Chapter 96: The Iron Banner Society

"The relationship is bad. Boss, are you planning to deal with him?" Zhou Xiaoyu, though finding it unlikely, could only speculate as such. Qin Xuan and Li Shihao were like oil and water, and now that Qin Xuan was asking about the Municipal Party Secretary, it certainly wasn't for anything good.

"Mm. That's good," Qin Xuan replied, a cold gleam flashing in his eyes.

Zhou Xiaoyu felt a chill just seeing it and couldn't help but worry, "Boss, if you want to go after him, you'll have to rely on connections, and that's no small move..."

"Don't worry, I know what I'm doing." With that assurance from Qin Xuan, Zhou Xiaoyu departed, still puzzled.

Qin Xuan turned around and glanced at Dongfang Qingwan. "Qingwan, let's eat outside before heading back. I've already called Brother Fu and told him not to come; Teacher Su will drive us home."

A hint of surprise flashed in Dongfang Qingwan's eyes, but she nodded obediently.

Liu Qianqian, however, wore a troubled expression. "What if Narcissus has already prepared dinner at home?"

"I don't think so," Qin Xuan guessed. "She was badly injured last night. Didn't I tell her to rest well?"

"But I think Narcissus is quite stubborn," Liu Qianqian voiced her thoughts.

"...Well, there's nothing we can do. We can't just go home, find there's no dinner, and then head back out, can we?" Qin Xuan said helplessly.

Just then, Su Muqing drove up beside the three. Qin Xuan waved, and everyone got into the car one after another. This scene once again astonished the students passing by.

Yesterday's tale of one man and three women ended quietly—could today be the sequel?

Wang Xiang happened to pass by at that moment, consumed by bitterness. Suddenly, he thought of something and took out his phone to dial a number. "Hello? Brother Li? It's Wang Xiang... Yes, I just saw Su Muqing and that kid Qin Xuan heading out together. There are two other beauties with them, both campus queens among this year's freshmen. What do you think..."

"No wonder she wouldn't come to my gathering. Turns out she's gotten cozy with Qin Xuan. Don't worry, Wang Xiang, he'll get what's coming to him soon. Just follow the plan, and you'll be well rewarded." Li Shihao's sly voice came through the line. "As for those two campus queens, hmph, I won't let them off easily either."

Li Shihao hung up, leaving Wang Xiang with a cruel look on his face. He watched the Chevrolet disappear into the distance, contempt flickering across his eyes. Opposing the Li family? Clearly, they're courting disaster!

...

"Qingwan, here, eat more," Liu Qianqian said, continuously piling food onto Dongfang Qingwan's plate in a Chinese restaurant.

"That's enough, Qianqian. You should eat more yourself. My stomach is small—I can't eat much," Dongfang Qingwan replied, a bit embarrassed.

"I'm never shy about food." Liu Qianqian giggled. "It's just that you seem a bit down. No matter what happens, you should be happy, otherwise life is just suffering."

"Down? Am I?" Dongfang Qingwan muttered, feeling stifled.

"Still not? You barely talk these days. Girls nowadays need to be lively." Liu Qianqian placed another chicken drumstick on her plate.

Qin Xuan sat quietly nearby, eating without interjecting.

Due to the mysterious Yin constitution, Dongfang Qingwan was not only physically frail but also somewhat reserved and silent. Though kind-hearted, gentle, and considerate, few ever truly experienced it. Most unfamiliar with her assumed she was cold, but that wasn't the case.

"I hope she'll be better after her eighteenth birthday," Qin Xuan wished silently.

Just then, Su Muqing, seated beside Qin Xuan, glanced toward the restaurant entrance and suddenly frowned.

Qin Xuan noticed and looked up, spotting a group of thuggish-looking men swaggering into the restaurant. The leader, a bald man in sunglasses, strode up to the cashier and slammed the counter hard, snarling, "Where's last month's protection money? It's overdue by days. Are you planning not to pay?"

The cashier girl was terrified. "S-sir, you'll have to ask our boss about that..."

"Ask your boss, my foot!" The bald man spat to the side. "Where's your boss? Get him out here. He must be tired of living."

"I—I’ll go get him right away..." The cashier girl scurried off in fright, but after a while, she returned alone, trembling. "S-sir, our boss said... said to owe it for now, he'll bring it personally next time..."

"What?" The bald man raised his voice, staring at the cashier girl and clicking his tongue. "Not bad, not bad. With those curves, you must be quite something to play with. Since your boss isn't sincere, we'll just have to take you first."

"Ah? S-sir..." The cashier girl was petrified.

Everyone in the restaurant was drawn to the scene, and Su Muqing could no longer stand by. As the bald man reached out to grab the cashier, Su Muqing stood up.

"Stop!" Her voice was clear, melodious, and instantly silenced the restaurant.

"Who dares meddle in the affairs of the Iron Banner Society?" The bald man turned, ready to act tough and accuse, but when he saw Su Muqing, he froze, nearly drooling.

A goddess! She wore a white blouse that accentuated her curves, her slender waist inviting admiration, long legs clad in black stockings exuding endless allure, and her elegant, confident air was unmistakable. Seeing her face, the bald man was completely overwhelmed.

Beautiful! Beautiful! Beautiful! Beautiful! Those words echoed in his mind.

"Iron Banner Society?" Su Muqing said nonchalantly, coldly fixing her gaze on him. "Who sent you to collect protection money? The Li family?"

"What’s it to you? Heh, girl, what's wrong? Admiring big brother now?" The bald man chuckled and sauntered over, casting a lewd glance at Su Muqing.

"Watch your eyes," Qin Xuan said, standing up to shield Su Muqing, looking at the bald man with interest. From Su Muqing’s words, it seemed the Iron Banner Society was a triad under the Li family’s control.

Meeting them today confirmed their arrogance and disregard for law and order.

"Screw your grandmother’s legs!" The bald man cursed and swung a slap. The four henchmen behind him quickly encircled them.

Sensing a fight about to break out, many diners stood up and moved away. Some left without even paying, seizing the opportunity.

Smack!

A crisp sound echoed through the restaurant.

Of course, Qin Xuan didn't let the slap land. Instead, he blocked the man's hand and countered with a slap of his own, instantly causing the bald man's face to swell up on one side.

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[Once again, asking for flowers and favorites. Your support is the greatest encouragement for the author. The Sword Emperor won’t have any recommendations next week, so whether it stays on the new book chart is up to everyone!]