Chapter Sixty-Four: Seeing Through

As soon as Lu Jing and Kang Ning stepped through the main entrance of Zheng Yi’s home, they saw seven or eight people sitting in the spacious living room on the first floor. Aside from Zheng Yi and Fang Xiong, Kang Ning didn’t recognize anyone, but from the anxious face of a middle-aged woman, she guessed that this must be Qu Mengmeng’s mother.

After a brief exchange of greetings, Zheng Yi led Kang Ning and Lu Jing into the living room to sit down, then sat beside Lu Jing, anxiously explaining, “Mengmeng’s mother said that as soon as dawn broke on New Year’s Day, Mengmeng disappeared. At first, they thought she’d just stepped out and would come back soon, but by nine o’clock, the flower car and the makeup artist had all arrived, yet there was still no sign of Mengmeng. That’s when everyone began to worry and started searching for her. In the end, they found a note by her pillow, saying she couldn’t accept the marriage and had left to clear her mind, asking the family not to worry. Can you blame us for being anxious?”

A middle-aged man and his daughter, sitting across from Lu Jing, immediately leaned forward. “Xiao Jing, you and Xiao Yi are Mengmeng’s closest friends. I thought she might have reached out to you two, but Xiao Yi knew nothing about it. I was hoping you’d have some news for me!”

Lu Jing hurriedly shook her head. “Auntie, I only found out after talking to Xiao Yi just now. I came as soon as I could. It’s already the fourth—why didn’t you tell us earlier? If we’d known, we could’ve gone to Chengdu and maybe found her.”

“It’s no use. We’ve contacted all her classmates and friends—none of them have seen her. Even Lei Jiang’s family has been searching everywhere, but there’s still no word. Her father can’t put aside his pride and let it go. The moment I got back to Lei Jiang, I came straight to you. You have to help, Auntie begs you! If something happens to Mengmeng, how will we live with ourselves?” Mengmeng’s mother broke down in tears.

A short, thin young man sitting next to Mengmeng’s mother cast a contemptuous glance at her, then turned to Zheng Yi and Lu Jing, speaking coolly, “If Qu Mengmeng had discussed things properly, we could have parted on good terms. I’m not unreasonable. But now, the whole of Chengdu is abuzz, laughing at the Wang family’s misfortune. This isn’t a simple matter anymore. No matter what, our Wang family deserves an explanation from Qu Mengmeng!”

Seeing Kang Ning frown, Lu Jing leaned closer and whispered, “That’s Mengmeng’s fiancé, Wang Zihan, captain of a city management brigade in Chengdu.”

Kang Ning understood and covertly studied the sharp-featured young man. Inwardly, he applauded Mengmeng’s decision to run away. He had thought her fiancé couldn’t be all that bad, but now, looking at the mean and monkey-like Wang Zihan, he thought to himself that if Mengmeng truly married this man, her life would be miserable. Her escape brought Kang Ning a secret satisfaction, and he couldn’t help but admire the courageous, passionate Mengmeng he once held in his arms.

In his good mood, Kang Ning’s gaze inadvertently fell on Wang Zihan’s bony hands and he was surprised to notice several small red dots between the fingers of his left hand—easily missed unless one looked closely. After a moment’s thought, Kang Ning shifted his gaze to Wang Zihan’s neck and ear, but saw nothing unusual, so he withdrew his gaze and sipped his tea, quietly listening to the conversation.

After more than half an hour of fruitless discussion, Wang Zihan stood up with a dark expression, said a curt farewell to Fang Xiong and Zheng Yi, and strode out with his driver. As he passed Kang Ning, who was seated near the corridor, Kang Ning stood up politely to see him out.

As Wang Zihan arrogantly passed by, Kang Ning clearly saw several small red dots behind his ear, even noticing distinctive pathological features on them. Kang Ning remained standing until Wang Zihan left, then let out a relieved sigh, lightly touching his forehead and thinking himself lucky.

Kang Ning realized that Wang Zihan was suffering from a rare venereal disease—a variety of genital warts (HPV), known in medical circles as a stubborn and hard-to-cure condition, with an incubation period of one to eight months. Such symptoms rarely appear on exposed skin, but two years ago, Kang Ning’s father treated a special case and discussed it with him, sparking Kang Ning’s interest. He’d studied the case file and related photographs, so when he saw Wang Zihan’s symptoms, he recognized them instantly. Kang Ning knew that without timely and proper treatment, the disease could easily recur and even lead to cancer and lymphatic metastasis.

