Regardless of the reasons for the red-eyed King Kong's friendship with me, with him looking out for me, I indeed didn't face any difficulties or setbacks during my initial days in the detention center.
But as the saying goes,
When you think there are no troubles or difficulties and start to let your guard down, they will sneakily find you!
Just one day before my first month's detention period was about to expire and I could be paroled to go home… something happened!
That morning, as the squad leader, the red-eyed King Kong brought two more people back from the guards.
Normally, when new inmates arrive, there's a special "welcome party."
[ps: I won't go into detail about the content; interested readers can search for it on their own.]
Except for the red-eyed King Kong, the rest of us sat neatly in rows like students, listening to him introduce the newcomers.
According to the red-eyed King Kong, these were two people from the Rong family, commonly known as "mechanics" in the underworld, or pickpockets to ordinary people.
Compared to other illicit professions, pickpockets are frequently incarcerated.
The reason for this is that although the management models of cities vary, the intensity of cracking down on basic crimes like theft is quite different.
Every now and then, they'd launch operations like "Spring Thunder," ambushing major transportation hubs like bus stations and train stations...
Guaranteed to catch them red-handed!
The two mechanics brought back to the cell by the red-eyed King Kong from the guards were specifically stealing outside the train station.
Originally, I thought these two had nothing to do with me. I just needed to quietly watch the red-eyed King Kong put on a "welcome party" and join in the fun.
Unexpectedly, after the "welcome party" procedures were completed, the two mechanics immediately came straight for me!
And they approached me stiffly with a clear intent of seeking revenge!
When everyone stood up after the "welcome party" ended, the two of them walked up to me one after another and used their shoulders to shove me forcefully.
They bumped me twice in succession, and caught off guard, I was almost knocked down, staggering back several steps.
At that moment, I immediately realized: I hadn't offended anyone in Longxi, it must be Xiao Tianci, he was making a move again!
And it was a low-class, despicable move, purely like a toad on the ground – disgusting!
As everyone knows, the detention center is a place where seniority matters. Unless you are already famous, the later you arrive, the lower your status.
Of course, prisons are a different matter.
Although I was a newcomer who had just entered the system, I had been here for almost a month longer than these two mechanics, so by seniority, I was slightly older.
People like them, who dare to challenge authority on their first day, are clearly trying to stir up trouble!
If it weren't for the fact that my parole was imminent, even just to save face and not be looked down upon by others, I would have definitely lost my temper and fought back.
But now, I couldn't do that!
Fighting outside leads to detention, and fighting inside leads to an extended sentence.
The most important point is that this cell was under the protection of the red-eyed King Kong. If new inmates wanted to cause trouble, I wouldn't need to lift a finger; the red-eyed King Kong would naturally deal with them.
Therefore, I chose to endure.
Just as I predicted, even though I chose to swallow my pride, the red-eyed King Kong wouldn't just stand by and do nothing.
Seeing that the two mechanics were not friendly, the red-eyed King Kong immediately frowned and asked, "What's up, brothers? Trying to flip the table on your first day?"
At this moment, one of the mechanics, who looked like a skinny monkey, replied, "Squad leader, you are magnanimous, please bear with us!"
He paused, then pointed at me with his hand and said, "My brother and I have a grudge against this kid outside, an irreconcilable one!"
"As long as you're willing to turn a blind eye and let us teach this kid a good lesson, and cover for us when the guards ask..."
"Before we leave this cell, my brother and I will serve you like oxen and horses, and you can swipe your card as much as you want, guaranteed without a single complaint!"
Hearing the skinny monkey say this, the red-eyed King Kong was stunned on the spot.
Whether in a detention center or a prison, the cell boss is someone others in the cell try to curry favor with.
Outside, there are many ways to curry favor with someone, such as dining, drinking, gifting, and other elaborate methods.
Inside the cell, there is only one way.
Swiping cards!
Inmates don't have cash. Although relatives bring money during visits, the money doesn't circulate in the detention center; it's deposited into cards for swiping.
Anyone who has been in a cell knows that things inside are much more expensive than sold outside! Even major scenic spots can't compare!
Therefore, a person's status and position in a cell largely depend on whether their card is sufficiently funded.
Money may not be everything, but without it, nothing is possible!
Upon hearing that cards could be swiped freely, the red-eyed King Kong immediately lost control.
Seeing that the red-eyed King Kong remained silent, the sharp-eyed skinny monkey immediately nudged his companion, and their eyes met...
"Get him!!!"
After uttering these words, the two of them lunged at me in a pincer movement.
At this moment, I clearly realized that the friendship I had painstakingly built with the red-eyed King Kong had vanished.
Just as a bird knows whether friendship exists when it sees a worm.
Just as a fish knows whether friendship exists when it sees a hook.
And the friendship between people depends entirely on the depth and shallowness of their interests.
However, I wouldn't blame the red-eyed King Kong for this, as human nature is inherently selfish.
Since this fight was unavoidable, I could only choose to face it head-on...
At this moment, not only was I not flustered, but I also felt a surge of pent-up excitement.
Seeing the enemies approaching me from the left and right, aiming to trap my arms, I decisively chose to deal with the skinny monkey first.
Firstly, compared to him, I had an advantage in height and build.
Secondly, this guy looked clever, and he was definitely the leader of their small group.
Seizing the opportunity, as they were about to close in and flank me, I quickly half-crouched my body and threw a punch directly at the skinny monkey's waist.
This was a form of bare-knuckle boxing taught to me by Cheng Minglang, specifically for one-on-many situations.
The waist is a relatively vulnerable part of the human body.
The punch, delivered with full force, made the skinny monkey gasp for air and stagger to the ground, clutching his waist.
Seeing this, the skinny monkey's companion did not retreat. Instead, his eyes flashed with ferocity, and he bared his teeth as he lunged at me!
A glint of cold light suddenly appeared from the mouth of the skinny monkey's companion...