Tan Chengcheng studied Li Ming in his casual attire.
His handsome features, towering height, upright posture, and an imposing aura that commanded respect even in stillness made him intimidating just by standing there. And Li Ming was so remarkably young!
He looked to be in his early twenties—could there really be a prison warden this young?
Tan Chengcheng felt her trust in Li Ming grow, and she silently steeled her resolve.
"It's me. My name is Li Ming… We have indeed met once before," Li Ming said, extending his hand as Tan Chengcheng stepped forward to shake it.
Tan Chengcheng’s face was as exquisitely beautiful as ever, though this time she seemed to have dressed with extra care. She wore a high-slit qipao in a deep blue-green hue, paired with matching high heels. While the outfit itself wasn’t particularly unique, on her, it became extraordinary. She stood at least 1.7 meters tall, her long, slender legs revealing generous glimpses of snow-white skin with every step.
Her waist was so narrow it seemed one could encircle it with a single hand, while the striking curves of her bust and hips formed a flawless S-shape, even surpassing her younger sister’s figure.
Every time Li Ming saw Tan Chengcheng, he couldn’t help but be stunned by her beauty.
"Oh, I thought you looked familiar! But I just couldn’t place where we’d met…" Tan Chengcheng wasn’t just being polite—she genuinely felt she’d seen him before but couldn’t recall when.
Li Ming didn’t keep her guessing. "Emerald Pavilion. When you were negotiating with Zhang Wenhai, I was right outside the door. Coincidentally, I’d gone there that day to order some dishes, so we happened to cross paths."
Tan Chengcheng’s eyes lit up with realization. She remembered now—the handsome young man she’d passed in the hallway after leaving the private room! At the time, she’d been so furious with Zhang Wenhai that she’d only spared him a fleeting glance, never taking a proper look. No wonder she hadn’t recognized him.
"So it was you! How could I have been so blind? Please don’t hold it against me—I never imagined you’d be this young!" Tan Chengcheng smiled warmly.
"Warden Li, let’s continue inside! I’ve prepared food and drinks, just waiting for your esteemed presence."
Li Ming nodded and followed her into the house.
Soon, they entered a lavishly decorated private dining room. At Tan Chengcheng’s signal, the staff swiftly served the dishes and wine before discreetly withdrawing, leaving the two alone.
"Miss Tan, there’s no need for all this. I’ve already said everything over the phone. The only reason I came was to ensure you wouldn’t be deceived by him. Zhang Wenhai did call me today, trying to sound me out, but I won’t cooperate with him," Li Ming declined her toast and cut straight to the point.
Tan Chengcheng showed no sign of offense, her smile unwavering as she shifted her chair closer to Li Ming and downed a small glass of baijiu in one go.
"Warden Li, you’re a perceptive man—and a good one. You’re nothing like that scum Zhang Wenhai. I truly want my sister released. Whatever conditions you name, I’ll fulfill them without hesitation. Even… even the most unreasonable demands. If it means being with you, I’d do so willingly." Her voice was earnest, her large, glistening eyes gazing pleadingly into Li Ming’s.
Yet Li Ming shook his head again.
"Miss Tan, you are undeniably beautiful, with a figure to match, but that’s no reason for me to break the law or bend the rules. Yes, some corrupt officials risk everything for money or lust, abusing their power. But I won’t—and can’t—do that. I advise you to let go of these illusions. If Zhang Wenhai is secretly scheming something…"
"Miss Tan… let me make this clear. Not only will your sister remain imprisoned, but Zhang Wenhai’s career will also be over. Do you understand what I’m saying?"
Li Ming’s words were sharp and unyielding, leaving no room for negotiation. It wasn’t cruelty—it was reality.
Tan Chengcheng’s composure began to crack, but she took a deep breath and poured herself another drink, draining it in one gulp.
"Warden Li, what if… what if both Qingqing and I were with you? We could be your girlfriends or lovers—available whenever you need us, discreet when you don’t. And our money… though it may mean nothing to you, we’d give it all to you. I just don’t want my sister to suffer in there!"
"We’ve relied on each other since we were children! Our parents died young, leaving us nothing. We clawed our way up from nothing—you know how hard that is! Yes, she made mistakes… but we were just trying to survive! Without bribes, our products were blocked from the market. Without smuggling, we couldn’t secure medical supplies. Every pill we sold was genuine! Yet while counterfeiters roam free, they arrested us—and there was never any financial fraud!"
"We only wanted to expand, to bring in partners for regional distribution. But we must’ve crossed someone, because they sent people to ‘collaborate’ with us, only to turn around and accuse us of fraud. And then out of nowhere, they produced evidence of bribery and smuggling! We were framed, Warden Li! My sister isn’t some irredeemable monster—she’s a good person! Please… help us…"
Tears streamed down Tan Chengcheng’s face, her voice trembling as she waited for Li Ming’s response.
But again, he shook his head.
"I still can’t help you… If you truly committed no crimes, I would. But bribery and smuggling did happen. As for the fraud accusation—if what you say is true, I can look into it. But the rest is beyond my power…"
At this, the light in Tan Chengcheng’s eyes finally dimmed.
She had offered everything—her utmost sincerity—yet Li Ming remained unmoved. She was at a loss… Was her sister really doomed to 25 years in that hellish prison?
Seeing her despair, Li Ming felt a pang of sympathy. But the law was unyielding. No matter how good a person Tan Qingqing might be, she had broken the law.
To help her would be to break it himself—especially as someone in his position. He couldn’t knowingly violate the law.
With another shake of his head, Li Ming prepared to leave. He’d said all there was to say. If Tan Chengcheng still refused to accept the truth… there was nothing more he could do.
Just then—
Ding!
A mission notification flashed directly into Li Ming’s mind.
His expression darkened. He’d already used his last mission’s item card—if this one also demanded he save Tan Qingqing, how could he refuse? To save her or not?
Panicked, he quickly checked the mission details:
Mission Issued: The Wretched Souls!
As a prison warden, you’ve learned your inmate’s charges may conceal deeper truths. Will you hold fast to your stance? This devoted sister only wishes to ease her sibling’s suffering. If bending the law isn’t an option, perhaps a slight adjustment within your authority—granting her a less harsh prison life—could suffice.
...