"Don't worry, our project is not only legal, but also a priority initiative strongly supported by Longxia."
"This is a chance for wealth that our generations might not even encounter!"
"We absolutely must seize it."
The young man's face lit up as he spoke about their venture. For so many years, so many people had dreamed of getting rich, but how many truly had the opportunity?
They had this chance, and of course, they had to grasp it tightly. Even if it meant doing something drastic, it would be understandable.
Few people could refuse the dream of becoming rich overnight, and similarly, few could refuse a project like this, at least, that's how it seemed to them.
"Tell me straight, what exactly is this get-rich-quick project? Let me broaden my horizons."
At this point, Yu Zhou had a much clearer understanding.
These people had probably been scammed, or perhaps they had joined some kind of stock-trading organization.
But that didn't quite add up. Even if there was a chance to get rich overnight, why would they need to recruit new members?
However, when the leader of this group began to explain, Yu Zhou finally understood what was going on.
He saw the leader's excited expression, like a devout believer suddenly seeing a divine light.
Looking at Yu Zhou, with an expectant face, the leader said five words: "The Swing Machine Project."
It was as if these five words alone were enough to make money. Yu Zhou broke out in a cold sweat.
Good heavens, so that's why these people were so fanatical and were grabbing people off the streets!
It wasn't a kidnapping after all, but an attempt to recruit people?
Even as someone who had been reborn, Yu Zhou was well aware of this kind of thing that had been brought into the country from abroad during this era.
Even though it was just beginning to emerge domestically, it had already siphoned off countless funds from the reform and opening-up period.
This thing was initially called the Swing Machine Project, and later, as many people imitated it, it evolved into pyramid schemes.
Yes, pyramid schemes, the kind that had been prevalent from the late eighties well into the new century, and were still difficult to eradicate even by 2020.
The reason so many people believed in this kind of fundraising was that, at its core, it was a massive deception.
It was a narrative, and in all aspects, that seemed seamless. Of course, if you thought about it carefully, you could easily spot the flaws.
But how could those who joined such organizations and were so fanatical possibly calculate such simple arithmetic?
Moreover, it was only 1993, and the country had not yet legislated against this form of fundraising.
Therefore, many people began to exploit this loophole. Without prohibitive legislation, it was strongly encouraged by Longxia, and everyone could make money.
But they never stopped to think, in this form of fundraising, where even the product wasn't seen, yet they claimed everyone could earn money, whose money were they really making?
Money couldn't just appear out of thin air, could it?
At this point, Yu Zhou finally understood why these people were so fanatical. After all, recruiting one person would bring a certain commission.
As for whether their project was actually profitable, these people hadn't thought about it, as they lacked the intellect.
"The Swing Machine Project? What is that?"
Even though Yu Zhou knew the truth, he didn't expose them at that moment.
It wasn't the new century yet, and legislation hadn't banned this project.
It could be said that this era was the most chaotic for pyramid schemes.
They didn't just brainwash people; if you questioned them, they would seize your personal freedom. In many places, cases involving pyramid schemes and even murder had occurred.
Although they were all just thinking about making money, compared to later years, the Swing Machine Project of this time was truly wild.
If you managed to silence them with your arguments, someone would inevitably step in to restrict your personal freedom, and even forceful buying and selling had occurred.
"It's a tool for weight loss. It not only burns fat, but the swing machine also incorporates pure high-tech. Let me tell you, we in the direct sales industry call it a divine artifact."
"Once you become a salesperson, buying a car in half a year and returning home wealthy in a year is definitely not a dream."
The leading young man said, his eyes sparkling with enthusiasm.
Yu Zhou didn't need to see it to know that this guy had completely fallen for it.
However, even so, Yu Zhou secretly felt relieved.
This was a pyramid scheme, and it had its restrictions; even physical altercations were possible.
But, it was still much better than being kidnapped.
As long as he wasn't abducted, he knew that with his connections to the television station and his family's large corporation, finding him and rescuing him wouldn't be a difficult task.
Yu Zhou had heard of pyramid schemes in his previous life and was well aware of their methods.
But he had never truly encountered an organization that was present in every city and every old neighborhood like this.
Perhaps, this could also become a unique experience for him.
Thus, he didn't struggle much and began to listen attentively as the leading young man described the Swing Machine Project.
Well, this explanation didn't impress Yu Zhou. It was, in a way, very similar to the late-night TV infomercials that became popular later on.
They just praised the product to the skies, talking about high-tech and foreign manufacturing, and whatever else they could think of.
Yet, none of the people in this van had ever actually seen the so-called swing machine, nor had the product even appeared.
But they enthusiastically explained it. Seeing this, Yu Zhou could only offer a wry smile.
Because no matter what, the world was still mostly populated by ordinary people. And when ordinary people heard such rhetoric, promises of getting rich with methods that sounded so immediate, it was strange if they weren't bewildered.
In this state, Yu Zhou didn't even need to think to know that persuading them was impossible.
Because some people, deep down, knew it was a scam.
But because they had already invested too much, they gradually stopped exposing it.
Because only by continuing to maintain the facade could they possibly recover their initial investment.
So, in such a situation, what use would it be even if you exposed it?
It was just that he, Yu Zhou, was unlucky.
In his memory, the Swing Machine Project usually involved acquaintances scamming acquaintances. Who would have thought he would be abducted from the street?