Yu Zhou had never experienced being kidnapped on the street before, especially when the other party kept talking about taking him to get rich.
Did they really understand who he was?
Well, if these people truly knew who he was, they might be even happier, even more ecstatic.
After all, their single 'shake machine' product would never satisfy their appetites; they wanted bigger bosses, more people.
If Yu Zhou bought over a hundred sets in one go, it would be a tremendous boon for them.
They wouldn't care if he was also recruiting people; as long as they could get a commission, it was a project that would genuinely make them a lot of money.
"So, you kidnapped me because you want to take me to make money?"
After understanding the 'shake machine' project they spoke of, Yu Zhou didn't know how to react.
Yet, for his own safety, he couldn't appear mocking. After all, if they were truly a pyramid scheme organization that restricted people's freedom or even caused deaths, one person could never take on a whole vehicle full of them.
"That's right, we believe that he who endures hardships will succeed."
"Don't underestimate this project just because it doesn't seem like much. With so many people involved, and everyone knowing it can make money, don't you think this project is profitable?"
"Only those who can endure hardship are qualified to join us. We don't accept just anyone!"
The young man said with arrogance, as if kidnapping him was an honor bestowed upon Yu Zhou.
Within a single day, Yu Zhou had lost count of how many times he had felt speechless. Were all these people mentally unstable? They were clearly stepping into a trap, yet they were ecstatic as they did so. Not only that, some even dragged their family and friends into it.
Then they all got scammed together. If some people genuinely believed it was real and were deeply convinced, that would be one thing. But some were simply malicious. Even when you clearly knew it was a scam, you would disregard others and only care about yourself just to recoup your losses.
"So, why did you kidnap me? If you had told me earlier, I might have joined!"
Yu Zhou, feeling a mix of amusement and exasperation, spoke casually. After all, such words were free, and he could say a lot of them.
"What? You're willing to join our project?"
"Yes, that's right. It's rare for someone to still refuse after hearing about the prospects and support of our project."
"So, how many shake machines are you planning to buy? Each one costs a hundred yuan. That's not a small price!"
"Why not make a call and have your family join in too?"
The young man in the passenger seat's eyes lit up at Yu Zhou's words.
Indeed, at this time, the shake machine project restricted personal freedom but not communication freedom.
If you wanted to make a phone call, it was allowed with someone watching.
After all, not everyone would carry several hundred yuan in cash on them. Moreover, if they were to recruit more people later, their family and friends were the most suitable targets.
Under these circumstances, restricting communication would make it impossible to achieve their goals.
Naturally, if Yu Zhou was willing, he could make a call to his family or the factory right then, and someone would come to find him.
It was a pity that Yu Zhou had no intention of making that call yet.
Because he knew very well that even if he made the call, the situation would still escalate.
Neither the people from the factory nor his family would believe that he was merely kidnapped by a pyramid scheme organization; they would assume the worst.
Only after a few more days, when he could make the call, would things go smoothly.
Of course, this was assuming he could gain their trust and reveal their location.
Otherwise, if he couldn't even get their location, his calls or any other actions would be in vain.
One must know that these people changed their hiding places frequently, even more professionally than actual kidnappers.
If you were careless and fell for their trap, you might not just get a beating, but you could very well lose your life.
Pyramid schemes in this era were far more brutal than in later times.
They truly wouldn't hesitate to act, and if they said they would tie you up, they absolutely would.
"No rush, I need to understand your sales methods first. I'll make a call after I'm sure it can make money."
"I don't have much cash on me. So, if it really turns out to be as profitable as you say, I'll definitely call my family to join in and bring me more money."
Yu Zhou lied calmly. At this moment, the van stopped.
It was an old residential complex from the 1960s or 70s, likely a family housing area for a factory.
After confirming that Yu Zhou wouldn't escape, the group led him into an apartment unit in the complex.
The door was a steel security door. As soon as it opened, the young people sitting on small stools in the living room, engrossed in their studies, suddenly turned around.
"Yo! You're back!"
"This is the Yu Zong you mentioned earlier, right? Hello, hello! From now on, we're colleagues!"
"Come, come, sit down and have some water! Zhang Dong, why are you so clueless! Quickly get a stool for our new colleague!"
The leader was a woman around thirty years old.
The moment she saw Yu Zhou enter the room with them, she became incredibly enthusiastic.
Well, it wasn't just her. Everyone in the room, even though Yu Zhou didn't recognize any of them, treated him with extreme warmth.
It was as if an old friend they hadn't seen in years had suddenly arrived. It's no wonder pyramid schemes have some merits.
The welcome routine for newcomers on the very first day was something many restaurants and businesses in later generations had thoroughly learned from.
It was meticulous care.
They were so attentive it was almost as if a few colleagues would help you bathe.
"Good heavens, if I had such a group of employees, opening a clothing store would be incredibly profitable."
Yu Zhou thought with a wry smile. It was no wonder so many things went down the wrong path.
These people, with such enthusiasm and unforgettable care, if placed in the sales industry of later generations, not all of them would be elites, but many would certainly succeed.
Especially in this golden era, if you were willing to put aside your pride and do this, it would be hard not to succeed.
But alas, they channeled this effort into the utterly deceitful pyramid schemes. No matter how much effort they put in, it was destined to end in disaster.