Chapter 162: Brothers Confiding Hearts

Listening to Zhang Jianhan’s briefing, Kang Ning felt a heavy weight pressing down on his heart. He let out a long sigh and asked, "Brother, am I just supposed to wait like this endlessly? When on earth is this going to end?"

Looking at Kang Ning with tightly furrowed brows and an exceptionally solemn expression, Zhang Jianhan replied, "You need patience, and even more importantly, confidence! Last week, officers from the Liuzhou Bureau tracked a drug trafficking route right to our doorstep. Originally, Bureau Chief Wei and Political Commissar Shen hadn't reported the matter to Jiang Shangwu. Who would have thought those guys from the Liuzhou Bureau were too impatient and went straight to the Narcotics Division demanding assistance? As a result, with Chen Junhua's help, they came up empty-handed. Afterward, Chen Junhua reported directly to Jiang Shangwu. Jiang, who has already been transferred to work at the Political and Legal Affairs Commission, flew into a rage and almost got into a shouting match with Political Commissar Shen and Bureau Chief Wei. Chief Wei came back and told me privately that as soon as my appointment documents come down next week, he will hand this case over to me for a covert investigation. Those guys from the Liuzhou Bureau are also straight shooters; they probably sensed something was amiss, so recently they only contact Chief Wei alone and completely ignore the Narcotics Division and Jiang Shangwu. Once I take over this case, I will immediately initiate an investigation. Perhaps the breakthrough lies right within it."

Confused, Kang Ning asked, "What does this have to do with my case?"

With a displeased expression, Zhang Jianhan retorted, "How could it not be related? According to intelligence analysis from the Liuzhou Bureau, the origin of this batch of drugs is the 'Starlight Nightclub,' which was formerly under Lan Tao's name. After Lan Tao's death, this five-million-yuan nightclub was transferred to the name of Lan Tao's former driver, Huang Kebin. You surely haven't forgotten Huang Kebin, have you? That hard Qigong of his was shattered by a single punch from you, and nowadays he has to bend over even when he coughs."

Kang Ning's eyes lit up. "Are you connecting that drug case to Zhen Qian's death?"

"It seems that after fleeing for over a year, you've finally gained some sense."

Zhang Jianhan nodded in appreciation. "The Starlight Nightclub has always been shielded by Chen Junhua, and you should understand the forces behind the scenes without me spelling it out. Consequently, neither the underworld nor the police dared to touch it, making its business exceptionally booming and turning it into the premier nightclub in the city. Over the past six months, several cases involving the Starlight Nightclub have become cold cases, driving Political Commissar Shen and Chief Wei—who manage the bureau's operations—crazy. The provincial department has also inquired about it twice. Therefore, facing pressure from both above and below, Jiang Shangwu finally compromised with Shen and Wei. Coupled with Deputy Bureau Chief Lu's retirement, Chief Wei earning a promotion to Deputy Bureau Chief through his achievements, and the special circumstances of your case, Jiang Shangwu has no choice but to use us people who actually get things done."

A surge of hope rose in Kang Ning's heart. He nodded and suggested to Zhang Jianhan, "I saw in yesterday's morning paper that the newly appointed Deputy Prosecutor is Dai Xu. He's your sworn brother. Could you gather some materials on Liu Ruguang and hand them over to the Procuratorate's Anti-Corruption Bureau to handle?"

"I've thought of that too, but I need time! That's why you mustn't cause trouble for me at this critical juncture."

With that, Zhang Jianhan looked at Kang Ning with concern. "It's good that you're back, and they wouldn't expect you to have the guts to return; currently, they've pegged your whereabouts to the southwest and northwest. But you must be extremely cautious, and under no circumstances should you use your old cell phone number again."

After saying this, Zhang Jianhan took the SIM card out of his own phone and handed it to Kang Ning. Without hesitation, Kang Ning took out his own China Mobile card right in front of Zhang Jianhan, snapped it in half, inserted the new card provided by Zhang Jianhan, put the battery and back cover back on, and slipped the phone into his pocket.

"Do you have enough money?" Zhang Jianhan asked softly.

Kang Ning grinned. "Not much left. I only have two million in my bank card, and I was planning to give you several hundred thousand as a wedding gift when you get married."

Zhang Jianhan looked at Kang Ning in astonishment. "Where on earth did you get so much money?"

"Haven't you heard about the destruction of the Leijiang underworld? I earned all this money in Leijiang," Kang Ning explained casually.

