Ping Ge's words didn't really sway me. I still really wanted to figure out the details of this street, so I smiled and asked Ping Ge again, "Just one last question... how much is the annual rent for a two-story shop like yours?"
"That's hard to say... Anyway, the prices are rock bottom right now, it all depends on how you negotiate with the landlord."
I thought for a moment and then asked, "If you were to rent this out... what would your budget be?"
"Forty thousand yuan a year." After a slight pause, Brother Ping added, "If I meet someone I click with, thirty thousand yuan is fine too."
I nodded, quite satisfied with the results of this investigation. I determined that the rents on the entire commercial street were currently in a very chaotic state. Since there were no clear standards, it was easier to take advantage of the situation. However, I still needed to think carefully about what to use to investigate.
...
After leaving Jiulongju, I found a restaurant in the old town and ordered a plate of braised pork rice for my lunch. While waiting for the food, I sent a message to Ye Zhi to ask if she had gotten off the plane yet.
About ten minutes later, Ye Zhi replied to my message: "Just got off the plane and am picking up my luggage."
"Okay, let's find somewhere to eat quickly, I won't bother you any longer."
"Isn't it a bit too formal of you to say that?"
"It's not that I'm being too formal... I just subconsciously felt that once you arrive in Shanghai, you'll immediately be in work mode and won't have time to chat with someone like me who's free."
"Actually, we can chat for a while."
Although it was a very simple sentence, it was a remarkable change for Ye Zhi. In the past, she would probably have stopped replying to my messages after the conversation ended, but now she took the initiative to ask to chat for a while.
I smiled and replied, "Then guess what I'm doing right now."
"If I'm not mistaken... you were either at Jiulongju or just came out of Jiulongju."
I lied and replied, "You guessed wrong, I'm at the inn."
"Did I really guess wrong?"
"Haha... Just kidding... I just came from Jiulongju and am having a meal in the ancient city right now... But how did you guess? You're not a mind reader."
“I think at this stage you have a strong desire for success, so you won’t give up any opportunity… But do you really think that commercial street is worth doing business on?”
When Ye Zhi asked this question, my heart unconsciously became serious. I replied, "I think so, but it's something that requires some thought. I need to observe carefully before making a decision... By the way, I have dinner with Sun Jiwei tonight. He has a wide network of connections and should be able to help me find out the real reason why this street isn't popular... Anyway, I don't believe in any supernatural theories."
"The fact that you can do this is already a huge improvement."
I sighed, "Doing business is like a war... I've suffered such a huge loss before, I don't want to fight another battle I'm not prepared for!"
This time, Ye Zhi didn't reply to the message for a long time. Just when I thought she was too busy to reply again, she suddenly replied: "Let me buy you a few outfits. Sometimes good clothes can be very helpful for social interactions. You're dressing too casually now."
I was flattered and surprised that she would notice what I usually wear. I wanted to accept it generously, but our relationship wasn't that close, and besides, the clothes she buys are never cheap.
...
After I started to feel conflicted, my phone seemed to get really hot. I was trying to figure out how to say it in a way that wouldn't hurt Ye Zhi's enthusiasm, but would also save face for myself. Just then, Ye Zhi sent me another message: "Tell me your size. I'm free tonight, so we can go shopping."
After thinking for a moment, I finally replied, "No, thank you. You've been so good to me, I don't know how to repay you."
"Why bother with these little details? I just think women might understand better what kind of clothes men need."
“That’s easy. When I buy it, I’ll send you pictures so you can give me your opinion.”
"No need for that. I'll just estimate a few sizes for you."
Ye Zhi's straightforward personality made it impossible to refuse her. It would be a waste for her to buy a set in every size, so I could only give her my actual size. After that, she didn't reply to my messages. I didn't know if she was busy or if she felt it was unnecessary to reply. But my emotions changed subtly because of this. For the first time, I seriously asked myself if Ye Zhi really had feelings for me. That's why she even put aside her usual indifference and was willing to make these small but heartwarming changes for me?
...
I lit a cigarette, took only one puff, and then more complicated thoughts began to form in my mind... If I could really solidify my relationship with a woman like Ye Zhi, life would definitely become full of anticipation, because she truly is a perfect woman.
Thinking back, although we haven't known each other for very long, we've really been through a lot together. I've helped her and I've hated her, and she's hurt me in her career but has also tried to make amends. Gradually, we seem to have developed a dependence on each other in this ambiguous relationship, but is this dependence really solid?
It's hard for me to explain...it's extremely difficult!
Back then, Lu Jia and I had only known each other for a week before we became a couple and had sex... But I wasn't the same person I am now. I had almost no concerns about love, nor did I want to think about the difficulties we would face in the future. All I wanted was the thrill of living for the moment...
But as it turns out, I was wrong... Three years later, I lost Lu Jia, whom I loved deeply.
If I were to take Ye Zhi's hand today without hesitation, would the tragedy of the past repeat itself, and would I be able to endure similar pain again?
Just thinking about it made me panic.
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