Senior sister, stop working and go home for dinner.

Chapter 37 The Stone Shop Changes Hands

Upon hearing Chen Anran's decisive and efficient manner, Fatty Li's small eyes gleamed, and he quickly began to calculate in his mind. He stretched out his chubby palm, fingers spread, and tentatively offered a price:

"Young Master Chen is so straightforward! Then I, Fatty Li, won't mince words either. This shop, connected to the backyard and warehouse, along with all the stocked stones in the storeroom, plus my connections and supply channels built up over many years... the figure is five million! What do you think?"

This price is clearly heavily inflated. Chen Anran's smile remained unchanged. He picked up his teacup, gently blew away the foam, and said slowly:

"Boss Li, I sincerely want it, but your asking price isn't very sincere." He put down his teacup and calmly looked at Fatty Li. "We both know the location and business situation of your shop. The ordinary stones in your inventory aren't worth much. As for the sourcing channels... since I've dared to take over, I naturally have my reasons. Two million, including everything currently in the shop, and your promise of a smooth handover. How about it?"

"Two million?!" Fatty Li nearly jumped up from his chair like a cat whose tail had been stepped on. His fat face jiggled, and he looked heartbroken. "Young Master Chen, you're haggling way too much! This shop may be out of the way, but the size is undeniable! And my supply channels—that's the culmination of years of hard work! I really can't sell it for less than three million!"

Chen Anran wasn't in a hurry. He simply said, "Boss Li, let's not beat around the bush. Two million is a price that fully considers all your hard work. If you don't think it's suitable, then forget it. I'll go look elsewhere. Guangzhou is so big, there are always suitable shops." With that, he made a move to get up.

"Hey, hey, hey! Don't rush, don't rush!" Fatty Li quickly stopped him, forcing a smile, but his mind was racing. This shop had been sitting in his hands for a long time, constantly operating at a loss, and it had long been a source of worry. Although two million was much lower than he had expected, it was still a huge sum of money that would allow him to return to his hometown and live comfortably for the rest of his life. He had previously asked for five million because he was hoping to make as much money as possible.

He carefully observed Chen Anran's expression and saw that the other's eyes were calm and not feigned, so he knew that this young man was serious and had a clear bottom line. If the stalemate continued, this "god of wealth" who had come to his door might really leave.

Fatty Li seemed to have made a huge decision. He slapped his thigh and sighed, "Oh well! Forget it! Considering how sincere you are, Mr. Chen, I'll just consider it making friends! Two million it is! I, Fatty Li, have really lost a fortune this time!"

Chen Anran then sat down again, a sincere smile on his face: "Boss Li is a straightforward person. Then it's settled. I'll have someone handle the specific transfer agreement and procedures as soon as possible."

"No problem! Leave it to me!" Fatty Li patted his chest confidently, then let out a long sigh of relief as if a huge weight had been lifted from his shoulders. His whole body relaxed, and his eyes shone with a sense of relief and anticipation. "Speaking of which, I have to thank you, Mr. Chen. With this shop in hand, I, Fatty Li, am finally free. I can take this two million back to my hometown, build a small house, get married, and live a peaceful and comfortable life as a wealthy man. Just thinking about it makes me happy!"

He smacked his lips with satisfaction, as if he could already see the leisurely life back home.

Looking at him like this, Chen Anran couldn't help but smile. "Boss Li, you're already this old and still haven't found a wife?"

The smile on Fatty Li's face faded slightly. He picked up a cigarette from the table, lit another one, took a deep drag, and slowly exhaled the smoke. "Hey, me? I have no home. My parents passed away early, and I'm all alone. I've long been used to the life of eating my fill and having no family to worry about. When I was young, I thought it was quite carefree to wander around on my own, traveling all over the country, and anywhere could be home. But now that I'm older, I realize that I don't know where my roots are, and there's always an emptiness in my heart."

He flicked his cigarette ash, his gaze drifting into the distance: "Selling the shop to you this time is a way of putting an end to Guangzhou and my more than ten years of life as a struggling migrant worker in Beijing. With the money, I can go back to my hometown county, which I haven't been back to for so many years, buy a small house, open a small shop, or just do nothing at all, just fish and sunbathe. Whatever makes me comfortable."

Chen Anran nodded silently. He could sense the deep loneliness and longing for stability hidden in Fatty Li's words. All beings in this world have their own destinies and their own places to go.

"When are you planning to leave?" Chen Anran asked.

"Next month, I guess." Fatty Li calculated the days. "Once all the formalities with you are completed, and you've taken stock of the inventory in the warehouse, I'll get rid of some odds and ends, and then it'll be about time to leave. I've lived in S City for over a decade, and I'm really reluctant to leave." He glanced around the shop filled with stones, his eyes filled with complex emotions. After all, this place held his years of hard work and hopes.

"Very well, fallen leaves return to their roots." Chen Anran raised his teacup, using tea instead of wine. "Then I wish Boss Li a safe journey, all the best in his hometown, and that he soon lives the comfortable life he desires."

Fatty Li laughed heartily, his gloom vanishing. He picked up his large teacup, now covered in tea stains, and clinked it against Chen Anran's: "Thank you for your kind words, Mr. Chen! I also wish your new shop a grand opening and abundant wealth! If you ever need any rare or unusual stones in the future, just give me a call. I, Old Li, can inquire around back in my hometown for you!"

"must."

When we returned to the retreat, the afterglow of the setting sun was bathing the courtyard in a warm golden light.

Wei Qingyi wasn't in her room, but sitting on a stone bench in the courtyard, intently reviewing her study materials by the daylight. A half-bowl of cooled spirit rice porridge sat on the stone table beside her. Her serene profile appeared exceptionally tranquil in the twilight, as if she were isolated from the world.

Chen Anran walked over quietly and sat down opposite her.

Wei Qingyi noticed the movement, looked up, saw it was Chen Anran, and closed the book in her hand.

"How did things go?"

Chen Anran didn't tell Wei Qingyi about taking over the shop; he just vaguely said he had some things to take care of.

"Hmm, it went more smoothly than expected." Chen Anran nodded, picked up the bowl of porridge beside her, and felt its icy coldness. "The porridge is cold, I'll go heat it up for you."

"No need to trouble yourself," Wei Qingyi stopped him. "I just finished reading this chapter and I'm not very hungry."

Chen Anran took out a small oil paper packet from the cloth bag she was carrying. "I saw some roasted chestnuts for sale on my way back. They smelled really good, so I brought some back with me."

Looking at the bag of chestnuts that were steaming and smelling sweet, Wei Qingyi couldn't help but smile slightly. She reached out and took it, and the warmth from her fingertips warmed her heart as well.

"Thanks."

Peel one open, and the chestnut kernel is soft, sticky, and sweet.

Just then, Chen Anran's phone rang. He took it out and saw the name "Huiming" flashing on the screen.