Old Chang had nothing more to say. After all, their area only signed up for one performance, while Tao Yu had three in total. He coughed. “Even if you love your work, you need to take care of your health. Remember, health is the foundation of everything.”
“I know,” Tao Yu smiled. “Is there something you need me for?”
“Nothing much, just remind your area to rehearse quickly. The inspection team arrives in five days, and we need to do a dress rehearsal in two days.”
Tao Yu nodded. “Okay, I’ll go check on their progress right away.”
“Good,” Old Chang looked at Tao Yu seriously. “You need to work hard and not get discouraged because you’re sick. Remember, we’ve been trying to help you by not involving you in the stage and socializing tasks. You should be grateful.”
“Thank you, brothers,” Tao Yu smiled, but inside she was cursing. The stage and procurement tasks had perks, and socializing meant meeting leaders, but they gave her all the thankless tasks. She had to thank these jerks.
Once again, she felt grateful this was just a spiritual world. Otherwise, with her temper, she would have fought with these so-called elders long ago.
Tao Yu smiled as she left the office, but her face quickly fell. She walked silently towards the field. She had been slacking off for two days and needed to check on their progress. With Yue Linze still not resolved, she couldn’t afford to be fired.
Fortunately, her punishment system seemed to be working. Everyone was eager to outdo each other and rehearsing diligently. Li Xun’s group was practicing a staff performance with about ten people, looking very enthusiastic. They greeted Tao Yu warmly, a change from their usual disdain, hoping to get some insights.
“Officer, how do you think our performance compares to Area Six?” Monkey asked with a smile.
Tao Yu nodded. “I haven’t seen Area Six yet, but your performance looks very good. I think you’ll get a great ranking.”
“Really? That’s good to hear.” Monkey’s eyes lit up.
Tao Yu smiled and encouraged them further before leaving. She hadn’t gone far when Monkey caught up to her. “Officer!”
Tao Yu stopped and waited for Monkey. “What’s up?”
“Nothing, just wanted to give you some candy,” Monkey said, handing her a piece of milk candy before running off. “Take care of us, Officer!”
Tao Yu looked at the candy, amused and touched. She wondered if this counted as a bribe, but it was just candy. She decided to enjoy it, unwrapping the candy and popping it into her mouth.
It was so sweet. Tao Yu closed her eyes in satisfaction. She loved sweets but hadn’t had any in a long time since she was in prison. She didn’t know where Monkey got it from.
She chewed the candy as she walked towards Area Six’s rehearsal room, hearing music from a distance. She had heard that Pangzi was forming a rock band but hadn’t taken it seriously, wondering where they would get instruments on this isolated island. But now she heard the sound of instruments playing. She raised an eyebrow and quickened her pace.
Although she had anticipated loud music before entering, she was still startled by the thunderous sound as soon as she pushed open the door. As soon as Fatty saw her arrive, he immediately signaled the band to stop and ran over enthusiastically: “Officer, you’re here! I heard you were sick. Are you feeling better now?”
“Excessive enthusiasm,” Tao Yu gave him a sidelong glance and reminded him, “Flattery won’t help. I don’t participate in voting; the votes are cast by other staff and inspection team members on the island.”
There were more than just a few prison guards on this island, with many non-establishment staff, otherwise they wouldn’t have specifically built a dormitory building.
Fatty’s mouth twitched, and he winked at her: “I know, with our relationship… there’s no need for flattery, right, Officer?” With their in-law connection, those people in District Five couldn’t curry favor even if they tried.
Tao Yu coldly laughed: “Indeed, we’re even now.” She remembered how he had rejected her back then.
Fatty recalled the incident and was about to explain with an embarrassed smile when he suddenly saw Yue Linze appear, and quickly said: “Well, Officer, chat with the boss, we still need to rehearse.”
Hearing this, Tao Yu frowned and turned to see Yue Linze staring at her. When he saw her notice him, he smiled. Tao Yu gave him a indifferent nod and told Fatty: “Go ahead and rehearse.”
“Okay!” Fatty laughed.
The thunderous instrumental sounds rose again. Tao Yu stood in place listening carefully. Although Yue Linze hadn’t come over, her heart remained tense.
Only after a song ended did Tao Yu breathe a sigh of relief, offered a few words of praise, and then turned to leave, never once looking directly at Yue Linze.
Yue Linze frowned, silently following her out.
Tao Yu noticed he was following her but chose to ignore him. She had already checked two programs, completing her task, so there was no need to stay outside; she might as well return to her dormitory.
But the “air” spoke up: “You haven’t come out for two days. Was this illness that serious?”
Who was the cause of her illness? If she hadn’t swum a round in the sea, would she have developed a high fever after a low-grade one? Tao Yu didn’t answer, but her footsteps grew heavier. Yue Linze looked at her angry back, feeling like he was teasing a pufferfish that could turn into a ball at any moment.
How cute…
Yue Linze sighed, feeling he had gone mad these past two days.
Seeing she refused to engage, Yue Linze wasn’t anxious. He followed her leisurely, maintaining a distance, and when she was about to enter the dormitory building, he stepped forward to grab her arm and drag her to a small grove in front of the building.
“What are you doing?!” When her back was thrown against a tree, Tao Yu became upset from the pain.
Yue Linze had one hand propped against the tree trunk above her head, the other tucked in his waist, casually trapping her between himself and the tree: “You’ve been avoiding me these past few days, haven’t you?”
“What do you think?” Tao Yu laughed sarcastically.
Yue Linze stared at her for a while, then said satisfactorily: “You look better when you smile. Don’t always keep a straight face in the future.”
“…I’m keeping a straight face because of you. Let go!” Tao Yu frowned.
Yue Linze, having not seen her for days and finally catching her, naturally wouldn’t let go easily. He gripped her arm: “No.”
She had already shown how angry she was, yet he was still pretending nothing had happened. Tao Yu took a deep breath and coldly said: “Do I need to remind you again? I have a fiancé. I have no feelings for you, never have, never will. Please stop harassing me; it only makes me feel disgusted.”
“Disgusted…” Yue Linze lifted her chin, forcing her to meet his gaze, “Since when does the little prison guard speak so hurtfully? Not cute at all.”
Tao Yu coldly laughed: “I’m only cute in front of people I like. What are you? When I leave this prison, I’ll probably forget who you even are. Let go!”
Her words were few but each one stabbed directly at Yue Linze’s heart. The smile on his face finally faded, his ambiguous gaze lingering on her red lips.
He remembered the taste was good.
“If you plan to continue harassing me, I’ll request a transfer from Old Chang or leave this prison,” Tao Yu said word by word. She wanted to give Yue Linze the cold shoulder for a few days, but he was too persistent. If she was constantly bothered by him, her plan would be ineffective, so she had to keep applying pressure.
As soon as she mentioned leaving, Yue Linze’s expression immediately darkened. He stared at Tao Yu, using all his willpower to control himself.
The atmosphere became extremely tense. Suppressing his desire for her, Yue Linze said softly: “Your lips smell very sweet today.”
