Chapter One Hundred Thirty-One: The Black Net

Night fell over the picturesque Dijing Villa district, located on the southern bank of the Yangtze River. In a spacious Western-style mansion, Fang Xiong, who had just returned to Chongqing after an exhausting series of connecting flights, was making his final deliberations.

At noon, during the "ASEAN Economic and Cooperation" seminar, Fang Xiong had received an invitation to attend the upcoming ASEAN Expo on November 2nd. At that time, dignitaries from eleven Southeast Asian countries would gather in Lanning. Economic cooperation between China and over a dozen Southeast Asian nations would accelerate rapidly; mutual economic complementarity and significant tariff reductions were already a foregone conclusion, and boundless business opportunities were about to be laid out before everyone.

Another crucial piece of information was that the high-achieving political star, Lan Jianguo, was about to ascend to a higher-level Standing Committee position in his capacity as Mayor of Lanning. Furthermore, he would be in charge of economic and trade cooperation. As a key cadre being groomed in a minority autonomous region, Lan Jianguo’s political future was limitless.

The elite privately agreed that whoever managed to establish a connection with Lan Jianguo would benefit immensely. For a considerable time to come, they would easily be able to venture into the booming trade, infrastructure, real estate, and mining sectors across Guangxi. With a certain amount of capital, one would be invincible and face no obstacles.

The shrewd Fang Xiong knew that the ostensibly frugal, incorruptible, and diligent Lan Jianguo was not lacking in money. With the hundreds of millions his son, Lan Tao, kept in the HSBC bank in Hong Kong, Lan Jianguo had no need to pursue profit. What he valued most now were political achievements and reputation. From the convergence of various reports, Fang Xiong reached a conclusion: Lan Jianguo had one greatest wish—to avenge his only son!

After weighing his options, Fang Xiong determined that the best way to get close to Lan Jianguo was not through profit or money. In terms of political achievements and reputation, Lan Jianguo already had the support of real estate developer Shi Jian, the wealthy paper and forestry magnate Lai Lanfa, and the covert assistance of Zhang Rikui, president of the Soumao website. In comparison, Fang Xiong, having just stepped into the circle of the nouveau riche, had no advantages to speak of and could not catch Lan Jianguo’s eye. However, if he could take a different path and bring the murderer of Lan Tao to justice, he could avenge the mayor's beloved late son. Only by doing this could he trade for Lan Jianguo’s gratitude and friendship, and thereby better achieve his own goals.

Secondly, the beautiful Lu Jing had always been a source of pain in Fang Xiong’s heart. Her unique, voluptuous charm and those slightly sorrowful, alluring eyes often appeared in his dreams. Three months ago, looking out from his window, Fang Xiong had occasionally seen Kang Ning strolling through the garden with the bird-like, submissive Lu Jing. The genuine love and contentment on their faces made Fang Xiong feel incredibly envious, even hateful. When he saw the happy Lu Jing gently caressing her increasingly rounded belly with her fair, smooth hands while whispering to the tall and elegant Kang Ning, the fire of jealousy burning in his heart almost drove him to lose his sanity. The heart-wrenching pain was something others could never understand, and Fang Xiong could only bury it deep within his heart.

Except for Fang Xiong, no one knew that due to a severe illness in his youth and long-term excessive indulgence, his sperm count was far below what was required for fertility. Facing his parents' repeated questioning and urging, and the resentful gaze of his wife, Zheng Yi, Fang Xiong often felt immense pain. That heavy sense of powerlessness and failure made him feel resentful despite the success and influence he had wielded for over a decade. It was precisely for this reason that Fang Xiong chose to escape. While working desperately to accumulate wealth, he kept mistresses in various major cities; supermodels, celebrities, and even local socialites became his targets. From all these women, he did not receive blame or resentment, but the lofty dignity of a man and the charming praise of women.

In his vast, luxurious bedroom, Fang Xiong paced back and forth for over an hour. After careful consideration, he picked up his mobile phone, his right thumb skillfully dialing a string of digits.

At 3:00 AM, a Mercedes-Benz 600 with a Leijiang license plate drove off the Chengdu-Chongqing expressway toll station. It soon arrived at the southern bank of the Yangtze River, entered the Dijing Villa district, and finally stopped in front of a beautiful mansion.

***

At 8:00 AM, Kang Ning, having returned from the hospital and dressed in comfortable casual wear, walked along the banks of the Qingshui River with a smile on his face. He carried the chicken and beef he had just bought, intending to stew a delicious chicken soup for Lu Jing.

Walking from the nearby market into the Jinxiu Garden residential area and turning onto the sidewalk after bypassing the flower bed on the main road, Kang Ning was surprised to discover two cars parked crookedly under his apartment building fifty meters away. Two burly men were pushing aside the security guards who were trying to maintain order, shouting warnings at the guards with a distinct Leijiang accent.

Kang Ning hesitated for a moment, then was shocked. He pretended to be indifferent and turned into the stairwell of the nearest apartment building. He then looped back and watched vigilantly from behind a lush holly bush. He saw an angry guard attempt to remove the walkie-talkie from his shoulder to call for backup, only to be stopped by a short, burly man who stepped forward. The short man whispered a few words and quickly pulled an ID out of his pocket, holding it up to the guard’s face. The agitated guard immediately calmed down.

Kang Ning finally understood what was happening. He placed the heavy shopping bag on a flower bed, glanced around, and quickly left, hugging the wall. When he stepped onto the main road of the residential area, he painfully realized that a police car was already parked by the guardhouse inside the main gate, and two men who looked like plainclothes police officers were negotiating something with four or five security guards.

