PNB Chapter 13 Saying Goodbye to My Past Life!
Chapter 13 Saying Goodbye to My Past Life!
"Money is not a problem, I have it ready."
"That's good!"
Mr. Yin smiled slightly and said nothing more.
Xu Shengjie then left the tenement building and found the Dodge D pickup truck that Kenny Zhang had prepared for him.
The original owner got his driver's license at the age of 16, but didn't drive much.
Seventeen or eighteen is the age of youthful exuberance and surging hormones. Coupled with the release of Terminator, the image of Schwarzenegger riding a Harley-Davidson motorcycle with a chubby boy became a sensation across America. The original owner of this body was similarly obsessed with motorcycles.
While the Dodge D embodies the ruggedness of 70s American style, the original owner did not like it.
As it happens, Xu Shengjie was bedridden for six years in his previous life and didn't drive much, so his driving skills were... so-so.
I was covered in sweat after loading the cardboard boxes onto the car.
He took off his jacket and tossed it on the passenger seat before sitting down at the wheel.
"Justin, if you need any help, just give me a call."
"Alright, go back and rest now. I'll contact you if I need anything."
And so, Xu Shengjie started the car somewhat awkwardly, stepped on the gas, and drove away from the tenement building.
When he passed through Xia Dongcheng, he made a turn onto Guoyuan Street.
There's a museum of low-rent apartments here, and next to it, down a small street, are many small shops selling goods of questionable origin. All sorts of goods are available, a bewildering array… Xu Shengjie is very familiar with this street; after all, he sold a lot of stolen goods here through Uncle Tu, so he knows the place like the back of his hand.
He parked his car on the side of the road and walked into the alley.
I stopped in front of a small shop with an office supplies brand sign, and then pushed the door open and went inside.
"David, are you there?"
The shop is less than 10 square meters in size and is filled with shelves displaying various parts, none of which are legitimate items.
There is a counter at the very back.
Inside the counter was a worktable, which was also a mess.
A fat man wearing black-rimmed glasses peeked out from behind the counter. Upon seeing that it was Xu Shengjie, he immediately stood up.
He's at least 183cm tall and has a lot of fat.
"Jeff, what brings you here?"
Do you have any used electric typewriters here? Something in good condition... Also, I'd like a word processor.
"What do you need this thing for?"
"Does it work?"
"If others come, they might not get it; but if you come, it has to be there even if it doesn't exist."
The fat man walked around the counter and laughed, "But you're really lucky. I just bought an IBM Selectric yesterday, it's 80% new, and its performance is no different from a new machine. If you want it, it's $130; if you think that's too expensive, I also have two used Smith-Corona Sterling machines here, $40 each! Word processors, hehe, you're really lucky."
He pointed to the inside of the counter and said softly, "This year's new Brother WP-5750DS is still unopened."
However, I only have one here, so I'll give it to you on a discount. It's only $200, and I'll also throw in an external monitor. It's a great deal.
At that time, Microsoft had already developed an early version of Word.
However, the equipment is too expensive, and although some avant-garde writers use it, it is only a minority.
Most writers still use manual typewriters or, as Fatty mentioned, electric typewriters, paired with word processors, and the results are still acceptable.
This thing is really ancient!
"I want the IBM, and that 5750 too, $200 in total. You have to come back with me and install it for me."
"Hey, Jeffrey, you've cut too hard... Well, you're the boss, the bone crusher has spoken, what can I say?"
When to use it?
"Right now, I'm driving."
"Then wait for me."
Without saying a word, Fatty David helped pack the machine into a box, put it in the car, and then closed the shop door and hung up a "CLOSE" sign.
$200 isn't expensive at all.
A used IBM 5750 would cost at least $150, plus an IBM electric typewriter, which would be at least $90 on the secondhand market, and that would be a very worn-out machine. The fat man's machine, almost indistinguishable from a new one, would be around $200.
It's only because Xu Shengjie and Fatty are close that he could get the goods at this price; otherwise, he wouldn't even be able to dream of it.
However, the fat man won't lose money!
This thing is definitely stolen goods. I reckon he won't get more than $150 for it.
……
David went home with Xu Shengjie, helped install the machine, and then tested it to make sure there were no problems.
They also helped him carry his belongings upstairs.
