Prison Cell No Way...

"Prison girl group?"

Li Ming thought to himself, with so many talented people in prison, forming a prison girl group actually sounded like a great idea!

Some had previously joked that Dragon Country's soccer team was so bad they might as well recruit death row inmates to play. If they won, their sentences would be reduced—they’d surely fight tooth and nail for that chance to live, and maybe Dragon Country’s soccer team would finally have hope.

The same logic applied to a prison girl group. With the incentive of reduced sentences, these female inmates would give their all, and the performances would undoubtedly be spectacular. Just imagining it made Li Ming look forward to the idea.

"You go ahead with your work. I’ll come take a look once I’m done here," Li Ming said to Xia Hong before parting ways and continuing toward the counseling office.

When he arrived, Li Ming greeted the guard at the door, then knocked politely before entering.

Inside, Wang Xin and Wang Keyan sat side by side on the sofa, holding hands. Wang Xin clutched a half-used roll of tissue paper.

The mother and daughter quickly stood up when they saw Li Ming enter.

"Warden, you’re back! I truly don’t know how to thank you. It’s all thanks to you that we were able to reunite. From now on, whether in prison or after we’re released, if you ever need anything from us, just say the word. We’ll go through fire and water for you—no questions asked. You’re our savior!" As she spoke, Wang Xin pulled Wang Keyan down to their knees.

Li Ming hurriedly helped them up.

"Get up, please! There’s no need for this. As the warden, helping you is just part of my job. It’s nothing."

"Brother Li… thank you. If it weren’t for you coming to find me, I might never have seen my mom again in this lifetime…" Wang Keyan’s tears began to fall once more.

"Alright, no more crying," Li Ming said with a light laugh. "This is a happy reunion—you should be celebrating." He waved it off, not thinking much of his own role.

"You’ll be able to visit your mother regularly now, but next time, you’ll have to go through the official visitation process. This was a one-time exception. Still, we can’t let you stay too long today—it’s time to wrap things up."

Wang Xin and her daughter nodded, knowing Li Ming had already bent the rules for them and not daring to ask for more.

"Keyan, prison regulations mean you can’t stay here indefinitely. Have you thought about where you’ll go after leaving?" Li Ming asked.

Wang Keyan nodded, glancing at her mother for confirmation before answering.

"Brother Li, Mom bought a house in the city before… She wants me to stay there and find work nearby. I’ll visit her whenever I can!"

"That’s great. Black Mountain Prison has a monthly shuttle bus for family visits—just once a month, though. You can take that when you come to see her," Li Ming explained.

Black Mountain Prison only allowed one family visit per month. Given its remote location and rough roads, the prison operated a shuttle service for relatives. Wang Xin’s sister had taken the same bus before.

"Got it, Brother Li! Mom already told me. Thank you!" Wang Keyan said earnestly.

"Alright then… Wang Xin, it’s about time. Let’s head back. Keyan, you can return to last night’s room for now. I’ll arrange your departure this evening." Li Ming checked his phone—they’d already gone well over the allotted hour.

Wang Xin nodded, hugging her daughter tightly before composing herself and following Li Ming out of the counseling office.

The two walked in silence toward the prison block.

Then, suddenly—

"Warden… I’m sorry," Wang Xin blurted out.

"Huh? Sorry for what?" Li Ming asked, puzzled.

"This morning… when you took me out of my cell, I thought… that’s why I said… about washing up first… I never imagined you were bringing me to see Keyan! I don’t know how to thank you enough!" Her face, already flushed from crying, turned even redder at the memory of her misunderstanding.

"Come on, do I really seem like that kind of person? I’d never do something like that!" Li Ming laughed awkwardly.

So in Wang Xin’s eyes, he was some power-abusing devil warden!

"It was my mistake, Warden. You’re truly a good man," Wang Xin said with a coy smile, her admiration for Li Ming now sky-high.

Not only was he kind and handsome, but he’d gone out of his way to help her and her daughter. If she weren’t already a mother, she’d chase after him without hesitation—even if it led nowhere, the experience alone would be worth it…

As they chatted, they reached the prison block. The inmates were still at work, leaving the area deserted. Li Ming was about to escort Wang Xin to the work zone when she gently tugged his sleeve.

"Warden… could you come to my cell with me first?" Her voice was soft, her gaze loaded with meaning.

"Your cell? That’s… probably not a good idea," Li Ming muttered.

"Warden, just follow me… There are no cameras inside the cells! The metal doors usually block any view from outside, so they didn’t bother installing them. Only the hallways have surveillance. Once we’re inside… no one will see a thing…"

Her eyes glistening, Wang Xin pulled Li Ming into her cell by his sleeve.

Once inside, Li Ming scanned the space. Sure enough, the cameras outside couldn’t penetrate the cell, and Wang Xin’s bunk even had a curtain—drawn shut, it would hide everything happening on the bed.

"Doesn’t security mind this curtain?" Li Ming asked.

"They do, but inspections happen at set times. Outside those hours, they don’t care. Sometimes… it’s nicer to have privacy, don’t you think?" As she spoke, Wang Xin straightened the bedding and pulled the curtain open, ready for him.

"Warden, don’t worry—my bed’s clean! Come sit with me." She crooked a finger invitingly, one hand holding the curtain aside.

Li Ming glanced nervously at the cell door. Broad daylight, and here they were, about to fool around in a prison cell. If they got caught, his career as warden would be over.

"Maybe not… too risky." Tempted as he was, he hadn’t lost his head completely.

A moment of pleasure wasn’t worth the potential fallout.

"Warden… trust me. I’ve been here for years. I promise no one comes around at this time. And our block is in the middle—even if I scream, no one will hear…"

Li Ming opened his mouth to refuse again—

A soft ding echoed in his mind. The mission details materialized in his thoughts as if out of thin air.