Chapter 23: A Little Too Excited
The atmosphere at the table became extremely lively.
At first, Pascal didn't say much, but later he seemed to open his mouth and couldn't be stopped - this might be related to the fact that he finished a whole bottle of anise liquor. The whole time, I listened to him talking nonstop about how he made money from the antique business!
If you don't know the inside story, who would believe that this young man is worth a lot of money at such a young age?
However, the people eating next to him were not surprised by Pascal's behavior and just thought he was bragging.
There are many young people like this in Marseille. Before drinking, he belongs to Marseille, and after drinking, Marseille belongs to him!
The three hobbies of Marseille men: football, fine wine, and bragging...
Fabian was more cautious. He made a phone call. When they left the restaurant, Xiao Peng found that several strong men were already standing at the door!
Xiao Peng was startled when he saw them, thinking they were Fabian's men sent to rob him. Later, he realized he had misunderstood Fabian; these men were there to protect Pascal. After all, Pascal was carrying three precious antique coins. Although the security here was better than before, Marseilles was still Marseilles. It was better to take precautions.
This is good, and it protects Xiao Peng at the same time.
Fabian and Pascal's car was parked at the Old Port of Marseille. They were going to get the car and send Xiao Peng back on the way!
After bidding them farewell and watching the two people's car drive away, Xiao Peng felt like he had just experienced something in a dream! He had become a millionaire? The kind that would make him a millionaire even after paying taxes!
Uh... Can't think about paying taxes! Xiao Peng felt a pain in his liver when he thought about paying taxes.
Xiao Peng's problem now is: depositing the money into his own account is the most important thing! Holding a check with a huge amount of money, Xiao Peng would be lying if he said he wasn't nervous!
This damn lifestyle habit is really frustrating!
France is a developed country, but electronic payment is not really developed. The main means of payment here are cash, check and credit card.
It's not that they don't have electronic transfer services. Several major banks have had electronic transfer services for several years. However, this service is very inconvenient, and you have to wait several days for the funds to arrive in your account! It wasn't until a year ago that these banks' electronic payment services were able to achieve instant payment.
But the French are truly "lazy." With high taxes and generous welfare benefits, the gap between the middle class and the poor is minimal. Consequently, people aren't particularly motivated to work, nor are they particularly open to new things. Even with the advent of electronic payment methods, people are still accustomed to the "cash, check, and credit card" trifecta.
The first step to living here is getting a bank card and then a checkbook. In France, a checkbook is your most important personal possession, after your bank card! Living here without a checkbook is a real pain.
Looking at the long corridor of the Old Port Wharf, Xiao Peng stopped.
Living on a boat with such a large check in your pocket? Is that crazy?
Frugality is a virtue, but it depends on the time of day!
He turned around and walked away, and in a few minutes he arrived at the 'C2 Hotel' next to the port.
Marseille is an old city so most of the hotels here are converted from old buildings. It is rare to see those tall and magnificent hotels here.
The C2 Hotel is a converted 19th-century private mansion. While it's quite small, it has everything you need, including a private beach. However, due to its prime location, the prices are quite high, starting at over €200 per night.
But such a hotel is one of the most popular hotels in Marseille!
Does Xiao Peng care about money? He definitely doesn't! Besides the check, he also has the two thousand euros Miao Pei gave him for "insulting" him! After all the hardship in Marseille, why not treat himself now that he has money?
That's pure idiocy!
He is not worried about not being able to afford to stay in this hotel now, he is worried that there are no rooms available!
However, God was still very kind to him. The hotel happened to have a room available. It was a couple's double bed sea view room. The price was a bit more expensive, 369 euros per night, excluding tax. Customers need to pay 10% VAT. However, this price includes breakfast, otherwise it would cost 30 euros!
The scenery here is really amazing. Outside the floor-to-ceiling windows is an outdoor balcony where you can sit and drink coffee while enjoying the scenery. The balcony faces the Old Port of Marseille, and you can even see 'your' little sailboat here!
Xiao Peng was very satisfied with the room, so he decided to splurge and stay there for three days.
Hmm...seems a bit petty.
It wasn't that he couldn't bear to live here permanently, it was that he didn't have that much cash! Even if he went to the bank tomorrow to deposit the check, it would take two business days for it to arrive! France is definitely a country that can drive impatient people crazy!
As for his own bank card, there was still some money in it, but that was all his savings! When he was away from home, Xiao Peng had developed a habit of always preparing for the worst and the best.
He was not worried that Pascal would forge a check. Although check fraud is currently the most common payment method in France, Pascal would never do that. It is a serious crime here! Unless he dared to bet everything he has.
But what does the old saying go? It’s best to be prepared for the worst!
While soaking in the bathtub, Xiao Peng recalled what happened today and felt deeply touched.
It’s not because Pascal is rich at a young age; nor is it because he suddenly became rich overnight, but because he saw the gap.
As the saying goes, "knowledge changes destiny." If Pascal hadn't been so clueless, he might have given him the "silver button" as a gift! Still thinking of making money from underwater salvaging? Even if they pulled up a treasure, Xiao Peng wouldn't even be able to recognize it with his current eyesight!
It’s not necessarily, it’s definitely not recognizable!
You must broaden your horizons!
Xiao Peng secretly made up his mind: I will live in the library after the check problem is solved! It doesn't matter if I don't understand, I can just go and learn it, right?
So where do you start learning?
Um... Let's start with French!
Although Xiao Peng speaks fluent French, having spent so much time here, he's a complete wretch when it comes to writing. Even now, he can only write his name, a number, and the name of his bank account—unavoidable, since these are essential for writing checks. He even wrote down the recipe for Mrs. Derrida by looking up a dictionary on his phone.
Decision made! Be a good student starting tomorrow!
After taking a shower, Xiao Peng lay on the bed with all sorts of random thoughts in his mind. He even imagined the scene of himself sitting in a rocking chair and telling his grandson about his legendary experiences when he was old!
He finally fell asleep and sat up in bed early the next morning, full of energy.
Oh, I was too excited!
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