Hong Kong film: Rise of Prison Break

"Chicken Xiong," Zhang Wenjie propped himself up with his left hand, casually resting his right hand on the cigarette pack on the bedside table, glancing at him sideways, "ate some cocoa powder? You're smiling so lewdly."

The moment his hand touched the cigarette box, Zhong Chuxiong's large hand was already a step ahead, eagerly picking up the entire cigarette box, taking out a cigarette, and offering it to Zhang Wenjie's lips with both hands.

"Hehe... Brother Jie, let me do it! Let me do it!" Zhong Chuxiong grinned from ear to ear, and as he handed over the cigarette, he lit a lighter with his other hand and steadily presented it to Zhang Wenjie.

Zhang Wenjie lit a cigarette in his hand, took a deep drag, and then slowly exhaled the smoke.

Amidst the swirling smoke, he raised a finger and tapped the bruised, swollen wound on his forehead that had just stopped bleeding, his eyes displaying a half-smile.

"You bastard," his voice wasn't loud, but it carried an invisible pressure, "that scene you just acted was pretty good. And you even changed the script without permission? Are you using this as an excuse to settle a personal score and get back at me?"

Before he finished speaking, he stretched out his arm and suddenly grabbed Zhong Chuxiong's shoulder. It seemed casual, but the force was actually quite strong. He pulled Zhong Chuxiong's head directly in front of him and his fingers were lightly but firmly on his neck.

Zhong Chuxiong's smile froze, and he instantly felt a little short of breath. He quickly smiled apologetically, "Brother Jie, how could I dare! It's all thanks to your quick reflexes and skillful actions that you caught up with my acting perfectly! Those few kowtows were loud and realistic; those bastards outside must have believed them completely!"

He spoke flattering words, but his eyes caught Zhang Wenjie's ambiguous smile as he stared at him. His heart skipped a beat for no reason, and the fear he felt many years ago in the orphanage, dominated by this "Brother Jie" who was only a few years older than him, involuntarily surfaced in his mind.

Back then, Zhang Wenjie was just as ruthless and precise in fighting, and his scheming was chilling.

Zhang Wenjie snorted, loosened his arms, leaned back, and rested his head on the slightly soft pillow that carried the distinctive smell of the hospital.

"Smiling so flirtatiously," he flicked his cigarette ash and asked slowly, "Did the warden... introduce you to his daughter?"

"Huh?!" Zhong Chuxiong suddenly raised his head, his expression instantly changing from fawning to shock and disbelief. He blurted out, "Brother Jie, how...how did you know?"

His instinct was to ask, "Did you peek?", but then he realized it was absurd.

This happened in his private office. Shortly after he had "subdued" Zhang Wenjie and dealt with the scene, the warden came over in person, patted him on the shoulder and said a few words of encouragement. Then, he "casually" mentioned his unmarried daughter, implying admiration and a desire to arrange a marriage between them.

How could Zhang Wenjie possibly know?

Could it be that he has spies in Stanley that he doesn't know about?

Or... can he foresee the future?

"Nonsense!" Zhang Wenjie rolled his eyes at him, his gaze as if he were looking at a blockhead. "What do you think? Of course, it was me who arranged it for you. What else did you expect? Was it because you 'showed your might' by resolving one minor conflict after another? Or because you stepped in like a pillar of strength to calm things down at the end of every disturbance?"

"This..." Zhong Chuxiong was completely dumbfounded, his mouth agape, unable to utter a word for a long time.

If Zhang Wenjie had such extensive connections and influence that he could operate within the prison system up to the warden level, then why would he need to be stuck in Stanley Prison?

Is it really necessary to use such bloody and violent methods to conquer territory?

"Could it be," Zhang Wenjie's voice pulled him back from his chaotic thoughts, a voice carrying a worldly-wise indifference and a hint of barely perceptible ambition, "that you want to be a lowly prison guard for life? Or, follow the established path, starting as a security chief, climbing the ranks step by step, waiting for some big shot to take pity on you and grant you a promotion? Maybe by the time you're all gray-haired, you can become a senior correctional officer?"

Chung Chu-hsiung's Adam's apple bobbed, but he didn't speak.

This is indeed the path most people take, and it was also the path he once thought was his only path.

"Don't be silly, Ah Xiong." Zhang Wenjie's tone turned serious, his gaze fixed intently on him. "The path Brother Jie is paving for you is the shortcut. What's wrong with being a kept man? Being a kept man is the only way to succeed! Clinging to the warden's coattails and becoming his son-in-law is more useful than ten years of hard work!"

Seeing Zhong Chuxiong's stunned expression, as if his worldview had been shattered, he continued to throw out even more shocking information: "Otherwise, why do you think I would be so 'coincidentally' 'outsmarted' by you every time? Why would I so 'easily' pass on to you those truly practical fighting techniques I learned from outside?"

"I deliberately caused trouble time and time again, and you 'just happened' to 'subdue' me, all to promote you! To establish your image as the 'Stanley Killer,' capable, efficient, and ruthless! This image is exactly what your superiors and those old guys in the Correctional Services Department who prefer 'stability' and hate 'trouble' want!"

"Everyone hates trouble, and who wouldn't like a subordinate who has the ability, the means, and the determination to solve problems? What's more, if this subordinate can also become 'one of us'... then what more do I need to say about their future?"

Chung Chu-hsiung felt a chill run down his spine, yet a surge of heat rose within him.

Zhang Wenjie's words were like a key, opening a door he had never imagined.

It turns out that my recent "glory" and "appreciation" were actually the result of such meticulous planning and manipulation!

And the one who drove all of this was none other than "Brother Jie," who grew up with him in an orphanage and is now a prisoner!

"I've inquired about the warden's daughter," Zhang Wenjie continued, seemingly oblivious to his shock, his tone as calm as if discussing the weather. "She's absolutely gorgeous, with a fantastic figure. It's just her temper... she's spoiled rotten, shrewish, and arrogant, looking down on everyone as if they owe her millions."

"However, this kind of woman also has her advantages—she is straightforward and doesn't have such deep scheming. As long as you can handle her, she is more reliable than those pretentious ladies from wealthy families."

"Brother Jie..." Zhong Chuxiong's face showed bitterness as he scratched his head. "If the 'beauty' you're talking about has this kind of personality, I... I'm afraid I'm not worthy of her."

He was indeed a bit timid, mainly because this shortcut sounded a bit too risky.

Moreover, was Zhang Wenjie's painstaking efforts to plan for him solely out of brotherhood?

He could hardly believe it.

"Don't worry."

Zhang Wenjie waved his hand, displaying an air of complete control.

"For the next three months, I'll be 'locked in a dark room.' It'll be quiet there, perfect. I'll give you 'special training,' quickly teaching you the 'techniques' of chasing girls, even pushing you to master them! I guarantee you'll win them over with ease!"