When Black Wolf stepped out, the pocket of his vest revealed half the sheath of a black dagger. The metal mouth glinted under the light, like a wound that had never healed.
His gaze swept across Chen Rang's workstation, finally stopping on the still-glowing computer screen. His brows knit.
"Still not done this late?"
Chen Rang's chest tightened. His fingers flew, minimizing the encrypted document and pulling up the client database. He forced a stiff smile.
"Leader, this client's info was messy. I just wanted to double-check it to make sure there weren't any mistakes."
His voice carried forced respect, but his fingertips trembled slightly. He'd saved that file too quickly. He wasn't sure he'd hidden it properly. If Black Wolf found out, the consequences would be unthinkable.
Black Wolf didn't reply. He walked over to Chen's desk, bent low, and stared at the screen. His breath stank of smoke and alcohol, spilling over the back of Chen's neck like a cold snake.
"Old man Liu's follow-up record. I want it on my desk tomorrow morning." Black Wolf tapped the screen—the very client Chen had fabricated with the "extra twenty thousand." His tone sharpened.
"Don't play smart with me. In the Main Group, even the tiniest lie will make you die in the worst way."
"Yes, sir! I understand!" Chen nodded quickly. His heart slammed against his chest like it wanted to crack his ribs.
"I'll finish it tonight. No mistakes, I promise."
He didn't dare look back, only stared at the screen with dead focus. Afraid Black Wolf would spot his panic. Afraid he'd see the secret hidden in the numbers.
Black Wolf stared for a few seconds more. Then straightened, clapped Chen on the shoulder. Hard. A warning, maybe a test.
"Go get some rest. Don't burn yourself out. The Main Group needs 'talent' like you."
He turned and went back into his office. The door slammed shut with a bang. Dust trickled from the ceiling.
Chen stayed frozen, his back drenched in cold sweat. Only when the office stayed quiet did he dare to gasp for air. He pulled the encrypted file back up, checked and rechecked that it was hidden. Only after confirming did he shut down the computer.
By the time he left the office building, night was deep. Guards patrolled with flashlights, beams slicing through the darkness, searching every corner. Chen kept his head low, hugging the wall, avoiding their sight. In his mind, calculations spun fast:
Old man Liu's record had to be flawless, or Black Wolf would be the first to gut him.
The infrared sensors at the backhill passage were the biggest obstacle—he had to crack them somehow.
And that test just now… did Black Wolf already suspect him?
Back in his single dorm, Chen locked the door. From under his pillow, he pulled out his mother's note, set it under the desk lamp.
The dim light illuminated five words: *Mom is waiting for you to come home.*
And it lit the resolve in his eyes.
From his bag, he pulled a pen and a blank sheet torn from a file. He began forging the follow-up record.
He mimicked the old format, writing in detail: "Discussed grandson's tuition needs." "Recommended additional investment plan." "Client voluntarily transferred 20,000." He even added fake details: "Client mentioned grandson studies in another province, annual tuition 50,000."
When finished, he revised it again and again. Adjusting the sloppiness of his handwriting to match earlier records. Not a single flaw.
The next morning, Chen handed the forged record to Black Wolf.
Black Wolf sat behind his desk, reading word by word. His nails scraped across the paper as he turned pages, the sound making Chen's palms drip sweat.
After a long moment, Black Wolf tossed the paper onto the desk and nodded.
"Not bad. Clear details. Keep this standard from now on."
Chen let out a quiet breath of relief, quickly bowed his head.
"Yes, thank you, Leader, for your guidance."
"Get out. Organize the new batch of core client info for the meeting this afternoon." Black Wolf waved him off, his attention already back on the computer screen.
Chen left, sweat still damp down his back. He knew this time he had passed—but only for now. Black Wolf's suspicion was sharp. Next time, the lies would only get harder to sell.
He had to move faster. Escape couldn't wait.
That afternoon's meeting was Chen's first time seeing the rest of the Main Group. Eight people total. All with their heads lowered, faces blank, like puppets with no souls.
Black Wolf sat at the head, holding papers. He read out the new target:
"This month, the Main Group's quota is one-point-five million. Fail, and go 'reflect' on the backhill."
