Chapter 17: The Elevator That Devours
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Cheng Shi pulled out five hundred-yuan notes from his pocket, flashing them as he said, “I want to try on this outfit.”
The sales clerk raised an eyebrow in surprise.
His monthly salary plus bonuses barely reached over two hundred yuan.
Yet this young man seemed so wealthy.
Could he have stolen the money?
Reluctantly, the clerk took the clothes down from the rack.
Before Cheng Shi could take them, a scream and crying came from behind.
He set the clothes down and rushed over, seeing the child who had been repeatedly riding the escalator with his parents had gotten his foot stuck.
Everyone on the escalator panicked and fled.
Some even fell, creating chaos.
Security guards and staff ran over but were helpless.
Though they had emergency training when the escalator was installed, this was their first real accident.
They dared not act rashly.
Cheng Shi dashed forward, pressed the emergency stop button, and shouted, “Call 119!”
The manager arrived at the scene.
The parent was hysterical, shouting, “It takes at least ten minutes for 119 to arrive. My son will be stuck inside for ten minutes! Why don’t you just dismantle the panel directly?”
The manager replied, “No one knows how to take it apart. It was installed less than a year ago and hasn’t been serviced yet. Calling the manufacturer will take several hours.”
Cheng Shi sighed and said, “I can take it apart.”
The manager turned, surprised.
Cheng Shi asked, “When the elevator company installed it, they gave you a toolbox, right?”
The manager nodded, “Yes, yes.”
“Bring it here quickly.”
Three minutes later, the toolbox arrived.
A crowd gathered silently, watching the spectacle.
Only the child’s heartbreaking cries filled the air.
Using a specialized screwdriver, Cheng Shi dismantled the panel.
The child was immediately pulled out.
His toes were mangled and bleeding; if it had taken longer, the consequences would have been worse.
The parent bowed repeatedly, “Thank you, thank you so much.”
Cheng Shi said, “Take the child to the hospital quickly. Don’t bring him to play with these machines anymore—it’s very dangerous.”
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Warm applause erupted all around.
“Wow, I wouldn’t have guessed. Such a young man with such skills.”
“So handsome too. If he hadn’t stopped the escalator immediately, more people might have been hurt.”
Just then, the firefighters arrived. Seeing the situation resolved, they helped take the child to the hospital.
Cheng Shi reattached the panel, restarted the escalator, and, after confirming all was well, packed up the tools and returned them to the manager.
He accepted a tissue from a nearby person and wiped the grease off his hands.
The manager, ignoring Cheng Shi’s dirty hands, shook his firmly. “Thank you, comrade. Thanks to you, it didn’t end worse.”
The mall was somewhat unfairly blamed, but it was impossible to shirk all responsibility.
Cheng Shi said, “It was nothing, just a small favor.”
The tissue came from an elegant young woman, her brows like delicate ink strokes, large eyes, a high nose bridge, and a small cherry mouth.
Most importantly, her attire was tasteful and fashionable, a refreshing contrast to the usual dull greys or garish extremes.
She said, “I’m a reporter from the television station. My surname is Guo. May I interview you?”
Cheng Shi replied, “Sorry, I’m in a hurry to buy clothes and shoes today. Maybe another time.”
Seeing the reporter, the manager quickly said, “This gentleman’s clothes and shoes today will be provided free of charge by our mall, as a reward for helping save a life.”
Even the most expensive outfit would only cost about a thousand yuan.
The escalator itself cost hundreds of thousands.
Had the firefighters had to cut it open, the damage would have been far greater.
Cheng Shi declined, “No need.”
Reporter Guo insisted, “It’s only right. You saved a life.”
The manager agreed, “Absolutely.”
With the reporter present, it was free advertising for the department store.
The manager was eager to impress.
The sales clerk from the men’s clothing counter, who had been chilly before, suddenly became very enthusiastic. “Sir, the clothes you wanted earlier—I’ve taken them out. Please come try them on.”
Cheng Shi ignored her and moved to another counter.
The clerk was mortified.
He picked a moderately priced suit, shirt, belt, tie, T-shirt, and shoes, totaling around five hundred yuan.
Changing into the new T-shirt and cloth shoes, he felt much more comfortable walking. He thought, “I’ll bring my parents and sister to buy new clothes another day.”
The manager, expecting him to haggle fiercely, was impressed by his restraint and personally helped pack the purchases and saw him out.
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After bidding the manager goodbye, Cheng Shi bought a briefcase for himself and a large can of malted milk powder from the food counter.
This product had been popular since the 1980s, though its taste was average.
But due to scarcity of goods, it was expensive—over forty yuan for an 800-gram can—and considered a precious drink that many families couldn’t afford to consume regularly.
Later, with the arrival of milk powder, yogurt, and juice, it lost its special status.
Cai Aiping and Cheng Juan liked drinking it but rarely dared to buy it.
When Cheng Shi reached his doorstep, Qian Xiaoying came over holding Zhang Gong’s hand.
After thinking it over last night, Qian Xiaoying realized men loved competition.
If Cheng Shi knew she was in demand, he would surely come back begging to reconcile, just like before.
Seeing Cheng Shi carrying so many things, Qian Xiaoying was delighted. “See? He must be buying gifts for me!”
She shook off Zhang Gong’s hand and stepped forward.
But Cheng Shi didn’t glance at her, walking straight upstairs as if she were invisible.
Instead, Qian Xiaoying found herself staring at him in a daze.
Tall and slender, dressed in new clothes and shoes, he looked spirited and graceful under the sunset.
Zhang Gong gritted his teeth in jealousy. “Qian Xiaoying, you called me here just to show off to him, huh?”
Qian Xiaoying snapped out of her gaze, looked at Zhang Gong’s sweaty, small-eyed, flat-nosed face, and shuddered with disgust. She shoved him away. “Look at you! Do you deserve my affection? You’re not even worth one of Cheng Shi’s toes.”
Zhang Gong stormed off, growling, “Fine, don’t come back begging me to marry you.”
Qian Xiaoying looked up at the stairs. “Cheng Shi, I will make you turn around and be my devoted servant.”
Before entering the door, Cheng Shi called out, “Mom, Mom.”
This seemed like the universal gesture of all children.
Only when the mother came out and responded could they feel at ease and truly home.
Cai Aiping came out. “My boy is home.”
Cheng Shi said, “I bought malted milk powder for you.”
Cai Aiping said, “No need to waste money.”
But inside, she was sweetly touched.
Cheng Shi found a glass and made her a large cup.
Cai Aiping said beside him, “Hey, no need to make it so strong. I’m not growing anymore; I don’t need so much good stuff.”