Volume One, Chapter Eight: The Rules of Survival

The early hours of the morning felt exceptionally long. Li Yang lay in bed, his eyes stinging with exhaustion. The shadows of the "Battery Room" lingered in his mind, the stench of rot mingled with the metallic tang of blood seemingly etched into his memory forever. Three days of inhuman torture had taught him that to survive in this place, he had to learn the art of compromise and pretense. Yet, this compromise did not mean total surrender.

He turned over, a sharp pain radiating from his ribs. Though his wounds were slowly healing, every breath served as a reminder of the agony he had recently endured. On the nightstand sat the ointment Xiao Zhou had stolen for him, emitting a faint, medicinal scent. This small, fragile gesture of kindness was like a flicker of starlight in the darkness, a reminder that humanity still existed.

At four in the morning, Li Yang climbed out of bed with light, practiced movements. It was a new habit he had developed—waking early to give himself time to think and prepare. Listening to the rhythmic breathing of his roommates, he navigated the darkness to the balcony and took a deep breath of the cold, crisp air.

The sky had not yet brightened, and the distant city lights flickered sparsely. Suddenly, Li Yang thought of Xiao Ling. He wondered where she had been transferred to and if she was still alive. When he had encountered her in the corridor that day, the bandages on her wrists and the look of utter despair in her eyes had pierced his heart like a knife. He silently vowed that if he ever saw her again, he would find a way to save her.

"Up so early?" A soft footfall sounded behind him. It was Xiao Zhou.

"Couldn't sleep," Li Yang replied, turning around. "I was thinking about what comes next."

Xiao Zhou handed him a cigarette. "Learning to survive in Northern Myanmar is difficult, but you must adapt quickly. Wang Meng is scouting for new 'premium clients,' and this mission might be harder than the last."

Li Yang did not take the cigarette; he knew he needed to keep a clear head. "I don't want to scam those poor elderly people anymore."

"That’s why I’m telling you to learn how to pick your targets," Xiao Zhou whispered. "Take those crooked businessmen or corrupt officials, for instance. Their money isn't clean to begin with; we’re just reclaiming a portion of it."

As they spoke, a familiar figure appeared at the end of the corridor. It was Old Wang, one of the most senior staff members at the training base. It was said he had been in the industry for over a decade, having survived every evolution of the trade, from the earliest phone scams to modern cyber-fraud.

"What are you two chatting about so intently?" Old Wang asked, strolling over while holding a steaming cup of coffee.

"Old Wang, could you give Li Yang some advice?" Xiao Zhou said quickly. "He just got out of the 'Battery Room' and needs to adjust his state of mind."

Old Wang gave Li Yang a meaningful look. "I know what you're thinking. Everyone feels that way at first, like they’re doing something evil. But you need to broaden your perspective. The world has never been fair. Rather than being the one who gets scammed, you should learn to protect yourself."

"But those innocent people..."

"Who said we have to scam the innocent?" Old Wang chuckled. "Do you know why I’ve lasted this long? Because I have my own principles. I never target the poor, I never target the honest, and I focus only on the wealthy and the arrogant."

Li Yang fell into deep thought. This was indeed a way to choose the lesser of two evils. While it was still fundamentally wrong, it at least spared the most vulnerable.

"Follow me," Old Wang gestured for them to follow. "I want to show you something."

They went to a small room in the office area. Old Wang opened his computer and pulled up a massive database. "This is the client data we've accumulated over the years. Each entry has a detailed background check and asset assessment. Look at this..."

He opened a file containing the photo and profile of a middle-aged man. "Chen Zhiming, a real estate developer. He owns three shell companies and frequently engages in fraudulent transactions and tax evasion. Last year, he was even involved in a forced demolition case where he had an elderly person beaten severely."

"This kind of person deserves to be scammed," Xiao Zhou interjected.

Old Wang pulled up several similar files. "These are all vetted targets. There are officials who take bribes, local tyrants who oppress farmers, and businessmen who built their wealth through illicit means. Their money is tainted; even if they are scammed, they wouldn't dare report it."

Li Yang studied the files carefully, forced to admit that Old Wang had a point. If one had to choose a target, this was indeed a relatively "rational" choice.

"But most importantly..." Old Wang’s voice turned serious. "No matter what you do, always keep an escape route for yourself. Over the years, I've seen too many people lose their minds or die in this business. Those who survive are the ones who have learned how to thrive in the cracks."

Li Yang nodded. These words made him think of Xiao Ling. If she had encountered a mentor like Old Wang back then, perhaps she wouldn't have been driven to such a desperate end.

"By the way," he asked tentatively, "do you know where Xiao Ling was transferred to?"

"It’s better not to ask about such things," Old Wang said, glancing around warily. "In this place, knowing too much is not a good thing. Staying alive is more important than anything else. Do you understand?"