Volume 3: Headless Female Corpse

September 27. The catastrophic family massacre was very popular in the media. This time, there was a “good-hearted citizen” in the report again. In the forum of Long'An City, netizens could not help but speculate the background of this “good-hearted citizen” who has appeared twice in succession.

Entering October, Chen Shi’s life was busy again. Every day, he ran a taxi from early morning and chatted with the passengers. He was in the midst of bliss.

On one particular day, he received a phone call from Lin Dongxue. After sending a passenger to their destination, he immediately went to the door of the station. Lin Dongxue was still dressed up freshly. She pulled the door open and sat down then closed the door heavily. Chen Shi glanced at her from the rear-view mirror. “What is it, Miss Lin? Who is provoking you?”

“You!”

Chen Shi shook the cigarette out of the cigarette case and took one out. “Me? Why me?”

“Did you encourage Xu Xiaodong to invite me to the concert?”

“I need to make it clear that I did not encourage him. I only told him that when chasing after girls, he needs to be more courageous.”

Lin Dongxue was so angry that she laughed. “Is this not called encouragement?”

“If you are not interested in him, just say it to him directly. Why are you taking it out on me?”

“Oh please, he didn't confess. What would I even say to him? If I do, he’ll just say that I was thinking too much!”

“Then you promised to go to the concert?”

“No! How can I promise that? You’re not allowed to do these kinds of extra things in the future. You don't even know what type I like, but you are getting all up in my business trying to match-make?”

“Miss. Lin, what type of men do you like then? Tell me so that I can help!”

Lin Dongxue kicked at the back of the driver's seat. “Cut the crap!”

“You looked for me because of this?”

“Not entirely.” Lin Dongxue took out two tickets for Zhang Xueyou's concert and smirked. “You want to be the red-thread matchmaker[1], wanting me to owe you something? I don’t want that. I want to make you feel uncomfortable and guilty, don't you like Zhang Xueyou? I’ll invite you!”

Chen Shi raised his eyebrows. “Let me guess. Since it’s October the 1st[2], all banks have limited time promotions. Is this ticket a discount ticket from you picking at wool?”[3]

“You bastard! You don't appreciate it? Still picking and choosing here!”

“I was wrong, I was wrong!” Chen Shi immediately apologized. “Miss Lin invited me to listen to the concert. I was stunned from the flattery. To be honest, I haven’t been invited by a girl to listen to a concert even though I’m this old. What’s the catch?”

“Nothing, it is just to repay you in a different way. You made a lot of efforts in the last case. Besides, I want to go, but I don't want to be with Xu Xiaodong, so I will drag you!”

“When?”

“Tonight!”

“Okay, see you there.”

Lin Dongxue threw the ticket into Chen Shi’s chest. “When you come to pick me up, you’re not allowed to be late.”

Chen Shi looked at the ticket and smiled. He mumbled to himself, “This brother and sister pair aren’t very direct with their words.”

At seven o'clock in the evening, Chen Shi was ready at the meeting place. Lin Dongxue wore a pretty black dress and pulled the door open to sit in the passenger seat. Chen Shi thought that this little girl changed clothes very frequently, but she had a good figure so she looked good in whatever she wore. It was quite eye-catching.

“What are you looking at, stinking uncle?” When she noticed Chen Shi’s sight.

“The meal looks delicious.”

“Delicious your head!” Lin Dongxue stuck out two fingers as if to stab his eyes. “Hurry and drive, don't be late.”

As Chen Shi drove, he asked, “Are you born after the 90’s? Why do you like Zhang Xueyou’s songs?”

“I was influenced by my family. When I was young, my family kept putting his songs on. I followed them. I went to karaoke bars to sing his songs with my classmates and I got teased for it. I think what’s most important is that it’s nice to listen to. It shouldn’t have to be so clear as to who listens to what depending on their age.”

“That makes sense!”

When they got to the arena, there was a long queue outside. Chen Shi stopped the car and took a coat from the back seat. It was a newly bought jacket that was black. Lin Dongxue felt that he looked quite refreshing in it. It made him look young.

