Chapter 9 — 58 Lakhs And His True Face

The line "entering..." disappears completely. I picked up the glass of water and took a sip before the screen lit up.

“Okay, I don't believe you.”

“So just wait until the day your card is locked and then go in line to cool off.”

“When that time comes, don't blame me for not mentioning it first.”

"Emotions are said to be broken, but now you are cold towards me, I also accept it."

“But when it comes to money, I don't want to see your loss.”

The last sentence also includes a sigh icon. It was as if he was helpless in front of a child who didn't understand. I don't answer. Put the phone face down on the tea table, stand up, go to the kitchen, pour water in the kettle, then refill it. The water flowing into the kettle is rushing, making quite a noise. I looked at the rising water surface and suddenly thought. Does he really think I'm stupid... or does he think I'm still regretful and can't bear to stress? That's why I dare to make up such a blatant story. The water is full, I press the switch.

With a "click" sound, the power light turns on.

I suddenly felt tired. It's not physical fatigue, but the mental fatigue of being constantly tested by others. Returning to the living room, I picked up my phone, took a screenshot of the entire chat, and saved it in a new folder. The folder name is very simple: “Qin”. Then I texted my cousin.

"Brother, Tan Dieu just added me, talking nonsense about bank cards being risky, I suspect it's a scam, I'll send you a photo."

In less than two minutes, he called back.

“Is the video okay?”

I turned on the video. The screen showed half the shoulder of his shirt, behind which was a bookshelf in the law office. He looked like he had just finished work, his eyes were still a bit red.

“I'll open all the photos for you to see.”

I share the screen, scrolling through each photo. After watching, he smiled coldly.

“‘Follow the sequence of cards’, ‘can be frozen at any time’…”

“It sounds scary, but it's completely unfounded.”

“Even if there is a real risk card, there will never be an internal employee reporting it orally.”

"The bank's control process is very strict. To touch the system, there must be official documents signed and approved at many levels."

“This is completely a movie script.”

“I think so too.”

I nodded.

“But this tactic is very typical: create a sense of danger first, then offer a solution.”

He continued to analyze.

“First, say ‘the card may be locked’ to show you that the money is not safe.”

“Then said 'transfer money immediately'.”

“Finally, I proposed ‘let me keep it for you’.”

“This is a trap.”

"If you don't get it this time, they can change it another way."

“So how should I handle it?”

"Continue to handle it silently, the entire conversation will be photographed as evidence."

His cousin's voice was very steady, you could hear that he had a plan in mind.

"If he only speaks verbally, at most he has poor morals, not to the extent of breaking the law."

“But as long as there is specific behavior, such as falsifying documents, tricking you into transferring money, or contacting you by pretending to be a bank employee, a case can be established.”

"By then, we will have enough evidence to directly report to the police and at the same time file a civil lawsuit."

"My most important thing now is not to give him any chance to attack."

I quietly said "yes".

“There is one more suggestion.”

Cousin added.

"You can pretend not to know, lead the story in the direction he wants, but absolutely do not transfer money."

“Try him to say it all and see how far he can lie.”

“Sometimes the more reckless the opponent is, the easier it is for you to handle it later.”

I thought a bit.

"So Now you won't answer anymore, waiting for him to proactively contact you again?

He nodded.

"For the next few days, just live normally, don't let this take all your mind."

“If there is any new movement, let me know immediately.”

Before turning off the video, he looked at me for a few more seconds.

"Also, don't bear it alone, if there's something to say, let's talk."

"I know."

After hanging up, the living room immediately became quiet. Car lights on the street bounced off the wall, flickering like vague streaks of light. I put my phone on silent mode, threw it aside on the sofa, picked up the novel I bought a long time ago but hadn't finished, forcing myself to continue reading. Line after line of words passed before my eyes, but my mind couldn't keep up. About half an hour later, the phone screen lit up. WeChat notifications. I tried not to look. Wait until you finish turning the page before slowly picking up your phone. Topping the list is Tan Dieu's avatar. He sent three more messages.

“You don't believe me, do you?”

“Okay, now you don't want to talk, I won't force you.”

“But there is one thing, you should prepare yourself mentally first.”

I opened it to see. Before the finger could even type, a new message appeared again.

"At Tan Dieu's side, we will definitely not miss it."

"The other day he drank with me, got drunk and kept mentioning your money over and over, saying it was his 'opportunity to change his life'."

“His mind is very extreme now, you should be careful.”

This time, he changed his ways. From "pretending to help you keep the money", changed to "pretending to warn you about Tan Dieu". Change your perspective to gain trust.

“You guys are friends.”

I only answer in four words.

“Now playing the good guy again?”

“I didn't say I was a good person.”

He answered very quickly, as if he had anticipated my reaction.

“But there are things I know that you don't know.”

“You don't take it seriously, it's really you, not me.”

“I just ask you one question, do you still plan to have anything to do with him?”

The question appeared, my heart wavered slightly. I don't know what the intention is behind it, but there is one thing I am very sure of. I typed a reply.

“I broke up.”

“I will no longer have any emotional or monetary ties to him.”

The other side was silent for a few seconds.

“You said it yourself.”

“Then don't blame me for being harsh in the future.”

“If he really does something outrageous, don't come back and defend him.”

I looked at those lines, a vague feeling of insecurity arose in my heart.

“What do you mean?”

This time, he didn't answer immediately. About two minutes later, a voice message was sent. I hesitated a bit then opened it.