Chu Qing had her family’s driver take Xiaofeng out and also arranged for two security guards to follow her. Xiaofeng was unfamiliar with the Imperial Capital and feared running into trouble on the road.
Xiaofeng was very satisfied with Chu Qing’s arrangement. Setting aside whether Chu Qing was her biological mother or not, Chu Qing cared for her with great attention to detail, and Xiaofeng was very touched by this.
The car drove to the new building they had visited last time, and Old Yuan was already waiting there. Seeing Xiaofeng step out of a car with security guards accompanying her, he couldn’t help but narrow his eyes.
He initially thought she was just a rich family’s daughter, but now it seemed a rich family wouldn’t put on such a show.
No matter who the other party was, since they were sincerely interested in renting his shop, both sides needed to show their attitude. He himself was an old-timer from the Imperial Capital who had been in business for years and had certain networks in both overt and covert circles. He wasn’t scared of anyone.
"Old Yuan," Xiaofeng didn’t know that in just this short period, Old Yuan had speculated a great deal about her identity and moved forward with etiquette, "I’d like to know how you intend to increase the rent?"
In modern times, even if you lock in a rent for decades, it can’t be a fixed rent. The contract will explicitly state that the rent will increase every three or two years, by a percentage of the total rent.
"Before you came to rent my shop, you must have inquired about the nearby rent situation. Let me tell you this, the shop rent around here has been rising every year for the past few years. Why? You should know. The number of individual business owners has been growing, and more and more of them are making money. If the rent is fixed, I certainly wouldn’t be happy. In that case, I’d rather rent it out year by year."
"Old Yuan, that’s fine, just tell me your thoughts. Business, after all, requires a mutual understanding and trust to make a deal. If you don’t trust me and I don’t trust you, naturally we can’t come to an agreement, and there’d be no deal to speak of, right?" In fact, the rise in housing prices and shop rents in recent years isn’t the most notable aspect.
In a few more years, especially after entering the 21st century, housing prices and rents will truly soar sharply.
"My idea is an increase of five percentage points for the first five years," Old Yuan said, placing a cigarette in his mouth, "I’m only willing to discuss this with you because I see you are sincere. If it were someone else, I would have started with a ten percent increase. Who can really tell whether I’ll be winning or losing after five or six years, right?"
A few years earlier, he would have signed without a second thought. Why? Because the rent hadn’t risen much in previous years. But the market economy has become significantly livelier in the last two years, and shop spaces have become highly sought after, so it’s really unclear how much rents will rise in five or six years.
Listening to Old Yuan’s words, Xiaofeng thought to herself that Old Yuan was a straightforward person; an increase of only five percentage points per year was a great deal, one she certainly could accept: "So, eight thousand a month for the first year, eight thousand four hundred for the second year, and eight thousand eight hundred for the third year, progressing until the tenth year, right?"
"Yes, but I haven’t finished. That’s for the first five years. Starting from the sixth year, the increase will be ten percentage points of the fifth-year’s rent. How does that sound? If you can accept it, we’ll sign the contract. If not, I’ll wait for someone else. This location is strategic; there’s bound to be someone interested." The area was surrounded by University Town and a newly built national talent base, a highly sought-after location with plenty of foot traffic.
"Old Yuan, you’re a seasoned businessman, far more experienced than I am. I truly have my eye on this place. I can accept the terms you’ve mentioned." Xiaofeng’s interest was mainly in the location, near the University Town and next to the talent base—such a place would definitely become a hot spot in a few years.
She knew the importance of acting early.
Old Yuan took out a handwritten contract, "I had someone draft the contract already; take a look and see if it’s acceptable. If so, let’s sign it."
Xiaofeng glanced at the contract briefly; it seemed comprehensive and didn’t have any omissions: "Old Yuan, what do you plan to do with the second floor?"
"The floors above the second are all for rent. There are many students nearby, and nowadays, students can’t be kept in school; many rent spaces outside." Old Yuan had built this large building not to sell it but to rent it out fully.
Hearing Old Yuan’s words, Xiaofeng couldn’t help but regard him with new respect. Old Yuan was indeed a visionary, perhaps one of the Imperial Capital’s earliest property tycoons, living comfortably off his property.