Chapter Seven: The Strictly Controlled Single Cell

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There were seventeen or eighteen of us in our cell, divided into six groups, all sent to the strict management ward. The strict management ward consisted of nine cells, from Cell One to Cell Eight, with Cell Nine reserved for inmates serving heavy sentences, death row prisoners, or those with mental disorders.

Inside, these cells were converted from ordinary ones, but what set them apart was the abundance of surveillance cameras—no blind spots at all. There were three separate, partitioned rooms inside, meant for solitary confinement of those who had committed infractions, refused to obey, couldn't be controlled, or faced special situations, so as to prevent disturbances or accidents among the others. Everyone sent to the strict management ward was considered a high-risk, special supervision case—the most dangerous inmates.

I, along with a rapist and Old Sun, were placed in Strict Management Cell One. We were marched in, escorted by the guards and armed police. Fear rendered me powerless, my whole body limp. Shackled with handcuffs and leg irons, we were all locked in solitary partitioned rooms. Each room was less than three square meters, with soft padding covering every inch—there was no way to die, even if one wanted to.

The rapist was named Sunzi, a Sichuan native, only one meter fifty tall, with a large head. He was pushed in by the armed police, just like us.

The guard said, "You'll be confined for at least two weeks! After that, it depends on your behavior whether you'll be released!"

Old Sun, being older, received special treatment—he wasn't put in solitary. Instead, he was allowed outside in the main cell, bringing us food and water, emptying chamber pots, cleaning, mopping, doing odd jobs.

At last, night came. I sat rigidly, utterly unable to sleep. The bed wasn’t too hard, but I still felt cold and hungry. The entire cell was wrapped in padded rubber, monitored from every angle—surveillance was doubled, so if one camera failed, another would still keep watch. There was nowhere to run, no way to die. I looked at Old Sun and said, "Old Sun, I can't take it anymore! It's so cold..."

Old Sun replied, "If you can't endure it, go on a hunger strike. Even then, you won't die!"

I said, "My head's about to explode! The fool next door has been singing, shouting, cursing, reciting Tang poetry all day, even crying and howling! What's he doing?"

Old Sun said, "He used to be from our cell too. Nicknamed the ‘Prince of Eating Shit!’ He’s been in Cell Nine for half a year!"

I said, "Tell me about him."

Old Sun replied, "You’re not hungry enough to be so energetic!"

I said, "What else can I do? Can't sleep, can't move—should I just stare at the surveillance?"

Old Sun stretched and said, "Fine, I don’t know much. I only heard it from Big Head!"

Sunzi chimed in, "There are people like that?"

Old Sun and I snapped, "Shut up, you idiot!"

Sunzi fell silent.

Old Sun explained, "Cell Nine is for those who may be sentenced to death, heavy offenders, mentally unstable ones, or those likely to commit violence in detention. The detention center can’t afford deaths—if someone dies here, it’s a huge problem. We’d be subject to even stricter control, so unusual and special cases are sent to Cell Nine!"

He continued, "That guy’s name is Jiang Tao. Like this idiot, he’s a rapist—raped several people, regardless of age, including minors, elderly women, even men, so they say!"

My eyes widened—there truly are all kinds in this world!

Old Sun said, "He pretended to be crazy. When he first came, he got beaten a lot. Every inmate found excuses to hit him, sometimes no excuse at all. Here, rapists—especially those who target minors or molest children—suffer miserably! They're the most despised!"

I said, "Makes sense. He deserved it. Now I understand why Big Head beat this fool!"

Sunzi dared not speak.

Old Sun continued, "Not long after, one night while everyone slept, Big Head assigned him to keep watch. Usually, each inmate took turns for an hour, except Big Head, Erdao, and a few favorites. When he arrived, no one else kept watch—he did it all night."

I asked, "What does keeping watch mean?"

Old Sun explained, "Stand and monitor—watch for anyone sleeping with their heads covered, anything abnormal, anyone engaging in homosexual acts, sexual activity, and he had to fan away mosquitoes for Big Head. Mainly, it’s to prevent suicide at night."

I said, "And then?"

Old Sun said, "Ah, it was freezing!"

I said, "You look miserable too, at your age, shivering like a shrimp!"

I said, "Hang in there. Maybe you'll be released in a week?"

Old Sun replied, "Dream on, like marrying off your sister-in-law. You’re fantasizing!"

Old Sun asked, "Do you want to hear or not?"

I said, "Yes, of course!"

Old Sun continued, "That night, while he was on duty, Big Head sat up because he smelled something foul. Didn’t see him, thought he’d run away!"

