The old professor said nothing, but quietly pulled the dog away from the door.

Uncle Ding and Uncle Ding were confused, Qian Qing dragged them into the yard one by one. As a cultured person, you need to take action to soften your attitude. Do you really have to let someone cry bitterly in front of you? The fact that they were allowed in has already shown their attitude. It works!

Qian Qing looked around the yard carefully after entering it. There was a small piece of land behind the two small houses, which seemed to belong to the old professor. There was also an old osmanthus tree planted behind the house. By this estimation, the area should be more than 400 square meters.

Qian Qing was very satisfied with the view. The land was square, and the old osmanthus tree in the backyard took up a small area, about ten square meters. But its location was just outside the square shape and did not affect the integrity of the land.

The old professor's house was built very simply. Qian Qing could see cracks on it when she got closer, and the windows were also broken. Qian Qing would not enter the house without the owner's permission, but she could see from outside that the windows were dark and the old books piled up at the door were almost as tall as a person.

The old professor watched the three people looking back and forth at the house. Uncle Ding and Uncle Ding were even stepping forward to roughly estimate the length. He felt a little uncomfortable.

In a stern tone, he said, "Let me make it clear first. This is my family's ancestral property. The osmanthus tree at the back used to be in my house. You can buy the land, but you can't cut down the osmanthus tree. You have to leave space around it."

Afraid that Qian Qing would not agree, he quickly threatened her, "If you can't do it, I won't sell it!"

Qian Qing had no intention of cutting down the tree when she first saw it. The old osmanthus tree had been carefully cared for, and its branches were arranged in an orderly manner. Although it was winter and the branches were bare, she could still vaguely imagine how beautiful the tree would be in autumn with small flowers. It didn't take up much space anyway, and it wouldn't hinder the construction of the house later, so Qian Qing naturally agreed.

"That's easy! Didn't I just tell you that I'll leave you a storefront to open a second-hand bookstore? This old osmanthus tree will stay behind the house. Come and have a look when you're free, and my two uncles can water it and take care of it from time to time."

Qian Qing said with some emotion: "Such a big osmanthus tree must be several decades old. Even without you telling us, we know that this tree is of great significance to you. Don't worry, as long as the land is in my hands, I will never cut down the tree."

It has to be said that Qian Qing's words deeply touched the old professor's heart.

His family, starting from his grandfather, were intellectuals. They came here from the capital during the war and bought an old house. He was born and raised here, and later became a teacher at Wutong University.

In the 1970s, his house was considered "old and obsolete" and was destroyed. Nothing was left except the old osmanthus tree. He moved the osmanthus tree out of the ruins and planted it at the back of the yard. Later, he was sent down to the countryside. Five years later, when he came back, the land was notarized and returned to his hands. There was nothing left on the empty land except the old osmanthus tree.

After all these years of ups and downs, in the end, all he had left was this old osmanthus tree, except for the knowledge in his head.

The old professor looked at the osmanthus tree that had accompanied him for most of his life with a fond look. So be it. In the last years of his life, it was a great honor to be able to keep this tree. Otherwise, when he was gone, who would get the land? Selling it to someone who was interested in it now would at least help save the old osmanthus tree.

After playing the emotional card, Qian Qing estimated a rough price in her mind and asked, "Then...what price do you want for this piece of land?"

The old professor was alone. He thought for a while before saying in a deep voice, "Five thousand dollars, and this piece of land will be yours."

This price was far lower than Qian Qing expected. With such a large piece of land, and a good location near the university gate, it would be enough to build two or three floors and divide it into ten or so shops. Just renting them out would bring in several hundred yuan a month. No matter how you look at it, this piece of land would cost more than eight thousand yuan.

The old professor was not vague and added his request: "After the building is completed, I need a storefront of about 50 square meters to open a bookstore. I can give you the rent, but I want to sign a ten-year lease."

Given his age, signing a ten-year contract would represent the last period of his life.

Qian Qing's mind worked very quickly, and she understood the old professor's idea in an instant. But there are three things in life that cannot be taken seriously: a child says he doesn't want to grow up, a girl says she doesn't want to get married, and an old man says he doesn't want to live. Now the old professor just didn't think clearly, so he was so angry.

