"Wait!"
The short-haired woman, with a countenance filled with horror, stared at the despicable scoundrels from northern Myanmar who had advanced towards her and brandished their sticks. She then let out a piercing scream.
"Damn bitch, you're being ungrateful for the kindness bestowed upon you. It's an extraordinary boon for me to request that you accompany me for a week!"
"Brother, don't hold back on my account. Give her a proper lesson." 059 hollered with a self-satisfied smirk on his face.
The way he strutted around so arrogantly made me seethe with the urge to rush up and deliver a series of forceful slaps to his face.
What on earth is this?
I muttered a scornful curse in my heart. I had already resolved that if the opportune moment presented itself, I would surely teach that wretched bastard a severe lesson.
We had already endured sufficient misfortune by being duped into coming to northern Myanmar, and then this loathsome character emerged out of nowhere.
It was truly nauseating.
Just as I was inwardly contemplating how to deal with that bastard when the opportunity arose, the short-haired woman, without any prior indication, abruptly shifted the attention of everyone present onto me.
"Isn't 086 also several levels higher than me? I want to be with him!"
"If my memory serves me right, A-level salesmen are also entitled to select women."
Now it was my turn to be left speechless and bewildered.
What in the world was this all about? Why was I suddenly dragged into this absurdity?
I was clueless as to whether the short-haired woman truly desired to be with me or was deliberately diverting trouble and attempting to utilize me to counter that despicable 059.
In any case, I had no intention of getting embroiled in such a sordid affair.
My expression instantly turned frigid. Without waiting for Abu and 059 to utter a word, I promptly and loudly declared, "I don't require a woman. I relinquish my right!"
Regardless of the short-haired woman's motives, it was out of the question for me to embroil myself in this wretched and chaotic business.
I hadn't been brainwashed by those northern Myanmar vermin, hankering after climbing the social ladder, coveting luxury and pleasure, enslaving others, and wallowing in the perverted sense of power.
The sole thought occupying my mind was to seek an opportunity to escape this infernal place alive.
My parents and relatives back in my hometown in Sichuan Province must be in a state of extreme anxiety. How could I possibly be preoccupied with thoughts of women at such a critical juncture?
"086, rules are rules. It's not within your discretion to simply abandon it if you so wish."
"Since 059 has taken a fancy to this woman and this woman has opted to be with you, then the custody of this woman next week will hinge on the outcome between you and 059."
Abu, that detestable wretch, resembled a child who had stumbled upon a novel plaything and promptly became animated.
"I abhor trouble above all else. Here's the deal. The two of you take turns slapping each other's faces until one of you can no longer endure it and admits defeat or collapses."
"That woman will serve as the prize for the victor."
Damn your idea of slapping each other's faces!
Gazing at the malicious amusement and perversion lurking in Abu's eyes, my fist concealed within my sleeve was clenched so tightly that it seemed on the verge of squeezing out water.
That imbecile 059 was still whining to Abu, explaining that he was an S-level ace salesman while I was merely an A-level one and that he should have the precedence in choosing.
In fact, these northern Myanmar scum had never regarded us as human beings from the very outset.
Sure enough, Abu casually dismissed 059's plea with a single sentence.
Now, even if 059 no longer desired that short-haired woman, it was already too late.
I comprehended Abu's intentions. That scoundrel would never let slip any opportunity to enslave, discipline, and indoctrinate us.
He aimed to gradually habituate us, from the depths of our hearts, to this kind of rule, to his enslavement and dominion.
Now that matters had reached this stage, any words were futile.
I endeavored to rein in my emotions. After casting a blank glance at the short-haired woman, I was the first to step out from the throng.
059, who had been kicked by me earlier and then received two stinging slaps just moments ago, was evidently somewhat apprehensive and fearful of me. He only shuffled forward slowly under Abu's persistent prodding.
"Since 059 holds a higher salesman rank, you commence first."
Abu, that despicable creature, leisurely lit a cigarette, dragged a chair over nonchalantly, seated himself, and crossed his legs, adding an additional comment.
Other northern Myanmar ruffians were also guffawing and jesting, either standing or squatting in groups of three or five, smoking cigarettes and gesturing towards us.
There were even some northern Myanmar miscreants who were eager to witness a spectacle and placed wagers on me and 059.
In their eyes, individuals like me and 059 were more akin to beasts performing in a circus.
Even more degrading than beasts.
"Strike! What are you hesitating for?"
"059, you must fell that swine opposite you. I've wagered two packs of cigarettes on you. If you lose, I'll make you pay dearly."
"086, pummel that shorty with all your might for me."
...
Amid the clamorous shouts and raucous laughter of a horde of northern Myanmar ruffians, this perverted slapping contest thus commenced.
I was uncertain whether 059 was genuinely timid or merely feigning.
Upon hearing that a northern Myanmar ruffian had placed a hefty bet on him and would exact a severe penalty if he lost, that scoundrel bellowed like a dog whose tail had been trodden upon, swung his arm in a wide arc and delivered a forceful slap across my face.
I instinctively desired to evade, but at the crucial moment, I managed to suppress the urge.
Whether willingly or not, whether actively or passively, I had already been marked by Abu and those northern Myanmar vermin.
This was highly disadvantageous for me.
During the ensuing period, unless it was an absolute necessity, I had no intention of engaging in any further unruly behavior.
Since Abu and those northern Myanmar scum were eager to watch a spectacle, I could only clench my teeth and oblige them.
Because I had to make myself comport like the others and was gradually acclimating to the animalistic rules instituted by Abu or the park.
With this mindset, I endured 059's full-strength slap.
Despite having gritted my teeth and tensed my facial muscles in anticipation, I was still jolted off balance by the slap, experiencing a bout of dizziness, my head throbbing and my left cheek aflame with pain.
It took me over half a minute to shake my head and regain a semblance of composure.
"No, if I were to sustain a few more slaps, I fear my entire face would be swollen like a pig's head tomorrow. How would I then be able to make phone calls?"
Contemplating this, I spat out a mouthful of blood-tinged saliva with determination and steeled my resolve.
"It's my turn now, isn't it?"
059 gulped nervously, his face a mask of terror, and simply shut his eyes.
Hide?
He wouldn't dare even if he was endowed with tenfold the courage.
Since I had resolved to strike with force, I certainly wouldn't show any leniency.
I first gauged the distance between my palm and his face, then subtly extended my four fingers, with my thumb curled snugly against the base of my palm. I swung my arm in a wide arc and delivered a powerful slap to 059's face with all my might.
As a university undergraduate, I was possessed of the fundamental medical knowledge.
This slap of mine was not directed at his face but rather straight at 059's temple.
"Slap!"
The resounding slap that landed on his face sent a numbing shock through my hand.
Especially my thumb, it was wracked with a searing pain.
I was unsure whether it was due to my good fortune or my accurate aim.
After receiving my slap, 059 didn't even have the chance to emit a scream before his body keeled over and he was knocked unconscious on the spot.