Chapter 36: Chapter 34: Buying a Shop
Secretary Lin had been following Su Jinyuan for many years, but this was the first time he saw Su Jinyuan take such an interest in a girl with a different surname.
So, on the way, he drove while sneaking glances at Huo Sining.
Yet, he couldn’t for the life of him understand what Su Jinyuan saw in this girl.
Speaking of looks, she was at best pretty; she had an average figure. If she had any advantages, did her youth count?
But at such a tender age, was it about falling in love or taking care of a daughter?
Secretary Lin privately snickered to himself, yet he dared not show the slightest emotion on his face.
As a secretary for many years, the first thing he learned was to carry out and obey orders without unnecessary chatter or showing any emotion, even if he had opinions, they couldn’t be revealed on his face.
Huo Sining had no idea that just by having a meal, she had caused so many misunderstandings.
She conducted herself with integrity; without so many twists and turns. It was just a simple meal; there weren’t that many ulterior motives.
Although it was a bit embarrassing to have Secretary Lin follow her, Huo Sining had her reasons.
Secretary Lin had been with Su Jinyuan for a long time and certainly knew more about contracts than she did.
Cai Jianxin appeared honest on the surface, but he was not an easy person to deal with. Huo Sining was worried that he would tamper with the contract, so having Secretary Lin with her was more reassuring.
However, Huo Sining’s worry was obviously needless. Cai Jianxin, despite his insidious ways, did not have the mindset or courage to play tricks with a deal worth four million.
Moreover, in Cai Jianxin’s view, a young girl like Huo Sining being able to manage assets of four million proved that her background was significant, and her family was definitely not ordinary. He didn’t want to provoke someone untouchable over four million, which would have been more trouble than it was worth.
The loan sharks had started pressing for a repayment again, issuing a final ultimatum, demanding that he make up for the money he owed by that evening.
Cai Jianxin was also afraid that Huo Sining would break her word. He was uneasy in his shop until he saw Huo Sining appear, and only then did he breathe a sigh of relief.
As soon as Secretary Lin entered the shop, he looked around. Su Jinyuan had asked him to help supervise, clearly meaning that Huo Sining should not be disadvantaged.
After checking the premises upstairs and downstairs, Secretary Lin inquired about the bottom price from Huo Sining and had a rough idea in mind.
Secretary Lin’s professional skills and eloquence were certainly no joke. After sitting down, he engaged Cai Jianxin in a tough price negotiation.
Eventually, they agreed that Huo Sining would purchase the entire set of storefronts from Cai Jianxin for four million, including the aquatic species aquarium equipment inside the shop as well as the upstairs furniture and appliances.
Although the furniture and appliances were new, giving them away to Huo Sining for free pained him, but Cai Jianxin really couldn’t wait. He feared that the deal would fall through at the last minute and begrudgingly agreed to it in the end.
After the contract was signed and fingerprints pressed, Huo Sining transferred four million to Cai Jianxin’s account.
Secretary Lin then quickly phoned a contact at the housing authority. Before long, the transfer of ownership was processed, his efficiency leaving Cai Jianxin utterly astounded.
Cai Jianxin’s heart trembled, silently acknowledging that Huo Sining indeed had backing; bringing along a secretary with such presence was one thing, but having the housing authority show her respect was another.
But in an instant, Cai Jianxin’s expression toward Huo Sining became much more reserved and reverent.
Seeing this, Huo Sining couldn’t help but reveal a bitter smile. It seemed that in this day and age, money and power still ruled; was she not flaunting borrowed authority?
With the transaction completed, Huo Sining held the property deed with her name on it, feeling an inexplicable sense of belonging.
This was the proof that she had set down roots in the unfamiliar city of S City from now on.
To become someone with both a house and a shop was a fantasy to the Huo Sining of her past life, yet in this life, she had obtained it with ease.
Huo Sining took a deep breath and said to herself, “With this property deed, my days to come will only get better.”
