Zong Jia chose a shop that wasn't far from her home; it only took 10 minutes to get there by bike.
This shop is located in a residential area, and it is diagonally opposite a large farmers' market, so there is a guaranteed flow of people.
Zong Jia went to a nearby shop to chat with someone for a few minutes, and a middle-aged man came out of the shop.
The middle-aged man glanced at Jiang Xiaoli and said, "Xiao Zong, you look quite young. You said you were bringing someone who could make the final decision to look at houses. I thought it was your parent. How come it's such a young girl? Can you two even make a decision?"
Zong Jia took out a pack of Hongtashan cigarettes from his pocket, took one out and handed it to him, "Uncle, have a smoke. As for the house, once I find one that suits your taste, I can finalize the deal today, so don't worry."
The middle-aged man chuckled and took the cigarette. "Alright, Xiao Zong, I knew you young man knew how to handle things!"
After saying that, he tucked the cigarette behind his ear, took a bunch of keys from his waist, and opened the shop door. "You two take a look. Call me when you're done."
The middle-aged man turned and went back into the convenience store. Jiang Xiaoli walked into the store and asked, "Zong Jiayu, you still smoke?"
Zong Jia turned on the light as if he knew the way well. "I don't smoke. I just bought this recently because I'm looking for a shop. Offering a cigarette first will make things easier."
"Too."
She didn't ask any more questions and carefully examined the house.
This storefront is about 35 square meters, long and narrow, with doors at both the front and back.
After looking around and not finding a water tap, Jiang Xiaoli asked, "Where do we get water here?"
Zong Jia pushed open the back door, and there was a pool of water right outside.
She nodded. "We need to build our own stove here, and we also need to put a simple partition in the middle of the house. We can just use a counter to block the view in front."
"Hmm, these are all simple. Are there any other questions?"
Jiang Xiaoli turned to look at him, "How much does it cost per month? This location is right across from the vegetable market, it must be expensive, right?"
Zong Jiayu leaned against the broken table left in the house. "It's 260 a month, utilities are extra. I think there's room for negotiation."
The first "Guizhi Steamed Bun Shop" was Zong Jiayu's house, and the rent was 150 yuan.
Although the house doesn't have a yard, its location is good, and she thinks the price is reasonable.
"Let's go, let's negotiate the price."
Jiang Xiaoli went to the convenience store, grabbed two bottles of soda, and paid for them. "Uncle, we've got our eye on this house. How much is it per month?"
The middle-aged man sat back in his recliner. "Didn't Xiao Zong tell you? It's 260 a month."
She casually pulled up a small stool and sat down in front of the uncle, her innocent and cute face beaming as she spoke.
"Uncle, we're just a few students, and it's not easy for us to run a business. Could you please give us a discount on the price? Don't worry, we'll be extremely careful and attentive in terms of hygiene and the preservation of the house."
The older man glanced at her and then at Zong Jiayu. "I heard from Xiao Zong that you're planning to sell steamed buns?"
Jiang Xiaoli nodded repeatedly, her high ponytail bouncing with delight. "Yes, Uncle, when our shop opens, you absolutely have to come and try our steamed buns! They're so delicious!"
After she finished speaking, she swallowed hard, as if she couldn't resist the thought of steamed buns.
The uncle laughed out loud when he saw this. "You're quite an interesting little girl. Actually, I rented this storefront to a vegetable vendor before. That family ate, lived, and sold vegetables all in the store, and it was so dirty that I didn't continue renting it to them. Are you sure you can keep it clean?"
“Absolutely! Uncle, think about it. We’re selling food. If we don’t keep it clean and tidy, who will buy it? Don’t you think so?” Jiang Xiaoli assured her.
Seeing that the uncle was somewhat hesitant, Zong Jiayu added, "Yes, Uncle, you have a shop right next door. You can come and check on things like hygiene anytime."
The uncle then sat up from the recliner. "Alright, I know you two just want me to lower the rent for you. How about this, 250 doesn't sound good, so how about 240?"
Jiang Xiaoli waved her hand dramatically, "Uncle, we're all in business, 4 is unlucky, let's go with a round number, okay?"
The middle-aged man got angry when he heard her offer. "Young lady, you're haggling too much. You're making me pay 60 less right off! No way, I'm not renting it!"
She quickly added, "Uncle, don't worry. Let me put it this way: we plan to keep this steamed bun shop open long-term. We can't just rent it for a month or two and then run away. We can pay you three months' rent upfront, and then pay annually thereafter. What do you think?"
"Are you sure?" The middle-aged man turned to look at Zong Jiayu. "Does this girl have the final say?"
The uncle was quite tempted by the suggestion. He used to rent out his house for six months and leave it empty for the next six. If he could pay annually, he would only lose 60 yuan a month, and he would earn more than before.
Zong Jia and Jiang Xiaoli exchanged a glance, and he replied, "Uncle, don't worry, we'll pay three months' rent the first time, and then pay annually thereafter. We can sign a contract."
The middle-aged man stood up, walked around his convenience store twice, and thought for a moment before saying, "Fine! I'll trust you this once!"
Jiang Xiaoli opened the two bottles of drinks she had just bought, handed one to the uncle, and clinked glasses with him. "Uncle, let me toast you. You're such a generous person. I hope you'll continue to take care of me in the future!"
The middle-aged man looked at the drink in his hand and burst out laughing, "You two young people are really something!"
After chatting with the man for a while and discussing the contract signing for tomorrow, the two of them said goodbye and left.
Jiang Xiaoli waved to the uncle from the back seat of the car, "Uncle Zhang, see you tomorrow!"
The sun had already set, and the sky was gradually darkening.
Zong Jiayu rode ahead on his bike, saying, "We might be running out of time. Let's finish looking at this shop, and then I'll take you home."
Jiang Xiaoli, sitting in the back seat, felt extremely comfortable with the refreshing breeze. "Okay, whatever you say."
The second shop is very similar to Zong Jiayu's house; it's also a house located on the street.
The difference is that Zong Jia's house only had a window cut out of the wall, while this house has a door directly opened on the street side.
The landlady was a slightly overweight middle-aged woman who complained as soon as she saw Zong Jiayu, "Little Zong, why are you so late!"
Seeing Jiang Xiaoli in the back seat, she curled her lip, her tone full of disdain, "Why did you bring a little girl with you!"
Zong Jia's initially apologetic expression instantly turned sour.
Jiang Xiaoli tugged at his sleeve, "Let's look at houses first."
The middle-aged woman led the two into the house, which was filled with a strange smell.
Seeing her cover her nose, the middle-aged woman muttered, "What's the big deal? The tenant in front of me sold pickles, so it's perfectly normal for him to have a bit of a smell!"
While she was chatting with Zong Jia, Jiang Xiaoli looked around the house.
The house is a suite; the inner room leads to a courtyard where other people also live. Water and electricity are shared throughout the courtyard.
Upon seeing this, she sentenced the house to death.
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