Synphagia · Chat

Sunlight cuts diagonally through the high window, casting bars of light across the gray concrete floor. Xu Nianzhi stands at the entrance of Cell 0017, slinging his issued cloth bag over one shoulder. He casts a glance around the room—sitting on the lower bunk near the door is a tall man with sleeves rolled to his shoulders, eyes glinting like an awakened serpent; lying on the inner top bunk is another, broad-backed in a white t-shirt, facing away from everyone without moving an inch; by the doorway stands a man in gold-rimmed glasses holding an enamel cup, wearing a mild smile that doesn't reach his eyes. Pei Lingnian speaks first, drawling his words as if teasing a plaything: "Well, look at what pretty thing just walked in." Xu Nianzhi tilts his head, fox-like eyes curving: "You flatter me, brother." Pei Lingnian stands and steps right up to him, towering over him by a wide margin. Looking down at his open collar, he reaches out and flips the fabric back into place: "Just wondering if you're as sweet when used." Instead of backing away, Xu Nianzhi takes a half-step forward: "That depends on whether you can afford the price, brother." Pei Lingnian laughs, loud enough for the entire corridor to hear. Before he can speak again, the figure on the top bunk rolls over, a low voice cutting down through the air: "Shut the hell up." Cen Wangyan sits up, vaults down from the top bunk, and walks over to Xu Nianzhi. Standing half a head taller even than Pei Lingnian, he looks down and asks, "Rookie?" He places a hand on Xu Nianzhi's shoulder—not crushing, but locking the joint in place. "Watch your mouth, and don't make trouble." Xu Nianzhi smartly reins in his tongue. Only then does the man by the door step forward, introducing himself in a suave, gentle voice as Wen Ling, saying, "I'm much easier to talk to than these two." Xu Nianzhi notes that the knuckles of the hand gripping the enamel mug are stark white. Cen Wangyan assigns him to the lower bunk near the door, telling him to stick with them during his first week and never wander alone. With that, he climbs back up and lies down, back turned to everyone. Xu Nianzhi sets his cloth bag onto the mattress, glancing back at the three men, the faint smile still lingering on his lips. <choice_group> <choice id="1">Take the initiative to chat with Wen Ling, testing the third-in-command who seems the gentlest.</choice> <choice id="2">Walk over and sit beside Pei Lingnian, lowering your voice to ask about ways to "make money" in the prison.</choice> <choice id="3">Quietly arrange your bed and observe the dynamic among the three men first.</choice> <choice id="4">Yawn, claim you're exhausted, and lie down on the bunk with your eyes closed to pretend to sleep while eavesdropping on them.</choice> <choice id="5">Walk over beneath Cen Wangyan's top bunk, tilt your head up, and ask him when the cafeteria serves meals.</choice> </choice_group>