TTTQF Chapter 66

Looking at the Shop

After returning from the academy, Jiang Miao’s life goes on as usual, with daily routines of picking up and dropping off the children, going to the market to buy groceries and chop fillings, and preparing three meals a day.

One day, Daniu comes to deliver the dumpling filling and settle the accounts for the past five days. Additionally, he tells Jiang Miao something.

"Brother Jiang, recently there are two more pan-fried bun stalls over there. They’ve lowered their prices significantly, and our buns aren’t selling as well. Should we lower our prices too?"

Jiang Miao has already anticipated this, as Daniu has been ordering noticeably less filling lately.

"No need to lower the prices. You get what you pay for. If we lower our prices, they’ll lower theirs even more, and it might end up costing us." Jiang Miao has dealt with malicious competition before.

"What should we do then?" Daniu scratches his head. He’s straightforward and efficient with work but a bit clueless when it comes to making decisions.

"In the future, we’ll only set up for one hour each day, and after that, we’ll pack up," Jiang Miao says.

"Okay, got it." Although Daniu doesn’t understand why Jiang Miao wants to do this, his natural submissive attitude makes him agree without question.

"Are you not worried about earning less money?" Jiang Miao asks.

Daniu grins foolishly and says, "This business was started with you. The goods sell well thanks to your skills. If you're not afraid of having less money, why should I be?"

Jiang Miao nods, feeling quite satisfied. Their business model has changed recently, and Daniu has been earning more. If it were someone else, they might have become complacent. Jiang Miao thinks that if Daniu had any objections to his approach, their partnership would be over. He wouldn’t restrict Daniu from continuing to earn from pan-fried buns or from learning his filling techniques, but he would never share the recipe for the special seasoning.

However, since Daniu is reliable, Jiang Miao can rest assured that Daniu can be involved in future business.

"Daniu, don’t worry. This is just temporary." Jiang Miao pats Daniu on the shoulder to reassure him.

Daniu nods. Anyway, his grandparents say that he should just follow Brother Jiang in everything.

After sending Daniu off, Jiang Miao returns to the house and finds Pei Mu holding a grass-crafted bug and waving it in front of Xiao Baidian. The movement is very similar to how Jiang Miao teases the cat earlier that day.

Xiao Baidian also plays along, its amber eyes fixed on the bug, occasionally standing up on its hind legs to try and catch it with its front paws, making soft "meow meow" sounds.

Pei Mu remains expressionless, but the joy radiating from him is palpable.

"Xiao Mu, do you want to go out with me, or stay at home? If you stay at home, I'll have the bodyguard brother keep you company," Jiang Miao offers him two options democratically.

Pei Mu stops his actions, walks over to Jiang Miao, grabs his shirt, and makes a choice.

"Alright then, come with me," Jiang Miao says. He helps Pei Mu wash his hands, then locks the door and leads him outside.

"Hello, Manager Wang. How's business been lately?" As soon as Jiang Miao steps out, he runs into Manager Wang coming towards him, so he greets him.

"Business is about the same, not much profit but enough to get by," Manager Wang replies. "Who’s that you’re with? It’s been a while since I’ve seen you. Where’s Xiao Shitou?"

"Xiao Shitou is at school. This is Xiao Mu, my younger brother. He’s a bit shy and doesn’t talk much, so please excuse him," Jiang Miao explains with a smile.

Manager Wang, naturally not bothered, looks at Pei Mu for a while and says, "This Xiao Mu is quite good-looking. Your family’s feng shui must be great; every child born is so beautiful."

"Haha, you flatter me. By the way, where are you headed?" Jiang Miao asks.

"I just have something to discuss with the owner of the noodle shop. What about you? Where are you going?"

Jiang Miao says, "I want to check out the shops at the Real Estate and Leasing Agency to see if there are any good ones available for rent."

Manager Wang immediately perks up upon hearing this. "Oh, so you’ve finally made up your mind and are planning to open a restaurant, right? Just go ahead and open it—I’ll bring customers for you! I’m not asking for anything else, just make sure to let me know whenever you’re trying out new dishes."

He really enjoys Jiang Miao’s cooking, especially the lamb dishes from before; he can’t get enough of them even after trying them only once or twice.

Jiang Miao is both amused and helpless: "How did it become a restaurant? Since I'm making buns, I naturally plan to open a bun shop. I might also sell some other foods on the side." A restaurant requires you to stay in the kitchen all day, working tirelessly from dawn till dusk with hardly any rest. Since he’s finally come to ancient times, he doesn’t want to live such a hard life.

"A bun shop is fine too. I'm used to your buns, and when I eat others', they always seem to lack something. Let’s go. I’ll take you to the Real Estate and Leasing Agency. I know a few people there; I’ll have them help you find a good place," Manager Wang looks pleased, as if he’s found a good deal.

Jiang Miao smiles with narrowed eyes, "I was just waiting for you to say that. You’re well-informed and well-connected, so I’m sure the people at the Real Estate and Leasing Agency will give you some face."

Flattered by Jiang Miao’s praise, Manager Wang quickly takes the two of them to the largest Real Estate and Leasing Agency in the West Gate.

"Bring out your Song Yaren and tell him that Old Wang has arrived." Manager Wang, clearly a regular, gives the instructions directly without waiting for the attendant to greet him.

