This work rejects the formulaic thrills of melodramatic wish-fulfillment fiction. It is based entirely on the real-world environment of scam compounds in northern Myanmar, the circumstances of those trapped there, and the firsthand experiences of people who successfully escaped. It is a long-form narrative with a documentary feel, practical detail, a measured pace, and a strong focus on human nature.
The central story follows an ordinary young man from the city who is tricked into illegally crossing the border to a scam compound in northern Myanmar. From falling into despair and submission, to lying low and making plans in secret, he struggles to break through layer upon layer of control, transmigrate through an uninhabited border region, and resist criminal forces, until he finally escapes against all odds, returns to China, and begins the journey of redemption.
The core highlights are grounded in real escape cases. The torture, rules of control, scam operations, timing and routes for escape, methods of self-rescue, black-market dealings, and details of getting through the border all reflect real events, making the story exceptionally authentic. It precisely recreates the dark ecosystem of northern Myanmar, where armed forces protect scams and scams sustain armed forces, as well as ordinary people’s instinct to survive when pushed to the brink.