A panicked Kang Ning quickly turned onto a side path. Suddenly, a Toyota Camry police car arrived just in time, nearly hitting him. Startled, Kang Ning leaped over a meter high and rolled onto the grass nearby. The police car screeched to a halt, and a middle-aged policeman quickly got out and ran toward him.

Like a frightened bird, Kang Ning did a somersault and landed steadily, watching the approaching policeman vigilantly. Just as he decided to strike, the policeman smiled slightly at him and said in a gentle Chengdu dialect, "Brother, you’ve got good reflexes! Are you hurt?"

Seeing the badge on his chest, Kang Ning realized he was a Chengdu traffic policeman and immediately smiled, explaining, "I'm not hurt. It’s my fault—I was in a rush and didn't look at the road. My apologies!"

"Haha, no worries! Where are you in such a hurry to go, brother?" The policeman asked in a friendly manner, completely unaware that he had been seconds away from being knocked unconscious on the grass.

Kang Ning’s heart skipped a beat, and he said helplessly, "I just returned from the military to visit home. A neighbor told me my wife is about to give birth and was sent to the No. 2 Hospital early this morning. I was in a rush to find a friend to borrow a car to get to the hospital. I didn't mean to cause you trouble."

"Oh! That’s an emergency! Let me give you a ride. Hop in!"

The helpful policeman climbed back into the car. Seeing Kang Ning get into the back seat, he drove onto the main road and smoothly exited the residential complex, heading toward the No. 2 Hospital.

The policeman glanced at the rearview mirror and asked, "Brother, you should get a haircut. You can't keep your hair this long when you're back in the military."

Kang Ning smiled slightly, "I’m in charge of the arts and culture department in the military."

"Haha, no wonder you look so handsome." The policeman laughed, then started chatting with Kang Ning, "Our detachment had a group of art soldiers join last year. Haha, two pretty girls even transferred to the criminal investigation squad! I keep wondering about that. You tell me, can those delicate-looking types handle those criminals? I’m afraid they’ll get themselves into trouble!"

Kang Ning, whose mind was racing, really didn't want to talk, but he didn't want to be rude to the kind-hearted policeman, so he smiled and replied, "I think it should be fine. They can do internal work, or some more technical tasks that are suitable for women."

After chatting for a while, the policeman pulled over in front of the No. 2 Hospital. He said to Kang Ning, who was thanking him as he got out, "We hit it off, brother. If you have time in the future, come to the Qingyang Traffic Police Detachment to see me. My name is Li, I’m the captain. Haha! Alright, I won't hold you up any longer!"

Watching the police car drive away, Kang Ning let out a long sigh. He observed the hospital entrance carefully for a moment before entering and blending into the crowd in the registration hall. He pulled out his phone, called Mengmeng, asked a few cautious questions, and told her to grab the small bag he had left in Lu Jing’s ward and come to the registration hall immediately.

Seeing that Mengmeng was not being followed, Kang Ning grabbed her arm through the crowd and whispered, "It's an emergency, come outside with me."

Holding Mengmeng’s hand, he walked to the sidewalk outside the hospital. As they moved further away, he explained to the worried Mengmeng, "The police have found our home in Jinxiu Garden. I expect they will be at the hospital soon. Listen, Mengmeng, don't worry too much. I'll be fine, but I've caused trouble for you and Sister Jing."

Mengmeng stopped in her tracks, shocked, and clutched his arm tightly. "What should we do? I can't let you leave!"

Kang Ning gently stroked Mengmeng’s long hair. "Don't worry, I'm not leaving! But Mengmeng, we need to stay calm! The security guards will probably call you to go back soon; they might have already broken into the apartment. Thankfully, Sister Jing insisted on using your name to buy the house because she didn't want you to feel wronged, so I think they won't dare go too far."

Mengmeng was about to speak when the security guard from Jinxiu Garden called. Mengmeng answered and hung up in a hurry. "What now? I’m not worried about the house, I’m worried about Sister Jing! She’s due to give birth in the next two days!"

"Don't get worked up, Mengmeng. Isn't your brother the captain of the urban management enforcement team? Call him immediately and have him pick you up. If the police ask, just say the apartment was lent to Sister Jing and you don't know anything else. If you have to, bring up your father. Your brother knows about the house and Sister Jing. I’ve found him to be a stand-up guy who takes responsibility; with him looking after things, it will be fine."

Kang Ning paused, worried that Mengmeng was still anxious about Lu Jing’s safety, and then revealed his plan: "Don't worry about Sister Jing. Once you get back to the hospital from home, have Sister Jing call Brother Gao. I think Brother Gao will rush to Chengdu. Sister Jing knows everything about my situation, and she knows how to deal with the police. Besides, she is about to go into labor; no one will dare touch her. You can rest easy."

Mengmeng nodded repeatedly and immediately called her brother. After hanging up, she squeezed Kang Ning’s hand and asked sadly, "What about you? What are you going to do?"

Kang Ning tenderly wiped the tears from the corner of Mengmeng’s eyes. "Don't worry! I will stay in the shadows. When the heat dies down, I will come to see you, okay?"

Mengmeng could only nod. She listened to Kang Ning’s instructions for a while longer—what to pay attention to, what not to say, and so on—before watching him leave with teary eyes.

Two minutes later, Mengmeng’s brother, Qu Shouzhue, arrived in an enforcement vehicle. Only after Mengmeng got in did she realize that her brother's four capable subordinates were sitting in the back two rows, smiling at her.