Drunk On The Night Breeze - Chapter 15

Chapter 15

Xie Jiashu’s performance date was approaching. When the tickets first went on sale, it felt as though the entire world wanted to go; yet when Ruan Lingfeng actually looked for someone to go with, he couldn’t find a single soul. People either happened to have other plans or simply weren’t interested in this type of show.

Ruan Lingfeng scrolled through his contact list back and forth. After hesitating for a long time, he finally sent a message to Tao Zhi.

Ruan Lingfeng: I have an extra ticket for T.Tree’s tour, the night after tomorrow at 8:00 PM. Do you want to come?

Tao Zhi didn’t reply all morning. At noon, Ruan Lingfeng sent a questioning emoji. This time, Tao Zhi replied instantly, but with only two words: “No time.”

Ruan Lingfeng had expected as much. He had seen the schedule; Tao Zhi was genuinely busy lately and wasn’t just making excuses. While he didn’t have anything scheduled for 8:00 PM the night after tomorrow, Tao Zhi would be filming out of town all day. Even if he made it back, logic dictated he should go home and rest properly, rather than rushing off to see a show.

Ruan Lingfeng had only asked Tao Zhi because he had run out of people to ask.

Even though, initially, he had gone through the trouble of getting the ticket specifically to drag Tao Zhi along.

Once it was confirmed he had no companion, Ruan Lingfeng resold the ticket on the fan forum. It was a bit of a shame, but he often went to shows alone, so it wasn’t a major issue.

On the day of the performance, Ruan Lingfeng arranged his work and left two hours early. He went home to freshen up before heading to the venue. He listened to Xie Jiashu’s music, but he wasn’t familiar with every song—especially since this was a tour for a new album. To be more immersed in the atmosphere, he made it a habit to loop the setlist repeatedly before the show started. Small venues like Livehouses rely heavily on interaction between the stage and the crowd; he felt it was best to know the songs well, otherwise, he’d just be standing there awkwardly during the sing-alongs.

He didn’t drive; he took the subway, ears plugged with headphones. Suddenly, the music stopped and his phone started vibrating, startling him.

When he picked up, Ruan Lingfeng was even more surprised.

It was actually Tao Zhi calling: “Why aren’t you replying to my WeChat?”

Was there an emergency? Ruan Lingfeng blinked: “I was listening to music and didn’t check my phone… What’s wrong?”

Tao Zhi didn’t say what he wanted; he just asked: “Where are you?”

Ruan Lingfeng guessed Tao Zhi might need a file or some data, and he felt a slight headache coming on: “I’m not at your studio right now. If you need something, ask Xiao Yue for now—”

“Who’s asking about that? You’re completely off-base… I know you aren’t at the studio! Because I’m at the studio!”

“Huh?”

“Didn’t you say you were going to see that idiot Xie Jiashu?” Tao Zhi said. “Where are you right now?”

Tao Zhi’s voice sounded like his patience was about to run out, but Ruan Lingfeng felt he still had to ask the obvious. He said in amazement, “Aren’t you supposed to be filming a show?”

“I came back as soon as I finished filming. Is there a problem?”

Ruan Lingfeng: “You finished early?”

“Questions, questions, so many questions. I ask where you are and you won’t say.” It sounded like Tao Zhi was one sentence away from yelling.

Ruan Lingfeng finally answered: “On the subway, four stops away… but I already sold the ticket.”

“Don’t say such stupid things,” Tao Zhi said. “If I want to see a live show, do I really have to worry about not having a ticket to get in?”

Ruan Lingfeng: “…”

Tao Zhi added: “Just wait at the entrance. I might be a little late. I’ll take you in through the back; no ticket needed.”

Ruan Lingfeng: “…You should have said so sooner.”

“Said what sooner?”

“Said so before I sold both tickets. I lost the money for one ticket for nothing.”

Ruan Lingfeng was just joking, but after a moment of silence on the other end, Tao Zhi said: “I’ll treat you to food later to make up for the ticket money. Happy?”

The two agreed to meet at the Livehouse entrance. This meeting felt strangely like two internet friends meeting for the first time, mainly because both were dressed quite differently from their usual selves.

Tao Zhi couldn’t find him for a while and was fuming over the phone. They had to share locations and look for landmarks before Tao Zhi finally spotted a somewhat unfamiliar Ruan Lingfeng. Because Ruan Lingfeng had to run around for work, he usually wore shirts that weren’t overly formal but still looked professional and steady. For the show, he looked like a different person. Since it was a Hiphop show, he was dressed in street style: sneakers, a loose hoodie, baggy pants, and his hair was casually tied up.

Tao Zhi looked grim: “Fuck, you’re dressed like this, how was I supposed to find you? I saw your back earlier and thought it looked like you, but I wasn’t sure.”

Ruan Lingfeng was speechless but explained earnestly: “I can’t exactly go clubbing in my work clothes.”

Tao Zhi snorted: “You really do have many faces.”

But it looked good. Ruan Lingfeng was naturally handsome; his usual attire made him look reliable and mature, but in this outfit, he looked no different from the college students waiting for the show. If someone said he was twenty-seven, they probably wouldn’t believe it.

Ruan Lingfeng added: “I couldn’t find you either… you’re wrapped up so tight.”

Tao Zhi was wearing a bucket hat that completely hid his red hair, along with a black mask that left only his eyes visible.

