Shuangling: Braving the Rapids

Ever since Master Ding "infused her with true energy," Hu Xiaozhen had stopped causing trouble at night. But this peaceful life didn't last long; the death sentence finally came crashing down.

The verdict, just three lines long, fully demonstrates the government's determination to severely, swiftly, and strictly punish crime. But the other inmates in the first cell are in a much worse situation; they experience a "zombie resurrection" every night.

Cheng Dong had Master Ding massage him several more times, but it was to no avail. This drug dealer used to beg for death, but when it came to actually being shot, he chickened out.

Indeed, in this world, there is no one who is not afraid of death.

By this point, even if Cheng Dong didn't try to persuade him, the other inmates wouldn't dare to provoke Hu Xiaozhen anymore. They were even a little afraid of him. If the guards hadn't put heavy handcuffs and leg irons on him, some of them might have already asked to be transferred to another cell!

As his sentence drew closer, Hu Xiaozhen's temper grew increasingly erratic. While others could tolerate it, the "palm-faced" boy next to him was on the verge of collapse: during the day, he had to serve Hu Xiaozhen's every need, getting slapped frequently; at night, he'd hear Hu Xiaozhen wailing like a mourner in his ear—it was like hell on earth! This kind of life finally made the habitual thief want to repent and start anew. Yes, he vowed to be a decent person and never come to this hellish place again.

Of course, being locked up with death row inmates wasn't entirely without its advantages. The death row inmates had a high standard of food, meaning the entire cell was eating minced meat and cabbage. The other inmates appreciated this, and were quite polite to Hu Xiaozhen, offering her cigarettes and water whenever she asked.

Life went on like this, until one day Hu Xiaozhen took the initiative to find Cheng Dong.

Upon learning that the other party wanted to write a letter to his mother, Cheng Dong had no reason to refuse. He immediately found paper and pen and listened while taking notes of Hu Xiaozhen's last words.

A dying man's words are often good.

In Hu Xiaozhen's oral account, in addition to admitting her guilt and repenting, she also expressed special gratitude to her mother for raising her. The content was simple and unadorned, but it contained genuine feelings, which moved even Cheng Dong, who was writing it.

Mom, don't worry about me. I'm doing very well and comfortable now. Everyone around me is very kind to me, especially this guy named Lao Chengdong. He takes great care of me, not only arranging for people to bring me food and wash the dishes, but also having people give me massages. I never thought I would receive such treatment when I'm about to die.

Oh, right, I forgot to tell you, I've kicked my drug addiction. So, you won't call me a "big smoker" anymore, right?

Goodbye, Mom! Don't blame my brother, it's all my fault! I can never repay your kindness in this life. If there is an afterlife, I will serve you like a slave, make sure you live a good life, and take care of you in your old age until the end.

Unfilial son - Hu Xiaozhen

1997.9.21

After writing it down, Cheng Dong read it aloud to the other person, word by word.

Hu Xiaozhen remained silent, stunned, while Cheng Dong's eyes welled up with tears—this seasoned veteran had actually empathized with a death row inmate. Guilt and self-reproach also filled his heart, and Cheng Dong gritted his teeth, forcing back his tears.

On the same day, Warden Lu personally served Hu Xiaozhen her last meal—braised pork with beer.

After Hu Xiaozhen finished her meal, Cheng Dong asked the guard for playing cards and even had Master Ding play a few rounds with her. The three of them forced themselves to stay awake and laugh until late into the night.

At five o'clock in the morning, the sound of leather boots echoed in the corridor. Warden Lu, accompanied by two armed police officers, blocked the cell door.

Upon hearing the noise, Cheng Dong and Master Ding exchanged a knowing glance, while Hu Xiaozhen, who had just been chatting and laughing, turned deathly pale and dropped her cards all over the floor.

What's meant to happen will happen; everyone knows that Hu Xiaozhen is about to be executed.

"Xiao Hu, feel free to make any other requests. We've known each other for a while now, so I'll apply for disciplinary action on your behalf," Cheng Dong reassured him.

"Boss, if you really want to help me, please remove the chains from my hands and feet. Wearing these makes me feel so uncomfortable, like I'm a tethered animal," Hu Xiaozhen pleaded, panting heavily.

Although he felt a pang of reluctance, Cheng Dong couldn't agree; he didn't have the right to remove the shackles. After a moment of silence, Cheng Dong spoke, "Brother, it's impossible to remove the shackles, but I can make an exception and let you have a cigarette as a farewell gift."

