Free Web NovelChapter 123: Chapter 123: Acting
"Convicts?"
Shi Lan’s steps faltered. Hearing He Hanshi and the others defined as ’convicts,’ she couldn’t help but speak up for them. "No, you’re mistaken. The Prison Director’s management handbook explicitly states they are esteemed lords."
"Besides, I’d think that since you’ve accepted this job, you would have done some research beforehand about why they are being held here. So please, don’t use such an offensive term."
A hint of sarcasm flashed through Fang Yuan’s eyes. ’Lords, so what? Aren’t they all just dead men walking?’
However, he looked at Shi Lan and, thinking that she was a female after all, decided not to argue with her too much.
After that, the two walked to the prison’s detention area in silence. Shi Lan didn’t introduce him to anyone, merely delivering breakfast without a word, a timely trace of apprehension appearing on her face.
Everyone in the prison had reverted to their beast forms. The White Lion in Cell One ignored her, curled up by the wall like a silent statue.
The Bird of Paradise in Cell Two was looking in the mirror. Shi Lan placed the breakfast at the delivery slot. She didn’t control her strength, and the sound was a bit loud. An displeased, cold shout immediately came from inside, "You’ve been doing this for so long and you’re still so clumsy. You’re disturbing my mirror time."
Shi Lan’s hands trembled, and her eyes reddened slightly. She immediately apologized, "I’m sorry, Lord Mu. I’ll be more careful next time."
"No, there won’t be a next time. I’ve already resigned from my position as Prison Director. From now on, the new Prison Director Fang Yuan will be taking care of you."
Mu Tangfeng saw Shi Lan’s reddened eyes in the mirror, and the cold indifference he was struggling to maintain almost cracked.
He reflected internally, ’Was my tone just now a little too harsh? I didn’t scare Lanlan, did I?’
But, even though he already knew Shi Lan would be leaving today, hearing that she had resigned still made his heart sink. The expression on his face grew even colder.
"Got it. You’re noisy!"
He frowned in disgust, his critical gaze landing on Fang Yuan behind Shi Lan, the loathing in his eyes deepening.
"Another disgusting male has arrived."
"You..."
Just a moment ago, Fang Yuan had been secretly observing the prisoners and watching Shi Lan’s interactions with them. ’It’s just as the Star Network said,’ he thought. ’None of the people in this prison are easy to deal with. Even the female who had spoken so forcefully to me earlier became timid and cautious the moment she stepped inside.’
He had just been laughing at Shi Lan in his head, thinking how a noble female of the Empire had become a pitiful servant here, but he never expected the line of fire to turn on him so quickly.
Fang Yuan looked annoyed. Mu Tangfeng’s dark pupils held a mocking smile. "Can’t even handle that? You’re worse than Shi Lan, a female. If I’d known this ’thing’ was coming, I wouldn’t have chased her away. The quality of Prison Directors really is declining these days. Any piece of trash can get the job."
Shi Lan, seemingly ’frightened,’ took a step back. Inwardly, she was whistling cheerfully. ’As expected, Mu Tangfeng’s fighting power is as strong as ever. Even when he’s deliberately acting fierce toward me, his tone is still much more restrained.’
The veins on Fang Yuan’s temples throbbed with anger. A furious flame burned in his eyes. He opened his mouth as if to say something, but held it back.
Seeing this, Mu Tangfeng raised an eyebrow, looking bored.
Seeing that the show was over, Shi Lan went to Cell Three to deliver the next meal. Cell Three was once again shrouded in darkness. She carefully set down the food, and then the Black Panther’s emerald eyes opened. His nose twitched, and his voice held a hint of displeasure. "I told you I don’t like vegetables. You females are always so presumptuous."
"Take it away and make me another one."
Hearing this, Jiang Xia subconsciously leaped to the door, his mouth barely stopping him from saying: ’Give it to me, give it to me.’
But he slammed on the brakes under a warning glance from Ye Ming.
