Chapter 168 If you don’t abandon me, I am willing to be your adoptive father! After negotiating the price of the glider, Zhang Ailun asked about the other party's rocket thrust launcher. The old man took out the box that the phone was in and put it on the table, "This is it!" "?" Zhang Ailun looked at the handbag with some hesitation. Is this a rocket thrust launcher? How much power can it have? Don't tell me it's just a toy. "This is a rocket thrust launcher that I independently developed. It contains very precise parts and high-tech technology." The old man opened the box directly. Zhang Ailun and others leaned over to take a look. It looked like a gas stove and an exhaust pipe with an ignition device added. I was a little speechless, "Are you sure this is a rocket thrust launcher?" "This is a miniature launcher. Although it's a little small, it still has a lot of technological content!" "How much weight can it carry? About 20 pounds?" "I haven't tested it yet. I can show you its operating procedures on the spot right now!" After the old man said this, he asked Zhang Ailun and others to step back, and took out a fire extinguisher and told them to spray it if they encountered a fire accident. "It seems like even you think this thing is unreliable." Zhang Ailun doubted his life, but still stood by with the fire extinguisher.
"Three, two, one, ignition!" After the old man finished the countdown, he turned on the ignition device. The box trembled slightly, and a blue flame instantly spurted out of the flamethrower. Looking at the flame which was the same size as a windproof lighter, Zhang Ailun couldn't help but fall into deep thought. Instead, the old man was still enthusiastically describing its advantages and disadvantages, "Although its power and thrust are a little small now, the ignition process of rocket development is like this. As long as there is enough fuel, it can carry people into the space. I can also control the power independently, and there are multiple adjustable power facilities!" As he operated, the flame miraculously grew and shrank. It's amazing! My RV gas stove can also do this! Does this mean that my RV is actually a piece of high-tech equipment equipped with a rocket thrust launcher? "As long as there is enough gunpowder, you can call a grenade a nuclear weapon." Zhang Ailun said unhappily. He thought it was some good thing, but it turned out to be just a windproof lighter. No wonder the other party wants to sell it to their recycling station. If you go to a pawn shop, I’m afraid they won’t even want to give you $100. But since I'm here now, I feel like something is missing if I don't just offer a symbolic price and collect 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 the first generation of rocket thrust launcher device that I developed independently. The process was not easy. I also looked up a lot of information. It took me two and a half years to build it. If I wasn't limited by money, I would not have planned to sell it. I want to sell it for $5000! In the future, I may develop the second generation of rocket thrust launcher!" You want five thousand dollars for a windproof lighter? See for yourself if that's outrageous! Zhang Ailun even feels that the technical content of the windproof lighter is higher than that of your suitcase. Don’t underestimate it because it is small and contains all the essence! "$50." Zhang Ailun said: "This price is very reasonable. I can buy this thing at a convenience store on the roadside for $1." "..." The old man was upset when he heard this. "You have no vision! You compare my self-developed high-tech product with a windproof lighter? That thing is simply rubbish! It has no technical content at all!" "What about a gas stove? The flame it emits is probably much more powerful than your box." Zhang Ailun spread his hands and said, "Well, even if I don't have good taste, I'm just a junk collector, not a professional treasure appraiser. Even if your thing is real, it's useless to ordinary people. Even if I take it back, it will be difficult to sell it to others."
