Chapter 46: The Invitation

Chapter 46: The Invitation

In fact, the moment Zhou Su said those words, the production team realized there was trouble.

Regardless of whether the people dining were acquaintances of Zhou Su or not, approaching them at this moment would mean disturbing those having a meal in the restaurant.

Moreover, following the direction Zhou Su was looking, there were two people seated.

Why were there two people in a restaurant that required a special reservation?

Wasn’t it obvious that they didn’t want to be disturbed by others?

Furthermore, anyone who could reserve a table at the central restaurant was someone who had influence in Beijing. Even if the production team didn’t recognize them, they wouldn’t dare to offend them.

Seeing Zhou Su eager to go disturb them, the production team quickly stepped in, “Don’t go disturb them. You’re here for a date, not to disturb someone else’s.”

However, Zhou Su acted as if he hadn’t heard them. He bypassed the person blocking him and continued towards Shi Ling’s direction, reassuring the production team, “It’s okay. They’re nice people and won’t get mad. I’m just going to say hi and will be back soon.”

“We’re at the same place, and not saying hello would be too impolite, as if we didn’t see them!”

At that very moment, Ji Linze swiftly stepped back two paces.

His face even twisted a little, “How dare Zhou Su say something like that?”

That was Ji Mingxiu and Shi Ling on a date. Even Ji Linze, who had a fairly good relationship with Ji Mingxiu, wouldn’t dare to disturb them.

Zhong Shao looked over and shook his head, “Keep your distance.”

Although he did want to go say hello to Ji Mingxiu, he wasn’t so clueless as to disturb them during Ji Mingxiu and Shi Ling’s “date.” That would only cause trouble for both him and Ji Mingxiu.

As they were speaking, Zhou Su had already reached the table where Shi Ling and Ji Mingxiu were seated.

Zhou Su looked quite enthusiastic as he faced Shi Ling, “Shi Ling, long time no see!”

The moment Shi Ling heard his name, the production team, who had been planning not to disturb them, suddenly went silent, and the cameraman immediately focused the lens on them.

Zhou Su and Shi Ling, the true and supposed young masters of the Zhou family, were supposed to be the highlight the production team wanted to add to Zhou Su’s showdown. Unfortunately, Shi Ling had declined their invitation due to final exams at Jing University.

Now, by a stroke of luck, they had bumped into Shi Ling during a planned date. If they didn’t seize this opportunity to record it, they would miss their chance!

Especially since Zhou Su and their usual drama hadn’t been generating much excitement lately. They needed these extra eye-catching moments.

The camera immediately focused on Shi Ling and Zhou Su.

However, Shi Ling’s reaction caught everyone off guard.

He looked up at Zhou Su, frowned, and seemed to be deep in thought.

After a while, he asked with confusion, “Excuse me, who are you? Do I know you?”

The moment Shi Ling said this, the cameraman’s hand trembled, almost dropping the equipment.

Not just the cameraman, but even Ji Mingxiu couldn’t help but laugh. He lightly coughed and didn’t even mind Zhou Su interrupting his date with Shi Ling, explaining to him, “He’s Zhou Su. You should have met him before.”

Hearing Ji Mingxiu’s introduction, Shi Ling had a sudden realization, “Oh right, Zhou Su did participate in a show with Ji Linze.”

At the same time, he found an excuse for himself, “Even if I have met him, I’ve only seen him twice since I arrived in Beijing. What was I supposed to remember?”

He looked up at the bulky equipment held by the cameraman and moved his lips, but didn’t say anything in front of the camera.

Zhou Su wasn’t that important. Why would he bother remembering him?

By this time, Ji Linze slowly walked over and stood in front of Ji Mingxiu, “Bro~”

Although he was standing in front of Ji Mingxiu, his eyes occasionally glanced at Shi Ling.

Ji Mingxiu clicked his tongue, “Why do you keep looking at Shi Ling?”

Ji Linze didn’t hesitate to admit, “I want to bribe Shi Ling.”

As soon as he finished speaking, he darted to Shi Ling’s side, “Shi Ling, is there anything else you’d like to eat? I’ll ask the manager to bring you two more dishes!”

Shi Ling glanced at him, “What do you want? I remember Ling Yun already gave you a backdoor!”

Ji Linze chuckled and rubbed his hands, “Shi Ling, can you tell me about the remaining plans for your project this year and next year’s plans? Just tell me, no need to tell the others. They’re not interested.”

Although he could go bother Fang Lingyun, as the overall planner of the game, Shi Ling would definitely have a clearer understanding.

Usually, he wouldn’t disturb Shi Ling for fear of affecting his progress, but since they had bumped into each other, he wanted to ask.

As Ji Mingxiu’s cousin, he should be able to use this relationship to ask for a small favor, right?

Ji Linze looked at Shi Ling with starry eyes, full of anticipation.

However, Shi Ling didn’t immediately agree.

