Super Rich: It all started when I met a young woman in a sleeper car.

The next day, the store's business was handed over to a few new employees, which was a good opportunity to train them. As the store grows larger, it will definitely need to hire a store manager, and it would be better to select the store manager from among these veterans. Chen Xun and Lin Xinyue went out to check out the location of the branch store.

"Then it's settled."

Chen Xun slapped a few sheets of paper on the coffee table; they were the "results" of the four of them running around separately that afternoon.

Lin Xinyue was the first to chime in: "Let me see, let me see! The ones in the university town are really no good, either ridiculously expensive or so run-down they're unbearable to look at. The one Li Qian found is much better!"

Yang Xiaotao whispered, "The shops over there in the cultural and creative park... are nice, but it feels like people go there to take pictures, not to eat. It's not suitable for us who sell noodles."

Li Qian didn't say anything, but brought up the map on her phone and placed it in the middle of the coffee table. It was marked with a red dot that said "MixC World".

Chen Xun looked at the three people: "The situation is clear now. The location Li Qian found is the best, with the highest foot traffic, and it best matches our target customers. However," he paused, "it's expensive. The rent is 12,000 yuan a month, and the transfer fee is 135,000 yuan. The initial investment is close to 300,000 yuan."

"Three hundred thousand!" Yang Xiaotao gasped. "We only have about two hundred thousand in our account that we can actually use right now. What if the old shop needs the money if we invest it all?"

"So we can't invest all of it," Li Qian chimed in. "My opinion is that we can negotiate, but the terms must be negotiated. Either lower the rent, or pay the transfer fee in installments. Otherwise, the risk is too great."

Lin Xinyue grew anxious: "Still betting? Those prime locations will be gone if you're late! What business doesn't involve risk? Didn't we start our first store like this? Once you've identified a good opportunity, you have to go for it, stop dawdling!"

"The situation is different." Li Qian looked at her. "Back then, we had nothing to lose. Now that we have a store and a team, we need to be more stable. If the new store fails and drags down the old store, we'll be back to square one."

"Why do you keep thinking about 'what if'?" Lin Xinyue's voice rose a little. "What if it works out? We can make money from both stores, and then we'll take off!"

"You need a runway to take off!" Li Qian retorted. "Money is the runway! Without a runway, what's the point of flying!"

The two were about to start arguing again.

Yang Xiaotao looked at this and that, and finally looked at Chen Xun: "Big brother... what do you say? I... I'll listen to you."

Chen Xun remained silent.

He listened to Lin Xinyue's enthusiasm, Li Qian's caution, and Yang Xiaotao's worries.

Then he spoke.

"A shop, for rent."

Lin Xinyue's eyes lit up.

"However," Chen Xun continued, "as Li Qian said, the terms must be negotiated. We can't go with the price he quoted."

Li Qian looked at him: "How do we negotiate? The landlord sounded pretty tough on the phone, saying there were a lot of inquiries and he wasn't worried about renting it out."

"Then let's talk face-to-face," Chen Xun said. "We can't get anything interesting out of talking on the phone. I'll schedule a meeting with him tomorrow for a proper discussion."

"Are you going alone?" Lin Xinyue asked.

"I'll go first," Chen Xun said, "to sound them out. If there's anything to discuss, then you can follow up."

He looked at the three of them: "Now, let's divide the work. Xinyue, you compile the monthly revenue growth data of our first store from its opening to now, and make it into a chart. It needs to look good and prove that our profitability and business model are successful."

"Okay!" Lin Xinyue immediately agreed.

"Li Qian," Chen Xun turned to her, "you do the market analysis. Make a list of the restaurants within a three-kilometer radius of 'MixC World,' especially the casual dining and fast food options. Analyze our competitive advantages and opportunities for entering the market. The data must be accurate."

"Okay." Li Qian nodded.

"Xiao Tao," Chen Xun said, turning to Yang Xiao Tao one last time, "you do the math. Based on the shop's size, make two budgets. One is for high-standard renovations, full payment of the transfer fee, and the estimated payback period. The other is for low-cost renovations and installment payments of the transfer fee. Make sure the numbers are clear."

"Yes, I'll count." Yang Xiaotao nodded vigorously.

"As for me, I'm preparing the core negotiation terms," ​​Chen Xun said. "What are the bottom lines, what are the goals, and where is the room for compromise? I'll go tomorrow and get a feel for it."

The next afternoon, Chen Xun arrived at the closed shop in the "MixC World" pedestrian street at the agreed time.

The homeowner, Zhou Wenbin, was already there, still wearing that polo shirt, carrying a leather bag, and making a phone call.

"...Oh, Mr. Wang, it's not that I'm unwilling to wait, I just urgently need the money... Yes, yes, please grant me two more days, just two days! I'll definitely find a way!"