Zhang Allen said sincerely: "I can give you an additional 50 dollars at most, considering the good condition of your outer packaging suitcase, 100 dollars." "You really don't understand any technology at all!" The old man was so angry that he shivered. When will we wildlife scientists be taken seriously? Seeing that he had no intention of selling the glider, Zhang Ailun prepared to pay him for the glider and leave. Finally, the old man was reluctant to part with it, so he closed the box and said, "Okay, add another $50, and I'll sell it for $150!" “……”Where is your integrity as a scientific researcher? Zhang Allen said without hesitation: "It's just $100. I can't give you one more dollar!" “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!” "Ok! The glider is $1000, and the windproof lighter is $100? The total I need to pay you is $1100!" "That thing is called a rocket thrust launcher! Boy! That's called a rocket thrust launcher!!" "Are you still selling it? What I bought is mine. I can call it whatever I want." Zhang Ailan took out $1100 in cash, handed it to the old man, and asked Dominic to give him a receipt. The old man, who was originally a little angry, looked much better and became gentler the moment he saw the cash. "Ok, our deal is done! Now I'm going to go to a bar in the city to relax, and you guys can deal with this pile of junk yourselves." His face was full of disdain and he treated it like a piece of trash. “……”You know that this thing is a piece of junk, right? Seeing the old man getting on the pickup truck in a cool manner and passing by his house without entering, Zhang Allen reminded him at the right time: "I heard that the Sanji Bar in District 70 has newly put on the shelves s brandy. It is inexpensive and tastes very good. I recommend you to check it out." "There is such a drink? I'll go check it out. Thank you for your recommendation." The old man immediately became interested when he heard it and drove away contentedly. Watching him leave, Dominic couldn't help but ask, "Didn't you own that bar?" "Yeah. Didn't he want to go to the bar to get drunk? I didn't trick him. I just recommended him to go to Sanji to drink." Zhang Ailan looked back at the pile of things again, 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? What's that box? Zhang Allen: SGS2-33 two-seat glider, it may cost a little money to restore it, but it is worth at least $2! The other is a rocket thrust launcher. Old George: Don't tell me, this pile of junk is worth $2? You'll sell it to me with a profit of $2? That suitcase, are you sure it's a rocket launcher and not some small toy you modified yourself? Zhang Ailun took a video for him and demonstrated how to ignite the jet. Old George fell silent after reading it. Old George: I'm sorry, but I don't accept garbage here. But I'm more interested in that two-seater glider. If you want to sell it to me, I'm willing to pay $200. You fucking...are you still a human being? Zhang Ailun was shocked. I originally thought that my bid of $400 was already the highest of the best, but I didn't expect that this old gambler was even more unscrupulous and offered $200 right from the start. Zhang Allen: 200 dollars, I can't even sell it for that much! Old George: That's all I can do, my guest. You should find someone to fix it yourself. Maybe you'll find an interested buyer. It looks like you're in the suburbs now? It will cost money to find someone to ship it. Zhang Ailun: I have a car. Old George: Ok, I have other things to do first. You can’t tell what the rocket thrust launcher looks like from the outside. I suggest you take it apart and take pictures of the internal parts. Maybe someone will really be willing to buy it!
Zhang Ailun: I will consider it. After ending the chat with Old George, Zhang Allen took a look at the glider and rocket thrust launcher, thinking about who he should ask to repair it. Darren? His father just passed away, and the seventh day hasn't passed yet. The repair shop is closed, so it might not be convenient to go find him now. Mark? Although this guy is a used car repairman, hasn't he always had a dream of repairing airplanes and aircraft carriers? Gliders are also airplanes! I immediately sent a message to the other party with the picture attached. Zhang Ailun: I'll give you a chance. Repair an airplane for free so I can see your skills. In the future, when I open a car repair shop and switch to the sea, land and air profession, I may consider you as an engineering mechanic first. Mark: What is this? A glider? It doesn't even have hydraulics or an engine, and you call it a plane? 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 a glider is that it can fly up to 2459 kilometers! The longest underwater flight is 7600 kilometers, without using a drop of fuel! Mark: Of course I know that. Zhang Ailun: If you can't even repair a glider, how are you going to repair airplanes in the future? I'm thinking about you! Do you want to stay in a second-hand modification shop in the suburbs and repair cars until you die? Or do you want to cross over and challenge the profession of aircraft maintenance? Mark: You have a point, but this kind of thing is not difficult to repair, so it's not really a challenge for me. Zhang Ailun: It's just not too difficult for you. I've asked many people, and no one is willing to fix it. Is it because they don't want to? No! Because they can't! They are not as good as you! Mark felt a little refreshed. A wise leader!! An absolutely wise leader!! If you don't mind, I'd like to be your foster father. I agreed on the spot: OK! I can help you fix this old guy for free, but you have to prepare the parts yourself. This is a car repair shop, not an aircraft shop. Can you just bring this guy over, or do you need me to make a trip? Zhang Ailun: You'd better come over in person. I have a rocket thrust launcher here. Mark: Rocket? I'm coming right over here!! Zhang Ailun smiled contentedly. Dominic was still thinking about how to ship this thing back, but when he saw the smile on the chief's face, he realized that he had gotten the job done. I was immediately curious, "Have you found someone to repair it? How much will it cost?" "We don't have to take a penny for the repairs. We just have to pay for the materials." Zhang Ailun took out his phone and looked at the 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. For same-city delivery, the parts will be mailed to Mike's Modification Shop in the suburbs and will arrive the day after tomorrow at the latest. No, are you scamming people everywhere? Dominic felt numb after reading the chat content. But you really got it for free! I can't help but sigh that he is worthy of being the chief leader. He has a wide network of contacts on the street. He knows everyone and can get anything for free, both men and women. Zhang Ailun and his friends were still studying how to use the glider, so they let Gate and David try to sit on it. Soon Mark drove over in a small truck and stopped by the roadside. He got out of the car wearing a short-sleeved shirt, shorts, and slippers, still looking listless. He spotted the glider immediately and came over to say hello. "Hey! Is that the old guy? Can I do a diagnostic check on it?" "it's up to you." Zhang Ailun said: "You are a professional in this area!" Mark felt a little happy again. He liked this kind of leader who handed professional work over to professionals. Upon hearing this, he immediately started to diagnose it and quickly came to a conclusion, "This glider is well preserved, and its condition is surprisingly good. The cables and pulleys only need a little maintenance, and the radio inside can also be used. Nothing else needs to be replaced. Only the wings and tail need to be replaced, the interior needs to be cleaned, and it needs to be repainted."
