ryethenovel Chapter 10 The Scent of Profit
Chapter 10 The Scent of Profit
"Although my stomach was growling, I wasn't hungry at all. There's a difference even among homeless people; the homeless on the West Coast are in much better physical condition."
Lin Simon felt that as a newcomer to the homeless community, he was significantly less able to endure hunger compared to veteran homeless people like the red-haired man with the earring.
Since that's the case, and the other party is being so enthusiastic, it would be impolite to refuse.
Lin Ximeng readily accepted and soon received the welfare meal.
The smoked chicken leg on the paper plate glistened with oil, the mashed potatoes were coated in gravy, and even the milk was warm—it was so much better than yesterday's cloyingly sweet donuts.
He found a bench, sat down, and started eating a chicken leg. When he looked up, he saw the red-haired man with the earring and his friends shrugging their necks and sneaking away. The gray-haired man was still muttering to himself, while the two white-haired men felt they weren't running fast enough and wished they had an extra leg.
There are still more good people than bad among the homeless on the West Coast.
With a slight sigh in his heart, Lin Simon finished his chicken leg, threw the folded paper plate into the trash can, and then set his sights on the next intelligence location: Red Basket Supermarket.
"Besides going to find Max and helping her deliver a shopping list, I can also sell these jars I have on hand."
Last night, while chatting at the camp, Riley mentioned to Simon Lin that in addition to going to various recycling stations to collect cans, you can also find automatic can recycling machines in many supermarkets.
"Sometimes, if you live too far from a recycling center, the supermarket's automatic recycling machine is much more convenient than going to the recycling center."
"The machine will automatically identify the jar you put in and then calculate the final price for you."
"You'll see them when you go to the Red Basket Supermarket; they've just installed a few there."
Recalling the conversation from last night, Lin Simon walked three blocks before arriving at the entrance of the Red Blue Supermarket.
This is a typical neighborhood supermarket. It doesn't have the luxurious decor and huge scale of some global chain supermarkets, but the various promotional and price reduction posters displayed at the entrance make it seem more down-to-earth.
Lin Ximeng looked to the right of the supermarket entrance, where four silver machines, each about two meters tall, were placed against the wall.
The machine has an openable circular hole in the center, next to which is a display screen that shows the word "recycling," which is the automatic can recycling machine that Riley was talking about.
At that moment, a middle-aged white housewife was using the machine.
Lin Ximeng observed it closely for a while and then understood how to use the machine.
The machine screen displays colored labels for "aluminum cans," "PET plastics," and "glass bottles," indicating the types of containers the automatic recycling machine can support.
Lin Ximeng clicked the "Start" button on the screen, and the round hole on the machine, which had been closed, began to slowly open.
"Splash, splash"
Lin Ximeng lifted the bag containing the jars, aligned the opening of the bag with the round hole, and a large number of jars began to fall rapidly into the round hole.
After the prize bag was emptied, Lin Simon closed the round hole using the handle.
Next, the automatic recycling machine emitted a series of clanging sounds as the cans rolled and collided, while numbers began scrolling across the screen, showing the calculated price earned from recycling.
"Why did one come out?"
Just as the numbers were changing, Lin Ximeng noticed a white aluminum beverage can falling out from the pickup area at the bottom of the screen.
Lin Ximeng took a closer look and found that there was a gap in the barcode area on the beverage can.
"This machine uses barcodes to identify the type of can and calculates the recycling price. It looks like cans with damaged barcodes can't be recycled."
Fortunately, the automatic recycling machine only dispensed this one non-recyclable item in the end. Lin Ximeng put the can in the trash can next to him and washed his hands at the sink.
"drop"
A few minutes later, with a notification sound, the total price of the recycling was displayed on the screen.
Total: $6.20.
Finally, press the "Checkout" button on the screen, and a receipt will be printed out from the ticket dispenser.
"It can be used for discounts or cash redemption at supermarkets."
Lin Ximeng compared the automatic recycling machine with the Bora waste recycling station from yesterday and felt that if he didn't have many cans on hand, using this kind of automatic recycling machine would be quite convenient.
