Chapter 7: Everyone Has Their Moment of Glory

Los Angeles, located on the west coast of the United States, boasts a diverse terrain and urban development compared to the flat plains of the east.

For locals living in Los Angeles, although it may not be perfect, it's still considered pretty good. After all, Saint Lodo is a world-renowned metropolis.

Like most big cities, it attracts many young people from out of town every year. These young people from South America, the Baltic States, Australia, and various other regions all share a simple idea: to find a job in Los Angeles and work hard to stay. They believe they're not afraid of hardship.

Sida, the original owner of the body that Chen Daqi now inhabits, had the same idea.

Unfortunately, bustling Los Angeles didn't belong to him or to these newcomers living on the fringes of society.

Wearing clothes he had just received from the relief point, Chen Daqi scanned the shops along the street, searching for a place to take a shower. It didn't necessarily have to be a self-service car wash; he just hadn't come up with a better idea yet.

Human cognition always has its limitations. Even with rich social experience, he couldn't adapt well to the environment on the West Coast of the United States.

Walking through the unfamiliar streets of the city, while feeling a bit nervous, Chen Daqi's heart was filled with more longing for the future.

A healthy body, the help of the system, everything seemed to be getting better.

His body was young again.

Everyone has their moment of glory, each pledging to achieve greatness in this world.

In his previous life, Chen Daqi struggled for more than a decade, only to end up with nothing but regrets.

Luckily, the gears of fate turned, granting him a chance to start over. Everything seemed possible, still within reach.

Opening his phone, he confirmed the street signs according to the address he found, gradually making his way to the door of Old Hank's Auto Repair Shop.

This was his first target after careful consideration—he also wanted to find a job.

Chen Daqi used to run his own auto repair shop quite successfully, until it was seized by the local landlord, reaching the point of being robbed of even the dirt.

Instead of choosing those chain auto repair brands, he opted for a local small shop. As long as the boss was willing to hire.

Chen Daqi was confident he could impress the boss with his skills.

Starting a new life as an auto repairman was an acceptable option for Chen Daqi.

Many of his abilities were no longer applicable outside the domestic environment and his former circles. But his craftsmanship wouldn't let him down. It was something he had diligently studied during his youthful years.

Standing on the roadside opposite Old Hank's Auto Repair Shop, he looked at the somewhat old shop with some anticipation.

The self-service car wash on the left was empty, indicating his plan to mooch a shower here was doomed.

He rubbed his hair to look as presentable as possible and then crossed the road, entering the shop.

"Hello, may I help you with something?"

Old Hank stopped wiping his pipe, looked up, and smiled at the young man who had entered.

Although Chen Daqi's hair looked unwashed for a few days, such appearance issues didn't matter in America.

"Good afternoon, in fact, I came to find a job as an auto mechanic."

Observing Old Hank's expression, Chen Daqi introduced himself. He looked determined, speaking neither too fast nor too slow, but each word was clear and powerful.

"I am from Huaguo, and you can tell from my English that it's passable. In Huaguo, I worked as an auto mechanic for five years. I can do bodywork, engine repairs, and painting. Can you give me a chance to try?"

Old Hank was surprised. He thought the young man was a customer, but it turned out he was looking for a job.

He knew about Huaguo, but he sensed a different meaning in Chen Daqi's words.

An English-speaking mechanic like him could easily find a decent job at those big chain auto repair shops. His shop was just an ordinary auto repair shop with mainly local customers.

"Okay, Chan, you can call me Hank. You said you want to work here as a mechanic, right?"

Old Hank's thick white beard shook up and down as he confirmed Chen Daqi's intentions.

"Chan, like Jackie Chan, the kung fu master from China?"

Old Hank teased Chen Daqi about his name.

Chen Daqi thought things were going well, but his hope was dashed as soon as Old Hank spoke.

"However, I need to confirm, do you not have legal status?"

Chen Daqi's expression froze for a moment. After a brief thought, he replied.

"Listen, Mr. Hank, I can make up many reasons, such as my passport or entry permit being stolen, etc. But my conscience tells me I can't deceive someone as respected and trusted as you, or rather, I won't deceive anyone. I have to admit, I am an illegal immigrant who came to Los Angeles by crossing the border. I currently don't have legal status. But like all young people with dreams, I just hope to realize my dreams in this beautiful country through my abilities."

Sincerity is the foundation of all cooperation, a basic principle Chen Daqi had learned over the past dozen years.

Sincerity itself has no value, but the reputation it brings is as valuable as gold.

Just don't equate sincerity with revealing everything without reservation—that's the cognition of fools.

Old Hank was obviously moved by Chen Daqi's words. He was just a high school graduate, encountering such communication as Chen Daqi's only in TV dramas.

The white-bearded old man waved his hand and then put it down again.

"Chan, I'm just the owner of a small auto repair shop, not worthy of the praise you've given me, such as being respected and trusted. Do you understand?"

Chen Daqi understood that there was no hope for this matter here, but he wasn't discouraged. He smiled and replied.

"Everything in your shop is neat and orderly. Although the repair tools are piled on the ground, I can see at a glance that they are all in the most convenient positions. Isn't your ability worthy of trust?

This small shop can survive in the competition among so many chain stores in Los Angeles. Isn't that something you should be respected for?"