“Did you know?” Chen Shi teased, “People who like black are a little deviant.”

“I don't understand. I don’t understand!” Lin Dongxue put her hands over her ears. “Don't pollute my pure ears.”

Chen Shi smiled, “Let’s go!”

The arena continued to rebroadcast the news of the concert. Many hawkers came to peddle light sticks, LED lights, and some people were even selling pirated CDs. Chen Shi warned the hawker who sold pirated copies, “You’ve really got guts. Do you know that the manufacturing and selling pirated copies is illegal? Yet you’re even selling them here?”

The hawker spat, “It’s none of your damn business. If you’re not buying, eff off.”

“You’ve got guts. I will report you now!” Chen Shi turned and said loudly to the staff, “Hey! There is a person selling pirated CDs here!”

The staff came over and the hawker saw it. He shouted as he ran, “I’ll find someone to skin you shortly!”

“Please slice me up well! I was just after a face-lift!” Chen Shi called back at the hawker who was far away.

Lin Dongxue laughed and angrily poked at Chen Shi, “You are too much of a busy-body!”

“Selling pirated copies is the same as stealing money. It is the money of my idol. How can I ignore it?” Chen Shi seriously.

“Psh, will your idol appreciate you?”

“That doesn't matter. Oh right, do you want a light stick? I’ll buy some for you.”

“How silly to be swinging that around!”

“It’s rare to come once.” Chen Shi called a hawker, bought a light stick and a “Song God, I love you” LED light. The hawker giving the change for the purchase gave praise, “Your girlfriend is really beautiful!”

Lin Dongxue stomped her foot. “I am not his girlfriend, don't say things you don’t know!” She turned her head and looked at Chen Shi's smiling face. She growled, “You bastard, why are you so secretly happy? Even this uncle’s heart is wretched and perverted deep down.”

“I am a man who loves to laugh, can't I?” Chen Shi responded, looking like he was honest.

Lin Dongxue turned her head and ignored him. Suddenly, she saw Xu Xiaodong standing in the back row of the S-shaped queue. He was talking and laughing with a girl. Lin Dongxue’s jaw dropped, and she quickly turned her face back and whispered, “Look at that. Look over there!”

“I saw it, what happened?” Chen Shi was very calm.

“Don’t you think this guy is has no principles? He just turned around and gave the ticket to someone else after getting rejected. Fortunately, I didn't promise him!” Lin Dongxue snorted.

“I don't think there is anything wrong. This is a normal male courtship strategy. If you cast a net in many places, you will have a reward. Can you still hope that someone will hang onto a single tree?”[4]

“Hey! Can’t you just agree with me simply instead of reasoning everything?”

“Oh, yeah, he totally has no principles!” Chen Shi acted dramatically.

“Your acting is terrible!” Lin Dongxue lightly punched him with a smile.

After thousands of hardships, they had finally gotten into the venue. Lin Dongxue found their seats, fortunately not with Xu Xiaodong. She was going to talk to Chen Shi but found that he wasn’t there.

After a while, Chen Shi came back with a bag of snacks and drinks in hand. He sat down with a smile. “You should eat while you wait, it is estimated that there is still more than an hour before the show starts.”

Lin Dongxue complained, “Drinking drinks? Won't we need to go to the toilet? Don’t you know that for girls, it’s super troublesome to go to the toilet? Especially since there are so many people around. You’re really not considerate!” She said while reaching for a cola from the bag.

1. In Chinese legends, the red thread of fate is where the gods tie an invisible red cord around the finger of those destined for one another as their “true love” counterparts. The deity in charge of the red thread in Chinese legends is called the old lunar matchmaking god.

2. National Day for China.

3. Idiom for when people want things they subtlety imply things around it like “Happy New Years!!” In order to get red envelopes or chocolates.

4. Wait for you all by their lonesome until they die. Waiting for the fruit of one tree instead of eating anything else will mean they will starve till death.