Zhang Wenhai's expression shifted repeatedly upon hearing Li Ming's words, but in the end, he deflated like a punctured balloon.
Glaring at the sharp-eyed, imposing figure of Li Ming before him, he spat venomously, "Don't get too cocky, kid! Sure, I’m down today, but don’t think you’ve won! That recording you sneaked might not even hold up in court. Who knows if it’s legal evidence? I’m still the bureau chief—you think a little scare tactic will make me fold? Dream on! Remember, this is my turf. Cross me, and you’ll regret it!"
His tone was icy, the threat unmistakable.
Most people might have been intimidated, but Zhang Wenhai had picked the wrong man to mess with.
Li Ming merely smirked, unfazed, even casually picking at his ear. Did Zhang Wenhai really think he couldn’t be taken down without a recording? The recording was just an excuse—a formality. The man clearly had no idea who Lin Xi’s father was. Someone who sat at the same table as Li Ming’s own father. The mere mention would probably make Zhang Wenhai piss his pants.
Lin Xi wasn’t just a deputy warden because that was all she could achieve. She’d climbed the ranks step by step without exploiting her father’s influence to bend the rules. Unlike Zhang Wenhai, who’d been handed his warden position through a single order from Old Li.
Back when Li Ming was still a muddle-headed kid, Lin Xi had been one of the few playmates around him. People like them were born straddling the line between rules and exceptions. Their upbringing taught them not to break the rules lightly—but not that they couldn’t.
Li Ming’s father had once told him: If you can shine in your role, contribute, and prove your capability, strength, and boldness—you can take anyone’s seat. No one will accuse you of breaking the rules. Instead, they’ll support you, respect you, even admire you. The key isn’t whether you break the rules, but what breaking them achieves.
Back then, Li Ming hadn’t fully grasped it. Now, he was starting to understand.
---
Li Ming didn’t have to wait long before hurried footsteps echoed outside the door. A group of people flooded into the room.
At the forefront were two men in navy-blue uniforms, their chests adorned with special insignias. Their eyes swept the room before landing on Li Ming.
"Hello, Warden Li Ming? I’m Inspector Li Tao, and this is my colleague, Guo Shan. We’re here under orders to investigate Zhang Wenhai’s case. Thank you for providing the evidence—we’ll take it from here. These two are coming with us."
Li Ming shook their hands and nodded. "Appreciate your efforts. Take them. If you need anything, just call."
"Understood, Warden Li. Goodbye."
Efficient as ever, they entered, exchanged brief words, and hauled away a stunned Zhang Wenhai and his brother-in-law.
The moment Zhang Wenhai saw the inspectors, his bravado vanished. He didn’t even resist as they dragged him off. Before leaving, he turned back, his eyes wide with terror and confusion, silently screaming at Li Ming: Why the inspectors?! Why them?! Who the hell are you?!
(Inspectors: A special branch in Dragon Country with oversight and investigative authority over officials at all levels. Highest-ranking officer: Lin Aiguo.)
---
Once Zhang Wenhai was gone, Li Ming returned to the table, where Tan Chengcheng lay in a drunken stupor.
By now, she’d abandoned all pretense of decorum. Her high heels had been kicked aside, revealing delicate, pink-tinged feet. His gaze traveled upward—smooth, slender legs on full display, the buttons of her qipao undone, exposing a graceful neckline that dipped into shadowed depths.
Li Ming averted his eyes. Alone with her like this, he wasn’t sure he could control himself.
Leaving her slumped in a chair wasn’t an option. Steeling himself, he muttered a quick prayer before scooping her up in a bridal carry.
In a few strides, he laid her gently on the bed, exhaling in relief as he sat beside her.
She was too drunk to move. Best to let her sleep it off here.
Just as he rose to leave for the adjacent room, Tan Chengcheng stirred, roused by his touch.
"Li Ming…"
"You’re awake? How do you feel? Need to vomit?" he asked quickly.
She’d downed drink after drink to help him secure evidence. He owed her, and that debt softened his tone.
"I’m… fine. Just dizzy. Where’s Zhang Wenhai?"
She swayed as she sat up, leaning against the headboard.
"The inspectors took him. Don’t worry—he’ll get what’s coming to him," Li Ming assured her with a smile.
"Oh… good." Her words slurred slightly. "Li Ming… you’ll keep your promise, right? Make sure my sister has an easier time in prison?"
Though slightly more coherent, she was still flushed, her movements sluggish, her hands slow to respond.
"Of course. I’ll pull her from factory duty and assign her something lighter. But you’ll need to talk to her—help her accept the situation."
He reclined against the headboard, arms behind his head, already planning. Not just for Tan Qingqing, but Wang Xin too. Now that they had… history, he’d find them both cushy jobs.
Tan Chengcheng nodded—then suddenly collapsed into his lap. Whether intentional or alcohol-induced, he couldn’t tell.
"Li Ming… My sister and I only had each other all these years. Hurting her is like hurting me. Now that she’s stuck inside… I’m leaving everything to you…"
He caught her, steadying her against him. The air between them thickened, charged with something unspoken.
Ahem. "Miss Tan, after the help you’ve given me today, I won’t forget it. Count on me. I’ll also arrange for your sister to participate in sentence-reduction programs. But the main issue is her financial fraud charge. If we can overturn that, she won’t serve much time."
Legal battles weren’t his forte, though.
"Here’s what we’ll do—gather the trial records and evidence. I’ll hire a lawyer. You’ll work with them to see if we can get her case reopened."
Gratitude welled in her eyes, overflowing. She nodded, docile. To her, Li Ming was a beacon of hope—someone she instinctively trusted.
"You must know some capable lawyers, right? The one we hired at a high price earlier promised us confidently before the trial, but after it started, he said the evidence was solid and there was no room for negotiation—we just had to accept the court's verdict. I almost felt like he was a mole sent by the opposition. Not a single year was shaved off that 25-year sentence."
"There are lawyers like that? When the time comes, show her this lawyer’s contact information and details. It might just be the breakthrough we need. I think there’s a real possibility..."
Tan Chengcheng nodded again. She had her suspicions too, but she hadn’t had the time to investigate, busy as she was trying to pull her sister out of this mess.
The room fell silent for a moment... Li Ming helped Tan Chengcheng lean back against the headboard, and the two sat side by side.
Meanwhile, Li Ming’s thoughts drifted to a memory—that famous, formidable female lawyer who once dominated the courtroom and commanded respect. She was also the ex-girlfriend who had stood out among countless women and taken his first time: Xu Qinghuan!
Just as Li Ming was lost in reminiscing about their past, Tan Chengcheng’s voice suddenly broke the quiet of the room.
"Li Ming... take me..."
...