Chapter 112: Fleeing

“Son, hurry up and pack your things. Take Liu Qian and run!”

After everyone left with Old Zhang, Zhang Caixia’s first instinct was to get Wu Ya to escape.

A community security officer—this was a position officially selected and appointed by the authorities! Though not part of the formal establishment, it was an indispensable pillar in maintaining public order.

Assaulting a community security officer—this was unprecedented since the local Little Feet Detective Squad had been formed!

And it happened right at their home!

Old Zhang’s earlier threat to report to the authorities carried a venomous tone, unmistakably filled with malice.

And it was intense.

If the official side painted Wu Ya as a negative example, things would spiral out of control.

Would Wu Ya’s fate be a few years behind bars? How could that be resolved otherwise?

So there was no time to waste.

The only way out that Zhang Caixia could think of was to run—run as far away as possible.

“Yes, son! You were too reckless! How could you just throw punches like that? Listen to your mother, run now,” Wu Wanli lost his resolve.

Their son had always been a troublemaker, making them live in constant anxiety, afraid he might one day land in serious trouble.

But ever since he graduated from high school, his behavior had gradually improved, and those past misdeeds began to fade in their hearts.

So none of them had been prepared for this.

And now his hot temper had run wild.

But why? Why did he have to hit Old Zhang?

That meddlesome woman who was always looking to stir up trouble would never let this slide!

If they didn’t run now, it might already be too late.

“Wu Ya, what should we do? Maybe… we should listen to uncle and aunt. It’s all my fault. I caused such a big mess for you,” Liu Qian, trembling with fear, looked like a wounded rabbit, her eyes filled with guilt as she stared at Wu Ya.

If she hadn’t been sulking with her parents and come to stay at Wu Ya’s place, they wouldn’t have encountered that gossiping woman, and none of this would have happened.

It was all her fault.

Yet despite the tension among the three, Wu Ya—the one at the center of it all—remained calm and composed.

Not only was he unshaken, but he also began to reassure them.

“Liu Qian, this has nothing to do with you! Mom, Dad, calm down. I’m no longer the reckless boy I once was. I act with reason and restraint now. That Old Zhang woman always bullies the neighbors and even shows off to you. Honestly, I’ve wanted to teach her a lesson for a long time.”

But then—

“Nonsense! You little brat! You still claim you’re not that reckless fool anymore? I think you’re worse than before! Now that you have money, you think you have the right to be arrogant? You dare to lay a hand on a community security officer, huh? Don’t you know that beating a community security officer is the same as assaulting a police officer?”

Wu Ya’s words did not ease his parents’ worries; instead, Wu Wanli unleashed a torrent of scolding.

Assaulting a community security officer is equivalent to assaulting a police officer?

Wu Ya nearly laughed out loud.

His parents were too naive!

So naive that they hadn’t seen the real world, their thinking twisted by the actions of people like Old Zhang.

To maintain their privileged status and appear superior in public,

To control others at will and flaunt their power recklessly,

They often wielded the official banner as a weapon to pressure others.

Feeling unwell?

Then I must interrogate you thoroughly!

Are you discontent with society or the government?

Whether you have a grudge against me personally is irrelevant!

What matters is that if you dare have a grudge, I will show you what it means to be oppressed and ensure you dare not resist.

Because of this,

The Little Feet Detective Squad, after existing for a few years, was completely disbanded.

At its inception, it had indeed played a positive role in improving public security,

But later, it gradually became a social cancer.

“Son, don’t listen to your father’s scolding. Just run! Liu Qian, pull him and get moving!”

Hearing this, Zhang Caixia’s fear deepened.

Assaulting a community security officer is the same as assaulting a police officer.

That meant prison—definitely prison.

It was better to let their son run first, and once Old Zhang’s anger subsided, she would try to make amends with money and apologies.

She would beg for forgiveness, even if she had to humble herself.

If only Old Zhang agreed to drop the charges, their son would be safe.

Otherwise, once their son went to jail, his future would be ruined.

A university student—that was the golden child their family had dreamed of for generations.

For centuries, only one had ever stood out.

“Wu Ya, don’t hesitate! Come with me, let’s go!” The frightened Liu Qian suddenly sprang to her feet.

Assaulting the police? That was unforgivable!

Run!

In her panic, she mechanically obeyed Zhang Caixia’s orders, having lost all her own judgment—especially when it came to Wu Ya.

Could a community security officer really be equated with the police?

What a joke!

So she summoned all her strength to pull Wu Ya toward the door.

But Wu Ya stood firm, unmoving.

Liu Qian’s slight frame wasn’t enough to budge him an inch.

“What exactly do you want? Must Old Zhang come with people to arrest you and make us all live in fear before you’re willing to leave?”

Zhang Caixia exploded with fury upon seeing Wu Ya refuse to budge.

Her eyes blazing, she shouted.

This foolish son.

Now was not the time to play the hero!

Did he think Old Zhang was some harmless light?

Did he not realize assaulting a community security officer was a serious matter?

Even if the person he hit was an ordinary citizen, this couldn’t be so easily resolved!

Watching Wu Ya’s obstinacy, Zhang Caixia was on the verge of losing her mind.

She stormed forward, grabbing Wu Ya alongside Liu Qian, forcefully pushing and shoving him toward the door.

