go for 'That Blue.' I meant I haven't watched a movie with someone in a long time."
"You mean with someone of the opposite sex?"
Jiang Chen helped fill in the blank.
Cao Jinse wasn't shy; with her personality, she wouldn't be bashful like a little woman. She nodded with elegance and poise.
"You could understand it that way."
"When was the last time you watched a movie with someone of the opposite sex?"
Jiang Chen asked casually while picking up his chopsticks.
Hmm.
Just small talk.
Cao Jinse shook her head slightly and started eating, "I don't quite remember."
"But you remember when your last relationship was, right?"
Jiang Chen's question wasn't out of place; it's quite fitting. Dating typically involves strolling, dining, or watching a movie, making it possible to deduce the answer to the previous question.
Even though there was no overt sign, with Cao Jinse's mind and intelligence, it's like her immune system acted automatically, catching on quickly.
"What, trying to snoop into my private life?"
She smiled ambiguously, making it hard to gauge her true intent.
"Talking so seriously, privacy or no privacy, just making conversation."
Jiang Chen remained calm and laid-back.
"Are you very curious?"
Faced with further questioning, Comrade Jiang Chen didn't deny it; otherwise, it would be too disingenuous. He nodded just enough, "A little bit."
Having known each other for so long, they've built a solid "revolutionary friendship." Yet, until now, it was nearly a "gentleman's friendship," only discussing business. Hardly do they touch on personal topics, and even then, they tread lightly. But today, it seemed like something unexpected happened.