Chapter 80: Let’s Form a Good Connection!

TL: Etude

Upon hearing Chen Jianghai’s words, both Boss Jin and Li Detian were taken aback, quickly exchanging glances.

To them, an annual lease seemed most appropriate.

Firstly, it would be cheaper.

Secondly, a fixed shopfront would bring a stable clientele.

Could it be that Chen Jianghai only wanted to rent a shop temporarily?

Li Detian couldn’t help but frown and said, “Brother Chen, don’t you plan to keep the shop going for the long term?”

“Who knows what the future holds.”

Chen Jianghai said with a faint smile, “If the business doesn’t work out, I can pull out in time.”

It is said that in business, one must be business-minded.

Chen Jianghai’s words indeed held some truth.

However, Boss Jin knew that this was certainly not Chen Jianghai’s true intention.

For someone like Chen Jianghai, the word ‘failure’ probably didn’t even exist in his dictionary.

In other words, there must be something he hadn’t guessed.

Boss Jin looked at Chen Jianghai with a hint of puzzlement.

He found that the longer he interacted with Chen Jianghai, the less he understood the young man.

After a moment of contemplation, Li Detian kindly reminded, “Brother Chen, the cost of renting by the month is much higher than an annual lease.”

“It’s okay.”

Chen Jianghai said nonchalantly, “Brother Li, name your price. If it’s reasonable, we can sign the contract today.”

Li Detian thought for a while and then said, “Since you were brought here by Boss Jin, you’re not an outsider. I’ll give you a base rate, let’s say three hundred per month!”

Boss Jin was utterly surprised, “Old Li, isn’t that price a bit too low?”

“It’s fine, I feel a kindred spirit in Brother Chen. Besides, with Boss Jin’s face to consider, giving a discount is the right thing to do,” Li Detian waved his hand.

Chen Jianghai was also somewhat surprised; the price was indeed low.

“Brother Li, friends are friends, business is business, you’re losing out at this price,” Chen Jianghai candidly said.

Hearing Chen Jianghai say this, Li Detian became even more convinced that his decision that day would not be wrong.

Those who don’t covet small advantages often have a grand vision, and naturally, their path will become wider and wider.

Let’s consider it making a good connection!

Boss Jin was somewhat bemused, “What’s with you two? When it comes to negotiating the rent, who doesn’t fight tooth and nail? But here, the landlord offers a price, and the tenant thinks it’s too low, that’s rare, truly rare!”

Chen Jianghai sincerely said, “It’s mainly because Brother Li’s price is indeed low, I can’t just take advantage of him like that.”

“Alright, alright, Brother Chen, if you want to rent, then let’s go with my price, otherwise I won’t rent out the shop,” Li Detian declared with a grand gesture, settling the matter.

Chen Jianghai looked at Li Detian and, seeing he was serious about this price, bowed with a fist-palm salute, “Then I gratefully accept Brother Li’s kindness.”

Li Detian had granted such a generous discount, wanting nothing more than such an acknowledgment.

Sometimes, the relationship between people is all about fate.

With fate established, one does not dwell on immediate gains.

“Brother Chen, I’ll prepare the contract by tomorrow. A deposit and one month’s advance payment shouldn’t be a problem, right?” Li Detian asked.

“Of course not, I’ll come by tomorrow,” Chen Jianghai nodded.

“Brother Chen, I still owe you a meal. How about we do it tomorrow? You bring along Sister Wanqiu, I’ll call Old Li, and we’ll have a gathering?”

Boss Jin quickly interjected with a suggestion.

Li Detian eagerly said, “That sounds great! After hearing Brother Chen’s thoughts today, I feel like it’s better than ten years of study, I want to continue to learn from him tomorrow!”

“I’m afraid that won’t be possible.” Chen Jianghai shook his head, “My in-laws are here; it’s not very convenient.”

Boss Jin was surprised, “Sister Wanqiu’s parents are also here?”

Chen Jianghai nodded, “Yes, they arrived yesterday.”

