sbdcsierra Chapter 13 Buying a Car and Moving
Chapter 13 Buying a Car and Moving
The next morning, a salty, damp sea breeze blew through the cracks in the hotel window and onto Lin Zhou's face. He opened his eyes, got up, and drew back the curtains. The streets outside were gradually coming to life; breakfast stalls were steaming, and pedestrians in work clothes were hurrying along. Hong Kong people had already entered a fast-paced life.
After washing up, Lin Zhou changed into a neat shirt and trousers, a style from later generations that he had taken out from his spatial storage. It was understated, luxurious, and sophisticated, and looked both respectable and unassuming in the present day.
After having breakfast downstairs, he stood at the hotel entrance, looking around and planning his day: his most urgent task was to buy a car. He couldn't keep relying on walking or taking taxis. In this era of inconvenient transportation, having a car would not only save time and effort but also be a symbol of status. He remembered that there was a taxi stand on the street corner he had passed last night, so he went straight there.
"Driver, please go to Wing Lee Auto Trading Company in Central." Lin Zhou knocked on the taxi window, and the driver readily agreed, opening the door to the side. He sat in the slightly worn taxi, watching the street scenes rushing past the window.
A little over ten minutes later, the taxi stopped in front of Yongli Automobile Trading Company. It was a three-story commercial building with a rather impressive facade. Several brand-new car models were displayed in the glass windows, and a prominent sign hung at the entrance. There were quite a few customers coming and going, indicating that it was quite well-known locally. Lin Zhou pushed open the door and entered. The lobby was brightly lit, and several brand-new cars were neatly arranged, their gleaming paint shining under the lights, immediately catching his eye.
"Hello sir, welcome to Yongli Auto Trade. How can I help you?" A middle-aged man in a sharp suit with a professional smile greeted him. He wore a name tag around his neck that read "Sales Manager Chen Zhiqiang." Manager Chen had sharp eyes and could tell at a glance that Lin Zhou was well-dressed and had a composed demeanor, unlike an ordinary onlooker. His attitude became even more respectful.
Lin Zhou nodded, his gaze sweeping across the showroom before finally settling on a silver Mustang. This car was quite popular in Hong Kong in the 1960s; its streamlined design was stylish and sophisticated, and the bright silver paint was eye-catching. It was suitable for daily commuting without sacrificing style, just what he wanted. "Manager Chen, could you please give me a detailed introduction to this Mustang?"
Chen Zhiqiang immediately led him enthusiastically to the car, opening the door for him to experience it while enthusiastically introducing it: "Sir, you have excellent taste! This is the latest Ford Mustang, with a 3.3-liter inline six-cylinder engine, powerful and capable of reaching a top speed of 160 kilometers per hour. It's perfect for both city driving and long-distance trips. The interior features genuine leather seats, is spacious and comfortable, and handles nimbly, making it especially suitable for a young talent like yourself."
Lin Zhou sat in the driver's seat, checking out its comfort, and then tried out the steering wheel and gearshift; the feel was indeed quite good. He had driven similar classic models in his previous life, so he was familiar with right-hand drive cars, though it would take a little getting used to. "How much does it cost? Also, I need to get my driver's license as soon as possible; I wonder if Manager Chen could help me out?"
Upon hearing this, Chen Zhiqiang's smile widened: "Sir, you're so generous! This car is priced at HK$12,800. If you decide on it today, I'll round it down to HK$12,000. As for the driver's license, don't worry. Our company has a partnership with the Transport Department. As long as you provide your identification, I'll expedite the process for you. It can be done in two hours. We can also help you familiarize yourself with right-hand drive in our backyard, so you can drive with peace of mind."
The price was more affordable than Lin Zhou had expected, and the driver's license issue had been resolved so smoothly that he immediately decided, "Okay, it's settled then. I just don't know if you have any cars in stock?"
"Sir, don't worry about that. We have a garage in the back with several cars in stock. You can pick one out in a bit."
The rest of the process went very smoothly. Lin Zhou provided his identification, paid the Hong Kong dollars, and signed the car purchase contract. Chen Zhiqiang immediately arranged for staff to process the driver's license, vehicle registration, and other documents. At the same time, he personally took Lin Zhou to the garage in the back to choose a car, and they practiced driving in the open space in front of the garage. The backyard had a smooth cement floor, sufficient for basic driving practice.
Sitting in the passenger seat, Chen Zhiqiang patiently pointed out the differences between right-hand drive and left-hand drive vehicles: "Sir, right-hand drive vehicles drive on the left. The turn signals and windshield wipers are in the opposite positions to those in left-hand drive vehicles. Please pay attention... Shift gears a little slower to get used to the position..."
Lin Zhou already had a basic driving foundation and was highly perceptive. With Chen Zhiqiang's guidance, he quickly adapted to operating a right-hand drive car. He first drove at low speeds on the track to familiarize himself with steering and gear shifting, then accelerated and circled to test the sensitivity of the brakes and accelerator. His series of operations were smooth and natural, prompting Chen Zhiqiang to repeatedly praise him: "Sir, you are truly a born driver! You've become so proficient so quickly!"
About an hour later, a staff member ran over with a brand-new driver's license, license plate, and vehicle registration: "Manager Chen, Mr. Lin's driver's license and documents are ready!"
Lin Zhou took the driver's license, looked at his photo and the clear handwriting, and nodded in satisfaction. Chen Zhiqiang then had the car filled with gas, installed the license plates, and carefully checked the car's condition. After confirming everything was in order, he handed the car keys and vehicle registration to Lin Zhou: "Mr. Lin, have a pleasant driving experience! If you have any problems with the car in the future, please contact us anytime. We provide on-site repair services."
