"I beg you, my hand hurts so much, I just took a break for a while today. Please don't punish me, I have nothing left!" We were deeply engrossed in our work when a man's desperate shouts broke the tranquility of the workshop. I wanted to get up, but the coworker who had lost both legs grabbed me and said, "Follow the factory rules. There will be plenty of excitement later!"

Listening to this veteran employee's advice, I stayed put and just leaned over to peek in the direction the sound came from. Ah Mao had already gotten up and walked into the dim light. "Exciting, just got here and there's already a show!"

Xiao Hua stood up and came to my side, softly asking, "Brother Song, what's going on?"

"It's okay, Hua. We're here to earn money. Just go back and work well."

In an unfamiliar environment, it's never wrong to imitate those with experience.

Most of the newcomers were just like me, curiously glancing around, while the veteran employees were all engrossed in their own workstations, ignoring the cries and shouts. Over at Uncle Wang's workstation, the crisp connecting sounds hadn't stopped from start to finish.

"I thought there was going to be some big drama. Turns out it was a disabled employee, who only has one hand left and is still working here. Because his efficiency was too low, the inspector took him to the office. He'll probably be fired. Losing this job might really mean losing everything for him. It's quite pitiful." Before Ah Mao even appeared, his regretful voice of missing the big drama already came through, accompanied by the faint squeaking sound of old leather shoes, making a stark contrast in the rhythmic collision of plastics in the workshop.

"Better keep working!" Ah Mao sat down, but the squeaking sound didn't stop, instead it got closer and clearer.

Curious, I turned my head. In the direction of the sound, besides some faint red glows and the squeaking of leather shoes, there was nothing else.

But the coworker at the adjacent workstation started mumbling since he heard the squeaking sound, "It's coming, it's coming. If it picks me, I'm done for!"

I leaned over and asked, "What's coming? Are you okay?"

At that moment, he was hugging a doll and shivering. Hearing my question, he suddenly went mad and broke the doll's hand, throwing it to the ground. He then turned to look at me, his bloodshot eyes like two candles desperately burning in a gloomy realm, "Can't complete it, do you understand?" As he finished speaking, the candlelight dimmed, and he surprisingly tore off his own arm with one hand and forcefully attached it to the doll, then threw it onto the workstation. He finally slumped down, showing a hint of relief. Incredibly, his workstation's completion count instantly increased by 10.

Terror and shock intertwined in my heart. I stood there dazed for a long time, not knowing what to do. The approaching squeaking sound of the leather shoes brought me back to reality, and he gently said, "The inspector is here. Get back to work and follow the factory rules."

Stunned, I sat back at my workstation. Factory rules surged in my mind. I'll leave as soon as I've earned enough money.

Just as I calmed down and wanted to tell the others to always follow the factory rules, the squeaking sound stopped behind me, and the inspector stood right behind me! I'll tell them after he leaves.

Unexpectedly, Ah Mao suddenly stood up and greeted the inspector!

I was shocked and turned back. Unlike our work uniforms, the inspector wore a crisp shirt with a dust cover like an apron over it, reflecting red light and looking like a butcher.

Ah Mao put his hand on the inspector's shoulder, "Buddy, here for an inspection? Our team has been busy all day. No one has been slacking. Want a cigarette?" He instinctively touched his pocket, pretending to pull out a cigarette, "Damn, I handed it in with my ID when I came in!"

"Why aren't you working?" The inspector's face darkened.

"Hahaha, I just finished these ten, and since the inspector is here, I thought I'd better greet you properly!" Ah Mao responded with a cheeky smile.

"I asked you, why aren't you working!" The inspector's voice suddenly grew louder, roaring at Ah Mao, with veins popping out like small snakes beneath the water, and his well-fitted shirt seemed about to burst from anger.

Ah Mao was stunned for a moment, then awkwardly said, "Alright, I'll get back to work. Inspector, please calm down." He was about to sit back down.

But the inspector abruptly pressed him into the workstation, shouting, "Why aren't you working?" The violent voice pierced through the partition and into everyone's ears. Ah Mao struggled fiercely, shaking the partition and scattering the doll parts on the workstation. I hurriedly stood up, went to Ah Mao's workstation, and tried to pull the inspector away. Under the scarlet light, the inspector pinned Ah Mao on the workstation, with his hands twisted behind him. Amid the violent shaking, I saw

the inspector's face transformed into a monstrous visage with bulging fangs.

"Ahhh!" A right hand suddenly appeared on the workstation. He brutally twisted Ah Mao's hand off and threw it on the workstation, splattering the dust cover with blood, and his face was terrifyingly covered in crimson.

Factory rules must be followed! Factory rules must be followed!

"Hua, keep working, you must keep working!" I shouted at Hua, quickly running back to my workstation to start assembling dolls.

Uncle Wang remained unshaken throughout, cheerfully assembling parts.

With Ah Mao's groans, the inspector left with squeaking footsteps.

"Ah... Ah Mao, are you okay?" Hua asked tearfully.

"Barely, I won't die." Ah Mao panted heavily.

"Remember that factory rule? Quickly use today's performance to treat your injury!" Uncle Wang finally spoke.

Ah Mao applied for performance redemption at his workstation. Soon, some people in white came with instruments. After a few shrill cries, Ah Mao's side quieted down.

"Damn, it's magical. I'm healed!"

"But it's still a bit uncomfortable with just one hand." Ah Mao sighed.

"We must find a way to escape from here!" I muttered while fiddling with the doll at my workstation.

"Running won't help. Becoming a butcher is the only way out." Uncle Wang stared at the dismembered limbs on the workstation, "Now, this is how all workplaces are."

"Work hard to complete each performance, and then become an inspector?" Xiao Hua asked curiously.

"Young girl, working hard won't make you an inspector. Just work, if you can work, at least you're still alive."

"Alive? I still have ten dolls to finish assembling today, now with only one hand. How is this different from waiting to die?" Ah Mao's tone was filled with despair.

I knew attaching a severed limb to a doll could increase the workload by ten, but how can one complete the work with only one hand in the coming days? Just like the coworker next door...

The coworker next door?

I suddenly realized that until now, the coworker next door hadn't received any medical aid, but his assembling sound never stopped. I carefully observed around to confirm the inspector wasn't nearby, and quietly leaned over. He was systematically assembling dolls with both hands. On the severed arm, was the doll's hand he broke off earlier!