Northern Myanmar: These players are acting strangely!

Chapter 81 Closing the Net! Won't she become suspicious?
[Holy crap! Something's up! Is Brother Ma about to deliver results?]

[Finally, the job is here! We understood the previous scam tutorials, now it's time for the practical part?]

[Hey bro, look at him, then look at yourself. When are you going to give the brothers a real treat?]

[Don't worry, Brother Piao is secretly learning the skills. What he learns will be his own! (laughs)]

Wang Zixu peeked at Wang Mazi's computer screen.

A message appeared in the chat window:
"How much will it cost?"

Ah Long, along with his peasant underlings and a bunch of onlookers, all gathered around.

That was exactly the same situation as when the buck-toothed Zhang opened his account.

Under everyone's watchful eyes, Wang Mazi calmly opened his translation software and typed in:
"Both 'The Rite of Spring' and 'City Impressions' have been secured."

"The transaction price was 15% lower than expected."

“My friend’s information was very accurate; the curator did indeed have a very high opinion of these two works.”

The software automatically translates Chinese into fluent English and then sends it message by message.

The message was sent.

The other party responded almost instantly.

However, this time the message was sent entirely in Chinese.

"Congratulations! Xu Xiaoman's solo exhibition at UCCA next month has been confirmed, and these two works may appreciate in value by more than 40% at that time."

"However... I have something I'd like to ask you, is it convenient for you?"

Wang Mazi's expression instantly became focused, and he visibly tensed up as his fingers tapped on the keyboard:
"please say."

On the green bubble, the person with the lotus flower avatar and the username "Never Give Up" quickly replied:

“I have been invited to attend Art Basel next month, and afterwards I plan to go to Florence to take a course on the conservation of Renaissance paintings.”

"But my VISA card limit might not be enough. I know you have extensive connections in the art world in Europe and America. Do you have any more convenient cross-border payment methods you would recommend?"

Wang Zixu was a little confused, feeling like he was completely out of sync with their conversation.

Art exhibition?
Florence?

What kind of nonsense are they talking about?

He was completely confused.

But now is not the time to ask questions; we can only watch quietly from the sidelines.

Wang Mazi's eyes flickered slightly, his finger paused on the screen for a moment, and then he replied:
"These kinds of issues are clearer when discussed over the phone."

"When it's convenient for you, we can talk."

"I haven't heard your voice in a long time, I miss you."

When the other party stopped moving, Wang Mazi let out a long breath and leaned back in his chair.

Ah Long raised an eyebrow and asked:
"How about it?"

Wang Mazi looked up at him, carefully considering his words before speaking:
"Everything is going according to plan. I just suggested we make a phone call, and I'm sure she'll agree."

Ah Long asked again:

"What I'm asking is, is there any risk involved in this deal?"

Wang Mazi chuckled lightly, brimming with confidence:

“In the art investment circle, large transactions are usually discussed in person or by phone, so she had no reason to refuse.”

"Risk...I don't think there is any."

"For today..."

“I spent two whole months laying the groundwork for her, talking about everything from the contemporary art market to Renaissance painting. I specially curated an art exhibition for her and even had the technical team help me forge an invitation from the Florence Academy of Fine Arts. After putting in so much effort, it’s time to move on to the final stage.”

Just as Wang Mazi had predicted.

A few minutes later, the other party replied that they agreed to the call.

Wang Mazi immediately gestured for silence to those around him.

Ah Long winked at the henchmen beside him, signaling them to be ready to provide support at any time.

Wang Mazi skillfully opened another software, then cleared his throat, adjusted his breathing, and tested his voice into the microphone.

His words, after being processed by software, were all transformed into a Mandarin with a slightly strange accent, much like the accent of a foreigner just learning Mandarin.

"Hi, Ms. Cheng, it's great that we can finally have a chat..."

The call ended twenty minutes later.

Wang Mazi looked at A Long, his expression clearly showing barely suppressed excitement:
"She needs to pay for the course fees and travel expenses in Europe, which is about $50,000."

“I told her that it would be more cost-effective to make large cross-border payments through professional channels, and suggested that she consider using the art foundation I registered in Zurich as an intermediary, which would allow her to legally avoid taxes and have lower transaction fees.”

"She agreed!"

