Chapter 45

Jin Xiantai, following Dave's advice, eventually spent 8,000 yuan at the used car market to buy a seven-tenths new black GMC pickup truck. This model is sturdy and durable, and it looks ordinary and low-key, not drawing much attention. At 8,000 yuan, Jin Xiantai felt the price was definitely worth it.

After all, if this GMC pickup truck were brand new, it would cost at least 50,000 yuan.

But now, he bought this seven-tenths new pickup truck for just 8,000 yuan. If he still wasn't satisfied, he would really deserve to be punished by heaven.

Moreover, with Dave's assistance, Jin Xiantai didn't have to worry about the used car dealer selling him a wrecked car, because Dave knew a lot about cars. Especially with legal protection, he had even less to worry about.

Thus, Jin Xiantai smoothly bought the car, drove the new car, and parted ways with Dave, heading straight home.

As for his original Audi, Dave would have his subordinates drive it back for Jin Xiantai. This pickup truck would basically be the car Jin Xiantai would use to go to school from now on.

Although this pickup truck was cheap, it was actually quite comfortable inside. The space didn't make one feel cramped, and the seats were very comfortable. The other configurations were also quite good. It was clear that the previous owner had taken good care of the car and maintained it very well.

At 8,000 yuan, it seemed like a real bargain.

At least, in Jin Xiantai's view, he had made a good deal.

8,000 yuan, for someone with a net worth of over two million, was really nothing.

It was just a small amount of money.

Because for Jin Xiantai, it was necessary to switch to a low-key car like this to avoid drawing attention and causing trouble after school.

The car drove smoothly, though it couldn't compare to his Audi, it was still quite good. What more could you ask for from a pickup truck?

Thus, within a morning, Jin Xiantai successfully completed the entrance test for Monica High School and could start school the next day. He also bought a low-key pickup truck for himself, basically finishing all the necessary tasks.

The rest was to rest and tidy up for a day, and then report to Monica High School the next day.

When Jin Xiantai returned home, it was already 11:30 in the morning. Annie and Coco had already returned before him.

As soon as he entered the house, Jin Xiantai saw a pile of children's clothing on the sofa and coffee table. He clearly remembered that these clothes were not ones he had bought.

"Where did these clothes come from?"

Out of curiosity, Jin Xiantai walked over and asked.

Coco was wearing a pair of 'hip-hop' style jeans and a jacket, standing in front of the mirror in the corner, admiring herself. Annie was also happily watching the little girl, her eyes full of indulgence.

Annie turned back to look at Jin Xiantai and said, "After you left, I took Coco to the nearby flea market. We had good luck and found a stall with high-quality children's clothing. The prices were very cheap, so I bought some for the kids."

Bought some?

Jin Xiantai glanced at the clothes piled on the sofa and coffee table, finding Annie's words somewhat exaggerated.

He had heard of the nearby flea market, but he had never been there, so he wasn't very familiar with it.

He knew it was a market spontaneously organized by residents of nearby communities, selling mostly things they no longer needed or fruits and vegetables they grew in their yards. The prices were indeed very low.

"Don't look, it only cost 300 yuan in total."

Annie saw Jin Xiantai's gaze and quickly reported the amount spent.

Oh, 300 yuan, Annie really said it out loud.

If the old butler Nord were here, he would surely give a big eye roll at the amount his young mistress reported.

After all, these clothes cost nearly 20,000 yuan when paid for.

Although 20,000 yuan wasn't much for Annie, saying that 20,000 yuan worth of clothes were bought for 300 yuan was just too... something.

Jin Xiantai picked up a few pieces of clothing and tried them. Hmm, the feel was very good, pure cotton, and the workmanship was excellent, with no small flaws like loose threads. They were perfect for his daughter to wear, and he didn't have to worry about hurting her delicate skin.

300 yuan, it really seemed like a good deal.

"The quality is very good, and the workmanship is excellent. Your eye for these things is better than ours men. I'm very satisfied with these clothes, thank you for your thoughtfulness."

After looking and trying them, Jin Xiantai felt reassured. These were not shoddy clothes, and he sincerely thanked Annie.

"Hmph! Of course, how can a man's eye compare to mine?"

Jin Xiantai's praise made Annie feel a small sense of pride, and she silently muttered to herself.

"Ah, spit! What's there to be proud of, being praised by a minor kid?" But then Annie spat lightly, feeling ashamed of her reaction.

She didn't understand why she had a strange feeling towards this boy who was 10 years younger than her, and why her reactions were so peculiar when facing him.

Looking at him, hearing his voice, she felt very at ease, forgetting many unpleasant things, and a faint, indescribable warmth would rise in her heart.

"Here, this is 500 yuan. I really thank you. If it weren't for you, I wouldn't have known that Coco still needed so many clothes. It seems I'm not a very good father."

