Chapter 189 Protection Charm (2/2)
”One thousand eight!”
”Move away you peasants—two thousand from me!”
”Two thousand one hundred! Buzz off!”
The price quickly shot up. After 2,000 dollars, the offers greatly decreased, but this price had already made Li Du very satisfied.
From 2,100 dollars, the price slowly—but steadily—rose, until it reached 2,500 dollars. The one who made that offer was a young black man about Li Du’s age.
The auctioneer called for the final bid three times, and with no one else making an offer he slammed the hammer, indicating that the motorcycle belonged to the young black man now.
Hans led the applause, and the crowd followed with their own thundering applause. The young black man and his friends around him bumped fists with him and exchanged embraces.
Next, another motorcycle was pushed forward.
Li Du felt things were strange and said, ”These motorcycles were assembled by us—I don’t think the actual value is that high. It should have been tough to get more than a thousand each.”
Hans said with a laugh, ”That’s the charm of used-goods auctions. Everyone wants the item, so the price skyrockets.”
”Then why would they come here to buy them? American motorcycles are everywhere, right?” Li Du asked.
Hans said, ”First off, ours have a 600cc displacement, with premium grade engines by the Japanese. Although they are second-hand, their value is still high.
”Second, the old-goods auctions business has already established itself. Also, you should understand why so many people here like this trade: they believe in this market, so they’ll specifically come to this market to trade.
”Lastly, self-assembled bikes are very uncommon in a small place like Flagstaff. If you don’t want to go to Phoenix or Tucson, then you can only get them by chance.”
”Likewise for the other items, right?” Li Du said, feeling enlightened.
”Correct.”
The other two motorcycles sold for 2,500 dollars and 2,600 dollars—about the same as the first bike. The total profit from the three motorcycles was above their expectations, totaling 7,600 dollars.
Hans went to collect the payment from the motorcycle sales. He then paid for the crossbow and gave it to Li Du.
”Why did you buy this thing for me?”
Hans sighed and said tiredly, ”I don’t know why, but you tend to offend people. You don’t have the license to buy and possess guns—this crossbow is for you to protect yourself.”
Mr. Li thought about it, and felt that it was a good idea. Embarrassed, he said, ”I shouldn’t have made you pay for it.”
Hans said, ”Don’t hold back with a brother, just take it. But before using it, make sure you shout as loud as you can: ‘Judgement from Big Fox!’”
He shouted loudly, and the people around all turned their heads toward him. Mr. Li could only pretend that he didn’t know the idiot.
The auction ended. It was late, already nine at night.
The crowd started thinning, with everyone leaving the place, marking the end of the auction for this week.
Li Du was also preparing to leave, but then Hans brought him to the market. The second-hand market was still quite lively, with many people shopping in the streets.
Hans said, ”It’s not just an old-goods market, but also a night market. Because of the hot weather in the day, night is the time when it really comes alive.”
Li Du said, ”The people here sure are gutsy.”
Under the sunlight, the flowers and greenery were luscious and bright. But at night, in many places of America, it would turn dark and dangerous. People loved to perform some illegal acts in the night, and thus, security would become poor when the sun went down.
”The rural areas of Flagstaff have good security. The cops are quite hard working in that aspect, and there aren’t any gangs controlling these places. Anyhow, this isn’t Memphis, and even more so, not Detroit.”
After Hans explained himself, he brought Li Du to one of the stalls and sat down.