The word *reflect* dropped like ice into every heart. Everyone flinched, just slightly. But no one spoke.
Chen sat in a corner, head lowered, but ears sharp. This was his first time hearing details about the backhill from Black Wolf's own mouth. Maybe he could pry more from others later.
When the meeting ended, Chen deliberately stalled, tidying slowly until the others left. Only one man in gray overalls stayed behind, gathering his papers with sluggish movements.
Chen recognized him: Number 618. Half a year in the Main Group. An old hand.
"Brother 618, wait up," Chen called softly, mustering courage.
618 paused, looked at him, eyes wary.
"What is it?"
"I… I wanted to ask about the backhill," Chen whispered carefully.
"Yesterday Leader mentioned it. I'm curious… what's it like over there?"
618's face drained. He stepped back sharply, scanning around. Only when sure no one else was near did he lower his voice, filled with fear:
"Don't ask about the backhill! Curiosity will get you killed."
He hesitated, then added:
"Take my advice. Do your work. Don't think about things you shouldn't. In the Main Group, staying alive is enough."
He grabbed his papers and hurried out, nearly tripping in his rush, like running from something terrifying.
Watching his back, Chen's heart sank heavier. 618's reaction made the danger of the backhill clearer than ever. And it made his resolve to escape even stronger.
No one would tell him more. He'd have to rely on himself.
Over the next few days, Chen pretended to work diligently while secretly observing the Main Group's layout and guard routines.
He discovered that every night from one to two a.m., guards near the backhill changed shifts. That was the weakest point.
Black Wolf's office window faced the backhill. From there, Chen could glimpse the general direction of the passage entrance.
He logged everything in his mind. Meanwhile, he thought of ways to crack the infrared sensors. Back in Group Three, he'd seen foil used to block cameras. Maybe foil could mess with infrared too?
That night, Chen stayed late on purpose. He wanted to confirm the backhill passage's position near Black Wolf's office.
But as he stepped into the second-floor hall, he spotted a man in camo at the corner. Walkie-talkie in hand, eyes locked on him.
Chen's heart clenched. He knew this guy—he was always by Black Wolf's side. A personal watchdog.
"739, what're you doing roaming the hall this late?" the man's voice was sharp, like an ice pick. His stare, hawk-like, pierced Chen with suspicion.
"I… I was just going to the bathroom. I'll head back right after," Chen blurted, instinctively stepping back.
The man didn't answer. He just walked toward him, knuckles whitening on the walkie-talkie.
Chen's heart pounded. The guy definitely suspected him. If he knew Chen had been watching the backhill… the consequences would be fatal.
Just then, Black Wolf's office door swung open. Black Wolf stepped out, frowning at the two.
"What's going on?"
"Leader, I saw 739 wandering the hall. Looked suspicious," the man said quickly, eager to earn points.
Black Wolf turned to Chen. His stare was sharp, dissecting.
"739, what were you just doing?"
Chen's mind spun fast. He had to stay calm. No slip.
"Leader, when I was sorting files, I realized I left an important client record in the meeting room. I went to get it, but forgot it was locked already. I'll just grab it tomorrow morning," he explained, keeping his voice steady but avoiding eye contact.
Black Wolf studied him for a few long seconds. Then waved a hand.
"Get back to your dorm. Stop roaming. If patrol takes you as suspicious, no one will save you."
"Yes, sir! Thank you, Leader!" Chen bowed quickly and hurried off, his back drenched in icy sweat.
Back in his dorm, he leaned against the door, gasping. He knew this was only the beginning. Black Wolf had eyes on him now. Time was short. He had to act fast.
He pulled out paper and sketched the backhill passage from memory. Marked the guard change time. The sensor spots.
Then he remembered the little piece of foil he'd stashed—from a snack wrapper. He'd planned to wrap his mom's note in it. Now, it was his only hope of blocking the sensors.
He folded the foil into a tiny square, hid it under his shoe sole. The safest spot.
The forged record and the sketched map, he tucked under his mattress.
Done, he lay staring at the ceiling. His chest tight with nerves, yet buzzing with anticipation.
