HPDBC Chapter 37 Technical Officers, Hostile Forces Don't Matter
Chapter 37 Technical Officers, Hostile Forces Don't Matter
"There are rules to dealing with cars on the West Coast, understand?" The Black man in the yellow baseball cap took two steps forward, weighing the hammer in his hand, his tone arrogant.
"I've had my eye on this car for a while! I only went back to get my tools because I didn't bring them all. You're just cutting in line!"
Lin Ximeng raised his eyes and replied calmly, "This car has an owner. You've got the wrong car. Go find the next one."
"Bro, what do you mean by this?" The black man in the baseball cap clearly didn't believe him, and he slammed his backpack to the ground.
"Wrong target? I think you're deliberately picking a fight! I always thought Asians were the most law-abiding, but I didn't expect you to be so unreasonable!"
The black man in the baseball cap always said that he spent some time with his father when he was a child, during which his father read him bedtime stories. He didn't leave until he was six years old.
He considered himself an educated Black man, a rare high-caliber individual, and when he saw Simon Lin, he initially thought he was an Asian person who could communicate well.
But to my surprise, the other party had no intention of having a proper talk at all.
Since that's the case, then as a Black man, I don't need to pretend anymore. Let's all follow the rules of the West Coast!
The black man in the baseball cap thought to himself, gripping the hammer tightly in his hand, ready to strike at any moment.
Lin Ximeng completely ignored him, expressionlessly took out the bicycle key he had picked up earlier from his pocket, waved it in front of the black man in the baseball cap, and then bent down and precisely inserted it into the lock.
"click"
With a soft click, Lin Simon twisted his wrist slightly, and the car lock opened.
The black man in the baseball cap froze instantly, his eager expression gone, replaced by embarrassment.
After a moment, he awkwardly released his grip, dropped his fighting stance, and chuckled dryly, "This car is really beautiful, it suits you perfectly."
After saying that, he picked up his backpack from the ground, grabbed the hammer and wire cutters, and slunk away.
"Keep it up, the West Coast won't let down any hardworking black guy."
Seeing the other person's somewhat dejected steps, Lin Ximeng offered his blessings in his heart.
The next second, Lin Ximeng focused his attention on the bicycle in front of him.
Hafiz mountain bike.
Lin Ximeng got on the bicycle and tried pedaling a couple of times.
The steel hardtail frame provides excellent stability, the front fork suspension effectively filters out road bumps, the 21-speed Shimano system shifts smoothly, and the linear brakes are responsive. In short, it can only be described in one word:
Great value!
Added assets: a $160 mountain bike, a success!
He rode slowly around the street, and after getting a feel for the performance, he rode back to the hamburger shop.
Back at the burger joint, I immediately saw Jerome waiting for me outside.
As soon as Simon approached, he heard a rumble from Jerome's stomach. Jerome touched his stomach somewhat awkwardly.
"Would you like some more? Or is it on me?"
Jerome nodded somewhat embarrassedly, but during his time as a homeless person, he had rarely had a full meal.
The chase after the car thief involved a lot of strenuous exercise, and all those hamburgers from before were completely digested.
Now that Simon Lin was willing to treat him again, Jerome's eyes lit up immediately. He took a tray and got a whole bunch of hamburgers and fries, and started cooking again.
As they ate and chatted, Jerome stared at Simon Lin with some curiosity: "Seriously, do you know some kind of Eastern witchcraft? Otherwise, how could you know in advance that the car thief would be back?"
Lin Ximeng waved his hand: "Don't think nonsense, there's no such thing as witchcraft, you have to believe in science."
Witchcraft? That stuff is nowhere near as reliable as intelligence.
Upon hearing this, Jerome suddenly sighed and said with a touch of self-mockery, "Science... I've been ruined by this stuff."
Lin Ximeng was a little curious, and after asking, he learned that three years ago, Jerome was a college student majoring in mechanical engineering.
Jerome said, "My dad immigrated to America from Russia in the early years, so I'm of mixed race. He also taught me a lot of math when I was a kid, so I'm better at math than most Americans."
Lin Ximeng nodded in agreement; the Russians' mathematical prowess was undeniable.
Judging from Jerome's father's age, he was likely brought in as a skilled immigrant during a period of tension and confrontation.
"Later, I chose mechanical engineering as my major in college. I originally thought that I could find a technician job after graduation and have a more stable life."
"But I never expected the tuition to be so outrageously expensive. I took out a huge loan, and the pressure to pay it off is only increasing."
"At that time, the army was recruiting technical officers and said that if I was willing to suspend my studies and join the army, they could help me pay off my loan. I had no other choice but to agree."
Lin Ximeng asked with some curiosity, "You're of mixed Russian descent, do you think the army would trust you to go?"
Frankly speaking, apart from China, the United States is probably most worried about Russia.
