America: Starting with Daily Intelligence

Chapter 40 Trade Secrets

Zhang Ailun strolled around for a bit and then came to the punching power test device. After learning the rules, he discovered it was a professional punching power testing device. It cost $10 to participate once, and different rewards could be obtained for reaching punching power scores of 500, 600, 700, 800, and 900. Reaching 999 points would grant a maximum bonus of 100 times the base score.

This is great!

Zhang Ailun flexed his fists and tossed in a $10 bill. He assumed a shooting stance, slammed his fist into the glove with a loud thud, and the meter reading rapidly climbed to 499 points.

Holy crap! This is seriously black!!

You even adjust this thing?

Zhang Ailun was startled.

Old Hei, who was standing next to him, was also startled.

Looking at the numbers on the screen in disbelief, I realized someone could score 499 points with a single punch? This machine can only score a maximum of 499 points.

If measured in standard professional units, this thing would weigh close to 800 pounds!

Where did this pervert come from?

Could it be that they're here to cause trouble on purpose?

The black man who was in charge of the place immediately came over, saw Zhang Ailun who was questioning his life, and immediately operated the machine to spit out the $10 from the coin slot and return it to him.

They said tactfully, "Sir, I'm sorry, this machine is broken and hasn't been repaired yet. Please go and enjoy another attraction."

"Okay." Zhang Ailun remained expressionless. Since the money had been refunded, he would pretend he hadn't seen anything.

Not far from where he had walked, Zhang Ailun saw a group of young people approaching. The group of people were walking together and also wanted to try their luck at boxing. One of them was a tall, muscular white man who smiled casually.

He adopted an amateur boxing stance and threw a punch, which landed with a loud thud. The score stopped at 196, and his expression immediately changed.

"It's a cover-up! There's something fishy going on!!"

The big white guy yelled indignantly, "I can score at least 800 points in the gym!! How come I only get 196 points on this machine? What kind of unit of measurement is this?"

Old Hei immediately walked over and said sternly, "Sir! Please do not make noise here! Otherwise, please leave immediately!!"

Although the group was quite indignant, they were intimidated by the old man's bulging eyes, wide nostrils, and muscular physique, which gave him the impression that he was ready to drag them into a dark room and teach them a lesson if they didn't behave.

The group immediately backed down, grumbling amongst themselves. Although they were dissatisfied, they still admitted defeat on this issue.

That old black man really knows how to change his expression.

He knows how to bully the weak and fear the strong.

Zhang Ailun walked around the venue again and found that there wasn't much to do besides the paid activities, and he didn't have much of a smoking addiction.

They also always keep their mission in mind.

He downed the Red Bull in one gulp, found the old black man from before, and asked where the trash can was.

Old Hei knew Zhang Ailun was not someone to be trifled with, so he treated him with utmost respect and pointed out the way.

Zhang Ailun passed through the corridor smoothly, pushed open the door and found himself out, with blue sky and white clouds overhead, and arrived at the bar's backyard.

The courtyard is right next to a main road, but there are hardly any vehicles passing through. The courtyard is surrounded by an iron fence and a large locked iron gate, with a garbage truck parked at the entrance, making it look like a military stronghold.

The white-bearded old man who was sorting through cans and scraps in the yard also looked at him with surprise. "Guest, outsiders are not allowed to come in here."

"I just wanted to get some fresh air and take out the trash." Zhang Ailun raised his hand, shook the empty Red Bull can in his hand, flattened it, and tossed it to him.

"What's your name? Are you a cleaner who tidies up the trash here? Did the bar hire you?"

"You can call me Mike." The old man, wearing light blue overalls, yellow rubber shoes, and rubber gloves, took the can and casually stuffed it into his bag.

He replied, "I've been working here for several years. I used to pick up trash on the street, but after this bar opened, I started collecting trash here. The bar owner funded the expansion and construction of this courtyard to prevent other people from sneaking in through the back door, skipping out on their bill, or seeing things they shouldn't."

Zhang Ailun also learned from him that this bar was a joint venture; the front part was a legitimate bar, while the back part was a project operated in partnership with a small street gang. This was quite normal on the street.

After all, you can't make much money just by selling alcohol on the fringes. In this area, you might not even be able to afford the rent. You have to come up with some exciting programs that can attract people.

"But you can't make much money just by selling these jars. I have other ways to make money," Old Mike chuckled.

"What kind of money-making project?" Zhang Ailun asked curiously.

Old Mike smiled mysteriously, but said nothing more, and just buried himself in tidying up the jars.

Zhang Ailun immediately understood and said, "Don't do that, Mike. I'm just curious and want to learn more about your industry. How about this, we make a deal: I'll buy you drinks, and you'll reveal some industry secrets to me. You can go inside and order some drinks or whatever, I'll pay, it's all on me!"

"Are you sure?" Old Mike asked, somewhat surprised. "Are all Asians this generous? Where are you from?"

"I'm from Japan!!"

Zhang Ailun smiled and took out a thick stack of banknotes, patted them in his palm, and instantly attracted Old Mike's attention.

"Buddy, I'm not lying to you. You can go in and relax now, and tell me when you come out. I can wait for you."

"You said it yourself!"

Old Mike didn't stand on ceremony with Zhang Ailun. He immediately took off his yellow rubber boots and gloves, changed into a clean set of clothes, and chuckled, "Actually, it's not a secret. I can tell you right now that guests often leave things behind when they're drunk here—rings, jewelry, cocoa, souvenir coins, banknotes, and the like. They're not worth much, but if you manage to find them even once, you could definitely make a fortune!"

"So you were looking for a ring? A necklace?" Zhang Ailun asked in surprise.

Old Mike shrugged. "It's all about luck! You know, it's pitch black inside with terrible lighting. Who knows what might have been left behind and dumped in the trash? If I find anything good, I'll share it with the boss. I can't keep it all for myself, otherwise, if a customer comes back looking for their things, I'll be in big trouble."

"Okay, buddy, I got it. You can go in and relax now. I'll pay the bill before you leave, but you better not rip me off too much!" Zhang Ailun warned, feigning heartache.

"I understand! Don't worry, I know my stuff, and I have a great reputation." Old Mike assured him, then hurriedly went inside.

Upon entering the bar's private room, under Lao Hei's astonished gaze, he went straight to the bunny girls in the lounge area.

"Hey! What are you doing, Mike?" Mary asked, somewhat surprised. "There's no need for anyone to clean here."

"Someone's treating me to a meal! Baby, want to come to the private room with me?" Old Mike said smugly.

Mary said speechlessly, "No! I don't want to."

"Alright... Geese, please give me a whiskey on the rocks! I'll be waiting for you in the private room." Old Mike said with some regret, then turned his attention to another person, winked, and extended an invitation.

"Fxxk you! What kind of fool would be so stupid as to invite you? You'd better get your manhood cleaned up!!"

The bunny girl painting his nails next to him rolled her eyes and gave him a disdainful middle finger. For the sake of the money, she reluctantly got up to serve the old man.

In the backyard, Zhang Ailun sent away Old Mike, who was getting in the way of his work, and equipped himself with the opponent's exclusive wilderness weapon and max-level rubber gloves.

He went straight to the green treasure chest and began searching for the 15.6-gram Vantini gold necklace.

(End of this chapter)