Tao Zhi rolled his eyes: “What else am I supposed to do? Let people recognize me here? And then I steal Xie Jiashu’s thunder?”

Ruan Lingfeng found it funny: “Why are you so confident you’d steal his thunder? He’s been releasing music for years; his fan base isn’t small.”

“Say that again?”

Ruan Lingfeng wasn’t really afraid of Tao Zhi anymore. This man always acted fierce, but most of the time it was all bark and no bite. Moreover, Ruan Lingfeng could now distinguish between when Tao Zhi was actually angry and when he was just posturing. For instance, right now, Tao Zhi was likely just being over-proud rather than truly enraged. So, Ruan Lingfeng intentionally drawled: “Of course—our Teacher Xiao Tao is far superior.”

Tao Zhi suddenly froze, and only spoke after a long pause: “Don’t talk to me like that.”

Ruan Lingfeng assumed his sarcasm had successfully annoyed Tao Zhi and couldn’t help but laugh: “Haha… alright, my bad. Didn’t you say you were taking me in through the back? I’ll leave it to you then.”

It turned out Tao Zhi knew the venue owner; he said he had performed here many times in the past. After successfully getting in via “face ID,” the two had a disagreement about where to watch the show.

Tao Zhi wanted to sit on the second floor, but Ruan Lingfeng felt the second floor was boring. Furthermore, since they had entered early, while the main body of fans was still waiting outside for ticket checks, they could easily have stood in the front row without any effort. However, Tao Zhi was adamant about not being in the front.

“The front row is too noisy. And if he gets hyped up later and starts spraying water or stage-diving, it’ll be annoying,” Tao Zhi argued reasonably. “Plus, they’ll definitely take a group photo after the show. If we’re in the front row, we’ll be in the picture.”

Ruan Lingfeng was completely unconvinced: “How about this: you go to the second floor, and I’ll stay in the front by myself?”

“Are you crazy?” Tao Zhi got a bit anxious. “If you were planning to watch alone, why did you ask me to come?”

“But I was planning to watch it alone…” Seeing that Tao Zhi looked like he was about to explode, Ruan Lingfeng quickly changed his tune. “Fine, second floor it is.”

Even though he had agreed to Tao Zhi’s demand, Tao Zhi hesitated: “Do you really like standing in the front?”

“It’s not about ‘liking’ it… actually, there aren’t many chances to stand in the front. Especially for popular performers, fans wait for hours to queue. I’m busy with work; today is actually lucky. Sometimes I’m happy just to make it to a show at all, let alone care about the front row,” Ruan Lingfeng said. “But because I rarely get the chance to be at the front, I felt it would be a waste to go to the second floor when we have the opportunity…”

“But it doesn’t matter,” Ruan Lingfeng added. “Let’s go to the second floor.”

Tao Zhi, however, didn’t move toward the stairs. He took a long stride toward the stage, where staff were currently testing the sound equipment.

“Too lazy to go upstairs. Let’s go to the front,” Tao Zhi said.

Tao Zhi’s reasons for not wanting to go to the front included the ones he had mentioned, but there was one more he couldn’t bring himself to say.

The front row was too conspicuous. He didn’t mean himself—wrapped up as he was, it would be hard to recognize him—he meant Ruan Lingfeng.

If such a beautiful Omega squeezed into the front row, someone would definitely try to hit on him. Even if Xie Jiashu didn’t, his guest performers might, or the other Alpha fans nearby might. Hadn’t this Omega done it before? He’d gone to a show and ended up hooking up with the lead singer of Tao Zhi’s former band.

Even if he didn’t leave with someone on the spot, if they exchanged WeChat and flirted for a few rounds, it probably wouldn’t be surprising if Ruan Lingfeng ended up in a hotel room with someone whenever they hit it off.

Furthermore, he actually disliked the first floor. Even if it wasn’t the front row, the crowded floor inevitably involved physical contact. Didn’t Ruan Lingfeng worry at all? What if there were “salty pig hands” (gropers)?

In reality, he had filmed for a whole day and rushed back to Yuncheng without a moment’s rest, and it really wasn’t for Xie Jiashu’s performance.

He just couldn’t help thinking: would Ruan Lingfeng get too hyped up? Would he easily walk off with someone else?

Even though he understood that whatever the other did in his private life had nothing to do with him, and he shouldn’t be so overbearing.

But he couldn’t control his repetitive thoughts; the more he thought, the more annoyed he became.

He could only attribute this irritation to the fact that he really hated this kind of thing. He hoped that, at the very least, such things wouldn’t happen under his nose.

Tao Zhi looked again at Ruan Lingfeng, who had caught up and was standing next to him. Ruan Lingfeng leaned his elbows on the railing, waiting idly for the start. The long-sleeved hoodie was a bit oversized, revealing a patch of skin from his neck to his chest. Ruan Lingfeng was very thin, and his collarbones were quite prominent.

The sleeves were too long, almost covering his entire palms, leaving only a tiny bit exposed.

Damn it, “moe-sleeves.”

Tao Zhi glared at Ruan Lingfeng: “You just had to wear this to a live show.”

Ruan Lingfeng turned his head, his expression confused: “…?”

“Even if you really don’t care about these things, the crowd at a show like this is a mixed bag. Can’t you be a bit more cautious?” Tao Zhi couldn’t take it anymore. “Pull your clothes up a bit. Can you dress normally??”

Ruan Lingfeng: “…” Was he not wearing a perfectly normal hoodie?