After a moment of silence, he seemed to suddenly remember something, and spoke casually:

"In any case, as long as I can help Qian Huan wake up soon, just let me know if you need me for anything. By the way, the prison system wants to transfer someone internally to the Second Prison..."

Wang Xinfa watched Li Hanyu’s expression. The latter looked genuinely surprised, as if hearing about this for the first time, and interrupted with a frown before he could finish, asking:

"Wasn’t it supposed to be Du Changle? I’ve already submitted his name."

Li Hanyu moved her head away from Wang Xinfa’s shoulder, looking a bit angry and said:

"Who does the prison system want to replace my son with?"

Wang Xinfa felt Li Hanyu’s reaction was very genuine, not particularly angry, but a bit angry nonetheless.

This matched the general attitude she had been showing recently.

With a serious expression, Wang Xinfa explained:

"Ling Song from the Fifth Prison is Lou Duan’s recommended candidate. Within the prison system, it is generally believed that he is more suitable than Du Changle."

Li Hanyu’s frown deepened:

"I don’t know this person. No, I don’t agree. Even if my son isn’t going to be the warden, the Second Prison can’t just be handed over to someone I don’t know."

Li Hanyu’s stance was very real and determined, showing that she could accept her son stepping down, but she would never allow an unrelated person to replace her son, or Celestial Light Investment Co., Ltd.’s interests couldn’t be guaranteed.

Li Hanyu took a deep breath, grabbed Wang Xinfa’s shoulder, and said:

"Xinfa, I trust only you right now. You’ve recommended Du Changle, and I will only recognize Du Changle. I don’t feel safe with anyone else in charge."

Wang Xinfa nodded solemnly and said:

"Okay, rest assured, I’ll handle this."

Li Hanyu’s expression softened a little but then she snorted coldly:

"It’s always Lou Duan and Ling Song. Is there something wrong with the prison system? Do they even remember the Second Prison is semi-privatized? Their unilateral decision doesn’t count."

Li Hanyu complained a couple of times, then suppressed the anger bubbling in her chest, seeming to realize something as she suspiciously asked Wang Xinfa:

"Wait a minute. I asked Secretary Hou to submit the list. If the prison system had other thoughts, they could ignore me, but didn’t they inform you either? Where did they get the nerve?"

A shadow flickered in Wang Xinfa’s eyes, and he sneered:

"It’s Zhang Deming behind Lou Duan, directing the show. That old dog... has set his sights on the ’Octagonal Cage’ piece."

In reality, this juicy piece was something he threw to Zhang Deming, but he didn’t expect Zhang Deming’s appetite to be so huge. His counterpart wanted not only the meat but to divvy it up for him as well.

Before he finished speaking, Wang Xinfa clearly felt that Li Hanyu was gripping his arm tighter, so he gently patted the back of Li Hanyu’s hand to calm her:

"This old guy relies on his old status, with a huge appetite, always trying to snatch the best cuts of meat at the table, hmph—, rest assured, as long as I’m here, Celestial Light Investment will always have a share in the ’Octagonal Cage’ plan."

He paused and declared resolutely:

"I’ll find a way to deal with Zhang Deming. If the prison system tries to pressure you, just push back."

Li Hanyu understood perfectly:

"Ah, I see. It’s a clash between Zhang Deming and Wang Xinfa over distributing the spoils. Indeed, they’re both hot candidates for the next Chief Member position. Once at the table, they all want the biggest share."

"Yes, and as the elections are approaching, they’re naturally competing on every front."

"This isn’t just a battle of interests. They’re using this as an opportunity to arm wrestle, trying to press down the opponent, to show those behind them and those still hesitating on which side to take."

"Lou Duan is doing even better than I thought, haha—"

She gritted her teeth, nodded firmly, and completely aligned herself with Wang Xinfa, unequivocally declaring:

"Rest assured, I won’t agree to anything from the prison system. Other than Du Changle, Celestial Light Investment Co., Ltd. won’t recognize anyone else succeeding as warden of the Second Prison."

Before coming, Wang Xinfa harbored a slight suspicion towards Li Hanyu, influenced by someone whispering in the shadows.

But at this moment, all of Wang Xinfa’s doubts vanished. In contrast, he felt that the one whispering in the shadows exemplified the petty heart measuring a gentleman’s belly.

