Chapter Sixty-Three: A Tree Standing Tall in the Forest

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On the eve of New Year’s Day, the entire factory was brimming with festive cheer.

To express her gratitude, Lu Jing handed out the year-end bonuses early to everyone. Even the apprentice with the smallest bonus received two thousand yuan in a red envelope, while Old Li, who had the most, took home ten thousand. The grateful employees, one after another, assured her: “From New Year’s to the Spring Festival is our busiest season. We won’t take a single day off.”

Only Kang Ning refused to take a cent. When faced with Lu Jing’s persistent insistence, he dismissed her with a single remark: “Even you are mine—why would I care about a mere eighteen thousand?”

That evening, Kang Ning stayed late at the factory to work overtime. He bought some side dishes at the market and shared a drink with Uncle Wang, who was in high spirits. Raising his glass with a smile, Uncle Wang teased, “Kid, you haven’t come home to sleep for several nights—where have you been?”

Kang Ning felt a little embarrassed. “Is there anything that escapes your sharp eyes?”

“Haha! I like your honesty,” Uncle Wang laughed heartily, poured himself another drink, and then said, “I know you’re a good kid. With you, I feel at ease about our Miss Lu. Everything’s changed since you came. The shadow over her brow has vanished, and I see her smiling happily every day—you can’t imagine how glad that makes me! The factory is thriving too. According to Xiao Cui in accounting, at this pace, we’ll recover our costs by March, and it’ll be pure profit after that. Looks like I’ll finally be able to retire! When there’s a little grandson, I’ll come visit you all—haha, come, let’s have a drink together!”

After draining his cup, Kang Ning looked at Uncle Wang. “You’re not just going to leave and return to the countryside, are you? Why not live in the city? It would be more convenient if you ever fall ill.”

“No, I really can’t get used to living here. If it weren’t for you, I’d have no one to talk to. I’m old—leaves should return to their roots. I plan to go back after the Spring Festival this year and won’t return. Sigh—seeing you all well, my heart is content.” Uncle Wang sighed.

Kang Ning poured him another drink. “Uncle Wang, have you told Lu Jing about this?”

Uncle Wang took a sip. “I’ll tell her in a few days. She wanted to build me a new house in the countryside since I wouldn’t stay here, but I told her I already have a house—why waste that money? I came into this world alone and will leave it alone—what do I need with more houses? Haha, and the scenery around my old house is beautiful!”

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Seeing the old man’s mind was made up, Kang Ning said no more, but he felt a pang of sorrow as he left. Since their acquaintance, Kang Ning had never once looked down on Uncle Wang for his humble status or the hardships of his life. Quite the opposite, he felt a profound respect for this sincere and passionate elder. Given his relationship with Lu Jing, he had naturally come to regard Uncle Wang as family.

The days around New Year’s were the busiest for the garage. All manner of officials and business owners wanted their cars serviced and tuned up before the Spring Festival, to ensure a smooth ride during the holidays. As a result, Kang Ning found himself especially busy.

That afternoon, Kang Ning was carefully repairing an Audi when he heard Lu Jing’s agitated voice coming from the office. He set down his wrench, grabbed a rag to wipe his hands, and walked toward the office.

“Boss Lu, don’t yell at me. I’m just passing on the message. What you do is your business—figure it out yourself. Let’s go!” Two young men swaggered out of the office, spitting thickly on the floor. As they brushed past Kang Ning, one of them glared at him with a vicious look.

Kang Ning recognized the man with the dragon tattoo on his neck—the same leader who’d come with the Changan owner last time.

He paused, watching the two exit the gate, then entered the office and asked the pale, furious Lu Jing, “What happened?”

Lu Jing snapped, “They’re trying to take our factory. When things were bleak, no one cared. Now that business is booming, the vultures are here. Hmph! I know what’s going on—first, the tax office came to audit us at year’s end but found nothing. Then, three days ago, the price control bureau showed up; our prices are fair and clearly marked, so they couldn’t find fault either. Today, they came straight out and threatened us—if we don’t transfer the factory, they’ll shut us down. I don’t believe they’d dare to just seize it!”

Kang Ning sensed this was no simple matter. Someone able to call in both the tax and price control bureaus was not ordinary. “Who’s behind this?”

“That Ne San,” Lu Jing replied scornfully.

Kang Ning recalled the fat traffic cop’s mention of “Third Brother,” and grew alert. “Who is Ne San?”

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Lu Jing shook her head. “It’s a long story. He was once a minor government official, but in ’92, he took three million from his department to speculate in Beihai real estate and lost everything. He was fired—but that actually set him free. He threw caution to the wind, gathered a gang of thugs, and started extorting people. He’s got no other talents, but he’s a master at cheating, swindling, and speculation. In less than three years, he was riding high. Now, I hear he’s worth over thirty million. In Neijiang, if you want to build anything, you have to buy materials from his company. All the sand from the rivers and quarries within fifty miles are under his control. Many of the city’s teahouses and galleries are his too. He’s got people everywhere who give him face—he’s a real kingpin in Neijiang.”

“Do you know him?” Kang Ning asked, masking his concern.

Lu Jing sighed. “When I first bought this factory, thugs would come demanding protection money. Through Zheng Yi and her husband Fang Xiong, I once met Ne San. He promised to help and, right in front of us, made a single phone call—after that, no one ever came again. Later, he invited me out to dinner a few times, but I always declined, and he didn’t press. But now, maybe seeing our business thriving, he’s set his sights on us. Half a month ago, he called and offered six hundred thousand for the factory. I refused outright—when I bought it, the place was a wreck and still cost me 1.2 million! Isn’t that blatant robbery?”

Now Kang Ning understood. Lu Jing’s factory was the third largest among the dozen or so auto repair shops nearby; the top two were both government-owned. After a year of hard work, Lu Jing’s shop was second only to the leading Dachuan Garage in terms of both equipment and profits, and business was only getting better. That was enough to attract envy—and there was another problem that troubled Kang Ning deeply: Lu Jing’s safety.

After thinking it over, Kang Ning suggested, “Isn’t Fang Xiong still in Neijiang? Maybe you can ask him for help—he’s probably the only one with enough influence.”

“That’s probably our only option,” Lu Jing replied, picking up the phone and calling Zheng Yi.

“It’s Lu Jing. Something’s come up… What? What did you say? Oh my god—Mengmeng has run away from her wedding… and left home? How can that be?”

Kang Ning was stunned. He heard Lu Jing hurriedly say, “We’ll be right there,” before hanging up and turning to him. “Xiao Ning, change your clothes. We’re going to Zheng Yi’s house to check on things—and see if Fang Xiong is home.”

Kang Ning agreed, informed Old Li, then strode back to his dormitory.