Chapter 2

Chapter 2

When we arrived at the police station, the officers first assessed my injuries and then bandaged my wounds. During this time, they reviewed the surveillance footage from the tea shop. The video clearly showed the woman attacking me, while I remained calm and polite throughout, not uttering a single harsh word.

The police determined that the woman was at fault and asked if I was willing to settle the matter. I refused outright.

"No, I am not willing."

"I want her to be punished according to the law and to compensate me for my medical expenses and lost wages."

At that moment, two people burst through the office door.

"We're willing to settle! We agree to settle!"

It was my parents. They shouted at the police while dragging me aside, twisting my ear harshly.

"You good-for-nothing! You can't even keep a job! The moment we take our eyes off you, you cause trouble, don't you?!"

My father, ignoring the presence of the police, kicked me hard.

"Causing trouble is one thing, but you want to pursue this further? Are you trying to bring more shame to our family? This incident is already spreading all over the internet!"

"If the neighbors find out you got a customer arrested while working, how do you think they'll look at us?"

My father's anger escalated as he rolled up his sleeves, threatening to beat me. Fortunately, before he could act, the police pulled him aside, warning him sternly that any further violence would be considered obstruction of justice.

Reluctantly, my father stopped and tried to drag me home.

"Officer, we won't pursue this any further. I'll take this useless girl home right now!"

I shook off his hand forcefully, my voice resolute.

"I'm not leaving."

"I said I will pursue this to the end."

They were always like this. No matter what happened, they always blamed me, calling me the jinx of the family. In my previous life, as I lay dying, I wondered if I hadn't listened to them, if I had pursued justice despite my injuries, would I have survived?

Now that I had a second chance, I was determined not to repeat my mistakes.

"You little brat, do you have a death wish-"

My father was furious at my defiance, and my mother glared at me disapprovingly. I leaned close to her ear and whispered softly.

"If we go through with this, she has to pay at least twenty grand."

Greed instantly flickered in my mother's eyes. She pulled my father aside and whispered to him as well. Soon, their attitudes changed dramatically. They approached the police, rubbing their hands eagerly.

"Our daughter was beaten like this. Is there compensation?"

The police officer hesitated before replying.

"According to the regulations, the at-fault party must compensate for medical expenses and pain and suffering."

My parents, now convinced by my words, dropped their fierce demeanor and became indignant.

"Then we will pursue this to the end!"

"She beat our daughter like this; she must pay!"

In the end, the police followed my wishes and detained the woman for fifteen days. They also promised that once the compensation was calculated, they would ensure she transferred the money to me promptly.

On the way home, my parents kept warning me.

"The moment you get the money, you must hand it over to us. Do you hear?"

"If you dare keep it for yourself, you'll regret it."

I remained silent. Out of that twenty thousand, at least half would go to compensating the tea shop for their losses. As for the medical expenses meant for me, I won't give them a single penny.