"Oh, Warden, finished talking with that inmate?" Xia Hong noticed Li Ming entering and put down the book in her hands.
"Yeah... all done. Hong-jie, I have a favor to ask. Could you help me out?" Li Ming wore a flattering smile.
"A favor? What kind? Just say it straight, Warden. I’ll definitely listen to you." Xia Hong crossed her legs, mirroring his smile.
"Well... when you examine Tan Qingqing later, just take a look and skip the manual inspection. I promised her I wouldn’t do that. After you’re done, just mark the file. How about it, Hong-jie?" Li Ming explained in a hushed tone.
"Huh? That... that’s against the rules. Our Black Mountain Women’s Prison isn’t like regular prisons—we hold high-risk inmates! If we skip the manual check and they’ve hidden something... and something happens..." Xia Hong rested her chin on her fingers, looking troubled.
"Hong-jie! I’m the warden here. If anything goes wrong, I’ll take responsibility. Besides, I’m putting her in solitary confinement first—no contact with other inmates. That’ll keep her from causing trouble. Just do as I say, alright?" Li Ming rubbed his hands nervously. This was his first time abusing his authority, and it felt strange.
"Fine! You’re the warden, after all. I’ll listen to you." Xia Hong sighed and shrugged. She knew Li Ming must’ve struck some shady deal with the inmate—otherwise, he wouldn’t be shielding her like this.
But whatever underhanded agreement they’d made had nothing to do with her as the prison doctor. After years here, she knew better than to ask questions.
"Should we inform Deputy Warden Lin Xi? If this gets exposed, I’ll be in a tough spot," Xia Hong added cautiously.
"No need to tell her yet. I’ll handle it when the time comes. Just your help is enough—thanks, Hong-jie!"
Relieved that Xia Hong agreed, Li Ming felt a weight lift off his shoulders. At least she wasn’t as rigid as Lin Xi.
With the main issue settled and five minutes still left, Li Ming wandered around the infirmary.
He’d been here once before when he fainted. Aside from medical equipment, the room held many of Xia Hong’s personal belongings.
A gleaming golden trophy on display caught his eye.
Noticing his interest, Xia Hong followed his gaze and explained.
"That trophy was from a competition I won while working at a medical institution abroad. My first—and probably last. Once you’re in prison, there aren’t many chances to compete." She stroked the trophy with a nostalgic look.
"I heard you were quite the prodigy back then, Hong-jie. Why’d you end up working in a prison? The outside world seems more your speed," Li Ming asked curiously.
Xia Hong’s expression darkened briefly before she shook her head, offering no further explanation.
"Let’s not dwell on that. The past is the past. Life here isn’t bad—plenty of free time to read and do what I enjoy. I’ve gotten used to it." She smiled faintly, as if she’d made peace with it.
Seeing her reluctance, Li Ming didn’t press. They were still superior and subordinate, barely acquainted—she wouldn’t confide in him.
"Hong-jie, you should smile more. It suits you—really beautiful!" Li Ming complimented.
He swore it was genuine. Xia Hong’s fox-like charm was undeniable, but her gold-rimmed glasses and white coat tempered it, blending purity and allure.
Li Ming believed removing those glasses would reveal the real Xia Hong—a mesmerizing, coquettish enchantress, no less captivating than Daji herself.
Xia Hong, still tinged with melancholy, brightened at the praise. What woman didn’t enjoy compliments?
"Haha, Warden, with a silver tongue like yours, no wonder you’re popular with women. Deputy Warden Lin Xi must be jealous. Save those sweet words for her, or she’ll get upset!" Xia Hong teased, eyes twinkling.
"Come on, I mean it! The first time we met, you were sitting in that chair, smiling at me. I was so stunned I stumbled over my words. Don’t you remember?" Li Ming gestured animatedly, making Xia Hong laugh.
"Nonsense! I wasn’t smiling."
"You were!"
"Wasn’t, wasn’t!"
"Hey!"
As they bantered, Li Ming checked the time—five minutes were almost up.
He motioned for Xia Hong to follow him back to examine Tan Qingqing.
"Hong-jie, I’ll go in first. Wait a moment." Li Ming pushed the door open ahead of her.
Tan Qingqing, phone call finished, smirked triumphantly at him.
"Warden, everything’s arranged. Here’s your phone back. Hope you keep your word!"
"Of course. Just don’t cry when you lose." Li Ming was curious—how exactly did Tan Qingqing plan to escape? Did she have supernatural powers?
Pocketing the phone, he called Xia Hong in, adopting a stern demeanor for both women.
"Tan Qingqing, given your... unique condition, we’ll forgo the manual inspection. But our doctor will still examine you visually. Proceed with the checkup."
"Understood, Warden." Xia Hong picked up Tan Qingqing’s file and gestured for her to step onto the examination table.
This time, Tan Qingqing complied without resistance.
"Open your mouth!"
"Look up!"
"Turn around! Spread your legs."
"Bend over!"
The moment Xia Hong gave the last order, Tan Qingqing whirled around, furious.
"Warden! You promised no manual inspection! Why do I have to bend over?!" She clutched her body, eyes blazing.
"Ahem! No manual inspection, but we still need to look. Don’t worry, I’ve briefed Dr. Xia—she’s very skilled. It won’t be invasive." Li Ming coughed awkwardly.
"You—! Fine... fine!" Knowing she had no choice, Tan Qingqing swallowed her rage and bent over.
Though she didn’t turn, she could feel their eyes on her. Humiliation burned in her chest—she wanted to bite Li Ming to death. All his smooth talk had led to this degrading ordeal. That bastard warden! Once she got out, she’d make him pay.
...