Who could believe that such a person could join the U.S. military?
Jerome shrugged. "I asked that too, but they said they didn't care about the details at all, and that they needed me."
"Later, when I joined the army, I realized what they meant by 'need'."
"You know, the education level of young Americans is getting lower and lower. Many people don't even have the most basic math and physics knowledge. People like me who can handle basic formulas and mechanical principles are in high demand in the military."
"They need me to teach those new recruits who have difficulty counting from 1 to 20 some basic math."
"I figured the army would provide food and lodging, and it could even help offset part of the loan, so I gritted my teeth and stayed."
"My daily tasks are teaching math, and more complex ones include recognizing mechanical parts and simple repair skills. Sometimes I have to explain a problem several times, and the new recruits still look blank. I've put in a lot of effort."
According to Jerome's description, things were pretty good at first; at least he didn't have to worry about the loan anymore.
As a result, another problem soon arose.
"My boss is gay. He always looks at me with those weird eyes and speaks in a sticky, indistinct way."
Jerome, a burly man, naturally wouldn't agree to that.
He later refused his superior several times, and not long after, the superior used the excuse of "insubordination" to revoke Jerome's military qualification.
To make matters worse, the loan that was supposed to cover the losses also fell through.
"Without the military's subsidies, I couldn't pay back my college loan at all. I had no choice but to voluntarily suspend my studies, which led to my current state as a homeless person."
Jerome grabbed a can of cola and gulped down a large mouthful. The icy liquid didn't seem to dispel his gloom, and his eyes instantly dimmed. "My family lives on a small farm in the countryside. My parents make a living by farming, and they don't earn much money all year round."
"I didn't dare tell them that I was now homeless; I just told them that I had found a proper job in Los Angeles."
"Oh, what a pity about my marksmanship. Actually, my aim is pretty good."
After Jerome finished speaking, he spun another hamburger. After all, he didn't know when he would be able to eat a hamburger so freely again.
"In that case, would you like to consider joining our Bridge No. 39?"
After hearing the other person's story, Lin Ximeng had the idea of recruiting him into his group.
On one hand, Ah Han's plan requires him to go deep into the poor streets and find some homeless people who are capable of fighting.
On the other hand, the Black Penguin has recently become more high-profile. Considering the future of Camp 39, it is also very necessary to recruit some reliable newcomers as helpers.
"Can I make money?"
Jerome is very honest; he's a genuinely chubby boy, simple and straightforward.
Simon Lin asked about the other party's average daily income: $7.5.
"Don't worry, we're about to start a partnership with a supermarket. When you deliver a single order, you'll earn much more than this, maybe even up to $100."
$100?
Jerome looked at Simon Lin's confident expression, which, although sincere, still felt was a bit exaggerated.
What is the concept of $100?
That was a number he never dared to imagine after becoming a homeless person.
"Here, this is what I earned this morning."
But after seeing Simon Lin pull out a hundred dollars in cash, his attitude immediately changed:
"Brother, take me with you!"
Jerome said earnestly, "I also want the freedom to have hamburgers every day."
Just as Lin Ximeng was about to agree, he suddenly caught sight of two familiar figures outside the window.
It was Riley and Gloria, who rushed by, each carrying a bulging bag that looked like it was full of bottles and jars.
The two walked in a hurry, as if they were being chased.
"What's wrong with you all?"
Lin Ximeng immediately stood up and stopped them. The two women were panting heavily, and only relaxed slightly when they saw that the person in front of them was Lin Ximeng.
Riley hurriedly said, "It's the Black Penguin team from 7th Street. They've taken over the alleys near Rusty Nail Street, preventing other people from collecting cans, and they even stole a bag of cans from us. We almost lost even what we had."
Lin Ximeng's eyes darkened: "Don't worry, I'll go and get the jar back."
Jerome immediately put down his hamburger, clenched his fist, and followed: "Dude, count me in. I want to do my part for the camp too."
As a newcomer to the camp, Jerome felt he needed to make a good impression, otherwise what if Simon Lin didn't include him in the chance to earn $100?
After asking Riley about the location of the incident, the two headed towards Rusty Street.
After walking just two blocks, Lin Simon caught a glimpse of a shadowy figure lurking behind them. He immediately exchanged a glance with Jerome: "Someone's following us."
Jerome asked, "What should we do?"
Lin Ximeng gestured for him to hide in the alley next to him and lie in ambush, while he continued to walk forward to lure the other party into the trap.
A moment later, a figure followed, and Jerome seized the opportunity to rush out and punch the other person in the face.
The man cried out in pain and fell to the ground, his eyes quickly turning black and blue.
Lin Ximeng stepped forward, noticed the other person's dyed red hair and earring, and raised an eyebrow, saying, "What, it's you again?"