Chapter 19

If there’s a most dangerous place in prison, it would have to be the showers and the bathrooms—anyone who knows, knows. In TV dramas, other chaotic situations in prison might be exaggerated, but the filthiness of these two areas is often downplayed or completely omitted because it would be difficult to air such content.

You could try to resist, but that would only result in a beating; asking the guards for help could even cost you your life. So, either you bear it until it becomes routine, or you get used to being beaten up. Of course, if you have enough allies, going to the showers or bathroom together reduces the risk significantly.

An Xiaohai and Xu Tianyou were both young and good-looking, which unfortunately increased the risk they faced by several times.

In another life, An Xiaohai had resisted at all costs, which meant he was beaten nearly every time he showered, and his body suffered greatly for it even after his release. Because of this, he had a psychological aversion to the prison’s showers and bathrooms.

An Xiaohai initially thought that with Xu Tianyou’s connections and influence outside, no one would dare to bother him. But, to his surprise, Xu Tianyou became even more of a target than An Xiaohai. It dawned on An Xiaohai that Xu Tianyou and his father’s drug organization, Haifo, might not yet be fully established. Fortunately, An Xiaohai hadn’t mentioned Xu Tianyou’s real identity to Wang Tiejun; otherwise, he might have exposed everything.

Nonetheless, An Xiaohai couldn’t escape this fate either. After a brutal struggle, both of them ended up in the infirmary again.

An Xiaohai’s entire body burned with pain. He clenched his teeth as he tried to move his hand, worrying that his repeatedly injured right hand might be permanently damaged.

Xu Tianyou, unusually quiet, lay on his back on the bed, staring blankly at the ceiling.

In the middle of the night, An Xiaohai felt something off. When he opened his eyes, he saw Xu Tianyou’s face right in front of him, startling him enough to instinctively protect his injured arm.

“Relax, Idol,” Xu Tianyou said. “I’m not here to mess with you. We see each other every day in the same cell. No need for that.”

An Xiaohai didn’t quite believe him, but he sat up cautiously.

Xu Tianyou was unsettling to look at. Due to his dangerous nature, he was still handcuffed to his bed, but he had managed to drag it over to An Xiaohai’s side.

Leaning half-sitting on An Xiaohai’s bed, Xu Tianyou adjusted himself into a more comfortable position. “Idol, I don’t think I’ll be getting out of here anytime soon. Can you do me a favor?” His voice was quiet, and for the first time, An Xiaohai felt like Xu Tianyou was behaving like a normal person.

“Tell me first,” An Xiaohai replied, unwilling to agree immediately but not wanting to offend him either.

“If you get out of here, go to Haixi Province and find my dad. Remind him that all of Gui Liu’s family must die. Make sure he doesn’t forget,” Xu Tianyou said calmly, but his tone was chilling.

Xu Tianyou’s father was the infamous Haifo, and Gui Liu’s real name was Gui Zhilun.

An Xiaohai didn’t know much about Gui Liu’s background, only that he was one of the biggest bosses in Area A. Gui Liu hadn’t personally attacked them in the showers.

An Xiaohai nodded slightly.

It was just delivering a message—no big deal. Whether or not Gui Liu’s entire family would end up dead wasn’t his concern.

If this had been the former An Xiaohai, he might not have agreed so readily. But this second chance at life had opened his eyes.

In this world, no one was absolutely innocent.

Xu Tianyou’s words had cleared An Xiaohai’s previously clouded thoughts.

The fact that Gui Liu dared to target Xu Tianyou meant he wasn’t afraid of Haifo’s fearsome reputation, which indicated that he must have significant backing. Otherwise, ordering someone to beat up Xu Tianyou would be suicidal.

It was even likely that Gui Liu’s faction was originally at odds with Haifo’s, making Gui Liu’s backers a significant mystery.

An Xiaohai had already agreed to help Wang Tiejun deal with Hai Yaozi, though it was mostly out of necessity. But he felt a sense of loyalty to Wang Tiejun personally.

The darker the world becomes, the more it needs light to break through. Wang Tiejun was that shining light, even though he eventually faded into darkness.

“It’s just returning a favor… Since you’re helping me, it’s only right I repay you. As for anyone else, it’s none of my concern,” An Xiaohai reassured himself.

“It’s just taking beatings, right? You get used to it,” he said, exhaling. “Bear with it for a few years. Once I’m out, I’ll pass the message to your father. Or if you find a way to get the message out yourself, your life might be a bit easier here.”

“You don’t understand…” Xu Tianyou shook his head. “I probably won’t live to see that day.”

As he spoke, Xu Tianyou smiled, and his gaze brightened. “It’s fine; this is just karma. Idol, let me tell you a secret: I killed Gui Liu’s older brother myself. He died pretty horribly, heh.”

An Xiaohai froze. So, Xu Tianyou and Gui Liu’s conflict wasn’t just gang rivalry—it was personal. There was no room for negotiation.

“Hey Idol, do you know why Liu Jun tried to mess with you?”

“No,” An Xiaohai replied, his tone steady, though his mind was racing.

“I know!” Xu Tianyou’s eyes sparkled with a sly smile. “A big shot put a price on your head to have you crippled, just not killed. The offer was enough to tempt anyone.”

“Who told you that?” An Xiaohai asked, maintaining a calm demeanor.

“I heard it from a junkie at the detention center. I can’t tell you exactly who, but it’s real.”

Xu Tianyou’s voice dropped, and his eyes grew serious. “I’ve always been curious—what did you do to make such a powerful figure want you dead? Sleep with his wife or daughter?”

An Xiaohai chuckled lightly. So far, he was certain that the only person who wanted him dead was the father of Zhou Tie, the village chief, but beyond that, he couldn’t think of anyone else.

“Curious about that big shot’s identity? Fine, no point hiding it,” Xu Tianyou said with a dismissive wave. “We’re not exactly expecting a long life, so I’ll tell you. It’s Hu Haikong who’s out to get you.”

Hu Haikong?!

An Xiaohai’s heart raced.

Hu Haikong was notorious in Haidong Province as the CEO of Haikong Real Estate Co., Ltd., and the province’s richest man, with known links to organized crime.

Twenty years later, Haikong Real Estate would get embroiled in a massive corruption case and be seized, but Hu Haikong had already moved his assets overseas and remained at large until the year of An Xiaohai’s death.

So it was him! No wonder he was so powerful in Shenhai City.

An Xiaohai’s heart sank. If what Xu Tianyou said was true, his path to revenge would be challenging.

If Hu Haikong himself was involved, who knew how many terrifying people were behind the scenes?