“Wen Ying?”
Seeing Wen Ying distracted, Qin Jiao softly reminded her.
Wen Ying gave an apologetic smile, “Some family stuff, but I think this shop is great.”
The shop Shu Guobing had snatched was at the end of the night market street, but the new one Director Lü found was at the street’s head, also two stories and street-facing. Aside from less convenient parking compared to Shu Guobing’s courtyard, it was no less impressive.
Its location was better.
It had higher foot traffic.
This two-story street-facing building had been vacant for years, the owner initially had no plans to rent it out. But Director Lü, learning the owner was moving abroad to help their daughter settle and care for grandchildren, persuaded them to rent it before they decided otherwise.
Tens of thousands in annual rent would be pocket money, having cash abroad was reassuring.
Besides, a house needs occupants, an empty one deteriorates quickly.
With Director Lü’s persuasion, the owner agreed to rent it.
The house, a 90s self-built structure, had three street-facing storefronts, living space upstairs, a large courtyard out back, and two single-story rooms behind it.
Including the courtyard and back rooms, the ground floor’s usable area was two to three hundred square meters, the back rooms easily convertible into a kitchen.
Vacant for years, it had little furniture or appliances, and the owner, with other properties in Rongcheng, could move anything out immediately if Wen Ying decided to rent.
Overall, Wen Ying was very satisfied with the shop.
No transfer fee, the first year’s rent was 70,000 yuan, with a 5% annual increase, and a five-year lease option.
The only drawback was its size, larger than Shu Guobing’s courtyard, meaning the saved transfer fee would likely go toward renovations.
Not only Wen Ying, but Qin Jiao and the others who inspected the shop found no faults.
To avoid another hijacking, Wen Ying, after consulting her partners, decided on the spot to rent it.
“You haven’t asked Xie Qian!” Wang Shuang muttered.
Wen Ying laughed, “Xie Qian has no objections, he trusts our judgment, and he’ll help review renovation plans when we start.”
By the time Xie Qian transferred to Rongcheng, “Shrimp King”’s store would be open, and Wen Ying wanted to show him her capabilities!
Director Lü was the key figure, thanks to his help, there were no issues this time, and Wen Ying’s team secured the lease smoothly.
Paying rent was no problem, with franchise fees from Qin Yi and Big Liu’s barbecue shop, they had ample funds, covering rent and most renovation costs.
The real challenge was operational costs post-opening, a venue this large needed kitchen staff and servers, monthly expenses far exceeding a stall’s.
Plus rent, renovation costs, and daily utilities, all factored into total costs.
The business had scaled up, but so had the pressure.
Wang Shuang was unconcerned, “We need to start renovations fast, every day the shop’s empty, we pay rent without revenue, that’s just wasting money!”
The logic held.
Once rented, not earning was losing.
Wen Ying didn’t want Shu Guobing gloating long.
Shu Guobing had Boss Cai behind him, and Cai had Zhao Dong.
Wen Ying refused to believe her business couldn’t thrive under Zhao Dong’s watch!
This time, the lease was signed before news leaked.
Little Cai, trailing Shu Guobing, reported to Cai Youlun, who was baffled at missing the chance, “Director Lü from the street office isn’t easy to sway, why’s he so kind to a few students?”
Shu Guobing planned a seafood diner on the night market street, not only taking Wen Ying’s shop but trying to steal her connections, yet Director Lü was unmoved, ignoring Shu Guobing’s overtures, Cai Youlun, unfamiliar with Rongcheng’s grassroots officials, had Little Cai use small-town tactics, unaware that Director Lü had higher aspirations and scorned Shu Guobing’s boastful “boss” persona.
What did Director Lü have in common with Shu Guobing? Wasting time with him was less appealing than talking with students, who, even if they didn’t boost his record, brought youthful energy that inspired him.
After renting, Wen Ying had time to pick up Chen Ru at the station.
Ms. Chen Ru acted swiftly, securing a job transfer, packing, and arriving in Rongcheng without a word to Wen Dongrong.
Hearing the news, Chen Li rushed to find Wen Ying, asking on the way what happened.
“Auntie, you’d need to ask my mom, I’m clueless.”
This was beyond a slacker’s grasp!
Something new from her past life, Wen Ying couldn’t predict.
Wen Ying and Chen Li met Chen Ru at the station, Chen Ru dragged two large suitcases, directing Chen Li to stuff them into the trunk.
“I’ll stay at your place a couple of days, once I rent a house, I’ll take Wen Ying and move out.”
Chen Ru was always domineering, though Chen Li had regained workplace confidence at her family’s company, she instinctively yielded to her sister, when Chen Ru stonewalled, Chen Li didn’t dare press.
Chen Li mustered courage to suggest staying longer, Chen Ru raised an eyebrow, “You’ve got time to meddle? Deng Shangwei hasn’t moved back, I hear that woman’s still clinging, what’s your plan, divorce or stay, give a straight answer!”
Fine, pretend I didn’t speak.
Chen Li was exhausted, unsure where to start explaining.
Wen Ying figured Old Wen had messed up badly, her mom was snapping at everyone, the situation likely worse than she thought.
“Mom—”
“Do you know where your aunt’s family lives in Rongcheng?”
Wen Ying nodded, “I know.”
How could she not? She had Inspector Luo investigate Shu Guobing.
Chen Ru took the address, telling Chen Li to drive to Shu Guobing’s family’s rented neighborhood, the trio staked out until evening when Wen Hongyan and Shu Lu returned.
Chen Ru flung open the door, strode over, and blocked Wen Hongyan, “When are you repaying the money?”
It was half-dark, a figure loomed by the gate demanding repayment, startling Wen Hongyan into nearly screaming.
Shu Lu trembled, incredulous, “…Auntie?”
Second Auntie, the epitome of propriety, ambushing them at night to collect debts, how could this be her?!
In the car, Chen Li was stunned, snapping back to ask Wen Ying seriously, “Be honest, what’s wrong with your mom?”