’Right,’ he remembered. ’We have to put on an act.’
Shi Lan’s face was full of apology. "I’m sorry, that was my mistake. I’ll make you a new one and bring it over right away."
Fang Yuan glanced over. "If the Eldest Prince isn’t eating, let me have it. I don’t mind vegetables."
’I’ve rushed all the way here and haven’t eaten a thing,’ Fang Yuan thought. ’These guys really have it good. They even have a female cooking for them personally.’
’Tsk. They’re about to die, yet they still have such good fortune.’
Fang Yuan had never eaten food cooked by a female before. Shi Lan shook her head. "Prison Director Fang, if you want to eat, there’s plenty of food in the kitchen. Lord Ye just doesn’t eat vegetables. I’ll be modifying this dish in a bit, so I can’t give it to you."
"Didn’t he tell you to remake it?"
Fang Yuan retorted. Ye Ming’s brow furrowed. He slowly approached the protective barrier, his deep green eyes reflecting a cold blue light, glinting with sharp disdain and the hauteur of a superior. "What I don’t want is still not for the likes of you."
"Shi Lan, put it down."
"Even if I were to let it go to waste, it would never be for someone else." freeweɓnovel.cѳm
Shi Lan’s hand trembled again as she set it down. "Yes, Lord Ye. I’ll bring you a new one shortly as well."
Fang Yuan stared at him, a cold sweat breaking out on his forehead without him realizing it. As expected of the Eldest Prince who was once the heir, his intimidating aura was as strong as ever.
’But no matter what, he’s just a plaything locked up in a prison now.’
At this thought, the cowardice that had sprouted in Fang Yuan’s heart faded a little, and he straightened his back once more.
Ye Ming narrowed his eyes. His falcon-like gaze suddenly shot toward him again, and Fang Yuan unconsciously took a step back.
Just then, an undisguised, mocking laugh came from behind him. "You’re a male, yet you’re so timid. You’re not even as brave as the female next to you."
He snapped back to reality and saw that it was the young master of the Jiang Family, Jiang Xia.
’His beast form really is a short-legged creature.’
A calculating look appeared in Fang Yuan’s eyes. Shi Lan came to Cell Four to deliver the meal, and Jiang Xia complained discontentedly, "There’s not enough meat. Give me another portion."
"Okay."
Shi Lan replied meekly.
Fang Yuan looked Jiang Xia up and down, then glanced at the meal Shi Lan had delivered. ’That’s already so much, and it’s still not enough for him?’
’Eat, eat, eat! He can just eat until he bursts!’
As if he knew what Fang Yuan was thinking, Jiang Xia suddenly spoke, his tail held taut. "What are you looking at? Look again and I’ll dig your eyes out."
"Don’t think this young master doesn’t know what you’re thinking. You listen up. From now on, just do what this female does and serve us well. Otherwise, I’ll make your life a living hell."
’Serve them?’
Fang Yuan hated that description and glared at him subconsciously.
Jiang Xia looked displeased. "You, the new Prison Director, are so annoying. I’m going to contact the Prison Management Center and demand a replacement."
Hearing this, a cold sweat immediately broke out on Fang Yuan’s back, and the anger on his face vanished without a trace. "Young Master Jiang, I was listening carefully. I’ll be sure to prepare more meat for you in the future."
"That’s more like it."
Jiang Xia nonchalantly withdrew his gaze and said no more.
Fang Yuan’s hands, hanging by his sides, clenched secretly. He suppressed the fire in his heart, thinking that sooner or later, they would be the ones begging him.
The thought of that scene made him feel a little better.
The last person to receive a meal was Yan Huoshui.
Shi Lan had just breathed a sigh of relief when he glanced at a chip and spoke. "Today’s meal delivery was three minutes slower than usual. My stomach has been hungry for an extra three minutes. An irregular diet affects my health. You’re fined five hundred from your salary. Hand it over later."
