America: Starting with Daily Intelligence

Chapter 168 If you do not abandon me, I am willing to become your godfather!

After agreeing on the price of the glider, Zhang Ailun inquired about the rocket launcher. The old man simply took out the box he was carrying and placed it on the table. "This is it!"

"?"

Zhang Ailun looked at the briefcase with some hesitation. Was this a rocket thruster? How much power could it possibly have? Don't tell me it's just a toy.

"This is a rocket thrust launcher that I developed myself. It contains very precise parts and high-tech technology." The old man opened the box directly. Zhang Ailun and the others went over to take a look. It looked like a gas stove and exhaust pipe with an ignition device added.

I'm speechless. "Are you sure this is a rocket launcher?"

"This is a miniature transmitter. Although it's small in size, it's still technologically advanced!"

"How much cargo can it carry? Is it up to 20 pounds?"

"I haven't tested it yet. I can demonstrate its operation for you right now!" After saying that, the old man told Zhang Ailun and the others to step back, and took out a fire extinguisher, instructing them to spray it if they encountered a fire.

"Even you think this thing is unreliable?" Zhang Ailun was questioning his life, but still stood aside with a fire extinguisher in hand.

"Three, two, one, ignite!" The old man finished the countdown, turned on the ignition device, the box trembled slightly, and the nozzle instantly spewed out a stream of blue flame.

Looking at the flame, which was the same size as a windproof lighter, Zhang Ailun couldn't help but fall into deep thought.

The old man, on the contrary, was still enthusiastically explaining its advantages and disadvantages. "Although its power and thrust are a bit small now, that's how the ignition process of rocket development works. As long as there's enough fuel, it can carry people into space. I can also control the power autonomously; there are multiple adjustable power facilities!" As he operated it, the flames miraculously swelled and shrank.

That's amazing! My RV gas stove can do that too!

Does this mean my RV is actually a high-tech vehicle equipped with a rocket thruster?

"As long as there's enough gunpowder, you can call a grenade a nuclear weapon," Zhang Ailun said irritably.

He thought it was something valuable, but it turned out to be just a windproof lighter.

No wonder they wanted to sell it to their recycling center; if you went to a pawn shop, they probably wouldn't even give you $100.

But since we're already here, it feels like something's missing if we don't make a symbolic offer and buy something.

"How much do you want to sell it for?" Zhang Ailun asked.

The old man extinguished the flame and fell into deep thought. "This is my first-generation rocket thrust launcher device, which I developed independently. The process was extremely difficult; I consulted a lot of materials and it took two and a half years to build. If I weren't constrained by financial constraints, I wouldn't have planned to sell it at all. I want to sell it for $5000! In the future, I may develop a second-generation rocket thrust launcher!"

A windproof lighter, and you're asking for five thousand dollars? Look at that, isn't that outrageous?!

Zhang Ailun even felt that the technology in the windproof lighter was more advanced than your suitcase. Don't underestimate its small size; it's packed with essentials!

$50.

Zhang Ailun said, "This price is already very reasonable. I can buy this thing for just $1 at a convenience store on the street."

"..."

The old man was immediately displeased. "Do you have any taste?! You're comparing my self-developed high-tech product to a windproof lighter? That thing is utterly rubbish! It has absolutely no technological content!"

"What about a gas stove? The flame it emits is probably much more powerful than your box."

Zhang Ailun shrugged and said, "Okay, even if I don't have a good eye, I'm just a scrap collector, not a professional appraiser. Even if your item is real, it's not very useful to the average person. Even if I take it back, it will be difficult to resell it to someone else."

Zhang Ailun said sincerely, "I'll give you an extra $50 at most, but considering the nice packaging of your suitcase, it'll be $100."

"You guys really don't understand a thing or two about science and technology!" The old man shuddered with anger. When will we wild scientists finally get any respect?

Seeing that he had no intention of selling, Zhang Ailun prepared to pay him for the glider and then leave.

Finally, the old man, somewhat reluctantly, closed the box and said, "Alright, add another $50, and I'll sell it for $150!"

"..." Where is your integrity as a researcher?

Without the slightest hesitation, Zhang Ailun replied, "It's $100. I can't give you a single dollar more!"

"Take it away! Take it away!!" The old man was furious. He waved his hand, pushed the box to Zhang Ailun, and urged, "Take your goods away, I want cash!"

"Okay! The glider is $1000, and the windproof lighter is $100? I'll pay you $1100 in total!"

"That thing is called a rocket thrust launcher! Kid! That's called a rocket thrust launcher!!"

"Are you still going to sell it or not? What I bought is mine now. I can call it whatever I want."

Zhang Ailun took out $1100 in cash and handed it to the old man, also asking Dominic to give him a receipt.