“Your father, what are you standing there for? This is not the time to sulk! Come help! Get this child out of here!”

Then she turned to Wu Wanli, who was still standing frozen, and roared.

Their son was important.

Even if he was furious, he had to control himself.

“Oh, alright, alright,” Wu Wanli snapped out of it and hurried over.

“Mom, Dad, Liu Qian, stop! Please listen to me!” Wu Ya didn’t resist with all his strength, afraid of hurting his parents.

He stepped back with their push, moving toward the door, but still tried to reason with them.

Yet the three gave him no chance, each pushing with all their might.

Soon, the family was a tangle of shoves and pushes outside the door.

Suddenly—

“Hmph! So you’re trying to run, huh? Luckily, Aunt Shen was wise enough to come back and guard this place! Otherwise, the assailant might have slipped away in the night!”

A voice dripping with sarcasm came from the side.

A moment later,

The sound of hurried footsteps approached, and three figures appeared.

They were the members of the Little Feet Detective Squad who had just left their home.

After walking some distance, Bai Qiu sensed something was wrong and had them return.

She herself chased after Old Zhang.

Old Zhang was the very soul of the Little Feet Detective Squad!

Unluckily, they caught sight of this scene.

This family was trying to help Wu Ya escape!

“It’s over! It’s all your fault! If you hadn’t stood there dumbfounded, our son would have already run away!”

Seeing the newcomers, Zhang Caixia’s face paled.

In her despair, she yelled at Wu Wanli.

If he had helped push their son out earlier, even by a few minutes,

He could have gotten away,

And these people wouldn’t have caught up!

What now?

Their son was trapped.

Were they really going to watch him go to prison with helpless eyes?

Zhang Caixia was desperate.

After scolding Wu Wanli, she turned and almost fell to her knees before Sister Li, who had just arrived.

To Zhang Caixia, neighbors were neighbors.

If she begged and pleaded with them to spare her son, maybe there was a chance.

But—

“Mom, what are you doing? You’re Wu Ya’s mother. How can you kneel before these people? Do you think they deserve it?”

Wu Ya was quick to pull her up.

His face was dark as iron.

Time and again, it was clear he had no intention of giving in.

Fine.

If you won’t let this go, then I’ll stir up this storm!

I want to see who will be blown down at the end!

They were nothing but a group of idle people organized together.

Who gave them the right to bully the neighbors and tyrannize others?

Daring to barge into private homes and detain citizens without cause?

Even placing people under house arrest?

Such audacity!

“Hmph! You little brat! Trouble’s knocking at your door and you still won’t learn! Today, I want to see how long your mouth can stay tough! You say we don’t deserve respect? Look at your mother groveling on the ground—does that make us worthy of your sympathy?”

“That’s right! You think having a bit of dirty money lets you do whatever you want? Kidnapping minors and beating an official security officer—you’re heading straight for prison!”

“What the hell! We came here in good faith to inquire, and you just hit us without a word! Do you think this world belongs to you, you foolish brat?”

Their words were a volley of curses from these three women.

“Ya’er, be quiet! Sisters, for the sake of neighborhood harmony, please show mercy and let him go. He’s still young and foolish. I apologize on his behalf!”

Held fast by Wu Ya, Zhang Caixia couldn’t move but pleaded pitifully, hoping these women would soften and let their son go.

What she didn’t know was that these women had reaped many benefits from Old Zhang.

Those who offended them had to pay to stay safe.

Not large sums—just enough to keep the peace and avoid harassment.

But these women had grown accustomed to it.

They had become Old Zhang’s staunch allies,

Officially sanctioned bullies.

Do you expect mercy?

You hit Old Zhang—the source of their livelihood!

They knew exactly whose side to take.

Therefore,

“Zhang Caixia, we, along with Sister Zhang, are responsible for security here. We must enforce the law impartially and diligently. How can we let your son off because of a few words from you? What would that make us? Wouldn’t that mean condoning criminals and corruption?”

Sister Li, their leader, delivered a crushing rebuke.

Show submission? Isn’t it too late for that now?

If only you hadn’t let your son strike in the first place!

If you had given us some compensation after hitting someone else, perhaps it could have been settled.

But no—you hit Old Zhang.

Even if we wanted to, we dare not!

Not to mention, we don’t want to!

“It’s over! Everything is over!”

Seeing their unyielding stance, Zhang Caixia felt the world spin.

Like the end of days, despair overwhelmed her until tears streamed uncontrollably.

This scene ignited a fiery rage in Wu Ya.

What was the first goal after his rebirth?

To let his parents live a comfortable life and enjoy all the wealth the world could offer.

And now?

Before he had achieved much, his parents were suffering because of him.

Such unfilial conduct!

A fierce fire blazed in his chest, radiating an awe-inspiring presence.

This aura was called the Ascendant—a majesty that needed no anger to command respect,

A solemn might that seemed inviolable to others.

“Mom, don’t worry! With me here, no one will dare bully our family! From today on, the Little Feet Detective Squad will no longer exist! And Old Zhang will pay the price she deserves!”

Wu Ya’s words stopped Zhang Caixia’s tears instantly.

She looked up at him, eyes filled with bewilderment.

Her son—

How could he suddenly be so different?

An eighteen-year-old boy bearing the aura of a great man!

Is this really her son?