Xu Shengjie treated him to a sandwich and a bottle of soda, and he left happily.
I tried out the machine, but I still don't quite get used to it.
Having gotten used to computers, how could one possibly get used to this primitive typing machine all at once?
In order to make computer use more convenient, various keyboards emerged in later generations, such as mechanical keyboards with brown, blue, and red switches, as well as electrostatic capacitive keyboards, all emphasizing comfort. As for electric typewriters, they felt not much different from manual ones.
Take your time to get used to it!
Xu Shengjie muttered to himself.
The first season of "Buffy the Vampire Hunter" has been completed, consisting of three chapters and 50,000 words.
There is a fixed format for submitting manuscripts to American publishers.
Generally speaking, few people use handwriting; most writers use typewriters. Those writers who are accepted to write by hand are usually top-tier, and publishers are quite tolerant of them. But for newcomers, it's best to stick to the rules.
Xu Shengjie didn't think that just because his handwriting was beautiful, the publisher would take it seriously.
Okay, I'll write it by hand first, then modify and adjust it with an electric typewriter, and finally print it out using a word processor.
However, my thoughts seem a bit jumbled today.
It's not because I didn't sleep all night!
At his age, he's at the point where he can stay up all night without feeling tired.
only……
The death of Uncle Atu evoked some inexplicable feelings in him.
Especially after reading Uncle Atu's diary, he felt an urge. So he went out to the street, took out his international calling card, and used a public phone to dial a number he had wanted to dial since he traveled through time.
0086-371-6……
The call connected quickly.
It should still be morning in China right now.
When the other party answered the phone, an unfamiliar voice came through the receiver: "Who are you looking for?"
"Excuse me, is Xu Sicheng here?"
After a moment of silence on the other end of the line, the man said, "Who is Xu Sicheng? You've dialed the wrong number. There's no such person here."
"Excuse me, is this the number of ********?"
Xu Shengjie recited a series of phone numbers.
The other party replied, "The number is correct, but I don't know any Xu Sicheng, and there's no such person here."
Click!
The other party hung up the phone.
Xu Shengjie leaned against the glass of the phone booth, his body suddenly went limp, as if all his strength had vanished in an instant. He could no longer support himself and slowly slid down the glass until he finally sat down on the ground.
My father from my past life is gone!
My home is gone!
Maybe……
He didn't know what that feeling was like.
Even though he had been mentally prepared, he still found it hard to accept when he finally confirmed it.
His connection with the other side of the ocean has vanished!
From that moment on, an indescribable sadness welled up in his heart.
Sitting on the floor of the phone booth, tears silently streamed down my face.
Outside the phone booth, East Broadway bustled with traffic and flashing neon lights.
Today, the weather forecast says it's 64 degrees Fahrenheit, which is 18 degrees Celsius. It's not cold, and it's the best time of year in New York.
However, Xu Shengjie only felt cold all over his body.
His body was curled up in a ball, his head buried between his legs.
He tried hard to suppress the sadness in his heart so that he wouldn't cry out loud.
Before he transmigrated, he was all alone; after he transmigrated, he was still the same... Moreover, he discovered that his home was gone!
Or rather, his roots are gone!
This is why he hasn't called back even though he bought the phone card a few days ago.
Because he was afraid...
I sat in the phone booth for half an hour without being disturbed.
Although people were coming and going outside, no one paid any attention to the person inside the phone booth.
Yes, this is New York!
The coldest city in the world.
Don't expect anyone to pity you or comfort you... In fact, the same is true for China twenty years later.
It doesn't seem like anything special!
After crying for half an hour, Xu Shengjie felt much better after releasing his emotions.
He stood up, pushed open the door of the phone booth, and walked out.
On his way home, he passed a convenience store and bought a bottle of Chivas Regal 12-year-old. Theoretically, he shouldn't have been buying alcohol.
In the United States, you must be 21 years of age or older to buy alcohol, and you must also show proof of identity.
However, he knew the cashier at the convenience store… As long as he didn't get caught, Xu Shengjie put the liquor into a bag and walked to the apartment building, ready to go in, when he heard a whistle from the side. Turning his head, he saw Zhang Ping'an carrying a bag of roast meat, sitting on the seat of his Harley-Davidson, smiling and waving at him.
……