Big Head rushed to the toilet, and guess what?

I said, "Don’t keep me in suspense, just tell me."

Old Sun said, "The guy was in the toilet, defecating and eating it himself."

I asked, "Is that for real?"

Old Sun said, "Probably just smeared it on his mouth, not necessarily ate it. Then everyone beat him up, called the guard. Big Head claimed he subdued a lunatic and was rewarded with a box of cigarettes!"

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Old Sun said, "A whole box! Do you know what that means? Here, ten thousand yuan is nothing—a box of cigarettes is something you can’t even dream of, let alone get!"

I said, "It’s tough not being allowed to smoke, and no cigarettes to smoke!"

Old Sun said, "Mainly, they’re afraid of fire. If a fire breaks out, everyone inside would die—no escape. Even if Big Head got cigarettes, he could only smoke when called to the office by the guards. You’ll get to smoke in the office too, but remember, don’t smoke—bring it back to Big Head. That’s the rule!"

I said, "Got it, got it."

Old Sun went on, "Jiang Tao was initially confined alone in Cell 209, planned for a week. But inmates in Cells 201 to 208 couldn't stand it anymore. He muttered endlessly… 'I love my country, nothing can divide us… moonlight by my window… I miss my mother…' Said anything and everything, speaking and shouting. No matter how kindly the guards spoke, did what they could, he was still confined for a week. The guard said, 'I’ll give you cigarettes if you stop causing trouble.' Nothing worked. Eventually, they took him to an outside hospital for a psychiatric evaluation—turns out, he was faking. No mental issues at all. He was just pretending, hoping for medical parole, bail, acquittal..."

"So, they transferred him to the strict management ward, into Cell Nine. Half a year, still the same. I’m impressed—he’s tough, like a stone in a latrine: foul and hard!"

I asked, "Old Sun, what brought you here?"

Old Sun replied, "Causing death by injury."

I said, "You seem so honest—how did it end up with a death?"

Old Sun said, "My son—I beat him to death."

I gasped, "Why?"

Old Sun said, "My son was a wastrel, about your age, not yet twenty—drinking, gambling, whoring, never worked."

I said, "But still, you didn’t have to kill him?"

Old Sun said, "He sold everything—our house, money, pensions, anything of value. One day he asked me for money. I refused—had none to give. That little beast cursed me, so I slapped him hard."

I said, "And then?"

Old Sun said, "He dodged, I missed, slipped and fell. Got up, grabbed the pickaxe on the ground, swung it several times. By accident, hit the back of his head. He couldn’t be saved—died on the way to the hospital."

Talking about it, Old Sun sobbed bitterly. I tried to console him, "Old Sun, try to let it go. It’s happened. You didn’t mean it."

Old Sun said, "He’s gone, so be it. Pitiful for my wife, though—she couldn't endure it and followed our son..."

The more I listened, the more my heart ached for Old Sun.

Old Sun said, "Just like that, our family is finished. At my age, if sentenced, even eight or ten years would mean dying in prison. If it’s deemed intentional murder, I won’t make it to release."

I tried to comfort him, "Take it easy. If anything comes up, tell me. I’ll take care of you."

Old Sun smiled wryly, "We’re not the same. You’ll go to the juvenile center, serve in prison when you’re an adult. I’ll go straight to prison once sentenced. Even if we end up in the same prison, with so many inmates, chances are we won’t meet, won’t be assigned to the same labor team."

I said, "It’s my first offense. I don’t know anything yet."

Old Sun said, "At least you and I—the old and the young—might get lighter sentences. If it’s less, then blessings upon us."

So, we chatted here and there, and time passed quickly. Didn’t feel cold or hungry, nor terribly lonely...

We spent about three days in solitary in the strict management cell. I reached my limit, but then, unexpectedly, a pleasant surprise arrived!

That morning, around eight, Director Li came into Cell One. How we longed to see Director Li! Hoping for him was better than hoping for the stars and moon.

Director Li entered and asked, "How are you feeling? Any better?"

I said, "Director Li, it’s my first time here. I didn’t know the rules, just followed others. I truly realize my mistake!"

Director Li said, "Now you know? Isn’t it too late!"

I said, "I won’t dare again, Director Li!"

Director Li said, "Behave yourself, it’s still early."

He unlocked my handcuffs, and I was so excited, I hurried to thank him, "Thank you, Director Li! I promise I won’t make another mistake!"

Director Li said, "Don’t get ahead of yourself. Move around a bit—you’ll be called for interrogation soon!"