Boss Jin slapped his thigh, “No wonder my father-in-law called a few days ago, saying he wanted to come and stay for a while. Could it be because of this!”

Once Chen Jianghai heard this, he immediately understood and couldn’t help but laugh, “That’s quite normal. At their age, they all want to come to the city to enjoy life a bit.”

“Let’s do this!”

Boss Jin then said, “I’ll call Meifeng, Old Li, bring your wife with you, Jianghai, bring everyone here, let’s get together as a big group.”

Li Detian immediately clapped his hands and said, “That sounds great! I love a good gathering, and besides, it’s our esteemed Boss Jin hosting—why would I say no to a free meal?”

Chen Jianghai hadn’t expected Boss Jin to make such a move.

“This, isn’t it inappropriate?” Chen Jianghai hesitated.

Boss Jin pulled Chen Jianghai along and said, “What’s inappropriate about it, my brother? You can’t refuse to give me this face!”

Chen Jianghai thought it over: “I’m worried that Wanqiu’s parents might not be accustomed to it. How about this, I’ll go back and ask for their opinion. If there’s no problem, we’ll set it for tomorrow.”

His father-in-law, Lin Jianguo, was currently quite amiable towards him, but Xue Chunli was still the same, indifferent and unresponsive.

It was better to ask Xue Chunli about the dinner first, to prevent her from being upset later on.

Boss Jin didn’t dwell on the topic and nodded, “Alright, then give me your answer when you sign the contract tomorrow. I’ll book a table at Fuchun Restaurant tonight. Old Li, you don’t have any issues, do you?”

“None! Absolutely none! I’ll definitely bring my wife and be there on time tonight. I’m going to make sure we have a feast at your expense.” Li Detian said with a laugh.

Seeing that both men were looking forward to it, Chen Jianghai knew he couldn’t easily decline, so he nodded, “Okay, I’ll give you an answer first thing tomorrow.”

After chatting for a bit, Chen Jianghai took his leave.

After Chen Jianghai had left, Boss Jin and Li Detian continued to drink tea and chat.

Boss Jin took a sip of his tea and asked, “Tell me, Old Li, since when have you become so generous?”

“What do you mean by that?” Li Detian squinted his eyes, resembling a sly fox.

“You’re renting out this shop for three hundred a month and on a monthly basis at that. Aren’t you at a loss?” Boss Jin gestured around as he spoke.

Li Detian laughed, “An empty house is just that—empty. It’s not a loss if it’s rented out, and there’s no need to quibble over every small detail.”

Boss Jin’s eyes widened in an exaggerated manner, “Not quibble over details? I never thought I’d hear such words from you, you penny-pincher!”

Li Detian feigned anger, “That’s enough from you, Old Jin. What kind of talk is that? As if I’m stingy!”

“You are stingy!” Boss Jin retorted.

Li Detian pursed his lips and then spoke seriously, “Enough with the jokes, Old Jin. How did you come to know Brother Chen?”

Boss Jin didn’t think much of it and shared the story of how they met.

“You’ve only known him for a short while, and you’re already so eager to help him make connections. What are you after?” Li Detian suddenly asked.

Boss Jin was startled, then laughed, “There you go! I was waiting for you to get to the point.”

“We’re all thinking the same thing, no need to play dumb,” Li Detian said with a smirk.

Boss Jin’s expression turned serious, and his tone became more solemn, “To tell the truth, Brother Chen is the kind of person I can’t quite figure out.”

“Hmm, you’re right about that.”

Li Detian nodded in agreement, “The things Brother Chen said just now aren’t something an ordinary person could come up with.”

On this point, Boss Jin nodded in agreement, “Brother Chen often says things that take you by surprise. And some of the things he talks about, even though I don’t fully understand them, they seem to make sense.”

“That’s why! Making friends with such a person is definitely not a mistake,” Li Detian concluded.

“Hmm, that’s what I think too.”

Boss Jin agreed wholeheartedly.