Volume One, Chapter 10: The Disabled Girl

With a heart full of joy, Chen Tianming walked toward his aunt’s house.

Near his aunt’s home stood a special academy dedicated to students with disabilities, and his sister was currently enrolled there.

It was the peak time for school dismissal, and a large crowd of students poured out of the school gate.

Some of them had physical disabilities, others had intellectual challenges. If they studied at ordinary schools, they would inevitably face bullying and discrimination. But here, since everyone shared similar circumstances, bullying simply did not exist. This was the main reason Chen Tianming felt assured letting his sister study there.

Leaning against a utility pole, Chen Tianming’s sharp eyes continuously scanned the school entrance, yet the figure he yearned to see never appeared.

Why hasn’t she come out yet?

He twisted his body slightly, the prolonged stillness causing some stiffness.

The setting sun cast its warm afterglow on his face, bringing a wave of drowsiness. Unconsciously, he closed his eyes and slipped into a meditative state.

Suddenly, he heard a noisy commotion nearby—sounds that normally wouldn’t reach his ears, but for some reason, they did now.

Could it be that the aftereffects of his Gu Refining had enhanced his hearing?

Curious, Chen Tianming followed the direction of the noise.

Turning a corner, the view suddenly opened up to reveal a somewhat desolate small park.

Following the sounds, he saw a group of youths gathered around a stone table inside a pavilion, playing poker.

Nearby, a young girl sat on a swing.

But the swing was still, motionless as if frozen in time.

The girl gazed straight ahead, quiet and detached like a delicate flower isolated from the world, a trace of sorrowful tears streaking down her cheek.

As if sensing something, she turned her head to look behind her. When she saw who stood there, a sweet smile spread across her face, and she began gesturing with her hands.

Chen Tianming understood her sign language immediately.

“You’re here!”

He strode forward with a hint of anger on his face. “It’s those bastards again, isn’t it?”

The girl continued to gesture.

“There are too many of them!” she shook her head anxiously, worried he might get hurt.

“There’s no such thing as backing down when I’m around.” With that, Chen Tianming marched toward the pavilion with fierce determination.

The girl on the swing tried to grab his sleeve but failed.

She frantically gestured, but with his back turned, Chen Tianming couldn’t see. Desperate, she stood up from the swing, only to collapse onto the grass from weak legs.

All she could do was watch his retreating figure with eyes full of concern and care.

She was none other than Chen Tianming’s sister—Chen Yuqing, a girl both lame and mute.

...

Inside the pavilion, a man sat on a stone bench, holding poker cards and smoking a cigarette, casually playing his hand.

“Hey! Liu An, don’t you think we’re going a bit too far here?”

“Too far? How so? What’s too far?” Liu An, running his fingers through his yellow hair, replied excitedly. “I sincerely confessed to her nine times, and every time she rejected me! So, who’s the one going too far, me or her?”

Liu An was unmistakable—bright yellow hair, heavily tattooed arms like two colorful sleeves, a cigarette dangling from his mouth, and an overall gangster aura. He was clearly not someone to be trifled with.

“Yeah! Brother An is a big shot now. Around here, he’s got everything covered... If Brother An likes her, that’s her good fortune.”

One of his lackeys cheered him on.

“Exactly... if she dares to be ungrateful, then maybe...” another thug, squinting and leering, added ominously.

“But doesn’t that girl have a brother?”

“So what?” Liu An sneered. “She has only one brother, but I have you guys. Together, we could drown him with just our spit, ha ha!”

“Besides, I’m a Gu Master now! Even if just an apprentice, I’m still a Gu Master. That makes me worlds apart from you ordinary people,” Liu An boasted proudly.

His companions quickly flattered him.

“Brother An is awesome, invincible! Brother An, please take care of us in the future!”

Amid the flattery, Liu An’s eyes narrowed with pleasure, clearly enjoying the attention.

“By the way, Brother An, your taste is kind of special! I admit the girl looks quite charming, but... she’s lame and mute...” said one man wearing ripped jeans and earrings.

“I agree,” another chimed in.

“You guys don’t know anything!” Liu An chuckled. “Girls like her are the real treasures. Once you win her over, she’ll do a lot for you. The best part? She can’t talk, so even if she’s upset, she won’t nag you. You guys haven’t seen Brother Dao’s wife—tough as nails. Though he’s got a high status in the underworld, his wife keeps him in line. Tsk tsk tsk...”

At the mention of Brother Dao, they all instinctively shrank their necks.

Brother Dao was a formidable figure in their circle, but his wife’s fierce “Lion’s Roar” technique was terrifying. Hearing Liu An’s words, they were impressed by his cunning and gave thumbs-up all around.

“Smart, Brother An really knows what he’s doing.”

Liu An smugly shook his head, looking very satisfied.

“Come on, let’s play a few more rounds. When it gets dark, we’ll see if she feels scared, ha ha!”

As they indulged in their card game, a stern-faced man quickly approached.

“Brother Tian, doesn’t that guy look familiar?” the one in ripped jeans noticed and said hurriedly.

“Hey! I knew it! Isn’t that the brother the girl cares about most?”

Watching Chen Tianming draw nearer, Liu An stood up with a cold smile. “Brothers, let’s get him!”

The chair beneath him was none other than Chen Yuqing’s wheelchair.

In an instant, several men stood up simultaneously, glaring at Chen Tianming with fierce eyes.

“Brother An, do you want him dead or alive?” the earringed thug grinned mockingly.

“Whatever makes you guys happy. Beat him however you want. Brother Biao said if we cripple him, it’s no problem—he’s got our back.”

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