Can’t help but marvel that the General Sect Leader really has extensive connections on the streets, knows everyone, can freeload anything, whether it’s dealing with men or women.
Allen Zhang and the others were still figuring out how to use the glider, having Gate and David give it a try.
Soon Mark arrived in a small truck, parked by the roadside, got out wearing a short-sleeved shirt, shorts, and slippers, still looking lackluster.
He spotted the glider right away and came over to greet, "Hey! Is this the old fellow? Mind if I do a diagnostic check on it?"
Allen Zhang said, "You’re the expert in this area!"
Mark was pleased again. He liked leaders who left the professional work to the professionals.
Hearing this, he immediately started the diagnostics and soon concluded, "This glider is well-preserved, surprisingly in good condition. The cables and pulleys only need a bit of maintenance, the indoor radio works too, other parts don’t need replacement, just need to replace the wings and tail, clean the interior, and repaint it."
"I’ve already bought the missing parts on Opportunity Network." Allen Zhang showed him on his phone.
Mark took a glance and pondered, "No need to spend hundreds of dollars on new parts. You should pick some slightly faulty parts from the second-hand page that got phased out but don’t affect functionality. A bit of sheet metal and paint would make it better. This plane is already past the age for qualifying competitions right? Those who want to buy it would likely be trying it at home or for collecting. Since it’s a collectible, why need such good parts? Just make it look shiny!"
True to the spirit of second-hand modifications, always saving on materials.
Allen Zhang did as he was told, buying a couple of slightly faulty but inconspicuously flawed wings and tail, spending only 128 US dollars, saving a whole 400 dollars!
Just the wings’ size and curvature varied slightly, but it wasn’t a big deal. Anyway, the buyers wouldn’t be entering any glider competitions.
What the rich disdain, the poor buy begrudgingly.
Mark had Allen Zhang and others help him, using a small tower crane and pulleys to load the glider onto the truck and secure it, then brought up the Rocket Thrust Launcher, "Isn’t there a launcher too, where is it?"
Seeing his earnest and enthusiastic demeanor, Allen Zhang didn’t have the heart to brush him off and handed over the box, "Here it is."
After inspecting it, Mark fell into thought, "So you called me over just to haul and repair the glider for free? This rocket thrust launcher is just a wind-proof lighter, doesn’t even have the power of a gas stove or a small engine."
"Open it up and take a look, you might discover something different." Allen Zhang said, "I got it because I was interested, cost me just a hundred dollars."
Mark took out his toolbox, dismantled the suitcase, and although it looked ordinary from the outside, the insides were quite the revelation with the circuits and transistors bearing some resemblance to a rocket thrust launcher, the mechanical structure definitely looked authentic.
"Just the parts inside are worth more than 100 dollars! You’ve scored big!" Mark exclaimed, "I think many rocket power enthusiasts would collect it!"
"How much could it worth?" Allen Zhang, not well-versed in technology, only cared about the profit.
"If you find the right person, perhaps you could sell it for five or six thousand dollars." Mark estimated, "But I won’t buy it, after all, I’m not a researcher, I’d rather buy a 1:1 scale rocket model!"
"Five or six thousand? Not bad."
Allen Zhang was somewhat surprised. Although the price was high, it wasn’t as outrageous as he had imagined. And who knows when someone interested in buying it might come along.
After a chat, Mark drove away with the glider, having arranged a time to notify him when the repairs were complete.
Allen Zhang then took a few internal photos of the Rocket Thrust Launcher, handed the suitcase to Dominic to be put up for online sale at the recycle station.
Driving off with his companions from the suburbs, they headed back to the urban underpass camp, where Allen Zhang also received a message from the sisters of Eastern Wu.
Polina: Thank you for your concern, sir, but I think we might need more of your help!
Allen Zhang: okay, I’ll be right there. Haven’t you found a job yet?
Polina: Not yet, but we’ve switched careers, shooting short videos outdoors, live streaming dances, singing, eating on the streaming platform.
Allen Zhang: That’s actually a great idea.