Chapter One Hundred Fifty-Two: Sorrow and Solace

In the afternoon, the Wuhou Shrine was bustling with visitors. Mengmeng and Kang Ning walked out of the gate side by side, murmuring tender words to each other, as if their love could never be fully expressed.

As they reached the gate, Kang Ning’s phone vibrated in his pocket. Linking arms with Mengmeng, he moved to a more secluded corner and answered the call with a cheerful tone, “Hello, big brother!”

Gao Qinghua’s voice came through, feigning irritation, “Since you’re so bold, why didn’t you even say goodbye before running off?”

“Big brother, I had no choice, you know that, right? Brother Du must have told you.”

“Ha! Little Du did tell me,” Gao Qinghua lowered his voice, showing deep concern. “What are your next plans?”

Kang Ning smiled wryly. “Taking it one step at a time. I have to follow your lead and get out of this trouble spot as soon as possible. By the way, aren’t you holding the public trial tomorrow? How do you have time to call me for a farewell? I guess your surveillance teams will be busy for a while after that, huh?”

Gao Qinghua sounded a bit excited. “The public trial starts tomorrow at nine in the morning—unprecedented in scale! Leaders from the province and higher-ups will attend. Over a hundred thousand citizens from various city districts and neighboring counties have requested to participate. The entire Leijiang is filled with the sound of firecrackers and drums; it’s like a festival. Not even the Hong Kong handover was this exhilarating! Our security duties are tremendous. The armed police units from three nearby cities have fully deployed to support us. Our bureau’s criminal surveillance has cleared enough space for the event. I heard that over forty judicial police assigned to the executions have been practicing shooting these past few days. Ha! I’ve never seen such a grand operation in my life. It’s truly satisfying!”

Kang Ning chuckled, then quietly asked, “How is Fang Xiong’s injury?”

Gao Qinghua’s tone turned a bit helpless. “He won’t die, but those two shots from Ni San’s bodyguards did serious damage. Even if Fang Xiong recovers, he’ll be disabled—lost an ear, and probably will limp for the rest of his life. I heard from some court insiders that Fang Limin was sentenced to two years, his two daughters five and six years respectively. But due to health reasons, Fang Limin is serving his sentence under medical supervision outside prison. Fang Xiong is okay, though. To preserve the last heir of the Fang family, his relatives took the blame for him. But the Fang family lost over a dozen properties in a secret confiscation. The businesses painstakingly built over two generations in Chengdu and Chongqing vanished overnight. Hmph. Though Fang Xiong escaped legal punishment, the family is effectively finished. I heard other uncles and cousins will be forced to relocate to Hainan, a sort of disguised exile.”

Surprised at the swift downfall of the Fang family, Kang Ning asked, “Big brother, I don’t understand. The Fang family had connections and spent so much money to plead for leniency—how did they even lose their stronghold?”

“Little brother, you’re still too naive. Sometimes, having too much power isn’t a blessing. The greater the pressure, the stronger the backlash. In politics and business, many have been waiting for this day! Think about it—if Fang has connections, don’t others as well? Ever since Fang Xiong’s auto repair shop was sealed, his suppressed political enemies and business rivals have all mobilized. No one knows who led the charge, but a large group has been relentlessly attacking the Fang family, throwing stones at them from all sides. The loyalists Fang once supported, who used to serve the family with respect, suddenly turned traitorous at the critical moment, boldly exposing their crimes or painfully appealing to the authorities. I heard the special investigation team’s files stack three stories high with all the evidence submitted. Ha! Tomorrow’s public trial will be even more interesting. The speakers on stage will each posture as paragons of integrity and justice, despising evil… I won’t say more. When you have time, watch the live broadcast—it’ll be quite a spectacle!” Gao Qinghua’s tone was thick with sarcasm.

Gao Qinghua’s account surprised Kang Ning, who quickly grasped the complex reasons behind it. But he didn’t want to dwell on the matter. Smiling, he teased Gao Qinghua, “Big brother, Brother Du was promoted three ranks in a row—are you not jealous?”

“You said it! The organization’s already talked to me. I might be deputy director soon. Haha. Besides thanking the higher-ups for their trust, I owe you too! With Ni San down, I plan a thorough crackdown on my surveillance district. Surely some cold cases will be uncovered, maybe I’ll make a fresh contribution once I take office.”

Gao Qinghua’s smooth and witty reply impressed Kang Ning, who exclaimed, “Awesome! Once I’m free, I’ll come nest on your turf, do nothing all day but enjoy the good life—eat and drink well, ha!”

Gao Qinghua laughed heartily, then spoke with concern, “Little brother, you must have confidence. Both Brother Du and I believe in you. Soon, the skies will be wide open for you. Meanwhile, bear with it a little longer. Don’t go stirring up trouble, okay?”

“Thank you, big brother!”

Not wanting to let the mood dwindle, Kang Ning shifted gears and joked, “Big brother, I want to discuss something with you.”

“Go ahead, as long as I can help.”

Kang Ning grinned mischievously, “Your daughter is very beautiful. When she grows up, how about marrying her to my son?”

Gao Qinghua, caught off guard, paused before scolding playfully, “Get lost! Ha… but your attitude makes me feel better. Remember, once you settle down, give me and Brother Du a call.”

“All right. Goodbye, big brother!”

Kang Ning hung up, linking arms with Mengmeng as they strolled on. He recounted Gao Qinghua’s report to her, leaving her both happy and worried. “Brother, Sister Yi is really upset.”

Kang Ning didn’t tell Mengmeng about what had happened the previous night. After hearing her words, he sighed deeply. “If you have time these days, call Sister Yi. If possible, visit her. She really needs care and comfort right now.”

Mengmeng nodded. “Okay. I’ll go this weekend. What about you? When do you plan to leave?”

Kang Ning’s heart sank as he looked at her with sadness. “I have to leave tomorrow. From what I know, after being wanted nationwide, besides Guangxi, several southwestern provinces will likely increase their vigilance on my whereabouts soon, just like Sichuan. So I must get out of these dangerous places. Also, my family seems to have found some evidence favorable to me. If all goes well, the case might turn around soon. I have to leave quickly and will come find you once I am cleared, okay?”

Mengmeng gently nodded. “Ning, shall we go back?”

“All right.”

They hailed a taxi and soon returned to their hotel. Once inside the room, the two embraced like lovers reunited after a long absence, losing themselves in passionate kisses, unaware as they melted together beneath the steaming shower.

“Mengmeng, I want to devour you.”

“Come on... I’m willing.”

“...Oh... Ning, once you’re free, I’ll come find you, okay?”

Kang Ning said nothing, letting his fervent actions proclaim his promise. He knew that at this moment, no words could soothe his aching heart except the language of touch and closeness.