Chapter Sixty-Nine: New Year's Eve

Over the next few days, Lu Lin and her husband arrived early on their holiday to help, easing the burden of endless affairs that had left Lu Jing exhausted and frazzled. Most vehicle owners were understanding and forgiving, but even one or two stubborn holdouts were enough to cause headaches.

On the afternoon of New Year’s Eve, after several days of replacing countless new parts, all damaged cars were finally repaired and returned to their owners. The master technicians and workers bid farewell one by one, hurrying home for the holidays. Kang Ning quietly slipped two thousand yuan to Yu Sheng, telling him to buy some New Year’s goods for his younger siblings, and sent the tearful Yu Sheng home for the celebrations.

The factory, now empty, was left with only Kang Ning, Lu Jing, and Lu Lin and her husband. Kang Ning declined Gao Qinghua’s invitation, citing the need for someone to watch over the factory, and Lu Jing, after finishing her conversation with her sister, stayed as well.

Before leaving, Gao Qinghua pulled Kang Ning aside, resting a hand on his shoulder and whispering, “After the fifth day of the New Year, I’ll come here every night for a few hours to learn some martial arts from you. You must teach me!”

Kang Ning felt awkward, “Honestly, I’m only half-trained myself. You won’t learn much from me; there’s no need to trouble yourself. Your wife seems to be pregnant—shouldn’t you spend more time taking care of her?”

But Gao Qinghua was prepared. Grinning, he replied easily, “No worries. My parents are in good health, and Lin is only four months along—not exactly at the panda stage yet. It doesn’t matter if I’m there or not. How about this: I won’t let you teach me for nothing. I’ll exchange a few of my own skills with you! Settled!”

Seeing Kang Ning’s furrowed brow, Gao Qinghua assumed his friend doubted his skills. He leaned in even closer, whispering, “What I’ll teach you is truly valuable, but you mustn’t tell anyone—or I’ll be breaking regulations.”

Kang Ning, intrigued by the secrecy, asked, “Is it about shooting?”

“Nonsense! There’s no secret to that—just waste bullets. What I’ll teach you isn’t something outsiders know.” Gao Qinghua glanced around instinctively, then whispered again, “Have you ever learned how special forces set traps? Can you recognize dozens of types at a glance? Think about it: when you get the chance to hunt in the mountains, a few ropes or ordinary nails will ensure you return with plenty! How about it—isn’t that worthwhile?”

Kang Ning thought of the hunting skills he’d learned in Yao Mountain and was moved, agreeing, “All right, but let me say this first—if you find my abilities lacking, don’t blame me for not warning you.”

Gao Qinghua laughed heartily, giving Kang Ning a friendly punch. “Don’t try to fool me! I’ve been thinking it over these past few days—you’re more skilled than I imagined. Even my old instructor couldn’t knock me back two or three meters with just a shoulder. Ha! I’m off—my wife’s waiting!”

Lu Jing watched Gao Qinghua’s little car disappear into the distance, then took Kang Ning’s hand, asking curiously, “Strange. My brother-in-law is usually reserved and methodical. How is it that after only a few days with you, he’s as lively as a child? He’s thirty-three this year!”

“Men are often children at heart; they just lack the chance and environment to show it.” Kang Ning tapped her nose playfully. “All right, I’ll go lock the main gate.”

As she watched Kang Ning close the newly repaired factory doors, Lu Jing thought in exasperation: How old are you, really? Why do you talk like an old man? But remembering Kang Ning’s boyish antics during their time together, she blushed and smiled.

Despite the earlier kidnapping and Uncle Wang’s death, which left both Kang Ning and Lu Jing with a heavy shadow over their hearts, Kang Ning’s gentle care and efforts to erase traces of Uncle Wang helped ease Lu Jing’s sorrow, preventing her from being consumed by grief. So, on this New Year’s Eve, as the sounds of firecrackers filled the air outside, the two of them, sharing adversity and tenderness in the quiet factory, did not seem so lonely or sorrowful.

A thousand miles away in Nanning, the festive spirit of family reunions prevailed.

As he had every holiday for thirty years, Zhang Jianhan came to his foster father’s house for the reunion dinner. His mother and foster mother had long since prepared a lavish feast. The foster mother, following northern custom, made a hundred dumplings for the old man and steamed a dozen cornmeal buns that the whole family loved.

Zhang Jianhan placed his gifts on the incense table. Kang Jiming, sitting nearby, immediately stood and examined a box of premium Da Hong Pao tea. Suppressing his excitement, he looked up at Zhang Jianhan, who nodded silently. Overjoyed, Kang Jiming hurried to the table and called everyone to sit.

Seeing his wife and Zhang Jianhan’s mother tearfully gazing at the dishes, Kang Jiming knew they were thinking of their son Kang Ning and feeling low. He laughed heartily, “Jianhan, pour your mother and foster mother a glass. Tonight, we celebrate!”

Obediently, Zhang Jianhan stood and respectfully poured wine for both mothers. After Kang Jiming gestured for him to sit, he said, “You two should drink as well. At this moment, that brat is probably somewhere else drinking, too! Come, let’s drink a New Year’s toast and start the meal.”

Kang’s mother raised her glass with difficulty, barely touching it to her lips before recalling her husband’s words and realizing something was amiss. She quickly set it down and asked anxiously, “Old man, do you have news of Ning?”

Kang Jiming, watching Zhang Jianhan refill his wine, feigned seriousness, “Who said so? I’m at home with you every day, aren’t I?”

“Then why are you so happy? Are you hiding something from me?” She turned to Zhang Jianhan, “Jianhan, what’s going on?”

Zhang Jianhan replied calmly, “I really don’t know. Maybe Dad is just pleased with the tea someone asked me to bring.”

Suspicious, Kang’s mother looked at the incense table, then walked over and examined the beautifully packaged box of tea. Suddenly, she remembered that ever since Kang Ning started working, he sent his father a box of this premium Da Hong Pao every New Year. Her hands trembled, and she wept with joy.

She understood that the appearance of this tea meant her son was alive and had contacted his foster brother, Zhang Jianhan. As a member of the “621” task force, Zhang Jianhan could not openly convey such information, so he used this subtle gesture to tell his foster parents: Xiao Ning is alive and well!

Wiping her tears, Kang’s mother returned to the table, whispered a few words to Zhang’s mother, who joyfully grasped her hand. The two mothers raised their glasses and drank together, while Kang Jiming and Zhang Jianhan, witnessing the scene, smiled at each other and lifted their own glasses in relief.