Chapter 37: This Is Extortion!

"We do not accept this! These pieces of evidence are nowhere near enough to convict us," one of Wang Dalong’s henchmen shouted.

"Of course, these alone are not enough for a conviction," Wu Youhai replied, his tone flat as he explained the situation to them. "Both sides can choose to settle this right here and now. However, if either party insists on pushing further, we will have no choice but to take you all back to the station for a detailed investigation."

Upon hearing the mention of being taken to the police station, those who had been shouting so boldly just a moment ago fell silent. After all, when living the life they did, who didn’t have a few skeletons in their closet? It was just a matter of whether or not they had been discovered.

"Fine... let’s settle then," Manager Wang decided after a moment of internal struggle.

"Very well, they have chosen to settle. And what about you?" Wu Youhai nodded before turning his gaze to Lin Wendong.

The latter shook his head. "Have we forgotten? I already said that you owe us an explanation."

"Don't push your luck!" Manager Wang glared at Lin Wendong with a look that could kill. "If we drag this out, it won't benefit anyone!"

He was on the verge of a breakdown. This was nothing short of... bullying an honest man!

Facing the manager's roar, Lin Wendong casually picked at his ear, completely unfazed. "It’s fine, we can keep dragging it out. Our villagers here in Taizhai are simple, honest folk—we’re not afraid of any investigation."

His words were as good as telling Manager Wang: if you don’t provide an explanation, we’ll all head down to the police station together. We in Taizhai have nothing to hide, but what about you?

Was Taizhai truly innocent in today’s events? Of course not. They had thrown the first punch, and if the police interrogated them one by one, the truth would surely come out. But Lin Wendong was gambling—gambling that Manager Wang and his crew dared not let this standoff continue.

From the moment they entered the village, Lin Wendong had already devised his strategy. He had Uncle Hai fake a heart attack, had the security cameras around the ancestral hall plaza disabled, and arranged for a dozen scrawny-looking thugs to provoke them. Once the brawl broke out, he had the villagers surround them, forcing them to call the police themselves. Every step had been perfectly orchestrated by Lin Wendong. Now, it was time for the final act: demanding an explanation.

"Manager Wang, think carefully. If you don’t give Taizhai an explanation, none of our villagers will let this go."

Manager Wang’s face turned ashen, his teeth grinding together audibly. He desperately wanted to roar back, "Let’s drag it out! We’ve never been afraid of anyone!" But he couldn't. His group really did have things to hide. If they were taken to the station for a thorough investigation and their past crimes were unearthed, they would be finished.

Wu Youhai, standing to the side, grew impatient. He lowered his voice and said, "What is your decision? If you cannot agree, you will come back with us for a full investigation."

"Wait!" Manager Wang and Wang Dalong spoke in unison; they absolutely could not afford to go to the police station. They turned to Lin Wendong, gritting their teeth. "What... what kind of compensation do you want?"

Lin Wendong smiled calmly and held up his hand, spreading five fingers. "Simple. Uncle Hai’s medical expenses and compensation for emotional distress from your intimidation... plus the expenses for the dozen villagers you assaulted. And finally, the lost wages for all the villagers who were called out to protect our home. A total of five million will suffice."

"Pfft!" Manager Wang nearly coughed up blood. Simple? You have the audacity to demand five million and call it simple? "You... you..."

"This is extortion!" Wang Dalong blurted out. Despite his brawn, his mind was remarkably sharp at this moment.

But how could Lin Wendong, a top student of law, have failed to account for that? He immediately began lecturing them on the law on the spot. "Extortion is defined as using leverage to intimidate someone into handing over property, or taking it through threats. We haven’t seized any leverage over you, and we are negotiating on equal footing. You are, of course, free to refuse."

"This doesn't come close to extortion, does it, Chief?" Lin Wendong finished, glancing at Wu Youhai.

Wu Youhai nodded. "Correct."

Seeing him nod, Manager Wang and his men felt as if the sky had collapsed. Wang Dalong blurted out, "What kind of bullshit law is that?"

Lin Wendong spoke softly, "That statement of yours might just be construed as slander against the reputation of national law."

Wang Dalong felt like he was having a heart attack, but he didn't dare say another word. They were completely stunned. Even Uncle Dong, watching from the sidelines, was filled with shock. He never imagined things could be handled this way!

*Right under the nose of the municipal bureau chief, committing extortion... no! Proposing an equal settlement of five million. This...*

Uncle Dong had originally just wanted to drive Manager Wang and his men out. Now, he suddenly realized that compared to this young man, he was as naive as a child. Not only had he stopped the opposition, but he had also delivered a profound "Taizhai-style" shock to them and fleeced them for everything they were worth.

"He really is..." Uncle Dong searched for words, but truly couldn't describe this young man.

Manager Wang and his group hesitated. Seeing this, Lin Wendong added with great magnanimity, "Of course, you can choose not to accept. We won't force you."

It was a devastating blow!

"He's killing us and then breaking our hearts!"

"Won't force us? He’s doing this on purpose! This kid is absolutely doing this on purpose!" If not for the presence of the bureau chief, Wang Dalong would have lunged at Lin Wendong.

By now, they finally realized that this was all a trap set by Lin Wendong.