Then, Lin Simon entered the Red Blue Supermarket with the receipt. After explaining his purpose to the cashier, the cashier confirmed Lin Simon's receipt and then handed over the cash to Lin Simon.
Including yesterday's $25.5, Simon Lin's net worth exceeds $30.
"If we ever stop receiving the welfare meals, $10 a day should be enough to last us for three days."
Lin Simon was in a good mood, so he began to look for Max.
After looking around for a moment, Simon Lin spotted Max at the dessert counter.
She still had long, wavy hair, but perhaps because the supermarket uniform was rather tight, Max's already exaggerated bust was made even more noticeable.
It seems this is Max's second job. As an American, it's not unusual to have multiple jobs just to make a living.
However, Max's expression at this moment clearly did not reflect her enthusiasm for her work; at the very least, it could not be described as happiness.
"Oh, this one tastes good, hmm... let me try the red one too."
A plus-size girl, dressed in a floral maxi dress and estimated to weigh over 180 kilograms, was at Max's counter, sampling different small cakes.
"Sir, speaking of the shop assistant at your wedding dress shop..." Max took a small red cake from the glass display case, a fake business smile on her face, and handed it to the chubby girl in the floral dress.
"Do you have any advice on eating fewer sweets before the wedding to help you maintain your figure?"
"Suggestions?" The chubby girl in the floral dress shook her head.
"Of course not, they said the wedding dress was of very good quality, I don't need to restrain myself."
The chubby girl took another bite of her chocolate brownie and said, "I need to order fifty of these for my wedding, but I'll have to try the vanilla flavor too... By the way, can you make three-tiered ones? My fiancé likes big ones."
"Of course."
Sensing that Max's fake smile was starting to falter, Simon Lin went over to greet him.
"Hey Max, you seem to be in a really good mood today."
Thinking back to how casually the other person left the recycling center yesterday just to go see a male model show, today they're practically a model employee.
"Eight-pack abs?"
Upon seeing Lin Simon appear, Max's eyes visibly brightened, and he subconsciously glanced at Lin Simon's abdomen.
She leaned close to Simon Lin's ear and whispered, "She's been eating here for an hour, from strawberry mousse to caramel pudding, and she's changed her fiancé's name three times. I bet her wedding will be shorter than a milk that's about to expire in the supermarket."
Because Max was so close, Simon Lin could smell a faint, rose-like perfume emanating from him.
American women typically wear strong perfumes, but Max's perfume is lighter. I wonder if it's because she doesn't have a high income and is reluctant to use it.
"Then why don't you kick her out?" Lin Ximeng asked.
Max pointed to a poster on the counter that read: "Unlimited free samples for brides-to-be; 10% discount on wedding cake orders."
"Boss Ah Han's idea is utterly stupid," Max shook his head and said helplessly.
"But I have to pay rent tomorrow, and I spent a lot of money yesterday..."
"Max!" A somewhat stern voice came from the corridor. A tall, thin Latino man walked over, wearing a "Leader Rileyfield" badge on his chest and holding a notebook in his hand.
With a professional smile on his face, he first nodded to the chubby girl, then reminded Max:
"Did you see the 'Smiling Service' sign in the store? We want to enhance the shopping experience for every customer and make them feel at home."
"Don't worry, leave it all to me. I'll take good care of this client," Max replied, his brow furrowed but his face beaming with a professional smile.
After Rileyfeld left, Max immediately made a face at his retreating figure and whispered to Simon Lin, "This month's new snitch is always watching me, picking fights, and snitching to the boss. Just you wait, I'll make sure he disappears from the supermarket this month."
"You have an order, and you only have one hour left."
At that moment, a series of electronic female voices suddenly came from Max's pocket.
"Oh no," Max said, somewhat flustered, as he pulled out his phone and glanced at it.
"I was supposed to deliver a case of beer, but I'm being watched and can't leave."
Seeing Max's troubled expression, Simon Lin suddenly sensed a lucrative opportunity.