American History 1988
Chapter 42 - 39 Pushing Towards the Light

Chapter 42: Chapter 39 Pushing Towards the Light

Susie wanted to bundle her self-written "Landlord’s Manual" with Dean’s credit report and sell them together on "More Rent Collection."

If the actual reports from "More Rent Collection" could help landlords avoid risks brought by tenants, then the "Landlord’s Manual" would theoretically instruct landlords on how to deal with various inspections.

One focusing on data, the other on theory; together, they made a suitable match.

It must be said that not only did Susie have a good figure, but she was also smart in the head, nothing like the "blonde bimbo" Dean had imagined.

Especially when she was dressed in her OL uniform, that unapproachable coldness actually made Dean feel a bit itchy, as girls like her were rare in Ohio.

Of course, Dean Grant would never change his principles; if he said they would split profits, they would split profits. No amount of effort from Susie beneath him could change that, even if she ended up hoarse.

"Dean, you’re such an asshole!" Susie, with a bit of a slur in her tongue, collapsed exhaustedly to the side once more.

"Come on, Susie~ I’ve provided you with a platform of great potential, and I’m only taking 30%, which is indeed a testament to our friendship."

"A testament to our friendship, ah?" Susie pinched his weak spot in a threatening tone.

"Oh~Shit! Susie, you’re joking with your own beloved treasure!" Dean gestured for her to let go quickly.

"My ’Landlord’s Manual’ sells for 3 US Dollars a copy, and you want to take nearly 1 US Dollar! In exchange, I need to take something off you too!" Susie flipped over on top.

"What are you doing?" Dean felt a cramp in his calf.

"I’m going to squeeze you dry!" Susie took the initiative to attack.

...

"Dean, are you feeling alright?" Rachel asked for the second time at the door to Dean’s room, sounding concerned.

"Aunt, I’m fine. It’s probably because I was busy late last night." Dean yawned and continued tapping away at the keyboard.

"Dean, I know you work hard, but your health is very important. You’re starting school next week, and before that, you should maintain a decent condition," Rachel was pleased that Dean had a hobby and had been working hard for it.

But ever since he came back from some afternoon gathering, he had been listless.

Rachel was worried about him; did he take drugs at some party? Just look at those dull eyes, as if he had lost interest in everything.

"Okay, Aunt. I’ll make sure I’m in a good state before school starts." Still within his sage time, Dean tried to cheer up and continued with what he was doing.

"OK~then, I’ll go prepare the dinner," Rachel said, giving him another worried glance before turning to leave, "and remember, call me if there’s any problem. Frank’s car is downstairs, we can get to the nearest clinic in five minutes."

"Aunt, I’m actually looking forward to tonight’s dinner more," Dean turned his head and raised his eyebrows, trying to look as eager as possible.

"Oh~looks like our little Dean is starved." Rachel rubbed her hands together with a smile, "We’re having seafood pasta tonight, are you looking forward to it?"

"Uh..." Dean’s mind was full of abalones, but he still nodded with feigned happiness, "Great! I love seafood!"

"It’ll be ready soon!" Encouraged, Rachel went downstairs with a spring in her step.

"Oh~Shit, I don’t want to see seafood for a month," Dean grumbled to himself before continuing to get busy on "More Rent Collection."

Although today was exhausting, it was also full of rewards. After the Youngstown Real Estate Investors Alliance meeting, many people had eagerly approached Dean.

They wanted to check the creditworthiness of tenants under their names, especially those who found various excuses to delay the rent. Landlords didn’t trust them, and coincidentally, Dean showed up with "More Rent Collection."

So, it was necessary to spend 19 US Dollars for a thorough screening, and even if it proved there were no issues, it was like spending money for peace of mind.

As a result, in just one afternoon, Dean received nearly 200 commissions. On average, each landlord provided the names of at least four tenants.

Dean certainly couldn’t handle so many commissions on the spot, so he took the work home.

Thanks to the guarantees of Susie and Kent, the landlords’ inquiry fees had been settled in advance. 200 commissions, 3800 US Dollars; Dean almost laughed out loud when he thought about it while eating seafood.

Look, in America, anything could become a business.

And it wasn’t just a one-off deal; those landlords with multiple apartments would always receive a few new tenants every month.

Once they got used to the convenience of credit inquiries, "More Rent Collection" would become their first choice.

