Theater House Opening
"It's indeed the Theater House across the street." 10 of Diamonds nodded slightly,
"Before, to ensure the safety of the stronghold, we already did background checks on all the surrounding shops. That Theater House used to have relatively booming business, but later the boss contracted a serious illness, and the Theater House gradually declined. Now there's only an Elderly Woman with a serious illness and a child living inside. It's been closed for a long time."
"The Theater House has reopened, it seems that Elderly Woman's illness is cured?"
"That's not important."
9 of Hearts took the Invitation Card that Jian Changsheng handed over, glanced at it casually, and then threw it aside, "No one here listens to plays anyway. Besides, now is not the time for leisurely recreation..."
"That's right. We've been delayed by [Floating Life Painting] for too long. Months have passed, and we still haven't found the location of the Red Dust Base." 10 of Diamonds's brow gradually furrowed.
"Although time is tight, we still have to act carefully." Jack of Clubs, who had been standing in the corner, said calmly, "We just got rid of our suspicion. It's not appropriate to take action immediately. It's best to first contact the outside world as naturally as possible and understand the situation. After all, we've been sealed in here for too long. We know nothing about what happened outside."
"...True, Queen of Hearts is also still unconscious. We still need to go out and find a reliable Doctor."
"If it's to contact the outside world... how about the Theater House?"
Everyone's gazes returned to the Invitation Card, deep in thought.
"...The Theater House also has a large flow of people, a mix of good and bad. It's indeed a good place to gather information."
"The most important thing is that the Theater House took the initiative to send us an Invitation Card. We're just going by invitation. Even if there are Plainclothes Officers mixed in among the Casino staff, it won't arouse suspicion..."
After everyone's careful consideration, the gold content of this Invitation Card also gradually increased. As it stood right now, this was indeed their best stepping stone to move forward.
"Then it's decided. 10 of Diamonds will continue to guard the stronghold, and the three of us will go to this Jinghong Theater to take a look, and then proceed with the next step of the action." Jack of Clubs quickly finalized the strategy.
"Okay!"
...
Evening.
After several months, three figures finally stepped out of the Casino main door.
Jian Changsheng, wearing a black leather jacket, stood by the road, looking at the pedestrians and vehicles passing by on the street. A long-lost breath of life rushed at his face... He took a deep breath, then slowly exhaled as if relieved of a heavy burden.
He opened his mouth, seeming to want to imitate those brilliant ancients and sigh about the hardship of his months in prison and the joy of regaining freedom, but after holding it in for over ten seconds, he still ended up saying:
"F*ck, I'm finally back!"
"..." Jack of Clubs couldn't help but roll his eyes.
Jian Changsheng also felt a bit awkward. After a few light coughs, he changed the subject, "By the way, when we came out just now, did you guys notice anything unusual?"
"No." 9 of Hearts stretched lazily, "No one paid attention to us at all, nor did I sense any other type of prying. It seems there are no more Plainclothes Officers among the employees inside the Casino."
"That's good."
Jian Changsheng glanced at the Invitation Card in his hand and walked straight towards the other side of the road. After the three had only walked a few dozen meters, they saw a dense crowd of figures crowded on the roadside, all craning their necks and looking in one direction. The line even extended to the door of the Casino.
"Whoa." Jian Changsheng couldn't help but say, "What are they doing? The line is longer than my lifeline."
"Isn't the Theater House up ahead? They should be lining up waiting to listen to a play."
"This many people???"
"You've been in the Red Dust Domain for so long, and you still find it strange?" 9 of Hearts shrugged his shoulders, "The people here are all crazy about chasing stars... They probably invited some Famous Actor for the Theater House's opening today."
"But we have an Invitation Card, so it seems we don't need to line up. Let's go over and take a look first."
The three continued forward. Along the way, there were lines of enthusiastic Red Dust Main City residents, 70% of whom were women. They gathered together chattering, as if describing something, their eyes full of excitement. What surprised the three was that there were quite a few old men and Elderly Women carrying small stools sitting in the line, wearing slippers, waving palm-leaf fans, grinning widely and laughing heartily. It was very lively.
"Damn, just what kind of star is this?" Jian Changsheng rubbed his eyes and said in disbelief, "Isn't this audience demographic a bit too broad?! Old men and women chase stars too??"
"We'll know once we go in and take a look."
While talking, the three had already arrived at the door of the Theater House.
Compared to the endless line outside, the door of this Theater House looked exceptionally dilapidated, making it hard to believe such a place could attract so many people. The only thing with a bit of style on the entire storefront was that plaque with "Jinghong Theater" written on it.
At this moment, at the door of the Theater House, a formally dressed teenager was sweating profusely while maintaining order.
"People in the back, don't push! One by one!"
"I'm sorry, our seats are already full today. I'll get you a new number, can you come again tomorrow?"
"Grandmother, please put your stool away, the people behind can't walk..."
"Oh, you two are from the rouge shop next door, right? Please come in, please come in. Your seats are in the third row..."
"..."
Seeing the three approaching together, the teenager opened his mouth and asked:
"You three are..."
"Oh, we're from the Casino, this is our Invitation Card."
As Jian Changsheng handed over the Invitation Card, Kong Baosheng glanced at it and respectfully made a 'please' gesture, "Okay, you three, your seats are in the first row."
"The first row?"
Jian Changsheng was stunned. Following Kong Baosheng's lead, he entered the Theater House. After passing through the old hall covered with a red carpet, they arrived in front of the Stage.
The decoration of this Theater House was very unique. The ceiling above the Stage was actually hollowed out, and a gentle breeze blew in from the gaps on both sides of the roof, making it very comfortable... In front of the Stage, a dozen rows of seats had already been arranged. At a rough glance, it could seat about eighty or ninety people. The spacing between each was just right, neither wasting space nor making people feel crowded.
And the seats for Jian Changsheng and the other two were not only in the first row but also in the very middle. After the three sat down, the Audience members who had lined up all day and barely managed to snatch a back-row seat looked at them with eyes full of envy.
Feeling the fiery gazes coming from the back of his head, Jian Changsheng's expression was a bit strange,
"What's the situation... Didn't we come to listen to the play for free? Why are our seats so far forward?"
9 of Hearts crossed his legs and said casually, "Who cares. Anyway, we're not really here to listen to a play... It's the same wherever we sit."
"That's true too."
Although Jian Changsheng felt something wasn't quite right, he still tried his best to ignore the fiery gazes behind him. After all, they came here to gather information, so they still had to keep their eyes and ears open in all directions.
Just then, Jian Changsheng's gaze fell on the door of the Theater House. A burly figure unhurriedly walked up to the teenager.
Seeing this figure, Kong Baosheng was suddenly stunned:
"Bureau Chief Wang? Why are you here??"