"Take a shower?" Li Ming turned to Wang Xin with a puzzled look.
Had she heard some rumor? Did she know Wang Keyan had already arrived?
Li Ming thought back to the commotion in the cafeteria earlier and nodded in understanding. It must have been one of the guards who’d finished their meal and spread the news, letting Wang Xin know her daughter was here.
He had originally planned to surprise her, but now that the surprise was ruined, he simply nodded.
"A shower might be good. Clean yourself up—it’ll put her at ease to see you looking fresh."
"I’ll take you to the medical exam room first. After you wash up, we’ll head to the counseling office." Li Ming waved his hand, signaling for the deputy warden to come over.
"Deputy, you can go. I’ll handle things from here. Once we’re done, I’ll personally bring her back."
"Yes, Warden!" The deputy saluted and left without another word.
Wang Xin watched as Li Ming dismissed the deputy so effortlessly, speaking without any concern of being overheard. A strange expression crossed her face.
Had the warden completely taken control of the prison? He wasn’t even afraid of being caught engaging in shady dealings with inmates—what a capable young man! She couldn’t help but feel smug. She’d definitely picked the right person!
As Li Ming led Wang Xin toward the medical exam room, he noticed her visibly brightening mood. Knowing she was eager to see her daughter, he deliberately quickened his pace, and they arrived in no time.
"Go ahead and wash up. I know you’re in a hurry, so I’ll wait here. Don’t forget to make yourself look pretty!" Li Ming sat down on a chair in the exam room and pointed toward the shower.
He figured Wang Xin would want to present her best self to Wang Keyan after so many years apart. He even considered going next door to borrow some makeup from the seductive nurse, Xia Hong.
But to Wang Xin, his words carried a different meaning.
In a hurry? Me? She scoffed inwardly. You’re the one who’s eager, you little rascal!
She shot Li Ming a flirtatious glare before stepping into the shower. After her husband died years ago, she’d been locked up in prison—over a decade now.
Though she was here to ask Li Ming for a favor, she didn’t mind the arrangement. In fact, staring at his handsome face, she almost felt like she was the one getting the better deal!
Countless women in the prison—especially in her block—were practically drooling over the warden. Now that she’d gotten ahead of them, an odd sense of pride swelled in her chest.
As the water cascaded over her body, she ran her hands over her carefully maintained figure, feeling a surge of satisfaction.
Meanwhile, Li Ming, having nothing else to do, decided Wang Xin would take a while in the shower. He got up and headed next door to the infirmary, knocking lightly.
Knock, knock, knock!
Xia Hong didn’t keep him waiting long, swinging the door open with a smile.
"Warden? What brings you here? Need something?"
Today, she was back to her usual alluring attire—black stockings hugging her long, shapely legs, a white lab coat barely containing her curves. As she crossed her legs in the chair, Li Ming caught a glimpse of her red-bottomed stilettos.
"Ahem… Nothing urgent. I was just wondering if you had any makeup. Wang Keyan’s mother is showering next door, and I thought she might want to freshen up before seeing her daughter after all these years."
Li Ming chuckled, trying to sound casual.
"Ohhh, how thoughtful of you!" Xia Hong smirked. "But I don’t really wear makeup—just lipstick."
She rummaged through a drawer and tossed him a brand-new tube.
Li Ming fumbled to catch it, but instead of checking the lipstick, his eyes locked onto Xia Hong’s face.
"Hong-jie, your face is so flawless—you’re telling me you don’t wear any makeup?" he asked, stunned.
"Of course not. What’s so strange about that? Some of us are just born beautiful!" She beamed at the compliment, her eyes crinkling with amusement. "Besides, in a place like this, with no men around, who would I even dress up for?"
Li Ming pointed at himself with a wry smile.
"Hong-jie, what do you mean no men? I’m standing right here!"
Xia Hong burst into laughter.
"You? You don’t count!"
"Huh? Why not?" Li Ming scratched his head. You of all people should know I’m a man—didn’t you once praise my… assets?
"Hahaha! You’re Xiao Xi’s man, not mine. Why would I bother dressing up for you?" She covered her mouth, giggling.
"Uh… You—you know about me and Lin Xi?" Li Ming hadn’t expected Lin Xi to blab about their prison matchmaking to others!
"Of course! I knew the day you arrived. Xiao Xi even asked me to give you a thorough physical, remember?" Her gaze flicked downward, and just that glance was enough to make Li Ming tense up.
How could he forget? It was his first time getting that kind of exam. He’d long since added Xia Hong to his revenge list—just hadn’t found the right opportunity yet.
"Ahem… Well, Lin Xi and I actually knew each other as kids. It’s not what you think… When I first got here, I didn’t even realize what was happening until she told me I was here to marry her!" he explained helplessly.
"Giggle~ Well, you’re still Xiao Xi’s man-in-waiting! Don’t let her icy exterior fool you—if you can win her over, you’ll have quite the happy life!" Xia Hong winked, egging him on.
"Ugh… Let’s not talk about this. I should get going—thanks for the lipstick!" Realizing he was outmatched, Li Ming hastily thanked her and bolted.
"Come visit more often, Warden! It gets lonely in the infirmary. Keep me company sometime!" Xia Hong called after his retreating figure.
Li Ming didn’t dare respond, quickly shutting the door behind him.
Xia Hong really lived up to her fox-like charm—even her voice was seductive. And the way her eyes kept drifting south? Too much to handle!
Lipstick in hand, Li Ming returned to the exam room and gently pushed the door open.
He’d expected Wang Xin to take her time—weren’t women known for long showers? But as soon as he entered, he saw her standing there, pulling her clothes back on.
Despite her age, Wang Xin’s skin was taut and smooth, her complexion pale from years without sunlight. She looked nothing like a woman who’d given birth.
Hearing the door open, she didn’t react. After all, he was the only man in the prison—what did it matter who saw her?
"Warden, you’re back! I didn’t want my clothes to get wet, so I took them out to put on…"