Chapter 36: How Could You Not See This?

In the days that followed, Brother Skull seemed unstoppable. After swallowing up East Street, he took North Street in his stride as well. He had become, without a doubt, the most formidable figure on Night Market Street.

But what was truly astonishing was what he did next. After seizing control of East, West, and North Streets, his first act was to drive out every crook and ne'er-do-well from Night Market Street. He even put up a public notice: no fighting or causing trouble here, and any violators would be dealt with personally.

From a notorious gang leader, he had transformed overnight into Night Market Street’s head of security.

Deep into the night, on South Street, in the luxurious Sky Garden Club, a slender, alluring woman in a violet cheongsam sat gracefully on a lounge chair. Her long, shapely legs, fair and flawless, were elegantly crossed. She slipped off her high heels, massaging her delicate feet with one hand, while the other held a slender jade pipe. Her eyes narrowed seductively, and a faint, teasing smile played on her crimson lips.

“Have you found out about that Skull?” she asked, her voice a melodious purr, lazy yet tinged with dangerous allure.

In front of her, a subordinate stood with his head bowed, not daring to meet her gaze, bowing deeply. “Sister Gardenia… We’ve looked into it… This Skull fellow, he recently made contact with someone named Ling Qiu! He even knelt to Ling Qiu in front of everyone!”

“Ling Qiu?” Sister Gardenia exhaled a languid swirl of smoke, her gaze sultry as silk. “And who exactly is this remarkable person?”

“A… senior in high school,” the subordinate replied.

She paused, tapping her jade pipe lightly. “A high school student?”

“Yes! A student at No. 3 High… And I heard he’s been cast out by a powerful family or something…”

Hearing this, Sister Gardenia narrowed her eyes in thought, then smiled faintly. “It must be that Ling family’s Ling Qiu. I’ve heard he’s a good-for-nothing… But now, it seems this young man is not as simple as he looks.”

“Sister Gardenia… What should we do?”

“What do you mean, what should we do?”

“That Skull… He’s unstoppable right now. East, West, and North Streets are in his grasp. I’m afraid…”

“Afraid he’ll make a move on South Street?” Sister Gardenia’s eyes curved like crescent moons.

The subordinate opened his mouth, then fell silent.

She smiled gently. “Don’t worry about a mere Ling Qiu, or even if the whole Ling family comes here. South Street will always belong to me, Gardenia. Remember this: anyone who dares to covet South Street is courting death.”

Her words were calm, her eyes always smiling, as she languidly exhaled smoke, as though even the illustrious Ling family wasn’t worth her notice.

“Yes, yes!” the subordinate responded, nodding fervently.

Everyone speculated about Sister Gardenia’s background, but nobody could see through her. The only thing known for certain was that her connections were mysterious and formidable.

Three years ago, a well-connected young lord from the provincial capital caused trouble on South Street. He merely exchanged a few harsh words with Sister Gardenia, and that very night, Night Market Street was blocked off. By dawn, several high-ranking figures from the provincial capital arrived, entourages in tow, luxury cars lining the street. Those men knelt there for a full day and night before Sister Gardenia let them take their man away.

But when they did, the troublemaking young lord was barely alive. And even then, those powerful men bowed and scraped, expressing their gratitude with fervor.

The subordinate took his leave.

Sister Gardenia rose slowly, her slender waist swaying with each step, the tight cheongsam tracing the exquisite curves of her breathtaking figure. She took a slow drag from her pipe, lips curling into a smile. “Ling Qiu? A mere high school student cast out by his family, able to bring a ruthless gang leader to his knees… Just what kind of method did you use?”

…

The next day. School. Classroom.

“Class, the college entrance exams are only days away. I hope you’ll all adjust your mindset accordingly,” said the homeroom teacher, clapping his hands. “Now, let’s quiet down and welcome Director Song for a few words!”

Director Song?!

Was it the legendary ice queen, Song Ningxue?

In an instant, the boys erupted into howls of excitement. With graduation looming, they no longer bothered to hide their feelings, blushing as they applauded wildly.

Ice queen or not, there was no denying that Song Ningxue was the very embodiment of every man’s dream—a rare beauty that countless men yearned for.

“Quiet down, everyone,” Song Ningxue said, stepping slowly onto the podium. Her business suit and flesh-toned stockings, a standard office attire, became something uniquely alluring on her, blending sternness with an irresistible hint of seduction.

“As the saying goes, it’s better to channel energy than to suppress it. Proper rest and recreation will help you to be at your best. So, today, you may put your books aside for a while—we’re going to South Lake for some fresh air.”

As she spoke, Song Ningxue glanced toward the door. “To give everyone a role model, our school has invited last year’s top scorer in the city’s college entrance exam, Zhang Junfeng. Let’s welcome him!”

Zhang Junfeng?!

The class was momentarily stunned, especially the girls, whose eyes instantly sparkled.

Senior Zhang Junfeng—handsome beyond words, from a distinguished family, with grades to match—a legend and the very definition of the wealthy, brilliant heartthrob.

Amid thunderous applause, Zhang Junfeng strode up to the podium in a dashing, flamboyant jacket, his confident smile and the look in his eyes radiating a sense of effortless superiority: “I’m the best, the strongest, the coolest.”

Ling Qiu sat below, resting his chin on one hand, idly twirling his pen with the other, utterly bored.

The college entrance exam… what was that to him?

He hadn’t exactly been a model student these past three years, but now, with just a single reading of each textbook, every difficult problem was etched indelibly in his mind. If he wanted, he could choose any world-renowned university he pleased.

“Hello, everyone. I’m Zhang Junfeng. People say I’m good-looking and my grades are exceptional. What I want to say is… while my handsome face is a gift from the heavens, my academic achievements are the result of hard work. The college entrance exam doesn’t give extra points for being good-looking, you know~”

The classroom erupted into laughter, the girls applauding enthusiastically.

“Senior Zhang Junfeng is amazing! And he’s funny, too!”

“What should I do? I want to have his babies!”

“Then you’ll have to get into Jiangnan University first!”

“Ah, but Jiangnan University is the top school in our province… How could ordinary people ever get in?”

Hearing such excitement, Zhang Junfeng’s smugness grew. His gaze, whether by accident or design, lingered on Song Ningxue, especially her long, beautiful legs, which he had surreptitiously admired countless times already.

Ling Qiu had noticed those wolfish looks long ago.

“Alright, back to business. Just now, Sister Ningxue suggested an outing to South Lake. I disagree. If we’re going to unwind, let’s do it properly. So, I propose…”

With that, Zhang Junfeng brandished a black card. “Tonight, at the Sky Garden Club on South Street—my treat! Let’s have a party and really cut loose!”

The classroom erupted instantly.

“Zhang Junfeng, I love you!” came the screams, and the place exploded with excitement.