Chapter 52: Narrow Encounter
Three-year-olds fall out quickly—and make up even faster. Just a moment ago, Chubby and Little Bun were at each other’s throats, yet in the blink of an eye, they’d reconciled.
The reason? Chubby had suddenly developed a deep admiration for Little Bun’s “dad.”
After watching Chen Ning’s display of strength, he found the man incredible. His earlier sense of superiority vanished, replaced by envy—envy that Little Bun had such a powerful father.
The adults present didn’t know whether to laugh or cry.
The most awkward ones were Xie YongQiang and Chen Ning. The two had just brawled because of their kids, yet now the little ones had already made up—leaving the men standing there, feeling rather foolish.
Still, though Xie YongQiang had a fiery temper, he was a straightforward man.
Once he learned the truth of the matter, he didn’t hesitate to apologize to both Chen Ning and Liew Ruyan, even promising to properly discipline his own son from now on.
Liew Ruyan had been fuming, but since the other party had apologized—and the two children were back to laughing together—she didn’t see the point in prolonging the issue.
After all, her goal had simply been for her adopted daughter to get along peacefully with her classmates. So, she responded generously, “It’s fine now.”
Xie YongQiang turned to Chen Ning and stared at the insignia on his sleeve—the black phoenix emblem of the Phoenix Legion. His brows rose in surprise.
“Brother, you’re with the Phoenix Legion?”
Chen Ning couldn’t help laughing inwardly.
This man’s way of escalating relationships was lightning fast—first meeting him with a “you bastard,” then switching to “sir” after their scuffle, and now suddenly calling him “brother.”
The man was something else.
Chen Ning nodded. “Yes.” Then he glanced at Xie YongQiang’s own sleeve insignia—a black shark baring sharp teeth. “You’re with the Black Shark Legion?”
“That’s right. I’m a reserve officer candidate for the Black Shark Legion.”
“Heh, I’m with the Phoenix Legion’s Azurebird Camp Elite Unit.”
The moment they realized they were both reserve officer candidates—meaning they held similar ranks and might one day serve together—the tension between them vanished.
The two men, potential pillars of the Empire’s future, exchanged a look of mutual respect.
Soon enough, they were calling each other “brother” in earnest.
Xie YongQiang even wanted to invite Chen Ning for a drink, but when he learned Chen Ning would be leaving Vermilion Phoenix City that evening to return to the Azurebird Base, he could only regretfully drop the idea.
It was already five in the evening. Kindergarten had just finished classes. Xie YongQiang left with his family, while Liew Ruyan’s nanny arrived in a modest sedan to pick up Little Bun.
Having watched Chen Ning stand up for her adopted daughter and give the girl enough dignity to hold her head high among her peers, Liew Ruyan’s resentment toward him had faded.
She knew he wanted her help with an investigation, so she told the nanny to take the child home first.
“Consider this my thanks for helping my girl,” Liew Ruyan said. “Let me buy you dinner—and we can talk about the information you’re looking for.”
“Deal.”
They walked shoulder to shoulder out of the Golden Sun Kindergarten.
Instead of heading for her flashy red sports car, Liew Ruyan led Chen Ning through a maze of side streets. After several turns, they ended up in a narrow, quiet alley.
Chen Ning blinked.
“We’re eating here?”
Liew Ruyan tilted her chin ahead. “Yes. We’re here.”
Before them stood a sprawling tree, beneath which sat an old, shabby eatery with a bold name: TianLong Restaurant, also known as the “Heavenly Dragon Restaurant.”
Chen Ning was puzzled. A run-down diner with such a grand name?
But once they were seated, he understood. The restaurant served only donkey meat.
The saying went: “In heaven there’s dragon meat, on earth there’s donkey meat.” Since donkey was said to rival dragon in flavor, the place was aptly named.
Liew Ruyan was a woman of Vermilion Phoenix City, and the women of this place had a particular trait: they were discerning about food but did not blindly pursue high-end dining.
Even if it was inexpensive street food hidden in old alleys, they would gladly seek it out if the flavor was remarkable, never minding the shabby surroundings.
With a proud smile, she said, “This place serves the best donkey meat in all Vermilion Phoenix City. Only true foodies know about it—you’re in for a treat.”
A waiter approached. “What will you have today, Miss Liew?”
Ruyan replied casually, “The same as last time—the ‘Dragon Feast’!”
Chen Ning nearly choked. “Dragon Feast”?
