America: Starting with Daily Intelligence

Chapter 43 The Radiance of the Virgin Mary

The woman also noticed Zhang Ailun beside her. She glanced at him a few times and found that his temperament and facial features matched her aesthetic preferences, especially his strong physique. He was definitely the type who looked slim in clothes but muscular when undressed.

He immediately greeted him, "Sir, are you also selling something here?"

Zhang Ailun was still immersed in brainstorming, and after thinking it over and over, he felt that he had been too honest.

He replied, "Madam, I was planning to sell a Vantini gold necklace, but the price the owner offered wasn't to my liking."

"A gold necklace? May I take a look? I'm actually planning to buy one soon." The woman immediately became interested and introduced herself, "My name is Daisy."

"Hampberg".

Zhang Ailun handed the gold necklace to the woman, saying, "This is the necklace I'm selling."

"Very nice, but unfortunately someone else's name is already on it. Cece, is that your lover?" The woman keenly noticed the name on it.

Zhang Ailun was about to say no, that he didn't know the other person, but then he thought that being an honest person didn't seem to have any advantages.

He immediately replied, "Yes, she is the love of my life. I cannot lose her, and I swear to protect her for the rest of my life. She is very beautiful, kind, and lively, like an angel illuminating others. But she suffers from a serious illness and needs expensive treatment. And I don't have that much money..."

"That sounds so touching." Daisy was immediately moved and saddened by the couple's complicated love story. "It reminds me of my sister, who also died from illness."

Zhang Ailun paused for a moment, then said, "I'm sorry."

No, you don't need to apologize for this.

Daisy wiped away the tears from the corners of her eyes and said earnestly, "How much do you want to sell it for? I think I can help you."

"Wouldn't this be too much trouble for you, Ms. Daisy?" Zhang Ailun immediately advised her against becoming a sucker.

Daisy stubbornly insisted, "Please let me help you, please!"

"All right."

Zhang Ailun couldn't refuse her offer, so he had to accept her kindness and honestly replied, "I only want to sell this necklace for $1100."

The other person acted as if they would be very sad if I didn't help them, and that I was a very bad person if I didn't accept their help—a true philanthropist!

"I'll give you $2000!"

"That's not necessary, ma'am. This gold necklace is far too heavy to be worth that price," Zhang Ailun quickly tried to stop the other party from being so generous.

"No, it's absolutely worth it! It's meaningful; it's a symbol of the love between you and your loved one, isn't it? Don't worry, I'll hang it in my room and keep it safe. I won't touch it until you're able to redeem it in the future."

Daisy took out the box, carefully placed the necklace inside, then took out a check from her handbag, wrote down a number, and handed it to the pawnshop owner. "Please cash two thousand dollars for me! Thank you."

Good heavens, now I finally know what the radiance of the Virgin Mary truly means.

Zhang Ailun was a little numb.

If one day I become destitute and end up begging on the streets, please give me a whole stack of people like this!

Old George looked at the two men with a strange expression.

You little rascal, you just spout nonsense.

He took the check, checked its authenticity, turned around, went inside to get some money, and together with the $500, made a total of $2000. The banknotes all had Franklin figures representing $100.

This was the first time in Zhang Ailun's life that he had ever seen such a large denomination of banknotes.

Using checks to cash is also for the convenience of tax calculation and deduction.

If you use a bank card to swipe money directly, you have to pay extra taxes on every transaction. You have to pay taxes on spending money, earning money, saving money, and even money that hasn't been spent yet. In other words, you have to pay taxes as long as money goes in and out of your pocket.

Using checks can save a lot of trouble. They can be disguised under various names such as charitable donations and taxed separately. This is a common and legitimate tax avoidance tactic used by the wealthy.

Old George handed the money to Daisy, saying, "Please count it, ma'am. You're such a kind person!"

He emphasized the pronunciation of the word "good person".

Daisy was very happy and didn't pay much attention to the details. She quickly counted the money and handed $2000 to Zhang Ailun, instructing him, "You must take good care of your girlfriend."

"She will be my wife!"

Zhang Ailun accepted the money and said earnestly, "I will redeem this necklace once I have earned enough money."

It's just that my girlfriend is a bit difficult to handle.

One lie requires ten thousand more to cover it up, so never lie carelessly.

"This is my home address and phone number." Daisy also wrote down her address and number on the paper and handed it to Zhang Allen.

"I have something to do, so I'll have to go now. I'll definitely share this with my husband when I get back."

Daisy was very happy, feeling that she had done something meaningful that day, helping others. She waved to Zhang Ailun, "Goodbye, Hamburger, I hope you can get through this and have a good time!"

"I hope you can be happy every day, Ms. Daisy, and may God bless you!" Zhang Ailun immediately added his blessings.

After seeing off the kind-hearted lady, the shop was left empty with two unscrupulous people.

"Hey buddy, since the tequila you brought last time indirectly helped me solve some business problems, here's a discount coupon. I hope you'll come sell your good stuff here next time."

Even old George felt he had gone too far in haggling, reducing the price from $5000 to $500. Xie Xun was more skilled at haggling than him.

There are also some weirdos in the circle. If they want to experience role-playing and feel the might and power of a general, it's not impossible for them to pay $1500 to $3000 to collect it.

The likely consequence is contracting the virus.

However, there are plenty of people who are tired of living.

On the West Coast, or even throughout the United States, it is difficult to define a person's current mental state.

Just as Florida doesn't tolerate idlers, the beautiful West Coast is equally charming.

To make up for his lack of conscience, old George also took out a large discount coupon and handed it to Zhang Ailun, saying, "To your girlfriend!"

Zhang Ailun glanced at the discounted price, feeling he was unlikely to need it, but still smiled and nodded. "Thanks, boss. I'll definitely come back again if I have the chance. Thanks to my girlfriend!"

Both sides achieved a satisfactory result.

Zhang Ailun then brought up the idea of ​​selling some items, saying, "I also have an antique from World War II. I wonder if you buy them?"

"An antique from World War II?" Old George's interest was immediately piqued. "Tell me what it is, and do you have it with you?"

Zhang Ailun hesitated before saying, "It's luncheon meat from World War II. And there's an unopened can of cat food! Rumor has it it's the kind Tom eats in Tom and Jerry!! I don't have it with me, but if you want it, wait a few minutes and I'll go get it for you now!"

"..."

The boss fell silent instantly.

The CPU almost burned out.

I was thinking, wouldn't a box of luncheon meat from World War II be everywhere? And isn't Tom and Jerry a cartoon?

A polite smile, then: "Get lost!"

"Okay." Zhang Ailun knew this thing wasn't worth much.

He waved goodbye to the boss and left the pawnshop, his total net worth now reaching $2640.

They can barely be considered out of poverty.

Sunlight falls on my shoulders, making me feel like a free man.

Zhang Ailun was initially in a good mood, but his happiness vanished once he stepped outside.

Because when he pushed open the gate and turned left, he immediately saw that all that remained of the lock where he had locked his car was the broken security lock.

Where's the car? Where's my bicycle?

"WTF!!"

(End of this chapter)