Chapter 102: The Master's Call

Meng Meng’s class, for which she served as the head teacher, won first place in the city-wide Children’s Day performance. Excited by the victory, Meng Meng said goodbye to Kang Ning early in the morning and headed to school. She and several colleagues were to take their students to Chengdu for a three-day provincial youth and children’s outstanding program competition, and also planned to stay a couple of extra days at her parents’ new home. With Meng Meng gone, only Kang Ning and Lu Jing remained at home, happily enjoying their sweet life as a couple.

However, Kang Ning had felt restless these past two days. He meticulously reviewed every detail concerning himself and his loved ones again and again, yet he could not pinpoint where the problem lay or where he might have slipped up.

Lu Jing, a delicate and sensitive woman, had grown attuned to Kang Ning’s moods through their long acquaintance. She noticed his unease and grew deeply concerned. It was already eleven at night when Kang Ning said he wanted to go downstairs for a walk, which worried her. Considering that Kang Ning had never hidden anything from her before, she reluctantly allowed him to step out for some fresh air, trusting he would eventually tell her the reason.

Kang Ning strolled down to the flowerbed outside and sat down, quickly dialing a familiar number on his phone. Zhang Jianhan’s deep, somewhat cold voice came through: “I’ve got some bad news for you.”

“Go ahead. At this point, how much worse can it get?” Kang Ning’s voice remained calm as ever, though his heart was heavy with worry.

Zhang Jianhan’s tone dropped slightly. “Today I received word that the head of the Hubei Police Station, Jiang Shangwu, was promoted to head of the narcotics squad—a two-level jump! But the punch you landed on him totally ruined his lower abdomen. I heard now he can only urinate in spurts, and his manhood is basically useless.”

Kang Ning laughed heartily. “Hearing you say it like that, it doesn’t sound like such bad news after all.”

“Bad or not, this promotion means your situation’s getting tougher. The 621 task force has been disbanded, and Jiang Shangwu has formed a new five-person special team dedicated solely to finding you. Wei and I were kicked out, but luckily there’s a big shot still watching over things. If there’s no progress by year’s end, you might become a nationwide fugitive.” Zhang Jianhan’s voice was calm, but Kang Ning sensed the underlying anxiety.

Kang Ning shook his head in frustration and confided in his sworn brother, “It’s nothing serious. Don’t worry too much; sometimes, trying too hard only backfires.”

Zhang Jianhan chuckled bitterly. “Hah, you’re getting better at comforting people! I’ve got it covered. I know where the breakthrough is; I just need to wait for the right moment. Alright, here’s some good news—I just got promoted to ‘Big Boss’ last night at 10:20 PM. Ha! Congratulate me.”

Kang Ning found it odd but teased him, “You talk like that without a care in the world. Apart from me, who else could give you that status? Wait for my call. By the way, when are you and Sister Jia Yi getting married? Let me know—I’ll give you tens of thousands as a gift.”

Zhang Jianhan didn’t believe his obedient little brother would be generous. He sneered, “Don’t worry about me. You should spend your few pitiful coins on some meat buns to keep your strength up.”

Hearing Kang Ning’s laughter, Zhang Jianhan’s tone turned serious. “Listen carefully! Everything I said is true. Mom and Dad named my newborn nephew Su Xiaokang. Did you hear that? I’ll repeat: My nephew born last night is named Su Xiaokang! Remember this—don’t contact me for a month. I’ve been transferred to the department for a special case. Alright, I’m hanging up now.”

Kang Ning’s phone was silent against his ear, his mind buzzing with emptiness. Like a statue, he stood before the flowerbed for nearly five minutes before collapsing onto the tiled edge, burying his hands in his hair in anguish.

He knew the situation was far from as simple as Zhang Jianhan made it sound. Since contacting Zhang Jianhan, Kang Ning had never missed the roughly ten-day updates. Now, knowing his sworn brother had just learned this news himself meant that Su Fang must have endured those ten months of pregnancy in silence. Given Su Fang’s delicate and modest nature, she likely never let her father find out. That meant for about eight months from conception to birth, how had she survived? How much pain and hardship had she borne?

Kang Ning was overwhelmed with guilt and shame. All of this was the burden he had brought upon Su Fang. Beyond the debt he owed Uncle Su and his parents, the harm and life-altering impact on the beautiful, kind Su Fang tore him apart with regret.

Two security guards on their nightly patrol noticed Kang Ning’s distress and hurried over. “Mr. Wu, are you feeling unwell? Should we take you home or call a hospital?”

Kang Ning discreetly wiped away tears and stood, apologizing, “I’m fine. I have frequent headaches. I thought a walk for fresh air would help, but it hasn’t eased the pain. Thank you, though—I’ll go back and rest with my medication.”

“No problem.” Watching Kang Ning walk away unsteadily, one guard said with curiosity, “Mr. Wu runs out every morning to buy breakfast. I always thought he was strong. Didn’t expect he had a head ailment.”

The other guard smirked lewdly and whispered, “Look at how pretty his girlfriend is. Bet he’s got some chronic problem from… you know. Haha!”

The first guard, more earnest, scolded, “Xiao Si, watch your mouth! Sister Jing and Mr. Wu have always been polite and kind to us. Remember when Zhuzi’s mom collapsed by the roadside? Dozens gathered, but it was Mr. Wu who took her to the hospital. He not only spent over a thousand yuan but stayed to care for her all night until Zhuzi and I arrived the next day. And you say things like that about him? Really…”

“Sorry, Brother Yong, I won’t say anything more. I just slipped up. Please forgive me!” The scolded guard felt guilty and quickly apologized. Brother Yong gave him a glance but let it go as they resumed their rounds.

Back home, Kang Ning found Lu Jing resting in their bedroom. He went to the bathroom to wash his face, then stared at his reflection for a long moment before sighing deeply and resolutely entering Lu Jing’s room.