With Secretary Lin’s help, Huo Sining also took the opportunity to complete the store’s business permit and other procedures, henceforth officially renaming the Yule store as Xianyu Shop.
Since Huo Sining didn’t have much money left, she decided not to bother with any major renovations, preferring to use Cai Jianxin’s original decorations and simply add some decorative touches of her own.
Her current task was not on renovations, but rather dealing with the batch of sick ornamental fish left behind by Cai Jianxin.
Originally, Huo Sining had planned to negotiate with Cai Jianxin about buying those sick fish at a base price once the shop transaction was completed, but during the negotiation with Secretary Lin, Cai Jianxin ended up gifting her the fish tanks and equipment, leaving the nearly dead fish unconsidered.
This saved Huo Sining the trouble of having to ask, reducing some complications and suspicion, and of course, she couldn’t be happier.
After handling these matters, Secretary Lin left.
Upon returning to the company, he eagerly reported the afternoon’s events to Su Jinyuan, only to find Su Jinyuan sitting at his desk, staring blankly at a box before him.
Secretary Lin coughed. Su Jinyuan snapped back to reality, “You’re back, has Miss Huo’s matter been taken care of?”
Secretary Lin discreetly glanced at the box Huo Sining gave to Su Jinyuan on the desk and nodded, saying,
“The shop is in the Flower, Bird, Insect, and Fish Market near Chenghuang Temple, roughly seventy square meters, a two-story storefront for four million is indeed very affordable. Miss Huo’s luck and foresight are not bad.”
One corner of Su Jinyuan’s mouth lifted slightly, “You’re right, this girl indeed has both luck and foresight.”
Secretary Lin’s lips twitched, is it really okay for you to compliment your girlfriend so implicitly, Boss?
“Alright, forget about that matter, help me contact the Hong Kong Auction House. Tell them I have three pure wild freshwater Eastern Pearls, between eighteen to twenty millimeters in diameter, I believe they’d be interested,” Su Jinyuan suddenly said.
Eighteen to twenty millimeters?!
Secretary Lin’s eyes widened in astonishment. Such large pearls were rare treasures, difficult to find even if they scoured the entire domestic jewelry industry, not to mention these were pure wild pearls. Mr. Su, you’re not joking, are you?
But Su Jinyuan merely smiled mysteriously, offering no explanation.
Secretary Lin swallowed his questions and set off to follow Su Jinyuan’s instructions, though he remained astonished inside.
After Secretary Lin left the office, the smile on Su Jinyuan’s face faded.
He opened the paper box in front of him, where three huge pearls lay on a small piece of silk, round and lustrous, exuding mystery and allure.
Subconsciously reaching for the pearls, Su Jinyuan murmured, “How many more surprises are you hiding?”
The day after Huo Sining returned to her rented room, she sought out Mrs. Xu to explain the situation.
Upon hearing that Huo Sining was about to move, Mrs. Xu was initially annoyed, but Huo Sining quickly brought down her Rainbow Fairy Fish, effectively silencing Mrs. Xu.
Seeing her listless fish suddenly lively and energetic, Mrs. Xu was overjoyed, not only agreeing to Huo Sining’s move but also promptly refunding half of the three months’ rent that Huo Sining had paid in advance.
Mrs. Xu might have loved small gains, but she was a decent person. Huo Sining didn’t mind letting her keep the other half of the rent; instead, she mentioned that she would be opening a fish shop near Chenghuang Temple in half a month and promised Mrs. Xu a discount if she came to visit.
Mrs. Xu was ecstatic at the news, earnestly promising that she would bring more fish enthusiasts to support the shop on its opening day.
Smiling, Huo Sining thanked her and, without lingering for further small talk with Mrs. Xu, left the address and contact number for the store, ready to move.
Even though she had moved twice in less than ten days, Huo Sining’s mood was significantly more uplifted this time.
After all, she was relocating to her own new home this time. Compared to renting, living in one’s own house certainly felt more like belonging, more like home.