Star-Crossed Lovers: The Ex-Convict and the White Rabbit - Chapter 6 - Freedom

Chapter 6 – Freedom

Beginning of June.

When the heavy iron gate closed slowly behind him, Lu Qiang stood deadly still. He squinted and looked back for a long time.

He was changed into the clothes he had worn that year, a black V-neck T-shirt and jeans.

He had undergone immense physical labor in prison, his face had become dark as yellow dirt while his back was pale as the sky. Each and every muscle on his body was extremely defined, a display of natural strength that delicate training at the gym could never compare to.

His clothes seemed to have shrunk, they wrapped tightly around his stiff physique. His arms were thick and sturdy, his waist and abdomen thin and lean. The veins on the back of his hand protruded clearly and trailed all the way up his arms.

He glanced down. His trousers were also too small on him, the bulge in front making him uncomfortable. He loosened his waistband, reaching in without hesitation to adjust it to the side.

Lu Qiang had his head lowered, fixing his belt. He heard someone call him, “Brother Qiang.”

He looked up.

The man ran over, panting, “Brother Qiang, why are you out already? The traffic was really bad, sorry I’m late.”

He didn’t speak. A corner of his mouth curved upwards for a moment. Done looking, he patted the back of the man’s head, “You haven’t changed. Still looking like a baby monkey I see, skinny as ever.”

Genzi’s eyes reddened. He pursed his lips, “Brother Qiang, we miss you.”

Lu Qiang’s smile stiffened, his lips fell straight. He tugged Genzi forward for a hug, “F*ck, do you think I’m useless? It’s not like I’m a girl.”

Genzi was thin and a head taller than Lu Qiang, he was sandwiched between his arms. He said, muffled, “These few years you were gone, our Brothers were idle. We were so tempted to follow you inside.”

Lu Qiang smiled, “Dalong and Kundong also know I’m out?”

“Of course.” Genzi rubbed the back of his neck, “They all knew you were coming out and insisted on coming with me. I stopped them. They’re all waiting at the pavilion to welcome you back.”

A long time had passed. It hadn’t even crossed his mind that these people would remember him six years later.

Lu Qiang felt his throat tighten. He slung a hand over his shoulder, “Let’s go.”

Genzi’s van was in a nearby parking lot. As they were heading over, they saw a high-end car parked next to it. The door of the rear seat was wide open. A man in a suit and leather shoes stood next to it. He saw the two men approaching and advanced a few steps and addressed him respectfully, “Brother Qiang.”

Lu Qiang said nothing, only staring down the man.

The other person went on to say, “I came here to pick you up under the order of Boss Qiu of the Chao1 [javascript:void(0)]Chao means nest. Group. There’s a welcome party for you at ‘Ju Huang’.”

Lu Qiang had seen through him. He paused and looked at him, “Would you tell Boss Qiu that I’m afraid it’s not convenient for me today? I’m all dusty, it’s inappropriate for me to see the Old Man like this.”

The man was put in a difficult situation.

Lu Qiang said, “Give Boss Qiu a call, let me talk to him.”

He quickly dialed the phone and handed it to Lu Qiang.

Lu Qiang said, “Boss Qiu, please allow me to clean up first before going to see you. My body smells like prison, I’m embarrassed to see you. I’m also afraid my bad luck would rub on you.”

Boss Qiu laughed loudly, “Alright, it’s up to you. I’ll wait for you tomorrow.”

Lu Qiang made some small talk, hung up and returned the phone.

The man bowed respectfully, turned and got into the car, leaving in a trail of smoke.

Once the car was gone, Genzi turned around and asked, “Brother Qiang, does Boss Qiu intend to let you join his gang?”

“I don’t know.”

“What do you think?”

Lu Qiang narrowed his eyes and didn’t reply.

The two were about to get into the car. Lu Qiang was going to pull the door to the car when they were stopped by a honk.

A police car slid in front of them. The window rolled down slowly. Inside was a woman sitting upright, her hair gathered into a ponytail and a cap lowered to her eyebrows.

With a serious face, she said, “Lu Qiang, are you released from prison today?”

Lu Qiang recognized the person. The corners of his eyes wrinkled and he walked over.

He bent his body slightly, supported himself with one arm on the roof of the car and the other on the window frame, “If it isn’t Officer Tan. Who do you think I am? I, Lu Qiang, am a lucky person, everyone is in such a rush to pick me up.”

Tan Wei clenched her hand, apricot eyes widening, “Who… is coming to pick you up. I came here to deal with work and coincidentally ran into you.”

“A coincidence, indeed.”

Tan Wei’s face contorted, trying to maintain the dignity of her identity, “Since you’re out, make sure you abide by the law. Don’t do anything illegal. If I catch you, I’ll send you back here.”

Lu Qiang smiled, “Of course, I’ve been under the guidance of the (Communist) Party and Our Country for so long. I worked hard to change my ways and I’ve washed my hands clean now.”

Tan Wei snorted, “You better be telling the truth.”

Lu Qiang smiled, “I’ll treat you to a meal sometime.”