6: Chapter 6 Earning 70,000 a Day

"Alright, please take out the gold items you wish to sell. I'll perform an initial inspection first."

The clerk handed over a pair of white sterile gloves.

"You can put these on to prevent fingerprints and sweat from affecting the test."

Jiang Chen took the gloves and put them on. He slowly pulled out a gold bar wrapped in a plastic bag from his inner pocket and gently placed it on the black testing mat on the counter.

When the plastic bag was pulled back and the gold bar was fully exposed under the lights, the clerk's eyes visibly brightened, and her tone became significantly more respectful.

"Sir, this is a whole investment gold bar, correct?"

"Yes," Jiang Chen nodded.

The clerk didn't ask about its origin. This was a basic rule in the gold recycling industry; as long as the item was legitimate and not reported stolen, they wouldn't pry into a customer's privacy.

She picked up the gold bar, first observing its color with the naked eye, then using a magnifying glass to check the 999 fine gold hallmark on the side, confirming the markings were clear, unworn, and showed no signs of tampering.

"Sir, I will now perform a professional spectral analysis for you. It's completely non-destructive and will yield results in one minute. Please wait a moment."

The clerk placed the gold bar into a portable gold spectrometer beneath the counter. The machine emitted a slight hum, and data flashed rapidly across the screen.

Jiang Chen stood before the counter, his fingers unconsciously tapping the surface. He appeared calm, but in his heart, he was silently counting down.

Ten seconds, thirty seconds, one minute.

*Beep—*

The test was complete.

The clerk looked at the screen and clearly read out the data.

"Sir, the results show that your gold bar is 999 fine gold with a purity of 99.92% and a weight of 100.00 grams. The margin of error is within the normal range, and it meets our recycling standards."

Jiang Chen's heart, which had been hanging in suspense, finally settled back into place.

"Our listed recycling price for fine gold today is 750 yuan per gram. Settling for 100 grams, the total price comes to exactly 75,000 yuan. Do you accept this?"

75,000 yuan.

It was exactly the same as the figure in the intel, down to the last cent.

Jiang Chen's Adam's apple bobbed slightly as he suppressed his surging emotions. He nodded. "I accept. Settle at that price."

"Alright. Then I'll need you to provide your ID card and a bank card for payment. we need to perform a real-name registration. This is a central bank anti-money laundering requirement, and it's also to ensure the security of your funds."

Jiang Chen was well-prepared. He took out his ID card and his commonly used Type I bank card from his wallet and handed them over together.

The clerk took the documents and quickly entered the information into the counter system, verifying that the name, card number, and ID number matched. The entire process was transparent, with no hidden operations.

"Sir, the registration is complete. I'm printing the recycling agreement for you now. Once you've confirmed and signed it, we will transfer the funds immediately, and they should arrive in real-time."

The printer whirred, slowly spitting out two copies of the recycling agreement with clear terms.

No theft, no disputes, voluntary liquidation, legal funds, and the transfer would take effect immediately.

Jiang Chen scanned through every line. Finding no issues, he picked up the pen and solemnly signed his name.

The clerk tucked away the agreement, picked up the office phone to say a few words on the internal line, then operated the computer and clicked to confirm the transfer.

"Sir, 75,000 yuan has been transferred to you. You can check your phone for the deposit notification."

As soon as she finished speaking, the old phone in Jiang Chen's pocket immediately let out a crisp bank notification sound.

His fingers trembled slightly as he took out his phone and lit up the screen.

An SMS pop-up was clearly visible.

[Jiangcheng Bank] Your account ending in 9985 completed an interbank transfer at 08:12. Amount: 75,000.00 CNY. Balance: 82,342.70 CNY.

Jiang Chen stared intently at the screen.

A cost of thirty yuan and two hours of time.

Seventy thousand yuan in a single day!

He wouldn't have dared to imagine this even in his dreams.

Yet now, it was real and right in front of him.

The word 'thrilling' could no longer describe his current mood.

The clerk smilingly pushed his ID and bank card back to him and placed the recycled gold bar into the safe.

"Sir, the funds have all arrived. You can double-check them. Thank you for your trust, and we look forward to your next visit."

"Thank you."

Jiang Chen put away his documents and gripped his phone tightly in his hand.

He suppressed the urge to sprint, maintaining a steady pace as he turned and left the gold counter. It wasn't until he stepped through the department store's revolving doors that he suddenly looked up at the sky.

The spring morning sun had completely broken through the clouds, splashing golden light onto the streets. The traffic was bustling, the crowds were noisy, and even the sycamore leaves by the roadside were shining.

Thank goodness.

This wasn't a dream!

Suddenly, his phone screen lit up with a message from his good friend Wang Hao.

"Chenzi, where are you? The 8 AM Marx class is about to take attendance! The Old Witch is brutal with roll calls. If you don't show up, your participation grade for this semester is toast!"

Jiang Chen slapped his forehead. He had been so focused on cashing out that he almost forgot about the dreaded 8 AM class!

He immediately rushed to the roadside and waved down a taxi. A taxi with a green roof light stopped, and Jiang Chen dove inside, speaking rapidly.

"Driver, Jiangcheng University. It's an emergency, I need to make an 8 AM class!"

"Got it! Buckle up, I'll show you what 'Fast and Furious' really means."

The driver floored the gas, and the car smoothly shot forward.

Jiang Chen leaned back against the seat, his heart still racing. Looking at the street scenery flying past the window, he couldn't help but grin.

He still remembered his promise to his buddy Wang Hao—to add a chicken leg to his breakfast.

Wait.

He should add a meat bun too.

"Driver, could you please stop at that 'Chen's Big Buns' up ahead for a second? Just one minute!"

The car stopped in front of the breakfast shop. Jiang Chen rushed inside. No longer did he stare at the price list and hesitate for ages; he simply waved his hand grandly.

"Boss, two orders of your signature fresh meat buns, two orders of shaomai, two cups of hot soy milk, and add two chicken legs!"

"Coming right up! Just a moment!"

The steaming breakfast was packed into paper bags, and the aroma instantly filled the car.

The taxi pulled up steadily at the gate of Jiangcheng University with only eight minutes left before class.

Jiang Chen paid the fare and sprinted with the breakfast in hand, dashing through the campus paths where the morning mist had yet to dissipate, heading straight for the teaching building.

Just as he reached the bottom of the building, he saw his buddy Wang Hao huddling his neck and peering around the entrance. Seeing Jiang Chen, he immediately came over to complain.

"Holy crap, Chenzi, where did you go? One step later and I would've had to bite the bullet and answer for you! What's that in your hand? It smells so good!"

Jiang Chen, panting, stuffed a heavy, deluxe breakfast into his arms, his smile bright and relaxed.

"Just took care of some business and picked up breakfast for you on the way. I got everything you asked for. See? Your bro treats you well!"

Wang Hao looked down, and his eyes instantly widened.

The meat buns were glistening with oil, the chicken legs were sizzling with fragrance, and there was hot soy milk and shaomai—this was a deluxe meal he usually couldn't bear to buy!

"Whoa? Chenzi, who else loves me this much besides you!"

Jiang Chen patted his shoulder and didn't elaborate, only saying with a smile: "In the future, your bro will make sure you eat and drink well. Let's get to class first, don't be late."

He walked toward the classroom, the sunlight falling on his shoulders, casting his lean figure straight and tall.