Chapter 12#
Chapter 12#
That’s right, Zhao Xing decided to organize a matchmaking event in Sector K13.
Of course, it wasn’t for himself—he was helping others find partners.
You see, the electric fence here was extremely high, almost touching the “sky” of the sub-surface. Paper balls could hardly be thrown across; out of thirty tries, maybe one would succeed. On top of that, the fence was incredibly dangerous—it wasn’t your traditional contact-based electric fence. Anyone within three meters would be electrocuted, and you had to be at least ten meters away to be safe.
So even if someone fancied a handsome guy or pretty girl on the other side, all they could do was squint through the fence and make out a blurry silhouette. They couldn’t even pass a simple message, let alone communicate on a deeper level.
But now, the kids—who could pass through freely—could break this barrier. They could deliver letters between potential lovebirds and set up face-to-face meetings.
“I’m leaving this to you.” Zhao Xing patted Zhou Ming on the shoulder. “As for payment, one point per letter delivered. We’ll only charge the male inmates; the female side is free. For the split, let’s do it like this for now: me 70%, you 20%, and the kid delivering the letter gets 10%.”
Zhou Ming: “…”
He swallowed the “fucking profiteer” stuck in his throat and said obsequiously, “Brother Zhao, you’ve got a real head for business!”
Zhao Xing glanced at him. “After two months, I won’t take a cut anymore.”
Zhou Ming was overjoyed.
But…
“Brother Zhao, why won’t you take a cut after two months?”
Zhao Xing: “Won’t need to.”
Zhou Ming’s eyes darted around. Remembering how Zhao Xing had casually topped up over a million when he first arrived, he realized this brother probably wasn’t short on cash.
Maybe his family would come by in two months and shower him with money—then why would he bother with this one-or-two-point business?
Zhou Ming: “Alright, Brother Zhao, I’ll go move my stuff to the dorm first! Leave this matter to me—you don’t need to worry about it.”
.
Forty minutes later, Lü Xiaofeng returned. His eyes were red as if he’d been crying, but he also looked incredibly excited, practically bouncing as he walked and chattering nonstop.
“Brother Zhao, thank you, I saw my mom…
“Mom said I draw really well!
“Mom accepted my candy, but she gave me even more candy! She said she’d been saving it for me…
“Mom was so happy too!”
…………
As he walked, he suddenly remembered something. He reached out and poked Zhao Xing, whispering, “Oh, Brother Zhao, that little motorcycle you gave me… can I lend it to Brother Xiaoshan to play with? He seems really upset…”
Zhao Xing sneered inwardly.
If Lü Xiaofeng “lent” the wooden carving to Luo Mingshan to “play with,” Luo Mingshan would probably be even angrier.
After all, in his mind, that thing was already his.
Zhao Xing couldn’t know him better.
Wait.
Zhao Xing frowned.
Where did he get the confidence to guess what Luo Mingshan was thinking?
After all, when Luo Mingshan framed him back then, Zhao Xing was the most stunned person of all.
Zhao Xing glanced at Lü Xiaofeng. “Don’t let him play with it.”
Lü Xiaofeng lowered his head and said quietly, “Okay.”
Even though it would make Brother Xiaoshan unhappy, right now, in Lü Xiaofeng’s heart, Brother Zhao came first.
.
Just as Lü Xiaofeng and Zhao Xing reached the dormitory entrance, they bumped into Lü Zhiqiang.
Seeing his son next to Zhao Xing, Lü Zhiqiang’s expression immediately tensed up. “Xiao-Xiaofeng, come here!”
Lü Xiaofeng ran over excitedly and threw his arms around him. “Dad! I just went to see Mom!”
Lü Zhiqiang was stunned. “…What?”
Lü Xiaofeng began chattering away about the whole thing. Zhao Xing sensed that an awkward situation was about to unfold, so he shook off the father and son and strode ahead.
But even though he walked fast, by the time he reached the 15th underground floor, they had caught up.
Lü Zhiqiang was panting from running. A mixture of embarrassment, unease, apology, and gratitude twisted his face into an overly earnest smile. His eyes were red and moist. “Zhao… Brother Zhao, thank you, I, I really…”
Zhao Xing ran a hand through his hair, feeling extremely uncomfortable. He raised his voice. “Shut up! Don’t fucking spout any more nonsense, it’s noisy.”
Lü Zhiqiang quickly closed his mouth, but his eyes were still full of gratitude as he looked at Zhao Xing.
Unable to stand that look, Zhao Xing pushed open the door and walked into the dorm.
Unexpectedly, Zhou Ming had already moved in—he was fast. He was currently tidying up his bunk while chatting with Luo Mingshan. “…Sister-in-law, hey there. I’m Zhou Ming. Starting today, I’m following Brother Zhao. Hope you’ll look out for me.”
Luo Mingshan stared at him for two seconds without saying a word.
Zhou Ming’s heart started racing under that gaze.
