Free Web NovelChapter 47: Chapter 47: Chen Xiong’s Big Change
Chen Xiong only found out about Shi Lan’s return the next day.
Chen Xiong’s life in the prison had been hellish these past few days. Vice Admiral He was fine, but the others had been acting like they were loaded for bear. Mu Tangfeng would even curse him out for stepping into the detention area with his left foot first, demanding he use his right.
The Eldest Prince was never enthusiastic about his meals. He’d always leave the vegetables Shi Lan had specifically requested at the bottom of his bowl. If Chen Xiong dared to say a word about it, the prince would fix him with those icy, dark green eyes. Even through the prison bars, Chen Xiong could almost feel the aggression of his Level 3S spiritual power, sending a shiver down his spine.
Young Master Jiang was the opposite. He ate the most, but if Chen Xiong ever gave him slightly less meat, he would fly into a rage. He wouldn’t stop tormenting him until he was given a satisfactory portion.
Teacher Yan looked gentle and mild-mannered, but he demanded Chen Xiong pick the freshest flowers for him every day. If there was the slightest sign of wilting or a single bug, he’d make him go pick them all over again. Whenever Teacher Yan stared at him with that ambiguous smile, Chen Xiong’s scalp would tingle and his head would spin. By the time his consciousness cleared, he’d feel as if he had just run several kilometers, drenched in sweat, a bouquet of fresh flowers in his hands.
Compared to the other three, Chen Xiong feared him the most. He always felt that just by looking into his eyes, he would lose a chunk of his memory. It was terrifying.
He finally understood why a jinx like him had managed to land this temporary job so easily. ’So everyone knew Prison Star was a terrible place to be, huh?’
Chen Xiong wanted to cry but had no tears left. Even though he desperately wanted to get away, he still dutifully went to make breakfast.
’It’s been so many days,’ he thought. ’The Prison Director should be back today, right? Shi Lan is the only female who can control these guys.’
On the way, he racked his brain, trying to think of something to cook that would put the masters in a better mood so they wouldn’t pick on him. But he never expected to see Shi Lan’s busy figure the moment he walked into the kitchen.
Chen Xiong thought it was a hallucination brought on by how badly he wanted her back. After all, his mind had been foggy lately, and his memory had been getting worse. He couldn’t help but rub his eyes.
’Huh? She’s still there?’
’Could it be real?’
He asked in a tone of disbelief, "Prison Director? You’re back?"
Hearing his voice, Shi Lan put down the freshly blended corn juice and turned to look. For a moment, she too was a little unsure. "Chen Xiong?"
Chen Xiong instinctively pinched himself. "HISS—" It hurt!
’So it wasn’t a hallucination!’ freeωebnovēl.c૦m
Chen Xiong, this great big male, finally couldn’t hold back his tears. He sentimentally pulled a handkerchief from his pocket and wiped his eyes. "Prison Director, you’re finally back."
Hearing that familiar voice again, Shi Lan confirmed that it really was Chen Xiong.
But... how had he gotten so much thinner in just five days?
She remembered that on the first day, Chen Xiong had looked like a burly giant, with a rugged, round face. Now, his jawline was clearly defined, and his exposed arms didn’t look as thick. The lines of his muscles were much firmer.
Although his expression was a bit more haggard, he actually looked quite a bit more handsome. So much so that Shi Lan didn’t recognize him at first glance and almost thought a new person had arrived at the prison.
But... was he crying?
Watching him wipe away his tears, Shi Lan asked tentatively, "Why are you crying? Did someone bully you? Did Lord Mu yell at you again?"
How could Chen Xiong dare to tell the truth? After all, the masters always had a seemingly valid reason for tormenting him, and they always warned him not to tell Shi Lan.
Most importantly, Chen Xiong found it incredibly embarrassing. He had fought for this job himself. Now, not only was he, a male, less capable than a female, but he was also crying in front of her. If word got out, the other males would definitely laugh at him.
He sniffled quietly and shook his head. "No, no, it’s nothing. I’ve just always been a very emotional person. I’m just so happy to see you back."
"Haha, well, I’m glad you’re happy."
Shi Lan didn’t quite believe him. She gave an awkward laugh and didn’t press him on what had happened. It hadn’t been so obvious before, but now that she knew how much the prisoners had been helping her, her heart couldn’t help but lean toward them when compared with Chen Xiong. Rather than argue about it, it was better to just let it go.
She said, "You’ve worked hard these past few days. You can go home today."
"Really? Okay, okay."
Chen Xiong dried his tears, put away his handkerchief, and immediately broke into a smile.
Shi Lan nodded and handed him a portion of the breakfast she’d made. "Have some breakfast before you go."
"Thank you."
It had been a long time since Chen Xiong had seen a female who was willing to cook. Nowadays, cooking was usually a job for big males like them.
However, Chen Xiong’s cooking skills weren’t that great. Although he’d taken a "masculine virtues" training class back in school, after so many years of living alone, his lifestyle had become a bit rough.
It was only during these few days at the prison that he had slowly started to get the hang of it again.
He was almost moved to tears again. Shi Lan quickly finished packing up the breakfast and changed the subject. "I haven’t seen you in a few days. You’ve gotten a lot more handsome."
"Really?"
Chen Xiong touched his face and broke into a huge grin. Shi Lan nodded in confirmation, and his smile grew even brighter. For a moment, he forgot the corn juice in his hand was still hot. He dazedly took a sip, then scrunched up his face, stuck out his tongue, and gulped it down hastily. It took several sips of cold water to soothe the burn.
Shi Lan glanced at him, suppressed a laugh, and quickly left the kitchen. Seeing this, Chen Xiong seemed to think of something. He followed her, holding his corn juice and sipping it as he walked.
She looked at him quizzically. He explained guiltily, "I, uh, I’m about to leave, right? I thought I should say goodbye to them too."
Shi Lan nodded.
The two of them arrived at the detention area together. At the entrance, Chen Xiong reflexively looked down at his feet. Glancing toward Cell Block Two in the distance, he resolutely chose to step in with his left foot.
’Okay, no scolding today. It really wasn’t my left foot’s fault!’
Mu Tangfeng didn’t even look at him. He was standing by a mirror, preening his feathers, his peripheral vision fixed on Shi Lan.
Finally back at her post, Shi Lan happily shared the breakfast she had made with the men. In addition to sandwiches and meat, she had also blended some corn juice today.
The moment she took out the corn juice, a rich aroma filled the air.
She handed them out one by one according to their cell numbers. He Hanshi took a sip as soon as he got his and praised, "It’s very fragrant. Tastes great."
Shi Lan’s lips curved into a smile. Chen Xiong silently sucked in a breath. ’Wait, Vice Admiral, don’t you think that’s hot? Did it cool down that fast?’
Chen Xiong, who had found the drink scalding on the way over, had put his corn juice into his Space Bag. Curious, he now took it out and had a sip. "HISS..."
Still scalding hot.
He Hanshi lazily lifted his eyelids, his gaze sweeping impassively over the corn juice in Chen Xiong’s hand before he lowered his eyes again.
A sense of loss welled up in his heart. ’The meals that were once exclusively his are now being shared with more people each day.’
’A female’s affection... always scatters so quickly...’
He suppressed the dejection in his eyes and watched Shi Lan walk to the opposite side.
