Chapter 36: Buy!

Zhang Lin sighed. "That may be true, but this model is incredibly lifelike. Across the entire Nine Provinces, you would be hard-pressed to find a third F-22 fighter jet model of this caliber."

Duan Yue'e pursed her lips, then let out a helpless sigh. "If the seller could offer a discount—even just 100 million or 50 million off—that would be something."

"I asked just now; he won't budge. It's 300 million, flat," Zhang Lin added.

Duan Yue'e put her hands on her hips. "Honey, I think he's just robbing you. He’s only standing firm because he knows you want it. I think we should wait a bit longer."

"Who knows? If he waits and no one buys it, he might lower the price," she suggested.

Zhang Lin nodded. "Hmm, I was thinking the same thing."

"Honey, it's not that I don't want you to buy it, but this is just too expensive. It clearly exceeds a reasonable range. You’ve often told us that the value of an item is fixed; once it far exceeds its inherent worth, it loses its core value. The same applies to this F-22 model, don't you think?" Duan Yue'e said, soothing her husband’s mood.

Hearing these words—familiar yet somehow feeling slightly strange—Zhang Lin nodded. "True. I'll wait and see for now."

"Alright, give the phone to Yinyin. I’m going to the restroom."

Passing the phone to his wife, Zhang Lin stood up and walked into the bathroom. Once seated, he pulled out his own phone, quickly downloaded a live-streaming app, searched for Wang Yang’s channel, and tuned in.

As soon as he entered the stream, he was greeted by a flood of comments.

[Damn? Why did that rich guy stop talking? Don't tell me he got scared off by Brother Yang’s "no discount" policy.]

[That’s very possible. Even for a rich person, money doesn't grow on trees. Spending 300 million on a model? Even a fool wouldn't be that easy to swindle.]

[I feel like if Brother Yang had just offered a small discount, the deal would have been closed.]

[Haha, you guys don't really think these rich people are stupid, do you? An F-22 model, no matter how exquisite or realistic, is still just a model. Since it's a model, its value shouldn't be that outrageous. Wang Yang asking for 300 million right out of the gate? He must be crazy about money.]

[Hahaha, well, now that the rich guy is gone, Wang Yang is going to be stuck with these two models. Who knows how much money he's going to lose now.]

[He hasn't streamed in half a year, and he thought he could make a killing after six months by using these fighter jets as a gimmick. But he overplayed his hand and scared off the buyer. Classic Brother Yang!]

[It's hilarious. Brother Yang, why don't you just start selling regular merchandise? Stop talking about selling fighter jets; I'm embarrassed for you.]

Seeing the comments, Zhang Lin decisively chose to hide the chat.

These internet users were too noisy and were clouding his judgment. After a moment of thought, he opened the input box and typed: [I want one. How do we proceed with the transaction?]

Without hesitation, he hit send.

300 million wasn't a small amount, and money could always be earned back, but if he missed out on an F-22 model of this quality, he might never encounter one again. It was better to seize this opportunity. Spending a little extra didn't matter; he would consider it paying for the dreams of his youth.

...

In the warehouse, Wang Yang had been monitoring the chat and observing the viewers' reactions ever since he laid down his no-discount rule.

He was actually quite worried about not being able to sell them. After all, everyone in the stream believed these were just models. He couldn't exactly fuel them with aviation-grade gasoline, fly them around in the sky, and demonstrate the full capabilities of an F-22. That wasn't realistic.

Beyond that, he had no other way to prove to the audience that these were two genuine, combat-capable F-22 fighters. More importantly, even if he did demonstrate, the viewers might not even know how to operate them. There weren't many "rich guys" who could casually drop 300 million on an F-22, unless they were hardcore military enthusiasts or serious collectors.

At first, he thought the interested buyer would pull the trigger, but when he insisted on no discounts, the man vanished and left the stream. He figured he had lost that customer.

But Wang Yang had no regrets. His F-22s were worth 300 million—not only worth it, but a bargain! He would absolutely never lower the price just to make a sale. That was impossible; utterly impossible.

[I want one. How do we proceed with the transaction?]

Just then, a comment in the chat caught his attention. Immediately, a deluge of new messages followed.

[Wait, what? Another rich guy appeared, and this one is actually offering to buy it? My god, am I seeing this right?]

[You're seeing it right. This rich guy really wants to buy it. Man, these rich people—300 million, that's real money. Incredible.]

[300 million for a model? That's insane! With 300 million, you could be financially independent. You could buy a villa, a luxury car worth tens of millions, and still have money left over for a lifetime. I just don't get it.]

[That’s why you aren't rich. These people have one goal when they spend money: to make themselves happy. Everything else is secondary.]

[Man, you guys are getting excited over one comment. What if this guy is a shill? Probably just another troll trying to mess with Brother Yang.]

As if to prove he wasn't a shill, Zhang Lin quickly sent another message.

[I am a serious buyer. Can you post a link? I will purchase it immediately.]

Wang Yang was stunned for a moment before quickly responding, "Would you be open to a voice call? Since this item is quite unique, the platform's payment links aren't equipped for this amount. I think a voice call would be a better way to discuss the purchase process. What do you think?"

Zhang Lin replied quickly: [No problem, but I don't have much time. I hope we can settle this quickly.]

"Understood," Wang Yang said with a smile, immediately having Jiang Liangliang contact Zhang Lin.

Moments later, the voice call connected.

"Hello, sir. May I ask how to address you?" Wang Yang asked warmly.

"My surname is Zhang," Zhang Lin replied.

"Mr. Zhang, it's a pleasure. Before you purchase this F-22, there are a few things I must make clear. I do not provide delivery services, so after you purchase it, you will need to arrange your own transport—whether by truck or other means—to take the fighter jet away."

"Secondly, because this is a specialized item, I can offer very little in terms of after-sales service or routine maintenance. Furthermore, once the F-22 is sold, it is non-refundable and cannot be exchanged."

Zhang Lin was silent for a moment on the other end. "I can accept those terms, but I would like to request an on-site inspection of the goods. Of course, I am willing to pay a deposit in advance."