Chapter 84: The Undying Memory

In just two nights, Kang Ning and Yu Sheng dismantled nearly every useful part from the heap of scrap cars, pushing the battered Beijing jeep into a corner of the workshop. To avoid drawing attention and questions, Kang Ning scaled the wall into the neighboring Antong Factory and stole two sets of license plates from a pile of abandoned vehicles. He hung a civilian plate from Chongqing on the jeep, while the other—a forged plate of the Armed Police Water Conservancy Corps—he carefully hid in his dormitory.

On the third afternoon, with the help of others, the disassembled and scattered wreckage was finally hauled away by a metal recycling company. After work, Kang Ning considered that Yu Sheng, exhausted by two nights of intense labor, needed a break, and he himself wanted to spend time with Lu Jing and Meng Meng. He delivered the blueprints for the 4Y engine and gearbox to Yu Sheng, then caught a taxi to Lu Jing’s home.

After a revitalizing hot shower, Kang Ning came out to find Lu Jing and Meng Meng had prepared dinner. He sat down happily, enjoying the meal, and was surprised to learn both dishes were made by Meng Meng. He couldn’t help but praise Meng Meng’s rapid progress in cooking.

For reasons unknown, since the night they shared a bed, none of the three had spoken about the nature of their relationship; yet their interactions grew harmonious and natural. Meng Meng continued to chatter affectionately with Lu Jing, occasionally casting Kang Ning a cold glance or tossing a sharp remark, often leaving him sidelined and frustrated, his ambitions thwarted.

Kang Ning found it amusing that Lu Jing always called him “Little Ning,” while Meng Meng never used any of his names, except in one peculiar circumstance: during moments of passion, she repeatedly called him “Brother Ning,” as if making up for all the times she’d wanted to say it but couldn’t.

After dinner, Meng Meng and Lu Jing, freshly bathed, enthusiastically played Go. Kang Ning, pent up for several days, resorted to reading in the guest room, and soon fell asleep, likely due to fatigue.

Half-awake, he sensed someone sitting beside him and, without opening his eyes, recognized the presence: “Meng Meng, what time is it?”

“Half past midnight, sleepyhead!” Qu Meng Meng lay atop Kang Ning, teasing his straight nose.

Kang Ning got up, went to the bathroom, washed up, and felt refreshed. Returning to the guest room, he found Meng Meng reclining on the bed, undressed, reading. Kang Ning’s handsome eyes flashed with a plan.

He lay down unhurriedly, gently lifted Meng Meng into his arms, and they whispered to each other before falling into passionate kissing and caresses. Within minutes, Meng Meng’s eyes grew misty, breaths grew shallow, and her slender, supple waist began to twist uncontrollably. A muffled moan escaped her lips, and she felt an intense heat in her abdomen, matched by an involuntary tightness within.

As Meng Meng neared the brink of losing control, the cunning Kang Ning steadied her hips with one hand, wrapped his other arm around her fiery body, and kissed her lips while walking around the room. The unprecedented closeness overwhelmed Meng Meng, her legs wrapped tightly around Kang Ning’s waist, her mouth uttering incoherent cries. After several seconds, a wave of ecstatic convulsions drowned her body and soul, as if she were basking in the warm sunlight high above the clouds.

More than ten minutes later, Meng Meng was awakened by a plaintive song, and as she opened her eyes, she was drawn to Kang Ning and Lu Jing’s entwined embrace at arm’s length. Her breath quickened and her heart surged as she stared, then slowly leaned in to kiss Kang Ning’s chest. From that moment, Kang Ning happily bid farewell to the nightly ordeal of shuttling between two bedrooms.

Meng Meng awoke to sunlight, seeing Lu Jing beside her, watching with a half-smile. Blushing, Meng Meng burrowed into Lu Jing’s arms, muttering complaints, which made Lu Jing laugh uncontrollably, her waist tickled, and the two soon fell into a dazzling, sweat-soaked romp, their laughter and banter filling the room.

After two more consecutive nights of overtime, industrious Yu Sheng had already completed the engine base modification and welding according to the blueprints. He set aside his welding gun and shield, crawled out of the car pit, and sat exhausted against the wall, wiping sweat from his brow as he watched Kang Ning tightening bolts.

“Big brother, tomorrow night we can hoist the engine.”

“No, tomorrow let’s do something easier. Take out all the seats and benches from the car, clean the interior thoroughly. We can’t work ourselves to exhaustion every day; even iron men would wear out. Tomorrow, just focus on the Jetta I repaired this afternoon—touch up the bodywork and hand it over for baking. We aim to deliver the car the day after.”

Kang Ning’s plans accounted for the work intensity over several days and were quite reasonable. “Let’s call it a night. We’ve worked over four hours—it’s almost midnight. Go home, wash up, and sleep.”

