After settling on the price of the hang glider, Allen Zhang asked about the other party’s Rocket Thrust Launcher; the old man directly pulled out the box that was hanging on his cell phone and placed it on the countertop, "This is it!"
Allen Zhang looked at the briefcase with some hesitation, this thing is a Rocket Thrust Launcher? How much power can it possibly have? Don’t tell me it’s just a toy.
"This is a Rocket Thrust Launcher that I’ve developed independently; it contains very precise components and high-tech technology," the old man said as he opened the case. Allen Zhang and the others leaned in for a look and saw something that resembled a combination of a gas stove and an exhaust pipe with an igniter.
Somewhat speechlessly, "Are you sure this is a Rocket Thrust Launcher?"
"It’s a mini-launcher; although it’s a bit small in scale, it still has significant technological content!"
"How much weight can it propel? Say, about 20 pounds?"
"I haven’t tested that yet. I can demonstrate its operating procedure for you right here, right now!" The old man said and then asked Allen Zhang and the others to step back, meanwhile taking out a fire extinguisher for them to use in case of a fire accident.
"It seems even you don’t believe in this thing," Allen Zhang said, doubting the meaning of life, but still stood to the side with the fire extinguisher in hand.
"Three, two, one, ignition!" The old man counted down and twisted the igniter. The box trembled slightly and, in an instant, a burst of blue flames shot out of the nozzle.
Watching the flame, which was about the same scale as that from a windproof lighter, Allen Zhang couldn’t help but ponder.
Enthusiastically, the old man continued to describe its pros and cons, "Although its power and thrust are a little bit weak now, the process of rocket development starts . As long as there’s sufficient fuel, it can carry people to the sky. I can also control the power independently, with multiple adjustable power facilities!" As he operated, the flame miraculously fluctuated in size.
It’s truly marvelous! My RV’s gas stove can also perform these operations!
Does that mean my RV is essentially a high-tech device installed with a Rocket Thrust Launcher?
"As long as you have enough gunpowder, you could claim a hand grenade is a nuclear weapon too," Allen Zhang said disapprovingly.
He had thought it was some kind of amazing gadget, but it turns out this thing is just a windproof lighter.
No wonder the other party wanted to sell it to their recycling station. You go to a pawnshop, and they probably wouldn’t want to give you 100 US Dollars for it.
But since he had come all this way, and if he didn’t symbolically make an offer and get something, it felt like something was missing.
"How much do you want to sell it for?" Allen Zhang asked.
The old man put out the flame and fell into thought. "This is the first-generation Rocket Thrust Launcher device I’ve developed independently. The process wasn’t easy; I also looked up a lot of information. It took two and a half years to create. If it wasn’t for financial restraints, I wouldn’t have thought of selling it at all. I want to sell it for 5000 US Dollars! I might even develop the second generation of the Rocket Thrust Launcher in the future!"
A windproof lighter, and you’re asking for five thousand bucks? Are you even being reasonable?
Allen Zhang even felt that the technology content of a windproof lighter might be higher than that of this suitcase. Though it’s small, it’s concentrated essence!
Allen Zhang said, "This price is very reasonable already. For this thing, I could easily spend 1 US Dollar at any roadside convenience store to buy one."
The old man was displeased upon hearing this, "Do you have any taste at all! You’re comparing my self-developed high-tech product to a windproof lighter? That thing is utterly worthless! It has no technical content whatsoever!"
"What about a gas stove then? The power of the flame it emits might be much stronger than that from your box."
Allen Zhang spread his hands and said, "Well, let’s say I have no taste then. I’m just a scrap collector, not a professional appraiser. Even if your device is real, it’s useless to the average person. Even if I take it back, it would be difficult to resell it to someone else."
Allen Zhang sincerely said, "I can offer you 50 more US Dollars at most, considering the condition that the external packaging of this briefcase is nice. 100 US Dollars."
"You guys really don’t understand a lick of science and technology!" The old man was so exasperated, trembling with cold. When will we wild scientists ever get the recognition we deserve?
Seeing that he had no intention to sell, Allen Zhang prepared to pay him for the hang glider and leave.
Eventually, the old man reluctantly closed the case and said, "Alright, add another 50 US Dollars, and I’ll sell it for 150 US Dollars!"
"..." Where’s your integrity as a scientific researcher?
Without a moment’s hesitation, Allen Zhang said, "Just 100 US Dollars, not one dollar more!"
"Take it, take it!!" The old man, infuriated, waved his hand and pushed the case toward Allen Zhang, urging, "Take your goods and leave, I want cash!"
"Okay! 1000 US Dollars for the hang glider, 100 US Dollars for the windproof lighter? I need to pay you a total of 1100 US Dollars!"
"That thing is called a Rocket Thrust Launcher! Kid! It’s a Rocket Thrust Launcher!!"
"Are you selling or not? Once I buy it, it’s mine. I’ll call it whatever I want."
Allen Zhang took out 1100 US Dollars in cash and paid the old man, while asking Dominic to write him a receipt.
The old man, who was still feeling a bit discontented, immediately brightened up when he saw the cash, and his demeanor softened considerably.
"Ok, our transaction is settled! Now, I’m going to head into town to find a bar and relax. You handle this pile of junk on your own."