"Forget cigarettes, I got addicted to drugs because of smoking. And alcohol? I'd like a few more drinks. If I could get drunk, I wouldn't feel the pain if my son hit me on the head later..."

Hu Xiaozhen's mouth twitched, and the atmosphere became very strange. At this moment, Master Ding interjected, "Dust to dust, ashes to ashes. Without experiencing the suffering of reincarnation, one cannot attain the Dao."

"You old bastard! At a time like this, can't you speak like a human being?" Cheng Dong said, rolling his eyes.

Just as Master Ding was about to refute something, a shout came from outside the cell door from Warden Lu.

"Hu Xiaozhen, come out for breakfast!"

Everyone knew that this shout was a death knell for Hu Xiaozhen. Hu Xiaozhen didn't answer "Here," her teeth chattered involuntarily, and her body trembled like a leaf.

Seeing that the other person was about to collapse to the ground, Cheng Dong quickly grabbed him from behind and tried to help him up. However, Hu Xiaozhen's body was so soft that it was like a boneless chicken claw. Cheng Dong had to use both hands to lift him up with difficulty.

At that moment, Hu Xiaozhen burst into tears. He didn't know where he got the strength, but he broke free from Cheng Dong's grasp and then darted away to the back of the cell.

"No, I don't want to! I don't want to die! Please, let me go!" At this moment, Hu Xiaozhen was hiding behind the low wall of the toilet, wailing loudly. The sound was even more eerie than the strange screams she had made before.

Hearing the commotion, Warden Lu opened the door while sternly shouting, "What are you standing there for? Get him under control right now!"

Everyone knew that the discipline was issuing orders to Cheng Dong. Realizing that everyone was staring at him, Cheng Dong shook his head helplessly.

To be honest, Cheng Dong really didn't want to be rough with Hu Xiaozhen. After all, they had known each other for a while, and he just couldn't bring himself to hand him over to the executioners. But he had already done all he could. If he let the death row inmate run wild and he caused any trouble, he, as the "cell leader," would definitely be in deep trouble.

After much deliberation, Cheng Dong decided to take action. He first gave a wink to Master Ding, and the two of them walked towards the restroom at the same time.

"Hu Xiaozhen! You've played cards, eaten good food and wine! If you're still a man, walk out with your head held high, and you'll still be a hero eighteen years from now!"

Cheng Dong's voice was strong and clear, but no matter how he shouted, Hu Xiaozhen remained unmoved. Seeing that the two had closed in on him, he desperately clung to the low wall, crying, "I don't want to die! I don't want to die! I have an old mother at home, please, let me go!"

At this moment, in Hu Xiaozhen's eyes, Cheng Dong and Master Ding had clearly transformed into the Black and White Impermanence, who were taking lives. His eyes were filled with fear, and he kept begging the two to let him go.

Cheng Dong and Master Ding tried their best but couldn't hold him down. Hu Xiaozhen was like a mad cobra, his bones twisted into a pretzel, biting anyone's arm he could grab.

The prisoners shrank back in fear—where did this bastard get such evil power? Just as they were staring blankly, the iron door of the cell slammed open, and Warden Lu rushed in with two armed police officers, pounced on them, and pinned them to the ground.

"Sign! Put your fingerprints on it!" Warden Lu took out the death warrant. He was like a judge from the underworld, and the paper and pen in his hand were the Book of Life and Death and the Soul-Catching Pen.

Hu Xiaozhen knew, of course, that signing the document meant being taken to the execution ground to be shot, so he struggled desperately. But four grown men held him down, and he couldn't break free, his face streaked with snot and tears.

Seeing that the other party was uncooperative, Officer Lu stopped talking nonsense. In no time, he tied Hu Xiaozhen up like a dumpling and then tied her trouser legs tightly with thin hemp rope. After doing this, the two armed police officers immediately dragged her out.

The death row inmate screamed like a pig being slaughtered, so Old Lu stuffed a rag into his mouth. Hu Xiaozhen struggled, and a yellowish-white substance gushed out from his crotch, trickling down his trouser leg. Luckily, the thin hemp rope tied his trouser legs, preventing it from spilling onto the ground.

The howling in the tunnel gradually faded away; presumably, he had already been dragged to the execution ground.