Chapter 8 - Chapter 8: 8. Shadow

Chapter 8: 8. Shadow

How to survive in this prison dominated by steel beasts?

Qing Chen couldn’t rely on Lu Guangyi, whose origins were unclear, because he feared his identity as a replacement for the original owner would be exposed.

He also couldn’t rely on other townsfolk from the same time period, as they were in even worse shape than himself.

Therefore, Qing Chen candidly revealed his capabilities to Uncle Li Dong to demonstrate that he was someone of use.

Without a doubt, Uncle Li Dong was this prison’s most transcendent presence, and although this move was risky, it was the best way out.

Uncle Li Dong, with his hands folded behind his back, strolled away leisurely while Ye Wan and Big Cat followed by his side, and Lin Xiaoxiao had disappeared somewhere with a grin.

It wasn’t even noon yet not time to start serving meals, but the food window opened early for Uncle Li Dong.

Ye Wan went to get Uncle Li Dong and Big Cat their portions of food, and Big Cat picked and chose what to eat.

Just then, Lin Xiaoxiao popped out from somewhere, kicked off his shoes, and squatted barefoot on the chair opposite Uncle Li Dong’s dining table.

Source: novgo.co

Big Cat glanced at him, but Ye Wan frowned and said, “Show some respect in front of the boss.”

Lin Xiaoxiao rolled his eyes, “The boss didn’t say anything, Mother Ye, you’re meddling too much.”

Uncle Li Dong chuckled and said, “It seems you’ve found something?”

“Yes,” Lin Xiaoxiao said excitedly, “There’s so much to find. You know, this Qing Chen is squeaky clean outside, I couldn’t find a single suspicious clue, but that made me even more curious.”

“Because he’s too clean?” asked Uncle Li Dong.

“Yes, exactly too clean. His records show he’s a high school student from City 18, his parents died in a car accident, he inherited some money, no prior records, no criminal background, no relatives,” Lin Xiaoxiao said.

“What was his crime?” Uncle Li Dong asked.

“Theft,” Lin Xiaoxiao said, “The records state that he stole a liquid crystal phone that just met the criteria for criminal charges. You know, more than half of the prisoners in Cellblock 18 are serious offenders, usually with multiple priors or nabbed by tax authorities. A petty thief like him shouldn’t be here at all.”

In just a short while, Lin Xiaoxiao had already gone through Qing Chen’s files, a task that would seem almost supernatural to the average person.

Lin Xiaoxiao continued, “Moreover, I asked people outside, and his case is controversial. He claims he bought the liquid crystal phone legally and had paid for it, but somehow the seller failed to record the transaction, and the surveillance camera broke, unable to clear his name. So, if the phone seller changes his testimony to support him, or if the surveillance video of him paying surfaces, he could be released immediately. You see, this is a familiar tactic; most people who ‘take care of things’ in prison use the same script.”

Uncle Li Dong thoughtfully asked, “How long was he sentenced?”

“Six months,” Lin Xiaoxiao replied, “This probably is the shortest sentence in the history of Cellblock 18, boss, don’t you think this is problematic… and his surname is Qing!”

The surname Qing is extremely significant in this era, as five major companies monopolize nearly all economic veins, and one of them has the Qing surname.

And Qing is also a rare surname, so if you suddenly meet someone with the surname Qing on the street, you would wonder if they are from the Qing’s Family.

“Continue,” Uncle Li Dong said with a smile.

“You also know that Qing’s Group recently sent Lu Guangyi in,” said Lin Xiaoxiao, “Such things are easy to check. At that time, I just didn’t understand why they would send such a small player in, what were they planning to do?”

“I remember that Lu Guangyi,” Ye Wan chimed in from the side, “He has been consolidating power ever since he arrived.”

“Exactly,” Lin Xiaoxiao grinned, “After Lu Guangyi came in, he relied on his top-notch mechanical limbs to suppress the local powers in the prison, quickly managing to stand equally against the other two factions within a month. I was puzzled then, whether Qing’s Family sent him to unify Cellblock 18.”

“Qing’s Family knows the boss is here,” implied Ye Wan, meaning that with Uncle Li Dong here, no one could unify the place.

Lin Xiaoxiao squinted his eyes, and in his excitement, nearly went on to pick at his toes, “So, I was wondering if Qing’s Family had gone mad, sending such a small fry to stir up trouble in Cellblock 18. It wasn’t until today that I realized, Lu Guangyi was scouting the way for this kid Qing Chen. Whatever Qing’s Family plans to do, Qing Chen is the main character, and Lu Guangyi is just a lackey.”

At that moment, Lin Xiaoxiao began to muse, “But what are they after by coming to Cellblock 18? If this kid Qing Chen really is a direct descendant of the Qing’s Family, why would he be willing to come here?”

Uncle Li Dong suddenly said, “Qing’s Family might be selecting the next Shadow.”

Ye Wan and Lin Xiaoxiao both froze, “The next Shadow? Qing Chen is one of the candidates? So he’s here on a mission.”

The massive conglomerate needed both face and substance.

The Family Head of Qing’s Family was the face, while the Shadow was the substance.

The Shadow specialized in dirty work, held immense authority, and dominated the underworld of Qing’s Group, uncontrolled by anyone except the Family Head.

However, the selection process for each generation of Shadows was exceptionally brutal, much like raising poisonous creatures.

“It looks like Qing’s Family is going to stir up trouble again,” Uncle Li Dong lamented.

During the conversation, a prisoner accidentally came over, and five meters away, Ye Wan suddenly turned her head to look at him.

The prisoner was so intimidated by her piercing gaze that he involuntarily turned and walked in another direction.

Uncle Li Dong and the other two did not continue the topic, and Lin Xiaoxiao changed the subject, “Boss, even if he is a Shadow Candidate, there’s no need to make his background so clean, as if he has no connection with Qing’s Family at all.”

By this time, everyone was certain that Qing Chen was one of Qing’s Family’s own.

At their level, the least believable thing was coincidence.

“Unless, there’s an even bigger secret hidden in Qing Chen’s background,” Uncle Li Dong said.

“Boss, have you guessed something?” Lin Xiaoxiao asked curiously.

Uncle Li Dong shook his head, “It’s just that after you mentioned it, I suddenly think he looks a bit like someone.”

“An enemy? Or a friend? Have Ye Mom and I met him?” Lin Xiaoxiao asked curiously.

Uncle Li Dong said, “You haven’t met him, but you will eventually. Xiao Xiao, it would be great if the relationships in this world could be simply divided into friends and enemies.”

As he spoke, Uncle Li Dong took the gray cat on the table into his arms and gently stroked its chin.

The cat comfortably closed its eyes, lazily lying on Uncle Li Dong’s lap.

He said to Lin Xiaoxiao, “I’m more interested in this Qing Chen now, why don’t you go and test his character?”

Lin Xiaoxiao was shocked, “Boss, you fancy him? But he is from Qing’s Family!”

“I’m just asking you to test him out, not to do anything,” Uncle Li Dong laughed, “Besides, isn’t it more interesting to snatch someone from Qing’s Family’s hands?”

“But I feel he’s not one of us,” Lin Xiaoxiao muttered, looking at her own feet.

Uncle Li Dong laughed, “An organization needs all kinds of people: the mountain-securing tiger, the far-seeing eagle, the battle-ready wolf, the swift leopard, the loyal dog, each with their own duties.”

Lin Xiaoxiao’s eyes lit up, “Boss, what am I in the organization?”

Uncle Li Dong thought for a moment, “The freeloading fish.”

Ye Wan calmly said from the side, “The stirring stick in shit.”

Lin Xiaoxiao: “???”

…

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