Chapter 15: Chapter 15 Let's Open a Restaurant
On the way back to school, Zhang Jingdong replayed in his mind the surprised expression on Xiao Fei's face just now.
To be honest, before the unexpected encounter with Xiao Fei, Zhang Jingdong still felt that there was no chance of anything happening with school beauties like Lin Shishi and Xiao Fei.
But at this moment, he suddenly realized that these two school beauties were also human. Even though they were far superior to ordinary girls in excellence and beauty, they were, after all, just girls in their early twenties.
And now, not only did he possess the mind of an experienced driver, but he also had the support of the system.
Therefore, he should be more confident and assertive when facing them.
At the same time, he should also aim higher.
He could no longer rely on striking up conversations with these top beauties to make a small amount of money; it was time to take a more high-end approach!
With this thought, he took out his phone and opened his messages.
The latest bank transfer information showed a balance of 433,510.13 yuan in his account.
This amount was enough to start a small business around the school and begin building a powerful personal brand!
At the same time, it could also provide a legitimate source of income for himself.
But what to do?
Open a billiard hall?
No, that certainly wouldn't appeal to Lin Shishi.
After all, the main reason for setting it up near the school was to attract her.
Well... how about an internet café?
While internet cafés at that time were still doing well, the good student type like Lin Shishi probably wouldn't go very often.
Forget it, let's open a restaurant then.
That's right, a Sichuan cuisine restaurant - she would at least visit!
And in the process of running it, he could find ways to get in touch with her.
With this in mind, Zhang Jingdong made up his mind.
Half an hour later, the car slowly stopped at the entrance of West University.
Zhang Jingdong first went to the nearby ICBC to withdraw 10,000 yuan, then he went to the adjacent real estate agency.
Although he was currently staying in a dormitory, deep down he was an old man and now that he had the means, he must have his own private space.
Moreover, he was still carrying a large bag from Li Yiran, which contained three leftover handcrafted buns and a clay flute case; he did not want to take these items back to the dormitory.
Pushing the door open, a sister with an average appearance but a professional smile greeted him: "Hello, sir, may I ask what you are here for...?"
"I'd like to rent a place."
"Alright, could you please specify your requirements for the apartment and your budget for rent?"
"I want to rent a two-bedroom apartment in Spring Breeze Garden, preferably from the 3rd to the 8th floor, with fine decoration, and as for the budget, as long as the apartment is good, the price can be negotiable!"
Spring Breeze Garden was the best residential area near West University and also the only high-rise.
Hearing the last sentence, the smile on her face became more sincere: "Okay, I'll select a few apartments that meet your requirements for you right now, please wait..."
Afterward, she showed Zhang Jingdong pictures of three apartments and then took him to Spring Breeze Garden.
Since Zhang Jingdong mentioned no budget, she did not dare to show him inferior apartments first and then a decent one as a selling tactic.
Upon arriving at the second apartment, Zhang Jingdong took to it immediately!
6th floor, sunny side, finely decorated, with a small balcony in the living room from which Wengong Lake at West University was visible in the distance.
He immediately asked, "How much is this apartment?"
"The landlord said the lowest is 1,200 yuan a month, but if you negotiate, it could possibly be reduced a bit!"
"Okay, I'll take this one, no need to negotiate. Please contact the landlord; it would be best if we could sign the contract today!"
"Sure!"
Half an hour later, the landlord arrived.
As Zhang Jingdong didn't bargain, both parties quickly signed the rental contract.
After paying a deposit and three months' advance rent, Zhang Jingdong handed over 4,800 yuan to the landlord, and then an additional 600 yuan as an agency fee to the agent.
After everything was sorted out, the landlord and the agent both left.
Zhang Jingdong put the bag inside a cabinet in the bedroom, looked out over Wengong Lake from the balcony in the living room for a while, and then headed to Self-Reliance Road opposite the school.
Because it was adjacent to both West University and Jiangdu University of Technology, the combined student population of these two universities was close to 100,000, so there were many businesses on this street.
Among them, restaurants and internet cafes are the most numerous.