After a while, Mengmeng’s mother, consoled by Zheng Yi and Lu Jing, left with her four relatives, heads bowed in dejection. The remaining four—Fang Xiong, Zheng Yi, Lu Jing, and Kang Ning—sat down to talk.

Fang Xiong shook his head and remarked, “That Wang Zihan really lacks grace and upbringing. You can tell his family background isn’t deep. Honestly, I admire Mengmeng’s courage and decisiveness. If a pure beauty like her had to face such a vulgar man, I’d have run even faster in her shoes!”

Zheng Yi and Lu Jing covered their mouths, snickering, while Kang Ning smiled and found himself warming to Fang Xiong. Zheng Yi shot a glance at Fang Xiong, then said softly, “It’s been three days—where could Mengmeng have gone? Xiaohua, after she left my place that day, did she act unusually?”

Kang Ning was caught off guard by the question. Remembering the passionate hours he’d spent with Mengmeng, his face flushed. He quickly lifted his teacup, shaking his head. “Nothing unusual—she was her usual lively, spirited self. We parted at the community gate; she took a cab home.”

Fang Xiong laughed, “No need to worry too much. Mengmeng may look delicate but she’s strong-willed and well-educated—she’ll know how to take care of herself. When she’s calmed down and made her choice, she might even show up tomorrow!”

He rose with a flourish, courteously inviting Lu Jing and Kang Ning to dine. “It’s getting late. Please join us for dinner—come, take your seats!”

Halfway through the meal, Lu Jing recounted the recent troubles at her factory. Zheng Yi, furious after hearing of Ni San’s arrogance, denounced him harshly.

After listening to several typical misdeeds of Ni San—bullying men and women, colluding with officials and businessmen—Kang Ning grew somber. He realized the Ni San gang was a classic local crime syndicate, and what worried him further was that Ni San seemed to have powerful backing. The fact that he possessed firearms and ran a security company suggested the situation was far more complex than Zheng Yi imagined.

Faced with Lu Jing’s hopeful gaze and Zheng Yi’s earnest plea, Fang Xiong considered carefully and responded, “Lu Jing has worked hard to build her factory. I’ll call Ni San myself. You don’t need to worry too much. People of our standing don’t mix with the likes of Ni San, but we all live in the same city—for better or worse, our paths cross. I doubt he’ll dare go too far.”

Hearing Fang Xiong’s diplomatic response, Kang Ning sensed something was off. He neither promised to help wholeheartedly nor refused outright, but gave a sense of hope and gratitude—after all, reaching out to Ni San was already a favor for Lu Jing.

Lu Jing thanked Fang Xiong and Zheng Yi sincerely. The four chatted amiably for a while before Lu Jing, not wanting to take up more of Fang Xiong’s time, said her goodbyes with Kang Ning.

Fang Xiong and Zheng Yi warmly escorted them to the door. As they watched Lu Jing and Kang Ning drive away, Zheng Yi, her arm linked with Fang Xiong’s, sighed softly, “Sister Jing has suffered so much, and just when things were finally looking up with Xiaohua’s help, this trouble had to arise. How hard it is for her.”

Fang Xiong withdrew his slightly pensive gaze and smiled at Zheng Yi. “For Lu Jing to endure so much on her own is already remarkable. I’ll help her as much as I can—after all, she’s my wife’s dear friend.”

Zheng Yi gave Fang Xiong a grateful look, then leaned into his shoulder as they returned inside. Suddenly, as if remembering something, Zheng Yi asked, “Hey, last month I heard you and your father discussing plans to open a large auto repair shop in Lei Jiang. What’s gotten you interested in that industry?”

Fang Xiong smiled affectionately, stretched out on the sofa, crossed his legs, and lit a fine cigar before replying, “The booming automotive industry will be one of our country’s pillars for decades to come, just like the motorcycle industry used to be. Soon, cars will become commonplace. I used to overlook auto repair, but after visiting Lu Jing’s factory, I realized the tremendous business opportunity. That’s why I’ve been considering it lately.”

Zheng Yi thought for a moment and suggested, “Why not partner with Sister Jing? With your involvement, her business could expand, and her factory’s technicians are all highly skilled.”

Fang Xiong waved it off with a laugh. “Lu Jing’s little workshop isn’t enough for me. If I do it, I’ll do it big. Skilled workers aren’t hard to find—I could bring in experts from Guangdong or even Hong Kong if I wanted!” Seeing Zheng Yi about to speak, he gestured for her to go wash up. “Get ready—we still have the city’s New Year’s reception to attend.”

Zheng Yi nodded and left, while Fang Xiong took off his glasses and watched her ascend the stairs, a satisfied smile playing on his lips.