Chapter 685

"Director Guo finally felt embarrassed."

Meaning: Director Guo finally felt embarrassed. So translation: "Director Guo finally felt embarrassed," Keep punctuation? The Chinese line ends with a comma. We should keep same punctuation? Probably keep as is. We'll output: 【1】 Director Guo finally felt embarrassed,

: "Mr. Zhao, the way you're doing this, isn't the operation too big? The wages for over thirty people aren't low." No Chinese.

Translation: "Mr. Zhao, with what you're doing, isn't the operation too big? The wages for over thirty people aren't low." Need to keep quotes? The Chinese uses 「」 quotes. We can keep as English quotes? Usually we keep the quotes as they are? The instruction: translate faithfully, not add. We can replace 「」 with English quotes? Might be considered adding? Better to keep the same punctuation? Usually we translate quotes as English quotes. I'll use double quotes. So: 【2】 "Mr. Zhao, with what you're doing, isn't the operation too big? The wages for over thirty people aren't low."

: Contains "Chinese:" and quotes with English. No Chinese.

: "Don't worry, Director Guo, about the expenses; you just need to hand over the wages for over thirty people to Ms. Yang Tao, and I'll pay them on time." I said with a smile. No Chinese.

Translation: "Don't worry, Director Guo, about the expenses, don't worry, you just need to hand over the wages for over thirty people to Ms. Yang Tao, and I will pay them on time." I smiled while saying. So: 【3】 "Don't worry, Director Guo, about the expenses, don't worry, you just need to hand over the wages for over thirty people to Ms. Yang Tao, and I will pay them on time," I said with a smile.

: "But need to keep "I said with a smile" as "I said with a smile." That's fine." No Chinese.

: "That's fine, I won't disturb Mr. Zhao's work. If there's anything you need my help with, just say the word." Director Guo walked away happily. No Chinese.

Translation: "Then that's good, I won't disturb Mr. Zhao's work. If there's anything you need my help with, just say the word." Director Guo walked away happily. So: 【4】 "Then that's good, I won't disturb Mr. Zhao's work. If there's anything you need my help with, just say the word," Director Guo walked away happily.

: "After Director Guo left, Li Jia immediately came up to me." No Chinese.

Translation: After Director Guo left, Li Jia immediately came up to me. So: 【5】 After Director Guo left, Li Jia immediately came up to me,

: "Mr. Zhao, what are you singing about? We haven't made a penny, yet we have to support over thirty people." No Chinese.

Translation: "Mr. Zhao, what are you up to? We haven't made a penny, yet we have to support over thirty people." So: 【6】 "Mr. Zhao, what are you up to? We haven't made a penny, yet we have to support over thirty people,"

: "I don't quite understand." No Chinese.

Translation: "I don't quite understand." So: 【7】 "I don't quite understand."

: "Upon hearing Li Jia's question," No Chinese.

Translation: Hearing Li Jia ask like that, So: 【8】 Hearing Li Jia ask like that,

: "I looked at Li Jia and said," No Chinese.

Translation: I looked at Li Jia and said, So: 【9】 I looked at Li Jia and said,

: "Li Jia, the wages for these people are just small change." No Chinese.

Translation: "Li Jia, the wages for these people are just small change." So: 【10】 "Li Jia, the wages for these people are just small change,"

: "If these people work here, it will actually affect our work efficiency." No Chinese.

Translation: "If these people work here, it will actually affect our work efficiency." So: 【11】 "If these people work here, it will actually affect our work efficiency,"

: "It would be better to let these people leave here." No Chinese.

Translation: "Better to let these people all leave here." So: 【12】 "Better to let these people all leave here,"

: "Besides, we don't need that many people here." No Chinese.

Translation: "Besides, we don't need that many people here." So: 【13】 "Besides, we don't need that many people here,"

: "Our main goal is to revitalize this place; we just need to rent out the houses in the ancient city." No Chinese.

Translation: "Our main task is to revitalize this place; just rent out the houses in the ancient city." So: 【14】 "Our main task is to revitalize this place; just rent out the houses in the ancient city."

: "Li Jia nodded." No Chinese.

Translation: Li Jia nodded, So: 【15】 Li Jia nodded,

: "Mr. Zhao, I understand. Okay, what should we do first?" No Chinese.

Translation: "Mr. Zhao, I understand. Okay, what should we do first?" So: 【16】 "Mr. Zhao, I understand. Okay, what should we do first?"

: "Yesterday I had you investigate how many shops there are in the ancient city." I asked. No Chinese.

Translation: "Yesterday I had you investigate how many shops there are in the ancient city." I asked. So: 【17】 "Yesterday I had you investigate how many shops there are in the ancient city," I asked.

