Chapter 54: Renting a Shop

Thanked them.

Qiao Sheng took Xiao Shitou and wandered around; not knowing how long they had walked, she saw a notice. Upon closer look, it really was a shop for rent, so she took Xiao Shitou and went over.

On the way over.

This shop was still open.

The shop's assistant noticed them entering, stepped forward and greeted: "Honored guests, our shop has all kinds of pastries; do you like any?"

Their shop has all kinds of pastries; it doesn't look like it's for rent at all.

Qiao Sheng went straight to the point and asked: "We're not here to buy pastries; we saw a notice saying your shop is for rent—is that true?"

Upon hearing that,

The boss came over and said: "That's right, our shop is for rent. Miss, do you want to rent our shop?"

I want to rent a shop, but yours looks a bit small and also has no backyard.

Qiao Sheng had already looked over the shop inside and out.

After she finished speaking,

The boss calmly said: "Miss, our shop is small and has no backyard, but it's not far from Lieyang Shuyuan, and there are quite a few residents nearby; if you rent our shop to do business, you'll certainly do well."

Then how do you rent it out?

Qiao Sheng asked whatever was on her mind.

She would ask that.

The boss wasn't surprised at all and said: "To be frank, my son found a better shop in Fucheng; he wants us to move over and live with them, so after thinking it over I decided to rent out this shop."

The pastries sold in their shop were made by him and his wife together; they had no apprentices, and since they were going to Fucheng, this shop certainly couldn't stay open.

In fact, Qiao Sheng wasn't the first to come inquire; before her, several people had come, either complaining the rent was too high or the shop too small, or that it lacked a backyard.

Qiao Sheng asked the boss: "So that's how it is; how much rent per month for your shop? Can we pay month by month?"

If the price is right, she'll rent it.

If not, she'll forget it.

The boss said: "I'm not asking for a price now; if you want to rent, it's one tael of silver per month. I haven't come back in a long time, so if you rent, you must lease for at least a year."

One tael of silver per month, which is twelve taels for a year.

That's not little.

Qiao Sheng began bargaining with the boss: "Uncle, since you're moving anyway, couldn't you give me a discount? I really want to rent your shop."

Xiao Shitou chimed in: "Grandpa, please give my mom a discount; she's been struggling alone raising me. She saved up for a long time before daring to rent a shop."

The boss couldn't resist their pleading and finally agreed to reduce the rent by two hundred cash coins per month, making it eight hundred cash coins per month.

Twelve months, which is nine taels of silver and six hundred cash coins.

Qiao Sheng had already exchanged her money into small change; after signing the lease, she took out her money bag and counted out nine broken silver pieces each weighing one tael, setting them aside, then counted out six hundred copper coins.

She counted them twice.

Qiao Sheng pushed it to the boss: "Uncle, please count and see if this is the right amount."

The boss counted and confirmed it was that amount.

He called the assistant to pack up the shop, and before leaving he gave Qiao Sheng and her two pastries.

Qiao Sheng originally wanted to ask how to handle the other pastries, but thinking it might be improper, she held her tongue.

After they left,

Qiao Sheng locked the shop and, with Xiao Shitou, walked off to the side.

"Mom, where are we going now?"

(End of chapter)