The old man, who was initially a bit angry, softened considerably the moment he saw the cash.

"Okay, our deal is done! Now I'm going to find a bar in the city to relax. You guys can deal with this junk yourselves."

With a face full of disdain, he discarded it as if it were a worn-out shoe.

"..." You yourself know this thing is junk, don't you?

Watching the old man casually get into his pickup truck and pass by his home without going in, Zhang Ailun timely reminded him, "I heard that Sanji's Bar in District 5 has recently started selling 1970s-style brandy. It's good quality, inexpensive, and tastes very good. I recommend you check it out."

"You even have this kind of drink? I'll go check it out. Thanks for the recommendation." The old man immediately became interested and drove away satisfied.

Watching him leave, Dominic couldn't help but ask, "Didn't you own that bar?"

"Yeah. Didn't he want to go to a bar to drown his sorrows? I didn't scam him, I just recommended Sanji's."

Zhang Ailun looked back at the pile of things, took a few photos, and sent them to Old George.

Zhang Ailun: Are you interested in this kind of thing?

Old George: What is that? A glider? And what's that box?

Zhang Ailun: The SGS2-33 two-seat glider, repairing it might cost some money, but its value is at least $2! The other is a rocket thrust launcher.

Old George: Don't try to fool me. This pile of junk is worth $2? Would you sell it to me with a $2 profit? That suitcase, are you sure it's a rocket launcher and not some self-modified toy?

Zhang Ailun filmed him in a video, demonstrating how to ignite and spray the fuel.

Old George fell silent after reading it.

Old George: I'm sorry, I don't accept trash here. But I'm quite interested in that two-seater glider. If you're willing to sell it to me, I'm willing to offer $200.

You son of a bitch... are you even human?

Zhang Ailun was stunned.

I thought my bid of $400 was the absolute maximum, but this old gambler was even more ruthless and started with $200.

Zhang Ailun: $200, I can earn more than that from scrap metal!

Old George: Well, there's nothing I can do then, my guest. You'll have to find someone to fix it yourself. Perhaps if you fix it, you'll find an interested buyer. It seems you're in the suburbs now? Finding someone to transport it will also cost money.

Zhang Ailun: I have a car.

Old George: Okay, I have to go now. You can't tell much from the outside of that rocket thruster, but I suggest you take it apart and take pictures of the internal parts. Maybe someone will actually be willing to buy it!

Zhang Ailun: I will consider it.

After ending the call with Old George, Zhang Ailun glanced at the glider and rocket launcher, wondering who he should ask to fix it.

Darren? His father just passed away, the seven-day mourning period hasn't even ended yet, and the repair shop isn't open, so it might not be convenient to go see him right now.

Mark? Even though he's a mechanic of used and modified cars, hasn't he always dreamed of repairing airplanes and aircraft carriers? Gliders are airplanes too!

I immediately sent the other party a message with that picture attached.

Zhang Ailun: I'll give you a chance. Repair an airplane for free and let me see your skills. In the future, when I open a car repair shop and switch to a more specialized field involving land, sea, and air operations, I might consider you as my engineering mechanic first.

Mark: ? What is this thing? A glider? This thing doesn't even have a hydraulic system or an engine, and you call it an airplane? And you want me to repair it for you for free?

Zhang Ailun: Guess why it was called a glider instead of a paraglider when it was first designed? The world record for the farthest glider is 2459 kilometers! The farthest underwater distance is 7600 kilometers, all without using a single drop of fuel!

Mark: Of course I know that.

Zhang Ailun: If you can't even fix a glider, how will you repair airplanes in the future? I'm doing this for your own good! Do you want to stay in a used car repair shop in the suburbs until you die? Or do you want to switch careers and challenge yourself with aircraft maintenance?

Mark: You have a point, but these things aren't difficult to repair, so they're not a challenge for me.

Zhang Ailun: It's just not too difficult for you. I've asked so many people, and no one is willing to fix it. Is it because they don't want to? No! It's because they don't know how! They're not as good as you!

Mark was pretty pleased.

A wise ruler!! An absolutely wise ruler!!

If you do not reject me, I am willing to become your godfather.

He immediately agreed: OK! I can fix this old thing for you for free, but you'll have to prepare the parts yourself. I'm a car repair shop, not an airplane shop. Can you just bring this thing over here, or do you need me to make a trip?

Zhang Ailun: You'd better come over here in person. I have another rocket thruster here.

Mark: The Rockets? I'm coming right now!!

Zhang Ailun smiled contentedly.

Dominic was still figuring out how to ship the thing back when he saw the leader's smile and knew that he had taken care of things.

I immediately became curious, "Have you found someone to repair it? How much will it cost?"

"We won't have to pay a single cent for the repairs. We only need to pay for the materials."

