CHAPTER 1016: CHAPTER 1023: CONCERT (PART 1)

In recent days, Ling Chen hasn’t been having a good time. He searched for Nanrong Wanqing more than ten times, but each time she found an excuse to refuse him. Over these days, he’s been to the Nanrong Family four or five times, yet still hasn’t caught a glimpse of Nanrong Wanqing.

What exactly is going on? Ling Chen sat on the sofa at home, pondering quietly. A few days ago, he seemed not to have offended Nanrong Wanqing, and he had no idea why she was upset—the whole thing is so baffling.

"Ling Chen."

Hearing Yang Qingling’s voice coming from behind, Ling Chen turned around and asked, "Mom, what’s up?"

"Why hasn’t Wanqing come over to visit these past few days? No trace of her, not even a phone call. Did you two have a fight?"

"Mom, nothing like that. She’s been really busy with work recently, so she doesn’t have time to come over," Ling Chen dodged the question.

"Oh, come on, I’ve been through this, do you think you can fool me? Son, it’s very normal for couples to argue, you don’t need to worry too much. As a man, you should be generous, not petty like a woman. Also, if Wanqing is mad at you, then you should be the one actively seeking her, instead of just staying at home. Do you expect Wanqing to come find you?"

Ling Chen said with a bitter smile, "Mom, it’s not like I haven’t tried. I’ve called her so much that my phone’s almost worn out, and I’ve been to the Nanrong Family several times, but she keeps avoiding me. What else can I do? I don’t even know how I’ve offended her. Sigh, sometimes women can be so inexplicable. It’s okay to be angry, but at least give me a reason. She doesn’t say a word, what can I do? Should I block her at her office building?"

"It’s not a bad thing for a man to be proactive."

"Mom, it’s not about being proactive or not. Alright, don’t worry about it, I know what to do." Just as he said this, Ling Chen’s phone on the coffee table started ringing.

Seeing the caller ID, Ling Chen quickly answered the call, "Hello! Shiyun, is there something you need from me?"

"Ling, my concert is the day after tomorrow, aren’t you going to come and support me?"

"Of course I’ll come, how could I not? Save a seat for me, and I’ll definitely be there."

"You’ve said it, so don’t go back on your word. I’ll save three seats for you; you can bring some friends along."

After hanging up the phone, Yang Qingling asked, "Was that Wanqing calling?"

"No, it was Shiyun. Hey! Mom, are you interested in going to the concert with me?"

"Shiyun?" Yang Qingling listened to the unfamiliar name and asked, "Who is that? Have I met her?"

Ling Chen slapped his forehead, remembering that he hadn’t mentioned Tang Shiyun to his mom yet.

"Mom, Shiyun is the first friend I made in East Sea City—a very cute girl. If you meet her, you’re guaranteed to like her."

Listening to this, Yang Qingling looked at her son with a peculiar gaze and said, "Ling Chen, honestly tell Mom, how many girls are you interested in? Are you seeing several girls at the same time?" Pausing for a moment, without waiting for Ling Chen to respond, Yang Qingling earnestly advised, "Son, Wanqing is a very nice girl, you must not do anything to let her down. Also, men should be loyal, just like your father; you must not be a philanderer. Those kinds of men are scumbags, and I do not wish for my son to become one of them."

Ling Chen said helplessly, "Mom, what are you saying, making your son sound like such a scumbag. Shiyun is my little sister, don’t overthink it."

"Men and women can’t have pure friendships, especially you, who always call others your sister, it shows you have feelings for her. Son, don’t blame Mom for not warning you; you better be careful, don’t play with fire and get burned."

"Mom, it’s not as serious as you say." Ling Chen was speechless, his mother’s reaction was too extreme.

"Alright! Since you don’t want to go to the concert, I won’t force you, I’ll find someone else." After saying this, Ling Chen took strides toward his room. He’s truly scared of Yang Qingling, getting berated out of nowhere.

"Wait!" Yang Qingling called out to Ling Chen, who was about to go upstairs, "Who said I’m not going? Perfect, I’ll go with you to see what kind of person this ’sister’ of yours is."

"Alright, if you want to go, I’ll accompany you then. I’ll head back to my room!"

Returning to his room, Ling Chen wandered onto the balcony of the bedroom. Looking out, he could see Han Mingchao’s villa. At this time, two cargo trucks were parked at Han Mingchao’s door, and several men in work uniforms were moving furniture from the house to the trucks.

Upon seeing this, Ling Chen couldn’t help but wonder. What’s Han Mingchao up to? Why move when you’re living well—could it be to avoid trouble from me? Thinking of this, Ling Chen chuckled. This guy’s guts are way too small.

...

A day passes.

Friday, 6:30 PM.

Ling Chen had dinner at home, went back to his room, and changed into a clean and neat suit, then waited at the front door for Yang Qingling.

Tang Shiyun’s concert starts at 7:30; there’s still an hour left. After waiting for a few minutes, Yang Qingling leisurely descended from upstairs.

"Mom, when you meet Shiyun later, mind your words and don’t scare her." Sitting in the car, Ling Chen cautioned anxiously. He had no choice—the attitude Yang Qingling showed the other day made him worry.

Yang Qingling glared at her son with disdain; she was, after all, raised by a prestigious family, well-educated and courteous—not like those unruly women on the streets. If it weren’t for him being her son, she would’ve taught him a lesson already, daring to question his mom’s standards.

Receiving Yang Qingling’s glare, Ling Chen straightened up considerably. He shut his mouth and quickly started the car, driving towards the stadium.

PM.

Ling Chen arrived on time at the stadium parking lot. After parking, he led Yang Qingling directly to the stadium entrance.

At this moment, outside the stadium is already a sea of people; the audience all holding tickets and lining up to enter. Such bustling scenes naturally attract street vendors trying to earn some business. Surrounding the crowd, vendors had spontaneously formed a little food street, with tantalizing aromas in the air.

Seeing those fans holding banners and nameplates, Yang Qingling asked in surprise, "Does that Tang Shiyun have great fame?"

Yang Qingling, who had been abroad for a long time and only recently returned home, had no knowledge of Tang Shiyun’s domestic popularity. Thus, the crowded scene before her left her greatly astounded.

Ling Chen had only told her that Tang Shiyun was a singer, but never imagined she was such a hit star. For a moment, she was full of curiosity about Tang Shiyun, whom she’d never met.

In response to Yang Qingling’s inquiry, Ling Chen merely chuckled, believing nothing he could say would be more convincing than the sight of the live audience.