Chapter 439: Life in Haozi Li

Lu Cheng released his grip, and Daoban Lian, seeing this, raised his other fist, but before it could hit Lu Cheng's face, he let out a soul‑shattering scream.

He saw another man's chest also grabbed by Lu Cheng, who then spun him around violently.

"Oh, oh, Grandpa, Grandpa, it hurts, be gentle, gentle…"

"Who is the Boss in this Haozi Li?"

"It's you, it's you, Grandpa, let go quickly…"

Lu Cheng let go again; Daoban Lian's fury peaked—he could be killed but not humiliated; the insult was far too much.

This time Daoban Lian raised both fists simultaneously and slammed them toward Lu Cheng's temples.

As before, before reaching Lu Cheng, his own body suddenly curled into a shrimp shape.

This time Daoban Lian did not let out a soul‑shattering scream; instead he covered his crotch and slowly curled up on the ground.

Lu Cheng withdrew his foot, squatted beside him, and patted Daoban Lian's face: "Who is the Boss in this Haozi Li?"

Daoban Lian lingered for a while, finally able to speak, just as he was about to hurl a tirade at Lu Cheng, he saw Lu Cheng's hand curled into claws.

"You still want to try my Grab‑Milk Divine Skill, right!"

Daoban Lian swallowed a mouthful of saliva, immediately shook his head: "I'm wrong, I'm wrong…"

"Call me Grandpa."

"Grandpa…"

Lu Cheng was pleased, stood up, clapped his hands, glanced around, and the others hurried to rise, politely shouting, "Boss, hello Boss…"

The sharp‑tongued man, being the first to assess the situation, immediately called out.

"Why are you all just standing there? Quickly bring water to the Boss."

Just drinking water isn't enough; Lu Cheng sat on the bed: "I thought you had other services just now."

"Other services?" the man was the first to respond: "Oh, shoulder‑pressing and leg‑massaging, right? Quickly, give the Boss those."

Lu Cheng lay on the bed and lazily said, "I'm craving some vigor."

"Got it, got it, apply some pressure."

Lu Cheng couldn't describe how much he enjoyed it; with so many people serving him, he didn't even want to leave—how comfortable it was here.

Especially Daoban Lian, whose face bore a shocking scar that resembled a centipede; just looking at it really affected his mood.

Lu Cheng gestured: "Squat by the wall over there, back turned, don't let me see that face of yours."

Daoban Lian was about to protest when a few others slapped him: "Our Boss told you to squat, didn't you hear!"

Daoban Lian, helpless, knew that in this Haozi Li, whoever has the stronger fist gets the say; seeing the tide turn, he obediently went to the wall, hugged his head, and squatted.

Lu Cheng squinted and continued enjoying the massage until mealtime, when the few of them, like famished wolves, rushed with their rice bowls toward the iron fence.

Lunch was a bowl of mixed noodles with a small dumpling (wowo tou) per person; the dumpling was tiny, the broth was clear, floating a few broken rice grains, hardly different from water.

Everyone was so afraid of not getting any that they fought over them; if someone was honest, once the dumpling was half in their mouth, the other half would be snatched away.

They were all offenders, and Lu Cheng didn't pity them; he ordered them to bring all the dumplings over.

In front of them, he ate them one by one; after being beaten earlier, he wouldn't let it be in vain.

The few watched Lu Cheng eat the dumplings, each feeling helpless; they couldn't fight back.

"Boss, at least leave us a few…"

Lu Cheng looked up; that person instantly dared not speak.

By now Lu Cheng was on his second dumpling; honestly, the pitch‑black dumpling was hard to swallow, dry and scratchy, so he had to sip some rice broth to get it down.

After finishing the fourth, Lu Cheng finally stopped; though still not full, he couldn't eat them all, otherwise the others would get ravenously angry and might strike him in the night.

The remaining four dumplings were just enough for each of them to have half, ensuring they got a bit of food without much strength to resist.

"Here, each take half of what's left; no one grabs, or there's nothing to eat." Lu Cheng split the dumplings in two and handed them out.

Those who took the dumplings hurriedly swallowed them.

They really had to gulp them down, even scooping up the crumbs on the floor and eating them.

Lu Cheng was deliberately giving these people a lesson, to let them know life in Haozi Li isn't pleasant; once they get out and recall the grim days there, they can become decent people.

After everyone ate quickly, Lu Cheng, like a magician, pulled a pack of cigarettes from his pocket.

That startled the crowd; for a moment the dumplings seemed unappetizing.

In this cell, having a cigarette to smoke was sheer happiness.

"I won't eat you for free either; here, one each."

The few were instantly flattered and shocked, looking in disbelief until Lu Cheng gestured again at the cigarette pack.

They received them reverently as if receiving a relic, reluctant to smoke, they just placed them near their noses and inhaled, feeling satisfied.

Lu Cheng ignored them, lying on the bed, smoking, exhaling clouds of vapor.

He thought to himself, not knowing when Qin Shou would arrive; if he came early, it would be easier to deal with matters and get out sooner.

……

Capital City District Police Substation.

Qin Shou looked at the time and called a junior police officer: "Have the Railway Bureau people arrived yet? It's already this late, almost lunchtime; do they really intend to come now and make me handle the meal?"

He had received news early this morning that the Railway Bureau would come to negotiate, to see if they could drop the issue of Lu Cheng's kidnapping.

That was impossible; he had long wanted to deal with Lu Cheng.

Since he finally got approval from higher authorities to arrest Lu Cheng for interrogation, he couldn't miss this chance.

As long as he captures Lu Cheng, he'll give the guy a good beating.

As for the Railway Bureau's claim of coming to coordinate negotiations, they're sister departments, so the higher-ups had to agree to a discussion.

But the final outcome of the negotiations—whether to continue detaining Lu Cheng—was up to Qin Shou.

Since the Railway Bureau wants to come, let them; it's perfect, as he also wants to use the opportunity to properly educate Lu Cheng's superiors.

A fine Railway Unit—how could such an unruly person have slipped in? Must be dismissed.

Hearing Qin Shou's question, the junior officer hurriedly said, "Then I'll call the Railway Bureau to ask."

"Go quickly…" Qin Shou's tone was unpleasant, completely out of line; not arriving early yet daring to be late— is this the attitude of asking someone for a favor?

When that so‑called Captain Lei arrives, he must humiliate him properly.

After the humiliation, we must keep arresting people, letting the Railway Bureau personnel return just as they came.

A short while later, the junior officer ran over from the Duty Room.

"Bad news, Section Chief Qin, the Railway Bureau says they aren't coming, and they also say the person we want has already been taken into custody…"