Chapter 0002: Private Settlement or Legal Route?

Half a month had passed since Chen Liuhe regained his freedom. The summer sun scorched Bianzhou City in the Hubin Region like a blazing furnace. Even the asphalt seemed to sizzle, threatening to vaporize any droplet that dared touch it. Yet despite the heat, the streets thrived with people hustling for their livelihoods.

Clang-clang! A dilapidated tricycle rattled down the road in the midafternoon, its handlebars adorned with a rusty bell. The cart overflowed with cardboard and scrap metal, flanked by a hand-painted sign declaring "SCRAP COLLECTION" in childlike brushstrokes. Below it, smaller crooked characters advertised: "Full-service handyman available. House calls welcomed. Hotline: xxxxxxxxx."

The rider – Chen Liuhe, wearing a sweat-stained undershirt and military-green sneakers – looked every bit the urban oddity. Passersby shot him disdainful glances, unable to comprehend why a strapping young man would choose such a humble trade. If they only knew this "degenerate" had recently dismantled the world's 13th-ranked mercenary group single-handedly.

After haggling with a shrewd auntie over cardboard prices (and discreetly shortchanging her on the weight), Chen's attention snapped to commotion across the street. A cherry-red BMW 5 Series had screeched to a halt, its hood framing a writhing man in his thirties with rat-like features.

"Oww! My leg's broken! You rich bitches think you own the road?!" The man howled theatrically as crowds gathered.

Chen leaned against his tricycle, lighting a Red Plum cigarette. "Overacting," he muttered through the smoke. "Two-star performance at best."

The BMW door swung open. First emerged strappy white heels, then legs sheathed in flesh-toned stockings that drew collective breaths. The driver stood – a vision in scarlet cocktail dress, her wine-red curls cascading over shoulders that could launch a thousand corporate scandals. Even Chen's exacting standards awarded her 90/100.

"Sir, are you alright? Let me take you to the hospital!" The beauty fretted, oblivious to the trap.

"Hospital? I can't even stand!" The scammer rolled dramatically. "Either pay up 10,000 now or waste your day with cops and CT scans!"

Panic flashed across the woman's face. She clearly recognized the extortion but lacked time to fight. From her Hermès bag emerged a wad of bills – until her gaze landed on Chen. "You! Help take him to the hospital. I'll compensate you." She thrust 500 yuan at him.

Chen's grin widened as he pocketed the cash. "At your service, ma'am!"

Kneeling beside the scammer, Chen whispered, "Payday's here. Time to clock out."

"You knew he was faking?!" The woman erupted. "Are you partners?!"

Before Chen could respond, the scammer upped his theatrics. With a sigh, Chen grasped the man's "injured" leg. A barely audible crackle sounded.

"AAAAAGH!!" Authentic screams now. Beads of sweat popped on the scammer's forehead as Chen announced cheerfully: "See? His leg's genuinely broken now. Much more convincing!"

The woman stared in horrified comprehension. "You... you monster!" She stormed back to her BMW, shouting over the roar of the engine: "I'll remember you, trash collector!"

Chen simply tipped an imaginary hat. To the whimpering scammer, he dropped the cash: "Here's your 10k. Should cover the cast and leave enough for cigarettes." As three thugs emerged from the crowd, Chen lit another cigarette. "Tell your boys I can break their legs too. Or they can help you to the ER. Their choice."

Pedaling away on his clattering tricycle, Chen hummed an off-key tune. Behind him, the scammer hissed through clenched teeth: "Find that bastard later! I'll peel his skin!"

But for now, Bianzhou's streets buzzed with new gossip – about a scrap-peddling enigma who broke bones as easily as he broke expectations.