He looked at the tablet that had been placed on the table when Zhou Su interrupted and said regretfully to Ji Linze, “Sorry, not now. Your brother hasn’t seen it yet. If you’re really interested, go home and sweet-talk your brother. If you make him happy, he might tell you.”

Hearing this, Ji Linze had a sudden realization, “So, you guys aren’t here just for a date?”

At that moment, Ji Linze’s courage surged. He darted back to Ji Mingxiu’s side, “Bro, are you okay?”

“It’s been so long, and I’ve already made peace with it. Yet, you still haven’t succeeded?”

“Really, you’re so good at business, but why are you so slow in love, like a donkey pushing a millstone?”

After his rant, he sighed and turned around, “Alright, alright, I’ll give you some space. I won’t block your view.”

He even waved to the cameraman from the production team, “Let’s go, let’s go. If we don’t leave, this old man is going to blow up.”

Ji Mingxiu: …

He rolled up his sleeves with great restraint.

Shi Ling suspected that if Ji Linze had left a step later, he would have ended up getting scolded.

Sure enough, after everyone from the production team had left, he heard Ji Mingxiu suddenly snort, "Lucky he ran fast, this meal will be owed for now!"

Shi Ling couldn't help but laugh.

He placed the tablet in front of Ji Mingxiu, "Since that's the case, take a look, Boss Ji. After you're done, you'll basically have a grip on Ji Linze."

Ji Mingxiu took the tablet but cautioned Shi Ling, "This shouldn't be shown to just anyone. Apart from me and the people in your project, it's best others don't know about it. Even though the Zhou family is kept busy now, they might not have given up on your project."

"Even if Ji Linze asks you, don't give it to him. This kid isn't very reliable in front of Zhou Su, not someone who can be fully trusted."

Shi Ling glanced in the direction of the production team, "But just now, I noticed that Zhou Su and Ji Linze don't seem to be getting along that well. Ji Linze didn't even look at Zhou Su."

Ji Mingxiu responded with a "Hmm," "They supposedly had a fallout, but it's unclear how bad it is. Who knows when they might make up?"

He quickly skimmed through the plan Shi Ling had written to get a general idea, then set it aside, "Chinese New Year is coming up soon, how are you planning to spend it?"

Shi Ling was puzzled by the sudden shift in topic, "Chinese New Year?"

Ji Mingxiu nodded, "Yes, Chinese New Year. Given the current situation, you certainly won't be spending it with the Zhou family. You've also pretty much broken ties with your adoptive parents. By then, your roommates will definitely have gone home for the holidays, so you'll be all alone, won't you?"

Shi Ling blinked, feeling that Ji Mingxiu's words carried a hidden meaning.

But he still answered seriously, "Well, it's still a bit early, and our project is expected to launch around the Chinese New Year period. The studio can't be left unattended. Besides, our studio is quite large and well-heated. It'll be quite comfortable to stay there for half a month."

Ji Mingxiu frowned upon hearing this, "Stay at the studio?"

Looking at Shi Ling, he made a very serious suggestion, as if discussing a business proposal, "Although the studio environment is okay, it's not really suitable for living. If you don't mind, you could come to my place for the Chinese New Year."

"There are quite a few elders in my family, but they aren't the type to meddle. With the older folks around, the festive atmosphere will be quite strong. It'll be much livelier than being alone."

"Of course, the most important thing is that my family knows you, and they've been wanting to meet you."

Shi Ling: …

His hands paused for a moment, "Ah?"

Go to Ji Mingxiu's house for Chinese New Year?

Ji Mingxiu, feeling slightly embarrassed, turned his head away, avoiding Shi Ling's gaze, "It's just... meeting the family."

Shi Ling remained silent.

It was just that he had only recently realized that Boss Ji's "partner" might be himself. Before he could even process that, Ji Mingxiu had already invited him to meet his family during Chinese New Year. Wasn't this all moving a bit too fast?

Sensing Shi Ling's discomfort, Ji Mingxiu also felt that continuing this topic wasn't quite appropriate.

He calmed his emotions and smiled at Shi Ling, "No need to rush. There's still over a month until Chinese New Year. It's just a suggestion; you can think about it."

Shi Ling looked at Ji Mingxiu, "I'll consider it carefully."

Meanwhile, on the other side where the production team was.

Ever since Zhou Su returned from Shi Ling's side, her mood had been low.

Though Zhong Shao tried to comfort her, it didn't help much.

It was Jiang Yulin's show of solidarity that lifted Zhou Su's spirits, "What was Shi Ling's attitude just now? What does he mean by not remembering? He even remembered Ji Linze, how could he not remember Su Su?"

Ji Linze sat down in a seat assigned by the production team and replied with some pride, "Of course, Shi Ling and I have met more than a couple of times. Besides, I'm the cousin of his boss, so why wouldn't he remember me?"

"Not only do Shi Ling and the others remember me, but they also occasionally give me some perks!"

With a satisfied grin, Ji Linze opened the game using an internal test account he got through some favors.