Chapter 113: Even Rogues Have Their Levels (Part One)

At half past five in the afternoon, Kang Ning was preparing the final dish for Lu Jing’s dinner—boiled crucian carp. The milky white fish broth emitted an enticing aroma. Kang Ning nodded in satisfaction and turned around, only to unexpectedly collide with Zheng Yi, who had sneaked in silently.

Startled for a moment, Kang Ning reacted swiftly, catching Zheng Yi’s waist with his left hand to steady her as she lost balance. His right hand, however, seemed to act on its own accord, inadvertently embracing Zheng Yi’s ample bosom. His broad palm pressed firmly against one of her prominent curves, leaving both of them frozen in shock from this unforeseen mishap.

“Slap!”

Zheng Yi angrily struck the back of Kang Ning’s hand. “Let go! Are you trying to get yourself killed? You little rogue... I’ll strangle you!”

Unable to fend off her retaliation, Kang Ning gritted his teeth, raising his hands in surrender. Enduring the sharp pain near his waist, he pleaded sheepishly, “Ow, ow, that hurts... Yi Jie, please spare me, I really didn’t know you were behind me. Hiss... don’t squeeze anymore, or my insides might come out...”

Zheng Yi, her cheeks flushed, spat disdainfully before releasing him. Amused by Kang Ning’s exaggerated words and pained expression, she burst into laughter. The coquettish smile, the bright, melodious laughter, and the subtle trembling of her bosom beneath her neckline ignited a wildfire of yearning and thirst in Kang Ning’s heart, which had been restrained for days. Sighing, he turned away to extinguish the stove, then ladled the fish soup into a white porcelain bowl and brought it to the table.

Having laughed her fill, Zheng Yi lowered her head gracefully, inhaling the scents of the dishes on the table. With admiration, she turned to Kang Ning and said tenderly, “Whoever marries you is truly blessed!”

Calmed but too shy to steal another glance at her revealing charm, Kang Ning’s heart swelled with longing and affection. A youthful impulse arose within him, so he decided to tease her a little.

With a solemn expression, Kang Ning approached Zheng Yi and spoke gently, “Yi Jie, there’s something I’ve wanted to tell you for a long time, but I feared you might misunderstand, so it weighed heavily on my heart. If I don’t say it today, I might never have the chance: why don’t you move in here too?”

Zheng Yi was taken aback. Kang Ning had already slipped out of the kitchen to bid farewell to Lu Jing.

Hearing Kang Ning’s hurried footsteps and the sound of the door closing behind him, Zheng Yi suddenly realized what had happened. She covered her flushed cheeks with her hands, lingering in a daze before scolding playfully as she strode toward Lu Jing’s bedroom, calling out in a coquettish voice, “Jing Jie, your damn ghost of a brother is such a bully... you rotten little rake...”

***

In a corner of Burton Western Restaurant, the excited Shuyi was gradually mastering the use of knife and fork under Kang Ning’s guidance. She wiped the corner of her adorable mouth with a pristine napkin and whispered to the smiling Kang Ning, “Brother Xiaohua, I think Western food isn’t as tasty as our Chinese cuisine, but these utensils are truly exquisite and beautiful.”

“Exactly! When our ancestors were enjoying fine wine and delicious food, the ancestors of those Westerners were probably still up in the trees! So Western food can’t be compared to Chinese cuisine! But it’s fun to try different flavors once in a while.” Kang Ning thought to himself that if she ever got selected by the “organization” to be sent abroad, Western food would inevitably become part of her life.

Hearing Kang Ning’s witty analogy, Shuyi laughed brightly, her eyes sparkling seductively in the candlelight, mesmerizing Kang Ning. Finally, she raised a glass of soda, pretending to take a sip to mask her embarrassment.

After enjoying the Western meal with lingering delight, Shuyi coquettishly asked Kang Ning to accompany her on a shopping trip, to which he readily agreed.

After parking at the mall, the two strolled into the lively building hand in hand. Kang Ning thoughtfully noticed that Shuyi’s clothes were stretched tight, no longer accommodating her vibrant youth. He casually led her to the women’s clothing section on the second floor. Knowing Shuyi was modest and shy, he recalled the fifty-thousand-yuan bank card he had recently given her, which she probably hadn’t used yet and was unaware of its balance.

