Chapter 60: The Goods Are Delivered
Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio
In reality, Chen Jin was also afraid that it would be problematic to sell off large amounts of gold at once. It might cause others to take notice and become curious. However, his company, Xing Hai Technologies, was in its beginning stages. It needed huge capital investments. He had to find $400 million in cash in a short amount of time. Other than selling more gold, he could not think of other methods in the short term that was more profitable and also more reliable.
Moreover, he possessed guns! In Haierfa, there was a special type of robot that had “humanizing” modifications. Their surface was covered with a skin made from silica gel. Hair had been planted on their head, and their eyes, nose, and mouth were exactly like that of a human’s. After wearing clothes, there was no discernable difference between these robots and humans. Some robots had a female appearance. They possessed gorgeous bodies with sweet, pretty faces, and could bring about a s.e.xual experience that was very close to reality. This type of robot was termed “Human Replica Robots.” They were not rare, as many could be found in the homes of male homebodies.
The exploration squad that Chen Jin sent out only found human replica robots that had been infected with the rebooted virus. He could not bring them over to Earth and utilize them. If he could find a production line where those robots were produced, or robots that were fresh out of the factory, and then attain the right of attribution of those robots, he could bring a batch of them over to Earth. The robots would be disguised as his bodyguards to provide him with protection.
There were some human replica robots that possessed big and burly builds, a quick mind, and great strength, who were originally intended to be personal bodyguards. In addition, they had been installed with strong combat skills. They had a Rambo-like combat ability.
Moreover, most of the bodyguard robots were not limited by the “3 Laws Of Robots.” Once their subject of protection came under attack or faced certain danger, they would employ all methods of counterattack against the attacker to ensure the safety of their subject.
Therefore, Chen Jin wanted to surround himself with a few of those professional bodyguard robots that were not infected by the virus. He would be protected at all times. With that, he would not have to be afraid of others’ covetousness backed by personal power. Of course, Chen Jin knew very well that it was impossible for him to overcome weapons or machines employed by the state. Therefore, safety and reliability were still his priorities. He would try his best to not sell any more gold than was necessary.
“It’s a special time now. When Xing Hai Technologies has been developed and the ‘Wa-wah’ robot is doing well in the market, making huge profits, my capital needs will be reduced. Then, I won’t have to send over gold for the jewelry shop anymore. Or maybe I’ll take a long-term and economical view with regards to the shop as much as possible, and safety and reliability will be my priorities.”
…….
The promotional activities of Forever Jewels to welcome the Lunar New Year continued until the very last day of the month. In the sale period lasting half a month, with the addition of various activities to attract attention from the public, Forever Jewels’ sales revenue broke all limits! The average sales volume per day was a shocking 20,000,000!
People bought jewelry like they were buying vegetables. There were many from the new generation who chose to marry at the end of the year. Their “hillbilly rich” parents bought gold and silver jewelry by the kilogram after entering the shop. There were even those who bought five kilograms of jewelry or more in one single occasion. The degree of prosperity experienced by the business stunned many.
Within a short period of 10 odd days, the gold jewelry which was converted from the 800 kilograms was all sold. The 30-kilogram gold bullion in the gla.s.s cabinet was sold too. It caught the fancy of a “hillbilly rich” customer and he forked out $8,640,000 for it, including the gla.s.s cabinet!
The $200 million capital that Chen Jin needed was sufficiently collected within a short 10 or so days. He sighed. “It seems that the existence of my jewelry shop is to prove how many ‘hillbilly rich’ there are in Shang Hai City, and how much money they possess! As compared to those ‘hillbilly rich’, I am only at the beginner’s level!”
…
On the 30th of the Lunar New Year, the prosperous business sales finally calmed down. After all, everyone had to celebrate the lunar new year.
As many workers in Shang Hai only came to the city for work, they had all returned home for the new year. About 50% of the city’s population had left for home. The entire city was empty and deserted, giving off an unusually cold and desolate feel.
In Forever Jewels, about half of the staff had taken off for home too. There was only seven or eight staff left to man the shop, and they listlessly greeted the customers. Chen Jin had gone back to the shop to take care of some matters and saw that Team Leader Guo Yan was still in the shop. As one of the staff who had joined the team earlier than others, she had the opportunity to go home for the new year.
Chen Jin walked over and asked, “Hey, Guo Yan, why haven’t you returned home? You can take it easy. It’s still important to go home for the lunar new year.”
“Go home?” Guo Yan was cleaning a rock of jade using a silk cloth. Raising her drooping eyes, she showed a tired and somewhat dejected expression. With a low voice, she said, “I don’t really feel like going home.” Why would she go home? Each year that she returned home, the first thing that her mother asked when she saw her was, “How much money did you bring back this year? Quickly take it out; I’ll keep it safe for you.” When she brought home a lot of money, her mom would be very happy. She would tell everyone that she had a filial and good daughter.
When she only brought a little money back home, her mom would have a terrible expression on her face. She would blame her and complain that she was useless and lazy. How could she earn this little amount of money for the entire year? After which, she still had to do various household ch.o.r.es like laundry and cooking. Her dad’s care was left entirely to her. It was up to her to deal with the gift-giving and other necessary social interactions during the new year. Her mom would happily play cards from dawn till dusk.
She was emotionally drained! She did not even have a smidgeon of hope that something good would happen. This year was her luckiest year where she earned the largest amount of money. In just these four months of working at Forever Jewels, she had managed to save more than $50,000 from her salary and commissions. This was after deducting expenses for various categories and clearing her credit card debt. As they said, “the more one receives, the more one will feel and come upon deeper realizations.”
Guo Yan knew that even if she handed the entire sum of $50,000 to her mom, what she would get in return was only a few days’ worth of praises. She would still have to carry out her duties at home. She had bad luck last year, and hence, gave less money to her mother. She still got a cold expression in return and a harsh scolding. Her duties at home had even increased. In the past, she worked so hard with all that she had just to get a few words of praises from her mom.
As for her younger brother who was in university, he got a girlfriend recently and his monthly expenses increased to $4,000 or $5,000. When he called Guo Yan every month it was always to ask for more money. Whenever he said anything, he would tack on “Mom said this” at the end of his sentence. Her heart grew cold. She had finally thought things through. She no longer had any significant expectations for that family. After sending over $20,000, she used the excuse that she was busy and told them that she would not be going home this new year.
Her Mom only said, “Oh” and hung up the phone. There was not even anything like “Take care of yourself.” Guo Yan could faintly hear the sounds of a mahjong game in the background.
“You don’t want to go home?” Chen Jin looked at her with some surprise. He could sense a faint wave of sadness from her. It was the Spring Festival, where families reunited. There was actually someone who did not want to go home? He shook his head and guessed that Guo Yan must have a situation at home that she found it difficult to express. But… What did the private matters of others have to do with him? He merely offered a few polite words of consolation. “The weather has been getting colder recently. Wear more layers and don’t work too hard. Make sure you get enough rest.”
Guo Yan nodded. “Yes!” She could feel her heart warming up.
…
Back in his home at Happiness Court, a hardworking delivery man presented a bundled package at the doorway, “Mr. Chen, there is delivery for you, please sign your acknowledgment!”
“Thank you!” After signing his acknowledgment, he looked at the pile of 10 packaged cardboard boxes in front of him. He could not help the joyous expression that lit up his face.
Haha, my baby has finally arrived.