Great Xia, Longteng Prison.
The warden, followed by two prison guards, arrived at Cell 001 carrying a stretcher.
Longteng Prison was the most elite penitentiary in the Great Xia, housing the most notorious and wicked criminals in the world. Cell 001 was the most unique location within those walls, commanding not only the respect of the inmates but also the special care of the prison staff. In the eighty years since the prison was built, only one person had ever enjoyed such high-level treatment.
Standing at the cell door, the warden couldn't help but bow his head as he spoke respectfully, "Mr. Su, the items you requested are ready. The auspicious time for your release is almost upon us; please, Mr. Su, step this way."
Cell 001 was incredibly spacious, featuring a living room, a kitchen, and a bathroom, all furnished with precious items sent by various countries and prominent families. Aside from the iron bars at the entrance, there was no difference between living here and being in one's own home.
Su Yan walked out of the room, wearing the same t-shirt and casual trousers he had arrived in, a duffel bag in his hand. "Thank you for looking after me these past three years. Consider this a favor I owe you; if you ever need anything, come find me."
The warden trembled with excitement upon hearing this. Receiving a favor from Mr. Su was a massive stroke of luck. He stepped forward to open the gate, his spine curving even further in deference. "Thank you, Mr. Su. Getting to know you these past few years has been my honor."
"Mr. Su, your wife is already waiting outside. Congratulations on your reunion." The warden added, "I wish you both a long and harmonious marriage, may you be together for a hundred years!"
At the mention of his wife, Yao Lingxuan, the corners of Su Yan’s mouth turned up involuntarily.
Three years ago, his father-in-law had caused a drunk-driving accident. Facing certain prison time, Yao Lingxuan had begged him for help. She claimed that because his build was similar to her father’s, he could take the blame for him. She wept, telling him that her father’s health was poor, that he suffered from a severe heart condition, and that he would never survive the hardships of prison. She also promised that if her father remained free, his connections would ensure everything was handled quietly and safely.
Faced with his wife’s desperate pleas, he had been deeply conflicted. It wasn't until she told him she was pregnant—and that the stress of the situation had caused signs of a miscarriage—that his resolve broke. Unable to bear seeing Yao Lingxuan suffer, he agreed to her request.
He had expected a sentence of perhaps a year, after which he would be released to reunite with his wife and child. He never knew what went wrong, but he ended up sentenced to three years and locked away in the infamous Longteng Prison.
He shook his head. He would investigate those details once he was out. For now, the most important thing was leaving this place and reuniting with his wife and child. In three years, surely his child must have grown to be very cute? Yao Lingxuan had told him they had a lovely daughter. He had wanted to see her, but Yao Lingxuan had insisted that she didn't want to bring the child to the prison for fear of scaring her. He had found the logic sound and had not pressed the issue. Besides, he had spent most of the last few years abroad with very little free time.
Now, having finally fulfilled the promise he made to the "old man," he could finally settle into the life of an ordinary man with a loving wife and a warm home.
As Su Yan stepped out of Cell 001, the two guards tactfully placed the stretcher at his feet.
"Mr. Su, I apologize for the indignity," the warden said apologetically.
"It’s a small matter," Su Yan replied. He set his bag aside and lay down on the stretcher.
This was a ruse for the benefit of onlookers. Everyone knew that anyone leaving Longteng Prison either came out missing limbs, blinded, or with organs removed. Su Yan was the first person to leave this place completely unscathed. To emphasize the terrifying nature of Longteng Prison—and to cover up Su Yan’s unusual status—he had to be carried out on a stretcher like everyone else.
Seeing him settled, the warden instructed the two guards, "Mr. Su has lowered himself to this for the sake of our prison's reputation. You two had better be careful, do you understand?"
"Yes!" the two guards replied, their movements becoming even more precise.
Su Yan waved with a smile, "Warden, goodbye."
The warden looked at him with lingering reluctance, "Mr. Su, goodbye."
Lying on the gently swaying stretcher, Su Yan watched the familiar environment of the prison pass by. Soon, he reached the outside, greeted by a brilliant blue sky and clouds of every shape. He had named his daughter Duoduo. He would see her soon; surprisingly, he felt a flicker of nervous anticipation. As a master of the outer realms who had stared death in the face countless times without even a furrowed brow, he never expected that his cold heart would race at the mere thought of meeting his daughter.
*Would his daughter dislike him for being an ex-convict? Would she be afraid of him?*
*Clack!*
The heavy prison gates swung open, and he stepped outside the walls of Longteng Prison.
Turning his head, he saw a brand-new, fire-red sports car parked on the road in the distance. As he emerged, the passenger door opened, and a stranger in a suit stepped out, holding a document as he walked toward him.
"That’s enough. I’ll handle the rest of the way myself," Su Yan gestured for the two guards to stop.
The guards halted, and he stepped off the stretcher, grabbing his bag.
"Goodbye, Mr. Su!" The guards said respectfully before turning to leave.
Su Yan glanced back at the impenetrable prison walls. After three years, he was finally out.
"Su Yan, is it?" the man from the sports car asked, his expression blank.
"I am." Su Yan looked at him and asked, "Who are you?"
"I am Zhu Wei, assistant to President Yao," he replied coldly, his tone strictly professional. "First of all, congratulations on your release."
Su Yan sensed something unusual and looked toward the red sports car in the distance. "She’s in the car, isn't she? I’ll go find her."
"Su Yan!" Zhu Wei blocked his path. "It is not convenient for you to meet with President Yao right now. Please exercise some restraint."
"She is my wife, and I am her husband. What could possibly be inconvenient about that?" Su Yan’s gaze sharpened.
Zhu Wei gave a mocking laugh. "What is your status now? And what is President Yao’s status? Do you really think you are still people from the same world?"
"What is that supposed to mean?" Su Yan’s face darkened, his tone one of disbelief.
Su Yan had been working hard abroad these past few years, all for the sake of providing a bright future for his wife and child. He had funneled every possible advantage into Yao Lingxuan’s hands, turning the Yao family from an insignificant, low-tier household into a wealthy dynasty with assets worth hundreds of millions. Many credited Yao Lingxuan as a business genius for developing the family business so rapidly in just three years, little knowing that it was his efforts behind the scenes that had made it all possible.
And now, her assistant was telling him they belonged to different worlds?
Zhu Wei ignored his anger. According to the reports from the prison, Su Yan had lost a kidney and was essentially a broken man. How could such a loser ever be worthy of President Yao?
He spread out the document in his hand and said flippantly, "President Yao said to sign this divorce agreement. She will give you three million and a house as compensation to ensure you have no worries for the rest of your life!"