Chapter 11

Yesterday, Tang Zhendong went to Old Ye's house and got a lot of fruit. Today, there are fewer types of fruit, so he needs to buy more.

The apples now all come from cold storage. However, apples are a specialty of Haicheng, especially around the train station, where many people from other places like to take some apples back with them. Apples are a must-buy.

The truck carrying apples is over six meters long, and a circle of vendors is gathered around, haggling with the apple seller. Actually, with so many people, there's no real place to haggle; they are just discussing the size and grade of the apples.

"Give me five boxes," Tang Zhendong finally got his turn.

"Aren't you Brother Dong?" A man in his thirties with a shaved head looked at Tang Zhendong with surprise.

Tang Zhendong looked at the man, who seemed familiar, very familiar. The name was on the tip of his tongue, "You, you're Mengzi? Haha."

"Brother Dong, it's me!" Wang Meng exclaimed in surprise.

Wang Meng was the cell leader Tang Zhendong met when he first entered Lai County Prison, but he was kicked by Tang Zhendong and disabled. Being disabled didn't mean he couldn't use it, but it swelled up like a tomato, and Wang Meng had to lie in bed for over a month. The two could be said to have become acquainted through conflict.

If this crime were compared to the seven days of torture Tang Zhendong endured, many would rather choose to be disabled than go through the Cadillac treatment.

No one would tie you to an iron chair, and many would go insane, unable to even attempt suicide. Once you lose the ability to choose life or death, the mental suffering far outweighs physical pain.

Wang Meng was indeed a tough guy. While in the hospital, he didn't worry about his severely painful lower body; instead, he felt a bit gleeful, wondering if Tang Zhendong would go insane during those seven days of torture.

However, when Wang Meng returned from the hospital and heard that Tang Zhendong not only survived the seven days but also took his place as the cell leader, he was secretly impressed, even though he didn't say it out loud.

In terms of fighting, he and his three subordinates couldn't beat Tang Zhendong. In terms of willpower, after surviving the seven days of torture, Tang Zhendong was still intact, just a bit more somber. This made Wang Meng admire him greatly, even though Tang Zhendong's kick almost made him impotent. Heroes respect heroes, and Wang Meng respected such a man.

Later, during their labor reform, although they weren't in the same cell, they occasionally met. Tang Zhendong and Wang Meng put their past behind them. Although they didn't become close friends, they at least nodded to each other when they met.

This unexpected meeting made Wang Meng very happy, and Tang Zhendong was also in a good mood. People who have been in prison have a different kind of bond with those outside.

Inside, being in prison isn't called being in prison but being a soldier. Eight years in prison is said to be eight years as a soldier. Fellow inmates aren't called inmates but comrades.

"Brother Dong, these few boxes of apples are on the house. Quickly, help Brother Dong move them," Wang Meng patted the shoulder of a thug next to him, telling him to move Tang Zhendong's apples.

"Hey, no, I'm doing business, and I need to pay for them. If I were buying them for myself, I wouldn't pay," Tang Zhendong, who had risen to prominence in prison as a high school student, not only became the cell leader but also lived like a free man, except for the inability to leave the prison. His success was due to his own abilities and his mentor's influence.

Even though Tang Zhendong said this, Wang Meng insisted on not taking the money, but Tang Zhendong couldn't not pay. Finally, Tang Zhendong said, "I'll give you the money. We haven't seen each other for years, why don't you treat me to a meal?"

Wang Meng then accepted the money.

You must know that high-quality apples aren't cheap, about five yuan per pound. Five boxes of apples weigh about 100 pounds, which is nearly 500 yuan. Although 500 yuan isn't much for a rich person, it's a significant amount for Tang Zhendong, who does small business.

So, he had to pay.

"Brother Meng, how long have you been out?" Tang Zhendong saw that Wang Meng had stopped doing business and was letting his subordinates handle it, standing next to him.

"Brother Dong, just call me Mengzi, hehe. Calling me Brother Meng will shorten my life. I got out last year. What about you, Brother Dong?"

"Me too, last year, hehe."

"Mengzi, what are you doing now?"

"Hehe, Brother Dong, I have a job similar to yours, selling fruit. People like us can't get jobs in companies, so we can only gather a few subordinates and do some bullying."

Tang Zhendong chuckled. Wang Meng was a restless person. For him to be successfully reformed was as unlikely as the sun rising in the west. Compared to Wang Meng, Tang Zhendong was definitely a reformed person.

Wang Meng was the cell leader in Lai County Prison, which was a maximum-security prison. The fact that he could be the cell leader shows his considerable ability.

People like Wang Meng, once out, if they want to mix in society, are actively sought after by various leaders. Wanting to gather a few subordinates to operate independently is even easier.

There are only two types of people who come out of prison: those who are reformed and those who become even worse, who can only return to their old ways or even worse.

Wang Meng doesn't belong to the reformed category, so he must belong to the category of those who become even worse.

But even bad people have idols. Wang Meng's idol is Tang Zhendong. Although Tang Zhendong is young, he did well in prison, was skilled in fighting, and was willing to take risks. More importantly, Tang Zhendong had a good mind. He read the prison rules from beginning to end twice and could recite the more than fifty rules fluently.

Moreover, Tang Zhendong was taken as a disciple by the legendary Old Xu in the prison.

The Old Xu that Wang Meng mentioned is generally called Old Xu the Immortal in the prison. Although he is in prison, even the warden has to greet him and step aside.

He lives in a comfortable single room, eats the same food as the prison guards, and moves freely without any restrictions. He knows astronomy and geography, and it is said that he can perform the legendary art of Qimen Dunjia, creating soldiers from beans.

Of course, no one has seen this with their own eyes, but no matter how strong a person is, if they bump into Old Xu, they will be knocked down by the thin and frail Old Xu.

Such a person, in the prison, is spoken of by everyone, becoming a god-like figure. Many prison guards, including the warden, hope to learn a trick or two from Old Xu, but for years, no one has seen Old Xu take any disciples.

Until Tang Zhendong became Old Xu's disciple, everyone in the prison was greatly surprised. Even the warden treated Tang Zhendong as a brother, though this is all legend. However, the time, place, and people involved are all specific, indicating that there is some truth to the rumors.

Originally, Wang Meng admired Tang Zhendong for his willingness to take risks. After Tang Zhendong became Old Xu's disciple and heard many of Old Xu's legendary stories, Wang Meng's admiration for Tang Zhendong became like a continuous river, endless.

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