The Wealthy Eldest Sister Rules Supreme

However, when Zhuang Qingning entered the shop, she carefully observed that the blue bricks on the floor had loose spots. Likely due to the passage of time and accidental water seepage, one of the bricks would wiggle when stepped on.

So that’s how it is.

Zhuang Qingning glanced downwards, then followed Mrs. Deng to check out the rear of the shop.

There was a small courtyard behind the shop, with a couple of rooms.

“The shopfront is spacious, and while the backyard might be a bit small, the two rooms can be used as storerooms. The other room can be adjusted to living space.”

Mrs. Deng introduced, “There’s also an open space in the courtyard. If you want to cook, you can build a thatched canopy and set up a stove.”

“Let me tell you, Miss Zhuang. It’s hard to find a shop like this in town even with a lantern. If you miss it, you really won’t find another one like it.”

Indeed, it’s a hard-to-find shop, and there is no other shop like this in town, one with bad feng shui. You sure know how to talk, making black seem like white.

Only those who know the ins and outs can see through this. Those who don’t know might be fooled by you.

Zhang Yongchang made a face, ready to argue with Mrs. Deng and let her know that she shouldn’t talk big.

But with Zhuang Qingning present, and the shop was being rented for her, it wouldn’t be appropriate to start an argument with Mrs. Deng, which might affect her leasing, so he suppressed his displeasure for the time being.

While Mrs. Deng was eloquently praising the shop, Zhuang Qingning was listening with a light smile, occasionally nodding her agreement.

This attitude couldn’t be called bad, but it definitely couldn’t be called enthusiastic either.

Mrs. Deng, mid-speech, stopped. She turned to Zhuang Qingning and asked, “Isn’t the shop okay?”

“It’s fine,” Zhuang Qingning replied.

Such a response, Mrs. Deng had heard numerous times. From the moment she first walked in, all she heard was “it’s fine”, “pretty much”, “that’s how it is”, “probably so”.

This made Mrs. Deng a little nervous, and her spirit was a bit down.

They say that the buyer sets the price, and the more interested someone is in a product, the more intensely they will find its flaws to negotiate the price. They don’t want to pay more than they have to.

Just like what Zhang Yongchang just did, saying that the shop had bad feng shui just so she wouldn’t ask for a high price, and he could also bargain for a cheaper price.

Mrs. Deng saw this clearly and knew how to respond. But faced with Zhuang Qingning’s nonchalant attitude, neither praising nor criticizing, Mrs. Deng didn’t know what to say for a moment.

“So, are you going to rent the shop, or not?” Mrs. Deng was a straightforward person, so she asked directly.

“Since I came to see the shop, I definitely want to rent it,” Zhuang Qingning replied with a smile. “I just don’t know if you’re willing to rent it out?”

“What are you talking about? Since I put up a sign, how could I not want to rent it out?”

After finishing her words, Mrs. Deng’s smile diminished a bit.

These words, although an inquiry about her intention to rent out, were indeed questioning her attitude. Was she gonna hold out for a high price and not lease it, or was she willing to rent it for a lower price?

“Since you’re willing to lease it, then it’s easy to handle,” Zhuang Qingning said, her smile not fading. “You know me; I sell tofu and salted duck eggs at the townsfolk. The business is just so-so, I don’t earn much daily. I just think that the weather can really affect my business, so I’m looking for a shop to rent, so I can settle down and run this tofu business for the long-term.”

“I’m interested in your shop because it’s in a good location, and it’s clean and spacious, so I came to see if you’re willing to rent it to me and at what price.”

Mentioning this and that, but not the issue of the bad feng shui.

Mrs. Deng inwardly felt a little conflicted but she asked Zhuang Qingning, “How long do you plan to rent it?”

And then she would figure out the rent.

“Let’s rent it for five years to start,” Zhuang Qingning said, “The rent, I will pay yearly. At the end of the first year, I’ll provide the rent for the next year, and for this year, I’ll give it to you when we sign the contract.”

“As for the rental fee, including the shop and the small courtyard at the back, let’s calculate it as two taels per year. For these five years, you can’t raise the price because my business is doing well, and I won’t lower the price due to my business performing poorly. Moreover, after the five-year term, you must give me the first choice to renew the lease. Only if I decide not to continue, can you lease it out to someone else. It’s the same if you wish to sell the shop.”

“This is the rent for the first two years. If it’s a deal, we could go sign the contract right now.”

Mrs. Deng was momentarily stunned.

She just asked Zhuang Qingning how long she planned to rent, and in an instant, the rent was already handed over?

The annual rent of two taels, judging by the market conditions, was neither high nor low. If there weren’t these rumors, the shop could probably fetch two taels and some extra. But given the current circumstances, two taels seemed about right.

At least it’s much better than the one-and-a-half taels offered by others before. At least hers was a reasonable price.

The shop had been vacant for a long time, and therefore a lot of potential rent had been lost. If it remained vacant, more potential rent would be lost.

Now this girl didn’t keep on about the bad feng shui to negotiate a lower price, and she seemed quite pleasant. Plus her tofu was indeed delicious, and so, the shop…might as well be leased…

“Deal,” Mrs. Deng agreed decisively, “Let’s go to the bookstore nearby and ask someone to write a contract.”

“Okay, I’ll pay for it.” Mrs. Deng added.

“Thank you, aunt.” Zhuang Qingning smiled.

Zhang Yongchang, standing to the side, had a sullen face. Looking at Zhuang Qingning, he seemed really vexed. “Why are you thanking her? She’s not losing anything.”

Not only is she not losing anything, but she’s also taking a great advantage. According to Zhang Yongchang, the shop should be rented for one and a half taels, and yet Zhuang Qingning offered two. If this isn’t reckless, what is?

This Zhuang girl’s actions are indeed becoming more and more willful.

“Alright, alright. It’s because Miss Zhuang is likable. If it were you, even two taels and two wouldn’t suffice. But you’re even thinking of a lower price, what are you thinking?”

Mrs. Deng gave Zhang Yongchang a glance, then looked at Zhuang Qingning and laughed. She felt that Zhuang Qingning was indeed lovely, and very pleasing to the eye.

“You know, you seem like an honest person. Don’t worry, I won’t let you suffer. You wanted to rent a shop to sell tofu, right? I still have lots of tables, cupboards, and boards at home. With a little tidying up, you could use them. You won’t have to worry about getting these items..”