Chapter 77
After collecting the finished clothes from Master Zuo’s tailor shop, Shen You found that the colors and styles she had chosen were all understated. They could be worn to formal occasions while remaining appropriate for daily wear.
She trusted Master Zuo’s craftsmanship completely, so she did not try on the garments there. Instead, she packed them up and prepared to leave.
“Miss Shen, do you still have any of that fabric you brought last time?” Master Zuo called out to stop her.
Shen You replied, “It might be some time before I have more.”
Master Zuo expressed his understanding. Fine fabric required time-consuming pure handcraft weaving. When the conversation turned to business matters, he spoke quietly, “That fire-washed cloth from some days ago. That was yours, wasn’t it?”
Since Shen You had placed orders here using her real information, and Master Zuo had dealt with traditional silk textiles his entire life, he paid particular attention to news in this field.
This was precisely why he had rushed to complete Shen You’s order first.
Receiving confirmation, Master Zuo suggested, “I know you definitely wouldn’t be willing to part with it. Could you perhaps let me see some photographic documentation to satisfy my curiosity?”
Shen You smiled and said, “No problem at all. This isn’t any significant matter. I’ll send it to your WeChat in a moment.”
The tailor shop and South Lake were located on the same street, making the drive there quite quick.
Due to protection measures for ancient architecture, vehicle access was restricted in half of the South Lake area. Shen You and her companion were targeting the other side today.
Many of the Western-style houses and Chinese-style courtyards in this area belonged to private owners, along with high-end hotels.
Shen You had contacted someone in advance. The suited real estate agent had heard that Shen You wanted to establish a workshop, so according to her requirements, he had found several suitable properties.
“Miss Shen, this courtyard has an excellent location. It’s just somewhat old. The owner immigrated abroad, so it’s now being sold cheaply. Only seventy million.”
The agent wore a broad smile as he recommended the property with the highest commission enthusiastically.
His description of the good location was indeed accurate, and his mention of it being old was also truthful.
While the exterior appeared quite nice, once inside, the roof tiles had fallen until daylight showed through completely. Weeds grew everywhere. Moreover, a trendy Chinese-style teahouse operated directly in front.
Opening any window would face directly toward this courtyard, providing no privacy and no quiet.
The key issue was that the exterior appearance of houses here could not be arbitrarily modified. Seventy million was completely unreasonable – she would not want to buy it even at fifty million.
Renovating this place properly would require spending a large sum of money without any guarantee of success.
Shen You didn’t listen to the agent’s subsequent flowery descriptions of various benefits carefully. She simply said she wanted to walk around the surrounding area to consider the options, found an excuse, and pulled Wen Zhi away from there.
“The well-maintained courtyards here generally have owners who are quite reluctant to sell.” Wen Zhi led her around to the lakeside.
“The locations toward the back are secluded, but coming here at night isn’t very safe. How about looking at this area? The best positioned section on the south side.”
Moreover, it was very close to where he currently lived.
Shen You glanced sideways at the property where the auction house had been held previously as they passed by. “The place you’re suggesting, it wouldn’t happen to be property under your name, would it?”
“I do indeed own some properties here.” Wen Zhi gave a low chuckle. “Just two properties among the others. You should first see if there are any that catch your interest before we discuss further.”
He didn’t specify which properties belonged to him. Instead, he contacted a nearby property manager to present the available courtyards for rent or sale that could serve as workshop spaces, allowing Shen You to make her own choice.
Xiao Lu, who had recently taken over the property management work, felt puzzled. Among these properties, Mr. Wen’s own would be quite suitable and happened to be vacant at the moment.
He clearly wanted to let Miss Shen use it, so why did he still need to go through the formal process via him?
This was incomprehensible, but his face maintained a standard professional smile. As long as the boss provided adequate wages, everything else was manageable.
Looking at the pricing information Xiao Lu provided, Shen You considered three properties as possibilities.
