<h4>Chapter 1057: The Specialty</h4>


    Trantor: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio


    Porter bought these expensiveics not only for his own collection. He only wanted


    one of them for himself. Most of them would be used to create gimmicks and sold when


    the right offer came along.


    Theseics, therefore, were an investment.


    Li Du gasped in amazement when he found out about Porter’s future n. America was


    truly worthy of being the center of global economy and finance. Anything here could be


    marketed and used to make money.


    Porter now had a different opinion about Li Du and Hans. He epted them as true


    friends because they had helped him.


    Therefore, when he found out that they did not understand the investment in theics


    industry, he simply exined it to them.


    Investing inics to make money could be veryplicated. After all, to bnce the


    return on investment, the value of theics collection had to be high.


    “While it’s important to pay attention to the imaginary, artistic and humorous nature of


    the work itself, the historical background and specific age of the work also has its value.


    These factors affect the significance in collecting theics.


    “Aic does not only hold value in the entertainment industry. Aic has two major


    values, age and symbolism.


    “For example, Superman’s symbolic value is in creating a new era of superheroics.


    Another example is Captain America, whose greatest symbolic value is that he


    represents the rise of American culture around the world.”


    When Porter talked aboutics and investments, it totally changed his image of an


    introverted shy boy. His speech flowed freely and effortlessly.


    He has been in this field for a long time. Now that he had opened aic shop, he was


    ready to use this as a starting point and eventually enter the big screen and the


    animation industry. DC and Marvel were his goals.


    After learning about the industry from Porter, Li Du and Hans were ready to leave after


    they had collected the money.


    Li Du wanted to fly back to Phoenix at once, but Hans stopped him. “Wait, we have not


    had a chance to appreciate the local culture yet.”


    Li Du looked at him suspiciously. “Appreciate the culture? Do you by any chance mean


    exotic dancers or anything?”


    Hans looked indignant. “What do you mean? Am I such a person in your eyes?”


    Li Du nodded firmly.


    Hans gave him a slight, resentful shove. Then he said, “Don’t go in a hurry. There is


    actually a warehouse auction here. ording to my information, there will be some


    good stuff at this auction.”


    This was his job. Li Du had nothing to say against that and decided to stay to participate


    in the auction.


    In addition, he was not too eager to leave, as he had not tasted the local specialty foods


    yet. A foodie like him found it hard to leave without sampling the local cuisine.


    Because of therge number of immigrants in the area, Miami’s food and beverages


    had a multi-national character. There were authentic Cuban, Haitian, Brazilian and other


    Latin American gourmet restaurants.


    The authentic Cuban cuisine was especially hard toe by and could not be found in


    Phoenix. Cuban foodbined the vors of the Caribbean, Africa, and Latin America,


    creating countless deliciousbinations.


    Li Du had decided his choice of dinner would be Cuban cuisine.


    When Porter found out that they would stay in Miami to participate in the auction, he


    enthusiastically invited the group to continue staying in the vi. At the same time, he


    could tag along to the warehouse auction.


    Of course, he was not trying to make a profit. He just wanted to see something new.


    However, Porter usually stayed in California, so he was not familiar with the food,


    beverages and dining ces in Miami. Therefore, they had to count on Hans on this


    one.


    Hans shook his head and said, “Don’t waste your time. This is a good opportunity for


    you to improve your rtionship with Ariana. Go and tell her that you are going to


    entertain us but you are unfamiliar with the area and need her help.”


    Porter hesitated and said, “But this would put her to trouble, wouldn’t it?”


    Hans rolled his eyes. “Making love is even more of a trouble, so would you guys not


    have sex then?”


    Porter muttered in embarrassment, “We are just friends now. It’s not like you think.”


    Li Du believed that, as Ariana was not a type of girl to turn heads. If Porter was attracted


    to her, it was not due to her beauty or sex appeal.


    Hans had a good point, though. Porter called Ariana, who happily agreed to be their


    guide, and told them toe to a restaurant called Italian Latino.


    This time, Ariana was dressed in her normal casual style. She was gentle and cultured,


    which were rare qualities. Perhaps this was what attracted Porter.


    Ariana arrived at the restaurant some time ahead and booked a table in the southwest


    corner. It was rtively quiet, withrge floor-to-ceiling windows on both sides with the


    great view of the beach and greenery.


    After they sat down, Ariana introduced them to the unique food in Miami. She obviously


    did her homework in advance and it was very interesting to get to know the local dining


    customs.


    “The restaurant I chose is not one of therge ones, but if you want to taste authentic


    Cuban cuisine, you have to go to a Cuban snack bar,” Ariana exined.


    Li Du nced around and said, “It looks great.”


    Ariana asked about their preferences in food and, together with Porter, helped them to


    ce their order.


    Li Du chose tworge French baguettes. It was more than just in bread. There were


    ham, roast pork, and cheese, along with mustard and pickles toplement the dish.


    The waiter repeatedly confirmed, “Do you want two portions? Two?”


    Li Du nodded and the waiter said, “One portion weighs five pounds, sir. So are you sure


    you want two?”


    He nodded again. This was for Godzi. Ten pounds of food would be Godzi''s


    appetizer at most.


    Ariana ordered a ssic ropa-vieja. “This is a signature of Cuban cuisine, cooked with


    chopped steaks, tomatoes, and peppers, and served with fried ntains, ck beans,


    and yellow rice.”


    Other orders were marinated fried pork, fragrant roast chicken, Cuban barbecue, red


    bean rice, Cuban meat noodles, and curried goat meat.


    Li Du wanted to order a sd. Ariana smiled and said, “No, the boss will send us a Latin


    American fruit smoothie. It’s refreshing and appetizing. I think you guys will be very


    pleased.”


    When the waiters started serving them, Ariana asked for two more bowls of soup, spicy


    pumpkin and signature cornmeal.


    Cuban dishes had a unique vor that Li Du had not tasted before.


    Although someone else made this food, he still gave it a try. However, in his heart, the


    most delicious food was always what he cooked himself.


    The ropa-vieja tasted good. The soup was very rich and mellow. It had a sourish taste,


    which was refreshing.


    Li Du ate this dish of soup together with the red bean rice and enjoyed thebination.


    Ariana was very friendly and spent dinner telling them about the food and beauties of


    Miami. When the dinner was finally over, she asked, “Do you have a tour n for these


    two days?”


    Hans shook his head.


    “Then I will arrange for you guys, okay?” Ariana asked kindly.


    Hans shook his head again. “Thank you, but we have some business to handle.”