Chapter Thirteen: I Brought You Here Myself; I Cannot Let You Be Ruined!

I pedaled my bicycle, speeding along the city streets, my heart awash with conflicting emotions. Now that I had seen Sister Hong's true colors, it felt as if the mountain in my heart had collapsed. Hu San was the only person in this city whom I could trust; perhaps he could offer advice and help me untangle the mess before me.

Just as I turned a corner, I suddenly felt a jolt at the rear of my bike, followed by an ear-splitting screech of brakes. Glancing back, I saw a luxury car stopped behind me, its front bumper pressed tightly against my bicycle. Before I could react, the window rolled down and a man leaned out, asking coldly, "Are you dead?"

I froze for a moment, then suppressed my anger, answering calmly, "I'm fine." The man didn't get out; instead, he tossed a wad of red bills out the window, scattering them across the ground. Impatiently, he said, "If you're not dead, get out of the way. Don't waste my time."

Staring at the cash on the ground, a wave of humiliation surged in my chest. Money, always money! I once believed Sister Hong was my benefactor. Only now do I understand: the reason benefactors are valuable is because I can be their wager in a trade. Money isn't omnipotent, but in this world, it forces people to bow their heads.

I took a deep breath, raised my eyes to the man, and said firmly, "I don't want your money. I want an apology."

Hearing this, the man sneered with contempt. He opened the car door, stepped out, pulled another wad of bills from his wallet, and slapped them harshly against my face. The cash scattered at my feet as he said coolly, "In this world, without money or power, you don't count for anything. If you want respect, you need a status others will respect."

Is this enough? If not, I can give more! With that, he drew another stack of bills and slapped it against my face.

"Don't push your luck, kid. I've given you plenty for no reason. Any more, and you'll be extorting me!"

I clenched my fists, my nails digging deep into my palms, the pain keeping me alert. I knew the man before me was but a fragment of those lofty figures, trampling others' dignity with wealth and power.

Suppressing my fury, I replied coldly, "Apologize."

The man's expression darkened; he stepped forward, grabbed my collar, his eyes flashing with menace. "Do you know who you're talking to, kid?"

I didn't retreat, meeting his gaze steadily. "I don't care who you are. I just want an apology."

Just then, a black sedan pulled up beside us. The door opened, and a burly man stepped out. He glanced at the money on the ground, then at the man gripping my collar, and asked sharply, "Hei Zi, what's going on?"

The man holding my collar looked back at his companion and muttered, "This lunatic is looking for trouble!"

I was surrounded by their group; fists and feet rained down on me, the pain swelling like a tide. Yet this time, I felt no fear. Rage and humiliation kindled a primal strength within me.

I grabbed the bicycle nearby, swung it up, and smashed it fiercely into their luxury car. The sound of metal striking metal echoed through the night; the car windows shattered, the body crumpled under my blows.

"Stop! Stop!" someone shouted, but I couldn't hear them anymore. Only one thought pulsed in my mind: Resist, resist to the end!

Their fists and kicks grew more vicious, but I didn't back down, continuing to strike their car with the bike. When I could no longer hold the bicycle, I curled up and kicked wildly.

In that moment, a strange pleasure flooded my heart, as if all my humiliation and anger were unleashed at once.

Finally, a heavy punch landed on my head, and darkness swept over me. I lost consciousness.

When I awoke, three days had passed.

I lay on a soft bed, opening my eyes to see the ceiling of a small villa. My head throbbed, my body felt broken.

I understood: this attempt to find Hu San had failed; most likely, Sister Hong had found me.

"You're awake?" A gentle voice sounded. Turning my head, I saw Sister Hong sitting at the bedside, her gaze tinged with complex emotion.

"Why did you save me?" I asked weakly.

She sighed. "I raised you myself. I can't let you destroy yourself like this."

I fell silent.

Sister Hong seemed not to notice my mood, or perhaps she thought it had nothing to do with her. She peeled fruit as she tried to comfort me. "Don't worry about Xiao Mi. You have to stay calm; I'm working on it. Also, don't go to the KTV these days. Stay here and recuperate."

What could I say? Though Sister Hong schemed against me, she still gave me shelter from the storm.

I nodded, agreeing to her arrangements.

Lying in bed, her words echoed through my mind. Despite her plotting, she did give me a roof to shield me from the rain.

Since I didn't need to work at the KTV for now, I decided to take this opportunity to focus on studying the book "Blood Eyes for Jade." People can't be trusted, but that book had already earned me my first six-figure sum.

Once my body recovered a little, I slipped into Sister Hong's villa basement. I had already examined the two hundred pieces of raw jade here.

Time passed slowly, the only sound in the basement was me sorting through the jade.

Suddenly, my gaze rested on an inconspicuous piece of raw jade, and my heartbeat quickened. I had looked at this piece before but noticed nothing special. Yet today, guided by the book, I spotted subtle anomalies.

Carefully, I sliced the surface with a small knife, anticipation swelling in my chest. As I peeled it open, a streak of emerald green appeared. Holding my breath, I continued.

At last, a crystal-clear piece of jade was revealed, its color rich and texture delicate—a superior jade, no doubt.

I couldn't help but marvel: I had been mistaken before! The treasure I hadn't seen was now found.

Its value far surpassed my first discovery. Yet, compared to the piece I found on my own at the market, it was worlds apart.

It was far too small; it couldn't be carved or made into a large piece. The chalcedony was tiny.

Perhaps that's why Sister Hong owned over two hundred pieces—likely her failed attempts.

To avoid being mistaken again, I began a second inspection. This time, I scrutinized each piece of jade more carefully, silently reciting the principles from "Blood Eyes for Jade."