Chapter Seventy-Six: Overwhelming Obstacles

Gao Qinghua and Du Jianwu, dressed in civilian clothes, walked toward Kang Ning and his companions. As they stopped, Du Jianwu warmly extended his hand to Kang Ning. Though a bit surprised, Kang Ning politely reached out his own hand.

The moment their large hands touched, Kang Ning immediately understood Du Jianwu's intention. With a thought, his palm gave a slight tremor within Du Jianwu’s iron-grip handshake, tracing a small arc before effortlessly slipping free. Du Jianwu, his face full of astonishment, nodded heavily, “I believe it!”

Kang Ning cast an irritated glance at Gao Qinghua, who took no offense and laughed heartily as he looked at Du Jianwu, “Isn't my brother something? Hahaha!”

Gao Qinghua turned to Kang Ning and said, “Don’t worry about it, we’re all friends here. I didn’t say much, just told him that he couldn’t beat you, and he immediately followed me over.”

Kang Ning thought helplessly: Is that really ‘not saying anything’? Saying someone ‘can’t beat you’ does more harm than anything else. Who doesn't know how deep the camaraderie and loyalty run among comrades in the army? Du Jianwu is already considered a refined man!

At Gao Qinghua’s prompting, Kang Ning briefly explained his current situation and thoughts to the two. Without another word, they climbed the ladder to the warehouse roof, scanning the surroundings. Kang Ning saw Lu Jing and Qu Mengmeng also ascending and hurried over to protect them, only climbing up himself once the two had nervously reached the roof.

After a dozen minutes, everyone descended and returned to the office. Following Gao Qinghua’s suggestion, Kang Ning took Lu Jing and Qu Mengmeng to his dormitory, and the three closed the door to talk.

With an apologetic look, Du Jianwu spoke to Kang Ning, “For five days, we've searched every dump truck and white van within the Lei River area, but found nothing. On the day of the incident, it rained nonstop all night, so we couldn’t collect any useful footprints or fingerprints. The case hasn’t progressed at all. Yesterday, I got notice to drop this case and take over another shooting, so I probably won’t be able to help for a while. Your analysis makes sense; I think we should be cautious because—”

“Just say it, Du, we’re not outsiders,” Gao Qinghua interjected when he saw Du Jianwu hesitate.

Du Jianwu nodded, “Alright, I’ll be frank. In my estimation, this case will probably end here and become a cold case, unless the criminals are implicated in another incident. Otherwise, it’s difficult to proceed. Right now, no one wants to take it on, and the leadership won’t say a word.”

Kang Ning asked calmly, “Sorry, I just want to know—is it that no one is willing to take it, or are they forbidden to?”

Du Jianwu hadn’t expected Kang Ning to be so sensitive to internal affairs. After a moment’s thought, he replied, “I can’t say, but you can interpret it as you wish.”

Kang Ning understood Du Jianwu’s predicament and gave him a grateful smile, then turned to Gao Qinghua, “Brother, what’s your opinion?”

Gao Qinghua sighed, “Lei River is chaotic, far from what it appears on the surface. Du told me that the other night, Ni San saw him, gave a cold smile, and turned away. Ni San’s follower even arrogantly warned Du not to invite trouble, or he’d spend the rest of his life stuck in a county office. Sure enough, yesterday Du was reassigned to another case. These people have powerful backing!”

His expression grew more grave, “Over the years, there have been many deadly conflicts at construction sites, sand pits, and quarries, most of which remain unresolved. Nine months ago, a fire razed several riverside wood factories upstream, killing fourteen people. Du was in charge of that case too; it was hastily attributed to an electrical spark. After the bodies were cremated, the autopsy report was suddenly replaced by a new one. Du reported and argued through every level, but was sent to party school for half a year on the third day. Now the traces of the fire are long gone, replaced by more than thirty luxury villas. Sigh—do you understand what I mean?”

Kang Ning’s heart sank. He nodded, his face dark, “Brother, I suggest we sell this factory. Lu Jing agrees too.”

Gao Qinghua was stunned, exchanged glances with Du Jianwu, and asked after seeing Du nod, “Du, you mean—?”

“Better to sell it! I agree with Kang’s analysis; it’s the safest course for now. If we don’t sell quickly, trouble might escalate and we can’t stay here forever. Damn, I feel so useless as a cop—had I known, I’d have stayed in the army!”

Du Jianwu lowered his head in frustration, pulled a cigarette from his pocket and lit it, inhaling deeply. Seeing everyone in gloomy silence, he continued, “Sichuan has always been a hub for military industries. Many people know how to make firearms; a lot were lost during the Cultural Revolution. From what I know, despite three major crackdowns, plenty of weapons remain in private hands. Recent gang fights and shootings show how serious things are. You all need to be careful.”

Gao Qinghua nodded and said to Kang Ning, “Go buy a cell phone later. I’ve been searching everywhere for you. This morning, I called the factory twice, no answer. The third time, the gatekeeper said you’d left. I finally called your sister’s house and got through. I’m exhausted—what if there’s an emergency?”

Kang Ning smiled apologetically, “Alright, I’ll go buy one soon.”

Du Jianwu handed Kang Ning a business card, “Keep this, brother. It has my cell and pager numbers. If you need anything, call me, no need to be shy.”

Kang Ning stood to take the card, “Thank you, Du!”

“What are you thanking me for? If you really want to thank me, teach me a few moves someday.” Du Jianwu, usually so cold, now smiled broadly at Kang Ning, making him feel awkward.

Gao Qinghua also stood up and said, “No need for formalities. Du, don’t be a stranger. Someday, let’s all go to our training field and break a sweat. You know, our unit has a few prison guards who are pretty good fighters. I used to have them spar with me for practice. They may not beat me, but they’re quite cocky. If they saw what my brother can do, I bet they’d never dare boast again, haha!”

After seeing Gao Qinghua and Du Jianwu off, Kang Ning thought, over my dead body will I go to a place full of cops. Entering his dorm, he found Lu Jing and Qu Mengmeng lying on his bed whispering to each other. Their alluring figures and the intoxicating fragrance filling the room made Kang Ning’s heart race. He stood by, admiring them for a while before gently saying, “Brother and Du have left. Let’s go too.”

“Where to?” Qu Mengmeng quickly sat up, looking at Kang Ning.

Kang Ning smiled, “I’ll take you home first.”

“Don’t even think about it! I just called home. The Wang family has apologized to my parents, and Wang Zihan personally assured my dad they won’t trouble us. He said their previous promises still stand, so my parents are at ease. Hmph! You lecher, trying to get rid of me? I won’t let you. Tonight, I’m sleeping here with Sister Jing! You go sleep somewhere else!” Qu Mengmeng declared and lay back down.

For the first time being called a lecher, Kang Ning was dumbfounded. Watching the two beautiful women giggle on his bed, he was both frustrated and helpless.