America: Starting with Daily Intelligence

Chapter 58 Maintenance and Repair

Although Zhang Ailun didn't know anything about car repair, he knew that Darren was an expert, so he simply sat next to him, holding a drink, playing on his phone, drinking and then getting a refill, and then drinking again.

I went to the restroom twice in the middle, and just stared blankly as they went about their business.

I glanced at the time; two hours had already passed.

No, it's fixed already!?

What happened to the promised quick vehicle inspection?

Zhang Ailun hesitated for a moment, wondering if he would ask for several hundred dollars in labor fees and then tell him that they couldn't fix it here.

Darren became engrossed in the repair, and as he worked on it, he reached out to his companion to ask for a spare part, only to be told that there were no spare parts available.

He quickly realized the problem: the customer hadn't mentioned that he should get the car repaired, and they hadn't agreed on a price yet.

Covered in dust, he crawled out from under the car and approached Zhang Ailun, saying somewhat apologetically, "I'm sorry to have kept you waiting so long. I got a little too excited. After all, being able to repair a car like this, examine this old buddy, and restore it to health is a very motivating thing!"

"I can understand." Zhang Ailun nodded. The people here are indeed very enthusiastic about modifying and repairing cars, and it's a unique culture.

The law doesn't restrict vehicle modifications much; you can drive it on the road at 180 mph with the wheels on fire, like a wildfire.

He humorously remarked, "It's like a man encountering a beautiful woman with her bare bottom on the beach; he simply can't control the urge to look up."

"I'm so glad you understand how I feel!" Darren was overjoyed, as if he had found a kindred spirit.

He added, "My father has been running this auto repair shop for decades and has a wealth of repair experience. Although I have worked here for more than ten years, I rarely get to repair such an old car. There are some problems with the vehicle that I find difficult to solve, so I need to ask him to come over."

Zhang Ailun asked疑惑地问道：“So what exactly is the situation with my car?”

Darren said, "The engine is fine. The spark plugs need to be replaced, and the air filter can be cleaned and reused. The carburetor is practically brand new! The fuel tank and alternator are also fine; they just need a little maintenance before we can continue driving normally."

"The RV's brake fluid reservoir and brake fluid need to be replaced, and there is a slight crack in the right rear wheel hub that also needs to be addressed and replaced! The entire braking system and chassis need to have their parts cleaned and washed."

"I can help you rewire and replace the wiring in the vehicle's interior. I'll also remove the seat mattresses for cleaning and installation. The propane tank water heating system is a bit outdated now, but I can keep it if you'd like. However, replacing it with a solar water heater would be better, as it can also share the air conditioning system."

"This RV must have been newly bought and only driven a few times before being parked there. Do you know who the first owner was?" Darren asked curiously.

"It seems like we have his information."

Zhang Ailun remembered the stack of documents the old man at the car dealership had given him, so he immediately got into his car, retrieved them, and handed them over to the old man.

Darren glanced at the name and information, somewhat surprised. "William McLivin?"

"What's wrong? Do you know him?" Zhang Ailun asked, puzzled.

"Of course, he was a famous opera and theater performer in Hollywood during the 60s and 70s, and he was very popular at the time! However, he seems to have died of bladder cancer, and his children even went to court to fight for his inheritance."

Darren said regretfully, "I never imagined he owned a motorhome like this."

Zhang Ailun asked in surprise, "You mean this RV belongs to a Hollywood opera star?"

"Of course, just look at the facilities above: a high-end sound system, a front-wheel drive chassis, cruise control, and air suspension—all very advanced technologies at the time. Simmons mattresses and handcrafted upholstered seats are top-of-the-line features that many motorhomes of the same period did not have."

Darren laughed and said, "You're lucky to have found a car like this. It won't take much effort to repair it by professionals, and I can even save you a lot of money!"

"In reality, it only costs a few dozen dollars to buy parts, and then we only need to pay you $20 per hour for repair and maintenance."

"Are you kidding me?"

Zhang Ailun was a little surprised. He had already prepared to spend at least several hundred or even thousands of dollars on repairs and maintenance, and you were going to save him several hundred dollars with just one sentence?

He joked, "You wouldn't happen to be a McLivin fan, would you?"

"I'm not, but my father is, and he even has the other person's autographed photo! Oh my god, I have to tell my father this good news right away!" Darren was very excited. He immediately took the documents to the front yard and called his father, the real owner of Old Pick's Auto Repair Shop, to tell him the news.

Zhang Ailun was also a little surprised by the coincidence.

Those who appear in the "Daily Intelligence" section are indeed all preordained.

But this is good too. Since we can save a lot of money, who would want to pay maintenance fees that are more expensive than the car itself? This is really a good opportunity for my good brother!

Darren returned excitedly shortly after. "My father will be here soon, but he actually wants me to ask you if you're planning to sell this car. We can buy it for $2000!"

Zhang Ailun was stunned when he heard that.

I just bought it for $200, and now you want to buy it for $2000?

What a mess you've made!

"Sorry, I have no intention of selling something this big." Zhang Ailun shook his head.

This car means more to him than just a place to live.

Several people can live in the car, and it's also convenient for cooking, hosting parties, moving, and traveling.

With $2000, you can only find cheap motels and apartments in old neighborhoods, tiny rooms of just a few dozen square meters, and you won't stay long because utilities like water, electricity, and heating are expensive. Besides, this RV, after refurbishment and maintenance, is worth at least $7000!

"Okay, how about $2500?" Darren continued, seeing that Zhang Ailun wasn't interested. "3000? I can offer up to $4000! My father really loves this car!"

"I have to say, this is a very profitable deal! But I still refuse this deal." Zhang Ailun rejected him without hesitation.

Darren was somewhat disappointed.

But the disappointment didn't last long. After quickly organizing the shopping list, she took out the order and showed it to Zhang Ailun.

"We need to order the following replacement parts. Although many RV parts are no longer in production, I can still get my hands on them. My father's friend in the countryside has a scrapped old RV, also a GMC, although the model is different, the parts can still be used interchangeably. If you need any additional features, you can choose to add them yourself."

Zhang Ailun glanced at them and didn't find many that he liked, because most of them were too flashy.

I wanted to replace the water supply system, but I found that a solar water heater for the RV would cost at least several hundred dollars.

"Just keep the status quo."

Zhang Ailun only changed the toilet and bed sheets and seat covers; the kitchen facilities didn't need to be touched at all.

"It will take us about 3-7 days to get it sorted out. Please leave your contact information and I will let you know when it's ready," Darren said.

Zhang Ailun readily signed the agreement and left Dominic's contact information.

(End of this chapter)