It was mid-summer, and the sun hung in the sky like a ball of fire, scorching the earth. The asphalt was so hot that if you took a leak on it, the steam would probably rise instantly.
Despite the melting heat, the city hustled on.
In the afternoon, a young man wearing a thin undershirt and cheap military shoes was pedaling a dilapidated tricycle through the busy streets. A broken bell was tied to the handle, and the back was piled high with cardboard and scrap metal.
Taped to the side of the tricycle was a sign with handwritten characters so ugly they could almost be considered abstract art: "SCRAP COLLECTOR."
Below that, in smaller, worm-like scrawl: "All-round Domestic Expert. Home Service Available. Hotline: XXXXXXX."
The man, Chen Liuhe, was a strange sight in the modern metropolis. Passersby looked at him with disdain—a tall, handsome young man with a strong physique, wasting his life collecting garbage? It was practically a crime against potential.
But having been released from prison just two weeks ago, Chen Liuhe didn't give a damn about what others thought.
After a fierce battle of wits with an elderly lady over fifty cents, Chen Liuhe successfully bought a bundle of waste paper. Just as he was about to load his cargo, a screech of tires pierced the air nearby.
A red BMW 5-Series slammed on its brakes in the middle of the street. Lying in front of the bumper was a man looking like a sneaky rat, rolling around on the ground.
A scam! A staged accident! A crowd gathered instantly, eager for drama.
The door of the BMW opened. First, a pair of crystal high heels stepped onto the pavement. Then came long, slender legs wrapped in sheer silk stockings.
The driver emerged—a stunning woman in a tight red dress. With bright eyes, red lips, and wavy wine-red hair cascading over her shoulders, she looked like a perfectly ripe peach. She was the kind of woman who made losers drool and rich playboys freeze in their tracks.
"Another solid 9 out of 10," Chen Liuhe thought, lighting a cigarette. The last one was Su Wanyue in prison; this one was just as dangerous.
"Ouch! You killed me! My leg is broken!" The rat-faced man on the ground wailed louder upon seeing the rich female driver.
Chen Liuhe shook his head, leaning on his tricycle. "Terrible acting. Too exaggerated. Zero stars."
He knew it was a scam (Pengci), but he had no intention of playing the hero. Instead, his eyes wandered over the woman's curves. "Big chest, round hips. Definitely a rich man's mistress or a kept woman." He was quite pleased with his deduction.
The beautiful driver was clearly inexperienced. Even though she knew the man had jumped in front of her car, she panicked.
"Sir, are you okay? I can take you to the hospital," she said nervously.
"Hospital? My leg is snapped! Do you even know how to drive?" The man screamed, playing the victim perfectly. "Tell me, do you want to settle this publicly or privately?"
The woman wasn't stupid. "Publicly! Let's call the police. If it's my fault, I'll pay."
"Fine! Call the police!" The scammer sneered, sensing her weakness. "But I demand a full body check-up. Giving statements and waiting for results will take at least twenty-four hours."
The woman's face fell. She had urgent business to attend to; she couldn't waste a whole day here.
"Fine," she gritted her teeth. "How much for a private settlement?"
"Ten thousand. Not a penny less." The scammer demanded greedily.
Furious but pressed for time, the woman pulled a stack of cash from her designer bag and threw it at the man. She then looked around and spotted Chen Liuhe watching the show.
"Hey, you! The scrap collector!" she called out. "I'm in a hurry. Can you take him to the hospital for a check-up? I want to make sure he's actually treated."
Chen Liuhe blinked and shook his head instantly. "No time. Can't you see I'm in the middle of a multi-dollar business deal here?"
The crowd rolled their eyes. Business deal? You're picking up trash!
The woman was exasperated. She pulled out five hundred-yuan bills and slapped them on her car hood. "I'm paying for your time. Is this enough?"
Chen Liuhe's face instantly transformed into a beaming smile. He snatched the money with lightning speed. "Say no more! Helping others is the cornerstone of my character!"
He pocketed the cash, squatted down in front of the scammer, and grinned. "You got the money. Why are you still lying there? Wrap it up."
"You!" The woman heard him. Her eyes blazed with anger. "You knew he was faking it? Why didn't you help me? Are you partners with him?!"
Chen Liuhe shrugged innocently. "I didn't know anything."
"Owww! It hurts! No justice in this world! She hit me and now she's accusing me! My leg is really broken!" The scammer wailed again to cover the awkwardness.
"See? He says it's broken," Chen Liuhe nodded. He reached out and grabbed the man's perfectly healthy right leg with two fingers.
He didn't seem to use any strength, but a subtle, sickening CRACK echoed in the air.
The scammer's body went rigid. Then, a scream like a slaughtered pig erupted from his throat! Cold sweat poured down his face instantly. He rolled on the ground, no longer acting.
His leg was now officially broken—crushed by Chen Liuhe's fingers.
Chen Liuhe hated people who lacked professional ethics. If you want to get paid for a broken leg, you better actually have a broken leg.
"Look, Miss," Chen Liuhe said to the woman. "He wasn't lying. It really is broken."
The woman was unsettled by the man's agonizing screams. She glared at Chen Liuhe in disgust. "I'll remember you. Don't let me see you again!"
She got into her BMW and sped off, convinced that Chen Liuhe was just another piece of trash like the scammer.
Once she was gone, Chen Liuhe stood up and dusted off his hands.
"Alright, shut up. Take that ten grand and go to the hospital. Fixing the bone will cost a few thousand; you can keep the rest for nutrition supplements."
The scammer was nearly fainting from pain, staring at Chen Liuhe with pure venom. "Kid... which gang are you from? I'll kill you for this!"
Chen Liuhe lit a cheap cigarette, unfazed. "I know three of your buddies are watching from the crowd. If you want revenge, come at me. But friendly warning: I broke your leg, and I can easily break theirs too."
He flicked the ash casually and hopped back onto his tricycle.
"Better hurry to the doctor," he called out as he pedaled away into the sunset. "If you wait too long, you might end up with a limp for life."