Soon, the waiter began serving the dishes. The portions were remarkably small, each about the size of a teacup—a single bowl of food with broth, just enough for one bite.
Liew Ruyan gestured for Chen Ning to start eating and led by example, picking up a cup of donkey meat with broth and downing it in one go.
Chen Ning had no choice but to follow suit and ate one as well.
But he quickly realized that the dishes here were served in an endless stream of small cups, much like a flowing banquet.
And each small cup contained a different delicacy, each with its own intricacies. Every part of the donkey could be transformed into a unique dish, served cup by cup. The further they progressed into the meal, the more exquisite the offerings became.
Half an hour later, they were full and slightly flushed from the wine.
Liew Ruyan leaned back, satisfied, and fixed her bright eyes on Chen Ning.
“Now tell me—what exactly do you want to know about the Liu LuanLin estate? If it’s something too sensitive, I can’t promise anything. Not that the Liu family scares me—but that man is dangerous.”
Chen Ning replied quietly, “I have a daughter in the Liu residence. I just want to know how she’s doing. Whether she’s safe, whether she’s… eating well.”
Liew Ruyan’s eyes widened.
“You really do have a daughter! No wonder you were so angry seeing those kids bully Little Bun. You must’ve been thinking—what if your own girl were being bullied somewhere too, right?”
After a pause, Chen Ning briefly recounted how his ex-wife had left him and taken their daughter away.
“I came to Vermilion Phoenix City unplanned this time,” he said.
“It’s not the right time to confront the Liu family yet—I don’t have the strength. I just need information for now. I don’t want to alert them.”
Liew Ruyan laughed softly.
“Here I was thinking you were chasing after the Liu family’s young miss. So that’s all? Relax. Our firm supplies goods to the Liu estate regularly. I’ll have someone ask around right now—it won’t take long.”
Chen Ning’s eyes lit up. “Really? But please—be discreet. If they find out I’m here, it could endanger my daughter.”
She rolled her eyes. “I know.”
The strength of the Liu Trading Company is truly remarkable. There’s a reason it has become a local powerhouse in Vermilion Phoenix City. It wasn’t long before she got word back.
“Got it,” she said. “Your ex-wife’s sharp—she’s managed to wrap Liu Ming around her little finger. She’s now one of his concubines.
Your daughter, Xiao Guo, is doing fine for now—food, clothes, no problem. But… the Liu family doesn’t treat her kindly. They call her a ‘bastard.’”
Chen Ning’s expression stayed calm at first—but at that last word, his face darkened, and a murderous glint flared in his eyes.
Liew Ruyan checked her watch. “It’s almost six. You’d better meet Bai Yuhao and head back to the Azurebird Base. As for your daughter, I’ll keep an eye out. If I get the chance, I’ll try to buy her freedom.”
Chen Ning’s heart leapt, but then he narrowed his eyes. “And what would you want in return? No one does favors for free.”
Liew Ruyan laughed, low and musical. “That’s why I like dealing with smart men—it saves so much time. Don’t worry. For now, I want nothing. Just consider it a favor you owe me. I’m not afraid you’ll forget.”
Chen Ning vaguely sensed that Liew Ruyan was making an investment. After all, as a reserve officer candidate for the Phoenix Legion, he had the potential to rise within the military ranks. Even if he didn’t become a high-ranking official, he would certainly attain a position of some influence.
For the Liew Trading Company to operate within the Empire, maintaining good relations with military figures was essential. Investing in young officers was one way to do so.
The small favor Liew Ruyan was doing for him today might very well lead to him owing her a significant favor in the future.
Still, gratitude welled up in him. He nodded firmly. “Fine. I, Chen Ning, owe you one. If you ever need my help, and it’s within my power, I’ll do it—no hesitation.”
“That’s what I like to hear,” she said with a grin.
They left TianLong Restaurant and walked down the quiet alley toward where she’d parked.
But halfway through, they found the path ahead blocked—a tall iron gate locked shut.
Liew Ruyan frowned. “What’s going on?”
Chen Ning’s eyes narrowed. He caught the faint, rhythmic sound of boots striking pavement behind them. His face hardened. “Not good. We’ve got company.”
They turned in unison.
At the alley’s entrance stood a tall, lean man in imperial uniform. His face was hidden behind a gas mask. Twin military blades hung from his hips.
Liew Ruyan’s breath caught. Her voice trembled.
“Leng JianFeng!”
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