The staff immediately goes inside, and soon, a man in his forties walks out. He looks ordinary but has a friendly demeanor.

"Hello, Manager Wang. It’s been a while. Are you here to add more properties today?" Song Yaren jokes.

"Add more properties? I’d be grateful if I could just avoid selling my house and land. Today, my little brother here is looking for a shop to start a small business. Please help him find a suitable one," Manager Wang explains.

Song Yaren takes out a booklet from the back room, flips through it briefly, then looks up at Jiang Miao and asks, "Little brother, what kind of shop are you looking for? Larger or smaller, with or without a yard, facing the street or not?"

Jiang Miao, having already planned, answers promptly: "Song Yaren, I want a shop facing the street with a yard, preferably a larger one."

With these conditions in mind, Song Yaren quickly finds three suitable options.

"This one is on Fulai Street, right on the main road with a great location. The shop is large, with two floors, and includes a big yard. Besides the kitchen, there are also four rooms for living," Song Yaren begins to introduce the first option.

The conditions seem good. Fulai Street is one of the bustling streets in the West City, where Jiang Miao had previously set up a stall.

"This shop sounds good, but I’m curious why such a prime location is vacant. What business did the previous owner run?" Jiang Miao asks, finding it a bit odd.

Generally speaking, people who work as Real Estate and Leasing Agency are quite reserved with their words. But since Jiang Miao is brought by Manager Wang, who is an old acquaintance, Song Yaren naturally doesn’t hide anything from him.

"The previous tenant ran a tea house. I heard that the owner was caught by the authorities for selling private tea. As a result, the business naturally couldn’t continue, and the shop reverted back to the landlord," Song Yaren explains. Most business people pay attention to feng shui. Knowing that this shop has been involved in a lawsuit, who would want to deal with bad luck?

The more Jiang Miao listens, the more familiar the story sounds, and when he remembers, he is taken aback. Isn’t this the shop that Pei Che had someone investigate?

"Uh, Song Yaren, could you tell me about some other shops?" Jiang Miao says somewhat awkwardly.

Song Yaren is not surprised and continues with the next shop: "This shop is on Mingfeng Street, also facing the street, but the shopfront is much smaller compared to the previous one. It has two floors, a small yard in the back, a kitchen, and two rooms for living. The yard has a well, so water is very convenient."

Jiang Miao is somewhat interested. Mingfeng Street is only one street away from where Xiao Shitou goes to school, and it’s even more bustling than Fulai Street. It’s just two streets away from the city gate, making it a central location.

"Song Yaren, why is this shop being subleased?"

"This shop belongs to that manager's family. It was originally used for selling vinegar. The manager is getting older, and his only son has established himself in Shangcheng. He is ready to vacate the shop and move to Shangcheng to help his son."

"I see," Jiang Miao nods. As long as there are no disputes, it’s fine. However, since the business he plans to run will last a long time, it’s better to consider a few more options before making a decision.

Song Yaren then recommends a few more shops, but either they are too remote, the streets aren’t very lively, or the size and location aren’t suitable. After considering all factors, the second shop mentioned earlier seems the most appropriate.

Jiang Miao expresses his interest, and Song Yaren immediately arranges a carriage to take them to see the shop in person.

During the inspection, Jiang Miao finds the shop even better than he expected. Although the storefront is smaller than the tea house, the shop extends back a bit, leaving a four to five meter long, two meter wide space close to the street. This space was originally left for placing vinegar jars, so if utilized, it compensates for the shopfront's shortcomings. Moreover, because it’s right on the street, customers passing by will easily see it, which should lead to good business.

Jiang Miao asks Manager Wang for his opinion, and Manager Wang agrees that setting up a bun shop here would be quite good. Pei Mu, standing by, nods seriously when Jiang Miao looks his way.

Jiang Miao laughs and rubs Pei Mu's head, then turns to Song Yaren and asks, "Song Yaren, how is this shop rented?"

"For a long-term lease, you can sign a one-year or two-year contract. The rent for one year is 120 taels, and for two years, it is 220 taels. For a short-term lease, it’s 15 taels per month."

The prices make Jiang Miao gape a little; the rent is quite high, more than double compared to Yifeng Street.

Song Yaren, with his keen eyes, notices that although Jiang Miao is dressed simply, the child he’s holding is dressed quite well. The fabric of the child's clothing alone could cover two to three months of rent. So, Song Yaren suggests another option.

"Brother Jiang, actually, the shop is also up for sale. Instead of renting it at a high annual rate, it might be cheaper to buy it directly."

Jiang Miao smiles wryly. If he finds the rent too high, how could he afford to buy it? Still, he asks about the asking price.

Song Yaren says, "The asking price isn’t high—only 1,400 taels. Among the many shops on this street, it’s considered quite affordable. Of course, this is because the owner is in urgent need of money."

Indeed, Jiang Miao thinks, otherwise, it would take eleven or twelve years of rent to earn that amount. However, with the current amount of money he has, he can’t even afford a one-year lease, so he’ll have to let it go.

"Song Yaren, I’ll rent the shop. I’ll bring the money tomorrow and we can sign the contract then, how about that?"

Song Yaren naturally agrees and even kindly arranges for a cart to take them back.

Previous Chapter

Next Chapter

Table of Contents