The next day at noon, Xiao Zhang took advantage of his lunch break, changed into casual clothes, and arrived at the He Family Club.
"Wow! It's quite lively!"
Standing on the street, Xiao Zhang peered through the window and saw the store crowded with people.
Even at noon, there were still so many people. These elderly folks really seed to love this club.
"That was close, I almost arrived late!"
Just as Xiao Zhang was about to step into the store, he suddenly heard a hurried flurry of footsteps behind him.
Xiao Zhang quickly turned around, just in ti to see an old man with graying hair hurrying over.
"Uncle Feng? You, you are—"
Xiao Zhang took a closer look and realized he knew the person approaching.
It was none other than Old Feng, famously known in the area.
This old man was definitely a character—stingy and fearful of death, he would ride his tricycle for half an hour just to save a few cents on eggs.
The eight-treasure porridge and canned yellow peaches bought by his children would expire because he was too reluctant to eat them.
A pair of socks had to be unwearable and beyond repair before he would throw them away.
The old man was certainly frugal, yet he was willing to spend thousands of yuan monthly on health products.
A couple of years ago, Xiao Zhang had even received a call from Uncle Feng's children, who reported their concerns, and he specifically talked with Uncle Feng, repeatedly advising him not to be deceived.
But the old man simply wouldn't listen.
The more they spoke, the more he accused the younger generation of having ill intentions, unable to bear seeing him trying to maintain his health and longevity!
Xiao Zhang could now thoroughly understand the frustration of Uncle Feng's children; unfortunately, this was a situation the police could hardly handle.
Knowing that those health products were a scam, but as the operation was legal, they could only watch helplessly as the old man handed over heaps of money to the scamrs.
However, Xiao Zhang clearly rembered that Uncle Feng used to buy health products from a specialty store near the train station.
He heard that the salesperson there had a particularly good relationship with Uncle Feng, treating him just like his own son.
So why suddenly change the "brand"? Could it be that He Hongtu was even more "skilled" than Uncle Feng's dedicated salesman?
Xiao Zhang's mind couldn't help but recall what Aunt Xu had said the day before.
He grew more suspicious: He Hongtu must have made false claims, leading these elderly people desiring health and longevity to believe that his health products could cure all diseases!
Xiao Zhang's gaze sharpened.
Hearing the sound, Uncle Feng paused his steps, and upon seeing it was Xiao Zhang, he said, "Ah, it's Xiao Zhang. What, you've co to eat at the He Family too?"
Eat, eat?
Wasn't the He Family selling health products? How did it suddenly turn into a place to eat?
Could it be that the He Family, in effort to boost sales, started providing free lunch to the elderly?
"That's not right, if it's about eating, it should be your mom who cos, right? I heard your mom was diagnosed with cancer?"
Uncle Feng only slowed down his pace but didn't stop completely, swiftly passing by Xiao Zhang while continuing, "Ah, poor thing! But you're quite filial, knowing to co to the He Family Club!"
"Since you're here, go on in quickly. A al costs only ten yuan, with at, vegetables, and soup. Not only can you get full, but it can also heal diseases!"
"Hurry up, it's getting late, if you delay any further, there won't be any food left!"
After finishing, without waiting for Xiao Zhang to react, the old man darted into the storefront.
"What? Heal, heal diseases?" Xiao Zhang's face turned even uglier; he hadn't guessed wrong—He Hongtu was not only exaggerating the effects of the health products, but he even dared to promote a al with a "heals diseases" claim!
What a bastard!
This obvious fraud can't be tolerated!
Xiao Zhang no longer hesitated and quickly went inside.
Once inside, Xiao Zhang realized that the shop was about twenty, thirty square ters. Near the shelves, there was a counter.
The counter was filled with several plastic, insulated food containers like those used in fast-food restaurants.
The containers held three or four kinds of stir-fried dishes, atballs, chicken legs, rice, and other foods.
Besides, a sterilization cabinet held stacks of partitioned dining plates, chopsticks, and spoons.
"Co eat! Ten yuan per person!" said the cashier nearby, looking to be about thirteen or fourteen.
The young girl was fair, delicate-looking, and when she spoke, her eyes curved in a smile that was endearing.
Seeing Xiao Zhang, a new face, she didn't ask anything more. She directly pointed to the counter and the sterilization cabinet, saying, "After paying, help yourself to a plate. Take as much as you like of whatever you want. It's unlimited, but don't waste!"
By 2015, smartphones had begun to gain popularity, but mobile paynts hadn't yet beco widespread.
At least in the county, people mostly still paid with cash.
Xiao Zhang pulled out a ten-yuan bill from his wallet, but he didn't rush to hand it over to the young girl. Instead, he feigned curiosity and asked, "I heard that your family's als can cure diseases?"
The girl widened her eyes in response, "Who said that? That's nonsense. Our food does include so herbs, but it's mainly for health and wellness! If you want to cure diseases, go out and turn left to the intersection, then take a taxi to the county hospital!"
Xiao Zhang...
He didn't feel relieved; instead, he felt even more suspicious that there was sothing wrong with He Family's club.
These were sophisticated fraudsters, and they certainly wouldn't promise their custors anything like "cures all diseases" or "definitely effective."
They even proactively tell you to go to the hospital if you're sick and not to fall for those who sell health products.
In fact, many old people had been brainwashed or were convinced by them. Even if they sent these seniors away, those old people would co back with money in hand.
So even if their families reported it to the police, the police couldn't do much.
Because the people weren't lying; they even actively dissuaded them, but the elderly didn't listen, so there was nothing they could do.
"Ha, the young girl is pretty clever!"
Xiao Zhang secretly beca more vigilant but continued to smile and double-spoke.
However, the girl seed not to understand the deeper aning of his words, asking again, "Are you going to eat or not? If so, please hurry. There's only half an hour left for dining. At two-thirty in the afternoon, our club also offers free foot baths and acupuncture!"
And those activities took up space.
They couldn't allow those eating to stay longer.
Understanding the underlying aning of the girl's words, Xiao Zhang didn't get annoyed but smiled and handed her the money, "Alright, got it. I'll be quick!"
After paying, he took a plate from the sterilization cabinet. There wasn't much food left in the containers.
Xiao Zhang took a bit of everything and then found a seat to eat.
The food tasted okay, very mild, and suitable for the elderly.
And upon a closer taste, there was a faint hint of dicinal herbs.
It seed the girl hadn't lied, these dishes really did contain dicinal herbs.
It was just unclear whether these herbs were rely a gimmick or truly effective.
As he ate, Xiao Zhang didn't forget to observe his surroundings.
Suddenly, his gaze paused because he saw a familiar face.
"Teacher Qi? Isn't she the one diagnosed with esophageal cancer, who was supposed to go to the Provincial City for surgery?"
Xiao Zhang couldn't believe his eyes. Despite having a terminal illness and being unable to swallow, the old lady was still nursing a food container and eating small bites of her al!
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