Chapter Fifty-One: Lending a Helping Hand

The Border-Crossing Ghost Doctor

When Kang Ning awoke the next day, he stepped out of his dormitory and stood at the door to practice his stance. Even after ten minutes, his heart could not find peace. He recalled the perilous events of the previous afternoon, the sumptuous dinner at Zheng Yi's home, Qu Mengmeng’s adorable smile, and Lu Jing’s heartfelt care. Amidst his fugitive existence, Kang Ning felt deeply grateful. For his own safety, he was forced to lie to his friends—a source of great pain for him.

He could not forget what happened after Lu Jing brought him home last night. Lu Jing, after hanging the clothes she’d bought for him on the line, apologized for forgetting to buy a wardrobe. Despite Kang Ning’s protest, she insisted on washing all his dirty clothes and hanging them to dry. Watching her delicate hands struggle to scrub his heavy, oil-stained work clothes, Kang Ning felt a pang in his heart as he stood on the threshold. In a moment of daze, he seemed to see Su Fang’s graceful silhouette.

As a result, Kang Ning barely slept that night. In his hazy dreams, the smiling faces of a group of lovely women alternated before him. Upon waking early, he immediately went out to practice, hoping his training would dispel the restlessness in his heart, but despite his efforts, he could not achieve tranquility.

Eventually, he started moving, pacing in a semicircle using the Bagua steps. Unexpectedly, his pace quickened, and soon a deep, resonant sound escaped from his throat.

“Boy, you can’t overexert yourself while your injury hasn’t healed!”

Uncle Wang, who had somehow arrived outside Kang Ning’s practice circle, saw him moving faster and faster—almost too fast to follow his figure. Remembering the wound on Kang Ning’s arm, he could not help but call out loudly.

Startled, Kang Ning stopped and walked over to Uncle Wang with a smile. “Good morning, Uncle Wang!”

Uncle Wang pulled Kang Ning’s right hand and examined the wound carefully. “Wait till it heals before practicing again. But it’s strange; when you started, your movements were slow and leisurely, but soon you sped up so much I could barely see you. What kind of martial art is that, so powerful?”

Kang Ning smiled in reply. “It’s Bagua, actually quite similar to Tai Chi. Nothing particularly special.”

“Yesterday, after the young lady took you to the hospital, I realized something had happened. Old Li said that if it weren’t for you, Huang Yuanqing might have lost his life. He also couldn’t believe you knew martial arts, reacting so quickly and jumping so high. Word’s spread throughout the factory,” Uncle Wang remarked with amazement.

Kang Ning realized this was exactly what he’d feared. He didn’t want his actions to attract unnecessary trouble. “It’s nothing, Uncle Wang. When people are in danger, they often act without thinking. I still don’t know how I pushed him away yesterday—I’m just as confused.”

“But old Li said the two people closest to Huang Yuanqing didn’t rescue him; why was it you? Anyway, if Huang had really been crushed to death, the young lady would have had to pay his family tens of thousands! Thanks to you, boy.” Uncle Wang could not hide his gratitude.

Kang Ning did not wish to discuss the matter further and gently steered the conversation away. “Uncle Wang, Master Huang is an experienced mechanic, but why was he so careless? Why didn’t he secure the ramp before removing the wooden supports?”

“You’re new here, so you don’t know. Everyone wants jobs like this—Changan vans are cheap to fix, the real money is in the labor. The owner was in a rush and offered whatever price just to get it fixed in two days. It’s an open invitation to be fleeced. Huang Yuanqing always grabs these jobs; no one can compete with him. Yesterday, you finished repairing the Santana and had nothing to do. He was afraid you’d steal his business, so he rushed and messed up. Sigh! I’ve seen through him. If there were more capable master mechanics here, I’d have advised the young lady to let him go long ago!” Uncle Wang’s anger was evident.

Only now did Kang Ning realize how poorly Huang Yuanqing was regarded. Thinking back to the way Huang had estimated parts for the 212, he immediately understood the scheme.

Reflecting on Lu Jing’s kindness and Uncle Wang’s stories of hardship, Kang Ning resolved to help Lu Jing manage the factory as a way to repay her friendship. Who knew when he might have to flee again, and it would be a lifelong regret if he owed such a debt and could not repay it.

At eight-thirty, the workers began arriving at the factory. Seeing Kang Ning in his work clothes, they gathered around with warm greetings.

Kang Ning thanked everyone politely. After a round of small talk, they dispersed. Old Li pulled Kang Ning aside to share some news. “Huang Yuanqing has left, along with his apprentice. I guess they’re too ashamed to stay.”

Kang Ning nodded. “That means you’ll have to work extra hard, Li. You’re the only master left in the factory, and the others probably can’t handle it yet.”

“But there’s you, too. Anyone who can fix that Santana isn’t simple—you’re at least technician level,” Old Li said, pointing to the newly refurbished Santana outside the paint shop. “Yu Sheng said the total cost, including paint, was only twenty-two hundred. You really pulled it off!”

Kang Ning smiled slightly. Just then, he saw Lu Jing’s car pull up in front of the office. He turned to Old Li. “Li, let’s talk to the boss together. With two people gone, we can’t keep up.”

“Alright, let’s go together!”

Lu Jing saw Kang Ning and Old Li approaching in their work clothes, stepped forward to greet Old Li, then turned to Kang Ning with concern. “You should rest. Wait until your injury heals.”

“It’s nothing. Let’s go in. Li has something to tell you.”

Once seated, Old Li told Lu Jing about Huang Yuanqing and his apprentice leaving, and mentioned the Changan van owner was unhappy and demanding compensation.

Lu Jing immediately felt a headache coming on. Before she could ask Old Li’s opinion, six people entered from outside, one of whom was the boss who had brought the Changan van yesterday.

Upon seeing Lu Jing, the boss shouted, “Miss, these are the owners of the Changan van. My truck accidentally hit their car, and they’ve impounded my vehicle, insisting I fix it and pay ten thousand in compensation. Now that van is in your factory, wrecked beyond recognition—what am I supposed to do?”

Kang Ning took one look at the five men and knew they were no good. Two of them had tattoos visible on their hands and necks, and their faces were fierce and intimidating.

When they saw how beautiful Lu Jing was, they all whistled and greeted her with sly smiles.

Without waiting to be invited, they sat themselves on the benches, one of them squeezing in next to Kang Ning without a care. Kang Ning could only get up and stand aside.