After the Big Black Bear finished speaking, he paid no mind to my reaction and walked towards a place with cover, as if he was really preparing to enjoy a smoke.
As he passed by me, the fellow even provocatively raised an eyebrow at me!
His build was average, and he wasn't tall. When he made that eyebrow-raising gesture earlier, he was looking up at me, but his demeanor was quite imposing.
Moreover, he exuded a strong, rebellious, street-smart aura, clearly someone who had navigated the rough and tumble of society.
Even if he wasn't a renowned figure in the martial world, he certainly wouldn't be far from it.
Coupled with his status as a jail boss, the Big Black Bear seemed to be doing quite well within the detention center, holding a position equal to that of the Red-Eyed King Kong.
I had heard before that the Big Black Bear enjoyed bullying people. If it were anyone else being bullied by him, they would likely choose to endure it.
But I wouldn't, because the current environment wasn't inside a cell, but out at the labor reform site.
Under normal circumstances, after escorting everyone to the work location, the guards would gather together to chat and boast, not paying too much attention to us.
There was a hidden rule here: certain inmates would use this relatively more free and open space compared to the cells to resolve conflicts that had reached an irreconcilable point.
Please note, irreconcilable conflicts.
To put it bluntly, as long as the situation didn't escalate and cause trouble, the guards would definitely turn a blind eye.
Those who have been in lockup should have heard the saying: Guards guard, they don't manage, they don't teach!
What truly motivated us to work were the team leaders, or jail bosses, who only spoke and didn't act, who were present but didn't contribute labor.
Jail bosses were essentially the representatives of the guards, exercising certain authorities on their behalf.
For a jail boss who performed well, the guards' assistance in submitting reports for sentence reduction was indispensable.
Of course, not just anyone could become a jail boss; one either had to be tougher, command more respect, or have a stronger background.
Unlike the Red-Eyed King Kong, who rose through brute force, the Big Black Bear's ascension to jail boss likely stemmed from choosing either the second or third option.
I had a strong premonition that the Big Black Bear's sudden move wasn't simply to slack off.
It was highly probable that he was acting under someone's instructions.
If this deduction held true, it would mean that among the guards responsible for monitoring everyone's work today, someone must have been bribed by Xiao Tianci!
The authority of guards in a detention center might not seem significant, but it was certainly not trivial.
They possessed the rights to supervise, educate, escort, organize labor, manage living conditions and hygiene, inspect carried items, review correspondence, and monitor visits.
For instance, the temporary shift from ideological education to labor education today was likely proposed and facilitated by a certain guard behind the scenes.
Similarly, the fact that the Big Black Bear's group (cell block) had fewer people but a larger contracted labor area must have been meticulously planned by a guard beforehand.
This way, I could be legitimately "borrowed" to help.
The thought that I might be targeted again today, and through a blatant scheme at that, instantly filled me with rage.
A detention center was never a place for reason. Last time in the cell, my choice to yield was for a valid reason – I didn't want my sentence extended.
But this time, they were using an open scheme, and whether I yielded or not, it wouldn't change the outcome.
With this in mind, I immediately called out to the Big Black Bear and, looking him directly in the eye, said, "You can do your own work, I won't help you!"
This time, I chose to confront him head-on.
Since Xiao Tianci chose to have people avoid the cells to scheme and target me, it meant that after the previous incident went wrong...
He must have received a warning from relevant personnel that causing trouble within the cells was not permitted.
Therefore, this time, he chose to shift the scene to the labor reform area.
Undoubtedly, someone among the guards had been bribed!
As for the Big Black Bear, he was the same!
If I followed the Big Black Bear's orders, I would still be picked on and targeted by him afterward.
If I disobeyed and refused, he would turn hostile immediately.
This meant that no matter what, I was going to get beaten today, and possibly worse!
Everything was clear now!
...
Just as I had seen through Xiao Tianci's second plan, the Big Black Bear had already started to fly into a rage because of my words.
"You son of a bitch! Are you trying to rebel, huh!?"
"You dare not give me face? Brothers, beat him up! Beat him to death!!!"
As soon as he finished speaking, the other eight people from the same cell block as the Big Black Bear suddenly surrounded me in unison.
Honestly, instead of feeling scared, my blood surged, and my fighting spirit was ignited!
Enduring for a moment only made me angrier, and backing down made me feel more at a disadvantage!
Today, I truly wouldn't hold back!
Let's go, damn it!!!
In an instant, I swung my fists and went for the Big Black Bear!
Two fists are no match for four hands, and I knew I couldn't deal with so many people at close range simultaneously, but I could still beat one person to death.
So, I let others punch and kick me without flinching, focusing all my effort on beating the Big Black Bear!
Despite taking countless blows, my resolve never wavered; I had completely thrown caution to the wind!
I was well aware that in the second open scheme Xiao Tianci had set up against me, the guards and officials of higher rank were untouchable.
The only ones who could be acted upon were the jail bosses, like the Big Black Bear, who were involved due to self-interest.
However, this fellow truly had some grit; not only did he not beg for mercy, but he also bared his teeth and roared sternly, "Brothers, don't mind me!"
"Kill this little bastard! How dare he look down on me and defy me?!"
The Big Black Bear was clever; he only mentioned me looking down on him and opposing him, omitting any other details.
As the saying goes: Buddhas strive for a stick of incense, people strive for a breath of pride!
Since the Big Black Bear wouldn't yield, I naturally couldn't stop!
Because the enmity was already established, as long as he didn't back down first, I certainly couldn't yield!
After a while, I felt as if my entire body, especially my waist, was about to fall apart!
It was sore, swollen, and painful!
Approximately five or six minutes later...
Despite being hit by several people continuously, I felt more and more energetic!
Perhaps, maybe, it was due to the pain!
Blood began to flow from my brow bone, the bridge of my nose, and the corners of my mouth, but he remained silent, relentlessly beating the Big Black Bear.
At this point, there were only two ways to stop this bloody battle taking place in the labor reform area.
First, for a guard to intervene.
This possibility was slim. Since someone among the guards had already been bribed, that person would surely try their best to cooperate with the Big Black Bear from the shadows, conceal the matter, and once the predetermined outcome was achieved, swiftly and decisively clean up the mess.
Second, for the Big Black Bear to be unable to endure it and surrender.