: "There are 916 shops in total. 115 are rented out, and over 800 are vacant." No Chinese.

Translation: "There are 916 shops in total. 115 have been rented out. Over 800 remain vacant." So: 【18】 "There are 916 shops in total. 115 have been rented out. Over 800 remain vacant,"

: "Moreover, those over a hundred rented shops are only located on the main thoroughfare of the ancient city." Li Jia said. No Chinese.

Translation: "Moreover, those over a hundred rented shops are only located on the main thoroughfare of the ancient city." Li Jia said. So: 【19】 "Moreover, those over a hundred rented shops are only located on the main thoroughfare of the ancient city," Li Jia said.

: "Then, how are the shops' profits?" I asked. No Chinese.

Translation: "Then, how are the profits of these shops?" I asked. So: 【20】 "Then, how are the profits of these shops?" I asked.

: "Only one-third are making money; the others are losing money. Since they've paid a year's rent, the ancient city won't refund it, so they have no choice but to struggle on." No Chinese.

Translation: "Only one-third are making money; the others are losing money. Since they've paid a year's rent, the ancient city won't refund it, they have no choice but to struggle on." So: 【21】 "Only one-third are making money; the others are losing money. Since they've paid a year's rent, the ancient city won't refund it, they have no choice but to struggle on,"

: "Thus, intentional overcharging of customers has appeared. Moreover, most of the rents have expired; they are supposed to pay rent now." Li Jia said. No Chinese.

Translation: "Thus, the phenomenon of deliberately overcharging customers has appeared. Moreover, most of the rents have expired; they are due to pay rent." Li Jia said. So: 【22】 "Thus, the phenomenon of deliberately overcharging customers has appeared. Moreover, most of the rents have expired; they are due to pay rent," Li Jia said.

: "I nodded." No Chinese.

Translation: I nodded, So: 【23】 I nodded,

: "How are they currently renting the houses?" No Chinese.

Translation: "How are they currently renting the houses?" So: 【24】 "How are they currently renting the houses?"

: "20 yuan per square meter per month." No Chinese.

Translation: "20 yuan per square meter per month." So: 【25】 "20 yuan per square meter per month,"

: "A 100-square-meter shop only costs 2000 yuan in rent per month, which is too cheap. We need to raise the price; otherwise, we won't make any money." I said. No Chinese.

Translation: "A 100-square-meter shop only costs 2000 yuan in rent per month, which is too cheap. We need to raise the price; otherwise, we won't make any money." I said. So: 【26】 "A 100-square-meter shop only costs 2000 yuan in rent per month, which is too cheap. We need to raise the price; otherwise, we won't make any money," I said.

: "Now we can't rent out the houses; with just these over a hundred shops, if we raise the price, what will we do if they refuse to work?" No Chinese.

Translation: "Now the houses can't be rented out; with just these over a hundred shops, if we raise the price, what if they refuse?" So: 【27】 "Now the houses can't be rented out; with just these over a hundred shops, if we raise the price, what if they refuse?"

: "It's fine if they don't work; we'll get rid of some shady goods. Let's call these shop owners over for a meeting." No Chinese.

Translation: "If they quit, that's good—we'll get rid of some shady goods. Call the owners of these shops over for a meeting." So: 【28】 "If they quit, that's good—we'll get rid of some shady goods. Call the owners of these shops over for a meeting,"

: "Li Jia then notified those bosses to come over for a meeting." No Chinese.

Translation: Li Jia then notified those owners to come for a meeting. So: 【29】 Li Jia then notified those owners to come for a meeting.

: "I then said to Shi Yong and Shi Jinhe: "You two, take Ding Li's security team and clean up the ancient city," No Chinese.

Translation: I then said to Shi Yong and Shi Jinhe: "You two, take Ding Li's Security Team to clean up the ancient city," So: 【30】 I then said to Shi Yong and Shi Jinhe: "You two, take Ding Li's Security Team to clean up the ancient city,"

: "Look, weeds have grown out at the entrance of the ancient city." No Chinese.

Translation: "Look, weeds have grown at the entrance of the ancient city." So: 【31】 "Look, weeds have grown at the entrance of the ancient city,"

: "With such an environment, who would want to come to this rundown place for tourism?" Shi Yong and Shi Jinhe left. No Chinese.

Translation: "In such an environment, who would want to come to this rundown place for tourism?" So: 【32】 "In such an environment, who would want to come to this rundown place for tourism?"

: "Shi Yong and Shi Jinhe left." No Chinese.

Translation: Shi Yong and Shi Jinhe left. So: 【33】 Shi Yong and Shi Jinhe left.

