Eavesdropping

Li Ming never expected to run into her while out buying groceries!

Watching Tan Chengcheng stride gracefully into the private room where the restaurant manager and his group had just entered, Li Ming couldn’t help but marvel at the coincidence.

After pausing for a moment to think, he decided to wait a little longer before leaving, wanting to see what was going on.

First, he stepped outside to put the groceries in his car, then returned empty-handed to the Jade Pavilion. He made his way to the door of the private room where Tan Chengcheng was and leaned in, trying to eavesdrop.

Unfortunately, the noise from the surrounding diners was too loud. Though the private room wasn’t entirely soundproof, Li Ming couldn’t make out anything clearly.

After a fruitless attempt at eavesdropping, he was just about to give up and leave when suddenly, the door to the private room swung open! A figure stormed out in a rage.

"Miss Tan! You’d better think carefully. In City S, you should know—what others can do, I can do. What others can’t do, I can. What others don’t dare to do, I dare! And what I want to do… others wouldn’t dare!"

"If you walk away now… if you refuse to give me face, then your matter—no one else can handle it but me. Think carefully."

A man’s voice called out from inside the room, stopping Tan Chengcheng in her tracks.

Hearing his words, Tan Chengcheng’s elegant demeanor vanished. Her delicate brows furrowed, her expression conflicted, but in the end, she regained her composure. Turning back, she replied coldly to the man inside.

"Thank you for your advice, Director Zhang. However, the condition you mentioned is something I cannot accept. If you’re willing to help, I’m prepared to double the payment! And besides that, you can name any other condition you’d like!"

Li Ming pricked up his ears, not wanting to miss a single word of this crucial exchange.

But the man inside merely chuckled and responded with feigned politeness.

"Miss Tan, forget about the payment. I’m a man of integrity—I don’t care for such vulgar things. My condition has already been stated. If you agree, stay. If not… feel free to leave."

The threat in his tone was unmistakable. Seeing that the man was immovable, Tan Chengcheng had no choice but to step out of the private room.

Li Ming brushed past her once again, their shoulders nearly touching. Tan Chengcheng naturally noticed him, but her gaze merely flickered over him before moving on. She had no interest in a stranger right now, no matter how slightly handsome he might be.

As Tan Chengcheng walked away, Li Ming debated whether to follow her when another conversation started inside the private room.

"Director Zhang… Miss Tan will definitely come back to you. I’ve already taken care of everything up and down the chain. No matter who she turns to, she’ll only hit a brick wall." A sycophantic voice chimed in, clearly belonging to a lackey.

"Ah! What do you mean ‘taken care of’? We’re just enforcing the rules, ensuring no one disrupts social order. These corrupt individuals who try to bribe their way through—they need someone like me to set them straight! Hahaha!" Director Zhang delivered his righteous speech with such conviction that even he couldn’t help laughing at the end.

"Absolutely! You’re absolutely right! Only you can handle this! Please, enjoy the dishes!" The lackey’s voice piped up at just the right moment.

As Director Zhang’s laughter faded, someone stepped out and closed the door tightly behind them, cutting off any further eavesdropping.

Realizing there was nothing more to hear, Li Ming hurried out of the restaurant, hoping to catch up with Tan Chengcheng. But he was too late—she was already long gone.

With no luck in finding her, Li Ming returned to his car and began the drive back to Black Mountain Prison.

On the road…

Li Ming replayed the scene at the restaurant in his mind. Tan Chengcheng had clearly sought Director Zhang’s help with something, but whatever condition he’d demanded had driven her to leave in anger.

Li Ming figured the only thing that would push her to seek outside help was likely related to Tan Qingqing’s situation.

But it seemed Tan Qingqing was in for disappointment. If money couldn’t sway Director Zhang, then the matter was far more complicated than she’d anticipated.

Li Ming couldn’t help but smirk to himself. If he told Tan Qingqing what he’d witnessed today, she probably wouldn’t be so confident about getting out anymore. The thought amused him.

Though night had fully fallen, the road leading out of City S toward Black Mountain Prison was nearly deserted. After all, who would drive deep into the wilderness in the middle of the night?

Once he left the city and entered the mountain roads, there wasn’t a soul in sight. With no speed limits, Li Ming switched on his high beams and pressed down hard on the accelerator, letting the car fly down the straight road. For once, his mind was blissfully empty.

He realized he didn’t even need to focus much to drive effortlessly. His enhanced physical abilities—like those of a special forces soldier—weren’t just about strength but an all-around upgrade. His reflexes were especially sharp, as if he’d gained years of combat experience out of thin air.

Before long, Li Ming reached the foot of the mountain where Black Mountain Prison stood. Here, he had to slow down and drive more carefully.

Finally, he pulled up to the prison gates, his car swaying slightly as he came to a stop.

The guards on duty spotted the approaching vehicle and immediately trained a spotlight on it, the glare forcing Li Ming to squint. He had no choice but to halt.

Recognizing Li Ming’s car, one of the guards jogged over to greet him.

"Warden Li! Welcome back! I’ll open the gate right away."

"Thanks, good work," Li Ming replied courteously.

"Not at all! I thought you’d be back tomorrow, so I didn’t report your arrival. Sorry about the spotlight—must’ve blinded you for a second."

"Don’t worry about it. You’re doing your job. The stricter, the better—that’s how it should be here." Li Ming waved it off, even praising the guard for his diligence.

As the gates swung open, Li Ming drove in and parked. Glancing up, he noticed the light in Lin Xi’s office was still on. She must still be awake.

He couldn’t help but think how hardworking she was—either up at dawn or burning the midnight oil.

Grabbing the takeout bags, Li Ming took the elevator up and knocked on her office door.

Knock knock knock!

Knock knock knock!

After two rounds of knocking, Lin Xi finally opened the door.

Contrary to his expectations, she wasn’t working. Instead, she had changed into a spaghetti-strap nightgown, her fair shoulders and delicate collarbones on full display—along with the soft curves of her chest, which immediately caught Li Ming’s attention.

"Uh…"

"Hm? You’re back? What are you doing here so late?" Lin Xi’s voice snapped him out of his daze.

"Oh! Right! Haha! I brought you food from Jade Pavilion. It won’t taste as good if it sits too long. Here, try it."

...