Chapter 23

Although in the United States, even under the system of a parallel universe, there is no such thing as 'pulling strings,' if you have acquaintances and connections, you can still gain some conveniences and advantages.

Of course, this kind of convenience is entirely different from the 'convenience' in China.

For example, even with Dave's help, Jin Xuntao still had to take the exam to get a driver's license; in the United States, such a shortcut is impossible. Even if you are the President of the United States, you must pass the exam to get a driver's license. If anyone dares to exempt you from the exam, they will be in big trouble.

Therefore, Jin Xuntao at most received special attention, which meant he didn't have to wait in line to take the exam. Instead, the exam, which usually has 40 people, only had 39 people, leaving a spot for Jin Xuntao as a small favor.

Apart from this, the rest depended on Jin Xuntao himself. He had to perform well on the exam to pass and get his driver's license. If he didn't do well, he would be out of luck, at least for now.

Jin Xuntao was determined to get his driver's license, not just because he needed it to buy a car, but also because a driver's license is a very important document in the United States, with a high usage rate. Essentially, the value of a driver's license is equivalent to that of an ID card or a social security card. It is very useful when dealing with various matters in the United States.

Therefore, Jin Xuntao now needed a driver's license very much. If it were in the past, he might not have cared so much about it, but with the significant changes in his life and improved financial situation, getting a driver's license became necessary.

The 40 people taking the exam were of various ages, ranging from young people like Jin Xuntao to those over 60 years old. Some were taking the exam for the first time, while others were retaking it after their licenses were revoked. Everyone was there for the same goal: to get a driver's license.

During the days leading up to the exam, Jin Xuntao studied the traffic rules and memorized them in a short time, which was made easier by his enhanced brain capabilities. For him, the written exam was not a problem at all.

When the written exam papers were distributed, Jin Xuntao immediately started answering the questions without any hesitation. The traffic rules in the United States are extensive, with national guidelines and state-specific rules that vary from state to state. For example, driving at 120 km/h might be normal in one state but illegal in another. Additionally, each county, city, and town has its own peculiar traffic rules, making the whole system quite complicated.

Therefore, in the United States, which is a country on wheels, it might seem like everyone can get a driver's license, but it's not that simple. Most people only get a license for their own state. However, legally, a driver's license from one state is valid in other states, which is a peculiar aspect of U.S. law.

Jin Xuntao wasn't interested in these rules; he just wanted to get his license and buy a car. He only found the peculiarities of U.S. traffic rules amusing.

The written exam was no challenge for Jin Xuntao, and he could pass it with 100% accuracy, thanks to his exceptional learning ability and memory.

After the written exam, the practical test remained, which was the most important part.

In his previous life, Jin Xuntao was a penniless man, the kind who couldn't afford a car, so he had never even touched one. Even with his enhanced intelligence, he still felt nervous when he first held the steering wheel. This is a common reaction for first-time drivers, and Jin Xuntao was no exception.

Fortunately, influenced by the soul of a 36-year-old man, Jin Xuntao quickly got into the rhythm. Apart from the initial nervousness, he performed very steadily during the practical test and received positive feedback from the instructor.

The days passed as Jin Xuntao went through the process of getting his license. Half a month later, he finally got his driver's license and could now buy a car and join the ranks of car owners.

At the moment he received his driver's license, Jin Xuntao felt a bit excited.

What kind of car should he buy?

A regular family sedan?

A sturdy and durable pickup truck?

Or a luxury car?

These questions filled Jin Xuntao's mind.

His daughter, Keke, frowned and looked at her father curiously, seeing him standing there with a troubled expression. She didn't understand why her father was acting this way, so she playfully hit his neck.

"Daddy!"

It seemed she was not used to her father's current state.

After being hit by his daughter, Jin Xuntao finally snapped out of it and looked down at her with a smile.

"Was Daddy being silly just now?"

His nearly 10-month-old daughter nodded.

"Okay, Daddy was a bit silly just now because I was thinking about what kind of car we should buy for our family."

Although Keke was smarter than other children her age, she still didn't fully understand what her father meant.

"Car."

So, she could only express what she could understand.

Jin Xuntao nodded. "Yes, Daddy is going to buy a car."

"Car! Car!" Keke clapped her hands happily, probably thinking her father was going to buy her a toy car.

"Mr. Dave, I've successfully obtained my driver's license. I'm going to go buy a car soon. Do you have any good suggestions? I also want to thank you for your help, which saved me a lot of trouble."

Since Dave had helped him, Jin Xuntao felt it was necessary to inform him and express his gratitude.

On the other end of the phone, Dave laughed heartily and replied, "It's no big deal. Congratulations on passing the exam. What kind of car do you want to buy? A luxury car or a regular one? I think young people like you prefer luxury cars, especially sports cars, right?"

Clearly, Dave believed that young people, especially those with good financial conditions in Los Angeles, preferred flashy sports cars. Therefore, it was common to see young people driving luxury sports cars in Los Angeles. As a 'young person,' Jin Xuntao should have the same desire.

Moreover, with his current income, buying a sports car would not be difficult for him.

At least, that's what Dave thought.

But how could Dave know that Jin Xuntao's 16- or 17-year-old body housed the soul of a 36-year-old man?

The mindset of a middle-aged person is different from that of a young person. They prefer understated, stable, and comfortable cars and do not like to show off, especially with sports cars. While there are exceptions, Jin Xuntao was not one of them.

"Sports car? I'm not a big fan. Although they are flashy and attract a lot of attention, they are great for dating, but I have a child and am a father. I want a sturdy, safe, and comfortable car, not a sports car for dating."

Dave was taken aback for a moment, then a satisfied expression appeared on his face, which Jin Xuntao couldn't see. He nodded slowly.

He's a good boy, completely free from the impatience of young people and the mentality that comes with sudden wealth. I haven't misjudged him.

Due to Jin Xuntao's response and attitude, Dave gained a deeper understanding of him. He composed himself and said, "A domestically produced family car will do. Any brand is fine, but I suggest you buy a General Motors car. Don't buy a Japanese car because they are not sturdy enough."

Since Jin Xuntao was considering safety and comfort, recommending a Japanese car would not be appropriate.

This was not because Dave was deliberately badmouthing Japanese cars but because it was a fact. Japanese cars are fuel-efficient, but this is achieved by reducing the thickness of the car's steel plates and the use of various steel materials. Therefore, while Japanese cars are fuel-efficient, they are not sturdy.

If an accident occurs, the driver of a Japanese car is at a significant disadvantage. Japanese cars often disintegrate in accidents, and the extent of damage and the scene are often horrific.

In contrast, American cars do not have this problem. The reason is simple: American cars are made with a large amount of steel for the chassis and body, without any shortcuts.

Therefore, even in an accident, American cars generally do not have major issues, and the driver and passengers are relatively safer.

Unless it's a major accident, an American car is a good choice.

"Of course, if you don't like General Motors, a German BMW is also a good choice, with a reasonable price. There are also Audi and others..."

Dave seriously introduced Jin Xuntao to several brands and detailed their pros and cons. In the United States, whether young or middle-aged, people have a deep understanding of cars, being a nation on wheels.

After a long time, Jin Xuntao finally made a decision: to buy an Audi, which offered a good balance of price, safety, stability, and comfort. Why not choose it?

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