Lin Zhou took the documents and put them away. After saying goodbye to Manager Chen, he drove his beloved Mustang out of Yongli Automobile Trading Company.
Lin Zhou opened the car window, feeling the gentle breeze on his face, and felt incredibly happy. While driving around, he wondered which of his two apartments he should live in. After driving for more than ten minutes, he decided to stay in an apartment with an elevator, because it would be quieter there.
Instead of going directly to his house in Tsim Sha Tsui, he drove to a nearby market first. Since he was moving, he naturally wanted to prepare all his household items at once.
Lin Zhou pushed the shopping cart from one end to the other, considering whether to use the items in his space or buy new ones. In the end, he decided to buy new ones. His space was his biggest secret, and even if it was useless, he couldn't let anyone know.
After making up his mind, Lin Zhou carefully selected the items he needed. The bedding had to be pure cotton, soft and breathable; the toiletries had to be complete, with toothpaste, toothbrush, towel, and soap all included; and the kitchenware was even more meticulous, with iron pots, casserole dishes, knives, cutting boards, bowls, plates, chopsticks, and spoons, each item carefully chosen.
Besides daily necessities, he also bought a lot of food and drinks. Rice, flour, and cooking oil were essentials; two large bags were filled with fresh vegetables, meat, and seafood, along with various fruits, biscuits, candies, and several bottles of fine whiskey and red wine. As for clothing, he chose several sets of shirts, dress pants, and casual wear suitable for everyday wear, as well as two pairs of comfortable leather shoes.
Lin Zhou had bought so much stuff that his shopping cart was piled up like a small mountain. Back in his car, he opened the trunk and carefully arranged all the items, filling it completely, and even the back seat was filled with more. Looking at the overflowing supplies, Lin Zhou nodded in satisfaction before driving towards Tsim Sha Tsui.
Forty minutes later, the car arrived at the apartment building in Tsim Sha Tsui. Lin Zhou parked the car smoothly in his designated parking space downstairs and then went into the property management office. The staff on duty were very welcoming when they saw him driving a brand-new Mustang. Lin Zhou explained his purpose: to get a permit for his car and to borrow a handcart for moving. The staff readily agreed and even offered to help push the handcart downstairs.
The items from the trunk and back seat were moved one by one onto a trolley, piled high. Lin Zhou pushed the trolley carefully into the elevator. After reaching the 16th floor, Lin Zhou opened the door and unloaded the items from the trolley. The once spacious living room was instantly filled with various items, making it look somewhat cluttered.
It was nearly noon, but Lin Zhou, without taking a break, began tidying up. Making the bed instantly gave the bedroom a cozy feel; toiletries were placed on the bathroom shelf; kitchen utensils were put away, pots and pans neatly arranged; clothes were folded and put in the wardrobe; food was categorized and stored in the refrigerator and cupboards. Luckily, the large appliances like the refrigerator and washing machine were still there, otherwise, buying new ones would have been too much trouble.
After finishing organizing everything, it was already past 11 a.m. Lin Zhou had been busy all morning, and his stomach was growling with hunger, so he decided to treat himself. He took out fresh steak, prawns, broccoli, and potatoes, along with some spices and olive oil.
He put on an apron and busied himself in the kitchen. He marinated the steak with salt, black pepper, and olive oil for ten minutes, then seared it in a hot pan until golden brown on both sides, crispy on the outside and tender on the inside. He blanched the prawns, then sautéed them with butter, minced garlic, and lemon juice, filling the air with their aroma. He chopped the broccoli and potatoes into small pieces, cooked them, and arranged them on a plate as a garnish. Soon, a sumptuous lunch was ready, laid out on the table, and served with a glass of red wine—its colors enticing and its aroma irresistible.
Lin Zhou sat at the dining table, slowly savoring the food and enjoying his own peaceful moment. In his previous life, he was busy and often had little opportunity to calm down and enjoy a meal like this. Now, in this unfamiliar era, having a haven of his own and being able to eat a delicious meal filled him with a sense of satisfaction.
After a satisfying meal, Lin Zhou felt a little tired, so he lay down on the soft bed for a nap. The afternoon sun was gentle, and he slept exceptionally well, waking up around 1 p.m. He got up, tidied his clothes, returned the trolley he'd borrowed from the property management, and then drove his Mustang to the newspaper office.
When Lin Zhou parked his car in front of the newspaper office, there were still about ten minutes before the start of the workday. He walked into the office, which was mostly empty except for a few people organizing documents. He went straight to the general manager's office, pushed open the door, and went inside.
I had barely sat down when there was a gentle knock on the office door.
"Come in," Lin Zhou said.
The door was pushed open, and a young girl wearing a light blue dress and with short, ear-length hair walked in.
"Boss, I'm Lucy, the office clerk. Would you like tea or coffee?"
"Then I'll have coffee! I don't speak Cantonese, but I can understand it," Lin Zhou replied in English. Lucy smiled shyly and went out.
A moment later, Lucy came in with a cup of coffee. Lin Zhou took the coffee, said "thank you," and then said to her, "Miss Lucy, could you please inform everyone to hold a meeting in the conference room after everyone has arrived? The reporters who are out on assignments should wait before leaving."
"Okay, boss, I'll go inform them right away." Lucy nodded, turned around, and quietly closed the door as she left.