After finishing her meal, Liu Yutong took Yaya, Lan Die, and the others toward the village square.
Before they even arrived, they could see a simple red tent set up in the square from a distance. Several long tables were placed in front of the tent, piled high with colorful boxes.
Two young men wearing white shirts and ties held microphones, speaking enthusiastically to the elderly villagers who were gradually gathering around.
"Uncles and aunts, grandpas and grandmas, although many of us are already familiar faces, we still need to introduce ourselves. We are salespeople from Kangshou Company. Our company is an elderly care enterprise heavily supported by the province, and we've specifically come down to the countryside this time to bring you health and benefits!"
"The company leaders have said that since the country is now focusing on rural revitalization, our enterprise must also give back to society. Therefore, for this event, all products are free to try and experience!"
"..."
After the brief introduction, the host finally cut to the chase.
"Over the past few days, we have proven our company's integrity with real actions. We refunded money when we said we would, and we gave out gifts when we said we would. You've all seen this with your own eyes, right?"
The villagers in the audience immediately responded.
"That's right!"
"We all saw it."
"..."
This was indeed something they had witnessed with their own eyes. The villagers who paid the deposit yesterday had all their money returned today.
The host nodded in satisfaction and spoke again in an excited tone, "Today we have another event. We will introduce the finale product of this campaign: the Kangshou brand spectrum energy mattress!"
Two assistants carried out a mattress wrapped in transparent plastic film from a small truck. It looked thick and had patterns printed on it that resembled circuit diagrams.
"This mattress uses the resonant frequency technology of the American space agency, combined with three years of research and development results from the Chinese Academy of Sciences. As long as you elderly folks lie on it, the low-frequency spectrum can clear the meridians, and the high-frequency spectrum can kill cellular viruses. It has remarkable curative effects on high blood pressure, diabetes, arthritis, and even cancer."
Hearing this, a chorus of amazement rose from the audience. This thing could even treat cancer? That was too incredible, wasn't it?
Information flow at this time was far less advanced than in later years. Many elderly people in rural areas, in particular, lacked formal education. Coupled with the fact that they had grown familiar with these salespeople, they didn't harbor much suspicion and simply assumed it was due to advanced technology.
"This product is our company's flagship item, with a market price of eighteen thousand eight hundred yuan. But today, to give back to the trust of our fellow villagers, the company is launching a special reservation event. By paying a deposit of three thousand yuan, you can secure a spot to purchase it. Moreover, tomorrow morning, as long as you come with your receipt, the three thousand yuan deposit will be fully refunded, and you will also receive a free magnetic therapy device worth three thousand eight hundred yuan."
"In addition, our company's regional manager is also here. He told me he wants to give everyone even more benefits. Customers who pay the deposit today will automatically be upgraded to senior members, enjoying an eighty percent discount on any company product purchased in the future. Furthermore, tomorrow I will personally bring the company's gratitude gift packages, and everyone will receive an extra barrel of imported peanut oil!"
"..."
Peanut oil, magnetic therapy devices, full refunds, massive discounts... this barrage of perks left the elderly audience dizzy with excitement, each one eager to pull out their money and pay the deposit.
Had it been yesterday, they might have hesitated, afraid their money would go down the drain. But today, having seen with their own eyes that those who paid yesterday got their deposits back and received free items, they naturally refused to miss out on such a good deal.
Not to mention, the men had said they would come back tomorrow to deliver gift packages. The deposit would only be kept with them for a single night.
"I want to order two!"
"Me too! I'll order one!"
"Register me, I want a mattress and a magnetic therapy device!"
"..."
The elderly villagers scrambled to push their way to the front.
Liu Yutong saw her grandmother pull out a cloth bag and take out a thick stack of cash—all hundred-yuan bills—and order several items as well.
She didn't stop her.
Because right now, the elderly folks were caught up in the heat of the moment. Forcibly exposing the scam might backfire. It was better to let them pay the deposit and treat it as a lesson for the villagers, which would help improve their anti-fraud awareness in the future.
Besides, even if these scammers managed to get their hands on the money, they would have to obediently spit it back out to her.
Not long after, Liu Yutong received a call from her assistant, Su Mansu.
"Boss, I've checked. That Kangshou Company was registered only two months ago with a registered capital of one hundred thousand yuan. Their office address is in an office building in the city, where they just rented a tiny twenty-square-meter room."
"As for the products they're selling, the market price ranges from just a few dozen to a hundred yuan. It's a complete idiot tax..."
The investigation report Su Mansu provided was very detailed.
This gang consisted of five people—four men and one woman. They drove a minivan and a small truck, roaming around committing crimes.
They had already hit six or seven towns and villages just under Mingzhu City. The routine was always the same: they stayed in each place for a few days, first distributing eggs and small gifts to gain trust, then promoting products through deposit refunds. On the final day, they would reap a massive haul and then abscond with the funds.
It was estimated that the amount this gang had defrauded so far was no less than four hundred thousand yuan.
Liu Yutong was quite satisfied with the efficiency of Su Mansu's investigation.
Of course, this was also because the power of the Ten Thousand Dragons Society was far greater than before. Investigating a few people was a very fast process.
After listening to the report, Liu Yutong briefly explained the situation to Lan Die, who was responsible for protecting her.
"Miss, should we just take them down directly?" Lan Die asked after hearing the details.
Liu Yutong shook her head. "If we take them down now, the village elders might not appreciate it and might feel that we cut off their benefits. Just arrange for two people to keep an eye on them, and make sure we secure the evidence properly."
"Understood!" Lan Die immediately turned around and gave a few instructions to another core member.
Time slowly passed, and the sun gradually rose higher.
When the last elderly man in line tremblingly finished paying and received his receipt and membership card, the host once again jumped onto the temporarily erected small stage. Holding the microphone, he announced the schedule for tomorrow.
"Thank you, uncles and aunts, grandpas and grandmas, for your trust and support in our Kangshou Company! Today, all the reservation spots have been fully registered. Congratulations to everyone, you have all made the wisest investment for your own health and the health of your families!"
"Tomorrow morning at eight o'clock, right here in this very spot, our company will hold a grand gratitude and give-back ceremony. Not only will we fully refund your deposits and distribute peanut oil, but our Manager Wang will also bring extra surprise gifts specially approved by the head office. Please make sure to arrive on time and bring your receipts and membership cards. We won't wait for latecomers!"
Enthusiastic applause erupted from the audience. Afterward, the elderly folks began to disperse, completely satisfied and carrying the items they had reserved with their deposits.
Liu Yutong's grandmother also walked over, smiling warmly and clutching her receipt and membership card. Naturally, someone was helping her carry the things she had bought.
"Grandma, is everything registered?"
"Yes, I'm all registered. I ordered a mattress and a physical therapy device. Look here, dear, isn't this membership card just exquisite? They said it's a premium membership. I can get my deposit refunded tomorrow, and from then on, everything I buy will be eighty percent off. It's such a great deal," Grandma said cheerfully.
"As long as you think it's a good deal," Liu Yutong said with a smile, handing the items back to her grandmother without saying much else.
Before leaving, she cast another glance at the group of people who were packing up the display booth and boxing up their goods.
The sole female member of the five-person crew happened to catch Liu Yutong looking. Whether it was just her imagination or not, she felt that the women in black suits standing beside this young girl looked awfully familiar.
It wasn't that their faces were familiar, but rather the suits they were wearing.
