Learn to show weakness

During my time at the Internet café, I learned that it is not a bad thing to show weakness appropriately.

The first time someone came to collect protection money was on a Wednesday night.

Three fancy-dressed youths pushed the door open, the leader with a thick gold chain around his neck.

"Little brother, where's the boss?"

The man with the gold chain walked over to the cash register, his fingers tapping on the table.

"Boss Li is home."

I put down the magazine in my hand and looked at the three of them.

"That's right, let's talk to you."

The man with the golden chain took out a box of cigarettes and put one in his mouth.

"This piece is covered by us, and we pay 500 yuan a month for protection."

He lit the lighter, and the flames danced in the dim light.

"I'm just a student."

My hand crept under the cash register, where the short stick was placed.

"Children have to know the rules, too."

The man with the golden chain took a puff of his cigarette, and cyan smoke filled the air.

"Your boss must have explained how to deal with this kind of thing."

The guests in the Internet café all stopped their games and looked nervously.

The sound of the keyboard and mouse clicks is completely gone.

"Boss Li did say it."

I pulled out an envelope from a drawer with five hundred dollars in it.

"It's this month."

The man with the gold chain took the envelope and weighed it.

"Very good, the little brother is very sensible."

He nodded in satisfaction and slipped the envelope into his pocket.

"Remember, pay by the twentieth of each month."

After the three of them finished speaking, they left the Internet café.

The guests were relieved and re-engaged in the game.

The next day, I told Boss Li about it.

"How much was given?"

Boss Li sat on the chair with a calm expression.

"Five hundred."

"Well, exactly."

Boss Li took out five hundred yuan from the drawer and handed it to me.

"In the future, you can just watch and do this kind of thing yourself. When we open a store, we want to be safe. "

I took the money and was a little surprised.

"You're not angry?"

"What are you angry about?"

Boss Li shook his head and lit a cigarette.

"You don't give. They're going to smash things. Or don't go anywhere and just stay in the store. So you can't do business. "

"Then why didn't you call the police?"

"Is it useful to call the police?"

Boss Li took a deep breath of cigarette, and smoke came out of his nostrils.

"The police are gone, and they will come back."

"At that time, it won't be able to solve it for 500 yuan."

I was silent for a while, mixed feelings.

"Understood."

There have been a few more similar incidents since then.

Different gangs, different reasons, but all for the same purpose.

Ask for money.

I gave it all obediently, and then told Boss Li the next day.

Boss Li would make up the money to me every time and never complained.

"You've handled it well, lad."

A month later, Boss Li called me into the office.

"A lot of people praise you for being sensible."

"I just did what you said."

"No, you're smarter than I thought."

Boss Li poured two cups of tea and pushed one of them to me.

"Do you know why?"

I picked up my teacup and thought about it.

"Because I didn't cause trouble."

"Yes."

Boss Li nodded, a hint of approval flashing in his eyes.

"In this society, sometimes it is more useful to show weakness than to be strong."

"You're a high school student, and you're going to get into trouble with those people."

I took a sip of tea, and the tea was a little bitter.

"But there are always people who are unreasonable."

"Then it's up to your intelligence."

Boss Li smiled, and his voice became meaningful.

"A wise man knows when to strike and when to endure."

"Foolish people will only be brave for a while."

I put down my teacup and thought to myself.

The voice of the blood wolf sounded in his head.

"Master, you've really changed."

Its tone is somewhat complicated.

"You wouldn't have done that before."

"I almost killed you in the past."

I answered in my heart.

"Now I understand that you don't need to solve problems with your fists every time."

"Sometimes, it's wisdom to keep your head down."