Jin Xiantai took out his wallet, pulled out five 100-yuan 'Franklins' and placed them in front of Annie, then expressed his sincere gratitude and admitted that he was not a very good father.

Annie said she spent 300 yuan, but Jin Xiantai gave her 500 yuan. What was the extra 200 yuan for?

A reward?

But Annie didn't think much about it and naturally took the money Jin Xiantai placed on the coffee table.

Coco was still admiring herself in the mirror, clearly very fond of her 'hip-hop' style clothes. Even after her father came back, she didn't greet him, completely absorbed in her new outfit.

Jin Xiantai didn't bother to disturb his daughter, who was being vain, put down his car keys, and walked to the side to turn on the TV.

"How did the test at school go?"

Annie naturally asked about this.

Jin Xiantai nodded, turned on the TV, and walked back, sitting on another sofa.

"It went very smoothly. I can report to school tomorrow."

"Congratulations," Annie sincerely congratulated him. Jin Xiantai smiled and said, "Thank you."

The TV was broadcasting the noon news, which was still focused on the French and North Vietnamese army's conflict, occasionally including the host's and some commentators' opinions, as well as the attitudes of Europe, the United States, and other countries around the world.

From the news, Jin Xiantai learned that Europe was recently seeking to form a union, similar to the 'European Union' that had already appeared in his original world.

He was quite dismissive of this.

After all, in this 2015 of this timeline, the Cold War was still ongoing, the vast Soviet Union had not collapsed, Germany was still divided into East and West, and the Berlin Wall had not fallen.

Therefore, he personally believed that the EU of this timeline could not exist.

At least, as long as the Soviet Union had not collapsed and the Berlin Wall had not been torn down, the EU could not appear.

A military commentator on the news continued to express his views.

This guy believed that if the French wanted to keep Vietnam, they only had two options.

One was to seek help in Europe, and the other was to seek help from the United States, both economically and militarily. These were the only two options.

Of course, there was a third option.

And this third option was the most suitable, which was to withdraw the troops.

However, this third option was not within the framework of maintaining Vietnam's interests, so the French would not choose it... He rambled on for a while.

Recently, Jin Xiantai had become very fond of watching the news.

The reason was the war the French were fighting in Vietnam.

"Would the United States have any reaction if the French sought help from them?"

Jin Xiantai, who was quietly watching the news, asked casually.

This was just a casual question, but it made Annie think seriously before answering, "The United States would not have a significant reaction. At most, they would provide some supplies or weapons, of course, on the condition that the French could pay. The current U.S. Congress is controlled by conservatives, and the policy is very conservative, not aggressive. The hawks are heavily suppressed, so it's unlikely the French would get much help from the United States, even if they sought it."

Hearing Annie's words, Jin Xiantai's face remained calm, but he was inwardly sighing.

Thinking about the United States in his previous life, how powerful it was, able to attack anyone it wanted, acting like a world police and a righteous hero.

But in this timeline, the United States was a completely different picture, almost like a little victim, being bullied by the rough Soviet Union.

Although the United States was still a major player in the Cold War in this timeline, it was very passive, completely overshadowed by the Soviet Union.

This was a completely different situation from the United States Jin Xiantai knew.

He found it both amusing and frustrating.

What made Jin Xiantai even more critical was that, although this timeline had entered the 21st century, with technological development on par with or even surpassing his original timeline,

Based on the news and information from the internet, Jin Xiantai couldn't believe that the military thinking of the countries in this timeline was still stuck in World War II.

Especially in the war the French were fighting in Vietnam, both sides were still using old tactics like fortifications, trenches, and heavy artillery bombardments.

Although some high-tech equipment was used, most of the time it was just for show.

Jin Xiantai could only sigh at the peculiarity of this timeline.

Seeing that Jin Xiantai didn't respond, Annie thought he didn't understand the issue, so she further explained to him, "North Vietnam has Soviet support. If the United States gets involved, it would be very disadvantageous for the United States because they don't want to provoke the Soviet Union. Although the United States has interests in Asia, Vietnam is a French interest area, and the French should protect their own interests."

After saying this, Annie, whether intentionally or unintentionally, asked Jin Xiantai for his opinion on the war, "By the way, what's your take on this? Since you're bored anyway."

"The French losing the war is inevitable, and the United States will also lose control of the Malacca Strait. The Soviet Union will gain more influence in this region, leading to the United States losing its interests in Southeast Asia. Japan, Taiwan, the Philippines, and Indonesia have already been very active recently, which is a sign.

Although I don't want to say this, I believe the best option for the United States is to directly send troops to Vietnam. Although the United States will pay a high price, it can use this opportunity to train its troops and also send a message to certain forces that the United States will take action when necessary. This is a statement of intent..."

Jin Xiantai combined his knowledge from his previous life, the original timeline where the United States sent troops to Vietnam, and the current issues and international situation in this timeline to form this opinion.

But while the speaker was casual, the listener was attentive, and Annie's eyes flashed!

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