Tomorrow at two a.m. was the best chance.
If he made it, he'd be one step closer to home.
If he failed, he'd be dog food on the backhill.
No retreat. Only the gamble.
The night stretched heavy. Silence smothered the dorm, broken only by patrol footsteps outside. And sometimes, wild dogs howling—like screams from hell.
Chen shut his eyes, running the plan over and over:
One fifty a.m., slip from the dorm during guard change.
Two a.m., reach the backhill passage. Block the sensor with foil.
Two ten, through the passage, free.
Every step carved into his mind.
He didn't know—in Black Wolf's office, Black Wolf held Chen's performance report, smirking coldly.
In his other hand, a surveillance screenshot. Chen in the hall, glancing toward the backhill.
"739, I knew you had issues," Black Wolf muttered, eyes gleaming cruel.
"Tomorrow night, let's see what you're up to."
He lifted his walkie-talkie, ordered:
"Spread the word. Tomorrow at one-thirty, reinforce the backhill guards. Especially the passage. No one gets near. Also—watch 739. If he leaves his dorm, grab him. I'll question him myself."
"Yes, Leader!" came the reply.
Black Wolf hung up, leaned back, and toyed with his black dagger. His eyes glowed with calculation.
He'd suspected Chen since the falsified reports. He'd been watching, waiting for him to slip. Now, the time had come.
Chen didn't know. He still thought he had a chance. Still prepared, full of fragile hope.
He touched the foil under his shoe. The map under his mattress. Whispered his mother's name:
"Mom, tomorrow… I'll leave here. I'll come back to you."
The night deepened. The compound's wire fence shimmered in the moonlight like a giant net, waiting for prey.
Chen's escape plan was already tangled in Black Wolf's trap.
At one-thirty, Chen rose quietly, dressed, checked the foil in his shoe. Took a deep breath, opened his dorm door.
The hall was silent. The surveillance red light blinked, watching him.
He crept along the wall, step by step toward the backhill.
He didn't see the camo men behind him, silent, clutching batons and cuffs, stalking.
Closer and closer to the passage. His heartbeat pounded like war drums. He could see the outline now, guards swapping shifts. He held his breath, ready to dart—
"739. So you *were* trying to run."
The cold voice froze him.
He turned slowly.
Black Wolf stood there. A pistol aimed straight at his chest. Its black muzzle gaped like a hungry void.
The camo men closed in, eyes vicious, batons humming.
"Leader, I…" Chen opened his mouth, but no words came.
The plan had failed. Ahead lay something worse than death.
Black Wolf sneered, grabbed his collar, yanked him up.
"You thought you could fool me? You faked numbers. You asked about the backhill. You drew maps. I know *everything*."
He ripped the foil from Chen's shoe, the map from under his mattress.
"You think you're running? Once you're in the Main Group, you never leave. You'll work till you drop."
Chen stared at the map, then at the pistol. His chest collapsed with despair.
He knew it was over. But still, he wasn't willing. His mother's face burned in his mind. The dream of "starting over."
"I just… want to go home," Chen rasped, tears streaming. "My mom's still waiting for me…"
"Go home?" Black Wolf burst out laughing, cruel and jagged like broken glass.
"Once you're here, forget about home! Take him! Lock him in the isolation cell. Break him till he learns who's boss here!"
The camo men grabbed Chen, dragging him. He thrashed, shouted, but useless. The backhill entrance shrank away.
His heart shattered with regret. He had been so close.
The isolation cell was pitch black. A tiny window leaked a sliver of moonlight.
They tossed him in. His body screamed with pain, like broken apart. He leaned against the wall, tears spilling.
But inside, he hadn't given up.
Even here, he would live. Even here, he would find a way.
Because his mother was still waiting. He couldn't fail her.
Outside, Black Wolf watched, lips curled in a cold smile. He thought this "lesson" would break Chen. Turn him into a tool.
But he didn't know—inside Chen, a spark still glowed. That spark would one day burn into fire. The key to escaping hell.
Chen's suffering wasn't over.
But neither was his resistance.
In this darkness, he was like a weed in stone. Searching for a crack. Waiting for the day he could break free.