Staring at Kang Ning in disbelief, Zhang Jianhan's mind raced furiously. After a long moment, he said in a low voice, "Political Commissar Shen said that half a month ago, people from the Ministry of State Security came to review your case. It gave me a fright at the time, but two days later they returned it without leaving a word. Tell me what on earth is going on?"

Kang Ning then told Zhang Jianhan the whole sequence of events, even introducing Qu Mengmeng along the way. Listening to this, Zhang Jianhan alternately sighed and shook his head. Finally, he murmured to his younger brother with deep emotion, "This matter might actually help your case. If they take a fancy to you, your charges might just be reduced from major to minor, and minor to nothing at all. At worst, you could change your identity and be transferred to work somewhere else. But... aren't you a bit too romantic? All these years, how is it that I never noticed you couldn't keep your pants on?"

Kang Ning smiled awkwardly. "Brother, I really want to see Mom, Dad, and the kids."

Understanding Kang Ning's feelings, Zhang Jianhan thought for a moment and said to him, "Sunday morning, I'll have Mom and Dad take the two little ones to play in the children's park ahead, but you absolutely cannot show your face. Also, I strictly forbid you to go looking for Liu Yiqing. I reckon if you run into trouble, it'll be because of women. Did you hear me?"

"Why?" Kang Ning asked loudly.

Zhang Jianhan raised his head, let out a long breath, and explained softly, "After you fled, she was implicated and suffered a great deal. She was demoted to the near-defunct city newspaper *Construction Workers News* and almost lost her job in the end. Later, she applied to the television station; I heard she ranked near the top of the list but ultimately failed to make the cut. Fortunately, she ran into Aunt Tong. Once Aunt Tong figured out the situation, she contacted Mom, and eventually our two families weathered the pressure and begged everyone we could, finally getting her transferred to the provincial television station. After returning from her studies in Beijing, she became the host of the *Focus* program. She's very talented, beautiful, and extremely popular now, so suitors are endless around her and there are all sorts of ambiguous rumors. Uncle Ye and Aunt Tong, worried about her safety, took her to live in the military district compound and even took her in as their goddaughter. Those well-known scions in the city, knowing she has Uncle Ye and his wife backing her, no longer dare to touch a single hair on her head. Now, those two inexplicable women of yours are living at home with your two sons, and you still have all those messy, ambiguous entanglements outside—aren't you satisfied yet? Don't be a fool. As long as Liu Yiqing is living a good life, you have no qualification to pester her, not to mention your current identity..."

"Stop talking! Don't worry, Brother, I understand these principles, and I won't go disturbing her again."

With that, Kang Ning looked up at the night sky. After a long while, he turned back to Zhang Jianhan and changed the subject: "I brought back a few precious medicinal herbs and prescriptions. Next time we meet, bring them for Dad to see. Maybe he can make something out of them at the academy's research institute. Also, I've learned the Qingcheng Taoist acupoint-striking technique. Later on, I'll write it out from memory; consider it a gift from me to you."

Zhang Jianhan looked at Kang Ning with glowing eyes. "Really? Why don't we try a few moves right now? Let's see how much progress you've made in your kung fu!"

"Forget it, I'm not in the mood right now, and besides, I estimate you're no match for me anymore."

Kang Ning made to say goodbye, but Zhang Jianhan, who was obsessed with martial arts, struck out with a fast palm. Kang Ning had no choice but to meet him blow for blow. Between martial brothers of the same school, such head-on clashes allowed for no trickery whatsoever. After a single exchange, victory and defeat were already decided: Kang Ning was forced back two steps before steadying his stance, while Zhang Jianhan was thrown more than two meters away by the tremendous rebounding force, spinning around to neutralize Kang Ning's brute strength.

Walking up to Kang Ning, Zhang Jianhan sighed with emotion, "I suppose this is what Dad calls destiny. Adversity has actually caused your martial arts skills to skyrocket; it'll probably take me another two or three years to catch up to you. But I feel like your striking force has taken on a somewhat vicious edge. That's probably not a good thing, right?"

Kang Ning replied helplessly, "Brother, the day you too are chased like a stray dog with your life hanging by a thread every day, you'll understand. I finally understand those notorious seniors of our Xingyi Sect—for the sake of your own life, you can't help being vicious!"

The two brothers stood facing each other in silence, neither saying anything more.