Year 1983: I was a carpenter in Northeast China

Chapter 152 Satisfaction

The first location is near the government building, at the corner of an intersection.

The place is spacious and well-lit, but the house is old and dilapidated. If you rent it, the wooden window frames will have to be replaced.

Xu Bei felt that the renovation project was too extensive and unnecessary.

Because this is not a good place to do business.

So they directly stated their idea and the three of them went to look at another place.

As a result, when they arrived, Xu Bei found that this place, which was originally used as a small warehouse, was in good condition inside and out, and was next to a residential area with a lot of foot traffic.

However, it is too far from the more prosperous commercial areas of today.

Some people come from other forestry bureaus or forest farms to shop; I doubt many people would make a special trip this far to buy things.

Even if the rent were very cheap, it certainly wouldn't be within his consideration.

After looking at two places that weren't quite right, not only was Xu Bei disappointed, but Wei Xuelin also felt a little guilty.

While Song Zihou, who was accompanying them to view the house, was locking the door, he leaned closer and said, "Brother, I thought finding a house to buy and sell would be quite easy, but I didn't expect there to be so much to it."

"Brother Wei, I'm just being a bit too particular and considering things. After all, it's not a private residence, so we don't need to think too much about the location and environment. Everyone who runs a business is trying to make money." Xu Bei paused for a moment, "It would be best if it were a street-facing property close to the department store, even if the rent is a bit higher."

Song Zihou had already locked the door. Upon hearing this, his eyes lit up. "Oh dear, I'd completely forgotten about the department store! There really is one, less than fifty meters east of the building. It used to be used as a storage room, but now everything's been moved out, except—"

Xu Bei was immediately delighted, but he didn't know what would happen next.

Wei Xuelin, who also worked in a government agency, knew more than Xu Bei and immediately asked, "But what? Your boss didn't say anything about moving it to a taxi?"

Song Zihou flicked a key in his hand, shrugged, and said, "That's right. How can we make decisions without the leader's permission?"

Wei Xuelin could tell that Xu Bei was very interested. After exchanging a glance, he continued, "Do you have a key to that place?"

Song Zihou rummaged through the keys and said with a hint of surprise, "There really is one in here."

Wei Xuelin said with a smile, "Then let's go take a look first."

The other party replied, "Sure, let's take a look."

Xu Bei glanced down at the time; after all this back and forth, it was already past 10:30.

"Brother Wei, Brother Song, it's almost noon. Why don't we find a place to eat after we finish watching?"

""

Wei Xuelin understood that Xu Bei was a straightforward person and didn't want anyone to help for nothing. Besides, it wasn't just him who was being treated. "Okay, let's have something simple to eat then. Xiao Song, you've been running around with us all day, so please don't refuse."

Song Zihou made a token refusal, but then agreed with a smile, "—Then I won't stand on ceremony with you."

Knowing that someone would take them to a restaurant after viewing the house, the atmosphere of their conversation on the way there became even more relaxed and pleasant.

Later, when they arrived at the house facing the street, Xu Bei was secretly very satisfied as soon as he got close.

The house has a very neat red brick exterior, and the two windows look quite large.

There is a small, flat open space in front of the door, just enough to park bicycles.

Most importantly, it's right next to a department store, and just a few steps to the left is a crossroads, bustling with people.

Song Zihou quickly stepped forward, unlocked the door, and opened it.

Xu Bei and Wei Xuelin quickly followed them inside.

The room was tidy with almost no clutter, and the cement floor was relatively flat.

Although the windows are old-fashioned wooden-framed glass windows, sunlight can stream into the room without obstruction, illuminating the entire space brightly.

Xu Bei stood in the center of the room, already starting to plan in his mind.

One side can be lined with shelves against the wall, with counters in front selling small general merchandise, while the other side can be used to sell clothing, and a fitting room can be set up in the corner.

With such a great location and layout, it's perfect for opening a clothing department store. No matter what he does, he's determined to take it over.

Wei Xuelin, a novice in business, compared the places he visited and felt that this was a better place to open a shop.

However, since Song Zihou had made it clear that the leaders had not said anything about renting out the house, neither of them said anything more, and instead arranged to eat at a nearby state-run restaurant.

Once they arrived at the restaurant, Xu Bei, wanting to treat everyone, acted generously. After consulting with the other two, he ordered four main dishes and a bottle of the restaurant's most expensive liquor.

As braised pork, braised beef, stir-fried liver tips, and pickled cabbage with pork belly were served one after another.

Even though it had only been a few days since the New Year and Song Zihou was well-fed and earned a decent salary working in a government agency, he had a clearer understanding of Xu Bei.

Xu Bei poured a full vat of baijiu into the cups in front of Wei Xuelin and Song Zihou.

Then he proactively brought over a cup and picked one up.

"Brother Wei, Brother Song, it's quite windy and cold outside today. Thank you for accompanying me all morning. I must toast you."

Wei Xuelin chuckled, holding his glass, and said, "We're all friends, so there's no need for formalities. Besides, all these dishes you prepared are quite substantial; not a single one is without meat."

Song Zihou raised his glass, smiling as he echoed, "Yes, a friend's friend is also my friend, isn't he? To be honest, our family's New Year's Eve dinner was just so-so, and it certainly wasn't as delicious as what the chefs at restaurants make."

"Brother Song, Brother Wei, then you two should use your chopsticks a little longer. I won't say anything nice, just eat and drink well."

Xu Bei finished speaking with a smile, which amused Wei Xuelin and Song Zihou.

"Don't worry, I definitely won't stay out of the house unless I eat and drink well."

"Yes, we must make sure we have enough to eat and drink."

The three quickly clinked glasses, then tilted their heads back and took a big gulp of baijiu (Chinese liquor). Afterward, they all picked up their chopsticks to eat some food to suppress the spicy taste.

Since being reborn back to the 1980s, Xu Bei has eaten at many state-run restaurants, and no matter where he goes, there is no restaurant that is not delicious.

The braised pork at this state-run restaurant in the city is especially delicious; it tastes even better than the one made by the Forestry Bureau.

One bite revealed a tender, chewy skin and juicy, flavorful lean meat.

The fatty parts melt in your mouth like tofu, filling your mouth with a rich, fatty aroma, yet they don't feel greasy at all.

The three of them ate, drank, and chatted, raising their glasses in a lively atmosphere.

The conversation naturally turned to the last house we looked at.

Perhaps feeling obligated to help someone who has eaten his food, and also believing that drinking could indeed bring people closer, Song Zihou took the initiative to offer his services without Xu Bei even mentioning it.

"Okay, brother, don't worry. Let me go back to my unit and talk to my boss about it. The house is just sitting empty anyway, it would be great to rent it out and collect rent every month."