For the past six months or so, Erzhuzi has witnessed and taken to heart Qi Zhifang's journey of enjoying the benefits Xiao Hu brought her, from initial gratitude to complacency, and then to unsatisfied desires. But you can never wake someone who is pretending to be asleep; of course, perhaps he doesn't understand the joy of being a sycophant.

Today, Qi Zhifang was wearing a silver-gray work uniform with a yellow scarf around her neck. Her long, yellowish, and dry hair was neatly combed and tied back with a handkerchief. This outfit caught the eye of even the seasoned drivers who drove around all year, and they would often come over to chat and have a good laugh.

"Okay, you've passed!" Qi Zhifang raised her voice slightly, her affected tone a little sweet.

The drivers burst into laughter. "Old Hu, they say you've passed!" "That's right! Old Hu, you've passed! By the way, Comrade Qi, how did Old Hu pass?" "Yes! Tell us!"

Qi Zhifang glanced at them and said coquettishly, "What business is it of yours which one of us passes? It's just that he and I know. Why are you so idle, worrying about so many things every day?"

The truck driver, nicknamed Lao Hu, handed Qi Zhifang a box of clam oil, casually touching her rough, tree-bark-like hands, and retorted, "That's right, it's just what we two know, what's it to you!"

Qi Zhifang stuffed the clam oil into her pocket and shouted, "Next! Can't any of you be serious?!"

Qi Zhifang was busy bantering and flirting with these veteran drivers, and just when she was having a great time, Erzhuzi caught her red-handed. This kind of thing happened every now and then, and Erzhuzi couldn't stand it anymore.

After the trucks left, when no one was around, he approached Qi Zhifang and said coldly, "Comrade Qi, please be mindful of your image. Don't bring your bad habits to our coal mine!"

Qi Zhifang was drinking water when she heard this and immediately became displeased. Her face fell, and her almond-shaped eyes widened. "What do you mean? Explain yourself clearly. What did I do?"

Erzhuzi never expected this woman to be so shameless. Even after being caught red-handed, she could still ask so confidently. He angrily retorted, "Explain yourself! Fine, I'll just say it straight. Don't try to use your flirtatious skills on the people in the coal mine. Always remember your place. If you make another mistake, no one can save you!"

In fact, Erzhuzi had already been very restrained in his speech, of course, out of respect for Xiao Hu, and also for Qi Zhifang's own good. After all, how many people were eyeing this position? If she made a mistake, it would implicate everyone.

But Qi Zhifang didn't know that! She thought she was the only one who was awesome and capable of doing this job! But she forgot that, who would treat prisoners as human beings? Let alone scolding them, they could easily beat them.

However, Qi Zhifang was always treated differently by Erzhuzi because he was always quite polite to Xiao Hu and her, which made her forget the truth.

He even dared to talk back, saying, "Explain yourself clearly! What did I do wrong? What did I do wrong? Why are you slandering me out of thin air? Don't you have any human rights?"

Erzhuzi, hands on his hips, shouted, "What did you do? You still have the nerve to ask me? You let them touch your hands, chest, and face, just for a little clam oil, osmanthus oil, and a few measly dates? You've lost all sense of shame? Everyone at the wellhead saw how you acted like a slut, and now they only want to slander you? They're saving your dignity, but you don't want it. You have to tear it off and let them use it as a shoe insole. If you're shameless, can you at least stop dragging my Uncle Xiao down with you? My Uncle Xiao is at least a man of integrity."

Qi Zhifang trembled with rage. "You're supervising me? You're supervising me on behalf of Xiao Hu, right? You don't trust me at all! You're despicable and shameless!"

Erzhuzi couldn't take it anymore. One guard was arguing back repeatedly with the inmates, so he stepped forward and slapped him to the ground. The clam oil in Qi Zhifang's pocket spilled out. Erzhuzi picked it up casually and sneered, "Catch the thief red-handed! I've even got your stolen goods, and you still dare to deny it? Remember this: I'll let it go this time, but if I find out again, you'll be back loading the cart!" With that, he spat and left.

Qi Zhifang was so angry that tears streamed down her face. The other prisoners also secretly glanced over. Erzhuzi roared, "What the hell are you all looking at? Get back to work!"

Because Erzhuzi had hit Qi Zhifang, she hadn't visited Xiao Hu for three days. Xiao Hu finally couldn't bear it any longer and went to find Erzhuzi. Erzhuzi looked at Xiao Hu, who seemed to be on his deathbed, hunched over, wearing tattered cotton-padded clothes, his shoes showing three toes, his flesh a bloody mess. His face and hands weren't in much better shape, mangled and bleeding, coughing as if he were coughing up his lungs. He asked intermittently, "Erzhuzi…you…cough cough…Aunt Qi…how…cough cough…"

Erzhuzi interrupted Xiao Hu, saying, "Uncle, don't worry about her. Your health is the most important thing. I've submitted a report for you to be released on medical parole. Take this opportunity to recuperate properly!"

Xiao Hu quickly shook his head, and just as he was about to speak, Erzhuzi said, "Uncle, when you care about others, you have to make sure you're alive first. Look at you, you're not even alive! Go back and pack your things, leave this afternoon. Don't worry about her here, I'm here, she won't make any mistakes."

Xiao Hu was still worried. He forced back the tickling in his throat and said, his face flushed, "Erzhuzi, I know my own body. I'm fine. You still need to take care of Aunt Qi. She's had a tough time!"

Erzhuzi couldn't bear to hear this. She had it tough? She was incredibly flirtatious! He quickly ordered someone to take Xiao Hu out; he had personally witnessed Xiao Hu coughing up blood for quite some time.

After Xiao Hu left, he prepared to teach Qi Zhifang a lesson, without even needing to deliberately pull out her many braids.

That day, because she still acted willfully, arguing and flirting with the driver, and accepted a jar of Friendship Snow Cream from Lao Hu, she was reported on the spot.

My dear reader, there's more to this chapter! Please click the next page to continue reading—even more exciting content awaits!