One of them was relatively small. She particularly liked the traces of age on the walls and the scenery outside the small bay windows. The owner had also moved away from Jiang City years ago and had neglected its maintenance.
The price was slightly cheaper, although not by much. Considering cost-effectiveness, Shen You chose another well-maintained property instead.
“Could I first sign a two-year rental contract?” Shen You asked.
No one could predict the future development of this workshop. She planned to rent for a period first, since purchasing was genuinely expensive.
The property owner might not even be willing to sell. Getting someone to part with their beloved property would require additional payment.
“It’s certainly possible.” As Xiao Lu retrieved the contract from his briefcase, he quietly reminded her, “The property you’ve selected happens to belong to Mr. Wen. The other two do not.”
Should he actually collect this rent money? Mr. Wen’s outlook looked as if money held little value to him.
“That’s fine. Just handle it according to your standard pricing.”
Paying rent to anyone meant paying rent. Paying someone she knew was even better.
At least she could feel more secure and not worry about being cheated out of a seven-figure annual rent.
Shen You picked up the contract and prepared to sign. Suddenly, Wen Zhi reached out to stop her.
“How about we modify the contract terms?”
Shen You paused her pen. “What do you suggest?”
“I provide the venue, and we consider this a partnership with my involvement.” Wen Zhi’s lips curved upward.
“You should think this through carefully. The workshop definitely won’t generate any revenue in the early stages.” Shen You clarified this point in advance.
Wen Zhi said slowly, “I don’t lack that rental income. Previously, I still needed to find someone to manage it. Rather than that, partnering with you means this property will have someone taking care of it. That works out quite well.”
Xiao Lu professionally produced a laptop from his bag and modified the contract on the spot, specifying the profit-sharing arrangement before taking it to be printed nearby.
This work efficiency was truly exceptional.
After learning that he could also handle workshop-related procedures, Shen You decisively paid the quoted service fee according to the pricing and commissioned him to handle these matters.
Manager Xiao Lu was amazed by his good fortune. This single trip had brought him another contract.
Miss Shen had paid a full year’s service fee, and her manner of payment was as straightforward as Mr. Wen’s.
During the interval while the revised contract was being reprinted, Shen You thoroughly toured the property and planned how to arrange the space.
The elderly caretaker who had previously watched over the house and maintained the courtyard would continue to be employed by the workshop. Someone who had worked here for many years would be more reliable.
After handling all these matters, Shen You could finally breathe easily. When they came out, they decided to have dinner to celebrate finding an excellent location for her workshop.
**
Evening breezes stirred waves across the lake surface. Leaves rustled on both sides of the path. Outside the windows, a brilliant sunset glow was embedded in the deep blue sky.
The two chatted casually while eating dinner.
“Is there really no problem with you not returning for so many days?” Shen You was referring to the Great Qi side.
“There’s no problem.” Wen Zhi’s smile remained consistent, as if he cared little about anything. “Seeing me probably doesn’t count as good news for them.”
Shen You smiled but ultimately suppressed her curiosity and didn’t ask further.
After settling the bill, she needed to make a trip to the supermarket to restock her refrigerator. She had intended to have Wen Zhi drop her off at the supermarket entrance, but he accompanied her inside as well.
“Previously, we agreed I would work for meals. I want to choose for myself.” Wen Zhi spoke with complete righteousness. “You wouldn’t go back on your word, would you?”
When he said this, a nearby aunt cast her gaze in their direction.
It seemed as if Shen You were some unscrupulous employer who deceived innocent young men.
“Fine, fine, fine. You choose.” Shen You pushed the cart and walked hurriedly.
This person had extremely high standards for products. Everything he selected consisted of premium quality items.
An hour later, they came out carrying four completely full shopping bags.
Then a new problem arose. While this car was undeniably handsome, its front trunk could not accommodate even a single shopping bag.
The two stood in the parking lot. The air remained quiet for a moment. Even the passersby who had been raising their phones to take photos showed less envy in their expressions.
Finally, they stuffed everything into the seats, with Shen You still holding one bag in her arms.