In order to expand the scale of the mutual aid association, Zhou Fangchun rented a storefront in Beijing as the company's address. The storefront was decorated in a very high-end style, with a pair of stone lions and a pair of golden toads inside, making it look very impressive.
Old Ding's wife, Chen Li, had been an accountant her whole life and was very good at judging people. Before she came, she told Old Ding:
“A real scammer won’t readily refund your money. If she’s willing to refund my money today, I’ll believe this mutual aid group is real.”
Chen Li spoke frankly, and Lao Ding was full of confidence. The two went to the mutual aid association store, where Zhou Fangchun quickly came to greet them politely.
"Uncle Ding, what brings you here? Are you planning to make an additional investment?"
Chen Li gave him a wink, and Lao Ding looked a little embarrassed: "My wife doesn't believe the mutual aid association is real, and she keeps insisting that I quit. I have no choice."
Zhou Fangchun had been an official's wife and had also served as a leader in a government unit. She was well-informed and had an air of authority, so she was not intimidated when she came to Beijing.
Chen Li found this behavior strange. She thought that all swindlers were timid and cowardly and obviously not good people. However, she did not expect that this swindler had a refined manner of speaking, a handsome face, and vaguely the air of a unit leader.
Chen Li thought to herself that she had met an expert.
“That’s right, my husband Ding is not clear-headed and is prone to impulsive actions, but I’ve been an accountant my whole life, and I feel that this mutual aid society has problems, so I want to withdraw the money.”
Chen Li thought she would definitely refuse, which was obvious; no swindler would willingly give back the money they had swindled. But Zhou Fangchun not only wasn't angry, she didn't even ask for a reason before nodding in agreement.
“I remember Uncle Ding invested 3,200 yuan. Last month’s interest has already been paid to Uncle Ding. This month’s interest will be paid daily. I will settle the money with Uncle Ding. You can take it back at any time.”
When will I receive the money?
“Anytime is fine. If you’re in a hurry, I can give you the money right now.” Zhou Fangchun made a gesture as if to take the money.
Chen Li was surprised by her straightforwardness. This was not something a swindler would do. Not only did she return the principal, but she also paid interest daily. If Chen Li hadn't been clear-headed enough, she might have thought Zhou Fangchun was doing charity work.
Old Ding snorted, "What did I tell you? Our mutual aid association isn't short of money. So many people are scrambling to join. But you, you insisted on pulling me out. No matter what I said, you wouldn't believe me. Now look what happened, the duck that was about to be eaten has flown away!"
Zhou Fangchun came out of the house with the money. The three thousand yuan filled a whole bag. Zhou Fangchun counted it out in bundles with rubber bands and handed it to Lao Ding.
“Uncle Ding, there are several hundred new members joining recently. If you withdraw, it will free up a spot, and I will be able to give them an explanation.”
Upon hearing the apology, Old Ding immediately became anxious, pushing the money away while saying:
“Chairman, this was all my wife’s idea. I never said I wanted to leave the association. I was one of the first members and a veteran of the mutual aid society. I’m about to retire and I’m counting on the money the mutual aid society gives me to live a good life. You can’t kick me out.”
Zhou Fangchun was somewhat embarrassed. "Old Ding, our mutual aid association has raised its threshold. We don't accept members with less than 10,000 members now. If it weren't for the fact that you know Comrade Zhou, I definitely wouldn't have accepted you. Your wife's words don't sound good. Our mutual aid association is all about integrity. I can't ignore the reputation of the mutual aid association and insist on going against your wife."
The more Zhou Fangchun didn't want him, the more Lao Ding wanted to join. He was so anxious that his neck turned red, and he yelled at Chen Li:
"It's all your fault! What nonsense you've been spouting! I knew Chairman Zhou wasn't short of money,"
Chen Li initially believed that Zhou Fangchun was a fraud, but seeing Zhou Fangchun readily take the money and push Lao Ding away, she began to waver.
"I...didn't your nephew say that mutual aid societies are some kind of Ponzi scheme? He made it sound so real. I thought the interest rates were too high and it seemed unreliable, so..."
Zhou Fangchun maintained a polite smile throughout, and was not angry at Chen Li's antics. She was originally just an uneducated rural girl from Zhoujia Village. She married Mao Guangyu and helped him climb to where he is today. After Mao Guangyu got into trouble, his illegitimate child was exposed. Zhou Fangchun lost her position and had to endure the ridicule of her former colleagues. What cold looks hadn't she seen?
She is a worldly woman who has seen the ups and downs of life.
What's wrong with Old Ding coming to our door asking for money?
She wouldn't panic because of this.
Moreover, the highest level of deception is when even you believe it yourself. She understands these greedy people; how could Old Ding bear to let such a lucrative opportunity slip away? This Chen Li is even simpler. She claims to have been an accountant, and accountants are most prone to making mistakes. As long as she makes her act convincing and uses a feigned retreat to advance, she can not only intimidate Old Ding and his wife but also brainwash others.
"President."
As soon as you mention it, the audience arrives.
These are all people who wanted to join recently. Zhou Fangchun deliberately said there were no spots left in the membership in order to whet their appetite. This group of people became desperate and came to the store to find her every day, insisting on joining no matter what.
"President, do you have guests here?"
The speaker was a middle-aged man in his thirties.
Zhou Fangchun smiled and said helplessly:
“Old Ding’s wife was afraid he would be scammed and wanted to withdraw the money, so I gave him his interest and principal for this month together.”
The middle-aged man glanced at Lao Ding, who was holding a thick wad of cash. The chairman was generous with the money, and when he needed it, he could just take it back whenever he wanted. It was even more convenient than keeping it in a bank.
The middle-aged man and his group became even more convinced.
"President, you said last time that there were no spots available. Now that some people have withdrawn, could you give us a spot? There are 15 of us from the same company. If you put our money in one account, we'll get 4% interest. Once the interest is distributed, we old colleagues can split it among ourselves."
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