The Girl Who Sells Stars

Chapter 74 The Girl Who Sells Stars

Driving through the upscale neighborhood of Marietta, the black BMW 7 Series went unnoticed. Martin spotted the event center ahead and pulled over to a parking spot.

Lily, in the passenger seat, was packing her things.

Martin asked, "Can you handle it?"

Lily nodded vigorously, this time without rambling: "I specifically chose this client for my first business deal."

She pulled out a photo, placed it on the dashboard, pointed to the black boy in it, and said, "His name is Cam. He went to the same public high school as me. A year ago, his parents died of drug addiction, and a wealthy white family adopted him and helped him transfer to a private high school."

Martin couldn't help but remark, "That kid's lucky."

Lily revealed the truth behind it: "Because he has outstanding football talent, maybe in a few years he will be in the NFL."

"Don't just blindly apply the techniques I taught you; use them flexibly." Martin glanced at the black-skinned man in the photo and instructed, "Don't say anything racist."

Lily nodded: "My brain hasn't shrunk."

Martin said, "Go ahead, I'll cover you here. I'll come over if there's any trouble."

Lily picked up her tote bag, went to the activity center, stood under the shade of a tree and made a phone call. A tall boy with not-too-dark skin quickly ran out.

Cam asked, "Lily, why did you suddenly contact me? Is something wrong?"

"You helped me before you transferred schools, so I'm asking you to repay the favor." Lily said generously, "I know you never gave up on Emily from the cheerleading team. Her birthday is in a week, and I heard she's going to have a backyard party to celebrate."

Cam scratched his head: "I'm worried about what to do for her birthday."

Lily continued, "So, I'll help you." She took out some prepared items and placed them on the back of a nearby car. "Take a look at these."

Cam discovered several beautifully packaged gift boxes.

"I don't like owing favors, so I'd better pay them back as soon as possible." Lily opened the greeting card-like package, inside which was a beautiful star chart, with one star printed particularly brightly: "This is a star in the Andromeda Galaxy M31."

Seeing Cam's confused expression, Lily decided to be direct: "The Atlantic Astronomical Society is selling the naming rights to this star. It can be named after a person or anything else. Emily is a member of the school's astronomy club. If you give her a star, you'll gain love in return..."

As people passed by, Lily coughed lightly and showed Cam the certificates, documents, and files from the Atlantic Astronomical Society: "This is the Atlantic Astronomical Society, one of the largest astronomical organizations in the United States! Cam, think carefully, what could you give her that would be more classy and sophisticated than giving her a star? A diamond? It's older than a star!"

Cam was moved; a star in the sky was named after Emily, and Emily would definitely be touched.

Lily added, "I'm volunteering at the Atlantic Astronomical Society this summer, and when this great opportunity came up, you were the first person I thought of. If you don't want it, I'll give it to Emily myself."

"I want it, I want it!" Kam asked readily. "How much?"

Lily said, "Just give me $200, and I'll keep an eye on the association and have them mail you the certificate and star chart as soon as possible."

Cam's adoptive parents treated him well, but after searching his pockets, he only had a few dozen dollars. He said, "Wait a moment, don't go, be sure to wait for me to come back."

Lily nodded: "Go ahead."

Cam ran back to the activity center and borrowed some money to get back.

Lily took the money, wrote down the mailbox number for Cam's foster parents, left, and got into the BMW.

Martin asked, "Is it done?"

Lily pulled the money out of her pocket and slammed it in her hand: "200 dollars."

Martin casually remarked, "You're asking for a really high price."

I remember one guy bought it for just over 100 RMB.

"Hey, get this straight!" Lily emphasized, "What we sold him was a star! A star!"

Martin asked, "The next target?"

Lily opened her notebook and glanced at it: "Go to the Margaret Memorial. The curator's son used to get tutoring from Harris. He's an astronomy enthusiast, and I bet he'd be willing to pay for the naming rights to a star."

She continued flipping through the pages: "Another one is the daughter of a Methodist. Elena used to volunteer at the Methodist Church, and I've heard her mention her many times..."

Martin understood: "You've put all the resources you've accumulated to use."

Lily laughed: "No need to waste any more money."

In the late afternoon, Andrew called Martin, who happened to be in the West End, so he went to the Freedom Society to get the social investigator materials from him.

Martin said to Lily, who was following behind, "Don't swear, and don't keep throwing tantrums."

Lily replied, "Okay."

Martin was still uneasy: "You'd better not say anything."

When they arrived at the social investigator's office, only Andrew was there.

Andrew handed Martin a document, then suddenly became mysterious, lowering his voice: "I've prepared a gift for Kelly's assistant, Ella."

As he spoke, he pulled out a tote bag with the Atlantic Astronomical Society logo and took out beautifully packaged star charts, glass stars, certificates, and documents: "I've always wanted to give Ella a gift, but ordinary things are too cliché, so I bought her a star, a star named after Ella."

Martin wouldn't mistake it; the thing in his hand was exactly the same as the one Lily had left in the car.

Lily opened her mouth, and Martin understood: Harris.

Andrew said with considerable pride, "Wasn't that a good move? Professional certification from the Atlantic Astronomical Society!"

What could Martin say but exclaim, "High-end, classy, ​​and sophisticated!"

After leaving, Lily closed another deal. Martin checked the time and took her back to Clayton.

As the sun set, Martin drove past the north side of the community and found Scott standing by the roadside.

Scott saw Martin and Lily through the open window and they waved to him.

Lily said, "I don't want to talk to him."

The Aston Martin was parked on the other side of the road. He walked over and asked, "What's up?"

Scott spat out his cigarette butt and crushed it with his foot: "A few weeks ago, you said Harris applied to college?"

Martin nodded: "He received an offer from Georgia State University."

Scott didn't continue the conversation. He glanced at Lily in the car and warned, "You better watch yourself..."

"Shut up." Martin pointed to his chest. "I'm a man of principle and a bottom line."

Since they didn't see eye to eye, there was no need to say more. Martin went back to his car.

Scott gave him the middle finger.

Martin responded with the middle finger in return.

As the car turned at the intersection, Martin glanced back and saw a black minivan parked next to Scott. Scott ducked and got into the car.

…………

That evening, in an apartment in the central district, Sofia wore a tank top and shorts, revealing her muscular physique.

Across from him, Scott twisted his body, constantly taking off and throwing away his clothes.

Compared to the robust Sofia, his slender and graceful figure was like a willow in the wind.

When Scott was down to just his shorts, Sofia beckoned him with her finger, and Scott swayed closer.

Sofia rolled up a dozen or so $20 bills and stuffed them into Scott's shorts.

"You old rabbit, you should go to the Wild Things House and learn how to dance!" Sophia wiped her mouth. "Where's the wine you poured? Bring it over here."

Scott handed the drink to Sofia, who drank with the same hearty spirit as her appearance, downing it in one gulp.

Sofia beckoned with her finger: "Come with me!"

Scott gave a fawning smile: "I learned a new trick to earn more tips."

Sophia became interested and sat calmly, saying, "Let me see."

Scott, that guy, immediately lay down on the ground, opened his mouth, and barked, "Woof! Woof..."

Sofia took out a dozen or so $20 bills and threw them on the ground: "You're only allowed to pick them up with your mouth!"

One of them dressed up as an ugly person, and the other threw money around; the two of them had a lot of fun.

Amidst the barking of his dog, Scott continued to pick up dollar bills.

(End of this chapter)