Chapter 189: You Want to Open a Shop

Gu Fei quickly gave the old man a curtsy. "My apologies, sir. I didn’t mean to step on you just now."

The old man just huffed and said nothing.

Gu Fei took out a few Copper Coins, bent down, and placed them before the old man. "Sir, it’s cold out. You can’t sleep here at night. You should find somewhere to get out of the wind."

The old man suddenly flew into a rage. "Go on, get out of here! Where did you come from, little missy? I’m no beggar! Who wants your Copper Coins!"

Gu Fei looked embarrassed. She bent down, picked up the Copper Coins, and was about to leave. But after a moment’s thought, she turned back to the old man and asked, "Sir, do you know who owns this building? Why is it empty? On such a bustling street, it’s a real shame for it to be vacant."

’I’ve been wondering what I should do lately,’ she thought. ’Mom is growing peppers, and Dad is raising pearl oysters. I can’t just be a freeloader at home, can I?’

Seeing a storefront in such a prime location, she couldn’t resist asking a few questions.

The old man stared at her, taking in her fine silk clothes, the maid at her side, and the servant standing nearby. A glint suddenly appeared in his eye. "Little girl, why are you asking about this?"

Gu Fei smiled. "Oh, it’s nothing. I just think it’s a shame. In such a great location, any shop should do good business, don’t you think?"

The old man said abruptly, "You’ve got a good eye, little girl."

"Sounds like you want to open a shop?"

Gu Fei nodded.

The old man said suddenly, "This building is mine. If you’re serious about opening a shop, little missy, I’ll sell this place to you."

Gu Fei tilted her head to look at the old man. "Sir, you wouldn’t be trying to trick me, would you?"

’You’re dressed in rags and look just like a beggar,’ she thought. ’How could you possibly own a building this large?’

The old man snorted. "Who’s tricking you? If you don’t believe me, come inside and see for yourself!"

With that, the old man stood up, pulled a large, gleaming brass key from his clothes, turned, and unlocked the main doors.

Gu Fei was taken aback. ’So it really is his place,’ she thought.

There were no lamps inside, but thankfully, the sea of lanterns on the street cast some light into the room. Gu Fei looked around. The space was quite large and completely empty, with every surface coated in a thick layer of dust. It looked like it had been abandoned for a long time.

The old man pointed toward the back. "There’s a courtyard back here, and another building in the yard."

Gu Fei estimated that a storefront in this location would cost at least a few thousand in silver to acquire. She waved her hands dismissively. "Sir, I won’t bother looking at the back. I don’t have enough silver to buy this place."

"But would you be willing to rent it?"

Hearing this, the old man shook his head. "I’m not renting. Only selling!"

He glanced again at Gu Fei’s clothes and said huffily, "You’re a dishonest little missy! If you didn’t have some family money, would you dare wear clothes made of embroidery silk that costs ten silver a foot? And you still say you have no silver? I’d be a fool to believe you!"

"I think you’re just messing with an old man like me!"

Gu Fei gave a helpless smile. "Sir, that’s not it at all. I really don’t have enough silver."

"Then how much silver are you asking for the building?"

The old man held up three fingers. "I’m not asking for much. Three thousand silver. I can go with you to the government office tomorrow to transfer the deed."

Gu Fei winced. The price was so staggering she wanted to run for the hills. "Sir, I’ll... I’ll go back and see if I can scrape the silver together."

Gu Fei said this as she began to walk out.

The old man stood in the shadows, watching her leave. He muttered to himself, "It’s been so long... maybe it will finally sell this time."

"If it really sells, that would be for the best. Then I can finally be free."