Su Yuzhen nodded, and this time she was much more relaxed.

The two swam back and forth on the ice, occasionally bursting into laughter over a small mistake.

Xia Mengsheng recounted amusing anecdotes from his time in the army, while Su Yuzhen talked about the little things at home.

So you can make tofu?

Xia Mengsheng was somewhat surprised.

"Now, that 'Su's Vegetables' is also..."

"Yes, my dad founded it."

Su Yuzhen spoke with pride.

"From a small stall to supplying the entire city of Beijing, and even cooperating with the military."

Xia Mengsheng seemed to be deep in thought.

"I've heard of your father. Minister Wang from the military region's logistics department mentioned him, saying he was a rare talent."

The two skated to the sidelines to rest, and Xia Mengsheng suddenly asked a question.

"Are you free tomorrow? The Cultural Palace is showing a private movie, 'Visitors on the Iceberg,' I heard it's really good."

Su Yuzhen's heart skipped a beat.

"I...I have to help my family make tofu..."

"Seven o'clock in the evening, will that be okay?"

Xia Mengsheng looked at her with sincere eyes.

"I can come pick you up."

Su Yuzhen immediately became shy.

She knew her parents wouldn't approve of her going out alone with a man she'd just met, especially since he was from a privileged family...

"Just say you're with Wang Xiaoyan."

Xia Mengsheng seemed to see through her concerns.

"I'll wait for you at the alley entrance."

Ultimately, curiosity and a yearning for the unknown overcame their concerns.

Su Yuzhen nodded almost imperceptibly, and Xia Mengsheng immediately beamed with joy.

On her way home, Su Yuzhen's steps were so light that she almost flew.

She didn't know if it was right or wrong, she only knew that when Xia Mengsheng looked at her, the feeling of her heart racing made her both scared and expectant.

at the same time.

On the other side.

The exercise time at Chengnan Prison.

Su Mingqiang squinted and followed the other prisoners slowly toward the playground.

Having been in prison for so long, he has learned the rules of prison survival.

Keep a low profile and avoid causing trouble.

"404! Come here!"

A rough voice came from behind.

Su Mingqiang turned around and saw prison guard Wang Dali pointing at him with a baton.

Wang Dali has a hideous scar on his face and is a notorious ruthless character in the prison.

"Sir, what are your instructions?"

Su Mingqiang stood at attention according to the rules.

As Wang Dali approached, his baton suddenly jabbed into Su Mingqiang's abdomen.

"I heard you cried in your cell last night? What's wrong? Missing your wife?"

Su Mingqiang endured the pain without making a sound.

He did dream of Li Jinhua last night, dreaming that she was covered in blood and begging him for help.

Upon waking up, he couldn't help but shed tears.

"Have you become mute?"

Wang Dali grabbed Su Mingqiang by the collar.

"Trying to act tough in front of me?"

The surrounding prisoners all avoided eye contact, and no one dared to intervene.

Su Mingqiang was dragged to a corner of the playground where the surveillance cameras were in a blind spot. Wang Dali kicked him in the back of the knee, forcing him to kneel down.

"The higher-ups specifically instructed us to take good care of you."

Wang Dali lowered his voice and pressed the baton against Su Mingqiang's throat.

Do you know why?

Su Mingqiang shook his head, his eyes full of confusion.

Since being imprisoned, he has been law-abiding and has even volunteered to take on the dirtiest and most tiring labor.

"have no idea?"

Wang Dali sneered.

"Then let's continue to not know."

The police baton suddenly struck Su Mingqiang hard on the back. He groaned and fell to the ground, curling up into a ball.

For the next ten minutes, a barrage of blows rained down on his back, abdomen, and thighs.

These are all locations that are not easily detected during a medical examination.

"Remember, this is just the beginning."

Wang Dali gave it one last kick, straightened his uniform, and left.

Su Mingqiang struggled to his feet, blood seeping from the corner of his mouth.

He wiped away the blood, forced himself to walk back to the line, and dared not show any abnormality.

In prison, showing weakness will only invite more bullying.

Back in his cell, his cellmate, Old Zhou, handed him a wet towel.

"That's how it is with newcomers, just bear with it and it'll pass."

Su Mingqiang nodded and wiped the bruises off his body with a towel.

He didn't understand why the prison guards were targeting him, but there was so much injustice in the prison that asking why would only make him more miserable.

However, this was only the beginning of a nightmare.

The next morning, Su Mingqiang was awakened by a piercing whistle.

He quickly folded the blankets and lined up to wash up.

The cold water splashed on my face, temporarily relieving the pain in my body.

"404! Step forward!"

It's Wang Dali again.

Su Mingqiang stepped out of the line, a sense of foreboding rising in his heart.

"Someone reported you for stealing last night."

Wang Dali sneered.

Search his bed!

Another prison guard roughly rummaged through Su Mingqiang's bed and suddenly pulled out a small cloth bag from under his pillow.

"Report: Contraband found!"

The bag contained a few cigarettes and a small knife.

Absolutely contraband in prison.

Su Mingqiang's eyes widened.

"This isn't mine!"

"Still dare to argue?"

Wang Dali hit Su Mingqiang on the shoulder with a stick.

"Solitary confinement! Three days!"

The solitary confinement cell was a metal box less than two square meters in size, with no windows and only a small ventilation hole on the door.

Su Mingqiang was pushed inside, and the iron door slammed shut, instantly engulfing everything in darkness.

On the first day, Su Mingqiang was able to remain calm.

He sat against the wall, reminiscing about his life before going to prison and missing his family.

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