To put it frankly, they were taking advantage of the ideal location of their shop. Luo Huimei had always known that rent for places at these good locations was not cheap. Before they came, she even decided that she and Zhou could put out some money if the place was a bit too expensive. They were willing to as long as they were able to fulfill their daughter’s wish to open a restaurant and live happily. But this is just too expensive. Won’t Yan have to work tirelessly after this? This is a clear example of working hard and earning less.
The broker was also in a bad spot after he heard Luo Huimei. He reached up and scratched his head then looked at Yan. “Forgive me, but if you’re not satisfied with this place, I can take you to see some other places. How does that sound?”
Yan gave a small nod. “Sorry for the trouble.”
After that, the broker took Yan and Luo Huimei to several other places. Throughout the way, Yan conducted herself pleasantly and kindly while Luo Huimei looked very unhappy. When they left, the broker apologized in a flustered manner, “I’m so sorry. I’m afraid I couldn’t find you a suitable place today. Here, let’s exchange contact details. If I find anywhere suitable for you, I will contact you then. How’s that?”
“Okay.” Yan exchanged contact details with him, then the broker left. Luo Huimei immediately said, “I don’t understand you. The places he introduced afterward were so-so, yet you still followed him along. What a waste of time. The only decent place was the first shop we went to, but the rent was too high.”
Yan looked at Luo Huimei and comforted her. “Mom, he also accompanied us all day today. Did he earn any money though? If he wasn’t able to sell anything to us, then he won’t receive anything either. Despite that, he still accommodated us with a smile. We can’t lose our manners as well. He still put his heart into recommending the last few places to us. Moreover, the ramen place wasn’t his fault. He’s just acting as the middleman; he didn’t set the price. Even if they were trying to cheat us of our money, it’s not the broker who wanted to cheat us. If that were so, he would have done anything to get us to sign the contract. After that, he would get his pay and he wouldn’t have to bother with us anymore.”
After being consoled by her daughter, Luo Huimei found her words quite sensible. “I guess I was wrong to blame him. Since you put it that way, I do feel quite bad. Should we give him a call and apologize?”
Yan smiled and consoled, “There’s no point in apologizing. But when you see him again next time, you should be nicer to him. Don’t get mad so easily in the future.”
Just then, Yan realized Luo Huimei was looking at her intently without making a sound. Yan blinked. She grew frustrated at Luo Huimei’s intent gaze on her. “Mom, why are you looking at me like that? Did I say something wrong?”
“No.” Luo Huimei shook her head. Her face grew serious. “Since you came back, I just feel like you’ve grown a lot more mature.”
Yan was speechless.
“I used to look forward to the day when you were all grown up, but my heart aches to see you like this now.” Growing up was a bitter thing, especially for the human heart. When her daughter was immature, she wished that Yan would grow up quickly and become more mature. But now that Yan had grown up, Luo Huimei’s heart ached for the experiences she must have gone through. It seems like Yan’s emotional wounds were deep this time.
“Don’t let your mind wander, Mom.” Yan walked up and grabbed her hand, then said lightly, “Let’s go home now. Otherwise, Dad won’t have anything to eat for lunch.”
Suddenly, Luo Huimei remembered that an old man was waiting for them at the hospital. She nodded then headed home with Yan to cook some food.
…
Time passed and three days had gone by. Yan obediently went back and forth between her house and the hospital. When she had time, she looked online for some shops but found that the place at the South Intersection was the only decent place near them. It was a shame that she could not afford to buy or rent it. Yan started calculating. I could find a place that was a bit farther away and just buy a bicycle or an electric scooter to get around when the time comes. It’s always hard at the start. Nobody has it easy.
However, she did not expect a turn in events that morning as she got up and prepared to go to the supermarket. The broker called her and asked her if she had time. He had spoken with the owner of that shop and informed her that the rent can be lowered.
Yan was slightly dumbfounded. Didn’t he say 300,000 was the lowest? But he’s still willing to lower it now?
“How much lower?”
The broker smiled. “100,000 a year.”
100,000? Yan thought she had misheard. How did the price get reduced by a whole 200,000? Yan suddenly felt like it was not as simple as it seemed. She pursed her lips and asked, “It can’t have reduced that much. Does the owner have other conditions?”
“I knew I can’t hide anything from you, Miss Zhou. You are too clever. The owner did have more conditions but I still don’t know what it is in particular. We’ll know once we meet with the owner. That’s why I called you, Miss Zhou. When will you be free to meet?”
Zhou Xiaoyan looked at the time on her watch. “I have time now. I’ll head over then. Let’s talk further in person.”
“Okay, Miss Zhou.”
After Yan hung up, she gathered her belongings and prepared to leave. As she was putting on her shoes at the front door, Luo Huimei came over and sat next to her. “I heard you on the phone with someone just now. Are you going out, Yan?”
“Yes. The broker called and told me the owner is willing to lower the rent. But there are some other conditions, so I’m going over to find out what they are.”
“Conditions?” Luo Huimei asked promptly. “What conditions? It can’t be something lewd, can it?”
“No way, Mom.”
“Why not? Didn’t you see his attitude the other day? He was so insistent, but now he’s saying he’s willing to lower it after just three days. I don’t think it’s that simple. Wait here. I’ll go change and follow along. If anything happens, we can look out for each other at least.” Luo Huimei hurriedly got up and went into her room to change. Since she wanted to tag along, Yan was unable to stop her. She had no choice but to sit there and wait.
Yan was not too concerned as the owner did not seem like a bad person. The ramen restaurant was decorated nicely and even appealed to a young woman. She seemed to have figured out something but was not certain. However, she had a feeling everything would come to light that day.
The mother and daughter duo were all set and ready to leave the house. When they arrived at the meeting place, the broker was already waiting there. When he spotted them from a distance, he began welcoming them warmly.
