Chapter 6

Since the app was born for ads, after he exited completely and the interface refreshed, a brand-new ad appeared right before his eyes—perfectly matching the criteria he’d been searching for.

‘The Data Memory Method, an ancient and great tradition, has endured countless ages; though severely impacted and nearly severed from all forms of learning, it was meticulously compiled by ancient sages into a complete system.’

‘While others struggle with memory confusion, some have already used it to accomplish great feats—Master Qian, for instance, is a stellar representative of this method. Without it, he could never have reached such heights; his thoughts would only grow more tangled.’

‘So why not sign up and learn now? No matter your innate talent, we will perfectly transmit this divine skill to you after instruction—all because our team is professional and highly qualified. Only by learning together can true prosperity be achieved. What are you waiting for? Join us! The world needs your advanced skills to develop further!’

‘Prices are fair for young and old alike—genuine materials only. Free bonus: the essential masterpieces “On Economics” and “The Investment Mind,” to help you master the world.’

A row of neat regular script characters filled the small phone screen densely—by far the most verbose ad he’d ever seen, even incorporating a touch of scientific theory to make it seem more credible. Someone with a slightly addled mind might actually believe it.

This stuff is pure scam. If it weren’t for him being the test subject, he wouldn’t even glance at it. He never imagined he’d one day obsess over such unreliable ads—maybe he was sick? But the earlier pain wasn’t fake; he could still feel it clearly.

He stopped caring about it. He didn’t know if this ad’s scheme was the same as the last one. Even if it worked fast, exceeding his budget was just wasted money.

His entire budget was that free 888 yuan. If he couldn’t meet the cost, he’d just say goodbye and become a mindless swiping machine—no extra thought, no hesitation. In three minutes he’d go eat. Food mattered. No result? So what? He could always test again later. His stomach was starving—he wouldn’t waste time fighting this. He simply couldn’t win… So this was a tragic story.

Once he let go, it was like clouds parting to reveal sunlight—he felt energized, as if his Ren and Du meridians had been unblocked, walking around freely. He opened the ad extension interface while using the bathroom. He wouldn’t have done it now if he hadn’t been desperately holding it in—he’d at least have waited until after his goal was met.

‘Friends, come take a look! To learn the Data Memory Method, sincerity matters. Whether you’re a student or a corporate executive, it makes no difference—we’ve always emphasized that regardless of talent, once you pay, we’ll safeguard your learning journey and guarantee your success. Our reputation is guaranteed. See? This is the official certificate, even recognized by the state. What are you waiting for? Click the link below and sign up!’

Entering the ad triggered a short video that played automatically without needing a click. A balding man in a suit, tie, and glasses, holding a microphone, extended his left hand and passionately lectured on grand theories. When several sheets of paper appeared, he naturally took them and held them up to the screen, continuing his pitch without missing a beat.

Though he didn’t believe it, the boy tapped the link—and just as luck would have it,

Another login interface popped up. He had no choice but to comply, hoping everything was normal. After all, the “Didi data leak” incident was widely known—even if the security level was low, he couldn’t defy the system. The rules were clear: no login, no viewing. Ugh, this was tough. I’m a man of principle! This was the first time!

After a few seconds of successful registration and login, the interface redirected to the link—a standard online shopping page, extremely ‘legitimate.’ They’d clearly mastered money laundering—this must be about buying those two books. Otherwise, how else would they hide it?

As expected, scrolling through the top images revealed the two books mentioned earlier. Their covers looked old-fashioned, slightly unsuitable for young readers.

Of course, they sold more than just those two books. Opening the purchase interface made that clear—they were tucked at the very bottom, utterly unremarkable.

Huh? Why? Could it be… they were using price anchoring? When one item is priced sky-high and another just a few hundred yuan, the contrast becomes obvious. So if you were you, what would you choose?

Though the two books weren’t explicitly bundled, the appearance of the “God-Making Plan” at the bottom, and its price matching the sum of both books, revealed the organization’s subtle trickery. Still, he had to ask—otherwise, if he actually bought the books, it’d be no different from Bai Da. His goal wasn’t here.

Since it was a platform, customer service was inevitable—no need to hunt around. He sent a direct message, cutting straight to the point, to avoid them mistaking him for someone curious about the plan and then launching a full-blown scam—likely sending him two useless books and nothing else. Even if there were extra perks, they’d still differ, right?

As a seasoned online shopper, he understood some unspoken rules. But he’d spent too wildly, leaving him cash-strapped. To stop himself from impulse-buying, he’d painfully deleted the app. Now he couldn’t recall it—maybe he’d remember when he needed new clothes.

The customer service reply came fast—he almost suspected they’d been watching him. How could they be so relaxed at this hour? Shouldn’t they be out having fun? Truly ‘reliable’—not letting a single potential customer slip away.

Customer Service: Hello, esteemed customer! This is the Data Memory Method, custom-designed for you. For just 800 yuan, you can soar through the ocean of knowledge. May I ask—are you a student or a corporate executive? As a member of our company, once you order, besides the free books, you’ll receive a snack gift pack and a classic quote collection—all tailored to your personal needs. What do you think?

Soon after, he sent a photo: a standard office with a public desk piled high with gift boxes, packaging bags, and the company’s logo—Shu Yu Tengfei. Clearly visible on top was a stylized flying fish. Hard to doubt this was a legitimate company. The disguise was brilliant!

Anonymous: Student.

The boy typed a few simple characters. He glanced at the photo once and didn’t look again. No matter how well they hid it, the truth remained. He feared if he stared too long, he might actually believe them—bad idea. Better to see nothing, treat it as a normal transaction, and ignore everything else.

Customer Service: Oh! You’re a student? That’s perfect! This divine skill was passed down by my grandfather. I never wanted to sell it—my uncles even tried to stop me—but someone must sacrifice to spread this great tradition. Since you’re a student, I’ll personally gift you a learning device to help you uncover the mysteries of the Data Memory Method. Only one available—wouldn’t give it to anyone else.

The customer service rep was ecstatic. Another sale—and a student, no less. Students were the prime target group, the most vulnerable. With this sale, he’d make at least 750 yuan—another day with a better meal. Thinking of it, he raised his glass, clinked it cheerfully with his companion, downed it in one gulp, then picked up his phone again, waiting for the next fish to bite.