After we finished treating Feifei's wounds, we urged him to eat some bread. After eating, he fell asleep with tears in his eyes.
He was actually exhausted from crying.
It was good for him to vent; otherwise, it could have driven him crazy.
"Uncle Scar, I have another piece of bread here."
I took out the bread Dinosaur had given me, broke it in half, and handed it to him.
"Did Dinosaur give this to you?" He didn't hesitate, taking it and eating it in one bite.
"Yes." I nodded, seeing no reason to lie to him.
Scarface sighed, "Stay away from her. That woman has many tricks up her sleeve and isn't a good person."
I didn't know how to respond, so I just looked at him, hoping to learn more about these people.
"Get some sleep! You'll understand in time. Just remember to work hard and avoid getting beaten!"
Scarface shook his head and turned away, ending the conversation.
He still didn't trust me enough to say more.
I frowned, feeling confused, not knowing who to trust.
But I had my own judgment as an adult. I believed Sister Dinosaur wouldn't harm me.
As for Lulu, once I escape, I'll find her, give her a good beating, and then report her to the police.
With these thoughts, I fell asleep, filled with regret and hunger.
I didn't know how long I slept, but I woke up to the sound of the henchmen's whistles, calling everyone to get up and exercise.
Exercise? On an empty stomach? What a joke!
Soon, thousands of people gathered in the large playground, lined up by their respective departments to listen to their supervisors' instructions.
Those with poor performance were publicly humiliated, slapped, and whipped.
After this ordeal, we lined up for breakfast.
It was just last night's leftovers and a hard bun.
Anyone who didn't eat or was caught throwing it away was beaten and force-fed.
Honestly, at this level of hunger, no one would refuse to eat.
Having something was better than nothing.
Remembering Scarface's words and fearing future hunger, I pinched my nose and ate the pig-slop-like cabbage soup and bun.
I forced myself not to vomit, put down the bowl, and followed Scarface to the office building.
On the way to the office area, I suddenly saw a familiar figure.
Even after three years, I recognized him instantly.
My childhood friend, my classmate, my best buddy!
His eternally unchanged hairstyle was just too distinctive.
So, I sprinted towards him at full speed.
"Chen Weiqiang! I knew you were here! Today, I'm going to beat you to death, you bastard!"
I charged at him like an enraged lion.
My speed caught his two henchmen off guard.
"Wham!"
A left hook sent him crashing to the ground.
"You traitor! I trusted you like a brother, and you sold me out! I'm going to kill you, you scammer!"
I sat on top of him, raining punches on his face and body.
Just like old times, he was no match for me in a fight, always ending up running and surrendering.
But this time, I was serious. I really wanted to kill him!
My punches fell on him like rain, leaving him defenseless and howling in pain.
"Are you crazy? Stop it!"
Chen Weiqiang was stunned for a moment before realizing it was me. He tried to shield his head with his hands, shouting.
"Where did this piglet come from, looking for death?"
His two henchmen finally reacted, moving to attack me from both sides.
Fueled by rage, I knocked them down with a single punch each.
Chen Weiqiang took the opportunity to get up, spitting blood and cursing, "Are you trying to die? How dare you hit me!"
"I don't care! If I die, I'm taking you with me!"
I clenched my fists, my eyes red with anger, completely forgetting where I was.
"Jiang Pingan, do you think this is back home? This isn't a place for your wild antics! Let me tell you, the tables have turned. You used to beat me; now, it's my turn to beat you!"
With that, he grabbed an AK from a henchman and struck my legs with the gun's butt.
Then another strike.
It wasn't that I didn't dare to fight back; I couldn't.
Because I was surrounded by over twenty henchmen with real guns.
So, I could only watch as he hit me.
I had to suppress my fury once more.
"Hit me! You're not so tough after all! If you weren't still useful, I'd kill you right now!"
Chen Weiqiang cursed as he struck me with the gun butt.
The two henchmen I knocked down joined in, beating me.
I was knocked to the ground, the physical pain nothing compared to the emotional betrayal.
I was betrayed by my best friend.
And I could only endure the beating and humiliation.
"Enough, don't kill him. We still need him."
After a while, Chen Weiqiang told them to stop and dispersed the gathered henchmen.
"Assistant Chen, do you need to go to the medical room for your wounds?"
A henchman asked obsequiously.
His face was swollen, and his lip was split, bleeding.
"I'm not that fragile!"
Chen Weiqiang scolded them and then squatted beside me, grabbing my collar and speaking softly in Changsha dialect, "Pingan, if you want to live, don't cause trouble. Work hard on your performance."
"Screw you!"
I gritted my teeth, wanting to punch him again.
If only he didn't have a gun pressed to my chest.
"Don't be stubborn, or even I can't protect you. Understand?"
Weiqiang had changed. He was no longer the boy with the bright eyes.
Now, he wore expensive brands, looking polished but filled with malice and greed.
"Don't pretend to be kind. I'll never forgive you and that witch Lulu! Unless you kill me today, I'll never let you off!"
The hatred and anger in my heart could burn them to ashes.
I never thought the first harsh words I'd ever say would be to my former best friend.
I hated him so much, I couldn't stop cursing, even if it meant he might kill me.
Better that than being used to deceive my family or being mutilated for perverts to watch.
I finally understood Scarface's words about the horror of wanting to die but being unable to.
"You were always tough. Let's see how tough you are now! If you don't close a deal today, I'll break your legs and send you to hell!"
Chen Weiqiang's eyes flashed with shock, then he calmed down, his face darkening as he punched me again.
Feeling unsatisfied, he took the AK and started beating me with it.
Cursing as he hit, "You bastard, this is what you get for hitting me..."