When Uncle Ding Da and Uncle Ding Er open a shop to sell food, maybe the old professor will no longer think so. After all, the mundane life can suppress these messy fantasies.

"Sign for twenty years, the rent is ten dollars a month. Don't worry, I said, as long as I have this land and house, this contract will be valid."

Qian Qing made the decision immediately. The old professor looked like he was in his sixties. Nowadays, as long as people are at peace and not suffering from other diseases, it is not a problem to live another ten years.

Uncle Ding and Uncle Ding II watched in amazement as Qian Qing instantly finalized a piece of land and also made an appointment with the old professor to go and handle the formalities soon.

"Then it's settled. We'll go and handle the formalities after the first month of the lunar year. What are you going to do with your things in the meantime?"

The old professor waved his hand nonchalantly and said, "The school has allocated me a place to live, and I will move all these things over. You can come find me on the first day of February. It's in the family quarters inside Wutong University. My name is Yan Liangshan. Just ask and you'll know."

Qian Qing readily agreed and left her address and name to Professor Yan.

"Before we build the house, I will let you look at the blueprints. You can choose the store first and tell me if you have any requirements."

Qian Qing knew that she had gotten a great deal for such a large piece of land for 5,000 yuan. Seeing that Professor Yan was alone, she thought that when Uncle Ding and his family opened a restaurant in the future, she would let them take care of this stubborn old man.

Even after walking a long way, Uncle Ding and Uncle Ding were still in a daze.

No wonder Qian Qing is so successful. Just based on her mouth, ten Ding Jies can't compare to her. She is also very courageous and knows how to behave.

"Qingqing, is this settled?"

Uncle Ding still felt it was unreal. How could such a big thing be finalized in just a few words? Didn't Qian Qing go back to discuss it with her husband? Wouldn't her husband Zhou Hao annoy her? Is she just that courageous?

Qian Qing didn't care: "If we miss this village, we won't have such a good opportunity. If we don't settle down quickly, someone else might grab it first."

"This house has to be built now, and we won't be able to open until April. But I do have an idea that can help you guys get by."

Uncle Ding pushed his brother away. He had seen what his niece was capable of. It would be right to follow her!

"We'll definitely need to hire someone to build this house. We'll also need someone to cook. If your uncles are not busy, someone can come here to cook, and I'll pay them. The most important thing is that you can also cook some food and sell it at mealtime. Like I said before, get a tricycle and park it on the main street at noon. When you sell food, you can also advertise your restaurant. What do you think?"

Uncle Ding thought about it and thought this job was doable. There weren't as many weddings in spring as before or after the New Year, so it could be said to be the off-season. The two brothers and their nephew were completely busy.

Anyway, I'm here to cook for the workers, or to sell to the students, so I might as well make a little more for one meal, it won't be a big deal.

"Okay! Tell me when you find workers. I'll come over with your uncle."

Qian Qing was relieved. Building a house needed someone to keep an eye on it, but in March, they would have to buy spring clothes. She also planned to buy a store in Gulou, so she would be too busy to handle everything. Qian's mother was busy with the canteen and couldn't spare time. Qian's father should have gone to keep an eye on the pig farm.

After all, the only people she could trust were her two uncles, who came to cook and help her keep an eye on the workers.

****

Qian Qing happily went back to report the situation to Zhou Hao: "You see, that piece of land is quite large. It's right at the east gate of Wutong University. We won't lose money if we do some business there."

Zhou Hao had just come back from get off work, and when he saw Qian Qing saying this, he agreed: "Then I'll go with you to transfer the property when the time comes."

Qian Qing stopped talking and stared at Zhou Hao.

Suddenly hugged Zhou Hao: "Zhou Hao, are you still thinking about college?"

In fact, during the years they were together, Zhou Hao never said that he had any regrets about college, but Qian Qing always felt sorry for him.

"How about I ask Professor Yan if you can go to Wutong University to study? If you can, you don't have to work anymore. I will support you to study."