Upon hearing this, Ah Long nodded calmly and said nothing.

Zhao Shuang, who was standing to the side, scratched his head. It was the first time he had witnessed a complete scam.

Although I didn't understand many of the technical terms, I roughly understood what was going on after watching the whole process.

He couldn't help but ask in a low voice:

"Won't she...won't she get suspicious?" "Such a large sum of money, she just gives it away like that?"

Many of the fans around him turned to look at him, their eyes filled with admiration for the Warrior.

Wang Zixu helplessly rubbed his forehead and let out a long sigh.

It is true that newborn calves are not afraid of tigers.

He's obviously never been beaten up.

Ah Long glanced at Zhao Shuang, perhaps in a good mood because the money was about to arrive, and didn't immediately fly into a rage and beat him up. He just sneered and warned:
"Ha! It's good that newcomers are eager to learn, but they also need to be mindful of the occasion!"

He then looked at Wang Mazi:

“Ma Zi, here’s your chance to be a teacher and share some experience with the newbies in your group.”

Wang Mazi smiled obsequiously, nodding in agreement, looking every bit the know-it-all.

"The fish has already taken the bait; it can't escape."

"The reason we are so confident is because we have already established a sufficiently strong trust before this."

“During the call just now, I gave her the foundation’s official website and registration number, as well as the contact information for two other ‘reference clients’.”

"The fake website prepared by the technical team was professional enough that non-professionals couldn't spot the flaws at all."

"And those two so-called 'clients' are actually our own people. We had already made arrangements in advance, so they won't give us away."

"Another, and most importantly, after observing her for some time, I've found that she's a woman who considers herself very intelligent, and the more intelligent a person is, the more confident they tend to be."

"Confidence is a good thing, but blind confidence is not necessarily so."

After Wang Mazi's explanation...

I don't know if Zhao Shuang understood it or not, but Wang Zixu understood it completely.

In short, this was a scam specifically designed for this woman named "Never Give Up".

By catering to her preferences, using professional artistic knowledge and carefully crafted lies, he gradually gains her trust, and finally reveals his true colors when she needs "help," thus achieving his goal of swindling money.

However, things don't seem to be going so smoothly.

There was a "ding" sound.

A beep sounds.

Ah Long glanced at the message, then showed it to Wang Mazi.

"Never Give Up" did not transfer the money all at once, but instead transferred five thousand US dollars first.

Clearly, she was still testing the waters.

Wang Mazi's expression remained unchanged, as if he had expected this to happen.

They immediately launched a fierce attack on the green bubbles.

"Honey, are you having some kind of trouble?"

"If you don't have enough money, don't worry. I can help you postpone it with the school for a while."

"If it really doesn't work, I can lend it to you first."

"Do you regret coming? Don't you want to come to the exhibition anymore? Or do you just not want to see me?"

"But didn't we agree to meet in Florence? Or do you still not believe in my sincerity?"

"I already have a complete plan for our future."

"I have so much to tell you."

“If you’re not used to life in Europe, then I’ll come to your country, come to your home, and become your son-in-law.”

"I just don't know if your family will welcome my arrival."

"Honey, please don't ignore me, okay?"

When Wang Zixu saw Wang Mazi typing this long string of cheesy messages on the screen, the corners of his mouth couldn't help but slowly curl upwards.

His expression suggested that everything was within his expectations, and he even knew exactly what the other person would say and do next.

After sending a series of messages, Wang Mazi turned his head slightly.

Seeing the bewildered yet slightly shocked look in Wang Zixu's eyes, I casually explained:
"When chatting with your target, try to avoid revealing too much of your needs."

"The theory is sound."

"But the situation is different now; the person you're chatting with has entered a specific psychological state."

"Therefore, the strategy naturally needs to be adjusted as well."

"The final push must be a fierce attack, a heavy blow."

Wang Zixu seemed to be deep in thought.

He increasingly felt that he couldn't quite understand the NPC in front of him.

What we can't see through isn't just the ever-changing scams.

Even when looking at Wang Mazi, one feels as if he is shrouded in a thick fog.

　I was supposed to post four chapters on the first day of release, but my pet turtle escaped this afternoon. I've been searching for over two hours and still can't find it... I'll try to post another chapter after I finish lunch.

　　
　
(End of this chapter)