But Hold On a Second

"Ah, alright! It's fine, go ahead and wear it." Li Ming took a deep breath.

Having just escaped from that seductress, only to witness this scene—who could handle it?

By now, Wang Xin had finished dressing and turned around, standing quietly as she waited for Li Ming's instructions.

"Earlier, I tried to borrow some makeup for you, but I couldn’t get any. All I managed was this lipstick. Try it on." Li Ming handed the lipstick to a delighted Wang Xin.

"Oh! Thank you, Warden! I haven’t worn lipstick since I got here! And it’s red—perfect!" Wang Xin took the lipstick and checked herself in the mirror on the wall. The red shade suited her cool, pale complexion perfectly. Her previously weary appearance instantly brightened, radiating a full feminine charm.

Li Ming was quite satisfied too. Wang Xin was already strikingly beautiful, and even just a touch of lipstick made her even more captivating.

He didn’t dare look too long, though. One glance and he’d remember what happened last time in the counseling room. Sometimes, he cursed his special-forces-level physique—it made things so difficult!

After admiring herself in the mirror, Wang Xin walked back to Li Ming, completely unaware of his inner turmoil.

"Warden, I’m ready. Let’s go to the counseling room!"

As she spoke, she even raised an eyebrow at him, dropping a not-so-subtle hint.

But her flirtation had no effect this time. Li Ming wasn’t even looking at her. The moment she approached, he lowered his head, silently chanting prayers, waiting for his body to calm down. Otherwise, he wouldn’t even be able to stand up, let alone take her to see Wang Keyan.

"I know you’re eager, but hold on. Sit down and give me a minute. I… need to reply to a message." Struggling for an excuse, he pulled out his phone and pretended to scroll.

"Sure, Warden. I’m not in a hurry. Take your time!" Wang Xin shrugged, slightly annoyed. Li Ming kept insisting she was desperate, as if she was the one who couldn’t wait.

Too preoccupied to notice her expression, Li Ming opened his browser and typed four words into the search bar:

Horror images!

As gruesome, bloody pictures flooded his screen, he finally calmed down. Exhaling deeply, he uncrossed his legs and stood up once he was sure everything was under control.

Mentally patting himself on the back for his quick thinking, he waved at Wang Xin.

"Let’s go. Sorry to keep you waiting—work stuff."

Assuming Wang Xin was dying to see her daughter and had been delayed by him, he even apologized.

"Warden! I’m not in a hurry, really! No need to apologize." Wang Xin wanted to cry. Was Li Ming into roleplay or something? Should she play along and act desperate? But it was so awkward!

"Don’t tough it out. I know how it is. It’s not far. Oh—take this tissue. You’ll need it later." He grabbed a roll of toilet paper from a nearby shelf and shoved it into Wang Xin’s bewildered hands. Then, leading the way, he opened the door and headed to the counseling room.

Wang Xin had given up on talking. She suddenly felt Li Ming wasn’t all that great—just a pretty face with some weird tendencies. But no matter how off-putting, she still had to rely on him. She resolved not to show any disdain later. If Li Ming noticed, all her efforts would be wasted.

Walking single file, they soon reached the counseling room door.

Li Ming gripped the handle, turned to Wang Xin with a mysterious smile, and asked,

"Ready? I’m opening the door!"

Wang Xin sighed internally but forced an excited nod, humoring his strange antics.

Seeing her agreement, Li Ming pushed the door open and stepped inside.

Wang Keyan had been waiting anxiously, her eyes darting to the wall clock every few seconds. Time crawled.

Finally, after what felt like an eternity, the door creaked open, and Li Ming walked in.

Wang Keyan shot to her feet! Behind him stood a woman—her mother, the face she’d missed every single day since childhood.

She had stepped out of the photographs and into reality!

Tears poured down Wang Keyan’s face. She wanted to scream Mom!, but her voice failed her. She could only stand there, frozen, staring at her mother.

Meanwhile, Wang Xin, entering the room, didn’t recognize the girl as her daughter. She just thought the girl was beautiful, with features somewhat resembling her own.

Confused, she glanced at Li Ming as if asking, What’s going on? Who’s this? How am I supposed to… perform now? Does he want a threesome?! Is that why the poor girl’s crying?

Li Ming caught her look and froze. A ridiculous thought flashed through his mind—

Did I… get the wrong person?!

No, no, impossible! But then why was she so calm? And why was Wang Keyan just crying? Someone say something!

The room fell silent except for Wang Keyan’s sobs. Li Ming and Wang Xin stared at each other, their expressions growing more bewildered by the second.

Finally, Li Ming couldn’t take it anymore. Pointing at the tearful Wang Keyan, he hesitantly asked Wang Xin,

"She… isn’t your daughter? Not Wang Keyan??"

"What?? My daughter?? Wang Keyan??" Wang Xin’s eyes widened. Slowly, stiffly, she turned to look at the sobbing girl.

Staring at the familiar face, it hit her—this girl was the daughter she’d longed for day and night!

Wang Keyan!!!

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