"Ah, Sis, this... youāre losing too much; that store is worth more than just a hundred thousand. Sis, you should not give us a favor price, it should be what itās worth. Weāve checked, and for a house like that, it needs over two hundred thousand. Weāve saved up quite a bit over the years, enough to pay for it," Xiao Gu disagreed upon hearing a hundred thousand.
"Yes, Sister Xiao Wan, we have money. My bakery brings in a good income. You donāt need to worry about us, really."
"No need for you guys to argue, just listen to me. When I first bought that house, I spent less than ten thousand, including renovations about twenty thousand. Now you give me a hundred thousand, and Iām not losing out. Over the years, seeing you move from being alone to now having a family and career, it makes me happy. Weāre not often around here and canāt help much, youāll need to work hard yourselves in the future. As long as youāre doing well, Mom and I can be at ease in Z City."
"Sis, thatās true, but the price should be what it should be, otherwise, we wonāt take it." Xiao Gu knew Lin Wan genuinely cared about them, but he didnāt want to take such kindness for granted.
"Sister Xiao Wan, donāt worry about us, we really have savings. A couple of years ago, we bought a house in a newly built neighborhood, and we even have quite a bit left. Over the years, our parents also supported us a lot. So these tens of thousands we can pay," Shuhua didnāt want Lin Wan to lose out eitherāthey had discussed it, and if Lin Wan were willing to sell, they would pay the market price.
"No, listen to me. I said a hundred thousand, so a hundred thousand, otherwise, I wonāt sell," Lin Wan insisted firmly.
"Sis.."
The three of them discussed for quite a while in the room and didnāt agree until Aunt Jin came over, heard what they were discussing, and decisively made a decision for them, taking a middle ground at fifteen thousand. Only then was the agreement reached.
After discussing with Liu Baicheng, Su Daimei decided to take the shop on Steel Road. Once Lin Wan saw it was settled, she felt relieved.
However, during the handover between the two families, there were some minor issues with the storeās staff.
The employees from both stores preferred to stay with their original manager, and with a manager change, they wanted to move along too.
Aunt Gui and Aunt Liu had been working here for many years, and they had developed a bond with Xiao Gu, also working together they had a great understanding. Su Daimeiās employees liked her straightforward personality; as a woman who could command the place, they admired her and were willing to follow her.
Since the stores of the two sides were not far apart, after negotiations between the two families, the staff exchanged placesāthose who didnāt want to follow stayed in the original store, and those who did went along.
On this side, Lin Wan found Pei Bai, and the two helped Su Daimei settle the matters of the building. First, they received fifty thousand, and the rest would be paid by the end of each year.
Lin Wan deposited the fifty thousand given by Su Daimei and the one-time fifteen thousand from Xiao Gu into her card.
Originally, Lin Wan planned to take the kids back to Z City, but Shen Rong found her and asked for help to check out a small building she had her eye on.
It was three floors, not a very large space. It was privately owned, so the price wasnāt too high. Shen Rong had a good eye; it was a nice spot near a major road.
"Have you negotiated it?" Lin Wan asked.
"Still negotiating. Iām trying to lower the price a bit. Itās almost settled. Saizo, when this is finalized, Iāll continue with the small inn at home. I donāt want to abandon either side."
"Can you handle it all alone?"
Shen Rong suddenly lowered her head and smiled, "Didnāt I hire someone last year? Heās versatile and honest. Iām thinking of having him look after the family inn. Iāll manage this side; the two places arenāt very far, I can juggle them."
"Is the person you hired reliable?" Lin Wan hadnāt met him and didnāt know who Shen Rong found.
"Reliable. Grandma has met him too and praises him all the time. He... seems to have had some trouble before, went for reform for a few years. After coming out, he found his wife ran away with someone, and their house was sold too. When I met him, he was huddled in that little alley of ours in the winter, wearing just a thin jacket, almost frozen to death. Actually, he had been around for a while, often helping people with labor work during the day, earning a dayās meal. At night, heād huddle in that sheltered spot."