However, these undercurrents didn’t need to be told to Li Hanyu.

He immediately burst into hearty laughter and said:

"Good, very good. Rest assured, Zhang Deming is old and will never be a match for me."

...

[114:29:19]

[114:29:18]

[114:29:17]

[114:29:16]

[...]

This line of continually flashing numbers might seem like ordinary electronic timer digits, with nothing wrong on its own.

But when these numbers imprinted on the retina, even with eyes shut tight, remained vividly visible, the problem was significant.

Translated, it meant — Your balance is only 4.75 days.

It shouldn’t have been just 4.75 days, but it’s all Dong Ping’s fault, causing his balance to drop sharply, leaving just 4.75 days now.

If this were a phone message balance, it would always end with — Please recharge in time to avoid affecting normal use.

However, there was no recharge portal on the countdown on Feng Ju’s retina, nor a customer service hotline.

This made things difficult.

Who is the customer service?

Feng Ju wasn’t sure. On reflection, he repeatedly pondered and felt that the most suspicious person was his son, but he could never be one hundred percent certain.

The successive shocks over these days had already shattered his perception, leaving him with doubts about his eyes and judgments.

His daughter was a monster, who killed him with her own hands;

His son was most likely a monster too, resurrecting him in secret;

His colleague also turned out to be a monster, aiming to kill him;

And he himself had become a monster, and was about to die again?!!

All of a sudden, there seemed to be more monsters than humans within his intimate relationship network, making the once familiar world terrifyingly unfamiliar.

Feng Ju hadn’t slept for the past couple of nights, repeatedly pondering what sins he might have committed, or what kind of virtue he possessed, to end up in such a plight.

It felt as though he was suddenly the target of the world’s malice.

He wanted to ask his daughter why she treated her most loving father so, but he couldn’t find her;

He also wanted to ask his son if it was he who resurrected him, but why gave him only 14 days of life. He could find his son but didn’t dare to ask, let alone confront him;

He even wanted to ask Dong Ping how he survived and became a monster and whether he had a countdown in his eyes too?

Unable to find the customer service or dare to consult one, Feng Ju had to find a way to create a recharge window himself.

In his eyes, Dong Ping likely was that living "recharge window."

Unfortunately,

since that alley behind the Patrol Office, he waited and waited, but never saw Dong Ping return to work.

No, weren’t you out for revenge? Come back and kill me as you intended. Or is your vengeful spirit that weak?

Feng Ju was irritated and more agitated that his balance left only 4.75 days, and he still needed to work, continue working, and show deference to report to the special correspondent for a reprimanding.

He had no choice.

Because he had 4.75 days left, not 4.75 minutes, or 4.75 seconds.

Although feeling in despair, Feng Ju hadn’t run completely out of options; he wished to scramble for saving himself in the last 4.75 days, seeking ways to extend his time.

His goal was to survive past 4.75 days, to live for more days afterward, and thus he couldn’t afford to offend the special correspondent. Otherwise, even if he barely managed to hang in there past 4.75 days, he would still face death in the end.

"Hopefully, the special correspondent will take the time to cut short the scolding!"

Feng Ju stood at the villa’s entrance, took a deep breath, bracing himself mentally for the reprimand.

Since his resurrection, his senses were dozens of times keener, he glanced at the neighboring villa, which seemed under renovation, with clanking sounds audible.

Retracting his gaze, he proceeded to walk into the villa.

The luxurious set-up inside the villa needed no redundant description. The well-trained butler and servants stood still in various corners, like decorations that could breathe.

The butler and servants were part of professional services provided by the most expensive property management company, the host and guests discussing matters wouldn’t need to avoid them intentionally.

Because they’ve all undergone the most professional "business training," having eardrums permanently perforated, tongues halved, and carrying no electronic devices on or in their bodies.

Additionally, each of their cranial interiors had special custom memory chips implanted. The chips weren’t connected to the network, but each time they left, they would automatically erase any "work memories" from within the villa.

Feng Ju had visited several times, so he was familiar with all these things, slightly surprised today that the special correspondent already had a visitor.

"Why is he here?" Feng Ju wondered.

He hadn’t expected to run into him here; his gaze inconspicuously shifted to what the person was holding...