"Let's go!" Li Ming called out with his hands behind his back, then led Tan Qingqing away from the factory area.
As they walked, Li Ming probed Tan Qingqing for information.
"If you don’t want to work, you should’ve gotten out sooner. Why haven’t your family made any moves? My phone hasn’t rung once—are the people you contacted really that powerful?"
After speaking, Li Ming observed Tan Qingqing’s expression. Though she looked troubled, there was no trace of despair in her eyes—clearly, she had full confidence in her so-called family.
"Warden, I’m considered a serious offender now. Of course, it’s not that easy to get me out. I’d love to leave sooner too. How about… we make a deal?" Tan Qingqing looked at Li Ming expectantly, waiting for his response.
"What kind of deal? What are you up to now?"
Li Ming smirked. He knew Tan Qingqing wouldn’t obediently work and would eventually beg him.
"Warden! I really can’t handle the labor here. After just an hour, my back aches, my legs cramp—I’m exhausted! How about… you name a price? Just tell me how much it’ll cost for me to stay here without working."
Tan Qingqing put on a flattering smile. At this point, she didn’t dare give Li Ming any attitude—the work was simply too grueling. She just wanted to get out of it for now.
"Oh? You want me to name a price? Then… one million?" Li Ming tested the waters.
"One million… Fine! It’s a deal. Until I get out, don’t make me work. I’ll stay quietly in the cell block—I swear!" Tan Qingqing quickly raised her hand in a vow, afraid Li Ming might change his mind.
"Oh? So obedient? Then… ten million!" Li Ming didn’t care about her vow. Without blinking or flinching, he raised the price.
"You—! Fine! Ten million it is! I’ll pay! But you have to promise me the conditions I just mentioned!" Tan Qingqing was furious. They’d agreed on one million, but this bastard Li Ming just upped the price without hesitation—no sense of honor at all!
"Oh-ho! Then… one hundred million!?" Seeing that Tan Qingqing had agreed to ten million, Li Ming realized this woman was no ordinary person—she clearly had money to burn. But since he held all the cards, he kept a straight face and raised the stakes again.
"You—! Li Ming!! Are you serious?! Are you messing with me?!" Tan Qingqing couldn’t hold back anymore. Li Ming was insatiable! Who negotiates like this, increasing the price tenfold each time? And going back on his word! Even if she agreed now, he’d probably demand a billion next!
"Hahaha, don’t get worked up! Calm down! Truth is, I’m not really short on money. If you tell me one thing, I’ll make sure you don’t have to work for the next two weeks—you can relax in the cell block. How’s that?" Li Ming winked, dangling the offer temptingly.
"Really? Then don’t go back on your word again! What do you want to know?" Tan Qingqing was desperate to avoid work. Right now, she just wanted to placate Li Ming, but money clearly didn’t sway him.
Instead of asking immediately, Li Ming led Tan Qingqing out of the cell block and into the prison yard.
The inmates were all working, and apart from a few guards on duty in the distance, only Li Ming and Tan Qingqing were present.
Li Ming found a bench meant for inmates during breaks and sat down with Tan Qingqing. The weather was lovely, the sunlight warming Li Ming’s face, making him drowsy.
Even Tan Qingqing relaxed on the bench, basking in the sun. But before long, she grew restless.
Li Ming, who had promised to ask her a question, seemed to have forgotten all about it. He ignored her, looking like he might doze off right there.
Watching his lazy demeanor, Tan Qingqing finally couldn’t take it anymore. She scooted closer to him, and when he still didn’t react, she gritted her teeth and tugged at his sleeve.
"Warden! Didn’t you say you had a question for me? Why aren’t you asking?"
Li Ming shifted, lying back on the bench with his hands behind his head, and lazily replied,
"I figured you wouldn’t tell me the truth, so I lost interest. Never mind. You can go back to work later—pretend I never said anything."
"You—! You’re going back on your word again! You—you’re the one who belongs in prison! I’m so mad!!" Tan Qingqing exploded, jumping up from the bench and pointing at Li Ming, too furious to even curse properly.
"I—I’m reporting you!! This is too much!"
Li Ming burst out laughing at Tan Qingqing’s outrage.
"Report me? To whom? I’m the highest authority in this prison. Are you going to complain to me about myself? Hahaha!" Li Ming couldn’t hold back his amusement. Tan Qingqing was actually kind of funny—after all that rage, the best she could come up with was "reporting" him. Adorable, really.
"Alright, fine. I’ll give you one more chance. I’ll ask once. If you lie, then forget it—go back to work and don’t bother me again. Our little deal didn’t include exempting you from labor." Li Ming sat up, crossing his legs and grinning at Tan Qingqing.
"Ask!"
Tan Qingqing’s chest heaved with anger, her face flushed red. In her mind, she wanted to chop Li Ming into pieces and feed him to dogs! How could such a detestable man exist? And to think he had such a handsome face—what a waste! His heart was black, ugly, and rotten!
If Li Ming were the last man on Earth, Tan Qingqing would rather die alone than spare him a single glance!
Though Li Ming didn’t know her exact thoughts, he could guess she was mentally cursing him up a storm. But he didn’t care—he held all the power. Her anger was just impotent rage.
Li Ming idly adjusted his sleeves, then retied his shoelaces, dragging it out until Tan Qingqing looked ready to combust. Finally, he spoke.
"You said your family will get you out. So, which big shot did they contact? Give me a name, and I’ll make sure you have a comfortable two weeks. Deal?"
Li Ming asked casually, but inwardly, he focused on sensing any shifts in his intuition.
But he underestimated Tan Qingqing.
One second ago, she had been fuming, looking like she might drop dead from sheer fury. But the moment Li Ming posed his question, she cooled down instantly, her eyes flashing with disdain.
"Warden… you really think so little of me? Reverse psychology? I know the difference between 15 days of hard labor and 25 years! You’re trying to trick me—are you scared of losing? I never said you’d lose anything. Just turn a blind eye, and when I’m out, I’ll make sure you get a generous gift!"
Now Tan Qingqing thought Li Ming wasn’t just annoying but also ridiculously naive. Did he really take her for a fool? If she weren’t at his mercy, did he think she’d be this accommodating?
...