: "Yang Tao came over." No Chinese.

Translation: Yang Tao came over, So: 【34】 Yang Tao came over,

: "Jiangqiang, what should I do? You called me over; is there something specific I should do?" No Chinese.

Translation: "Jianqiang, what should I do? You called me over—do you have any specific tasks for me?" So: 【35】 "Jianqiang, what should I do? You called me over—do you have any specific tasks for me?"

: "Yes, Yang Tao, you will have an important responsibility in the future," No Chinese.

Translation: "Yes, Yang Tao, you will have an important responsibility in the future," So: 【36】 "Yes, Yang Tao, you will have an important responsibility in the future,"

: "Now go to Huaihai and find the best wedding photography agency, take some photos with you as the theme, using the Huaihai ancient city as the background, and then heavily promote them online." No Chinese.

Translation: "Now go to Huaihai and find the best marriage photography agency; take some photos with you as the theme, using Huaihai Ancient City as the background, and then promote them widely online." So: 【37】 "Now go to Huaihai and find the best marriage photography agency; take some photos with you as the theme, using Huaihai Ancient City as the background, and then promote them widely online,"

: "Besides these, you also need to contact Huaihai TV station, let them go into the Huaihai ancient city for on-site filming, promote the Huaihai people, and the Huaihai ancient city charges no admission, it's completely free and open to the outside." Yang Tao upon hearing, No Chinese.

Translation: "Besides that, you also need to contact Huaihai TV Station, have them go into Huaihai Ancient City for on-site filming, promote the Huaihai people, and Huaihai Ancient City will be free to the public with no admission fee." So: 【38】 "Besides that, you also need to contact Huaihai TV Station, have them go into Huaihai Ancient City for on-site filming, promote the Huaihai people, and Huaihai Ancient City will be free to the public with no admission fee."

: "Yang Tao upon hearing," No Chinese.

Translation: Upon hearing that, Yang Tao, So: 【39】 Upon hearing that, Yang Tao,

: "very happily said: "Great, I love this; I just want to take commemorative photos for promotion. I'll go contact them right away."" No Chinese.

Translation: "was very happy and said: 'Great, I love this kind of thing; I just want to take commemorative photos for promotion. I'll go contact them right away.'" So: 【40】 "was very happy and said: 'Great, I love this kind of thing; I just want to take commemorative photos for promotion. I'll go contact them right away.'"

: "Li Jia came over." No Chinese.

Translation: Li Jia came over, So: 【41】 Li Jia came over,

: "Mr. Zhao, I've called those shop owners over. Go ahead and hold the meeting." No Chinese.

Translation: "Mr. Zhao, I've called those shop owners over. You go hold the meeting." So: 【42】 "Mr. Zhao, I've called those shop owners over. You go hold the meeting,"

: "I followed Li Jia to a square in the ancient city." No Chinese.

Translation: I followed Li Jia to a square in the ancient city. So: 【43】 I followed Li Jia to a square in the ancient city,

: "Over a hundred bosses stood together." No Chinese.

Translation: Over a hundred owners stood together, So: 【44】 Over a hundred owners stood together,

: "They looked at me one by one with blank expressions." No Chinese.

Translation: They each looked at me with blank expressions. So: 【45】 They each looked at me with blank expressions,

: "These folks in Huaihai all have a certain economic foundation; having economic means they have social connections." No Chinese.

Translation: "These folks in Huaihai City all have a certain economic foundation; with economic foundation comes social connections." So: 【46】 "These folks in Huaihai City all have a certain economic foundation; with economic foundation comes social connections,"

: "I looked at them and then said: "Sorry for the wait, I'm Zhao Jiangqiang, the new person in charge of the ancient city. I believe Director Guo has already notified you." No Chinese.

Translation: I looked at them and then said: "Sorry for the wait, I'm Zhao Jianqiang, the new person in charge of the ancient city. I believe Director Guo has already notified you." So: 【47】 I looked at them and then said: "Sorry for the wait, I'm Zhao Jianqiang, the new person in charge of the ancient city. I believe Director Guo has already notified you,"

: "I have now contracted the entire ancient city." No Chinese.

Translation: "I have now contracted the entire ancient city." So: 【48】 "I have now contracted the entire ancient city,"

: "The operation of the ancient city is up to me." No Chinese.

Translation: "The operation of the ancient city is up to me." So: 【49】 "The operation of the ancient city is up to me."

: "You call the shots, so what about our losses? I heard that after you took over the ancient city, the staff salaries are still being paid." No Chinese.

