I Am Already A Queen

Chapter 152: Chapter 152: Drinking With Yang Mingxia

Qiao Meixia arrived at the exclusive Huangmei Clubhouse, having accepted another spontaneous invitation from Yang Mingxia. She walked down the dimly lit VIP hallway toward their reserved private suite. As she brushed past a group of men lingering near the corridor, a distinct, suspicious scent caught her attention.

Even though it was not her responsibility to intervene, she certainly did not want this high-end establishment to be raided and shut down by the authorities. Keeping her expression entirely unreadable, she acted completely normal and continued walking toward her private room.

Inside, Yang Mingxia was already having a grand time, chatting and laughing animatedly with two handsome male companions.

’This girl... She invited me out for drinks, yet she still hired two male hosts to entertain her.’ Qiao Meixia thought, sweeping a subtle glance over the scene.

It was obvious that Yang Mingxia had run away from Yin Zemin yet again. Yin Zemin undoubtedly knew her exact whereabouts, but as usual, he chose not to make a public scene over it.

”Meimei, you are finally here!” Yang Mingxia beamed the moment she spotted Qiao Meixia stepping through the door.

”Hmm,” Qiao Meixia acknowledged softly.

She took a seat on the leather sofa and signalled the server to order a few drinks.

”You two can head out now. I will book you again next time.” Yang Mingxia said, waving a hand casually at the two male hosts.

The men offered polite nods, stood up, and discreetly exited the room.

”Meimei, how have you been doing lately?” Yang Mingxia asked, leaning back against the cushions.

”I am fine.” Qiao Meixia responded, taking a small sip of her drink.

”I read the high-society news coverage over the weekend. The long-lost daughter finally returned home to her family... and it turns out you are supposedly the biological twin sister of the other Jiang girl.” Yang Mingxia remarked, swirling her glass.

”Yeah.” Qiao Meixia nodded plainly.

”Is any of that actually true?” Yang Mingxia asked, leaning in closer with a curious glint in her eyes.

”Which part?” Qiao Meixia countered.

”The whole biological twin sister narrative.” Yang Mingxia leaned over.

”It’s absolute bullshit.” Qiao Meixia stated bluntly.

”I knew it!” Yang Mingxia slapped her hands together in satisfaction. ”So your current life situation is literally identical to that dog-blood novel I just finished reading!”

Qiao Meixia raised an eyebrow, quietly waiting for Yang Mingxia to elaborate.

”It’s one of those dramatic web novels about a fake heiress and a real heiress. The real daughter finally returns to her biological family, only to realise they already have an adopted daughter whom they have spoiled rotten for years. The poor real daughter is heartbroken, but the biological parents refuse to acknowledge her properly and constantly take the fake heiress’s side. To make matters worse, the scheming fake daughter bullies and torments the real one relentlessly, while the real daughter endures all the abuse just because she desperately craves her parents’ love!” Yang Mingxia explained passionately.

”And then? What happened next?” Qiao Meixia asked, genuinely curious about the plot.

”I have no idea.” Yang Mingxia admitted flatly.

”Why?” Qiao Meixia asked again.

”Because I dropped it! I could not stand reading such brainless, frustrating garbage anymore! The real daughter was utterly brain-dead. It was painfully obvious her biological family despised her, yet she stupidly stayed there and let the fake daughter torture her until she literally landed in the hospital! Your biological family dislikes you? Just leave! Don’t fucking stay with those toxic people for another second!” Yang Mingxia vented her anger, completely invested in the story. Then, she turned her head to look at Qiao Meixia with a serious expression. ”Meimei, if those Jiang family idiots are mistreating or abusing you, just say the word and leave them behind.”

”Hmm... Me being abused?” Qiao Meixia scoffed softly. ”Not going to happen.”

”Yeah... What on earth was I thinking? You getting bullied or abused... That’s freaking hilarious.” Yang Mingxia burst out laughing, realising how absurd her worry sounded.

”By the way, you should tell your security detail to strictly inspect the items are being smuggled into this clubhouse.” Qiao Meixia warned, shifting her tone to a serious note.

”What?” Yang Mingxia turned to her in surprise. ”Are you talking about illegal drugs?”

”Hmm,” Qiao Meixia nodded once.