"I have already purchased the missing parts on ." Zhang Ailun took out his cell phone and showed it to him. Mark took a look and thought, "There's no need to spend hundreds of dollars to buy new parts. You can go to the second-hand page and pick out some parts that have some minor problems and have been eliminated but will not affect the function. It will be better to install them with sheet metal spray paint. Isn't this plane past the qualification year for competition? The person who wants to buy it must be test-driving it at home, or collecting it. If it's a collection, why do you need such good parts? A bright and beautiful appearance is enough!" As expected of a second-hand modification company, they try to save as much as possible on materials. Zhang Ailun did as he was told and bought two wings and tail fins that had some minor problems but no obvious defects. He spent only $128 in total, saving a full $400! The size and curvature of the wing have changed slightly, but it doesn't have a big impact. Anyway, the buyer is not going to participate in glider competitions. Rich people look down on it, but poor people buy it anyway. Mark asked Zhang Allen and others to help him, and used a small tower crane and pulleys to transport the glider to the truck. After securing it, he asked about the rocket thrust launcher, "Don't we have a launcher? Where is it?" Seeing how serious and excited he was, Zhang Ailun didn't want to fool him anymore and handed the box to him directly, "This is it." Mark fell into deep thought after reading it. "So you called me here just to check in and repair the glider for free? Isn't this rocket thrust launcher just a windproof lighter? It's not as powerful as a gas stove or a micro engine." "Take it apart and you might find something different." Zhang Ailun said, "I bought it because I was interested in it. It only cost me a hundred dollars in total." Mark took out the toolbox and disassembled the suitcase. It looked ordinary on the surface, but he didn't expect that there was a world of its own inside. The circuits and transistors were somewhat similar to those of a rocket thrust launcher, and the mechanical structure was indeed realistic. "The parts inside alone are worth more than $100! You made a profit!" Mark exclaimed, "I think many rocket power enthusiasts will collect it!" "How much is it worth?" Zhang Ailun didn't know much about technology, he only cared about profit. "If it meets the right person, it may be sold for five or six thousand dollars." Mark said, "But I won't buy it. After all, I'm not a scientific researcher. I'd rather buy a 1:1 replica rocket model!" "Five or six thousand? Not bad." Zhang Ailun was a little surprised, but although the price was high, it was not as outrageous as he had imagined. And who knows when he will meet someone who wants to buy him. The two sides chatted for a few more words, and then Mark drove away with the glider, agreeing to notify him when the repairs were complete. Zhang Ailun took some photos of the interior of the rocket thrust launcher and handed the suitcase to Dominic, asking him to put it in the recycling station and sell it online. He drove a few people out of the suburbs and sent them back to the Qiaodong camp in the city. Zhang Ailun also received a reply from the Dongwu sisters. Polina: Thank you for your concern, sir, but I think we might need more help from you! Zhang Ailun: OK, I'll be there right away. Haven't you found a job yet? Polina: Not yet, but we have specially changed our career to shoot short videos outdoors and broadcast them online on live streaming platforms, such as dancing, singing and eating. Zhang Ailun: It’s a good idea indeed. (End of this chapter)