Reborn in 1993, Dark Sea

Humans are very strange creatures; a person's life is spent amidst all sorts of inexplicable contradictions.

For example, most people want to gain recognition from others, so they like to show off their uniqueness.

This is not paradoxical; what is paradoxical is that people do this in order to gain more recognition and greater approval from others.

If you're seeking recognition but also trying to stand out from the crowd, isn't that contradictory?

Driven by different worldviews and values, people form groups that compete with each other while collectively rejecting those whose values ​​differ from their own.

Those who value money will compare their wealth; those who value status will compare their status. In short, they must compare something, otherwise they cannot highlight their uniqueness.

Therefore, the officialdom that values ​​official rank and the middle-aged women's circle that values ​​whose children are doing better are not actually that different in essence.

Among prisoners, strength is paramount, and this strength encompasses many aspects: formidable fighting ability is strength, having numerous henchmen is strength, and being wealthy and powerful outside is also strength.

Of course, in prison, nothing is more important than having a good relationship with the prison guards, especially the more powerful ones.

Xu Yun always boasted about his good relationship with the prison guards, but he was indeed quite capable. He could find out information that others didn't know, which gave him a certain degree of prestige and influence among the prisoners.

"Do you know why I can keep the matches on my person?" Xu Yun asked casually, exhaling a smoke ring.

"I don't know, Brother Yun is really amazing!" one of Xu Yun's underlings immediately chimed in.

This guy has a lot of potential!

"Hehe!" Xu Yun just smiled without explaining the reason.

Sometimes, maintaining an air of mystery is what inspires more awe, and this has always been Xu Yun's strategy.

In prisons of that era, cigarettes were allowed into the cells, but fire was absolutely forbidden. The fact that Xu Yun could openly carry matches on his person showed that the prison guards were giving him face.

This is a demonstration of strength.

"An Xiaohai, come here for a moment!" Just then, the cell door was gently knocked on.

An Xiaohai looked up and saw that Yang Yuanbing had arrived. An Xiaohai quickly went over to him.

"Once things are settled, you can take care of these people!" Yang Yuanbing discreetly slipped a note to An Xiaohai. The note must have listed prisoners who were connected to him.

An Xiaohai accepted it without making a sound, but he was also a little surprised. He didn't expect Yang Yuanbing to be so capable. He had settled this matter so quickly in just a few days.

"You know Lao He, right?" Yang Yuanbing shook his head and pointed to the prison guard standing behind him.

An Xiaohai recognized the prison guard; his name was He Qiang, Mo Qinglian's new partner, who happened to be in charge of their cell.

Of course, when Yang Yuanbing said "recognize," he didn't mean whether An Xiaohai knew this person or not. Rather, he hoped that An Xiaohai would realize that He Qiang was one of his people.

An Xiaohai glanced at He Qiang and nodded.

"It's good that you understand. If there's anything urgent in the future, you can go to Lao He. He will take care of you."

"Understood, thank you, Section Chief Yang."

Judging from this, Yang Yuanbing truly treats An Xiaohai as one of his own; otherwise, he wouldn't have exposed his relationship with He Qiang to An Xiaohai like this.

No wonder He Qiang has been helping An Xiaohai on several occasions, whether intentionally or unintentionally; it turns out he's one of Yang Yuanbing's men.

"Alright, I'm leaving now. I'll be waiting for your good news. Here, take this," Yang Yuanbing said, taking two packs of cigarettes out of his briefcase and handing them to An Xiaohai.

It was a red and white pack of Peugeot cigarettes, which was considered top-tier among the prisoners.

"Section Chief Yang, I rarely smoke."

"If you don't smoke, you can give cigarettes to others. You're a boss, and you don't even have a decent pack of cigarettes on you? Is that acceptable?"

Yang Yuanbing's words left An Xiaohai somewhat confused!

"Keep it safe. These cigarettes aren't from me; your mom bought them. I told her not to come, why did she still come? Are you disrespecting me? Didn't you tell your mom?"

"Where is it? I told her, but she insisted on doing it, and I couldn't stop her."

"Okay, I get it. That's how all mothers are, it's not easy! Your mom really treats you the best. Here, take it. I'll transfer the money to you next time she comes."

"No need for that, just give me the cigarettes," An Xiaohai finally accepted the two packs of cigarettes.

"Alright, if it's not enough, just ask me for more, or you can ask Lao He. By the way, do you have any fire?"

An Xiaohai, of course, didn't have a fire, and he didn't smoke.

"Hey, this is my lighter, it's yours!" Yang Yuanbing slapped a shiny Z brand lighter into An Xiaohai's hand. Just by looking at the lighter, you could tell it wasn't cheap.

"This isn't quite right!" An Xiaohai was flattered.

"What's wrong with that? Take it! Relationships need to be reciprocated; that's how feelings last, isn't it? Haha, I'm off!"

Yang Yuanbing waved his hand and walked away with He Qiang in a grand manner.

Aside from slipping that note, Yang Yuanbing made no attempt to hide anything else.

An Xiaohai understood Yang Yuanbing's meaning perfectly. He wasn't there to deliver cigarettes, but to deliver an umbrella. With Yang Yuanbing as a protector, anyone who wanted to mess with An Xiaohai would have to think twice.

When An Xiaohai walked towards his bed with a lighter and cigarettes in his hand, the entire cell 27 was completely silent! Many prisoners turned to look at Kun Ji, whose face had turned liver-colored with excitement.

That kid, really! He's really chosen the right person this time. An Xiaohai has connections in both the underworld and legitimate society at the First Prison; who would dare to mess with him?

An Xiaohai immediately opened the two packs of cigarettes. Guo Xiangshui, Zhao De, Gui Liu, and Xu Yun, the gang leaders, each threw away three packs, and the rest were all given to Kunji.

An Xiaohai and Lai Donglin are both non-smokers, so this kid is the only one who can benefit.

Kunji grinned so wide his mouth stretched to the back of his ears. The guy who had been fawning over Xu Yun was now filled with envy, and even the cigarette in his hand no longer smelled good.

Yes, this guy was currying favor with Xu Yun just to pick up his cigarette butts and smoke them—a rare perk. While cigarettes could be bought in prison, they were far too expensive for most people.

Xu Yun's expression was somewhat unpleasant, but he dared not show the slightest dissatisfaction.

Who is Yang Yuanbing? Xu Yun knows better than anyone here! In the First Prison, offending any prison guard is not a big deal, but offending Yang Yuanbing is absolutely no joke, and you will suffer the consequences!

As everyone saw, Yang Yuanbing was very humble when he was talking to An Xiaohai, and even gave An Xiaohai his lighter.

We've only ever heard of prisoners trying to bribe guards, but this is the first time anyone has ever seen a prison guard openly giving gifts to prisoners.

This is no ordinary relationship. You can't get this kind of relationship just by asking. There must be many secrets between these two!

That day, cell number 27 was filled with smoke, making it look like it was on fire. But even so, no one came to do anything about it.

"Things are getting a bit complicated... The boss is truly a master at judging people! This An Xiaohai is no ordinary person! He's bound to rise to the top sooner or later!..."

Guo Xiangshui said softly, and took a deep drag on his cigarette. What he lacked was not the money to buy cigarettes, but the freedom to smoke in the prison cell!

"You're absolutely right...!" Gui Liu also took a deep drag. He felt that the Polo cigarette in his hand was special, much more fragrant and mellow than the ones he bought outside.