This beautiful woman was someone Chuan Liu recognized; she was one of the high-ranking officials in Plum Blossom City.
— "Clever Sister" of "Club K".
Qiao Jie also saw Chuan Liu immediately.
Chuanliu's hand was still on Hou Yifan's arm.
Before Chuanliu could react, Hou Yifan took two steps to the side, as if to show his stance, and moved further away from the girl.
Qiao Jie seemed not to notice the subtle movement and walked straight towards Chuan Liu, her eyes crinkling with a smile, "Little sister, you've come?"
Li Quanyou and Hou Yifan were both taken aback at first, then the former stood up and asked, "Sister Qiao, do you know her?"
The woman nodded. "I have such a strong connection with Chuanliu."
A fair hand gently patted Chuanliu's head, as if she were talking to her own younger sister.
Chuanliu responded enthusiastically, "Sister Qiao, it's been so long! You've become more and more beautiful!"
The girl's sincere praise made Qiao Jie giggle repeatedly, which made Li Quanyou's gaze even more fixed on her.
Then, Qiao Jie's gaze swept across the conference room like spring water, lingering on Wu Fangming and Qian Chuan for a few more moments.
"Yifan, your place is really lively! Even Brother Qian Liu, who hasn't been here for two years, and this mysterious 'Ten of Spades' from Spade City are here. We, the City of Clubs, are truly honored."
She moved gracefully toward Wu Fangming, each step like an elegant dance.
Her voice was like the melodious strains of silk and bamboo instruments by the river, melodious and pleasing to the ear.
"Hello, I'm 'Plum Blossom K' from Plum Blossom City. Everyone calls me Sister Qiao, or... if you prefer, you can call me something else."
This was Wu Fangming's first meeting with the higher-ups of Plum Blossom City. He stood up, his gaze lingering on Sister Qiao for a moment before he formally clasped his hands in a fist and palm salute. "Hello, Sister Qiao, I am Wu Fangming, 'Ten of Spades' from Spade City. I didn't expect you to recognize me."
Qiao Jie smiled gently, like a spring breeze. "It's hard not to recognize you. 'The Ten of Spades' keeps a low profile, and his men are all burly, muscular men. Your men have surrounded our City of Clubs so tightly, it's quite conspicuous."
Although she said this, there was not a trace of displeasure in her tone, which made people feel particularly comfortable, and her watery eyes were full of affection.
"Sister Qiao, please don't blame me. My boys were just trying to save me."
Wu Fangming ignored Qiao Jie's flirtatious advances and continued to answer in a serious and methodical manner.
At this moment, Qiao Jie had already walked to the main seat in the conference room. Li Quan immediately set up a chair for her and stood silently behind her.
The woman saw the two "Club Twos" on the table and naturally picked them up and started fiddling with them.
Then, she said reproachfully, "This is also Quan You's fault. Why didn't you make proper arrangements for our brothers from Spade City when they came to visit?"
It seems that the higher-ups at Plum Blossom are already aware of this.
And Sister Qiao was there to solve this problem.
Hou Yifan wiped away imaginary sweat from his forehead. Right now, all he wanted was to minimize the damage and let things slide.
"You're right."
When Sister Qiao spoke, Li Quan had no more complaints. He obediently nodded and then whispered instructions to his subordinates.
"No need to trouble yourself. We have quite a few people with us this time. Let's clear things up today and then head back so as not to cause any more trouble for your esteemed place."
Wu Fangming said stiffly.
If it weren't for Hou Yifan's repeated provocations, he really wouldn't want to stay in this filthy place full of corpses any longer.
Chuanliu continued, "The main reason we're here today is because of my assassination attempt. Boss Hou, Boss Li, and all of us agree that the mastermind behind it is someone from Plum Blossom City. Right?"
As if seeking their approval, the girl looked at Hou and Li.
Hou Yifan and Boss Li looked at each other, and finally could only nod reluctantly, acknowledging this deduction.
“But now it’s all right,” Chuanliu continued, “Boss Hou just said he will help me find the murderer and give me justice.”
As she spoke, she naturally took Hou Yifan's arm, appearing quite friendly.
Hou Yifan chuckled awkwardly and withdrew his arm slightly. "It's what I should do."
Qiao Jie smiled with satisfaction, her tone revealing a hint of decisiveness: "Now that things have been discussed openly, things are much easier. However, since Hou Yifan and Li Quan have failed in their duties, as a high-ranking official in Plum Blossom City, I naturally cannot stand idly by."
As she spoke, she tore the two "club 2" cards in her hand into pieces, as casually as tearing two pieces of paper.
Then she turned to the two of them, a thoughtful glint in her eyes.
"Yifan and Quanyou are incompetent and have made the adults of Spade and Diamond go through all the trouble. What should I do?"
Hou and Li exchanged a glance.
Li Quanyou stepped forward and replied, "We are willing to accept punishment and follow the arrangements of the higher-ups."
Qiao Jie nodded slightly, her delicate hand tracing across Li Quanyou's chest. She gave him an appreciative look before slowly speaking, "I am deeply gratified that you have such awareness. However, Plum Blossom City has its own rules, and mistakes must be punished."
She paused for a moment, then continued, "Here's what we'll do: you two will be punished by having to strengthen patrols and security in Plum Blossom City for the next week, and strictly control the entry and exit of people from the main city."
Furthermore, you should personally apologize to the leaders of Spades and Diamonds; that would be a way of expressing our sincerity.
It's that same kind of painless punishment again.
The two were overjoyed, especially Hou Yifan, who nodded repeatedly.
The two solemnly apologized to Wu Fangming, Chuanliu, and the others.
After all, apologizing won't kill them.
Chuanliu stared intently at the woman before him. Qiaojie's arrival undoubtedly eased the previous stalemate, but it also caused the assassination attempt to come to nothing.
Qiao Jie's ability to maintain her position as the "King of Clubs" is not solely due to her appearance.
On this paradise island, beauty may bring temporary convenience, but it cannot give one a foothold.
After calming himself down, Chuanliu said seemingly casually, "I've long heard that Plum Blossom City is heavily guarded. Seeing it today, it's truly something we should learn from."
"Oh? Where did you get that idea?"
"I asked curiously," Qiao Jie asked.
Chuanliu then added, "I heard that two years ago, Plum Blossom City emerged unscathed from the fierce conflict on Paradise Island."
Upon hearing this, Qian Chuan couldn't help but glance at Chuan Liu, thinking to herself: She really is still investigating what happened two years ago.
He frowned slightly, but said nothing more.
Qiao Jie laughed and said, "You're interested in what happened two years ago?"
“Let’s learn from his advanced experience,” Chuanliu nodded generously, then joked, “I asked Brother Qian Liu, but he said I had to pay him to ask me questions. My curiosity just wouldn’t go away, sigh.”
Qiao Jie smiled slightly, glanced at Qian Chuan beside her, and said meaningfully, "It's no wonder that Brother Qian Liu doesn't want to talk about it. Anyone who has experienced those things would suffer emotional trauma."
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
