Chapter 29: Another Twenty Thousand

Just as Yan Li was still reeling from the shock...

“No need to wait another day! I’m not one for pointless talk or unnecessary delays!”

Wu Ya’s smile vanished abruptly as he turned on his heel and strode away.

Under Yan Li’s murderous glare, he headed straight for the public phone booth outside the bus station.

“What is he up to now?” Yan Li’s anxiety flared again.

Could he really have another trick up his sleeve? Otherwise, how could he remain so calm and confident? A few days ago, he had exposed their background with a single sentence. That episode resurfaced in her mind.

Thinking of this...

“Stop him!” Yan Li blurted out.

With a sudden rush, two burly men sprang out by the phone booth. One on each side, they seized Wu Ya and hauled him back in front of Yan Li.

“What are you trying to do?” Yan Li glared, her fury barely contained.

“Didn’t you ask me to put on a show? I’m doing exactly as you wish. I’m going to call the police and report the filthy dealings at the Front Station Inn! For instance, last night in Room 101 of the Freedom Inn, three men and a woman—group PK. And—”

“Shut up!” Yan Li’s courage collapsed completely.

Who on earth was this kid? How could he know everything? Was he perhaps the disciple of some half-immortal, able to divine and calculate with uncanny skill? Aside from this, Yan Li could think of no other explanation.

Because what Wu Ya said was the absolute truth. Room 101 was the inn’s deepest, most secluded room, chosen for safety. She was certain that, apart from herself and the few participants, no one else could know what happened last night. Yet he knew. It was terrifying.

“Heh...” Watching Yan Li’s shifting expressions—fear, uncertainty, and her fat cheeks growing ever paler—Wu Ya smiled.

He repeated his trick, the same numbers. He wanted Yan Li to suffer humiliation once more, to make “twenty thousand” a number she’d forever dread. From now on, any mention of it, even idle chatter from strangers, would send shivers down her spine.

So, you want to play games with me? You want to play cat and mouse? Let’s see who wins. I’ll wring you dry, no matter how juicy you may seem.

“Twenty thousand—will you pay or not? Are you going to compensate or not?”

Yan Li jolted, snapping out of her daze.

Twenty thousand.

A huge sum! She’d already spent thousands sending people to disrupt the market. In a fit of rage, she’d driven away her star performer, Little Chick—another invisible loss. These setbacks hadn’t even been recouped yet, and now she was supposed to hand over twenty thousand to this bastard? What crime had she committed to keep falling into this brat’s hands again and again?

Nemesis! He was her nemesis in the underworld.

“So, you’re willing to risk your life but not your money! Fine, forget it. I don’t even want your money, I just want to vent my anger!”

While Yan Li hesitated, wracked with pain, Wu Ya was growing impatient. He was busy. He turned and headed for the phone booth once more.

At the station, with so many people around, they wouldn’t dare resort to violence.

“Stop right there! Twenty thousand—it’s yours!” Yan Li’s voice thundered, nearly shattering the sky.

Twenty thousand—it was hers to give.

Forced by circumstances, she compromised yet again, surrendering another hard-earned twenty thousand. Trying to steal a chicken, she lost the rice instead.

The humiliation, the frustration, and the helplessness overwhelmed her. Because everything Wu Ya said was true.

“We’ll see about that! Damn you!” Watching his retreating figure, Yan Li gritted her teeth so hard her whole face turned ashen.

“Sister Li, are we just going to swallow this humiliation? This isn’t just about your reputation—even Brother Hua will be mocked because of it!” one of the burly men beside her said.

They were sent by Hua Zi to help Yan Li maintain her authority. Within ten miles, everyone knew Yan Li was Hua Zi’s woman. But this disgraceful woman had been extorted by the same man again and again!

It was a matter of reputation and of face. And face was essential in the underworld.

“Scarface, go find your Brother Hua. Ask him to thoroughly investigate this guy’s background! How does he know so many of my secrets? If it’s just guesswork, tell Hua Zi to take care of him immediately!”

By the end, Yan Li’s teeth were biting so hard her gums bled.

She was utterly infuriated.

She lived every day in fear, risking her life for a meager living. If she was unlucky, she’d end up in prison for half her life. Yet she had become this bastard’s cash machine! The money she earned with her life was all going into his pocket!

Unacceptable.

She could not swallow this humiliation.

So she decided to call upon the boss of the southern district—the greatest force behind her, Hua Zi!

Perhaps the information she’d gathered about this kid wasn’t accurate. After all, her influence was nothing compared to Hua Zi’s.

He was ruthless and cunning, with connections on both sides of the law. Once the facts were clear, if he wasn’t someone to fear, she’d make sure he was torn to pieces. She wouldn’t be Yan Li otherwise!

“Sister Li, we’ll go find the boss now,” the other burly man said, and the two quickly disappeared into the crowd.

Meanwhile, Wu Ya was speeding along, his face alight with joy.

“Hahaha, heaven itself is helping me!” Heaven’s aid!

This was like finding a pillow when you’re sleepy.

Because he was short on funds and pressed for time, Wu Ya had been considering, with reluctance, abandoning his plan to make a big profit off treasury bonds.

Unexpectedly, at this critical moment, Yan Li had brought him money at his doorstep.

If the landlord has surplus grain, why hold back?

He would enter the treasury bond market and make a quick killing, taking advantage of the current sharp decline in personal bonds.

He’d invest the entire twenty thousand!

In five days, the price would peak.

At that moment, he’d sell everything and turn twenty thousand into two hundred thousand!

With two advance payments for production lines, everything would proceed smoothly.

In half a month at most, the equipment would be delivered and installed in Suiyan.

Then, mass production would begin.

When the market stabilized, sales would soar.

Wholesale and retail would proceed simultaneously.

Who else in the whole city of Weiling could challenge him?

No one!

“Excuse me, where can I buy treasury bonds?” Wu Ya soon arrived at a bank branch.

“Treasury bonds?” In those days, the counters were tall. You had to look up from below. There was a steel barrier separating you from the clerk.

The clerk looked down at Wu Ya, her eyes full of ridicule.

“Central Street, Suiyan Branch.”

She said nothing more.

A kid barely old enough to walk, asking about treasury bonds? The minimum denomination was five yuan—could he afford that? Just amusing himself.

“Thank you.” Wu Ya ignored her attitude, thanked her, and left.

He had more important things to do.