Chapter 82: The Decision

The three of them walked out of the emergency room and stopped beneath the eaves outside. Du Jianwu offered Kang Ning a cigarette, but upon seeing Kang Ning politely refuse, he remembered Kang Ning didn’t smoke and instead lit one for himself, taking a couple of drags. “Brother, how did you pick up these surgical skills?”

“My father used to run a clinic back home. I watched him treat patients from the time I was little, so I gradually picked up some emergency treatment methods. When I saw the wounded man just now, I realized it would be troublesome if the bleeding wasn’t stopped immediately, so I acted on impulse without thinking too much. I can’t say if I did it right, but once the professionals arrived, I was relieved.”

Kang Ning replied casually. Though his words sounded a bit forced, they were still reasonable. Du Jianwu, though still somewhat suspicious, shifted the topic. “When you found him, was anyone else around?”

Kang Ning answered earnestly, “I didn’t see anyone else at the time. I happened to notice him struggling as I was passing by after dropping a friend home. At first, I thought about just walking away to avoid trouble, but when I got closer, I saw how seriously he was hurt. Brother Du, who would hate him enough to injure him so badly?”

Du Jianwu sighed. “This is a typical underworld tactic. Cutting off a hand means they think the victim meddled too much. Breaking his left leg is a warning to stay away from a certain place, or better yet, to leave town altogether. Sigh! Looks like the anti-gang task force will have to take this case. It won’t concern me or Xiao Shen anymore, and besides, I’m already swamped with a shooting case that’s giving me a headache!”

Worried about being dragged into trouble, Kang Ning quickly came up with a request. “Brother Du, I really don’t want any part in this. Ever since Uncle Wang died, I’ve been unsettled. Please find a way not to involve me. If the police come to the factory to question me, with everyone already on edge, no one will dare show up for work.”

Du Jianwu hesitated, but Xiao Shen, standing nearby and looking relaxed, interrupted, “Captain, your friend here seems loyal and honest. Let’s not trouble him further. Just say we happened to pass by and found the guy. You know how the anti-gang squad operates—they won’t look into this too closely. At most, they’ll ask the victim a few questions for a simple statement. When have they ever solved a case like this? I bet nine times out of ten, the victim will keep his mouth shut.”

“All right, let’s do it your way. Go let the victim know.”

As Xiao Shen strode inside, Du Jianwu turned to Kang Ning. “Brother Gao called me this afternoon. He said you’d just returned from burying your elder. He also asked me to go out for a drink with you all one day. I doubt I’ll have time anytime soon—let’s wait till things settle down. You must come too. I still want to learn a few tricks from you. Well, you’ve had a tough day. Go home and get some rest. If you need anything, find me.”

After saying goodbye to Du Jianwu, Kang Ning drove home. Finding Lu Jing still asleep, he emptied his pockets, changed his shoes, and went into the bathroom to shower. He tossed his dirty clothes in the washing machine, pressed the auto-wash button, and then sank into the tub, already half-full of hot water, to wash and think quietly.

The wounded man’s name was Luo Ming. The information he gave Kang Ning was extremely important: by chance, Luo Ming had overheard a few guests in a private room, drunk and boasting about how much fun they’d had smashing up Lu Jing’s factory. Luo Ming knew both Lu Jing and Zheng Yi, and had always admired the refined beauty of these rare women. He’d also heard about the violent attack and the death at Lu Jing’s factory, so he became wary, though he dared not tell anyone for fear of bringing trouble upon himself. Now, after losing a hand and having his leg broken, Luo Ming thought himself doomed, but when Kang Ning saved him and performed emergency surgery, gratitude compelled him to reveal everything to Kang Ning, who was with Lu Jing. He mentioned the perpetrator’s nickname was “Tank” and described his appearance and some of his features, warning Kang Ning that this man was a formidable figure from Dongxing, across the river. Luo Ming, however, said nothing about his own ordeal.