When I tried to stand, I collapsed to the ground, startling Director Li.

Director Li asked, "What’s wrong? Can’t walk already?"

I said, "My legs are numb, but I’m fine!"

Slowly, I moved bit by bit.

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I tried to stand, but couldn’t, so I just sat.

Director Li glanced at Old Sun and said, "At your age, what are you doing getting involved?"

Old Sun replied, "I was trying to break up the fight. I’m innocent!"

Director Li said, "Break up the fight? You held Sunzi and let him get beaten—you’re the worst! The most devious!"

Old Sun pleaded, "I was afraid of getting hit, but I truly was breaking up."

Director Li said, "Enough, no more nonsense. Admit your mistake?"

Old Sun said, "I know now, and I’ll never dare again!"

Director Li said, "This time only. Next time, you’ll go into solitary!"

He took out his keys and unlocked Old Sun’s handcuffs. The handcuffs were off, but the leg irons remained—which was an improvement, at least for eating, drinking, and using the toilet. Movement wasn’t restricted, and that gave me inspiration!

I began to pretend, although my legs were fine. I secretly tightened my handcuffs until they were locked rigidly, my hand gradually turning purple, bloodless, and cold—my own little trick, a bit of camouflage...

Soon after Director Li left, two other guards came and took me to the interrogation room. Through the iron window, two female prosecutors from the Procuratorate sat outside. The prosecutor announced the arrest warrant—I was formally arrested! Then she read the warrant aloud:

"Name: Liu Jian, male, born May 25, 1989, registered in Nehe City, Heilongjiang Province. On February 17, 2004, in Jimo City, suspected of robbery and extortion, apprehended by Jimo police. The facts are clear, evidence conclusive. On February 18, 2004, the Jimo City Criminal Investigation Unit submitted the arrest application. Upon review by the Jimo City People's Procuratorate, today you are formally notified of your arrest..."

The prosecutor continued, "Now we’ll further verify the facts of your crime. Please confess truthfully. Do you understand?"

I replied, "Yes."

Then the prosecutor began questioning: name, registered address, age, details of the crime, whether there was coercion after arrest, any facts inconsistent with reality, any other matters to confess—such as accomplices, prior offenses, crimes unknown to the police...

When all questions were finished, the prosecutor asked, "Have you confessed everything?"

I said, "Yes."

He said, "Verify, then sign the interrogation record and press your fingerprint!"

I began to act, trembling as I reached for the pen, but I couldn’t sign or press my fingerprint.

One female prosecutor noticed my hand and asked, "What happened to your hand?"

I replied, "The handcuffs are too tight, it hurts!"

She turned to the officer behind me, "Unlock his handcuffs."

So my handcuffs were removed. Even after a long time, I still couldn’t sign, so the interrogation was postponed. The prosecutors left, frustrated, and I was brought back to the strict management cell. Director Li understood and told another guard, "The armed police probably put his handcuffs on too tight. Good thing we caught it early, or his hand would have been ruined."

Then he asked me, "Why didn’t you say anything?"

I said, "It’s hard to mention—didn’t want to trouble the guards."

Director Li said, "It’s been days! You couldn’t report?"

I replied, "I didn’t dare, and couldn’t see the guards, nor shout."

Director Li rolled his eyes, "If you’d behaved sooner, would you be in strict management?"

He continued, "Fine, I’ll look out for you. No more handcuffs." He squatted to check my leg irons, felt them and said, "Leg irons are fine, keep them on!"

So, I was no longer handcuffed, nor sent back to solitary—just the leg irons, no further restraints.

Just as I was feeling pleased, Director Li suddenly said, "Don’t get cocky! If you misbehave, you’ll go back to solitary. From now on, you and Old Sun are responsible for his meals, drinks, and toilet breaks, and strict management cell cleaning five times a day—mopping, scrubbing toilets, wiping beds. Not a speck of dirt allowed—every few hours, even at night!"

I replied, "I’ll complete the tasks!" Director Li suddenly kicked me from behind, making me stumble forward. He said, "Remember, when you speak, squat first, then shout ‘Report!’ Only when I tell you to speak do you speak. Only after I leave can you stand up. Understood?"

I said, "Understood."

Director Li told Old Sun, "You, teach him the rules—how to squat, how to hold his head, how to shout ‘Report!’ Got it?"

Old Sun replied, "Yes, Director Li, I’ll make sure!"

After Director Li left, I began learning the rules from Old Sun: face to face, squat, stand, report, at ease, attention, hold your head. Every action had its own ritual...

Truly, there is no end to learning!