"There's no way that man would let me off the hook. It is a mistake they will correct later," said Li Fei. Liling wanted to remain hopeful and said," He might not be knowing about this. But who knows, maybe by the time they find out, you will be far away from this place."
Li Fei decided not to get her hopes high because she knew that she was the last person such a thing could happen to.
.....
After lunch as the two headed back, they found a certain woman on their way who told Li Fei that the doctor was calling her and she decided to head to the health care. Reaching the place, she hadn't prepared herself for anything when Caihong embraced her in a tight hug and he mumbled the words," You are finally free."
On hearing this, her eyes widened in surprise and she immediately came out of his embrace. "What do you mean?" she asked that instant. "That you are going to be freed on remission beginning next week. You mean you haven't seen it?" he asked. "You mean it's true?" she whispered hopefully.
"Yes, my uncle just informed me. Jin Liwei's assistant came personally and ordered it."
Li Fei couldn't believe it. Did that man really do that? And was she going to leave this place next week? Tears gathered in her eyes.
"You won't inform your parents?" he asked. Thinking about it, she shook her head before saying," Not yet. I'm afraid that I might inform them and he changes his mind. I will inform them only when I'm sure." He nodded in understanding before saying," You shouldn't worry about anything. I will take you wherever you want to go."
The moment she told Liling what Caihong had told her, the two hugged tightly and she said," I knew it! He finally realized that he has tormented you enough. I can't believe we are leaving this place together." "Me neither. I miss my parents the most and I honestly can't believe that I will be seeing them in a week," said Li Fei with a hopeful smile.
During the course of the week, Li Fei and others who were going to be released on remission were often invited to attend seminars where they advised them on the things they should avoid to come back to this place. She also realized how the head guard glared at her and she wondered if it was because of her release.
She got different reactions from her cell mates. Some thought she was lucky while others jealously glared at her.
Finally, it was the night before the long awaited day. Li Fei failed to get sleep. She still couldn't believe that she was going out of this place tomorrow. She knew that her release was simply a back door favor because there's no way she was among the most disciplined prisoners. First, she had visited the confinement room countless times. Two, she was caught with a cellphone and three, she had been seen multiple times with the doctor. She had been excited throughout the entire week but now, she was nervous. She wondered what she was going to do with her life. First she didn't know whether Jin Liwei had forgiven her completely. Secondly, she had to find a job. But one thing she was sure of, that she was no longer the spoiled and dependant daughter anymore. She was going to work and make all ends meet by herself.
Very early in the morning, the two were up. As usual, they went for their morning exercises. "You failed to sleep too?" asked Liling as they stretched. "Yeah. I think it's probably because we're nervous," said Li Fei.
"I should be more nervous because unlike you, I don't have a family to return to," said Liling. "You shouldn't worry anymore. You have me now as your family," Li Fei told her.
After breakfast, they had just returned to the cell when a guard came calling Liling. She had already packed her box. Hugging her, she said," I will be waiting for you outside. I'm not leaving." When Li Fei nodded, she carried her box and left the cell as the guard followed behind her. Li Fei decided to calm down and she sat on her bed waiting for her turn to be called.
She waited until it reached lunch time and they hadn't called for her. She wondered if the man had changed his mind? She failed to eat anything in the dining hall due to extreme anxiety. After, she went back to her cell and stared at Liling's empty bed. Perhaps her lonely days had started. Each time a guard passed by, her heart would wait in anticipation thinking that they had come for her but she ended up becoming disappointed when they went their own way.
Looking at the time, she realized it was three in the afternoon and all her hope vanished. She curled her body in her bed and tears gathered in her eyes. By this time, some of her cell mates had started mocking her. She had anticipated this but it hurt so much.
Then suddenly, her name was called and quickly, she sat up on the bed and wiped her tears then looked at the guard who had called her. "Come with all your things," he said and she quickly stood up carrying her box. She had packed almost everything. Looking at the cell room one more time as if to imprint the image in her mind, she hurriedly followed the guard who had started moving.
Reaching, she passed through all the formalities. She signed multiple papers and was asked to check whether she was given everything she came with. After she got done with everything, she changed back into her clothes and she realized how she had lost a lot of weight. Coming out, she was told that it was okay for her to leave and she was shown her way out. Before leaving, she glanced back at the interior of the place and her eyes caught sight of the head guard, the woman who made her life a living hell in this place.