"Heh, impressive." Huzang hadn't expected it either.
After a couple of laps in the vehicle, someone could feel the change in the engine, but generally wouldn't know which component had been modified, especially since this technology had seen less use in recent years, and Shen Qi was just a sixteen-year-old island boy.
"As long as you like it, the rush job was worth it." Huzang stretched his arms. "I'm exhausted."
"Um, the total cost..."
"Let's call it 10,000 b."
"That won't do!"
Although Shen Qi had bought the engine ready-made, Huzang had modified the valve system and repaired damage to various parts of Little Sheep. He had patched several places on the bodywork, replaced all the intake and exhaust piping, and installed a new radiator.
The costs alone came to nearly 10,000 b, not counting Huzang's labor, the labor of his two Pokémon, and assorted consumables.
"Didn't you only have 20,000 b left? What would you do if you spent it all paying me?"
"I collected a 60,000 b bounty from the Security Bureau yesterday."
"Oh?" Huzang's mustache twitched upward. "The total is 28,000 b."
An on-the-spot price hike of 18,000 b-well, all right. It was probably 1,000 a day in labor, plus miscellaneous material costs.
Shen Qi didn't dare utter a single complaint, much less activate his O-Power. Even if Huzang had asked for 50,000 b, he would have paid up without a fuss.
"Huzang... you really didn't have to rush. You could've taken your time. I'd just have had to put up with the itch to drive a little longer."
"Hm?"
That casual remark left Huzang stunned. Shen Qi froze too, unsure what had surprised him.
"You... weren't planning to enter the Spring Race?"
Shen Qi had originally had little savings and really wouldn't have much money left