Chapter 25: Chapter 25 New House
Aunt Li was just about to leave with Chen Yu when she suddenly noticed Tong Ya and Tuan Tuan standing nearby.
"Eh, is this your wife? Did she come to see the child?"
Chen Yu waved his hands repeatedly, "No, she's the child's teacher! And also my college classmate."
For some reason, Tong Ya felt an inexplicable sense of loss when she heard Chen Yu introduce her that way, even though she knew he was a married man with a child.
Chen Yu seemed to have already settled on the identity of Tong Ya as a college classmate.
"Oh my, this girl is so beautiful! She really matches with Little Chen!"
After praising her, Aunt Li directly dragged Chen Yu to the shop across the street.
Tong Ya was left standing there.
This shop was right next to Zhang Fan's car dealership, and it was the biggest one on the street.
Since it used to be a restaurant, a lot of the decor could be utilized by Chen Yu.
Only minor modifications were needed before it could open for business.
Chen Yu already had a blueprint in his mind for this place, and he could start construction with a decorating team tomorrow.
What he was most eager to see now was the room on the third floor.
The three-story building was connected by a staircase.
Upon reaching the third floor and turning right, a few steps down a narrow corridor revealed a relatively spacious double security door.
"Actually, the previous restaurant, when they rented the place, didn't rent out the third-floor rooms because they found it expensive, and they already had a place to live, so there was no need to rent another!"
Aunt Li, whether out of overenthusiasm or because she truly considered Chen Yu as one of her own, didn't hold back any information.
"Anyway, since they didn't take the third floor, they still had to pay me nine thousand in rent! Little Chen, take a look. If you don't like it, I can even give you a discount on the rent from the original rate."
The moment the main door opened, Chen Yu was completely astonished.
The decoration here was simply exquisite.
All kinds of furniture and appliances were available, even the bedding was perfectly prepared, ready for someone to move in straight away.
Especially the two bathrooms, which were fully equipped with sanitary fixtures, and the larger one even had a bathtub installed.
"This place was renovated two years ago, but no one has lived here since—it's been empty until now!"
As she spoke, Aunt Li started removing the white cloths covering the furniture.
Chen Yu, Tong Ya, and Zhang Fan hurried forward to help.
"Aunt Li! I'm very satisfied with this house. We can proceed with the previously agreed rental of seventy thousand for half a year, and I can pay you all at once."
Aunt Li's smile grew even more kindly, "Don't worry, Little Chen, you've worked hard running a food cart and taking care of a child. Suddenly renting such a big shop space must be putting a strain on your finances…"
"It's all right, Aunt Li! We can sign the contract right now!"
Aunt Li was taken aback for a moment: "Well, okay then! But if you ever find yourself short of money, feel free to come to Aunt Li!"
Chen Yu smiled, agreed, and after signing the contract, he immediately transferred the money.
Aunt Li checked the payment record with a hearty laugh, "Alright then, I'll be off. From today, this is your place!"
Just as she reached the doorway, Aunt Li turned back.
"Oh, and when you move and open your new store, you must remember to reserve some fried pastries and vegetable turnovers for me!"
"Don't worry, Aunt Li!" Chen Yu said as he politely saw Aunt Li out the door.
Zhang Fan stretched and yawned, "I should be going too! By the way, Chen, after you move, you can let me modify the food truck a bit. I can definitely sell it for a good price!"
Without waiting for Chen Yu's response, Zhang Fan hurried downstairs.
For some reason, Tong Ya found Chen Yu standing before her more charming than ever.
What kind of personal charm must it have taken to make so many neighbors help him without regard to cost?
Chen Yu looked at the house in front of him with great satisfaction.
"Tuan Tuan, this is our new home too! Stay here and wait for me to bring up our things!"
"Hooray!" Tuan Tuan clapped his little hands excitedly, "From now on, I can lie on the sofa and watch TV!"
Chen Yu affectionately ruffled Tuan Tuan's little head and hurried off to the dining cart.
He brought up all their clothes and daily necessities in one go.
The shop would definitely need to be renovated in the next few days, and he would have to rely on the business of the dining cart.
Bringing these things up freed up even more space.
By the time Chen Yu returned to the third floor, Tong Ya had already served up the fried cakes and vegetable pastries and started eating with Tuan Tuan.
"Dad, when can we start doing business in the shop?" Tuan Tuan asked with a look of anticipation.
"At the very least, we have to wait a few days, we need to get it decorated!"
Tuan Tuan immediately looked a bit disappointed, "Several more days? Doesn't that mean Dad still has to suffer in that cramped dining cart?"
"It's alright! Tuan Tuan, you must remember, 'To endure hardship is to be superior'. Besides, this is hardly hardship at all."
Tuan Tuan nodded obediently and then offered Chen Yu a vegetable pastry.
After the three of them had eaten, Tong Ya took the fried cakes and vegetable pastries left for Tang Xiaowei and went home.
Chen Yu then made a phone call to order the same raw materials as yesterday, but he didn't buy any solid cooking oil.
He calculated that tomorrow's cost would be nineteen thousand one hundred yuan.
Added to the seventy thousand yuan rent he had just paid, he had spent eighty-nine thousand one hundred yuan in one go.
Now he had only fifty-one thousand six hundred twenty yuan left in savings.
He estimated that the upcoming renovation would cost a bit more.
He didn't know if these expenses would be counted into the cost by the system.
Just as Chen Yu was calculating in his head, the doorbell suddenly rang.
Chen Yu hurried to open the door and found Zhang Fan had returned, bringing Xie Jiang with him.
"Old Zhang, Old Xie! What brings you here?"
"It's not a big deal!" Zhang Fan patted Xie Jiang's back, "Xie Jiang works in home electronics but also takes on some renovation work on the side. Hearing that you were going to renovate, he asked me to bring him over."
Xie Jiang chuckled, "My business is just starting up, it's still small scale! But if you let me take care of the renovation, I guarantee the quality will be spot on!"
Chen Yu was just worrying about the renovation tomorrow.
"That's perfect! I was just thinking about finding someone tomorrow. Since that's the case, I'll leave the renovation to you!"
Xie Jiang's eyes widened; he hadn't expected Chen Yu to agree so readily.
Overwhelmed with excitement, he seized Chen Yu's hand and began to shake it.
"You can count on me, Old Chen! Let's do this; we start the renovation first, payment comes after. If you're not satisfied, I won't take a dime!"
"How can that be right?" Chen Yu pulled out his phone, "Here's what we'll do. I'll give you ten thousand as a down payment right now, and if it's not enough, you can come find me anytime!"
Xie Jiang's face twitched slightly with emotion, but he didn't play hard to get and took out his phone to receive the money.
"Rest assured, Old Chen! I will make sure your new shop is the finest on the entire street!"
After saying this, Xie Jiang immediately turned around and went downstairs, calling someone on the phone as he walked, seemingly arranging for materials.
Zhang Fan was also helpless, "Don't mind him; that's just the way Old Xie is. If you trust him, he'll work ten times as hard for you!"
Chen Yu nodded, "I certainly know what kind of man Old Xie is! I'll leave the remodeling of my dining cart to you guys in the future!"