C20 Who Ruined the System?

Scar blocked Xiao Nan's path, leaving him feeling quite irritated. Yet, Scar's demeanor didn't suggest he was looking for a fight. His face was all smiles, and he regarded Xiao Nan without a hint of thuggishness.

"What's the matter? Forgotten the pain now that the scar's healed? Or are you itching for another beating?" Xiao Nan asked icily.

Scar blinked in surprise, hastily gesturing with his hands. "No, no, no, you've got it all wrong. I didn't come here with any ulterior motives. I just wanted to ask you for a favor."

Begging? Since when did villains resort to begging?

Scar's expression darkened slightly as he caught Xiao Nan's skeptical look. He let out a sigh and said, "Truth be told, I'm not fond of fighting. Life's left me with little choice. I used to be a businessman dealing in jade, but poor management, coupled with the power of Zhao Fei's father, turned me into his enforcer. I got this scar saving Zhao Fei, and it's cost me any chance of returning to the business world. Seeing your strength, I thought I might align myself with you. So, I'm hoping you'll take me on."

"You're well aware of Zhao Fei's family situation, yet you dare to come to me? Aren't you afraid of his father's revenge?"

"I've considered that, but I've grown cold towards their father and son duo. They're heartless, never caring for our well-being. They lack gratitude, always taking without giving. I'm prepared to face whatever retaliation comes," Scar said with a hint of indignation.

Xiao Nan wasn't sure what to make of Scar's speech, but after his conversation with Elder Lin, he realized something: to achieve his grand dream, money alone wasn't enough. He needed loyal people under his command. Perhaps Scar was someone worth considering.

Remembering the ability the system had granted him, Xiao Nan silently communicated with it, "Switch to Human Recognition Mode. I want to assess this man's character."

The system responded, "Human Recognition Mode activated. Thirty-six uses remaining."

Is there a limit on how many times I can use it? Xiao Nan furrowed his brow and muttered, "I thought this feature was complimentary. Why is there a restriction on usage?"

The system responded icily, "The Human Recognition Mode was sabotaged by a powerful individual. Unfortunately, there's no workaround. The fact that the system can still offer you over thirty uses is quite fortunate."

"A powerful individual? Who might that be? And how did they manage to sabotage the system?" Xiao Nan inquired, clearly baffled.

"The details are unclear at this time."

This was baffling indeed. The system had been compromised, and even it was in the dark about the perpetrator's identity. Who could this person be? The thought was chilling. If this person intended to be adversarial towards Xiao Nan, it represented a latent threat. No, he had to uncover their identity and determine whether they were friend or foe.

Xiao Nan knew he couldn't squander this chance. He scrutinized Scar from head to toe, his gaze like a medical scanner, methodically assessing him. After a thorough scan, Scar's history was no longer a mystery to him.

Despite his intimidating appearance, the man was decent at heart. He was a businessman with a past in commerce, not nearly as formidable in his dealings as his exterior suggested. He possessed a discerning eye and a knack for judging people and situations.

With the system's analysis in mind, Xiao Nan had a clear grasp of the situation but remained composed. He cleared his throat and suggested, "Let me mull it over. Why don't you head back for now, and I'll reach out if I need anything."

Scar hesitated, "Well..."

"Is there something else?"

With a heavy sigh, Scar confided, "Truth be told, I do have a favor to ask. I'm tired of the violent life with Zhao Fei and his son. I'm eager to re-enter the world of commerce. Hearing that you've purchased all of Zhao Fei's belongings, I assume you're quite wealthy. Could you possibly lend me some money? I'm looking to make a fresh start. Rest assured, I will repay you."

Xiao Nan's brow creased once more, sensing the earnestness in Scar's eyes. After a moment's thought, he asked, "How much do you need?"

"Just a hundred thousand," Scar replied eagerly.

"Alright, here's what I'll do. I'll give you five hundred thousand. You don't have to pay me back. If your business takes off and thrives, then consider it an investment on my part. We'll be partners. How does that sound?"

Scar was taken aback by Xiao Nan's magnanimity. He nodded vigorously, his eyes brimming with tears.

"From this moment on, you're my boss. The moment I make it, I won't ever forget this generosity!"

Xiao Nan gave a nod, pulled a card from his pocket, and handed it over to Scar.

"This card has exactly five hundred thousand yuan on it. Take it and make good use of it. I'm rooting for your success. If you ever need my help, don't hesitate to reach out. And remember, don't invest recklessly—be cautious in your dealings."

Scar nodded earnestly in agreement.

Back in the classroom, Xiao Nan had barely settled into his seat when classmates, who usually kept to themselves, swarmed around him.

"Xiao Nan, look at you climbing the ladder. I heard you not only attended a fancy banquet but also snagged a wealthy lady. Is there any truth to that?"

With an easy smile, Xiao Nan replied, "You know, it's best not to buy into hearsay. She and I are merely friends, nothing more."

"Just friends? Come on, why would a 'just friend' give you so much money?"

He chuckled, "The money was earned through my own efforts, she's not involved."

"Earned it yourself? Who's going to believe that?"

"Whether you believe it or not is irrelevant. I know the truth, and that's enough for me."

"So, spill it. How did you make your money? Let's all get in on this."

"Alright, here's a thought. Why don't you all head down to Tiantai Street and have a look around? You might just stumble upon some hidden gems and strike it rich overnight!"

"Ah, so you hit the jackpot with some lucky find. No wonder you're loaded. But hey, I doubt we have the same knack for spotting treasures."

Once they learned about Xiao Nan's financial windfall, the crowd dispersed, their envy barely concealed.

"Hey, is that really how you got the money?" Chen Mengqi sidled up to Xiao Nan, her voice tinged with curiosity.

Xiao Nan gave her a peculiar look and said, "We all make money based on our skills; there's nothing secretive about it."

His words left Chen Mengqi with a flushed face, the memory of their eye contact that night lingering in her mind. Yet, she was thankful that Xiao Nan had kept their encounter to himself.

"Do you have any free time tonight?" Chen Mengqi inquired with a hint of shyness.