Chapter 938: Prison Visit

Ji Yu Mountain Prison.

Zhou Xiao walked slowly into the visitation room, the sound of his shackles clinking with each step. Tao Yueyue had been waiting at the table for a while. He had a buzz cut and looked thinner, with an expression of elderly detachment on his face, lacking his former rebelliousness.

“How’s it going?” Tao Yueyue asked.

Zhou Xiao shrugged. “It’s okay, I guess. My execution is scheduled for next month. Thanks for coming to see me.”

Tao Yueyue felt he wasn’t the same Zhou Xiao anymore. His former hostility seemed to have vanished, perhaps because of the guard watching their meeting from outside.

“I brought you some cigarettes, as promised. I gave them to the guard.”

“Thanks.”

“I also added some money to your account, about twenty thousand yuan. You can treat yourself to some good meals.”

“Why are you being so nice to me?” Zhou Xiao grinned, reminding her of the old Zhou Xiao.

“It’s your money.”

“Mine?”

“A director contacted me. He wants to buy the rights to my story to make a movie. I asked if he needed your consent, but he said no since you’re about to be executed and can’t sue him anyway.” Tao Yueyue shrugged. “So I made a bit of money and now I’m living it up at school.”

“Who’s playing me?”

“Some actor named Cai Zhengkai.”

“Ha! Haha!” Zhou Xiao laughed. “Don’t bother watching it. It’ll be trash, just another cash grab trying to ride the wave.”

“They’ve already started filming. I’m visiting the set tomorrow since it’s the weekend.”

“This might be our last meeting. What do you think of me?”

“I neither like nor dislike you. When I was little, there was a stray dog in our neighborhood. It was pitiful but also friendly. If you fed it, it would be loyal to you. One time, a kid hit it with a stick, and the dog bit the kid’s hand in desperation. The kid’s family called the local police, and I saw them chase the dog all morning. They finally caught it and strangled it with a rope. That’s how I see you. A wild animal, selfish and amoral, living only for yourself.”

“That’s a fair assessment.” Zhou Xiao nodded. “I don’t find it particularly tragic. This was my chosen way of life. Tao Yueyue, whether you admit it or not, my influence has penetrated your heart and will follow you for life. In some way, that’s my legacy.”

“Yeah.” Tao Yueyue admitted. “In criminology classes at the police academy, you’re the most vivid example in my mind.”

“What!? You’re a police cadet now?” Zhou Xiao was shocked, as if seeing a precious talent being wasted. “Damn Song Lang. Does he think being a cop is that great?”

“Uncle Chen told me that we’re born with an evil nature, and what we call kindness is just a social rule to coexist peacefully. By learning kindness, we can survive better and gain more benefits. Helping others is helping oneself. So, I agreed to go to the police academy.”

Zhou Xiao sighed, as if releasing a deep-seated burden. “Fine. This world has nothing to do with me anymore… Is the academy fun?”

“It’s boring, tedious, heavy, and annoying, filled with annoying classmates. I can’t imagine how bad they’ll be as cops. But I have good grades, and if you’re good, it’s natural to be aloof.”

“Prison is fun too. Especially for us death row inmates, we love to bully those who are in for shorter sentences and trying to get reduced sentences.”

Tao Yueyue laughed. “I have to go. Good luck.”

Zhou Xiao waved her off. After she left, his shoulders shook as he began to cry.

Outside the prison, a brand-new SUV waited. Lin Dongxue, who drove it, waved to Tao Yueyue. This car was a wedding gift from Chen Shi, but Lin Dongxue rarely drove it, usually riding with Chen Shi.

As Tao Yueyue got in, she sighed, “I used to hate him, but knowing he’s about to be executed, I just can’t hate him anymore.”

“Execution isn’t to punish him. He’s committed so many crimes that no number of deaths would suffice. It’s to remove his anti-social genes from the world,” Lin Dongxue said.

“That sounds like something Uncle Chen would say.”

“Because he did say it.” Lin Dongxue smiled. “We talked about it last night, and he said that. He was considering coming with you.”

“Pfft!” Tao Yueyue scoffed.

“Come on, are you still mad at him? Everyone makes mistakes. Forgive him this once.”

“Lin Sis, you didn’t drive me here just to be a mediator, did you?”

“No, no. I just think your disagreement is trivial. In a few years, it won’t matter. No need to hold a grudge.”

“Trivial!?”

Recently, Tao Yueyue had started dating a boy from school. Chen Shi noticed changes in her behavior and asked her about it. She refused to admit it. Worried, Chen Shi enlisted KK and Sun Zhen to investigate. They found out her boyfriend was a playboy, the son of a wealthy businessman. Chen Shi warned her to be cautious.

Tao Yueyue was furious. “How could you investigate me?” She moved out and stayed in the school dorm.

Chen Shi felt he was just being a responsible father, but it led to a prolonged cold war between them.

“Uncle Chen was just looking out for you,” Lin Dongxue said.

“Hmph, you sound like an old-fashioned adult too. Don’t you know what you did wrong?”

Though Tao Yueyue was genuinely angry, Lin Dongxue found her adorable when she was mad. “Was it wrong to investigate you?”

“You knew it was wrong.”

“Knowing is one thing, but he’s still mad too. Can’t you both just compromise?”

“If you keep talking, I’ll ignore you too,” Tao Yueyue pouted, looking out the window.

Lin Dongxue could only smile helplessly. Tao Yueyue was now in her second year at the police academy, going through a rebellious phase. Her appearance showed it too—short hair, ripped jeans, and a biker jacket.

Lin Dongxue thought of her younger self. Maybe everyone goes through this stage?

Driving, she continued, “Actually, I disagree with Uncle Chen. I think dating is also a learning experience. No one’s first love is perfect. We all get attracted by superficial things at first. It’s a lesson everyone has to learn.”

“You think I won’t end up with him?”

“It’s just my opinion.”

“We’ve already broken up.”

“Why?”

“Well…” Tao Yueyue thought, “One time we were at an internet café. He was engrossed in a game. I said if he didn’t pay attention to me, I’d break up with him. He didn’t respond, so I did. Boys are really boring.”

Lin Dongxue chuckled, “Alright then.”