It was his first time getting up close and personal with the legendary top-tier beauty. Zhou Ming was both nervous and thought to himself, How can someone be this good-looking? No wonder there’s always trouble around him.
But…
Why did he feel like the beautiful sister-in-law wasn’t exactly friendly toward him?
Those dark, deep eyes fixed on him made him inexplicably break out in a cold sweat.
Just then, Zhao Xing walked over, frowning. “What are you calling her? She’s not your sister-in-law. Watch your mouth.”
Zhou Ming: “Huh? But everyone says you two are a couple…”
Zhao Xing shot him a cold look, his tone a bit irritable. “No. Don’t let me hear those bullshit rumors from your mouth again.”
Zhou Ming’s mind went blank.
What?!
They’re NOT a couple?!
Wasn’t everyone saying they were childhood sweethearts, reunited after a breakup, one staying chaste for the other, the other going to prison alone for the other, and then Brother Zhao went through all kinds of drama—misunderstandings, cheating, furious domestic violence, beating up the other man, sincere repentance, protecting with his life—and finally won back his wife, living happily ever after?
They’d even topped the K13 District Model Couple chart! And now the person involved is telling him it’s all bullshit rumors?!
Who would believe that?!
Even if that childhood sweetheart, prison-going stuff was made up by others.
Zhao Xing had been here two days, fought three fights, and every single one was to drive away Luo Mingshan’s bad suitors—that had to be true!
And the whole cafeteria had seen Zhao Xing fighting eight people for love!
If you two aren’t a couple, you’re letting down that Big Boss Su who died from being scammed in your honey-trap scheme!
Zhou Ming screamed internally, but outwardly he feigned a look of sudden realization. “Hahahahaha, Brother Zhao, so it’s all rumors! I’m a wise man, I absolutely don’t believe rumors! Oh, by the way, Brother Zhao, if she’s not your sister-in-law, then who is she…?”
Zhao Xing pinched Luo Mingshan’s cheek and said teasingly, “Of course, my little slave.”
Zhou Ming: “…”
The polite smile on his face barely held.
Damn, these two are such tricky lovebirds.
Zhou Ming: “Oh, Brother Zhao, about that job you gave me—I’ll probably need quite a few kids. Can I start with the kid from our dorm?”
Zhao Xing nodded. “Sure. He knows the way, he’s smart, and it’ll be easier that way.”
Zhou Ming looked enthusiastic. “Then I’ll go find him now and talk to his dad!”
Zhao Xing: “Mm, go ahead. No need to ask me about small stuff like this from now on.”
Watching Zhou Ming and Lü Xiaofeng huddle together and discuss, Zhao Xing could already see countless repentance points flowing endlessly into his electronic card.
An unconscious, satisfied, and content smile spread across Zhao Xing’s face.
Luo Mingshan was also watching them, but his gaze was icy cold.
One Lü Xiaofeng was already annoying enough.
Why did there have to be a Zhou Ming as well?
Luo Mingshan lowered his eyes.
So annoying.
He just wanted Brother A’xing to have only him by his side.
.
When Luo Mingshan went to the bathroom to do laundry, Lü Xiaofeng excitedly pulled his father over to his precious box and whispered, “Dad, Dad, let me show you something good.”
Lü Zhiqiang also lowered his voice cooperatively. “What is it? Why so mysterious and why do we have to whisper?”
Lü Xiaofeng: “Today Brother Zhao gave me a little motorcycle he carved himself. Brother Zhao is amazing, and the motorcycle is super cool and handsome… I’m whispering because Brother Xiaoshan wants it too, but Brother Zhao won’t let him play with it. I’m afraid he’ll be sad if he sees it…”
As he spoke, his eyes sparkling, he lifted the lid of the box. “Ta-da~”
But the moment the box opened, Lü Xiaofeng froze.
——The little motorcycle was gone.
——The little motorcycle he had placed on top had been stolen.
Lü Xiaofeng’s mouth drooped, and he was about to cry. But just as his tears fell, Lü Zhiqiang moved.
It seemed like Lü Zhiqiang saw something. He urgently pushed aside the picture book and the paintings stacked underneath it one by one.
In his rush, a few paintings fell to the floor.
But he couldn’t be bothered to pick them up. His hands trembling slightly, he picked up the boxes of medicine at the very bottom of the box.
——It was the medicine his wife desperately needed now, costing a whopping 117 repentance points. He had been working overtime every day, and even with all his savings, he couldn’t even afford the down payment.
But now, these things were right in his hands.
Lü Xiaofeng wasn’t unreasonable. Seeing the medicine his mother needed, he immediately stopped crying. Instead, he leaned in to see what else was in the box.
Besides the boxes of medicine, the small box was stuffed with all sorts of expensive candies and an envelope.
Lü Xiaofeng opened the envelope and saw that the “bike thief” had left only two lines of text.
“Shh——
“Talk too much and I’ll kill (strikethrough) beat you up~”