Logically speaking, due to the large customer flow, these restaurants should be very profitable, but in fact, the turnover rate of these restaurants is incredibly high.
At least in Zhang Jingdong's memory, during the four years he attended university in his previous life, only one Sichuan cuisine restaurant and one Hunan cuisine restaurant were still in business and thriving by the time he graduated.
The Hunan cuisine restaurant opened after he became a sophomore, so he decided to make a move first.
Although Zhang Jingdong didn't need to rely on this restaurant to make money, only if it appeared to be thriving could it help him build his personal brand.
Relying on his memory, he effortlessly made his way to the location where the Hunan cuisine restaurant used to be in his past life.
And when he saw a "For Rent" sign on the glass door not far away, he couldn't help but feel delighted.
He immediately took out his phone, walked up, and dialed the number listed above.
However, after ringing for a long time, just as it was about to automatically disconnect, someone finally picked up: "Hello... three... bang!"
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Zhang Jingdong instantly realized and chuckled, shaking his head: "Sister, I want to rent this storefront, could you come over to discuss?"
"Which storefront are you talking about?"
Tsk tsk, no wonder she can play mahjong at this time of day—turns out she's the legendary 'Landlord Lady'!
He immediately replied: "The one on Self-Reliance Road."
"Can you accept a monthly rent of 8,000?"
"As long as there's nothing wrong with the storefront, that price is fine!"
"Alright, I'll come over now!"
Fifteen minutes later, a black electric scooter came speeding over and stopped abruptly nearby.
The person appeared to be in her forties and dressed somewhat like the landlady from the movie "Kung Fu."
"Was it you who called me just now?"
Zhang Jingdong nodded: "Yes, it was."
She sized up Zhang Jingdong again, clearly feeling that this young man seemed unreliable, mainly because his face was just too youthful.
And judging by his attire, he obviously wasn't a wealthy second-generation.
But she was here anyway, and he had sounded quite confident on the phone, so she decided to take a look.
She then got off the scooter, pulled out a set of keys, fumbled around for a while, and finally found the right key to unlock the door.
"Come in and have a look!"
Zhang Jingdong followed her in and merely took a casual glance around.
The storefront was approximately 400 square meters, and it was obvious that the previous tenant was a restaurant, and they must have moved out not too long ago. With a bit of redecoration, it could open for business fairly quickly.
Zhang Jingdong immediately said, "This storefront is fine... You mentioned 8,000 a month, right?"
She was clearly surprised by Zhang Jingdong's straightforwardness and hesitated before replying: "Yes."
"Here's the deal, I won't haggle with you. For the rent, I can pay for six months up front, but I have a small request—could we sign for three years at once?"
When she heard the first part of his request, she couldn't help but smile to herself, pleased that the deal with Zhang Jingdong, who seemed a bit unreliable at a glance, appeared to be going through.
But she hesitated when she heard the last part.
Her store's rent usually increased annually, though not by much, maybe a few hundred, but his request to sign for three years meant she would be earning less money overall.
On second thought, considering that her storefront tended to be vacant for a month or two each year, the difference in earnings more or less balanced out.
So she nodded: "Alright, since you're being so straightforward, brother, I'll also play it straight. We'll sign for three years, as you requested!"
Seeing her agreement, Zhang Jingdong smiled and said: "Great, then let's catch the bank before it closes and sign the contract now. Once it's signed, I'll go to the bank and transfer the payment to you!"
"Sure!"
Over the next hour, the two went to a copy shop to print the lease agreement on the spot.
After signing the contract, they went to the bank together.
After the account transfer was completed and they came out, the Landlord Lady saw Zhang Jingdong in a new light.
"Young man, I didn't expect someone who looks so low-profile to be so efficient in handling business!"
Zhang Jingdong replied quid pro quo: "Any successful deal depends on the cooperation of both parties. I'm straightforward, and you're open, so our cooperation went so smoothly!"
At these words, the smile on her face grew broader, and she even unconsciously touched her own hair.
Seeing this, Zhang Jingdong quickly said: "Alright, sister, we'll leave it at that for now. If there's anything else, I'll give you a call!"
"Sure, then... goodbye!"