NOVEL WEB Chapter 36: Chapter 36: Closing the Deal
Finding the perfect shop wasn't easy. The price, location, and interior all had to meet Jiang Huaiyu's standards. After inspecting a few, she stood with her arms crossed, frowning but silent, while the broker tirelessly continued her recommendations.
Unexpectedly, the familiar figure of Scholar Wang entered, his once-white robe now faded and worn. He looked awkward when his eyes landed on Jiang Huaiyu but quickly turned his attention to the broker.
"Here's the deed to my shop," he announced curtly, placing two official documents, complete with government seals, on the broker's table. "Whoever wants it for 500 taels, sell it to them! Just send the money to my residence. Don't disturb me again."
Without waiting for a reply, he stormed out, leaving behind the stunned broker and a surprised Jiang Huaiyu.
The broker picked up the papers—a deed and a sales agreement—and quickly pieced together what had happened. Turning to Jiang Huaiyu, her admiration was evident. "That Scholar Wang is as stubborn as they come. But you—you've managed to get him to sell the shop himself! I don't know what you said to him, but it must've struck a nerve."
She glanced at the papers again. "What a fool. If someone less honest than you were here, they could have pocketed the deed without paying a single coin."
Jiang Huaiyu chuckled softly. "Well, since it's come to this, I might as well buy it and save myself the trouble of looking further."
Truth be told, she was surprised. Scholar Wang didn't seem like someone who could be easily swayed. Whatever she had said must have hit a sensitive spot. While the transaction wasn't a miraculous gift of generosity, the shop was still on Qinghua Street—prime real estate. If he had stubbornly held out for 600 taels, someone would've bought it eventually.
The paperwork was quickly finalized, and the broker sent someone to change the shop's locks. She congratulated Jiang Huaiyu with a broad smile. "Madam, your business will undoubtedly prosper! Wealth is sure to come pouring in!"
"Thank you for the kind words," Jiang Huaiyu replied with a smile. "If I need anything in the future, I'll be sure to come to you."
The broker beamed. "I'll be waiting for your good news, then!"
Instead of heading home, Jiang Huaiyu made her way to the shop to survey it again. As she unlocked the door, she noticed the floor had been swept clean of the thick layer of dust she'd seen earlier. A faint smile tugged at her lips. So Scholar Wang had a change of heart, after all.
The shop wasn't large, but its layout was practical. The main area was spacious enough to display products without feeling cramped, and the small back room could serve as either a storeroom or a modest resting area. Jiang Huaiyu decided on the former—it would be better used for storage.
Standing in the center of the shop, Jiang Huaiyu let her thoughts drift. What should she sell here? Her modern knowledge gave her a near-endless list of ideas, but she needed something feasible with the resources available in this world. As her mind wandered, she suddenly clapped her hands.
"Why focus on just one thing?" she murmured. Variety could be her strength. She could introduce several small, practical items—not as revolutionary as bath beans but innovative enough to pique curiosity without overwhelming demand.
Her plan took shape as she mentally listed what needed to be done: commissioning a shop sign, designing the layout, and deciding on her initial products.
Just as she was about to leave, a familiar, teasing voice interrupted her thoughts.
"Well, well. I wondered why the magpies were chirping so loudly this morning. Turns out they were heralding my meeting with Miss Jiang."
Jiang Huaiyu turned to see Qin Ziqin leaning casually against the doorframe, his slender frame draped in an elegant robe embroidered with cranes and pine trees. A white jade-handled folding fan rested in his hand. His handsome features were framed by an air of playful mischief that might have been charming if she weren't so immune to his antics.
"Well, if it isn't Young Marquis Qin," Jiang Huaiyu said with a saccharine smile. "I should thank you for introducing me to someone as illustrious as the princess."
Qin Ziqin visibly tensed, beads of sweat forming on his brow. He snapped his fan open with exaggerated flair, waving it nonchalantly. "That was… a necessary measure, I assure you. Originally, I intended to stay under the radar and enjoy my life, but your bath beans caused such a stir that even I couldn't avoid the fallout."
He sighed dramatically. "Do you know how many of those sour-faced officials who normally despise me have come crawling, asking about the shop? It's unbearable."
Jiang Huaiyu smirked. "So you blame me for your suffering?"
"Not at all!" Qin Ziqin waved his fan dismissively. "But I can't help noticing you've bought this shop. Planning to start a new venture, are we?"
"It's better to have something of my own," Jiang Huaiyu said lightly. "And sitting around at home gets boring. When you get old, you need to keep busy."
Qin Ziqin's eyebrow twitched. "Old? You?" He gave her an incredulous once-over. "Miss Jiang, you're the last person who should be talking about age."
Jiang Huaiyu ignored his protest. "What about you? All dressed up like this. Off to wreak havoc in some poor girl's life?"
Qin Ziqin's grin widened. "Do you think I need to dress up for that?"
His confidence would have been insufferable if not for his charm. Jiang Huaiyu shook her head.
"So, what are you planning to sell? Cosmetics? Fine fabrics? Jewelry?" he asked, tapping his fan thoughtfully. "Actually, no. Knowing you, it must be something out of the ordinary."
"Maybe cosmetics," she replied. "It's not so strange. There isn't a single cosmetics shop on Qinghua Street."
"That's because this area caters to travelers and merchants," Qin Ziqin pointed out. "Most women avoid it. Are you planning to sell rouge to burly men staying at inns?"
Jiang Huaiyu raised an eyebrow, unimpressed. "Precisely why I'm not opening a cosmetics shop here. A little common sense would tell you that."
Qin Ziqin coughed, clearly embarrassed. "Well, I have matters to attend to. Don't spend too much time in this dusty place."
As he turned to leave, he paused. "Oh, and don't lose the token I gave you. If anyone causes trouble, just show it to them. Whether it's a lawman or a thug, they'll think twice."
Jiang Huaiyu squinted at him. "Why would thugs care about your token?"
With a mischievous grin, Qin Ziqin leaned closer. "Because I spent my youth dealing with every gang in this city. They all know better than to cross me."
Jiang Huaiyu blinked. "You're telling me you were the city's biggest thug?"
"Not just a thug. The best thug," he replied with mock pride, tapping his fan against his chin before striding away.
Jiang Huaiyu watched him go, speechless. "The best thug indeed," she muttered, shaking her head.