The simple Shuyi gazed at the dazzling array of beautiful garments like a child staring at delicious candy. The saleswoman eagerly introduced various styles, but upon seeing the prices, Shuyi apologized to the clerk, tightly grasped Kang Ning’s arm, and lowered her head to feign indifference, coquettishly asking to leave.

Kang Ning gently pulled Shuyi’s hand and whispered reassuringly, “When you get to college, you’ll need at least one or two decent outfits, or you’ll feel embarrassed when classmates invite you to different events. Those two sets you liked are quite nice—fresh in color and style yet still elegant. They’re suitable not only for everyday wear but also for formal occasions, perfectly matching your character and temperament. How about we buy them? You can keep track of the cost and pay me back later.”

“No way! I already owe you too much! Come on, Brother Xiaohua!” Shuyi blushed and tried to drag Kang Ning away.

Feigning anger, Kang Ning said, “Today’s your happy day; aren’t you going to let your big brother enjoy it too? Don’t be silly, let’s go!”

In the end, three beautiful outfits were purchased thanks to Kang Ning’s insistence. Shuyi was both ashamed and moved. When Kang Ning gently suggested she pick out some lingerie herself, Shuyi lowered her head, cheeks aflame, and clung to Kang Ning’s arm as he led her back to the car.

Kang Ning laughed heartily as he started the vehicle and slowly drove out of the parking lot. Just as he was about to exit, two men on motorcycles darted recklessly in front of his car. Demonstrating skilled driving, Kang Ning slammed on the brakes, tension flooding him.

Startled, Shuyi pointed at the retreating motorcycles and angrily told Kang Ning, “Those three men on the bikes are the village chief’s son and nephews. They’re the worst. Almost everyone in the village has been bullied by them. Anyone who dares to speak against them risks having their pigs or cattle poisoned, or worse, getting beaten and forced to pay compensation. For years, whenever they see me, they harass me with dirty hands and filthy words. I hate them so much!”

***

Kang Ning’s face darkened instantly, then quickly resumed a calm smile. He drove in the direction the motorcycles had gone, chatting casually with Shuyi. Soon, they arrived at the entrance of the “Echo Disco,” where the three men, dressed uniformly in black t-shirts, parked their motorcycles, locked them, and swaggered inside.

Kang Ning had come here before investigating Ni San and knew this was Ni San’s largest entertainment enterprise. He discreetly drove on, turning two corners before stopping outside a paint store about to close. Inside, he bought a can of spray paint for twenty-five yuan, pocketed it, and returned to the car.

Instead of heading home, Kang Ning smiled and suggested to Shuyi, “Shuyi, since we’re both in good spirits today, I don’t want to go back so early. How about we find a café or a disco to hang out for a while?”

Shuyi, who had been worried Kang Ning would leave her, was overjoyed and almost wanted to kiss him. “That’s wonderful! I don’t want to go back early either. Thank you so much, Brother Xiaohua! But... I’ve never been to a disco before. My classmates say discos are chaotic and often have fights. Maybe we should go to a café instead?”

Kang Ning shook his head. “If you haven’t been, then it’s time to open your eyes. Don’t be afraid; those thugs are nothing. If a fight breaks out, not many could stand up to your big brother, right?”

Remembering Kang Ning’s heroic deeds that night, Shuyi looked at him with admiration. “Brother Xiaohua, you’re amazing! I’m not afraid to go anywhere with you!”

Kang Ning thought, that’s the spirit. He smiled brightly, started the jeep, and after a few turns, quickly parked in a lot beside the disco. He chose a spot that made it easy to drive out later, then linked his arm with Shuyi’s and walked into the deafening disco.

Kang Ning told the approaching waiter they already had a reservation, then strolled down the dimly lit corridor with a curious Shuyi. Soon, they found their target—the village chief’s three relatives—seated at a small round table near the dance floor.

Kang Ning called over the waiter and discreetly slipped him a hundred yuan, requesting a small reserved booth not far from the three men. Then, happily seated with Shuyi, they ordered a dozen cans of Carlsberg and some snacks, and began to enjoy a lively conversation.