Chapter 3: This Is the Weakness

"Yar, let it go."
Seeing her son still refusing to give in, his mother hurriedly stood up.
These people were not ones they could afford to offend.
Since they had already given up on demanding compensation, it was wise to stop here.
Otherwise, if retaliation were to follow, their family would never be able to bear it!
"She's right, Yar. Society is complicated, and people's hearts are dangerous. Let's end this matter here," his father chimed in.
It was obvious these people were street thugs; better to have less trouble than more.
Ordinary folks only seek peace.
"You heard your parents, didn't you? Kid, let me give you some advice—their worry is not without reason!"
Yan Li withdrew her foot and turned to face Wu Yar, her expression darkening.
She had indeed been frightened at first.
But now, it seemed there was nothing to fear at all!
In fact, it was this family who ought to be concerned.
They're afraid of trouble!
This was their weakness.
They could forgo compensation, but she had to make sure this boy gave up.
"Are you threatening me?"
Wu Yar's tone turned cold.
Just a few street thugs, their crimes making them nervous and fearful.
All their bravado was nothing but empty posturing.
Letting them go just like that?
Impossible!
"Then what exactly do you mean?"
Yan Li sensed things weren't going well and softened her stance again.
She had no doubt that Wu Yar could enumerate their crimes one by one.
And with such certainty and calm.
He was full of confidence.
That meant he must have solid evidence!
Perhaps this unremarkable young man had some deep background unknown to others?
If that were true, then she absolutely couldn't tear things apart.
Otherwise, they'd be the ones to suffer.
Years spent on the streets had taught her that adaptability was essential for survival.
"My meaning is simple: you schemed to stage an accident and left me seriously injured. Our family spent a lot as a result. Let’s settle it like this—my medical expenses, plus my parents’ lost wages and care costs, make it twenty thousand!"
Twenty thousand.
Wu Yar looked at Yan Li with an indifferent expression.
Those who live by trickery will eventually pay the price.
Trying to extort him?
They’d pay double!
Besides, his new life needed starting capital.
Using their ill-gotten gains to pave his path to glory—why not?

"You! You're taking advantage of the situation—this is extortion!"
Yan Li was nearly beside herself with rage.
A lifetime spent staging accidents, and today the victim was extorting her instead!
If word got out, they’d never survive in their circles again.
A humiliating disgrace!
"Extortion? Thank you for the compliment. Isn't this what you taught me?"
Wu Yar touched his nose, an ironic smile playing on his lips.
"Yar..."
His mother stood up again when she heard this.
They were ready to leave, yet her son not only stopped them but demanded medical compensation?
It was pure fantasy!
Would these people pay?
"Go ahead, we’ll bear my son’s medical expenses ourselves,"
His father interrupted his mother and spoke directly to Yan Li and her group.
A life of poverty
had left them timid and fearful,
nurturing a habit of meekness.
It was understandable.
For families like theirs, even the smallest storm could shake their foundation.
Just like earlier:
If not for Wu Yar’s sudden boldness, that ten thousand yuan would have crushed the family!
So they still preferred less trouble over more.
If they had to suffer, so be it.
But Wu Yar wouldn’t accept that!
"Mom and Dad, I told you—I’ll handle this. Just trust me!"
Since Heaven had given him a second chance at life, he would never let his parents repeat their mistakes!
This money was non-negotiable!
It was not only his starting capital, but also a crucial token for changing the course of history!

"Well... alright."
Seeing Wu Yar’s unwavering resolve, the old couple kept quiet.
After all, the facts were before their eyes. Just a few words from Wu Yar had made these people back down.
Perhaps he really could work another miracle, and bring back twenty thousand yuan for the family?
Twenty thousand!
In 1990, that was an indisputable fortune—enough to buy two hundred-square-meter homes and still have money left over!

"Aren’t you afraid you’ll have trouble digesting that money?"
Yan Li tried to resist one last time.
Twenty thousand, a huge sum.
To hand it over so easily?
Her heart was bleeding.
"Whether I digest it or not is my business! But if I don’t get compensation today, we’ll meet at the police station!"
Wu Yar had lost his patience.
Money or jail—which would they choose?

He forced Yan Li’s hand.
The scene fell silent again.
The three men who followed Yan Li stared at her anxiously, faces full of panic and helplessness.
They were all her underlings.
Yan Li was their boss’s mistress.
Everything here was under her command!
But now, if she didn’t speak up, the matter wouldn’t end well.
If it really went to the police, they’d be the ones in trouble!

"Sister Yan, maybe we should just agree to his terms?"
Finally, the last young man who entered looked at Yan Li and spoke, his voice trembling and his face pleading.
He’d already been incarcerated twice, and knew that place better than anyone.
Long periods of lost freedom twisted people’s minds.
The first time he went in, he was ruthlessly abused by the prison boss!
The feeling of being worse than dead still made his legs tremble.
With someone leading, others followed.
"Yeah, Sister Yan, if we don’t agree to this kid, we won’t get out of here,"
Another young man chimed in.
"Sister Yan, I can give up my compensation—just count it all toward his."
Guo Hai, the main player in the staged accident, added.
According to their rules,
whether the scheme succeeded or failed, the injured party always got a generous reward.
This was mainly to win loyalty.
After all, staging accidents was risky.
It was money earned at the cost of their lives!

Yan Li hesitated.
This kid, despite repeated intimidation, remained so aggressive.
What gave him such confidence?
It was the secrets he knew.
But where did he get those secrets?
Her thoughts were a tangled mess, stirring her heart into utter confusion!
Her usual dominance and bravado were gone.

"To know our details so thoroughly is not something an ordinary person could do! Looks like today I misjudged and picked the wrong target! Fine, it’s best not to provoke someone like him. I’ll just swallow my bad luck!"
With this thought, she gritted her teeth and looked at Wu Yar.
"Twenty thousand, I’ll give it to you! From now on, we each go our own way. You play your big-headed dragon and we mind our little sparrows."

"Deal!"
A faint smile appeared on Wu Yar’s lips.
He finally had his starting capital!
The journey to change his fate in this life would begin from this very moment.