With this lead, Kang Ning’s long-repressed desire for vengeance finally found an outlet. Soaking in the water, he carefully considered his next move. Seeing how busy Du Jianwu was today, and knowing their friendship wasn’t yet deep, Kang Ning decided not to trouble him unless absolutely necessary. To find Tank, he would need Gao Qinghua’s help. As the warden of numerous prison officers, Gao Qinghua knew far more about the underworld in Lei River than Kang Ning ever could.

Now Kang Ning’s only concern was when and how to bring up the matter with Gao Qinghua. Even if Tank were caught, he might deny everything, and who could do anything then? Perhaps the order to release him would come as soon as he was arrested. The tangled web of power and influence in Lei River left Kang Ning with no faith in seeking justice through official channels. The thought of his fugitive status made him even more despondent—his sworn brother wielded great influence in the police department, his father was a renowned expert respected across the region and even the country, yet neither could clear his name. How could humble, insignificant Uncle Wang hope to find peace in his grave?

Having made up his mind, Kang Ning began to work out the details. To track Tank, he would need to be out and about, but without a reliable vehicle, he could easily expose himself. If things escalated and both the police and the underworld began their search, he’d have no way to escape, and might even endanger the women he loved. Every step must be taken with the utmost caution.

Based on what he knew, the Lei River gangs were far more ruthless and terrifying than those elsewhere. These thugs, armed and unrestrained, were bloodthirsty and fearless. How many gangs nationwide could make even the police hesitate? The tangled web behind these crimes was evident.

He could not use Lu Jing’s car—that would be a reckless way to drag his loved ones into danger. Kang Ning wasn’t naive; he had ample training in surveillance and counter-surveillance and a solid grasp of criminal psychology. Though lacking real-world experience, he was still far ahead of ordinary gangsters and even most police. He decided to find another way.

By now, the bathwater had gone cold. Kang Ning stood up and rinsed off under the icy shower, toweled dry, and used a hairdryer on his hair. Looking at his resolute reflection, his muscular, well-proportioned body, he exhaled with satisfaction, wrapped a dry towel around his waist, and left the bathroom. The cuckoo quartz clock on the living room wall showed it was already six at dawn. Kang Ning shook his head and walked into Lu Jing’s bedroom.

As he was about to get into bed, he saw that Lu Jing was already awake, watching him tiredly. He reached over to turn on the bedside lamp, adjusting it to a comfortable brightness, then lay down and pulled her into his arms.

“Why not sleep a little longer?”

Lu Jing raised her hand and stroked his face. “I’ve slept enough. Is Mengmeng next door?”

Kang Ning kissed her neck. “I took her home last night. Jing, are you tired?”

“Mhm, I feel like I’m falling apart. My whole body aches.”

Kang Ning sat up, picked up the remote from the nightstand, and turned the heater up before closing the bedroom door. He returned to the bed and gently straddled Lu Jing’s alluring figure. “Close your eyes and relax. I’ll give you a massage.”

“Mhm, but don’t get any ideas. I have no strength left.” As Kang Ning tenderly slipped off her nightgown, Lu Jing’s cheeks flushed and her breath quickened.

He set the nightgown aside, inhaled deeply at the sight of her enticing body, and began to work his warm, capable hands over her, his long, slender fingers pressing expertly into her shoulders and chest.

“Jing, things are busy at the factory lately. I probably won’t be able to come home every night,” Kang Ning said gently.

Lu Jing opened her eyes, reluctant, gazing at Kang Ning as he massaged her. “I know what you’re thinking. You’re worried about putting pressure on Yi by taking so much of her money, and want to help her earn more. Oh, Ning, why are you so good to us?”

“You’re my treasure, and Sister Yi is our family too. I know you’ll support me.”

Lu Jing suddenly wrapped her arms around his neck, pouting playfully. “But I won’t let you stay at the factory all the time. I’m too embarrassed to go there now, so at the very least, you have to come home twice every three days—no, three times every two days! Otherwise, I’ll tell Mengmeng and you’ll be in for it!”

Kang Ning kissed her tenderly for a long while. “Be good. Lie down and let me give you a proper massage. I’ll do as you say.”

“That’s more like it… oh… ah…”