"Li Ning, you seem quite excited," Li Ming observed Li Ning's expression curiously.
"Is it that obvious?" Li Ning asked subconsciously, then enthusiastically added, "The Rose Society is one of the three major gangs outside Silver Grey City, and their most distinctive feature is that they are all composed of women."
"The Rose Society's cadres are all exceptionally beautiful women, especially the leader, who is said to be extremely beautiful…"
"This is a good job, otherwise, why would that group of old hands look so envious when Captain Yang assigned it yesterday? It must be because of your lack of experience that they gave us such an easy task."
"Er, aren't we supposed to be at odds with them?" Li Ming questioned, seeing Li Ning's admiring tone.
"Cough cough…" Li Ning gave an embarrassed laugh, "Of course, of course, I was just commenting on their looks, don't misunderstand…"
The shuttle moved extremely fast and was highly autonomous; it flew over the city's air tracks without stopping, and in less than half an hour, they had reached their destination.
The Rose Society, most of the flesh trade in the outer city was in their hands, though officially it was a legitimate entertainment business.
Secretly, they controlled a lot of intelligence, rumored to be the mistress of some high official.
"Last night, one of Red Rose's subordinates died, lying naked on a street corner, but they did not report it to the police." Li Ning briefed him on the case and the person involved.
Red Rose and Zhang Hu were roughly on the same level, a mid-level cadre of the Rose Society, with some people under her, her territory being this opulent... club?
The front of the club was magnificent, with several enlarged hologram showgirls dancing around a sign named "Rose Hall."
When they landed here, Li Ming sharply felt that a multitude of watchful eyes were focused on them.
"This place doesn't welcome you," the bouncer at the door, also a sturdy woman, said with a bass voice, blocking their way.
"Security Division, Seventh Squad—Li Ning, this is Li Ming, we have a few words for Red Rose," Li Ning stated, his expression serious, his tone brooking no argument.
"It's not the first time we've dealt with you, don't waste time, we don't want to come here too often, especially at night," he emphasized.
"Let them in…" The door opened, and a woman in a long red dress stood there; the slit of her dress ran extremely high, almost to her waist, her face heavily made up, she nodded slightly, "Follow me, please."
As she turned to lead the way, her delicate legs stepping in high heels, Li Ming noticed Li Ning peeking several times.
The decor was lavish, though not all lights were on during the day, it must look stunning at night. Any playful laughter ceased as they saw the two men, the expressions turning unfriendly.
Upon reaching a room on the top floor of the third level, a heavy metal-edged door with a bright flower on it slowly opened as the leading woman gestured, "Please…"
Li Ning strode in, and Li Ming followed, the room was quiet, not just one person, many women, tall, thin, plump, short, each with their own charm, wearing little, interestingly watching them.
Faced with such an array, Li Ning also momentarily paused, then his cheeks turned a bit red as his gaze landed on the woman sitting on the large desk.
Yes, not sitting behind the desk, but on it, her legs crossed, like a jade serpent, with a finely chiseled face and a teardrop mole under her right eye.
A thin scar at the corner of her mouth did not mar her overall attractiveness but rather added a touch of seductive charm.
"Red Rose, I…" Li Ning began to speak but was interrupted, "Little brother, I know why you're here," Red Rose said softly with a smile, "but we didn't report anything…"
"The Fierce Tiger Gang, the Wild Dog Gang, each lost a person, don't you find that strange?" Li Ning frowned.
"Strange, so what?" Red Rose lightly furrowed her brow, puzzled.
"According to the Protection of Safety Act, you are obligated…" Li Ning began sternly, only to be interrupted again.
"But what if I don't cooperate?" Red Rose thrust out her ample bosom, the V-neck of her dress revealing a swath of smooth skin down to her navel.
Li Ning's expression soured, and Li Ming realized that the pace of the conversation was completely in Red Rose's hands; Li Ning was still too naive.
"Actually, I might cooperate," Red Rose changed her tone again, her eyes following, "if this little brother cooperates with me, what do you say?"
"Me?" Li Ming was slightly startled.
"Yes, such a tender little brother, clean and somewhat melancholic, plus that uniform…" Red Rose's gaze lingered, "I've never seen you before, you're new, aren't you?"
So this was the cooperation she meant, Li Ming realized, a bit speechless; there were indeed people eying his body.
The women around also revealed meaningful smiles, and someone even said, "Let me try too, Sister Rose," causing a burst of coquettish laughter.
"Haha…"
Li Ning's expression changed slightly, and he immediately scolded, "Red Rose, don't bring trouble upon yourself!"
This was not a good thing. If word got out, the city guard would surely fire Li Ming. In fact, this wasn't the first time the Rose Society had done this.
"I didn't ask you, what, joining the city guard doesn't allow one to have a girlfriend?" Red Rose jumped down from the desk, walked barefoot with a catwalk gait, her posture enchanting, "Besides, I didn't ask you..."
She approached Li Ming, slightly shorter, but her cleavage was more visible, "Little brother, how about it?"
Li Ning frowned. Li Ming was too young, and the schoolgirls were no match for Red Rose's blatant seduction. If he couldn't resist, it could be understood.
But this woman was a rose with thorns, not to be touched!
Just as Li Ning was about to speak, he heard Li Ming say, "Where should I cooperate? Right here?"
He asked ordinarily, his expression not changing at all, as if asking if he had eaten.
"If you think so, it's not… not impossible..."
Red Rose moved even closer, her rich perfume flooding into Li Ming's nostrils.
Just as the two were getting closer, Li Ming suddenly raised his hand, a flash of sharp light passed through his hand, stabbing towards Red Rose.
"Big sister!" The women around changed their expressions and crowded forward.
Red Rose reacted very quickly. Even though they were very close, she instinctively caught the sharp edge, her lips slightly upturned, "Interesting, daring to…"
Before she could finish, she realized something was wrong, looked down, and a flicker of astonishment passed through her eyes. It was indeed a dagger, but why was she holding the hilt?
Li Ming's palm was clutching the dagger blade, already dripping with blood, and the stunned Li Ning had come rushing forward.
Li Ming let go of his hand, allowing the blood to drip, and said coldly, "Seizing a weapon, assaulting a city guard, Li brother, call Captain Yang, have him level this place."
Li Ning was still dazed.
"Li Ning!" Li Ming suddenly shouted sternly.
"Oh, oh!" Li Ning then came to his senses, hurriedly took out his smart terminal, his mind in turmoil.
"You!" Red Rose's expression changed, she sneered: "You want to frame me, it won't be that easy."
"So, do you want to bet whether the two of us are more likely to be trusted, or your word will suffice?" Li Ming countered, then looked around:
"Or say, in this kind of headquarters, a place where you often meet various clients, are there hidden cameras?"
"Hmm… maybe, but just for this matter, to bring it out, those who have shown their faces here before, won't they be restless?"
Red Rose's pretty face twitched, feeling the pressure at this moment. Where did this deadly bastard come from!
"Wait!" Red Rose stopped Li Ning, said coldly, "What do you want to ask?"
Li Ning looked up, his face complex, knowing that Red Rose would have to give in, because Li Ming was too ruthless.
He couldn't help but think of that question again—
Who the hell spread the rumor that this guy would be bullied?
Isn't it his role to bully others?
Li Ming shrugged, signaling Li Ning to step forward, and Li Ning subconsciously walked up, then dazed. Wasn't he supposed to familiarize Li Ming with the processes?
Damn, this kid is too cunning.