”Wow, someone actually has the audacity to bring illicit substances into my clubhouse!” Yang Mingxia’s eyes flashed with instant fury.

Qiao Meixia calmly took another sip of her beverage.

Yang Mingxia immediately pulled out her phone, dialled the general manager, and relayed the warning. The manager listened attentively on the line and promised her that security would launch an immediate investigation into every suspicious party in the building.

Yang Mingxia explicitly ordered him to permanently ban and blacklist any client foolish enough to violate the house rules before abruptly ending the call a minute later.

”A bunch of total idiots.” Yang Mingxia spat angrily.

Taking a deep breath, she patted her cheeks. She knew all too well that letting her temper flare up would only cause premature wrinkles, so changing the subject was a priority.

”How is your private investigation coming along?” Yang Mingxia asked.

”Oh... You mean that matter?” Qiao Meixia asked back.

”Yeah. The primary reason you wanted to come back to the city in the first place.” Yang Mingxia nodded.

”Haven’t officially started yet.” Qiao Meixia answered neutrally. ”I still need a little time to adjust to the environment.”

”I see.” Yang Mingxia nodded understandingly. Then, something suddenly clicked in her mind. ”Oh! I saw that three separate clients posted bounty quests about you on the underground portal. You have become quite the celebrity. I assume you are already tracking it?”

”Hmm,” Qiao Meixia nodded calmly.

Seeing how unbothered and composed Qiao Meixia remained, Yang Mingxia knew instantly that the situation was entirely under her control.

”Imagine posting a bounty quest on the Red Mansion portal asking for secret background intel on the actual leader of the Red Mansion. What an absolute joke.” Yang Mingxia cackled softly. She then asked, ”What happens if an ambitious hacker actually accepts those contracts?”

”It will lead them straight to the forged background file I personally constructed, the exact same fake history that tricked the Jiang family.” Qiao Meixia revealed coolly.

”Ah... That masterclass in misdirection.” Yang Mingxia nodded in thorough admiration.

While they were chatting about other topics, a sharp, rhythmic knock sounded at the door. Hearing the specific pattern of the knock, Yang Mingxia clicked her tongue in annoyance.

”He is here.” Yang Mingxia muttered under her breath.

Qiao Meixia raised an eyebrow in amusement. Just from the sound of a simple knock, Yang Mingxia could immediately identify the man waiting outside.

A second later, the heavy door swung open. Standing on the threshold was Yin Zemin.

”It’s time to head home.” Yin Zemin stated in a deep tone.

”I still want to drink with Meimei!” Yang Mingxia glared at him stubbornly.

”We can do this next time.” Yin Zemin replied, unyielding.

”You should go back. You have already had quite a bit to drink tonight.” Qiao Meixia advised, taking Yin Zemin’s side.

”You absolute traitor!” Yang Mingxia huffed, glaring dramatically at Qiao Meixia.

Despite her vocal complaints, Yang Mingxia reluctantly gathered her belongings and followed Yin Zemin out of the private room, leaving Qiao Meixia alone.

Since her companion had departed, Qiao Meixia decided it was time to call it a night as well. However, just as she was about to step out into the hallway, a shadowy figure suddenly rushed through the open door, violently shoving her back into the room and slamming the door shut behind them.

Before she could react, a broad, warm palm clamped firmly over her mouth.

In one swift, fluid motion, she was forced down beneath the long VIP coffee table, hidden completely from the doorway. Qiao Meixia immediately attempted to break free, but her limbs were expertly restrained by the intruder’s firm grip. She narrowed her eyes, studying the man holding her down.

He was wearing a dark, sleek mask that concealed the upper half of his face.

As she stared into his sharp gaze, a strange flicker of recognition washed over her. She was almost certain she had seen those exact eyes somewhere before.

Heavy footsteps echoed down the corridor, and the door to the suite was kicked open.

A group of armed men stepped into the room, sweeping the space. It was obvious that their target was the masked man currently crouching beneath the table.

The masked intruder pressed a finger to his lips, signalling Qiao Meixia to remain completely silent. From their hidden vantage point, they overheard the men’s conversation.

***This novel is a contracted work with w e b n o v e l. c o m. If you do not read this novel on w e b n o v e l. c o m, that means it has been stolen. Thank you, from your shameless author, ZerahNeko***