Zhang Ailun took out his phone and glanced at the various wing parts online. They were very cheap, only a few hundred dollars, not even as expensive as BMW's run-flat tires. He placed an order with one click to buy the missing parts.

Same-city delivery; parts will be mailed to Mike Modification Shop in the suburbs and should arrive by the day after tomorrow at the latest.

No, are you trying to scam people everywhere?

Dominic was stunned after reading the chat logs.

And yet you actually managed to get it for free!

One can't help but admire the fact that he is indeed the leader of the sect. His connections on the streets are vast. He knows all kinds of people and can get anything for free. He is popular with both men and women.

Zhang Ailun and the others were still figuring out how to use the glider, so they let Gates and David try sitting in it for a bit.

Mark soon arrived in his small truck, parked on the side of the road, got out, and was wearing a short-sleeved shirt, shorts, and slippers, still looking as listless and slovenly as ever.

He spotted the glider immediately, walked over, and greeted it, "Hey! Is this the old guy? Can I give it a check-up?"

"Whatever you want."

Zhang Ailun said, "You're the real expert in this area!"

Mark was quite pleased. He liked leaders who delegated specialized tasks to professionals.

Upon hearing this, he immediately took charge of the diagnosis and quickly gave a conclusion: "This glider is well preserved, and its condition is somewhat unexpected. The cables and pulleys only need some minor maintenance, the indoor radio is still usable, and nothing else needs to be replaced. Just replace the wings and tail, clean the interior, and repaint it."

"I've already purchased the missing parts from Opportunity Network," Zhang Ailun said, showing him his phone.

Mark glanced at it and pondered, "There's no need to spend hundreds of dollars on new parts. Go to a used goods website and pick out some slightly defective, obsolete parts that won't affect functionality. A bodywork and paint job would be much better. This plane is past its qualifying age for competitions, isn't it? Anyone wanting to buy it will probably just be test-flying it at home or collecting it. Since it's a collectible, why bother with such high-quality parts? A shiny, new exterior is enough!"

As expected of a used goods modification business, they cut corners wherever possible when it comes to materials.

Zhang Ailun did as he was told and bought two wings and tail sections that had minor but no obvious problems, spending a total of only $128, saving a full $400!

The only slight changes are in the size and curvature of the wings, but it doesn't have a major impact. After all, the buyer isn't going to participate in glider competitions.

Rich people look down on it, while poor people grit their teeth and buy it.

Mark asked Zhang Ailun and the others for a hand, and they used a small crane and pulleys to lift the glider onto the truck and secure it. Then he asked about the rocket launcher, "Isn't there a launcher? Where is it?"

Seeing how serious and enthusiastic he was, Zhang Ailun felt too embarrassed to fool him any longer and handed him the box directly, saying, "This is it."

After reading it, Mark fell into deep thought. "So you called me over just to transport and repair the glider for free? This rocket launcher is just a windproof lighter, isn't it? It's not even as powerful as a gas stove or a miniature engine."

"Take a look inside, you might find something different," Zhang Ailun said. "I only bought it because I was interested, and it only cost me a hundred dollars."

Mark took out his toolbox and disassembled the briefcase. On the surface, it looked ordinary, but unexpectedly, it was full of surprises. The wiring and transistors were somewhat similar to those of a rocket thruster, and the mechanical structure was indeed quite impressive.

"The parts alone are worth more than $100! You've struck gold!" Mark exclaimed. "I think a lot of rocket enthusiasts will collect it!"

"How much is it worth approximately?" Zhang Ailun didn't know much about technology; he only cared about the profit.

"If it finds the right person, it might sell for five or six thousand dollars," Mark assessed. "But I wouldn't buy it. After all, I'm not a researcher; I'd rather buy a 1:1 scale model of a rocket!"

"Five or six thousand? Not bad."

Zhang Ailun was somewhat surprised, but although the price was high, it wasn't as outrageous as he had imagined. Besides, who knew when he would find someone willing to buy it?

After exchanging a few more words, Mark drove off with the glider, agreeing to notify him when it was ready for repairs.

Zhang Ailun took some internal photos of the rocket thruster and handed the suitcase to Dominic, instructing him to put it in a recycling center and sell it online.

After taking a few people, they drove away from the suburbs and returned to the bridge-hole camp in the city. Zhang Ailun also received a message reply from the Dongwu sisters.

Polina: Thank you for your concern, sir, but I think we might need more of your help!

Zhang Ailun: Okay, I'll be right there. Haven't you guys found jobs yet?

Polina: Not yet, but we've specifically switched careers to shoot short videos outdoors and livestream dancing, singing, and eating on online streaming platforms.

Zhang Ailun: That's indeed a good idea.

(End of this chapter)