Chapter 96: The Underworld's Bounty

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The two-week-long hunt conducted by hundreds of members of Lei River's underworld, under relentless pressure from the vigilant police, finally drew to an exhausted close. Only then did Gao Qinghua and Du Jianwu find a moment to call Kang Ning, inviting him to join them for mutton dinner that evening.

Kang Ning, who had spent the past fortnight cheerfully playing the role of model husband at home, asked Lu Jing and Mengmeng for leave and was granted their swift and enthusiastic approval. Overjoyed, he embraced his two beloveds, showering them with kisses until Mengmeng, laughing, threatened, "If you don’t leave now, I won’t let you go at all!" Reluctantly, Kang Ning left the house.

Since he planned to drink, Kang Ning caught a taxi outside his residential complex, gave the driver an address, and sat back to enjoy the passing scenery. The chatty driver immediately began recounting the recent upheavals.

“Sir, have you heard? Someone with nerves of steel dared to touch Sixth Brother’s money—he’s a big shot in the underworld. Over the past ten days, nearly a thousand tough guys have turned Ley River upside down. Even honest folks like me, just driving for a living, weren’t spared. I counted it up—I’ve been questioned thirteen times! It’s frightening!” The driver spoke with lingering fear, his last words trembling.

Kang Ning frowned slightly, “I haven’t been out lately. How did things get so bad?”

“Ah! It’s lucky you stayed home. Best to keep away from this kind of trouble!” the driver sighed, continuing, “Sixth Brother isn’t even the biggest fish. His superior, Third Brother, is truly formidable. I’ll tell you in confidence—don’t spread it around. Word is, Third Brother has offered a hundred thousand for any clue that leads to the robber. People are moving for that kind of money.”

Kang Ning appeared unconcerned but inwardly worried about the outsider who had provided him with the master key. After some thought, he asked the driver to stop at the shopping mall, saying he’d meet a friend for drinks. He tipped the driver and carefully approached the shop of the man who made stamps and keys.

Stopping fifty meters from the usual spot, Kang Ning found the shop’s doors tightly shut and the place deserted—the outsider had vanished.

He walked over and asked the neighboring shoe shop owner, “Miss, do you know where the key-maker next door went? He still has my house key.”

The woman, in her thirties, saw Kang Ning’s handsome and polite demeanor, glanced around, then whispered, “Brother, I advise you not to bother. You’ll likely never get your key back. Ten days ago—no, eleven—the guy next door committed a crime and fled. He specialized in forging documents and plates, and the police have been here asking me several times, it’s maddening! Tell me, the precinct is just across the street, yet for years, they never noticed someone like him right under their noses and now they come grilling me, a woman? How would I know anything? Sigh—it’s no wonder. The fellow always seemed honest and upright. Who could have guessed he was breaking the law behind the scenes? These days, you just can’t trust appearances!”

Disappointed, Kang Ning bid the woman farewell, flagged another taxi a few hundred meters away, and ten minutes later arrived smiling at the mutton restaurant. Gao Qinghua and Du Jianwu were already seated at a square table, with food and drinks laid out.

Kang Ning greeted them apologetically, “Sorry to keep you waiting, brothers. I’m late.”

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Du Jianwu pushed over a stool, signaling Kang Ning to sit, “Was your wife hard to convince?”

“Not at all! As men, it’s only polite to let her know when we’re out. Haha! So, what happened? I haven’t seen you in weeks, no calls, and after May Day, you’re still so busy?” Kang Ning shifted the conversation effortlessly, smiling as he sat.

Gao Qinghua shook his head with a wry smile, speaking quietly, “Some clever soul stole a million from Ni San, the tiger himself, right from under his nose. The whole underworld was mobilized, causing chaos and exhausting us. If the central authorities weren’t coming to inspect, these guys would still be raising hell. Only strict orders from city officials calmed things down.”

Du Jianwu laughed, “Damn, I was thrilled when I heard about it. Hats off! That master left no trace. Our criminal squad searched every inch—no fingerprints, and the half-footprint that remained was ruined by ignorant thugs. It rained all night, wiping out every clue. We still don’t know how they got in. Haha, feels good!”

Kang Ning kept a neutral expression, “I heard from a taxi driver that Ni San offered a hundred thousand for leads. Is it true?”

“Absolutely! Even some of our own are helping Ni San. If you ask me, it’s probably crook against crook, dogs biting dogs. I’ll steer clear of this mess—better to drink or spend time with my wife. Cheers!” Du Jianwu raised his glass boldly.

After three rounds, Gao Qinghua, picking at the dishes, said to Kang Ning, “How did you train for this drinking capacity? I’ve never seen you drunk, but every time I drink with you, I have to stagger home. Isn’t that infuriating?”

Kang Ning laughed, “Honestly, I didn’t know I could drink until last August in the Dayaoshan mountains. After two times getting drunk there, drinking stopped bothering me. Those two times were torture—seven or eight pounds of low-alcohol rice wine forced into me, next morning everything doubled, people became two. I remember bumping into someone—the narrow corridor in the Yao house, I thought I’d pass between two people, but it was just one. Luckily I didn’t hurt anyone.”

Du Jianwu and Gao Qinghua burst out laughing, and even the nearby tables couldn’t help but smile. The owner, who knew Du Jianwu, brought a plate of freshly roasted peanuts to their table, smiling at the refined and handsome Kang Ning, “Young man, you look familiar, but I can’t recall where I’ve seen you.”

Kang Ning replied politely, “Maybe I’ve been here before. Uncle, your mutton is excellent. Could you teach me your technique someday?”

“Haha, sure! Come help me at four in the morning, and you’ll be ready to open your own shop in a week. But you look so refined—how could you do this greasy, smelly work? Just come and eat! Haha, enjoy, gentlemen, I have to get back to work!” With a warm smile, the owner left them to their meal.

The three chatted and drank until nearly ten, then stood to leave. Gao Qinghua insisted on paying, and Du Jianwu and Kang Ning did not protest, standing aside and smiling.

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At that moment, Kang Ning’s familiar white van pulled up outside. The owner’s face turned grim, but relaxed when he saw only Tank getting out. After handling change for Gao Qinghua, the owner hurriedly said goodbye and eagerly greeted Tank.

Tank, a burly man, strode past the three, his face taut with tension. He cast a disdainful glance at Du Jianwu, but under Du Jianwu’s glare, sat fearlessly at the large round table and shouted to the owner, “Two pounds of braised meat, two bottles of Luzhou Tequ, twenty skewers of roast mutton, and a few side dishes—pick whatever!”

“How many are you tonight, Sixth Brother?” the owner asked with a smile.

Tank glared fiercely, “Are you blind? I want to eat this much alone—what’s it to you? Hurry up!”

“Yes, yes, right away!” The owner replied meekly, turning to instruct the cook and busying himself.

The three men returned to their minivan, Du Jianwu grumbling, “Damn, even thugs are cocky these days. I caught him once before, but someone pulled strings and got him released. I was so angry I couldn’t eat for three days. Damn it, one day I’ll deal with him!”

“Let it go, Xiao Du. Don’t waste energy on people like that. Go home and sleep with your wife, it’s more worthwhile. Xiao Hua, let me take you home first,” Gao Qinghua said, looking at Kang Ning in the rearview mirror.

Kang Ning smiled, “No need, brother. Just drop me at the night market by the shopping mall. I need to buy some snacks for Lu Jing. You and Du can head back, don’t wait for me—I’ll take a taxi home.”

“Xiao Hua really dotes on his wife! Fine, suit yourself. I’m so tired my eyelids are drooping,” Gao Qinghua replied, turning the car toward the night market.

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