Free Web NovelChapter 125: Chapter 125: Shi Lan Leaves the Prison
After returning to the Prison Director’s office, Shi Lan finished packing her things, then picked up the management manual and handed it to Fang Yuan.
Perhaps it was the unavoidable melancholy of parting, but her eyes were slightly red when she came out.
Fang Yuan took the management manual and gave her a pitying look. "It’s alright," he said with a sigh. "Since you’ve resigned, you should leave quickly."
"A woman like you shouldn’t come to such a remote place in the future."
Shi Lan’s eyelashes trembled. Her misty eyes subtly returned his gaze with a look of pity. Her voice choked and her tone was low. "I understand them. With their spiritual power collapse being so severe, emotional instability is a common occurrence."
A glint appeared in Fang Yuan’s eyes. "Oh? Has it been happening frequently?"
Shi Lan nodded, then shook her head, finally letting out a sigh. "They might not have much time left. I hope you’ll take good care of them in the days to come, Prison Director Fang. Please remember what’s in the manual."
Fang Yuan gave her a curious look. "They’re pretty lucky then, to have met a considerate woman like you. You didn’t even take what they said about you to heart."
Shi Lan forced a smile. "I’m just grateful their presence gave me the chance to get this high-paying job. These past few months have really helped with my financial troubles. Besides, they’re all patients. What’s the point of holding a grudge? Just think, at least we can live freely out here."
"That’s true."
Fang Yuan concealed the scrutinizing look in his eyes, nodded, and asked no more questions.
Shi Lan lowered her gaze. "I’ll go back to my room to finish packing, then. I’ll be leaving shortly."
"Mm."
Fang Yuan began flipping through the management manual out of boredom, paying her no more mind.
After leaving, Shi Lan quietly sent a message to Yan Huoshui: *The last scene... it’s a wrap!*
A smile touched Yan Huoshui’s lips. *Good. Be safe on your way back, Lanlan. Have a smooth journey.*
Shi Lan: *Okay. You all take care of yourselves, too.*
Yan Huoshui: *Mm-hm. Looking forward to seeing you when we’re out.*
Looking at their chat history, Shi Lan’s lips curved into a smile, and the sorrow of parting in her eyes faded considerably.
In truth, Yan Huoshui had specifically instructed her to add those hints about their time being short and their conditions worsening.
Although she didn’t know why they wanted her to tell Fang Yuan all that, Shi Lan knew they wouldn’t harm her. Otherwise, they wouldn’t have gone to such lengths; they could have just had someone come and get them out of prison directly.
Shi Lan pushed the thoughts aside and returned to her dorm to start packing. As she worked, she wondered where she should go next.
She didn’t really want to return to the Capital Star just yet. She had already terminated the lease on the apartment the body’s original owner had rented there. The money she had now seemed like a lot, but on the Capital Star, it would be difficult to even buy a house with a high-level security system.
Renting would also take time to find a place she liked. Besides, she had asked Jiang Yan last night, and Jiang Yan had said she was currently on a medical tour and wasn’t on the Capital Star.
Shi Lan mulled it over for a long time. By the time she was nearly done packing, she had decided where to go: Yaoxing.
She wanted to see the original owner’s hometown. After all, in the few memories she had of her predecessor’s past, Yaoxing was poor, but its people were simple and kind, and many of them had genuinely helped her.
That was how the original owner, an orphan, had managed to grow up safely and save enough money to study on the Capital Star.
With that in mind, she quickly bought a ticket for a spaceship. Yaoxing was even farther away than the Capital Star, another remote planet.
After packing her things, Shi Lan went to the kitchen and made herself some dinner, packing it in an insulated container before heading out to wait for the spaceship.
Halfway there, she couldn’t help but look back at the towering prison. The sinister feeling she’d had upon her arrival was gone. Perhaps because it now held so many cherished thoughts and fond memories, she felt a sense of peace instead.
The corners of her lips lifted. She gave it a small wave, then turned and walked away, her steps firm and unhurried.
Xiao Du hopped quietly onto her shoulder and stood there. In a child-like voice, it asked, "Master, are we never coming back here?"
Shi Lan thought for a moment. "Perhaps."
Xiao Du nodded its chubby little head. "Mm-hm! Wherever Master is, that’s my home. We spirit bodies will always follow our master."
Shi Lan laughed, her pleasant voice and light footsteps gradually fading away from the quiet, imposing prison.
...
After Shi Lan left, Fang Yuan began to patrol the prison as if he owned the place.
After a while, he found a hidden corner and initiated a communication link.
"What’s the situation?"
A deep, cold male voice replied from the other end.
Fang Yuan spoke respectfully. "My lord, I’ve taken over as the Prison Director here. I await your instructions on how to proceed."
"Just as we discussed. Observe for now. Wait for their spiritual power to become unstable, then we’ll see."
"By the way, the previous report from the medical facility said the highest collapse value for their spiritual power was 86%. Is that true?"
Fang Yuan replied, "It’s hard to tell for now. But I took a look today, and the prisoners are all stuck in their beast forms. They even need to use mechanical tools to eat."
"Oh, and He Hanshi is completely motionless in his beast form. It really looks severe enough to be affecting his nervous system. The departing Prison Director also said their emotional states are highly unstable. Perhaps their spiritual power is about to collapse completely."
"Mm. You just keep watch for now. If anything happens, hold your ground. Just don’t run off like those previous good-for-nothings. Once this is done, you’ll get everything I promised you."
"Yes, yes, thank you, my lord! And... what about the matter of the spiritual power? Will I be able to...?"
"We’ll discuss that when the time comes. For now, just stay put and report to me immediately if anything happens."
"Yes, of course."
Fang Yuan nodded and bowed, his face a mask of reverence. Only after the call ended did he let out a sigh of relief. He thought about what the future might hold, and a look of excitement spread across his face.
Meanwhile, inside the prison, one of Ye Ming’s subordinates sent him the results of an investigation.
A cold glint flashed in Ye Ming’s eyes. "Just as I thought. Some people are getting restless again."
"Fang Yuan, spiritual power C-rank. The data shows he’s from the slums, with an unremarkable family background. But a few months ago, he suddenly came into a large sum of money and went to the Capital Star."
"We haven’t been able to trace which family is behind this yet, but everyone needs to be cautious."
Yan Huoshui nonchalantly flicked water onto his claws to clean them. "Tsk. You nobles and your big-family drama. If I’d known it would be like this, I’d have stayed on as the Star Thief Leader. At least then I could just kill anyone who annoyed me."
Jiang Xia looked distressed. "Has Lanlan left already?"
Mu Tangfeng said, "We’re all in the same boat now. No one can escape this."
Jiang Xia mumbled on, "Day one of missing Lanlan..."
He Hanshi was silent for a moment before speaking. "They’ve probably been waiting for us to die ever since we were sent to this prison. But fortunately for us, Lanlan was our chance for a turnaround."
Jiang Xia nodded. "Yeah, yeah, Lanlan is the best."
Mu Tangfeng’s brow twitched. "Lanlan, Lanlan... Jiang Xia, can we discuss important matters without you bringing up Lanlan every two seconds? Are you some kind of Lanlan-maniac?"
Jiang Xia rolled his eyes, annoyed. "I don’t get this stuff anyway, so what if I mention Lanlan? You dare say you don’t miss her too?"
Mu Tangfeng sputtered, "You... you..." but was ultimately left speechless. fгee𝑤ebɳoveɭ.cøm
’Damn it, he’s right!’
