The Joker Was Me

Based on the conversation from the two adjacent bathroom stalls, both Xu Mo and Li Yunfei felt something was seriously wrong with one of the people talking.

While there are ways to make four million in a week, most of those methods can be found in a book called "Get Rich Quick (Criminal Law Edition)."

Especially when they heard that this venture required 200,000 yuan in startup capital, both immediately suspected it was some kind of scam.

So after finishing their business, they didn't leave right away. Instead, they exchanged knowing glances and decided to listen in to see if there was anything suspicious going on.

"200,000 yuan startup capital? That's quite a lot, Brother Hai. You know my situation - I can't even scrape together 20,000, let alone 200,000."

"You're thinking too small! If you don't have money, you can borrow it. Worst case, steal your parents' retirement savings to use first. Think about it - invest 200,000 to make millions. This is a chance to change your social class. Are you sure you're not tempted?"

"Alright! But what's the actual business, Brother Hai? Tell me first so I can see if I can do it. If I can, I'll figure out how to gather the 200,000!"

By this point, both men were certain.

This was definitely a scam, likely a "pig butchering" scheme targeting acquaintances!

Of course, they didn't act rashly. They decided to keep listening, and the more detail-oriented Xu Mo even took out his phone and started recording video of the stall door.

Then, Brother Hai began explaining his money-making scheme.

"What do you mean 'can you do it?' Let me tell you, anyone can do this. It's foolproof, guaranteed profits, money-making at its finest... It's simple too. All you need to do is rent a space and create a fake bank - just pick any one of the Big Four banks to copy."

"That 200,000 yuan startup capital is for building the bank. Just pick whichever of the Big Four banks you like, then replicate their branch layout exactly, one-to-one."

"You have to nail all the details, make it indistinguishable from the real thing. Make it so convincing that even the gods couldn't tell it's fake. That's how you make money."

"After setting up the bank, hire a few employees and wait for people to come deposit money. Whatever they deposit is what you earn. Then you can start making money while lying down. How about that? Isn't it brilliant?"

Xu Mo: "???"

Li Yunfei: "???"

Good grief - forge one of the Big Four banks? Wait for people to deposit money? And pocket everything they deposit!?

This guy must have eaten a leopard's gall bladder to be so bold!

The saying "your gains match your guts" really wasn't just empty words.

This brother really had some wild ideas! He'd try to make money from anything!

This was definitely worth handcuffs - way too criminal!

However, what surprised them even more was that the guy in the next stall was just as audacious. After hearing this so-called money-making scheme, not only did he not find anything wrong with it, he actually got excited...

One bold enough to propose, another bold enough to listen!

"Damn, this really seems like a way to make money! Brother Hai, you're so smart to think of this... But what if no one comes to deposit money? Wouldn't I fail to make any money then?"

"That's easy to solve!" Brother Hai laughed and continued.

"You need to run promotions! Give away things for deposits, like cooking oil and rice. For a one-year fixed deposit of 10,000 yuan, give them a bottle of cooking oil and a vacuum-packed bag of rice. Two years gets two sets. For deposits of 80,000-100,000, give them a new phone!"

"There are plenty of people who love small benefits. Set your interest rates slightly higher than other bank branches, and won't people line up to give you their money? A bottle of oil and a bag of rice for 10,000 yuan - tell me that's not a good deal!"

At this point, Li Yunfei started feeling something was off.

He looked at the new phone in his hand and fell into deep thought...

Earlier today, he had deposited all his savings - 100,000 yuan - into a bank in exchange for a phone.

Could it be... that he was the fool all along?

Before he could think further, the people in the stall started talking again.

"Awesome, Brother Hai, this is brilliant, absolutely brilliant! You've got such business acumen. If I had your brains, I'd be rich by now!"

Hearing this, Xu Mo thought to himself, you're lucky you don't have his criminal mind, or you'd already be in prison working the sewing machine!

"By the way, Brother Hai, what about ATMs? Those must be expensive, right? 200,000 probably isn't enough for even one machine. How will people deposit money without ATMs?"

"Why do you need ATMs? You couldn't buy those even if you had the money! No need for ATMs, just counters will do. When you're decorating, just build the ATM enclosures. If customers ask, tell them the bank just opened and the ATMs haven't arrived yet, so they can only deposit at the counter. Give them a passbook and you're done! A passbook is just a little booklet - put in some effort to forge it, and it won't cost much."

"But Brother Hai, what if people want to withdraw their money when their deposits mature?"

"Withdraw what money? You think this is a long-term business? Don't be stupid! This operation can only last ten days to half a month at most. How many people can there be around the bank? Once they've deposited their money, they won't come back. By then your deposit business will slow down anyway, but you'll have made several million. Just close the bank and run - you don't even need to pay the employees' salaries, haha!"

"Brilliant, Brother Hai! Damn, several million - I probably couldn't earn that much in my whole life!"

"Oh, and when you open your bank, don't do it on Huaihai Road. My ICBC branch is there. You need to pick a different location, or we'll be competing and neither of us will make money."

"Got it, thanks for the advice, Brother Hai! When I make it big, I'll definitely repay you!"

"..."

Huaihai Road, new ICBC branch...

Wasn't that exactly where he had deposited his money?

He was the fool all along!

Li Yunfei was completely stunned, too angry to speak, his head buzzing, his hand turning white from gripping the phone too tightly.

He, a police officer, had been scammed? It would be laughable if anyone found out!

And he spent his days preaching to citizens about fraud prevention and warning them not to fall for small benefits.

What a disaster!

Beside him, Xu Mo noticed Li Yunfei's expression and the new phone he was gripping tightly.

He asked quietly: "That phone, is it new?"

Li Yunfei: "..."