Translation: "If it's up to you, then how do we handle our losses? I heard that after you took over the ancient city, the staff wages are still being paid." So: 【50】 "If it's up to you, then how do we handle our losses? I heard that after you took over the ancient city, the staff wages are still being paid,"

: "Then the money we lost from investing in the ancient city shops should also be covered by you." One of the shop owners said unfriendly. No Chinese.

Translation: "The money we lost from our investments in the ancient city shops should also be covered by you." One of the shop owners said unfriendly. So: 【51】 "The money we lost from our investments in the ancient city shops should also be covered by you," one of the shop owners said unfriendly.

: "I glanced at him and ignored him." No Chinese.

Translation: I glanced at him and ignored him. So: 【52】 I glanced at him and ignored him.

: "I then said: "Everyone who rents a shop in the ancient city has surely invested a lot of money. However, given the current operating situation of the ancient city," No Chinese.

Translation: I then said: "You all have rented shops in the ancient city, surely you've invested a lot of money. But given the current state of the ancient city's operation," So: 【53】 I then said: "You all have rented shops in the ancient city, surely you've invested a lot of money. But given the current state of the ancient city's operation,"

: "everyone's investment has yielded little profit." No Chinese.

Translation: "your investments have yielded little profit." So: 【54】 "your investments have yielded little profit,"

: "So how can we increase everyone's profit?" No Chinese.

Translation: "So how can we increase everyone's profit?" So: 【55】 "So how can we increase everyone's profit,"

: "I propose a few points," No Chinese.

Translation: "I propose a few points," So: 【56】 "I propose a few points,"

: "First, raise the rent. I heard that you over a hundred households have already paid rent." No Chinese.

Translation: "First, raise the rent. I heard that you over a hundred have already paid rent." So: 【57】 "First, raise the rent. I heard that you over a hundred have already paid rent,"

: "It's about to expire; starting the new year, our rent will increase by

Translation: "It's about to expire; starting the new year, our rent will increase by 50 yuan per square meter per month." So: 【58】 "It's about to expire; starting the new year, our rent will increase by 50 yuan per square meter per month."

I haven't finished speaking yet.

Translation: I hadn't finished speaking, So: 【59】 I hadn't finished speaking,

These shop owners all went berserk.

"What, now we're not making any money and you still want to raise the rent— I'm done, we'll quit, we'll cancel the lease."

This business has no way to keep going.

Raising 50 per square meter, how much more will we have to pay in a year?

"We have to go to the Municipal Price Bureau; you're arbitrarily raising the price," the others said in unison.

I looked at these angry people,

and suddenly shouted,

"I'll reiterate: the rent is going up. If you don't want to continue, you can terminate the lease. You can stop operating in Ancient City; anyway, what you have is already expired."

Hearing me say that,

they kept shouting at me,

"No, you won't let us rent, then give us an explanation.

I don't believe it—a foreigner dares to come to Huaihai to cause trouble.

I'll contact Brother Ren, have him bring men and drive these guys away," the boss said, pulling out his phone to contact Ren Xigua.

I wasn't worried or scared at all.

I actually want to see how Ren Xigua handles this matter.

These shop owners, at the sight that someone called Ren Xigua,

each began to rub their fists, waiting, ready to give me a good lesson.

In no time Ren Xigua arrived driving a car with his henchmen.

He walked up to those shop owners,

and then shouted a curse at them,

"Dammit, early in the morning, still making people suffer— if you've got a fart, let it out quickly."

"Brother Ren, nothing's wrong, we wouldn't dare to disturb you. This guy said today that he's taken over Ancient City,

and the first thing he did was raise our rent.

Tell me, we're all locals of Huaihai— can we let these outsiders bully us?" one shop owner said to Ren Xigua in a low, submissive tone.

"Absolutely not, it's impossible,

but it depends on who,

this one here isn't an outsider either; he's my friend, he's Zhao Jianqiang,

from now on in Ancient City, you all must obey him.

Got that?

If any of you don't obey, then don't linger in Huaihai City," Ren Xigua shouted at the owners.

Ren Xigua didn't say a word on their behalf, and the people were a bit stunned.

"Brother Ren, if you don't take care of us, we'll go find someone else. That's just bullying," a shop owner said angrily.

"Who are you calling, damn it, in Huaihai City's North District, who else do you want to call?"

"Is that because I gave you face?" Ren Xigua said, then slapped the shop owner's face.

The shop owner, after Ren Xigua's slap, immediately fell silent.

"From now on, listen to Mr. Zhao; this is Mr. Zhao's territory, he's my brother. Everyone hear that?" Ren Xigua said, then waved at me.

"Mr. Zhao, I have other business, I'll step away first; everyone can chat when they have time."

Ren Xigua drove away.