Chapter 2 — One Dollar a Day, I Uncover a Conspiracy

The area's nursing center is two stops from the bank. I don't ride, just walk slowly. As soon as the third floor elevator door opened, the noise inside spilled out. In the lobby there were more than a dozen elderly people sitting. Person measuring blood pressure. People listen to lectures. On the podium, a man wearing a white blouse held a microphone and said:

"Dear doctors, many diseases are not incurable, but discovered too late. An Tam Gia Vien's health monitoring system helps people detect risks early."

On the rear projection screen, a very large text read:

“One yuan a day, protecting health in old age.”

I stood at the door, looked at that text, and suddenly understood. Turns out... I wasn't the only one who had 1 currency deducted. But every old person, every day, 1 yuan. One person, one bad day. One hundred people, 100 yuan a day. Ten thousand people, 10,000 yuan a day. What if there are health checks, functional foods, and treatment machines in the back? While I was thinking, a young girl wearing a red volunteer shirt approached.

“Miss, did you come to the health consultation session?”

I looked at the name tag on her chest. I smiled. She immediately cheered up.

"So you came at the right time. Today we have a free examination and a private consultant."

"Free of charge?"

“Yes, free.”

She led me inside.

“We are a cooperative unit with the neighborhood, not for profit, just taking care of the elderly.”

I followed her. At the registration desk, she handed me a form.

"I'll help you fill in your full name, ID number, phone number... and bank account number."

I raised my head to look at her.

“Free examination… why do you need a bank account number?”

Lam Thien's smile did not change.

“Just to verify my identity, to avoid others receiving benefits on my behalf.”

I also laughed.

“Now the scammers say the same thing.”

The smile on her face stopped for a moment. Then very quickly it went back to the way it was.

“You're really funny.”

I hold a pen, but do not write. His eyes stopped at the smallest line of text at the bottom of the paper. So small that it's almost impossible to see.

“Authorize An Tam Gia Vien – Smart Nursing Service to automatically deduct related fees as agreed.”

I pointed to that text.

“What is this?”

Lam Thien's face finally changed slightly.

“That… is a normal procedure.”

“One yuan per day, is this a normal process?”

She looked at me, her eyes changed clearly.

“You… have signed up for our service, right?”

I don't answer. At that moment, the man wearing a blouse on the podium said loudly:

"Now, please, if you have registered for the smart nursing service, follow the staff next door to complete the upgrade procedure."

I saw a few old people standing up. They all held phones and identification cards in their hands. There is a person... Mrs. Trieu, who lives downstairs in my house. She is seventy-three years old this year, her son works far away. On normal days, when buying vegetables, you still think about each ounce of meat. But while listening to the lecture, her eyes lit up. Like truly believing that if you spend 1 yuan a day... someone will guard your old age. I slowly placed the form on the table. Ask Lam Thien:

“Upgraded… how much does it cost?”

She smiled even more friendly than before.

“It's not expensive, 680 yuan a month.”

“Elderly people have benefits, in fact they only need to pay more than 300 yuan themselves.”

“What if I don't upgrade?”

She looked at me, her voice lowered short.

"Auntie, at this age... there are expenses that should be spent but still have to be spent. If one day you fall at home, it will be too late for your children to regret it."

This sentence... hits very close to the weak spot. Old people are afraid of death. Children are afraid of taking responsibility. She both scared the elderly and scared her children. Both sides were captured. I suddenly understood why Chu Hieu Van registered this for me. It is not news of An Tam Gia Vien. It's because I'm afraid something will happen to me. The thing scammers are best at taking advantage of... is that fear. I put my hand in my pocket and quietly turned on the recording. Then she raised her head, smiled and asked Lam Thien:

“If I pay today, will there be a discount?”

Her eyes lit up.

“Do you want to upgrade?”

“Let me listen first.”

She immediately led me into a small room inside.

"Please sit here, I have my own health consultant."

In the room there is a round table. On the table are blood pressure monitors, blood glucose monitors, and a white device that looks very "genuine". Next to him sat a man in his fifties, his hair slicked back and wearing a white blouse. On the name tag it says: Vuong Quoc Cuong Health management expert. I looked at those words and smiled slightly. Nowadays, scammers like to wear blouses the most. Just put it on... normal people naturally feel scared. Vuong Quoc Cuong saw me and smiled very gently.

“Sit down.”

I sat down. Lam Thien stood next to introduce:

“Teacher Vuong, this girl wants to learn about my upgrade package.”

He nodded.

“Okay, let's measure your blood pressure first.”

Very skillful movements. Wrap the bandage, turn on the device, the number appears very quickly. Blood pressure is a bit high. Actually, I just measured this morning, completely normal. But here... it's high again. Vuong Quoc Cuong looked at the screen and immediately frowned.

“Sister, this situation is not good.”

“How is it not okay?”

“Systolic blood pressure 150, diastolic 96. This level is quite dangerous.”

Lam Thien immediately interjected:

“Do you often have dizziness, chest tightness, and not sleeping well?”

Old people... everyone doesn't have those things. I nodded.

“Sometimes yes.”

Vuong Quoc Cuong sighed.

“That is the potential risk.”

He pushed a flyer towards me. On it are printed in large letters: Old age protection plan - An Tam Gia Vien Below are the service packages. Basic package: 1 yuan per day Upgrade package: 680 yuan per month Premium package: one-time payment of 29,800 yuan, year-round health monitoring, home care, expert consultation, emergency call I looked at the number 29,800, my fingertips lightly tapping on the table.

“This premium package… are many people buying it?”

Lam Thien smiled brightly:

"A lot. Money can be saved, but health is priceless."

Vuong Quoc Cuong continued:

"Furthermore, this package is limited. Today is the last day of the district's subsidy, after today it will return to the original price of 39,800."

I nodded.

“Really good deal.”

"Of course."

He lowered his voice, as if talking privately.

"You look like an understanding person. The children are busy and can't take care of you regularly. Waiting for your body to have problems, a lot of money won't be able to save you."

I looked at him.

“If I pay now, can you guarantee that nothing will happen to me?”