Chapter 35: The Concert

The horrific massacre on September 27th made headlines across major media outlets, and the term “kind-hearted citizen” appeared again in the news. This sparked curiosity on the forums in Long’an City, where netizens speculated about the identity of this recurring “kind-hearted citizen.”

As October arrived, Chen Shi became busy again. He spent his days driving a taxi from dawn till dusk, enjoying chats with passengers from all walks of life.

One day, he received a call from Lin Dongxue. After dropping off a passenger, he immediately headed to the city bureau, where Lin Dongxue was waiting. Today, she was dressed in a refreshingly simple outfit. She opened the car door, sat down, and slammed it shut. Chen Shi glanced at her in the rearview mirror and asked, “What’s wrong, Miss Lin? Who upset you?”

“You!” Chen Shi responded, taking a cigarette from his pack.

“What did I do?” he asked.

“Was it you who encouraged Xu Xiaodong to invite me to a concert?”

“I must clarify, I didn’t encourage him. I just said that a guy should be bold when pursuing a girl.”

Lin Dongxue, half amused and half annoyed, said, “Isn’t that encouragement?”

“If you’re not interested in him, just say it straight. Why take it out on me?”

“Come on, he didn’t even confess his feelings. What am I supposed to say? He would think I’m delusional!”

“Did you agree to go to the concert?”

“Of course not! How could I agree? And you, stop meddling in things you don’t understand. You don’t even know what type of guy I like.”

“So, Miss Lin, what type of guy do you like? Tell me, so I can meddle more effectively in the future!”

Lin Dongxue kicked the back of the driver’s seat and said, “Cut it out!”

“Is that all you wanted to talk about?”

“Not really.” Lin Dongxue pulled out two concert tickets from her bag, smirking. “You wanted to play matchmaker and owe someone a favor? Not happening. I’m going to unsettle you instead. You like Jacky Cheung, right? I’m inviting you!”

Chen Shi raised his eyebrows and guessed, “Let me guess, it’s October, banks must be having promotions, these tickets are discounted from some promotion, right?”

“You ungrateful man, still picking faults!” Lin Dongxue exclaimed.

“I’m wrong, I apologize!” Chen Shi quickly said. “Miss Lin inviting me to a concert, I’m flattered. Honestly, no girl has ever invited me to a concert before. Anything special I should know?”

“Nothing much, just returning a favor. You helped a lot with the last case, and I wanted to try a different way to repay you. Besides, I want to go, but not with Xu Xiaodong, so I’m dragging you along.”

“When is it?”

“Tonight!”

“Alright then, it’s a date.”

Lin Dongxue tossed the tickets into Chen Shi’s lap and instructed, “Pick me up later, and don’t be late.”

Chen Shi smiled at the tickets, mumbling, “Both siblings are so indirect.”

At seven o’clock that evening, Chen Shi arrived at the meeting spot. Lin Dongxue was dressed in a charming black dress. As she opened the car door and sat in the passenger seat, Chen Shi thought to himself that she frequently changed outfits, but it suited her well, making for a pleasing sight.

“What are you looking at, old man?” Lin Dongxue asked, noticing his gaze.

“A feast for the eyes.”

“Feast yourself!” Lin Dongxue pretended to jab his eye, “Just drive, don’t be late.”

On the way, Chen Shi asked, “You were born in the ’90s, right? Why do you like Jacky Cheung?”

“It’s because of my brother. When I was little, his songs were always playing at home, so I listened to them too. When I went to karaoke with friends, I’d sing his songs and even got teased for it. I think they’re good, why should it matter?”

“Fair point!”

Arriving at the grand stadium, they found a long queue outside. Chen Shi parked the car and fetched a jacket from the backseat – a new black jacket, which Lin Dongxue thought made him look spirited and younger.

“Do you know?” Chen Shi said, “People who like black usually have a bit of a dark streak.”

“I don’t want to hear it!” Lin Dongxue covered her ears, “Don’t pollute my pure ears.”

Chen Shi laughed, “Let’s go!”

As they waited in line, various vendors approached selling glow sticks, LED lights, and even pirated CDs. Chen Shi confronted a vendor selling pirated CDs, “Pretty bold of you, sellingpirated CDs right here. Don’t you know that’s illegal?”

The vendor retorted, “Mind your own business. Buy it or leave it.”

Chen Shi, not one to back down, raised his voice to the event staff, “Hey, this guy is selling pirated CDs!”

Seeing the staff approach, the vendor took off running, shouting back, “I’ll get someone to slice you up!”

“Make sure it’s a nice slice, I’ve been wanting a facelift!” Chen Shi shouted after the fleeing vendor.

Lin Dongxue couldn’t help but laugh and scold at the same time, “You really can’t stop meddling, can you?”

“Selling pirated goods is the same as stealing. It’s not just stealing money; it’s stealing from my idol,” Chen Shi said earnestly.

“Sure, as if your idol would appreciate your efforts,” Lin Dongxue scoffed.

“That’s not the point. By the way, do you want a glow stick? I’ll buy some.”

“How silly to wave those around at the concert!”

“It’s a rare occasion.” Chen Shi stopped a vendor and bought some glow sticks and an ‘I Love Jacky Cheung’ LED sign. As the vendor gave change, he complimented, “Your girlfriend is very pretty!”

Lin Dongxue stamped her foot, “I am not his girlfriend, don’t spread rumors!” She turned to see Chen Shi smiling, her annoyance bubbling over. “You’re actually enjoying this, aren’t you? Typical creepy old man behavior.”

“I just like to smile, is that a problem?” Chen Shi defended half-heartedly.

Lin Dongxue turned away, not wanting to argue. She then noticed Xu Xiaodong in the back of the queue with another girl, chatting and laughing. She gasped and quickly looked away, whispering to Chen Shi, “Look over there!”

Chen Shi, seeing the scene, remained calm, “What about it?”

“Don’t you think he’s shameless? He just gave his ticket away to someone else. Good thing I didn’t agree to go with him!” Lin Dongxue snorted.

“I don’t see a problem. It’s a normal strategy for males to cast a wide net. You wouldn’t want him to hang his hopes on one tree, would you?”

Lin Dongxue sighed, “You and your lectures! Can’t you just agree with me for once?”

“He’s totally shameless!” Chen Shi exaggeratedly agreed.

“Exactly!” Lin Dongxue laughed, hitting him playfully.

Finally making their way inside the venue, Lin Dongxue found their seats. Fortunately, they weren’t near Xu Xiaodong. Just as she turned to speak to Chen Shi, she noticed he had disappeared.

A few moments later, Chen Shi returned with a bag of snacks and drinks, settling down with a grin, “Let’s eat while we wait, probably still an hour to go.”

Lin Dongxue complained, “Drinking will just make us need the restroom. Do you know how annoying that is for girls, especially with so many people here? You could be more considerate!” Nevertheless, she reached into the bag and grabbed a can of Coke.

Chen Shi’s attention to detail and humor lightened the mood, setting the stage for an enjoyable concert evening ahead.