Volume One, Chapter 10: The Victory Banquet-Fugindo do Norte de Mianmar: Relato Real de Sobrevivência nos Complexos de Fraude Telefônica(Olá, eu sou o Juiz.)

"Nobody leaves tonight, dinner is on me!" Wang Meng commanded, and the office erupted in excitement. Sunlight filtered through the blinds, casting golden stripes across the floor and illuminating the ecstatic faces of his colleagues. The finance department had just called to confirm that Li Yang’s first commission had arrived—a staggering six hundred and eighty thousand.

"A deal this big calls for a proper celebration!" Wang Meng scanned the office, his gaze finally settling on Li Yang. Li Yang sat in the corner, staring at the transfer notification on his phone. This sudden windfall felt too fast, leaving him both exhilarated and uneasy.

Wang Meng strolled over, his palm landing heavily on Li Yang’s shoulder. "What’s wrong? Not happy now that you’ve struck it rich? Tonight, I’ll show you all the best spots in our park." His smile was gentle, but his eyes held an undeniable, authoritative weight.

By dusk, the park had undergone a complete transformation. Streets that felt lifeless during the day were now ablaze with neon lights. To the left, a lavishly decorated KTV stood with heavily made-up women at the entrance, offering professional smiles to passersby. To the right stood an imposing casino, where two suit-clad security guards stood rigid, their sharp eyes sizing up everyone who entered or exited.

"See that building?" Wang Meng gestured toward a dimly lit structure in the distance. "That’s a special place for those who don’t listen." A meaningful smile played on his lips. "Especially the girls who don’t meet their performance targets; they have to go there for some serious reflection."

Li Yang felt a jolt of fear as he watched several men in uniform escorting a sobbing girl into that building. Zhang Hui whispered in his ear, "I heard a girl was locked up in there for two full weeks last month..."

"Let’s go, dinner first," Wang Meng interrupted their whispering, leading the group into a sophisticated restaurant.

Crystal chandeliers cast a soft glow, reflecting off the cold surveillance cameras tucked into the corners of the ceiling. When the waiter saw Wang Meng, he immediately bowed and called out, "Brother Meng!" Soon, a sumptuous feast was laid out: braised pork with an enticing sheen, tender steamed fish, and even simple cucumber salad that whetted the appetite.

After a few rounds of drinks, Wang Meng’s face flushed, but his eyes remained sharp. He tapped his glass lightly with his chopsticks. "We really should celebrate today, but don't forget, this is only the beginning." The room fell silent instantly; even the clinking of cutlery sounded grating.

"I’ve always been a tolerant man," Wang Meng swirled his glass, the warm light refracting dangerously through the liquid, "but lately, some people have been playing little games behind my back..."

Before he could finish, Xiao Liu accidentally knocked over his glass, and the red wine spread like blood across the white tablecloth. The air froze, and everyone stopped moving.

"I... I’m sorry!" Xiao Liu scrambled to wipe it up with a napkin, his face deathly pale.

Wang Meng watched the scene, a knowing smile curling his lips. "It’s fine. Mistakes are inevitable. But remember, in this park, some mistakes are fatal."

Everyone nodded in frantic agreement. Wang Meng turned back to Li Yang. "You’ve got a bright future, kid. But here, being good at business isn’t enough." He filled Li Yang’s glass to the brim. "You have to learn how to play, how to spend. What’s the point of hoarding money?"

Li Yang forced a smile, noticing Zhang Hui shaking his head slightly. He knew it was a warning, but under Wang Meng’s watchful gaze, he had no choice but to raise his glass.

"Come on, let’s go somewhere good!" Wang Meng stood up, swaying slightly as he headed for the door. They crossed the neon-lit streets and arrived at the casino.

Inside the opulent hall, the sound of clinking chips rose and fell. The air was thick with the scent of cigars and dizzying perfume.

"Newcomers always have a lucky first round," Wang Meng said, draping an arm around Li Yang’s shoulder. "Want to try your hand?"

Li Yang wanted to refuse, but the stares of those around him made him feel suffocated. He took a deep breath and pulled his bank card from his pocket. "Fine... one round?"

"Is that your attitude?" Wang Meng frowned. "You aren't planning on saving that six-hundred-eighty-thousand commission to take home, are you?"

The atmosphere at the table froze. Li Yang felt the sympathetic gazes of the others and knew he had no room to maneuver.

"All in," he heard himself say.

The next two hours were a waking nightmare. Stacks of chips were pushed out, only to be lost again and again. His hands trembled, cold sweat breaking out on his forehead, but Wang Meng’s constant gaze kept him rooted to the spot.

When the final chip was lost, Li Yang slumped into his chair. His shirt was soaked through with sweat; his entire commission had vanished in two hours.

"That’s the spirit," Wang Meng nodded, satisfied. "Remember, in this park, money comes fast and goes fast. You have to learn to adapt to the rhythm."

As he walked out of the casino, Li Yang realized with a jolt that this celebratory dinner had been nothing but a carefully laid trap, and he was already caught deep within it.