Hard to Tell True from False

The inmates lined up to enter the cafeteria, methodically collecting their meals and utensils before sitting at tables not far from Li Ming, eating while eyeing him as if he were a side dish to go with their food.

From time to time, they whispered among themselves, discussing the handsome new warden.

Li Ming couldn’t quite handle their gazes, so he casually strolled around the dining hall. To his surprise, he spotted a few young female inmates with striking figures and pretty faces.

It made him think that being a warden wasn’t such a bad job after all.

Of course, looking was one thing—he had no improper thoughts about these prisoners. His own life and theirs were like parallel lines, never meant to intersect.

Suddenly, a commotion caught his attention. He turned to see two inmates at a table he had just passed—both now standing, glaring at each other as if ready to throw hands at any moment.

Lin Xi and the patrolling guards also noticed the situation and hurried over.

"What are you doing?! Why are you standing?! Sit down and eat properly!" The officer from the second block snapped, her face darkening when she realized both troublemakers were from her unit.

"Officer, she spat in my food!" A slender young woman spoke up first, pointing an accusing finger.

"What? 1746! Did you spit in her food?" The officer immediately turned to the shorter, stockier inmate.

"Officer, I didn’t!" 1746 raised her hand, expression unchanging.

"3057! She says she didn’t do it. What do you have to say for yourself?" The officer shifted her glare to the thinner inmate.

"Officer, look! Her spit is right here! She’s lying to you!" 3057 hastily lifted her tray as evidence.

The officer frowned, inspecting the plate—sure enough, there was saliva.

Before she could question further, 1746 cut in, "Who’s to say she didn’t spit in it herself just to frame me?"

"Bullshit! You did it and now you’re trying to weasel out of it!" 3057 snapped, her temper flaring.

"Enough! 1746, you’d better tell the truth. The warden is right here—don’t make trouble for me!" The officer’s voice was venomous, her eyes practically screaming that she’d love to slap some sense into the troublemaker.

1746 flinched, then quickly backtracked. "Officer, she was badmouthing our new warden! Said he was just a pretty boy, no good at all! I got mad and spat at her!"

"What?! 3057, you’ve got some nerve! Talking trash about the warden?! Sit down and finish every last bite on that plate! If I see even a single grain left, you’re spending three days in solitary!" The officer was livid, jabbing a finger at the saliva-smeared tray.

"No—no, Officer! I didn’t say that! I said the warden was handsome! She heard me and spat at me! I’m innocent!" 3057 protested desperately.

"Shut it! Sit down and eat! Don’t make me repeat myself, or you can skip the meal and go straight to solitary for a week!" The officer wasn’t having it. She shoved 3057 back into her seat and pointed at the plate.

Across the table, 1746 smirked and resumed eating, thoroughly pleased with herself.

Meanwhile, Li Ming, who had been observing the whole scene, suddenly heard a voice in his head:

Mission issued: Two inmates are fighting because of you. One who admires you is being framed. As the warden, you must uphold justice, uncover the truth, and clear her name.

Reward: A sixth sense—when someone tries to deceive you, you’ll instinctively know.

Failure penalty: Everyone you speak to will instinctively try to deceive you for fun. Achievement unlocked: Idiot Warden.

Li Ming blinked, processing the task. Then, without hesitation, he stepped forward and snatched the spoon from 3057’s hand just as she was about to take a bite.

"Warden, this—" The officer stared, unsure if Li Ming was playing hero, trying to win favor, or planning something even worse for 3057.

Li Ming calmly waved her off. Then, glancing between the two inmates, he spoke coolly:

"One of you is lying to me. I don’t have the time or patience to figure out who. So, neither of you will eat. Both of you—seven days in solitary. Any objections?" He then turned to the block officer.

"Warden… no, no objections." The officer was stunned. She’d heard Li Ming was petty, but this was next-level—better to punish both than let a liar slip through.

"What?! Warden, I was defending you! You can’t punish me too! Just lock her up!" 1746 panicked, her face paling. Solitary was hell—she couldn’t last a day, let alone a full week.

3057, however, brightened. "Perfect! Seven days it is! As long as this bitch suffers with me, I’m happy! Seeing her get away with it would’ve been worse than solitary!"

Her earlier misery was gone, replaced by sheer glee. For the first time, solitary sounded like a vacation—as long as 1746 was miserable too.

"Good. Seven days each. Take them away." Li Ming gestured to the officer.

As the officer moved to comply, 1746 burst into tears. "Warden, this is unfair! Seven days will kill me! Please, I’m begging you—I’ll kneel! Don’t send me to solitary!"

Lin Xi stepped in. "Warden, solitary is harsh—tiny, pitch-black, no sound. Most people crack after twelve hours. Seven days is excessive. How about three?"

"Three? Fine. Here’s the deal: Whoever confesses and tells the truth gets three days. If you both keep lying, it’s seven."

The moment Li Ming finished speaking, 1746 scrambled on her knees to Lin Xi, clutching at her pants.

"Deputy Warden! Please, help me! Have mercy!"