Chapter 523: Chapter 507: I Will Soar with Wings...

The press conference of the Second Prison is proceeding in an orderly manner.

After Feng Mu finished his closing statement, no more questions were raised by the present journalists.

The journalists who could attend the event were all from prestigious organizations, aware of who provides their livelihood, and would not emulate those undisciplined and disorganized free media, which end up on the Zone 9 blacklist of unwelcome elements.

That’s right, I’m talking about you, [Graveyard Tree]!

The press conference smoothly moved to the next segment, with the microphone handed over to Wang Cong after Feng Mu left the stage.

The next part involved offering condolences and compensation to the families of the victims of the Second Prison.

Simply put, every time Wang Cong read a name, a family member would come on stage, and Prison Director Qian Huan would greet them with a pained expression, either shaking their hand or embracing them.

At the same time, they would receive medals specially ordered by the prison, as well as some material consolations, handed to the families in front of the camera.

In conclusion, the whole process was solemn yet warm, reflecting the humanitarian care of the prison management and overflowing with positive energy.

Finally, Prison Director Qian Huan, with tears in his eyes, made a sorrowful apology for the recent riot incident at the Second Prison.

He choked on his words as he confessed to having made serious oversights and misjudgments in identifying the right people, taking irreducible responsibility for the event.

Then, he deeply reflected on the management loopholes, promising to fully reform the prison system and, with the help and supervision of the Executive Government, ensure that such tragedies would never happen again, and so forth.

At this point,

the press conference approached its end, with everything proceeding without the slightest hitch, about to conclude perfectly.

The upcoming steps no longer required Qian Huan’s presence, as he needed to leave early, freshen up, and change clothes, to later accompany Secretary Hou in inspecting the Second Prison.

The press conference was just a way to pull the Second Prison out of the quagmire.

The subsequent inspection and further discussions on advancing the "Octagonal Cage Beast Fighting Plan" would mark the new journey of the Second Prison’s rise.

"Secretary Hou, I must go prepare for related matters first," Qian Huan whispered for Hou Wendong’s instruction.

Hou Wendong smiled and nodded.

Qian Huan rose and left, with Shi Wuming dutifully following behind.

Before the arrival of the new security team, he needed to stand firm in his final duty.

The cameras on site strictly adhered to reporting discipline, not lingering on Qian Huan’s early departure, ensuring the overall order of the press conference. 𝐟𝗿𝐞𝚎𝚠𝐞𝚋𝕟𝐨𝚟𝐞𝕝.𝕔𝕠𝚖

Feng Mu remained seated, not turning to watch the prison director leave.

On the contrary, he raised his chin imperceptibly, his gaze directed towards the main building behind the field.

The main building had a window facing the field, spotless after being wiped clean, and distinctly thicker than the others, showing its uniqueness.

Qian Huan quickly entered the building, first detouring to the bathroom, where he vigorously washed his eyes with cold water.

"Damn it, I used too much pepper water."

Despite the constant advancement of times, tear-inducing methods have remained quite traditional.

After washing his eyes, Qian Huan glared at the mirror and broke into a grin:

"Everything is going smoothly, after today, I, Qian Huan, will take the Second Prison soaring with its wings, ahhahaha—"

Shi Wuming, stationed at the door, looked at Qian Huan’s manic laughter, unfazed by what he saw.

The more dignified big figures appear in public, the crazier they get behind the scenes; he had seen too much of it.

Qian Huan merely laughing at the mirror was already considered quite normal.

Shi Wuming felt a bit of remorse thinking about leaving Qian Huan soon:

"Though Qian Huan is not yet a big figure, he has the momentum of rising. Most importantly, he is a generous payer, sigh..."

When Qian Huan returned to the office, the two prison chiefs of the Maximum Security and VIP areas had been waiting outside for some time.

Both had gloomy expressions, yet they forced rigid smiles upon seeing Qian Huan.

"If you can’t smile, don’t. It looks worse than crying."

Qian Huan coldly glanced at the two, his tone filled with undisguised disdain.

He well understood their purpose.

In fact, he deliberately left the conference early with the intent to completely resolve these two nuisances before Secretary Hou’s inspection.

"Wait here."

Qian Huan entered the office and, after settling in the leather chair, pressed the control button on the desk.

With the hum of mechanical operation, the bulletproof glass slowly descended from the ceiling, dividing the office into two parts.

Once the security measures were assured, he nodded slightly at Shi Wuming.

Shi Wuming opened the door, letting the two prison chiefs in, then positioned himself by the door.

Qian Huan reclined in the leather chair, tapping the table with his fingertips: "Sit."

The two chiefs moved promptly to the edge of the sofa, only daring to sit on half of their seats, backs straight and losing all the indifference they showed when Qian Huan first took office.

The situation outweighs the individual.

Those who manage to ascend to the position of a prison chief are rarely foolish.

Zhao Xing’s "accidental death," Zhou Hu’s "escape from punishment," every case had already shaken their nerves.

If there was a last glimmer of hope in their minds before today, hoping for some turmoil at today’s press conference,

well, seeing it through to the end without any surprise occurrences, the Patrol Office even provided cooperative announcements, while Secretary Hou Wendong attended for guidance.

All these cases together unmistakably signaled one thing—the game of the Second Prison had already concluded with the upper echelons admitting defeat.

It is not the admission of defeat that is frightening; what is frightening is who the surrendered pieces are.

Thus, coming just as the press conference drew to a close, their timing was already too late.

Therefore, Qian Huan did not even give them a chance to speak.

He gestured towards the tea table in front of the sofa and said blandly:

"I prepared the documents for you two days ago; after waiting for you left and right, I didn’t expect you to come only now, well then, hurry up and sign them."

The Adam’s apples of both men bobbed, the words of pleading stuck in their throats.

Glancing down, the document was unmistakably a work handover checklist, topped with a "Voluntary Resignation Application."

The man on the left turned ashen, while the one on the right suddenly stood up.

"Director Qian, this is really..."

The one on the right was incensed, while the one on the left swallowed down his anger,

"Prison Director Qian, indeed, we have shown you much disrespect before with a lack of politeness, that is our fault.

But both of us have been working here at the Second Prison for many years, we do have the capability, and we promise to obey your lead from now on, hoping for your magnanimity and a second chance."

Qian Huan, waiting for them to finish speaking, chuckled once in response:

"A second chance, this is the chance I’m giving you two."

Their expressions froze instantly, turning first as black as charcoal, then as white as paper.

"Tell me, at this point, if they had a choice, wouldn’t Zhao Xing want to sign this document? Wouldn’t Zhou Hu want to sign it? Alas, they just had no such opportunity.

But you two do, so cherish it well."

Qian Huan gradually stood up, looked toward the nearly closing press conference outside the window, and impatiently urged:

"Either sign, or get out. Beyond this door, don’t ever say I, Qian Huan, was ruthless and left you without a chance!"