CH 31.3

Big Guy swings his fist. It lands squarely on Jian Si’s face.

The heavy strike sends Jian Si tumbling to the ground.

Jian Si’s ears are ringing. He is immediately neutralised.

Among the ringing is what Jian Si believes to be a sigh of relief. This is followed by a flurry of fists landing on his body. The familiar pain disables his mind from further thought.

Rat sighed in relief as soon as he saw Big Guy easily overpower Bunny. Bunny is still the Bunny. He looks braver, but has at least remained human rather than evolved into a mysterious creature.

This is normal; Doctor didn’t even have that long of a talk with him, did he? There sure wasn’t even enough time for a simple brainwashing.

He might simply be in over his head now that he thought he had someone backing him up.

Rat, reassured, thus continues to look on while the one-sided beating continues. Big Guy’s fists are heavy——His muscles aren’t just for looks——Bunny’s face has become colourful after just a couple of punches.

Yet as time goes on, the slightly relaxed mood is straightening up again, and goes further. It is blanketing everyone’s mind.

Jian Si is no match for Big Guy. He is getting beaten up bad under him. Even so, it is far too quiet.

Outside of the sound of struck flesh, there is no other sound in the cell. Jian Si is silent while being beaten. He makes not a single yelp.

No begs for mercy. No screams from pain. Yet they are certain Jian Si has not yet lost consciousness, because, on his bloodied face, his eyes are still locked dead on Big Guy.

“Enough.” Rat walks to stop Big Guy’s next fist, “if you keep going, he’d die.”

Big Guy smacks Rat’s hand away, “he’s…”

He locks eyes with Jian Si once again. The corner of Jian Si’s mouth drags itself up a little, showing a truly ugly smile——His pretty face is marred by all sorts of bluish colours, not to mention the layer of blood. ‘Ugly’ is the only adjective suitable here.

Big Guy looks to be swinging his fist once more to dispel this inexplicable paranoia that has taken him over. Suddenly, a prison officer who’s been spectating all along outside knocks on the window with his baton.

“Enough.”

Big Guy stops, still glaring at Jian Si——He won the fight, but his mind tells him he’s lost big time.

“You still… what happened to you?” Big Guy asks, his tone almost sounds defeated.

“Rat, carry him out to the clinic.” The prison officer leans towards the window, and orders the prisoners around.

Rat and the other prisoners work to drag Jian Si away.

A ragdolised Jian Si puts up no resistance to them. It hurts. It’s like he was just ran over by a roaring truck. Every single area on his body screams in pain, and yet, he feels truly alive.

There was once a fear that circled above his chest like a vulture, a heavy rock pushing him down and keeping him there. Now, it has been struck and sent packing; he realises, that there was nothing for him to fear.

His smile widens, difficult as it is. He even makes, albeit barely audibly, a chuckle.

Rat’s hand trembles for a moment, almost dropping the patient to the ground.

He looks back at Jian Si, noticing an actual, genuine chuckle, that is very barely audible——Which is surprising enough given he just suffered a brutal beating, but what is even more surprising, is just how cheerful that smile is.

Rat swallows, as he glances back at Big Guy next.

The tall figure merely stands there with fists tightened, veins bulging, watching them leave.

The prison officer notices Jian Si when the entourage passes by. He is surprised too, “yo, still quite positive, aren’t we? Good for you. Do keep it up.”

He waves his hand for Rat and the prisoners to take Jian Si to the clinic.

The prison officer locks the cell up once more, but does not follow them just yet. He stays to offer friendly advice to Big Guy, “remember to apply for a cell transfer.”

Big Guy’s fists are rolled up so forcefully that they shake a little.

“Hey, no hard feelings.” The prison officer leans back and explains slowly, “or, are you a fan of never waking up one day?”

Big Guy’s tone is a little menacing, “he can’t beat me.”

“Unless you can kill him first, I wouldn’t bet on your life being safe at all.”

Big Guy’s eyes stop looking at the puddle of blood on the ground to look at the officer.

“Well, you probably can, but from what I remember, Lion’s orders for you didn’t include killing him?” The prison officer asks casually, “put it this way. You ok with betraying Lion’s orders?”

The fourth floor is not like the second or other floors. It has its own sets of rules.

It is crowded here, with prisoners from all sorts of convoluted, connected backgrounds, and forming factions. While being in a faction guarantees their safety, they also have obligations to the leader of said faction.

Two ends await those who betray their leader; chased out of the faction, or dealt with on the spot.

Well, the two ends lead to the same outcome regardless.

On the fourth floor, a prisoner protected by no faction is equivalent to present yourself naked to a pack of hungry wolves.

Case in point, Jian Si. Lion asked Fatty where Jian Si went in the beginning, because Jian Si first joined Fatty’s faction after coming the fourth floor, after which Lion had him handed over.

There is only one person right now on the fourth floor belonging to no faction——Jiang Yiyi.

Though now, with Jiang Yiyi’s performance on the courtyard, perhaps Jian Si’s name should be added to the list.

Big Guy is quiet for a long time, “I will follow boss’ orders.”

The prison officer is not surprised at the answer, “Bunny’s injuries are heavy enough for a few days in the clinic. You have enough time.” To make his choice.

After warning Big Guy, the prison officer slowly moves towards the clinic, leaving behind only a murmur for no one else.

“The Doctor, really deserves his reputation.”