Under normal circumstances, scammers liked to linger near train stations and long-distance bus stations because these areas were crowded with people. Moreover, people who traveled far would usually bring plenty of change with them in case they needed it. After all, there was an old saying in China, "The road to riches is the road to the poor." It meant that one should bring more money when traveling. Another advantage of such places was that it was convenient for guerrilla warfare.
However, Zhang Zian had only been in the capital for a few days, but he had already seen the security situation in the capital. He found that there were many police officers patrolling key areas such as train stations and airports. The swindlers who asked for money did not dare to stay in the key areas of the capital, so they ran to ordinary residential areas to cheat. Although it was less efficient, the people in the capital were rich, and it was safer this way.
He didn't have any evidence, so he couldn't be sure if the man and woman in front of him were scammers. If they were a couple who had fallen on hard times, it wouldn't be appropriate for him to turn them down and leave. However, if they were scammers, he was even more unwilling to give his money to them, even if it was just a penny.
Therefore, he suggested sending them to the police to ask for help. The police would definitely not sit idly by when faced with a crowd in trouble. However, before the police helped them, they would have to verify their identities first.
He did not really want to send them to the police. It was more of a psychological test. If the other party had a clear conscience, they would not be afraid of meeting the police and would most likely agree. At that time, he would believe that they were a couple who had fallen on hard times. It would not be a bad idea to give them some money for a meal … But if the other party had a guilty conscience, they would definitely find an excuse not to go.
Sure enough, before he finished speaking, the young man and woman's expressions changed.
The young man smiled awkwardly and said, "Big Brother, it's just borrowing a few dozen dollars for a meal. There's no need to trouble the police. Besides, the police are very busy. They may not receive us …"
The woman echoed, "That's right, Big Brother. We're all foreigners. I heard that the police in the capital have a lot of authority, and they even bully strangers. We're not familiar with this place, and we're afraid of being bullied when we enter the police station …"
"It's precisely because we're in the capital that the police don't dare to act recklessly. After all, it's under the rule of the emperor. You don't have to worry about that. By the way, didn't you lose your wallet? If I lost my wallet, of course I have to report it. Did you report it? "Zhang Zian knew that they were looking for excuses, but he pretended not to know and asked seriously.
"I've reported it, I've reported it …"
"There's no need to. I don't have much money in my wallet anyway. I won't be able to get it back even if I report the case. Forget it …"
The young man and woman rushed to speak at the same time. One said that he had already reported it, and the other said that there was no need to report it. Then, they looked at each other awkwardly. Although their words were different, both of them wanted to express the same thing, which was that they did not want to go to the police station no matter what.
At this time, Zhang Zian was 100% sure that these two were scammers. It was even more impossible for him to give them money. Giving them money would be condoning them.
In fact, if anyone could see through the tricks of these scammers, hold their wallets tight, and eradicate the soil that breeds crime, this business of stopping people to ask for money would have long disappeared.
Therefore, he shook his head and said, "I don't have money. I can only accompany you to the police. How about it? Do you want to go? "
He and the other party already had a tacit understanding, and all that was left was to break through the last layer of window paper.
The young man's face sank, and he raised his eyebrows. He was about to say something, but the young woman pulled him and gave him a vigilant look. She quickly waved at Zhang Zian, squeezed out a smile and said, "Forget it, forget it. We just remembered that we have a distant relative in the capital. Let's go find him and borrow some money. After eating at his place, we'll buy tickets to go home … Big brother, sorry for wasting your time …"
The young man was unwilling, but the scam seemed to be led by this woman. He could only swallow the words he wanted to say and silently took two steps back.
They realized that Zhang Zian was smarter than they had expected. They knew that they could not deceive him, so they gave up. Instead of continuing to waste time on him, it was better to find a new target.
Zhang Zian nodded and did not say anything. He turned around and continued to walk forward.
Since the other party had already admitted defeat, there was no need for him to continue to stay and waste time with them.
Even if he knew that the other party was a scammer, what could he do?
Go to the police station and report them?
Where was the evidence?
A report must have evidence, not just empty words.
The other party had two people, and he was alone. If he went to the police station and the other party denied the conversation just now and denied asking him for money, what could he use to prove that the other party was scamming him? They might even bite back and accuse him of slandering them.
Forget it. What was the point? Not only would he not be able to catch the fox, he would also get himself into trouble.
To be honest, this kind of street scam was too common in China. It could be found in every city. Furthermore, the amount of money they scammed each time was very low, ranging from tens to hundreds. It did not reach the standard to file a case. Even if they were sent to the police station, they would at most be criticized and educated and detained for a few days. They would eat a few free meals in the detention center, and when they came out, they would be good men again. This made them even more fearless.