This idea has been on Qian Qing's mind since Zhou Hao said he was going to a vocational college. Vocational colleges are similar to night colleges, with classes held at night and on weekends, and they are also aimed at work problems. But Qian Qing went to Wutong University today and felt very uneasy. Zhou Hao should have such a life. He should be like those proud sons of heaven, walking calmly on the university campus.

Zhou Hao didn't know whether to laugh or cry: "What are you thinking? Vocational University is also very good. The factory has approved my application. I can go as long as I take the exam next month."

"But you, after going to the university, why don't you seem to have any yearning for university?"

Qian Qing: …

How could she have such aspirations? She was born without the talent for studying!

When she was in school, she was bad at everything except mathematics. If Zhou Hao hadn't tutored her, she would have dropped out of junior high school long ago. Her family would have found her a job in a factory.

"You really have no regrets?"

Zhou Hao rubbed Qian Qing's hair and said, "Yes, but I haven't thought of giving up my current life."

"You know the situation at home. I knew I couldn't go to high school in the first half of my third year of junior high school, but I held on to finish it. If it weren't for you, I would have gone back to Beishan Town after junior high school. Later, I felt unwilling to leave like this, so I forced myself to enroll in a free technical secondary school."

"Wife, let's take it one step at a time. I don't think it's a good choice to give up everything and go to school now. You're busy now, and the family needs someone to be there all the time. I'm very satisfied with my life these past few years. When I graduate from vocational college, I'll try to get into college. As people say, there are master's degrees above college students, so I'll take the master's degree exam then."

As he thought about it, Zhou Hao also began to ask his wife to make progress together.

"Speaking of this, wife, don't you need to get a degree?"

"Nowadays, many schools in the country offer economics majors. Why don't you study one? Otherwise, when your business grows, what will you do if you need to communicate with foreigners?"

Qian Qing didn't expect Zhou Hao was still thinking about this, and all her sympathy for Zhou Hao disappeared in an instant.

"We have a division of labor in our family. You are responsible for studying, and I am responsible for making money. We don't interfere with each other."

Thinking back to the days when she had to memorize books, she felt uncomfortable. It was so difficult for her to study under Zhou Hao's pressure. She usually said yes to everything, but she became a different person when she was forced to study.

"It's getting late, let's go to bed."

Qian Qing, who was determined not to talk nonsense with Zhou Hao on this topic, quickly pulled the quilt over her head.

Zhou Hao smiled silently. After all, there was still a lot of time. He knew Qian Qing's temper best. She was a thorough pragmatist. When she found that her education had become an obstacle to her progress in business, she would definitely follow the advice and return to school.

****

A few days later, Qian Qing went to Gulou and bought a storefront of more than 60 square meters. The original owner was a shoe seller, who sold the store because of some problems at home and urgent need for money.

Qian Qing spent five thousand yuan to buy it, muttering to herself that it was worthy of being located in the central area of ​​Y City. Just this one storefront was worth as much as she had spent on buying the land.

Fortunately, this storefront also has an attic, which has enough space to store some inventory, and can also be used as a place for individuals to live if they are not too picky.

The store is located at the front of the commercial street, surrounded by shops selling clothes, shoes and socks. You can say that the whole street is full of shops of the same kind. If one shop sells something, the other shop will follow suit.

Qian Qing looked around. There weren't many shops open at this time, but she could tell that the goods on this street came from a variety of sources. Some shops were very sensitive to smell and had berets hanging in them. But Qian Qing could tell by pinching them that the material of these hats wasn't as good as the ones she sold. She asked the price. Ok, twenty-five.

In front of others, Qian Qing did not ask them where they got the goods from. After all, they were all in the same business on the same street, so she would know sooner or later.

The original owner left in a hurry and handed over the keys after completing the formalities. Qian Qing asked someone to paint the storefront and throw away all the shelves that needed to be thrown away.

At that time, most stores still had a front counter and back goods. There was a large counter in the front and the clothes were placed behind the counter. If you liked something, you could ask the salesperson to take it down.

Qian Qing thought this was fine, but it was too time-consuming. If there were too many people, she would be overwhelmed.

"Master, can you help me dismantle the counter here?"

Qian Qing felt that since the store was going to be the only one on the street, it had to have a unique decoration.

Let’s start by removing the counter.