"I slept very well, thank you, Brother Huang! It's getting late, so let's start the headcount now." Li Ming replied politely, taking the file bag handed over by Yang Yang and began cross-checking the names one by one.
There were 23 female prisoners being transferred this time, and with the escorting prison guards, at least three vehicles were needed. Li Ming held the files and called out the prisoners' names one after another.
"Li Yanan!"
"Here!"
"Guo Ping!"
"Here!"
"Li Meng!"
"Here!"
...
"Tan Qingqing!"
"Here!"
When Li Ming called the last name, he habitually compared the photo in the file with the prisoner in front of him. Staring at Tan Qingqing's photo, his eyebrows rose slightly before he turned his gaze to the owner of the voice.
Tan Qingqing was young, just 24 years old—a vibrant age. With delicate features, a graceful figure, fair skin, and smooth hair, she stood out starkly among the other prisoners, as if she didn’t belong in the same world.
While the other prisoners crouched on the ground, their expressions lifeless and filled with nervousness about being transferred to an unfamiliar place, Tan Qingqing seemed utterly unfazed. Her bright, lively eyes wandered around curiously, and she even stared at Li Ming with keen interest, as if pleasantly surprised to find such a handsome man in prison.
Li Ming locked eyes with her for a second, inwardly startled but showing no outward reaction. Those transferred to Black Mountain Women's Prison were serving sentences of at least 15 years—she must have committed a serious crime.
He closed the files, packed them back into the bag, and signed the document Yang Yang handed him, completing the handover.
"Brother Huang, no time to waste. Now that the handover’s done, I’ll set off right away. I’ll take the lead car—have your men follow as escorts."
"Of course, of course. Everything’s arranged—three vehicles, fully armed, nothing will go wrong. Drive carefully; you should arrive before nightfall." Huang Feihu patted Li Ming’s shoulder and gave him a firm nod.
Li Ming thanked him and wasted no time, getting into the jeep he had driven here with Wang Keyan.
The prisoners were loaded into the three vehicles under the supervision of the guards.
Just as Li Ming was about to depart, Yang Yang stepped out and stopped his car.
"Warden Li! Let me ride with you. I’m the accompanying prison doctor—if anything happens, I can handle it right away." Before he could respond, she had already opened the back door and hopped in.
"Let’s go, Warden Li! Everything’s ready—time to hit the road!" Yang Yang blinked excitedly.
"Ah, sure. But Doctor Yang, have you gone on prisoner transfers like this before?" Li Ming asked, puzzled.
"Of course! I am a prison doctor, after all. I’ve been to Black Mountain Prison a few times with your deputy warden, Lin." Yang Yang kicked off her shoes and sprawled comfortably across the backseat. Being outside the prison inexplicably lifted her mood.
Li Ming didn’t press further, glancing guiltily at Wang Keyan beside him before stepping on the gas and starting the journey back.
With Yang Yang in the car, Wang Keyan wasn’t as talkative as before, reverting to the cool, detached demeanor from her photo. In a way, this aloof version of her was more likable.
Having woken up early, and with the thought of seeing her mother by nightfall, Wang Keyan soon closed her eyes to rest, saving her energy for later.
Meanwhile, Yang Yang lounged in the back, recovering from last night’s exhaustion while chatting with Li Ming.
"Warden Li, I heard your prison’s doctor is also a beauty. But unlike me, she’s a top graduate—studied at a prestigious medical school and worked in major hospitals. No idea why she gave up a promising career to become a prison doctor, but she’s quite famous!"
"Oh? Really? I haven’t been here long, so I hadn’t heard." Li Ming tensed slightly at the mention of Xia Hong, the doctor who had conducted his physical exam—he still harbored some resentment.
"What a shame. If I had her skills, I’d never work in a prison. A hospital’s where I’d shine—a career woman by day, a city beauty by night, balancing work and life perfectly. Sounds like a dream!" Yang Yang sighed, resting her head on her arms wistfully.
"You’re still young—you could always go back for further studies," Li Ming suggested, glancing at her through the rearview mirror. She had taken off her uniform jacket, leaving only a shirt that clung tightly to her figure. Even without trying, he could catch glimpses of her black bra through the gaps between the buttons.
"Ugh, some things just come down to talent. Honestly, I learn everything slowly. Back when I was interning at the hospital, my peers were already assisting in surgeries while I was still stuck doing basic tasks. Eventually, I gave up—that’s how I ended up in prison." Yang Yang shrugged, as if to say she’d tried but fate had other plans.
"So what’s next? Just keep coasting as a prison doctor? Any other ambitions?" Li Ming asked curiously.
"Of course not!" Yang Yang sat up abruptly, her eyes burning with determination.
"Warden Li! I want to move up! Even if I’m slow, I’m desperate to improve! I want out of the prison—it’s too suffocating. Even a minor position would do, as long as it’s stable, with a place to live so I can bring my mother over. And then… if possible, I’d like to have a child! After that, I’d aim higher, see the world the way those elites do! I don’t want men leering at me anymore—I want their respect, even fear! Li Ming, I want to climb!" Yang Yang’s voice grew fervent.
"Ahem!" Li Ming coughed awkwardly, stealing a glance at Wang Keyan in the passenger seat. Thankfully, she was fast asleep. He exhaled in relief.
"Doctor Yang, calm down—I get it, I get it!" Li Ming turned back, exasperated.
Seeing he wasn’t dismissing her, Yang Yang grinned, shooting him a playful glare before lying back down.
"Warden Li, I’m not pressuring you. It’s just… somehow, when I talk to you, I can’t help spilling my deepest thoughts—like you’re the one person I trust most. And we’ve only known each other for two days. Weird, huh?" She scratched her head, genuinely puzzled.
Li Ming felt even guiltier, silently marveling at the power of his "skills."
The convoy pressed on. Since no one had eaten yet, Yang Yang directed them to stop at a supply point for breakfast.
After a quick meal, they resumed the journey.
Yang Yang and Wang Keyan switched seats so Wang Keyan could sleep more comfortably in the back. She was still drowsy, and the meal had only made her sleepier.
The car moved forward, swaying gently, lulling Wang Keyan back into slumber.
...