Zhang Zian knew that he did not have the ability to deal with this matter. He only hoped that other people could also open their eyes and not be deceived by them.
He patted his cheeks and forced himself to focus. He observed the hidden corners around him and tried to put his attention back on looking for traces of the Warding Off Evil Cat.
However, his vision kept unconsciously wandering. He was unable to focus, as if he had missed some details.
After walking a few steps forward, he heard someone say "pretty girl" from behind him. Although he was sure that it was not him, he could not help but turn around to look.
The young man and woman stopped a girl who looked like a university student. This girl was about the same age as them, but the expression on her face was obviously much more immature than theirs. It was as if she had not experienced much of the world. She might be the kind of girl who studied hard and listened to her parents.
She was wearing glasses, carrying a shoulder bag, and wearing branded sports shoes. In her hand, she was holding a new iPhone and was texting someone. From the way she dressed, her family was relatively well-off.
After being stopped, she was very surprised. There was a strange expression on her face. At first, there was a hint of wariness in her expression, but when she saw that the other party was full of smiles and did not look fierce, and there was also a baby, her wariness quickly disappeared.
Zhang Zian thought to himself that this was bad. This kind of girl was definitely the best target to scam.
As expected, the young man and woman surrounded her, one on the left and one on the right. One after another, they repeated what they had just said to Zhang Zian to the university girl.
Zhang Zian had already walked some distance away. He could not clearly hear what they were saying, but he guessed that it should be about the same. Also, he observed the change in the expression on the university girl's face. It was obvious that she had been persuaded.
"Ga? This girl can't be so stupid, right? She obviously doesn't have breasts, but she also doesn't have a brain? Where did all the nutrition go? "Richard stood on top of his head and muttered.
The university girl spread her hands, as if she was saying that she did not bring change — this should be true. After all, mobile payments were so developed nowadays. Young people who did not go far often did not bring change.
The young man and woman took out their phones again and gestured, indicating that they wanted her to transfer money online.
"Ga ga! Do you want me to poop on their heads? "Richard asked." Or should I pee on this girl's face to wake her up? "
Zhang Zian shook his head. If he did not get cheated this time, he would still get cheated next time.
The university girl hesitated. Even she felt that something was wrong. It was like a beggar holding a QR code to beg for money. It made people wonder if the other party was a beggar.
At this time, the baby who had just fallen asleep after crying for a while suddenly woke up. He waved his little hands and cried loudly. His cries were still weak.
The university girl was flustered by the crying. Her heart had long been softened. Her remaining rationality flew out of the window. She picked up her phone and quickly transferred a sum of money to them. She also urged them to quickly find a place to eat, buy some milk powder for the baby, and quickly buy bus tickets to go home.
Judging from the happy expressions on the young man and woman's faces, the amount of money was estimated to be a lot. It was at least more than a few dozen dollars. It could be two or three hundred dollars, or even more.
Even so, it still did not satisfy their appetites. They believed that the university girl was a fat sheep, and they had to take advantage of her.
The university girl wanted to leave after transferring the money, but the young man and woman trotted to catch up with her. They were chattering non-stop. It was easy to guess that they wanted the university girl to help them to the end and give them more money.
She had never seen such a dog-skin plaster. Coupled with the baby's constant crying, she was annoyed and transferred them another sum of money.
The young man and woman were satisfied and let her go.
Wait a minute!
Why were the times when the baby cried were so coincidental?
Why did the baby always cry at the most appropriate time?
Zhang Zian was keenly aware of this doubtful point and suddenly realized what had been bothering him all this time. Was the baby they were holding really their child?
When he thought of a certain possibility, he felt like a bucket of cold water had been poured on his head. He felt a chill from head to toe.
Swindling was nothing compared with the most heinous crime of his imagination!
"Ga ga! What's wrong with you? Why are you trembling? Are you jealous that other people make money easily? " Richard, who was standing on top of him, felt his trembling and felt his scalp shrink. He moved his feet uneasily.
Zhang Zian did not answer immediately. He moved his eyes and saw a woman holding a baby on the opposite side of the street.
He opened his eyes wide and carefully observed her movements and expressions. He then moved his eyes to the young woman.
Comparing the two, he found that the young woman's posture was very stiff. Holding the baby like that would probably make the baby uncomfortable. Also, her eyes did not have the unique affection of the woman looking at the baby.
He clenched his fist and realized that he had underestimated the ugliness of human nature.
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