Just as everyone was about to leave with He Da Dong, another figure came into their view.
Susan walked in through the main entrance of the casino.
She must have already settled Lao Feng before coming here to meet up with Qian Chuan and Chuan Liu.
At this moment, she changed into a wine-red long dress, the color as rich and deep as red wine, shimmering with an alluring luster. Her steps were light yet firm, each step making a crisp sound on her high heels, like a moving melody.
Seeing Chuanliu, Qianchuan, and these people together, a hint of surprise flashed in her eyes, but she quickly regained her composure. She smiled and said, "It seems I've come at just the right time; I've run into so many people all at once."
"Sister Susan."
He Dadong, Zhuang Qiang, Wang Shuo, and Xiao Yao greeted him respectfully.
Although Susan, as the "10 of Hearts," did not wield real power at the Hearts Casino, she was their de facto leader.
Susan nodded slightly, her gaze lingering on He Dadong and Zhuang Qiang for a moment before asking, "Why aren't you two staying on your own turf? Why are you at the casino instead? Aren't you afraid your boss will find out?"
He Da Dong chuckled awkwardly and replied, "As long as Sister Susan doesn't tell the boss, he won't know."
The woman smiled. "What are you all doing here?"
He Dadong: "With the arrival of the leaders from the City of Cubes, my brothers and I plan to host a welcome dinner for you two."
Seeing this, Wang Shuo quickly interjected, "Hehe, actually it's mainly Brother Da Dong who's treating. Xiao Yao and I are just here to freeload and get some free food."
He Da Dong chuckled twice, then looked at Susan and suggested, "Since Sister Susan is here, it must be fate. Why don't we go together?"
Susan's gaze swept over the He brothers, Da Dong and Zhuang Qiang, before she readily agreed, "Alright, since the host has invited me, I won't stand on ceremony."
Five official residents of the City of Hearts, along with two VIPs from the City of Squares, left the Casino of Hearts and headed to the red-light district of the City of Hearts.
By this time, the sun had quietly set, and a faint twilight was beginning to fall on the horizon. As if summoned by some unseen force, the neon lights of the City of Hearts lit up, adorning the entire area with vibrant colors.
The streets and alleys were enveloped in the highly saturated colors of these neon lights, creating a dreamlike world. A soft pink halo bathed the enchanting storefronts, making them appear even more mysterious and alluring. Blue and purple light strips intertwined, illuminating the mysterious blush on the faces of passersby.
On the street, some people carry bottles of liquor, their eyes glazed over as they look around, seemingly searching for their next place to have some fun; others, dressed in revealing clothes, lean against glass windows, casting flirtatious glances at passersby; still others emerge from a shop with a satisfied look on their faces, while bursts of laughter and chatter emanate from inside, inviting them to come back again.
The red-light district is undoubtedly a place on Paradise Island comparable to a paradise of debauchery. It is a gathering place for all sorts of people, including regulars, curious first-timers, and service workers.
And then night quietly ushered in this revelry.
As the "host" of the red-light district, He Dadong naturally walked at the front. He would occasionally tidy his slicked-back hair and strut around with an air of nonchalance, acting as if he were at home.
As he walked, he greeted the shop owners along the roadside with familiarity, occasionally eliciting bursts of laughter from some of the brothel owners.
The group followed He Da Dong's footsteps, traversing the main streets of the red-light district.
Zhuang Qiang, with his unique "insensitivity," quickly adjusted his state and began talking with Chuan Liu and the others. He appeared unusually enthusiastic, as if he wanted to wipe away the previous embarrassment.
"Miss Chuanliu, I was truly blind to your greatness just now and offended you greatly. Please forgive me and don't hold it against me."
As Zhuang Qiang spoke, he apologized to Chuan Liu, "Da Dong and I will treat you to dinner later. Please feel free to order whatever you like, don't be shy."
Seeing this, Susan gently put her arm around Chuanliu's arm and teased, "Qiang, you've really forgotten your old flame with the new one. You're only concerned with pleasing Chuanliu and don't even care about your sister Susan anymore?"
Zhuang Qiang quickly smiled apologetically, "Not at all, Susan, you can order whatever you like too. I don't mean to favor one over the other."
He scratched his cheek, looking somewhat awkward.
Susan's eyes crinkled as she gazed at He Da Dong's retreating figure, seemingly lost in thought. She suddenly asked, "You're hosting a dinner party here, where's your boss?"
Zhuang Qiang replied, "Brother Long is probably busy with something else, and he probably won't be able to make it back today."
Upon hearing this, a sly glint flashed in Susan's eyes, and she pressed on, "Oh? Jiulong also went to Plum Blossom City?"
Zhuang Qiang seemed a little confused, scratched his head and said, "I'm not too sure either, anyway, the boss set off with Brother Da Dong..."
Before he could finish speaking, He Dadong overheard him.
He Dadong strode over, slapped Zhuang Qiang on the head, and then explained to Susan, "Sister Susan, don't listen to his nonsense. How would we know Brother Long's itinerary? He's so busy, we don't even know where he is."
Upon hearing this, a hint of a smile flashed in Susan's eyes. She said jokingly, "Isn't Jiulong your boss? How could you not know? Are you trying to fool me?"
He Dadong quickly denied it, saying, "Sister Susan, you're wronging us. Although Brother Long is our boss, he's also the 'Nine of Hearts,' so his whereabouts are naturally not something we can pry into. Our 'boss' is always the 'Ace of Hearts,' and you know that better than anyone."
Chuanliu listened silently to the conversation between Susan and the other two; their relationship didn't seem as harmonious as it appeared.
It wasn't until He Da Dong revealed that the "Ku Long" he mentioned was the "Nine of Hearts" that Chuan Liu realized the problem.
It's the same old debate—the "9" versus "10" controversy.
Undoubtedly, He Da Dong's answer was almost flawless, shutting down Susan's words, but the conversation had already revealed many details.
Jiulong, He Dadong, and Zhuang Qiang are respectively "9 of Hearts", "8 of Hearts" and "7 of Hearts".
The three brothers are the main people in charge of the red-light district, and this small team led by Jiulong seems to have some unknown connection with Plum Blossom City.
However, it is clear that the conflict between Susan and Jiulong is not like that of the previous Spade City or Diamond City, where it was a fight to the death.
At least on the surface, they can still chat and laugh politely.
After walking for a while, He Dadong led the group to a shop with a sign that read "Drunk Bar".
However, Susan frowned and asked, "Weren't we supposed to be having dinner? Why did you bring us to your shop?"
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
