Shocking Tragic News

Li Ming motioned to the second warden with a slight tilt of his chin, signaling her to wake Tan Qingqing.

The second warden curled her lips in disdain, thinking to herself, What’s the point of pretending now? If she’s your woman, wake her up yourself instead of trying to keep up appearances. Tch!

But she only dared to think it. Stepping forward, she gave Tan Qingqing, who was deep in sleep, a firm shake.

Tan Qingqing felt the push and, in her dazed state, tumbled face-first into a mountain of clothes. She flailed her limbs, struggling to get up, but couldn’t find her footing.

From Li Ming and the second warden’s perspective, Tan Qingqing suddenly started swimming in place on the bed, her face twisted in panic—yet her eyes remained tightly shut.

The two exchanged a glance, their expressions mirroring shock.

Seeing Tan Qingqing’s wild thrashing about to send her tumbling off the bed, Li Ming rushed forward and caught her. He pinned her down, restraining her flailing limbs against the mattress.

"Tan Qingqing! What are you doing?! Wake up!" Li Ming’s voice boomed in her ear.

Finally roused from her nightmare, Tan Qingqing’s eyes flew open. The moment she saw Li Ming still holding her down, she burst into tears.

"WAAAH!!! HELP ME!!!"

Her shriek echoed through the cell block, jolting awake the other inmates. They craned their necks, peering curiously through the observation slots to see what the commotion was about.

The second warden, fed up, stepped forward and—SMACK!—slapped Tan Qingqing hard across the face, cutting off her wails mid-scream.

"What the hell are you screaming for?! Can’t you see people standing right here? Who are you calling for help?! Lost your damn mind?! Sit still!" The second warden planted her hands on her hips, berating Tan Qingqing without mercy.

Terrified into silence, Tan Qingqing immediately clamped her mouth shut, not daring to let out another sob.

Li Ming, who had been shoved away by Tan Qingqing, felt a twisted satisfaction watching her get hit. Screaming for help the second she opens her eyes—if the second warden hadn’t been here, people would’ve thought I did something to her!

Clearing his throat, Li Ming addressed the second warden.

"Alright, now that she’s awake, step outside for a moment. I need to ask her a few questions."

"Yes, Warden!" The second warden obeyed, exiting the cell. By now, she was convinced Li Ming had no special relationship with this inmate—otherwise, why would Tan Qingqing react like that upon seeing him? With no juicy gossip to be had, she left without a second glance.

"What are you all gawking at?! Get back to sleep!" The second warden’s sharp reprimand carried down the hallway, making Tan Qingqing flinch again.

Li Ming studied Tan Qingqing’s pitiful state and felt a twinge of sympathy. Sitting across from her, he hesitated before speaking.

"Tan Qingqing, the reason I came to see you is because I met a woman named Tan Chengcheng outside. You know her, don’t you?"

Tan Qingqing had been curled up on the bed, trembling like a helpless canary, tears streaming silently down her cheeks.

But the moment Li Ming uttered Tan Chengcheng’s name, she bolted upright, locking eyes with him. Her lips parted, but no sound came out.

It wasn’t that she wasn’t curious how Li Ming knew Tan Chengcheng—she was terrified to ask. She dreaded hearing something unbearable from his lips.

Li Ming took her reaction as confirmation. The "family" she had been counting on to get her out was none other than Tan Chengcheng.

Choosing his words carefully, Li Ming recounted what he had witnessed.

"Tan Chengcheng met with a certain Director Zhang at Jade Pavilion for a meal. But their discussion didn’t go well—they parted on bad terms. Tan Chengcheng stormed out, and Director Zhang said something along the lines of, ‘No one else can handle this matter, and no one else would dare.’ He told her to think carefully. If I had to guess, this ‘Director Zhang’ is the big shot you didn’t want to name, isn’t he?"

Li Ming spoke calmly, ensuring every word sank in.

Tan Qingqing’s face grew paler with each sentence, her body beginning to tremble uncontrollably.

Li Ming continued.

"If I’m not mistaken, this Director Zhang is Zhang Wenhai, isn’t he? If he’s your last hope, then I’m afraid you’re in for disappointment. Chances are, you won’t be getting out."

At this, Tan Qingqing’s fingers clenched around the fabric of her clothes, tears spilling freely. Her lips quivered from the force of her shaking.

"I don’t know what conditions Zhang Wenhai demanded from Tan Chengcheng, but judging by how furious she was, it wasn’t something money could solve. You might want to prepare yourself for the next 25 years here."

Li Ming’s tone remained gentle, devoid of any threat or malice. Yet to Tan Qingqing, his words felt like a bucket of ice water dumped over her in the dead of winter.

"C… can I… make a phone call…?"

Tan Qingqing forced the question out through her fear.

Seeing her wilted demeanor, Li Ming was certain his assumptions were correct. He had no issue letting her make the call and pulled out his phone, handing it to her.

But just as Tan Qingqing took it, Li Ming tightened his grip, stopping her. Meeting her confused gaze, he lowered his voice.

"You can make the call—but on one condition."

"Wh… what condition?" Tan Qingqing stammered.

"You can call, but it has to be on speakerphone. If you agree, then go ahead."

Tan Qingqing swallowed hard. After a moment’s hesitation, she nodded. Speakerphone shouldn’t be a problem—she already believed 80-90% of what Li Ming had said. Otherwise, how would he know Tan Chengcheng and Zhang Wenhai’s names?

Only then did Li Ming release the phone.

Tan Qingqing dialed a number, and when "Tan Chengcheng" automatically appeared on the screen, her heart sank further.

Li Ming already has her number… He wasn’t bluffing. I really might be stuck here…

Her hands shook so violently she nearly dropped the phone, letting it slip onto her lap.

Li Ming, noticing her struggle, helped her press the call button and turned on speakerphone.

A prerecorded message played:

"Hello, you’ve reached Qingcheng Pharmaceuticals. We specialize in distribution partnerships, seeking collaborative opportunities for mutual success. I’m Tan Chengcheng. Thank you for your call—please hold, and I’ll answer shortly. If I’m unavailable, I’ll return your call as soon as possible. Once again, thank you for contacting us…"