Chapter Fifty-Nine: First Time in the Cell

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Until now, Qin Anyi had never imagined that he would one day end up in a detention center, much less as a criminal suspect in custody. Although it wasn’t quite the same as prison, the detention center housed all sorts of inmates. All those sentenced to less than a year, or with less than a year left to serve and not suited for labor reform, would be temporarily held here. It was also a gathering place for suspects of every kind. While it was a form of incarceration, the management here was far less severe than in prison. In some lenient detention centers, those with money or connections could even secure special privileges for themselves.

But Qin Anyi was clearly not among the well-connected or wealthy. In fact, when he was brought in, he received some “special attention.” Captain Liu, not known for his kindness, made it a point to pull a few strings, stating outright that Qin Anyi was someone Guo Qingyuan wanted to deal with. He wouldn’t be staying long, and would soon be sentenced.

Those inside who knew Captain Liu didn’t know exactly what Qin Anyi’s background was, but since he was sent in here, it was obvious his connections were limited. So they all laughed and agreed to “teach him a lesson” as Captain Liu had requested. For them, it was no big deal.

Escorted by the on-duty armed police, Qin Anyi was quickly led to one of the many holding rooms. The room was lined with rows of hard bunk beds, and the inmates inside immediately fixed their attention on the newcomer.

Whenever someone new arrived, they drew attention. But when everyone saw Qin Anyi’s student-like appearance, there was a moment of stunned silence.

“Go in and get used to your surroundings. For someone so young to commit a crime like rape, you really have a promising future,” the escorting officer sneered, shoving Qin Anyi inside and then shouting, “Fatty! Get over here!”

No sooner had the words left his mouth than a huge man, at least six foot three and easily weighing over two hundred fifty pounds, climbed down from a top bunk. This man, called Fatty by the officer, gave Qin Anyi a cursory glance before following the officer out. The rest of the inmates continued to eye Qin Anyi with ill intent.

“Kid, what did you do to get in here? There’s a free bed over there—you can sleep there,” said a man with a blue dragon tattooed across his shoulders, flanked by a few followers. He pointed to the bed next to the wall, right beside the toilet and the filth pit—the worst spot in the room. But it was normal to haze newcomers, so Qin Anyi said nothing and went quietly to the indicated bunk.

Someone was already lying on the lower bunk, an ageless figure, so Qin Anyi could only take the top. This person… was odd. Qin Anyi glanced at him a few times, finding him impossible to place. He could have been thirty or forty, maybe just seventeen or eighteen, or even sixty or seventy—there was nothing to contradict any of these guesses. Who was this man, really?

Qin Anyi was still pondering this strange situation when a harsh voice snapped him out of his thoughts.

“Hey, kid! I’m talking to you! Ignoring your elders—is that how you show respect?” It was the tattooed man again, now standing with his cronies right beside Qin Anyi, looking menacing and displeased.

Every cell had its own leader—a boss among the inmates. Whether because they were famous outside or serving the longest sentences, the cell boss was always the most dominant figure. They got the best beds and the largest share of food. Those around the boss were divided into different ranks, while newcomers like Qin Anyi, unknown and just admitted, were stuck in the worst spots, right by the wall and the toilet—or even on the floor.

Generally, new arrivals would try to curry favor with the boss. Though fights among inmates were officially forbidden, anywhere with rules had its own set of unwritten ones. If a boss really wanted to torment you, he could make your life a living hell and leave you with no recourse. In the end, it all came down to power—the boss naturally held the most influence in the cell.

Qin Anyi glanced at the tattooed man, then at the other inmates. He noticed that all twenty-something men in the room were watching him with the same look. This was a stable cell, probably hadn’t had new blood in a while. For newcomers, such cells were a nightmare. The hierarchy was firmly established, and new arrivals existed solely as targets for abuse.

Captain Liu had really gone out of his way to “take care” of him.

Qin Anyi sighed. Although Wei Dong had said he’d only have to stay for a week, it was clear that this week would be anything but peaceful.

“You can ask whatever you want. Whether I answer is my business. I’m not obliged to answer every question you ask, am I?” Qin Anyi replied coolly. Since the other party had no good intentions, Qin Anyi saw no reason to be polite. Judging from where the tattooed man had been sleeping, he wasn’t the boss—just someone with high status. The real boss was probably Fatty, who had just been called away, likely to be instructed to “look after” Qin Anyi.

“You’re pretty cocky, kid,” the tattooed man sneered, stepping close so that only a few centimeters separated them. “Do you know what happens if you cross me in this cell?”

Qin Anyi shook his head honestly. These types always liked to use proximity to intimidate, but it didn’t work on him.

“It’s simple: every man in here will take turns with you. You’re a student, right? Maybe you don’t understand what I mean. I mean they’ll all take turns raping you. Don’t think I’m joking. If you don’t want that to happen, then get on your knees and clean my shoes.”

As he spoke, he pointed down at his feet.

Qin Anyi was about to reply when a rustling from behind interrupted him.

“You’re… disturbing my sleep,” came a voice from the lower bunk—it was the ageless man. Instantly, the tattooed man’s expression changed. His followers instinctively took a few steps back. The whole cell’s atmosphere shifted, plunging into a strange silence. The other inmates quickly lay back down, and even the tattooed man and his cronies scampered back to their beds like frightened rabbits.

Suddenly, the space around Qin Anyi became remarkably empty.

What was happening here?