Tao Yu sprang to her feet, her hand finding the baton at her hip. She whipped it out.

The prisoners' smiles faltered at the sight of the weapon. The leader, a heavyset man, chuckled nervously. "Easy there, officer. We're stuck on this island, sun-baked and wind-chapped. Haven't seen someone as smooth-skinned as you in ages. Couldn't resist a little touch. Turns out, you really are soft like a woman."

The disrespect in his tone was clear. He didn't take her seriously. Tao Yu frowned. In a flash, the baton connected with his face, leaving a bloody mark.

The men, surprised by her sudden, brutal action, froze.

Tao Yu narrowed her eyes. "Your skin's pretty tender too. I only hit you once. Why is it bleeding?"

Her expression was arrogant, but her hand still trembled.

According to the medical records, the island prison in this personality's world housed the most vicious criminals, the ones who couldn't be executed. Bored, their favorite pastime was hazing new guards.

If she backed down now, word of her weakness would spread throughout the island. While they wouldn't dare physically harm her, the constant harassment would be a problem. She was here to resolve his problem, not to be their plaything.

The men behind the heavyset prisoner exchanged uneasy glances, their eyes on Tao Yu. The leader stopped them, then put on a fawning smile. "Did that get your anger out, officer? If you're still mad, go ahead and hit me again."

He stepped towards her, his face inviting another blow. Tao Yu saw through the provocation. Without hesitation, she swung the baton with all her might.

The man flinched, dodging just in time. The baton stopped inches from where he'd been standing. Realizing he'd been played, his face darkened.

Tao Yu scoffed. "You're not even close."

"I wonder how my brother here offended our little prison guard to earn himself a bloody face," a lazy voice drawled from behind her.

Tao Yu froze, a sense of foreboding washing over her.

The heavyset man, as if finding his savior, instantly changed his tune. He wailed and ran towards the voice, complaining, "Boss! Look what he did to my face!"

Tao Yu's lips twitched. This was going south fast. She'd been thinking of ways to gain his favor, but now she'd assaulted his friend and he'd witnessed it.

She sighed inwardly, turning to face the voice, her expression carefully neutral. When she saw Yue Linze, she froze.

She'd been prepared for him to look different as a prisoner, but not this different.

He looked relaxed in the blue-green prison uniform, almost indifferent. Island life had tanned his skin to a healthy golden brown, accentuating his sharp features. The thin fabric couldn't hide his broad, powerful shoulders.

His hair seemed self-cut, short and uneven, with choppy bangs. Luckily, his face was striking enough to pull it off.

"Is my boss so handsome he's stunned our little guard into silence?" the heavyset man sneered.

Tao Yu snapped back to attention, shifting her gaze to him. As his smirk faltered, she asked calmly, "As handsome as me?"

The man hesitated, glancing between Yue Linze and Tao Yu. One was rugged and tanned, the other delicate and fair. He couldn't bring himself to argue. You’re pretty in a woman’s way, boss is handsome in a man’s way, he thought to himself.

Tao Yu scoffed, turned, and walked away like a proud rooster, not a word to Yue Linze.

She appeared calm, but inside, she was panicking. Her haughty exit wouldn't leave a good impression, but she had no choice. Staying to argue with the heavyset man was pointless. To minimize conflict, she had to leave.

Yue Linze narrowed his eyes, watching her go. The heavyset man whined, "Boss, that newbie is arrogant!"

Yue Linze clicked his tongue and smacked the man on the head. The man yelped but didn't dare complain.

"What are you looking at? If you hadn't provoked him, would you be in this mess?" Yue Linze said, gesturing to his bloodied face.

The man mumbled, "I was just joking. Who knew he had such a temper? Boss, you have to avenge me."

Yue Linze glanced at Tao Yu's retreating figure. "We'll see…"

Tao Yu's tense shoulders finally relaxed when she reached the reporting office. She checked her reflection in the glass, ensuring her binder was still secure, before walking in with her head held high.

A guard around fifty, dressed in a loose uniform jacket over casual clothes, greeted her. He gestured her to a seat with his teacup.

Tao Yu frowned slightly and sat down. The man sniffed. "You’re the new guard?"