Chapter 7 — One Dollar a Day, I Uncover a Conspiracy

I glanced at Chu Hieu Van and saw that her expression was not pleasant at all. Lam Thien doesn't know yet, it was she who called him yesterday to "report" about me. The young man opened the device box, inside was a white machine, some wires and a tablet. I looked over and asked a question seemingly unintentionally but not unintentionally.

“Is this the device in the 30,000 yuan package?”

Lam Thien smiled, her voice still as smooth as before, as if everything had been prepared.

“Equipment is just one part, the most important thing is the rear tracking service.”

“How much is this device sold separately?”

Lam Thien's smile remained the same, like a mask that never cracked.

“Miss, this is not a normal commodity, it cannot be calculated based on the online price.”

“So what does it count?”

“Health value.”

I laughed softly, the answer sounded flowery but so hollow that even the wind could blow it through.

“That sentence… sounds really expensive.”

The young man began installing the device, plugged it in, connected to Ms. Trieu's house's WiFi, and then asked her to show her hand to take her fingerprints. I immediately spoke up, my voice not loud but loud enough to make everyone stop. He paused, and Lam Thien frowned, his eyes no longer friendly. I looked straight at the device and asked very clearly every word.

“Why must fingerprints be collected?”

Lam Thien answered smoothly, as if this were just a very normal step.

“To create separate health records for customers.”

“Health records… need fingerprints?”

“It's a system requirement.”

“Which system?”

The smile on her face faded a bit, her voice began to sound evasive.

“You're not familiar with this technology.”

I nodded, didn't argue, but took out my notebook.

“Yes, I don't understand technology.”

“But I understand the contract.”

I opened the notebook, my voice was slow but sharp as a thin blade.

“Yesterday, Ms. Trieu paid 30,000 yuan, the contract only stated health services, there was no provision for fingerprint collection.”

“Now you want to collect more data, so where is the contract addendum?”

Lam Thien was silent. Chu Hieu Van stood next to me and looked at me, for the first time without interrupting. The young man was confused and spoke in a low voice to Lam Thien.

“Or… don't collect fingerprints for now?”

Lam Thien glared at him, then turned to Ms. Trieu, her tone immediately changed to pressure.

"Mrs. Trieu, if you do not cooperate, the back-end service will not be able to be activated. When a problem occurs, my side will not be responsible."

No coordination. Problem occurred. Not responsible. Three blades, stabbed straight into the old man's fear. Chu Hieu Van frowned, his voice visibly colder.

“Are you guys threatening people?”

Lam Thien froze for a moment, then quickly changed her voice.

“Not a threat, just a reminder of the risks.”

I smiled, softly but sharply.

“Then say it again.”

Lam Thien looked at me, not understanding. I took out my phone and placed it on the table. The screen was bright and the red recording dot was still flashing.

"I didn't hear clearly just now. If you say it again, help me say that if you don't take fingerprints, if something happens, your side won't be responsible."

Lam Thien's face finally changed color. She turned to the young man, her voice urgent.

“Take it back.”

He quickly pulled out the cord and retracted the device as if afraid of touching something dangerous. I asked, my voice still calm as before.

“No more installation?”

Lam Thien tried to force a smile.

"Mrs. Trieu is not very comfortable today. We will come back another day."

“What about money?”

She pretended not to understand.

“What money?”

“30,000 yuan service fee.”

“The contract has been signed, the service has been activated.”

“Where is the service?”

“We are working on it.”

“But before I finished it, I was planning to leave.”

“It was you who hindered it.”

I nodded, not arguing anymore.

“So no refund?”

Lam Thien's face darkened.

"The contract clearly states that if canceled midway, equipment fees, management fees, expert fees and fines for violations must be deducted."

“After subtracting… how much is left?”

She didn't answer. I turned to Mrs. Trieu, my voice lowered.

“Do you hear me clearly?”

Her eyes were red, tears welling up.

“Yesterday… they didn't say that.”

Lam Thien immediately objected, her voice carrying a bit of discomfort.

"My side explained it clearly. Maybe she's old so she can't remember everything."

As soon as this sentence came out, Chu Hieu Van's face immediately turned cold.

“What are you talking about?”

Lam Thien was stunned.