Chapter 74: Compensation for Emotional Distress

Early the next morning, after his boxing practice left him drenched in sweat, Kang Ning took a shower and changed into clean clothes. Yu Sheng had already prepared breakfast.

Seated at the small table, sipping the delicious millet porridge, Kang Ning couldn’t help but praise, “Yu Sheng, this porridge is wonderful. You must have simmered it for hours?”

“If you like it, I’ll make it again tomorrow,” Yu Sheng replied happily, delighted by Kang Ning’s compliment.

Kang Ning noticed an advertisement by Yu Sheng’s bedside and picked it up to read carefully. After finishing, he spoke earnestly, “In ten days, you have the opportunity to take the Chongqing exam. It’s a rare chance. Work hard and bring back the technician’s certificate.”

Yu Sheng lowered his head, “I don’t want to go. Maybe next year.”

Kang Ning understood that Yu Sheng’s poverty made him anxious about the three-thousand-yuan registration fee. He also knew that over the years, the nature of such exams had changed, becoming more of a money-making scheme for the relevant technical departments. Still, the certificate was a legitimate, state-recognized qualification. As long as you paid the fee and performed adequately in the technical operation, you’d pass; the theory exam was open-book, and as long as you didn’t misspell your name, you’d get through. Kang Ning treasured this opportunity for Yu Sheng. Years of experience had taught him: act early, or it will only get harder once stricter rules are enforced.

Kang Ning glanced at Yu Sheng without saying more, quickly finished his porridge, and left. Back in his room, he donned his jacket and rode out. By the gate, Yu Sheng had already opened the door. Kang Ning stopped by the small house at the entrance, pulled Yu Sheng inside, and took a five-thousand-yuan envelope from his pocket, placing it beside the pillow. Pointing to the phone number on the advertisement, he said, “Call the number on that ad right away and register. Spend these days studying those exam books. If you don’t get the certificate, don’t come back. Eat lunch and dinner on your own; I might not return today.”

Without waiting for Yu Sheng’s response, Kang Ning left, got in his car, and drove off, leaving Yu Sheng alone in the little house, wiping away tears.

When Kang Ning arrived at Lu Jing’s door, it was already twenty past eight. Using the key Lu Jing had given him, he unlocked the door. The bedroom was open but silent. He quietly closed the door behind him, placed the freshly-bought breakfast on the coffee table, and tiptoed into the bedroom.

Seeing the alluring curve of a back under the brocade quilt, Kang Ning grinned mischievously and crept closer, suddenly pressing down heavily on the delicate form beneath. His large hand slipped into the loose pajamas, caressing, and he bent down to gently suck the exquisite earlobe.

Beneath him, the beauty let out a string of soft sounds, instantly making Kang Ning, caught up in his prank, blush fiercely. Meng Meng opened her dreamy, resentful eyes and gazed at him!

Kang Ning stood by the bed, unsure whether to stay or leave, rubbing his forehead with an awkward laugh. Qu Meng Meng, her smooth, slender legs emerging from under the quilt, kicked Kang Ning in the thigh, “Get out! You scoundrel.”

Kang Ning, relieved, turned to flee, only to bump straight into Lu Jing, who was entering. Kang Ning caught her before she could fall, apologizing profusely, “Sorry, sorry! I didn’t realize you were behind me…”

Lu Jing, irritated, punched him lightly in the chest, then glanced at the bed where Qu Meng Meng had hurriedly pulled the quilt over her head. Understanding immediately, she scolded, “You villain! Did you bully Meng Meng?”

“No, no! It’s a misunderstanding, I… I thought… I didn’t know!” Kang Ning stammered, his face crimson with embarrassment.

Lu Jing glared at him, then pinched his waist hard to vent her anger, “Go, you’re punished—make hot milk for breakfast!”

Kang Ning nodded hurriedly and rushed out, while Lu Jing couldn’t help but chuckle, recalling Kang Ning’s childlike antics. Her face warmed as she walked over to the bed, leaned over Meng Meng, and pulled back the quilt, smiling at the blushing Meng Meng. “Meng Meng, how did that guy bully you?”

Qu Meng Meng, already mortified, tried to pull the quilt over her head again, but Lu Jing held on tightly. Unable to win, Meng Meng hugged Lu Jing’s waist, rolling on the bed as they tickled each other, pillows flying and laughter filling the room until they lay breathless, chests heaving.

“Meng Meng, what do you think of him?” Lu Jing asked softly once her breath had calmed.

Qu Meng Meng sat up weakly, glimpsed her open collar, and snapped, “Later, I’ll chop off his hand!”

Lu Jing sat up and wrapped Meng Meng in her arms. “Could you bear it?”

“Jing, please spare me! I’m so embarrassed…” Meng Meng laughed harder as she spoke, finally burying her head in Lu Jing’s embrace, making Lu Jing laugh even more.

Kang Ning had already prepared breakfast and, settling himself at the dining table, shook his head with a sigh.

Just then, the phone in the living room rang. Kang Ning hurried over and answered, recognizing Gao Qinghua’s voice and listening intently. Five minutes later, he hung up and returned to the table, deep in thought.

Qu Meng Meng quickly ran into the bathroom and closed the door. Lu Jing, smiling, walked over to stand behind Kang Ning, leaned close and whispered into his ear, “Silly, I don’t blame you. You really didn’t know it was Meng Meng in bed, not me.”

Kang Ning immediately whispered back, “Yes, yes, I really didn’t know. Didn’t Meng Meng go home last night with Sister Yi? Who knew…”

Lu Jing sighed and sat nearby, picking up a small piece of layered cake to taste. Soon, Qu Meng Meng finished washing up, changed clothes, and sat at the table, glaring fiercely at Kang Ning, “What are you staring at? You owe me emotional damages!”

Lu Jing watched Kang Ning, who kept his head down awkwardly, and heard Meng Meng’s angry words, unable to hold back her laughter, leaving Kang Ning and Meng Meng both mortified.

After a long while, Lu Jing asked the two, still eating and drinking tea, “By the way, what’s your plan for the hundred thousand yuan in emotional damages? If you leave it here, I’ll start charging a storage fee!”

Truthfully, Kang Ning hadn’t thought about how to use that money. He’d simply extorted it from the Wang family, feeling they deserved it. When he tried to give it to Meng Meng, she refused, so he left it at Lu Jing’s place. Hearing Lu Jing bring it up now, he didn’t really care, continuing to drink tea as if it was irrelevant to him.

Meng Meng considered for a moment and suggested, “Jing, why don’t you keep it? I heard from Sister Yi that your factory was smashed and you lost at least a hundred thousand. It might help a bit.”

“That won’t do! At most, I lose a month’s profit. I’ll make up for it after the New Year. Besides, the money is Wang family’s compensation for you—it’s only right you keep it.” Lu Jing shook her head firmly, refusing Meng Meng’s suggestion.

Seeing Lu Jing’s outright rejection, and Kang Ning’s indifferent demeanor, Meng Meng’s anger surged again. She suddenly pinched Kang Ning’s arm hard, muttering bitterly, “You make me so mad. The trouble you’ve caused, you solve!”

Kang Ning frowned slightly but didn’t avoid her, calmly voicing an idea that left Lu Jing and Meng Meng both utterly surprised.