At the pavilion in the manor’s lotus pond, Yu Xiaxing, Yu Zheng, and Yu Zhining sat together, comparing notes on the scam they had uncovered.
Yu Zhining had already received the report Bai Xian sent him.
“Director, all the samples have been tested. We were wrong—there are no ingredients associated with mind control drugs.”
After watching the auction footage filmed by Yu Xiaxing and Yu Zheng, he understood what had happened.
The scammers had been brainwashing the elderly over a long period of time and in every possible way, so they had no need to drug or otherwise control them.
The mother-and-daughter duo, Qin Mei and Huo Mian, did not need to ask anyone for money. They did not even need to say anything deceptive.
All they had to do was appear in front of those people and let them see how Qin Mei bullied Huo Mian, and how Huo Mian endured it meekly.
The more the elderly compared them with their own children, the more they would be reminded of their disobedient offspring.
Then they would naturally reach the conclusion that their children were unfilial. What was the point of leaving their money to them? They might as well spend it on themselves.
Qin Mei also chatted with them every day to gather information—to find out who was wealthy, who was at odds with their children, and what each person needed.
That “Life Restart” program probably sent the information the elderly filled out to them as well. Fortunately, none of the three of them had provided anything useful.
Yu Zhining had looked through the records at the senior-care center before. Over the past few years, quite a number of elderly residents seemed to have left the center and then fallen out with their families, though nothing ever came of those incidents afterward.
He had no idea whether Qin Mei had been behind them.
After all, he had only taken over the senior-care center once the inheritance competition began.
A few days ago, Mr. Gu had complained that several of his children cared nothing for the sacrifices he had made raising them and had only money in their eyes.
That was why he had sold his house and planned to travel.
He was also always talking about how, when he was young, his dream had been to bring honor to the country, but he had never had the opportunity.
Even now, he showed great interest in national affairs.
And so, a patriotic sucker’s script tailored specifically for him had taken shape.
This Life Restart program was indeed far more sophisticated than the scammers who gave away eggs or sold health supplements.
Those scammers cast a wide net, cheating each elderly person out of ten or twenty thousand yuan.
This group created a customized script for every individual.
Once someone took the bait, they could make several million, or even tens of millions, from that one victim—more than enough to justify the time and manpower the scammers invested.
What about the scripts prepared for the other elderly people?
Had they begun reeling everyone in tonight?
Yu Xiaxing had already called the police. Now, the three of them were simply waiting for the officers to arrive.
For once, the three of them sat in silence.
Suddenly, something flashed nearby.
Yu Xiaxing narrowed her eyes. It looked like a camera flash.
Thinking someone was secretly photographing them, she stood and headed toward the spot where the flash had appeared.
Yu Zheng and Yu Zhining immediately followed.
They circled around the tall, dense tropical plants and soon found the source.
There had indeed been a flash, but it had not been aimed at her. Someone was interviewing Mr. Gu.
Mr. Gu was sitting on a stone bench beside the lotus pond, with a small interview crew standing nearby.
They had a professional camera set up, along with fill lights. The microphone bore the logo of “Puwen Online.”
It was a famous local news platform in Pu City. In addition to publishing online news, it also appeared on the morning news.
…
The reporter asked, “Mr. Gu, our program is currently working on a feature about senior care, exploring the different lifestyles of elderly people.”
“We’d like you to share your experience with the Life Restart tour group. How would you rate it?”
Mr. Gu looked extremely excited.
“It was wonderful! I found the meaning of life! I found my reason for existing! I fulfilled the dream I’d had when I was young but had never been able to achieve!”
The reporter asked another question. “You used to live at Yunqi Senior-Care Center, which is considered one of the more upscale senior-care facilities in Pu City. It offers private rooms, gardens, and a medical team, along with excellent surroundings and care. Compared with that, which lifestyle do you prefer?”
Mr. Gu’s smile faded a little. He waved his hand.
“Of course I prefer the tour group. Even after the trip ends, I’m not going back to the center. I’d rather find a nursing home where dozens of people are crammed into one room than go back there!”
The reporter asked, “Oh? Why is that? Is there some problem with the center?”
…
Behind the bushes, Yu Xiaxing remarked, “He only says that because he’s been scammed out of all his money and can’t afford an upscale facility anymore.”
Yu Zheng nodded. “Exactly. I’m looking forward to seeing his reaction when the police arrive.”
Yu Zhining said nothing. He simply listened in silence.
…
Suddenly, Mr. Gu became indignant.
“You don’t know this, but there’s nothing wrong with the senior-care center itself. The conditions you mentioned are all real. The real problem is that Director Yu is in charge!”
“Director Yu is a terrible person! He’s a complete scumbag!”
…
Behind the tree, Yu Zheng stared at Yu Zhining in disbelief.
“Old man, you’re a scumbag too?”
Yu Xiaxing grinned. “Your career is over. You’ve got dirt on you now.”
Yu Zhining looked at the two of them speechlessly.
“Can you stop providing live commentary every time you watch a show? It really ruins the immersion.”
…
The more Mr. Gu spoke, the more agitated he became.
“You don’t know this, but Director Yu has serious problems as a person! He’s exactly the kind of two-timing scumbag I hate most!”
As he spoke, he suddenly raised a hand and waved toward a spot not far away.
“Mianmian, come over here! Uncle will stand up for you!”
Huo Mian was chatting with several classmates nearby.
When they heard him, everyone turned to look.
Puwen Online reported on all kinds of fresh news from Pu City, from major urban-development projects to the smallest family squabbles.
So although the conversation had strayed from the original subject of the interview and turned into gossip, the reporter did not stop him.
Huo Mian and several of her classmates walked over, not understanding what was going on.
“Uncle Gu, what is it?”
Mr. Gu patted the stone bench beside him.
“Don’t be afraid. There are reporters here today, so this is the perfect chance to let everyone in Pu City judge for themselves!”
Huo Mian tried to avoid the cameras.
“Uncle Gu, please don’t do this…”
Mr. Gu angrily defended her.
“No, we have to expose him! Listen, reporters—Huo Mian used to be Director Yu’s fiancée!”
“Mianmian is the most filial and sensible girl I’ve ever met in my entire life. Ever since she was little, whenever she was wronged, she would only endure it in silence.”
“But what did Director Yu do? He fell in love with someone else. The moment he decided he didn’t want her anymore, he abandoned her!”
Huo Mian hurriedly said, “Uncle Gu, please don’t put it that way. A-Ning isn’t that kind of person. He just…”
