Crimson Instinct

Beijing central prison.

Rodey stepped out of the prison gate where he found an officer waiting for him. 

"Let's go."

There he took Rodey to the headquarters where the police chief was already seated with his papers in his hands. The chief looked up at Rodey and then read his file.

Prisoner No #136.

Name - Rodey

Crime - Murders and part of FriendsChat dark web group, illegal activities.

And so on and so forth.

"Rodey. You were sentenced to ten years imprisonment for your crimes."

Rodey said nothing. He kept waiting for him to finish.

"But considering your good behavior in the last eight years including getting into no fights with other inmates, working hard to earn money, and behaving with discipline and good conduct, we have decided to release you on parole."

This was the other method that Xin Nianzu had suggested to further reduce his punishment. Whenever any prisoner behaved exceptionally well while serving his sentence and proving that he or she has changed, the authorities can decide if they deserve to be released earlier and before their sentence expiry.

So it all depended on Rodey. Life in prison was hard and many other inmates were bullies who liked to trouble others. Getting into fights was common in prison which is why many fail the parole.

Other factors contribute too and Rodey excelled in all of them just to see this day today.

Two years wasn't any less time period and now Rodey was finally out eight years later.

The chief said, "These are your release papers. Read and sign them. After that, collect your belongings you had submitted and you are free to go."

Rodey stared at his release papers for a long time. 

His term was over. He was finally free of prison.

He shut his eyes and Ying Yue's face came to his mind. Then he thought about his twins. Kang and Daiyu.

At this moment, his mind felt blank as he held the pen in his hands. He signed the papers.

The chief nodded. "Rodey. I have observed you and can say that you have worked really hard. Don't let this chance go to waste and live an honest life from now on."

Rodey didn't respond.

He stepped out of the Central Prison. The sunlight hit his irises and he shut his eyelids instinctively. The wind brushed past his cheeks and he inhaled deeply. He heard the birds chirping which made him finally realize that he was free to go.

He took out a picture out of his pocket. It was of Ying Yue along with their twins when they were three years old. His fingers tremblingly brushed on it.

"Rodey!"

He froze.

That voice…

He recognized that voice instantly. He could recognize it anywhere.

He raised his head and saw the incoming figure running towards him. Ying Yue breathlessly stopped and stood in front of him. She kept staring at him as if he would disappear any moment.

Her eyes teared up.

"Y-You…"

Rodey looked at her in a daze. Ying Yue regularly came to meet him in the prison but today was different. Today they weren't meeting separated by wall. Today there was no partition between them. 

He slowly raised his hand and bridged the distance as he kept his palm on her cheek. Ying Yue froze but then tears streamed down her eyes. She placed her hand on the back of his palm and shut her eyes.

He is touching me...it's his warm hand again…

She clutched and intertwined with her fingers against his to feel more of his warmth.

Rodey chuckled. "I can touch you now. See? I guess there is really no wall between us. I had to test if it was true."

Ying Yue choked. There were so many things to say but she didn't know from where to start.

"You...you never told me about parole…" she softly whispered. "I met you everyday but you never told me."

"Well it was an experiment. I wasn't sure if I would be released and I didn't wanna give you any hope. And surprises are always untold. That's why they are more enjoyable."

Ying Yue hit him hard on his chest which Rodey didn't mind.

"You…"

She was overwhelmed with happiness seeing Rodey in front of her but was also angry that he kept it hidden from her.

"Hey. If you wanna blame then blame that old man too. He also didn't tell you."

"Don't say anything about Uncle Xin. He helped you a lot."

Rodey grimaced. "This is not what I wanted to see after getting out - you getting biased."

She looked at him from head to toe and realized now clearly how hard it must have been to live in prison. She felt a different charm radiating from him.

"You look more handsome now."

Rodey chuckled. "And you got all the right curves, babe. Can't wait to lay my hands on them."

She blushed furiously and her cheeks turned red.

Silence.

Rodey suddenly pulled her into his arms and hugged her hard. Ying Yue's eyes turned wet again.

She was finally able to hug him. It felt so long that they felt they would melt in each other's embrace.

Rodey kissed her head and then pulled her face. He smashed his lips on hers in a passionate kiss. As he broke apart, he rested his forehead on hers and said, "I am back, Yue. Thank you for waiting for me."

Ying Yue gasped and cried. "En…"

They stayed like that for some time after which two heads had to pop out to make them remind them of their existence.

"Mom, Dad. Don't forget us," Kang grimaced.

Rodey looked down at his son and daughter and stiffened a bit. They had already met when they were three and sometimes they would later too, but right now, he didn't know how to face them.

Ying Yue already told them the truth early on because she didn't want them to know from someone else and hate their father.

Rodey didn't even know if his children felt anything for him now. It was an embarrassment after all to know that the father served in prison.

Ying Yue smiled. "Rodey. They are talking to you."

Daiyu asked, "Dad, you don't want to hug me?"

...