Chapter 74: Looking for a House
Translator: Lonelytree
There were many warehouses for rent around the wholesale market. However, Xiao Lingyu wanted to find a quiet, remote, and inconspicuous warehouse. That meant it had to be far from the wholesale market.
However, Xiao Lingyu still visited the market because the warehouse owners would put up their rental notices there. Xiao Lingyu walked around the market and paid attention to the notices. She jotted down the phone numbers and addresses.
She searched for half a day and realized none of them was suitable. They were either too small or too expensive. They charged hundreds per day. Some of them were too far away, it was secluded but overly so. Some suited Xiao Lingyu’s requirement, but the warehouse was also rented out to workers.
Xiao Lingyu was tired. She sat down in a small park. As she took out a bottle of mineral water, she heard someone say, “Old man, let’s rent the house.” An old lady told an old man, “We’ve lived here for half our lives already. I don’t feel good selling it. If we rent it, at least the place will still be ours.”
The old man concurred, “That’s what I think too.” However, he had his doubts. “But our place is so remote. I doubt it’ll be easy to rent out. Plus, renting it comes with its own problem. What if we get a bad tenant? They’ll only ruin our house.”
The pair of elders were in their eighties. They looked very kind. Xiao Lingyu had an idea. She stood up and walked over to them. She smiled, “Granny, Grandpa, I couldn’t help but overhear you. Do you intend to rent a house? Can I take a look?”
The two elders were shocked by the girl’s appearance. They were stunned.
The old lady responded with a smile when she saw how dignified the girl was. “Miss, are you looking to rent a house?”
“Yes!” Xiao Lingyu nodded. “I’ve been searching for a long time and can’t find a suitable one. I was resting over there when I overheard you. So I came over to ask. Is it okay, Granny and Grandpa?”
The two elders shared a look. The old man narrowed his eyes and asked cautiously, “Miss, why do you need the house for?”
Xiao Lingyu smiled, “Grandpa, to tell you the truth, I plan to start a small business in the county town, so I need a place to stay.”
The old man nodded. “Miss, my house is rather remote, and traffic is not convenient. Plus, there are no neighbors. Do you mind that? Will you live alone?”
Xiao Lingyu’s eyes lit up. ‘This is perfect. The house sounds wonderful. I’ll need to go and see if the location is suitable or not.’ Xiao Lingyu smiled, “My family will probably move in to live with me in the future!”
The grandfather thought about it and said, “Okay, we’ll bring you to take a look!” The elder had a good eye. He could tell that the girl was not a liar.
“Thank you, Grandpa and Granny!” Xiao Lingyu said.
The old lady was very happy. “Girl, you are so polite! You don’t need to thank us yet. You haven’t even seen the house.”
Soon, the two elders led Xiao Lingyu to the county town’s Sunshine District. They entered a small alley, turned a corner, and arrived at a house with a red iron gate. Before even she got in, Xiao Lingyu was already very satisfied with this place. The place was secluded, and there was little foot traffic. The iron gate provided an extra layer of privacy.
The old lady took out her key. The iron gate creaked open. The house was a two-story building with white walls and red tiles. In the courtyard, there were large trees on both sides and some fallen leaves on the ground. However, the overall appearance was clean and tidy.
The old lady led Xiao Lingyu on tour inside the house. “Miss, this is the kitchen, this is the woodshed, this is the bedroom, and this is the warehouse. Do you think it’s okay?”
Xiao Lingyu gave a bright smile. “Granny, this place is perfect. How much are you renting it for?”
The old lady reminded her. “Miss, you have must have noticed it when you came in. You have to go through many small alleyways. They are very narrow. Cars can’t go through. However, you are going to do business. You have to consider that factor.”
Xiao Lingyu smiled, “Granny, I can’t afford a car yet. Even if I buy one, it’ll be a tricycle. The alley is definitely large enough for a tricycle to pass through.”
The old lady nodded. She thought for a moment and asked, “Miss, if you don’t mind me asking, what kind of business do you plan to do?”
“Oh, I plan to sell some vegetables.” Xiao Lingyu didn’t hide anything. “Granny, Grandma, my vegetables are very delicious. I’ll give you some to try another day!”
The elders were surprised that the girl was going to be a vegetable vendor. A market vendor had to get up early and go home late. Furthermore, one had to bear the bone-chilling frost during winter. It was not an easy job. The two elders had a better impression of Xiao Lingyu. Not many young people would choose to be a vendor. Those who did were willing to work hard.
The old lady held Xiao Lingyu’s hands and said, “You’re such a hardworking child!” She noticed Xiao Lingyu’s delicate skin. She was surprised that Xiao Lingyu would think about being a vendor.
The old lady had no idea that Xiao Lingyu’s skin wasn’t always so fair. She was a farmer’s daughter. The suppleness of her skin was thanks to the magical spring water.
Xiao Lingyu had a good impression of the kind old lady too. She said with a sad smile, “Granny, one has to be hardworking to survive in this world.” Xiao Lingyu glanced around the house and asked, “Granny, Grandpa, how much do you charge for monthly rent?”
The old lady liked Xiao Lingyu very much. Without thinking, she said, “300 RMB a month!” The elders were not short on money, and it was hard to find a good renter.
Xiao Lingyu was surprised. She had been looking at warehouses so she had a certain understanding of rental prices.
The house was remotely located, but the environment was good. Both the house and the yard were huge. It could easily rent for 600 RMB.
Xiao Lingyu hesitated. The old lady thought Xiao Lingyu believed the rental was too expensive. She was about to lower the price further when Xiao Lingyu said, “Granny, that is too cheap. I’ve been checking out other houses. A place of this size definitely costs more than that to rent.”
The elders were surprised before looking at each other and smiling. The girl was very honest. Others always complained about high prices, and this was the first time they encountered someone who complained because the rent was too cheap.
The old lady smiled kindly, “Girl, you are just a gem. Others will only complain about how expensive the rent is. You’re the first to do the opposite.”
“But, granny, the rent is indeed too cheap.” Xiao Lingyu said. The two elders treated her well, so she couldn’t take advantage of them. Xiao Lingyu offered, “Granny, I’ll rent this place for 500 a month. I’ll pay for half a year first, is that okay?”
Xiao Lingyu was very satisfied with this place, and she wanted to settle down as soon as possible. The harvest was ready for her tonight. She had to ship them out and sell them tomorrow. Xiao Lingyu could tell that the elders didn’t live here. So once she rented the place, she could start using it immediately.
The elders didn’t expect Xiao Lingyu to be so honest. They liked her more and more.
The old lady thought about it and patted Xiao Lingyu’s hands. She chuckled, “Girl, I know you don’t want to take advantage of us. To tell you the truth, we don’t lack the rent. This house has been empty for almost half a year before you arrive. We’ll settle for 350 RMB per month. If you think that’s too low, you can give us your leftovers vegetables to make up for it.”
It was easy dealing with honest people.
Xiao Lingyu thanked the elders profusely and accepted.