“I’ll wait until you’re done.” Yu Sheng felt it was disloyal to rest while Kang Ning was still working, so he sat on the floor, unwilling to get up.

Kang Ning had no choice but to stop and pack up. Yu Sheng quickly stood to help, and after cleaning up and shutting off the high-powered lights, the two left the workshop together.

Just then, there was a knock at the front gate. Yu Sheng hurried to check, while Kang Ning wondered who would come at this hour, worrying Yu Sheng might be at risk, so he followed.

“Xiao Cui? Why is it you?” Yu Sheng smiled foolishly at the unexpected visitor.

Xiao Cui smiled awkwardly at Yu Sheng. “I’m leaving tomorrow for a job in Chongqing. I wanted to say goodbye to Brother Xiao Hua and mention a few things.”

Kang Ning noticed something strange in Xiao Cui’s demeanor but let her in. Yu Sheng closed the gate and went to shower. Kang Ning called out, “Yu Sheng, after your shower, just sleep. I’ll drive the Jetta to take Xiao Cui home.”

“Okay.” Yu Sheng replied without hesitation, undressing as he entered his room.

They stopped at the office door. “Xiao Cui, wait in your office for me. I’ll wash up and come.”

“My key was handed in yesterday. I can’t get in.” Xiao Cui lowered her head shyly.

Kang Ning recalled Xiao Cui had resigned yesterday, and he himself had handed in his office key to the new female accountant to avoid suspicion.

The February night was cold and damp. Kang Ning opened his own dormitory door and invited Xiao Cui inside. “Sit for a while. Help yourself to water from the dispenser.”

“Mm.”

Kang Ning fetched clean clothes from the wardrobe, entered the bathroom, and turned on the gas water heater. As he showered, he wondered about Xiao Cui’s late-night visit, and soon found the answer.

Dressed in comfortable underwear and a long-sleeved tracksuit, Kang Ning returned to his bed, sat down to dry his feet and change shoes, and gently asked, “What time do you leave tomorrow? Should I take you to the station?”

Xiao Cui replied softly with her head down, “It’s a seven thirty bus. I’ll go myself.”

Kang Ning brought her a cup of hot water and set it on the table beside her. Unexpectedly, Xiao Cui stood up and hugged his neck tightly, tears falling onto his skin, her athletic chest pressed against his, rising and falling rapidly. Kang Ning, tender-hearted, couldn’t bring himself to push her away.

After a while, Kang Ning gently helped Xiao Cui to sit on the edge of the bed behind him, then pulled up a chair to sit opposite. “Xiao Cui, tell me what’s on your mind.”

Blushing, Xiao Cui looked up, shedding her usual shyness and weakness, bravely locking eyes with Kang Ning. “Brother Xiao Hua, I’m leaving tomorrow. Maybe I’ll never see you again. For the past half year, seeing you every day has made me so happy, and sad. Happy because I could talk to you, sad because you belong to Sister Jing, not me. I know I can never have you, nor dare to hope. But today I realized if I leave without any memory or keepsake, I’ll regret it for life!”

Kang Ning was surprised by Xiao Cui’s passion and honesty, but, worried about causing her pain, hesitated. After a moment, he thought of a way to dissuade her. “I understand. Xiao Cui, can you tell me—did you break up with your boyfriend because of this?”

Xiao Cui shook her head shyly. “No. Over two months ago he got together with my female roommate. When I found out, he tried to force me into bed with him. But even if you beat me to death, I wouldn’t give my first time to such a heartless man. The next day I moved out.”

“Xiao Cui, you know about me and Sister Jing, so just call me ‘Big Brother.’ If you have trouble, call me or Sister Jing. Chongqing isn’t far, we’ll have chances to meet. It’s late, let me take you back, don’t miss your bus tomorrow.”

As Kang Ning stood, Xiao Cui threw herself into his arms, crying. “Brother Xiao Hua, do you despise me? Do you know how much courage it took to come here? You’re the best, most respectful man I’ve ever known. I don’t know why I like you so much. I bought tickets twice and refunded them both times, unwilling to leave. I just want you to love me once, to give my first time to the man I like most! I don’t ask you to promise anything or hurt Sister Jing. I only want you to cherish me tonight, to leave me a memory, Brother Xiao Hua!”

Moved, Kang Ning hugged her. “Xiao Cui, are you sure?”

Xiao Cui didn’t reply, but knelt down, fumbling to unfasten Kang Ning’s belt, burying her head in his lap and clumsily kissing him. Shocked, Kang Ning quickly picked her up, kissed her trembling lips, and asked softly, “Where did you learn this?”

“From books… They say… men like it…”

Just as Kang Ning broke out in a sweat, Xiao Cui slowly knelt again…