Chapter 224: 136 A Family Unites (First Update)_2
He sought out Lin Chengye, patted him on the shoulder and said, “Are you still troubled by the fact you can’t do your homework? Are you losing hair because you can’t write an eight-part essay? Premium tutoring for your upcoming exams. Exceptional pricing, with a half refund if it’s ineffective.”
When Gu Jiao met with the second landlord again, she had as much silver as he did.
The second landlord: … It’s puzzling.
Having been a landlord for so many years, he had some connections. He didn’t need Gu Jiao to worry about recruiting, their biggest concern now was where to open the Medical Hall.
For Gu Jiao’s sake, it would be best to open it near Guozijian.
Gu Jiao brought in a protector, Zhang Baoren.
Zhang Baoren led the two to survey the shops and mansions on Chang’an Avenue and Xuanwu Avenue. Chang’an Avenue had a higher traffic flow, it was more bustling, but all the good shops had been rented out. The remaining ones were either too expensive or too shabby, no wonder they couldn’t be rented out.
“Should we go see Xuanwu Avenue?” said Zhang Baoren.
Business on Xuanwu Avenue wasn’t as lively, but business-wise, it was preferable.
Zhang Baoren laughed, “Xuanwu Avenue is closer to Guozijian, the business there won’t be bad!”
“Let’s take a look.” Gu Jiao said.
“Alright, then.” the second landlord sighed.
The trio started down Xuanwu Avenue. Frankly, this street seemed more orderly and planned than Chang’an Avenue, just less populated.
Zhang Baoren pointed out a house to the two. “This place was originally a residence, and it was turned into a shop later on. What do you two think of it?”
This shop was much better than the ones on Chang’an Avenue. However, the second landlord was more inclined towards the one next door.
“That one has already been bought by someone,” Zhang Baoren said.
“How much for this one?” asked the second landlord.
“Three hundred taels,” Zhang Baoren replied.
“Th-three hundred taels?” The second landlord felt like he had misheard.
Zhang Baoren chuckled, “Yeah, one year’s payment in advance, with a security deposit of a thousand taels.”
“Y-you’re too expensive!” protested the second landlord. Being a resident of the Capital City, even he couldn’t help but find the price a little hard to swallow.
Zhang Baoren shrugged, “Prices have risen, last year you could have gotten it for 250 taels. But this year, since Guozijian reopened, all the prices of properties in this area have increased!”
The second landlord took another look at the mansion, then glanced at the even more magnificent one next door, saying, “Three hundred taels? It’s almost worth it for this one!”
“Are you sure you want this one?” Gu Jiao asked.
“It’s bigger!” The second landlord replied.
Gu Jiao nodded at Zhang Baoren, who then produced a document, “Shall we finalize this deal?”
The landlord hesitated, “Didn’t you say it was already bought by someone?”
Gu Jiao slowly pulled a property deed out of her sleeve, “Yes, it was bought, by my little boy. Come on, why let the resources go elsewhere. Three hundred taels it is, I’m renting it to you at a low price.”
The second landlord choked and fainted…
When the little boy found out that Gu Jiao was partnering with someone to open a medical hall, he didn’t hesitate to contribute his property deed.
Of course, Gu Jiao couldn’t take advantage of the little guy. It was cheaper to rent from family than from strangers. She wouldn’t insist if the second landlord wasn’t keen, but who knew he would prefer it?
Gu Jiao shrugged, “You can’t blame me for this.”
The second landlord woke up to find the contract already prepared. He painfully handed over the money and signed it.
Frankly, he was a bit skeptical about this location. Although it was convenient to reach Guozijian, it wasn’t likely to sustain a large medical hall.
The second landlord’s concerns didn’t abate until the second day of the clinic’s renovation.
He was discussing with the carpenter about the construction of the medicine cabinet while Gu Jiao was sweeping the Grand Hall with a broom. Then, a handsome young scholar happened to pass by their door.
The young scholar glanced at Gu Jiao unintentionally and suddenly stopped in his tracks.
The scholar took a few steps back, came up to Gu Jiao, pointed to himself with a folding fan and asked, “Miss, do you remember me?”
“No, I don’t,” Gu Jiao replied without hesitation.
The young scholar bent over to look into Gu Jiao’s eyes, “Why can’t you remember me? Look at me!”
Gu Jiao didn’t look at him and turned to sweep elsewhere.
The young scholar stepped into her view again, “I remember you! You must remember me too!”
This reasoning was amusing.
Just because she remembered him, did it mean that he must remember her too?
The young scholar’s persistence exceeded Gu Jiao’s expectations; as she continued to ignore him while sweeping the floor, he finally squatted down, staring unblinkingly at her.