"You think you can have a gang fight without consequences? Get back to your cells," Tao Yu said, frowning.

The scarred man scoffed. "You're new, officer. Maybe you don't understand the rules of this prison. Your job is to prevent escapes. Nothing else is your concern."

"Is that so? What if I insist on interfering?" Tao Yu narrowed her eyes.

The scarred man's face hardened. He was about to retort when a skinny man beside him tugged his sleeve. The scarred man seemed to reconsider.

He glared at Tao Yu, about to leave with his men, when the heavyset man foolishly yelled, "Why are you running? Scared of grandpa?"

As soon as he opened his mouth, both Tao Yu and Yue Linze reacted. One smacked him on the back of the head, the other jabbed him in the gut with the baton. He yelped, but the words were already out.

The scarred man, easily provoked, roared, "Get them!"

"You dare!" Tao Yu shouted, but it was too late. The fight erupted again.

In the chaos, someone swung a club at Yue Linze's head. Without thinking, Tao Yu Districted it with her baton. Yue Linze turned, winked at her, then saw her expression change. He spun around and punched backwards, hitting a sneak attacker.

Seeing Tao Yu protecting Yue Linze enraged the scarred man. He charged towards her. Before Tao Yu could react, a strong hand yanked her back, pulling her into someone's chest.

She looked up, startled, into Yue Linze's face. He Districted the scarred man's attack and looked down at her, his voice lazy. "Little guard, am I handsome?"

His words snapped her back to reality. She pushed him away, disgusted. They're both alternate personalities, why are they so different?

Yue Linze seemed oblivious to her disdain, his smile unwavering, but his arm remained protectively around her.

Outnumbered, Tao Yu's side was losing ground. Yue Linze and the heavyset man were covered in bruises, but Tao Yu remained unscathed, her uniform only slightly rumpled.

The situation spiraled out of control. Everyone's eyes were bloodshot. Even Yue Linze's expression turned serious.

Old Chang finally arrived to witness the horrifying sight of guards and inmates brawling.

He blew his whistle urgently. The shrill sound brought a semblance of sanity back to the scene. He bellowed, "Anyone who doesn't stop fighting right now gets three days in solitary!"

Everyone froze. Tao Yu breathed a sigh of relief, grateful for Old Chang's intervention.

Old Chang pretended not to notice her, sternly lecturing the group. Although Tao Yu had broken the rules, they were fellow guards, so the blame fell squarely on the inmates.

The inmates knew this, standing silently as they were scolded. When Old Chang wasn't looking, the scarred man flipped Yue Linze off.

Tao Yu saw it, frowned, and dismissed it. But then, when no one was looking, Yue Linze punched the scarred man in the face.

The scarred man, surprised, was about to retaliate when the skinny man whispered something to him. He then grinned maliciously.

As expected, Old Chang exploded. "Yue Linze! Three days solitary! Tao Yu, take him!"

"Yes!" Tao Yu glared at Yue Linze. When he approached, she cuffed their hands together and marched towards solitary confinement, her face expressionless.

She'd guessed what he was planning when he'd walked towards the scarred man. He was truly reckless.

"Little guard, why so quiet? Weren't you pretty tough just now?" Yue Linze asked, his smile casual.

Tao Yu gave him a cold look and continued walking.

After taking the fall for his father, this alternate personality had quickly realized it was a setup. He'd escaped once, then used his skills to seize all his father's assets, leaving his father and stepmother with massive debts. They'd turned on each other, each meeting a miserable end.

After this, he'd returned to prison voluntarily.

He'd avenged himself, so his problem wasn't stemming from family issues. He could have cleared his name but chose to return to prison. These actions suggested a complete loss of interest in life, a preference for wasting away here.

Tao Yu had analyzed this carefully. His problem likely stemmed from his dissatisfaction with a meaningless existence, coupled with an inability to find a fulfilling path. He'd chosen recklessness, finding fleeting pleasure while a deeper resentment festered within.

Her task was to guide him, like a teacher, to rekindle hope and find a purpose.

This time, she would maintain a healthy distance, refusing to let things escalate like last time, to a point she couldn't control.

But before she could inspire him to self-improvement, she had to address his troublesome personality.

Lost in thought, Tao Yu didn't hear a word Yue Linze said. So when he warned her about a hole ahead, she continued walking.

Yue Linze, assuming she'd heard, didn't repeat the warning. Then he saw her foot dangle in the air. He reached for her, but it was too late. Tao Yu tumbled into the pit, pulling him down with her.

Tao Yu felt herself falling, then a heavy weight landed on top of her.

Stars exploded behind her eyes. She couldn't even cry out. Her chest felt like it was splitting open, her back drenched in cold sweat. She didn't even have the strength to push Yue Linze off. Yue Linze, seemingly unhurt, looked down at her pained expression. He suddenly found the person beneath him soft and fragrant, not at all like a man.

"Sorry, little guard. I meant to be your cushion, but I didn't react fast enough." He chuckled, about to get up, when he realized his hand was resting between her waist and thigh. Exactly where, any man would know. His face darkened.

Before he could move his hand, Tao Yu shifted in pain, pressing his hand closer.

Yue Linze cursed under his breath. As he tried to stand, he noticed the unusual feel of what was beneath his hand. He paused, his expression shifting.

"…Get off," Tao Yu gasped, convinced he'd broken her ribs. But he remained on top of her, unmoving.

Yue Linze blinked innocently. "Little guard, where's your d1ck?"

"...."