Hong Kong film: Rise of Prison Break

Zhang Wenjie put his arm around his shoulder, and the two of them put their heads close together.

The dim light in the cell cast their shadows, distorted and elongated, onto the mottled walls.

"Two brothers, what's with all this talk about serving you hand and foot?" Zhang Wenjie's voice was low and seductive. "Did I really come in for that vague sense of gang loyalty? I came in to help you, Ah Xiong."

"help me?"

"You've taken office and made a splash with the prison guards. What's next? Don't you want to deal with the tough guys, the troublemakers, and the deeply entrenched criminal gangs in the prison? Don't you want them to know who's in charge in Stanley now?"

Chung Chu-hsiung's eyes lit up.

Zhang Wenjie continued, "Leave the tough nuts to me. I guarantee that before long, every prisoner in Stanley Prison will be 'obedient and compliant.' Then you'll have prestige in front of the warden, power in your hands, and your position will be as secure as a mountain. Don't you agree?"

He exhaled a smoke ring, and amidst the swirling smoke, a half-smile curled at the corner of his mouth.

Chung Chu-hsiung was overjoyed, as if he could already see himself in a triumphant manner, being praised by the warden on the shoulder.

He couldn't help but burst into laughter, but after a few laughs he quickly covered his mouth and glanced warily at the doorway.

"Brother Jie, money is a small matter!" Zhong Chuxiong rubbed his hands together, his eyes gleaming. "The main thing is that my body needs some training. You know... that 'Willow Swaying in the Wind Stick Technique' you taught me by the river back then, could you... give me some pointers again?"

Looking at his fawning expression, Zhang Wenjie recalled how this little tagalong had acted the same way back in the orphanage.

As time passed, the two went down completely different paths. One became the director of prison security, and the other became a triad leader. But some things seemed to have never changed.

He flicked away the cigarette ash, and his smile became more genuine.

"No problem. But before that, we need to think carefully about how to stir up the waters of Stanley to catch the biggest fish."

The doors to the solitary confinement cells remained tightly shut. No more whippings or wails could be heard through the cracks; only low, secretive whispers mingled with the smoke of cigarettes, slowly dissipating into the cold, damp air.

"As for the 'Willow Swaying in the Wind' technique you mentioned? I can teach you if you want to learn it, but how much you can learn depends on your own aptitude."

Zhang Wenjie was taken aback for a moment—the Willow Swaying in the Wind Stick Technique?

What kind of skill is this? I don't even know what that means.

But when he saw the familiar smile on Zhong Chuxiong's face, a smile that was three parts lewd and seven parts ingratiating, he immediately understood.

This is hardly a proper stick fighting technique; it's clearly a trick that the two of them made up by randomly gesturing and making up in front of the willow trees by the stream behind the orphanage back then.

"Up and down, left and right, front and back..."

Zhang Wenjie, without batting an eye, simply started performing on the spot.

He moved slightly, his arms swinging seemingly casually, yet creating a whooshing sound. His movements were fluid and contained an indescribable rhythm, leaving afterimages, making him appear quite unfathomable.

Of course, this was all thanks to his secret consumption of those three mysterious "morality points," which instantly boosted his physical coordination and explosive power, making even ordinary movements appear extremely sharp.

Chung Chu-hsiung stared in disbelief, his eyes wide and his mouth slightly agape, almost forgetting to smoke the cigarette in his hand.

The results far exceeded his expectations!

"Every day, insist on 'fishing' for hard rocks," Zhang Wenjie said, ending his practice with a serious expression and imparting his "secret." "Start with a small pebble, use intention but not force, and feel the combination of 'heaviness' and 'agility'."

"Only when you can lift it with ease and skill can you gradually increase the weight."

He gestured casually, as if he were actually holding an invisible stick, stirring something of immense weight.

Chung Chu-hsiung nodded his head vigorously, like a chicken pecking at rice, his eyes radiating an almost overflowing light of admiration.

As expected of Jay, even his casual display of skill is so profound!

His admiration for Zhang Wenjie immediately reached a new peak.

"Hey! Stop! We don't need to practice now!"

Seeing that Chung Chu-hsiung was eager to try and was about to start imitating the "fishing" action on the spot, Chang Wen-chieh quickly stopped him.

"Go back and practice behind closed doors. Be careful, the walls may be listening... no, they may be watching!"

Who knows if some clueless prison guard might suddenly open the door to check?

When you see the security chief making all sorts of bizarre and cringe-worthy poses in his solitary confinement cell, that'll be quite a sight.

"Yes, yes, yes! Brother Jie is right!" Zhong Chuxiong snapped to attention and quickly stopped. He had been thinking about how to simulate holding a stick, but now he coughed twice to regain his dignified appearance.

"If you're going to put on an act, then Brother Jie, I'm afraid you'll have to stay here for a few more days."

Chung Chu-hsiung rubbed his hands together, a slight apology on his face, but his eyes were shining.

"I need to maintain my status and public image in prison, you know."

"A few days?" Zhang Wenjie shook his head, a calculating smile playing on his lips. "What good are a few days? Lock me up for a month first."

"A month?" Chung Chu-hsiung was taken aback.

"Yes, a month. And you need to spread some rumors outside." Zhang Wenjie lowered his voice, his eyes sharpening. "You must let everyone in Stanley Prison know that I, Zhang Wenjie, am a fallen tiger, a 'fake red stick' pushed out by Tung Sing to take the blame, a pushover and unlucky bastard whom anyone can kick!"

Chung Chu-hsiung was completely stunned.

He originally thought that Zhang Wenjie would let him spread his reputation as "brave and invincible, having injured several police officers and requiring the director's personal suppression," so that he could first establish his reputation in this prison environment that worships the strong.

After all, if you're not ruthless enough here, you'll only suffer setbacks.

Especially since Zhang Wenjie has such a pretty face, if he doesn't establish a fearsome reputation beforehand, he might face even more trouble.

But does Brother Jie mean... he's going to play the coward?

Zhong Chuxiong subconsciously turned his head and glanced again at the clear fist mark and spreading cracks on the granite wall, his lips twitching.

Are you worried that Brother Jie will be bullied?

What he was more worried about was whether those clueless "rabbits" and troublemakers in Stanley Prison could withstand a casual punch from Brother Jie.

"Understood, Brother Jie!"

Chung Cho-hung is a quick-witted man. Although he didn't fully grasp the intricacies of the situation at first, he instinctively chose to trust his older brother, who had protected him since childhood. "I'll definitely put on a good show!"

"Alright, stop standing there. Go get some roast chicken, beer, or something. I'm starving!"

Zhang Wenjie waved his hand, acting like a big shot. His demeanor and movements were still vaguely reminiscent of when he used to order Zhong Chuxiong around at the orphanage.