Illegitimate Daughter

Li Ming couldn't help but wonder why she was so obedient, willingly offering herself like that. Yang Yang wasn’t that old, and with her striking beauty, even if she didn’t work as a prison doctor, she’d be welcomed elsewhere. There was no need for her to sacrifice so much!

Outwardly, Li Ming said that Yang Yang didn’t have to explain if she didn’t want to, but secretly, he used the skill he had just acquired—Sincerity Moves Heaven!

Yang Yang showed no unusual reaction to Li Ming’s question, perhaps due to the skill’s effect. She smiled faintly and began speaking slowly.

"Honestly, there’s no harm in telling you. The truth is… Huang Feihu is my father—my biological father. But I’m his illegitimate daughter. My mother’s surname is Yang, and since I couldn’t be openly acknowledged, I took her surname."

"It’s not so bad, though. Even though I’m illegitimate, he treats me and my mother well. This prison doctor job? He pulled strings to get me in. He’s always looked out for me here. When he asked me to accompany you, he even consulted me first. He said you have powerful connections, a deep background. That hitching my wagon to you would mean skyrocketing success, an unimaginable future. He also said men like you are destined to have more than one woman, so I shouldn’t think too far ahead. Just being one of your women would be enough. And me? Well, I don’t dislike you either. Becoming your woman isn’t a bad deal. Now that I’ve given myself to you, I feel even more that it was worth it."

After explaining her background and motives, Yang Yang seemed to draw closer to Li Ming. He sat there, dazed, as if still processing her words.

She blinked playfully.

Outside, Dong Wentao and his companion exchanged another glance, their eyes filled with resignation. Without a word, they turned and retreated to their previous rooms.

A long while later…

Yang Yang returned to the rooftop, trembling slightly. She pushed open her door gently—Wang Keyan’s breathing remained steady, undisturbed by her return. Relieved, she dragged her exhausted body to bed and stared at the white ceiling, her heart a mix of affection and fear toward Li Ming.

Meanwhile, Li Ming lay in bed, the sheets still carrying Yang Yang’s warmth and the faint scent of her perfume. His thoughts were in turmoil.

He wasn’t sure if his indulgence would lead to any consequences. At first, it had been the mission forcing his hand, but in the end, he was the one who’d enjoyed it.

These bizarre tasks seemed designed to mold him into a seasoned operator like Huang Feihu—someone who seized every advantage, took every benefit, and still maintained a dignified facade as the prison warden. He felt himself drifting further and further from the expectations his parents had for him.

And this was only the beginning. Just a few days in. Who knew what he’d become in the future?

Lost in thought, Li Ming eventually drifted into sleep.

In his dreams, he found himself back in that strange scene—dining at a table with a group of tiger-headed creatures, toasting and laughing merrily. Gradually, he felt himself changing. Peering into the reflection of his wine cup, he saw his own features twist into the same monstrous visage as theirs.

The next morning…

A knock at the door roused him.

Bang, bang, bang!

Li Ming opened his eyes, momentarily disoriented by the unfamiliar surroundings before remembering where he was.

Someone was at the door. He hurriedly dressed and opened it to find Dr. Yang and Wang Keyan, both already groomed and smiling at him.

"Good morning, Warden Li. Time to wake up. The prisoners scheduled for transfer are ready. They’re just waiting for your headcount before boarding the transport," Yang Yang reminded him cheerfully.

"Alright… Give me two minutes. I’ll be ready soon." Li Ming nodded, then turned to retrieve his formal warden’s uniform. Once dressed, he emerged tall, imposing, and undeniably handsome—enough to make both women’s eyes light up.

For Wang Keyan, it was her first time seeing Li Ming in uniform. Her cheeks flushed pink, her gaze fixed on him with starry-eyed admiration, her heart clearly fluttering.

Noticing their stares, Li Ming cleared his throat. "Let’s go. We shouldn’t keep them waiting."

"Of course, Warden Li!" Yang Yang shot him a flirtatious glance—out of Wang Keyan’s sight—before leading the way.

Soon, they arrived at the prison square.

Li Ming surveyed the scene: rows of female prisoners, varying in age, all clad in Qingcheng Prison uniforms, squatting under the watchful eyes of armed guards.

Huang Feihu was among them. Spotting Li Ming and the two women, he quickly approached.

"Hahaha! Brother Li! Did you sleep well last night? My apologies if the hospitality was lacking!" Huang Feihu grinned, eyes crinkling, as if nothing out of the ordinary had happened, showering Li Ming with warm small talk.

…