Moreover, Youngstown had more landlords than Dean had imagined, and the ones he saw were just a small part of it.

In this city of over half a million people, including the suburbs, about 20%~30% didn’t own their property; they were tenants. Undoubtedly, the market for "More Rent Collection" might be even bigger than Dean had imagined.

While saving the filtered reports into floppy disks, Dean couldn’t help but start fantasizing about the future. Although this business wasn’t the most respectable, as long as it wasn’t illegal, he had no burden.

This is America, the glory of the Virgin Mary, let those preachers spread the word.

After a few cheerful taps on the keyboard and finishing the 60th report, Dean ended his work for the day.

He would print these reports and then mail them to the landlords who left their contact information, thus concluding their transactions.

As for the rest of the work, it would have to wait until tomorrow. Dean was too tired today, even his aunt’s seafood pasta couldn’t pique his interest.

"Dean! Come down quick!"

As Dean thought about the seafood pasta, Aunt Rachel’s call came from downstairs.

"Auntie, I’m actually not that hungry," Dean now felt a bit resistant to anything related to seafood.

"No! It’s Peter; he’s hurt!"

"WTF!" Dean was stunned for a moment before he got up and ran downstairs.

Was it his old man stirring up trouble again? Dean couldn’t help but recall the scene of their separation that morning.

When he got downstairs, he saw Peter with messy hair lying on the couch.

His left eye was bruised, his nostrils were stuffed with a rolled-up tissue, and there were bloodstains on the hem of his shirt and on his jeans.

"Oh~Shit! Dad, did you sleep with someone’s wife, then got cornered by her husband in the bathroom?" Seeing that Aunt Rachel was already helping with the bleeding, Dean simply crossed his arms and watched from the sidelines.

"Motherf*cker! Although I have needs, I’m never cornered by anyone! Besides, I still think the girls at Fatal Seduction are easier to deal with—everyone gets what they need," Peter, with his nostrils plugged, still didn’t forget to tough-talk to Dean while lying in disarray on the couch.

"Peter, can’t you behave yourself when you’re like this?" Rachel had just put a towel on him, only for him to mess it up.

"OK~OK~" Peter raised his hand to signify he would stay put this time.

"So, what the hell happened to end up like this?" After Aunt Rachel finished up, Dean sat down on the couch opposite Peter.

"An accident, you know, Dean. I simply can’t stand bullies, I have a heart for justice!"

"Come on! Dad, when did you start idolizing Zorro?" Dean didn’t believe such nonsense at all.

"Dean, you have too much prejudice against your own dad. I may mess up sometimes, but I can also make amends. I want to try hard to become a decent father, to support this family, and that’s what I’m doing now. Is there something wrong with that, ah?"

After venting, Peter saw that his son was still staring at him intently. After maintaining two seconds of silence, Peter couldn’t help but feel a bit guilty and turned his head away.

"Alright, it was indeed just an accident, I promise."

"Is there anything you can tell me about?" Dean felt the need to have a proper conversation with his old man.

"NO!" Peter instinctively denied, then after glancing at Rachel in the kitchen, he shook his head again, "Nothing~"

"OK" Dean didn’t press further and rose to help Aunt Rachel.

Jerry had gone to a classmate’s birthday party, Debbie was at a friend’s house, and Frank hadn’t gotten off work yet. Although there were three people in the house, it somehow felt desolate.

"Dean"

Just as he was about to leave, Peter’s voice came from behind him.

"In a little while, my compensation for the buyout of my service tenure would come through, and you won’t have to worry about the tuition for transferring schools anymore."

"But Dad, I’ve already gathered enough tuition on my own."

"No, Dean." Peter looked at him seriously, "This is something I, as your dad, ought to do. This money is clean, it won’t cause any trouble."

Dean felt a sudden tightness, but he quickly nodded in agreement. "Okay, Dad, we only take clean money."

"That’s right, clean money. No junkies, no cops, no trouble, and no damned niggaz.

Dean, you’ve got to finish college. Then leave this place, leave Youngstown, leave the rust-ridden Ohio.

Go somewhere sunny, the winters in Ohio are too cold."

Suddenly Dean somewhat understood why his dad was in this state today.

He had come across a darker version of himself, he wanted to push him toward a brighter place.

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