Chapter 9 — One Dollar a Day, I Uncover a Conspiracy

Everything... was filled in by himself when registering for the service. His lips trembled, calling me very softly. I patted his hand gently, my voice not blaming, just a reminder.

“Know now… it's not too late.”

Ms. Trieu's money has been temporarily recovered, but the rest must wait for investigation. But An Tam Gia Vien's story... is not hers alone. That evening, the group of residents of the area seemed to explode. He said his father paid 12,000 yuan. The person said the mother bought the so-called "vascular cleaning package". Others said that the family had signed to pay in installments, and each month was deducted 1,800 yuan, which had already been deducted for three months. Some people also turned to scold me.

“People voluntarily buy it, why are you making a fuss?”

“If something really happens, will you guys be responsible?”

“Everything is a scam, who will dare to do nursing services in the future?”

I read each sentence, not rushing to answer. Half an hour later, I sent a photo. It's a note in the list of elderly people. I have hidden all personal information, leaving only a few lines.

"My husband died, my defense is weak."

“Children are far away, easy to reach.”

“High pension, premium package recommended.”

Then I just wrote one sentence.

“If this is also called taking care of the elderly, then I would rather not have anyone take care of me.”

The group was silent. No one said more. The next morning, the district chief personally came to my house to find me. She was carrying a bag of fruit, smiling so awkwardly that she looked tired.

"Ms. Chu, this... our area did not expect it."

I invited her into the house, but did not accept the fruit bag.

“I didn't expect it… or didn't I check?”

The smile on her face immediately stiffened.

“Their profile looks very complete, they also say it's a community nursing project…”

I poured her a glass of water, my movements were slow but my words were no longer meandering.

“Miss Ly, I don't care if you were deceived or acted irresponsibly, I just asked a question.”

She looked at me, her eyes starting to avoid me a bit.

“The information of the elderly… who gives them?”

Her expression immediately changed, the answer stuck in her throat.

“This…”

"I saw in An Tam Gia Vien's hand a list of elderly people living alone in the area, with their children's phone numbers, including their pension levels."

“Don't tell me they can knock on every door and ask.”

Her lips moved, but for a long time she could not say a word. I looked straight at her, didn't raise my voice but every word was as heavy as stone.

“If the district does not give an explanation, I will continue to report it to superiors.”

She immediately panicked, her voice urgent.

“Sister Chu, don't be like that, say something slowly.”

“I'm speaking very slowly.”

I pushed the documents towards her, my voice decisive as if I had prepared it in advance.

“You have to do three things.”

"First, publicize the process of bringing An Tam Gia Vien into the zone."

“Second, notify all elderly people who have signed contracts and their families, coordinate refunds.”

"Third, organize a proper anti-fraud propaganda session, invite the police and market managers, not just some people selling goods."

She looked at me with a very complicated expression, both shy and pressured.

“Miss Chu, you're retired but you're even busier than when you were at work.”

I smiled slightly, the answer was simple but clear.

"The books are not balanced yet, I can't sleep peacefully."

She sighed and finally nodded.

“I'm going to report.”

She looked at me for a second, then nodded harder. After Mrs When I left, Chu Hieu Van sat on the sofa, bowed her head, and didn't say anything for a while. For the past two days he has been almost silent, I know his heart is not comfortable. He thought he could buy me peace of mind, but in the end he almost opened the door himself to let the bad guy in. I don't blame it. But he blames himself. In the evening, he goes to the kitchen to cook rice for me. Stir-fried eggs with tomatoes are a bit salty, vegetables are stir-fried too hot. Since he was little, he didn't like to cook. After going to work, he rarely touched the kitchen. I still ate without saying anything. He sat across from me and suddenly spoke, his voice lowered.

“Mom… I'm sorry.”

I raised my head to look at it. Its eyes were red.

“You shouldn't have said that mom overdid it that day.”

I didn't answer, let him continue.

"I'm really afraid that something will happen to my mother, afraid that she will fall in the house and no one will know, afraid that she will get sick and have no one around."

He choked up a bit, his voice cracking.

“I'm also afraid that people will say I'm unfilial.”

Speaking of which, it's almost impossible to hold anymore.

“But you seem to... just throw that fear at someone else.”

I put down my chopsticks and looked at it for a long time.

“Hieu Van, old people are not a nuisance.”

He nodded, tears falling.