Chapter Ninety-Nine: Let's Make a Bet

"Zone A, Zone A, damn it, Qin Yang, you go to Zone A, and you go to the middle lane just to get yourself killed!"
"Mother of god, I'm not afraid of godlike opponents, but I am terrified of pig-headed teammates."
Bang.
Qin Yang watched as his character was flamboyantly shot in the head on the computer screen, and angrily slammed his mouse.
"Our Black Prison Team's undefeated record almost got broken by this bastard. Did he come here just to ruin our streak?" someone grumbled as they exited the game, though their tone was mostly teasing.
"You guys are being unfair. You've been playing for so long, and Qin Yang just started," Wei Xiaoran spoke up for Qin Yang at the right moment. Qin Yang had repeatedly concocted beauty and skincare formulas for her, and lately, Wei Xiaoran felt she looked younger and younger. Though she was only twenty-three or twenty-four, for a woman, keeping good skin and appearance was important at any age. And after learning that her father's longstanding injury had finally begun to heal under Qin Yang's care, she was overjoyed. She found herself liking Qin Yang more and more; although their acquaintance in Black Prison was brief, their relationship had advanced rapidly.
"I think one of these days we should spruce up Black Prison and hold their wedding," Chen Yao said, lighting a cigarette and savoring it. "Anyone outside wanting to marry Xiaoran has to pass our tests. Qin Yang is the only one who's made it through all of them. Xiaoran, just marry him already. You're over twenty and still haven't dated anyone—you're behind the times out there."
"What do you know?" Xiaoran blushed and retorted, "People often marry in their thirties nowadays."
"That's the way the world is now," Chen Yao sighed.
Qin Yang could sense the resignation in that sigh. Indeed, they would be confined here for life. They could live carefree, but freedom would always elude them. For the sake of freedom, everything else could be forsaken, especially for these people—for whom freedom was truly priceless. Their daily sunbathing was their most cherished moment; in a special area, they could bask in sunlight, and the warmth of the sun was treasured. No one disturbed their sunbathing—not even Xiaoran.
"Qin Yang, someone is here to see you."
A prison guard called from the doorway.
Qin Yang paused, and the others chuckled, "Look at you, only here a few days and already so many visitors. You're quite the special one."
"Special, my ass." Qin Yang rolled his eyes and cursed with a laugh. "I'll go have a look. You guys keep playing. Teach me how to shoot later—I'm talking about real targets, not CS. Clearly, I have no talent for it. Xiaoran, be good, after I'm done I'll give you a massage, and you'll sleep like a baby tonight."
"Hurry back," Xiaoran replied excitedly.

Amid their teasing laughter, Qin Yang headed toward the one and only door leading outside, grabbing a cigarette from the guard at the entrance and lighting it. He walked confidently to the reception area, but this time, it wasn't Old Han who came—it was Liu Yan, the stunning beauty, his nominal fiancée, and the reason he was now considered an enemy by Jiangnan Yan.
"What brings you here?" Qin Yang sat down and asked.
Liu Yan pinched her nose, dissatisfied. "Don't you know to put out your cigarette when you see a lady?"
Qin Yang smiled, extinguished the cigarette and placed it on the table. Only then did Liu Yan look at him; his complexion was rosy, clearly enjoying himself here. She laughed, "You really are carefree. Having a good time here, are you?"
"Pretty good," Qin Yang crossed his legs and clasped his hands behind his head. "Smoking, drinking, everything's available. Sometimes I play CS, watch new films, catch up on shows, read the classics. Recently, Wei Boyang promised to get me a set of Playboy magazines. The people are decent, the atmosphere is great, good for healthy growth. You should stay here for a while too, if you get the chance."
"Enough with the jokes," Liu Yan suppressed her smile. "You should know why I'm here this time."
"I do," Qin Yang replied carelessly. "It's about Jiangnan Yan's grandfather's injury, isn't it? Why isn't he coming himself? I wanted him to taste my fists."
"Save him. I've negotiated plenty of terms for you with Jiangnan Yan. First off, you'll be allowed to leave Black Prison," Liu Yan said seriously. "Also, your criminal record will be wiped clean. Even those who've secretly worked with you can show themselves openly in public. Jiangnan Yan originally wanted to use this chance to destroy your entire network, but your friends are well hidden. Now, you have the leverage to make Jiangnan Yan yield."
"Saving him is fine, but if you could bring Wang Yue back from the dead for me, I'd agree to help," Qin Yang sneered.
Liu Yan gave a bitter smile. "The dead can't return. Wang Yue was just a passing figure in your life. Maybe she did a lot for you, but it's not worth you being stuck in Black Prison forever."
"Oh? She’s my adoptive mother," Qin Yang replied coldly.
Liu Yan shuddered, incredulous. "Qin Yang, you actually took an ordinary woman as your adoptive mother? For most people, that's nothing, but do you realize your status? If she—"
"An enemy who killed my mother and I will never coexist," Qin Yang cut her off, slamming the table and staring at Liu Yan. "If I ever hear any disrespect toward my adoptive mother from your mouth, I'll kill you myself. Don't think I'm joking. With this, I mean what I say—Zhao Debiao, Wang Zhi Tao, Qian Haoran, all examples."
"You—" Liu Yan regretted coming here.
Qin Yang lit the cigarette on the table and left without even looking back. But as he opened the door, he found Wei Xiaoran leaning in, eavesdropping. Startled, she stepped back when Qin Yang suddenly opened the door. She stuck out her tongue adorably, and Qin Yang couldn’t help but laugh as he tapped her head. "Eavesdropping? It's nothing scandalous. Next time, just sit beside me and listen all you want."

"I was just curious, wanted to see what your fiancée was like," Wei Xiaoran said, blushing.
Qin Yang waved his hand, walking her back to Black Prison. He laughed, "Don’t throw around the word 'fiancée.' Right now, she’s really not mine."
"So you mean she will be someday?" Wei Xiaoran pouted.
"If I could, I'd like to hang that word on you," Qin Yang grinned.
"Go away," Wei Xiaoran teased, pinching him lightly, then whispered, "Qin Yang, promise me you won't get mad."
"You want to persuade me to save him too?" Qin Yang chuckled.
"Yes," Wei Xiaoran nodded gravely. "You can't spend your whole life here. You have a chance now—you have to seize it. And Old General Jiang is a hero; heroes shouldn't end up like this."
Qin Yang thought for a moment, meeting her hopeful gaze. "How about this—let's make a bet. I'll try to save him, but do you believe that, success or failure, I'll still return here?"
"This—" Wei Xiaoran was taken aback.
Qin Yang smiled, "If I win, you promise me anything I ask. If I lose, I'll promise you anything. Deal?"
"Deal." In the end, Wei Xiaoran really hoped Qin Yang would leave, because she couldn’t bear the thought of him spending his life in this place.
Qin Yang snapped his fingers, turned to see Liu Yan about to leave down the corridor, and called out, "Liu Yan, I'll go with you and take a look."