Seeing Chen Xun arrive, Zhou Wenbin hurriedly hung up the phone, forcing a smile: "You're here, Boss Chen."

"Boss Zhou." Chen Xun nodded.

Zhou Wenbin opened the shop door, and the two went inside.

"How about it? This location is unbeatable, isn't it?" Zhou Wenbin pointed to the bustling crowd outside. "It's right opposite the mall exit. How many people pass by every day? Opening a shop here, you can make money even with your eyes closed."

Chen Xun didn't respond to that question. He walked around the empty shop, touched the walls, and looked at the pipes in the kitchen.

"Boss Zhou, the terms we discussed on the phone last time were three months' deposit and one month's rent in advance, plus a transfer fee of 135,000, right?" Chen asked.

"Yes," Zhou Wenbin said. "However, Boss Chen, several groups of people have come to see this place in the past two days, and they've all been quite interested. So my terms... might need to be adjusted a little."

Chen Xun's heart skipped a beat: "How do I adjust it?"

"The rent is still 12,000, that remains unchanged." Zhou Wenbin rubbed his hands together. "But the payment method is now six months' rent as deposit and three months' rent in advance. You need to pay nine months' rent upfront, plus a six-month deposit. The transfer fee is 150,000, to be paid in full upfront. This way I feel more at ease and it saves me the trouble of going back and forth."

Chen Xun looked at him.

A six-month deposit plus three months' rent in advance? That means you have to pay fifteen months' rent upfront, which is 180,000 yuan. Add to that a 150,000 yuan transfer fee, and that alone amounts to 330,000 yuan. And that doesn't even include renovations, inventory, or hiring staff.

This isn't just expensive, it's demanding.

"Boss Zhou," Chen Xun smiled, "I'm afraid no one can accept these terms, right? Cash flow is crucial in business. If you tie up so much money in rent all at once, how can the shop stay open?"

"Hey, Mr. Chen, you're the kind of person who's going to do big things. What's this little bit of money to you?" Zhou Wenbin chuckled. "My shop is worth this price! Look around here, is there a better location than mine? No! Opportunity waits for no one."

"The location is good," Chen Xun said, "but the terms are outrageous. The industry standard is three months' deposit and one month's rent in advance, but you've doubled that. The transfer fee has also increased from 135,000 to 150,000. Boss Zhou, this doesn't seem like you're genuinely interested in renting; it sounds like you're trying to discourage people from renting."

Zhou Wenbin's expression darkened slightly: "Boss Chen, you can't say that. I urgently need the money, so I definitely want to get a larger sum back at once. If you don't agree, then forget it; there are other people in line behind you."

As he spoke, he made a move to walk out.

Chen Xun did not move.

He recalled Zhou Wenbin's urgent words on the phone, "I need money urgently," and his anxious tone.

"Boss Zhou," Chen Xun suddenly spoke up, "you said on the phone just now that you wanted two more days...is there some difficulty you're facing?"

Zhou Wenbin paused, turned around, and a hint of unease flashed across his face: "No...nothing, just a private matter."

"If it's a cash flow problem," Chen Xun said slowly, "maybe we can cooperate in a different way. For example, the transfer fee can be paid in installments, and I'll help ease the pressure on you. But your rent terms have to go back to the normal three months' deposit and one month's rent in advance."

Zhou Wenbin's eyes flickered, but he didn't answer immediately.

He walked back, took out a cigarette, and offered one to Chen Xun. Chen Xun waved his hand.

Zhou Wenbin lit one for himself and took a puff.

"Boss Chen," he said, exhaling a smoke ring, "I won't lie to you. My other businesses have run into some trouble, and I urgently need some money to cover the losses. I was reluctant to sell this shop, but I have no choice. That's why I wanted to take more money at once."

He looked at Chen Xun and said, "If you can pay the transfer fee in one lump sum, and the rent is three months' deposit and one month's rent in advance, I can accept it. But installments... I can't wait."

"Paying the transfer fee in one lump sum is fine," Chen Xun said. "But the rent must be paid three months' deposit and one month's rent in advance; that's the bottom line. Also, the transfer fee has to be back to 135,000. 150,000 is impossible."

Zhou Wenbin frowned and took a few deep drags on his cigarette.

The shop quieted down, with only the noise from the pedestrian street outside.

After a while, Zhou Wenbin threw the cigarette butt on the ground and stomped it out.

"135,000, three months' deposit and one month's rent in advance..." he gritted his teeth, "Fine! But you have to guarantee that the transfer fee will be in my account within three days of the contract being signed!"

"Okay," Chen Xun said. "I'll bring my lawyer to finalize the contract details."

"A lawyer?" Zhou Wenbin was taken aback. "Isn't that too much trouble? We can just draft a contract ourselves."

"It's better to be more formal," Chen Xun said. "It's more responsible for everyone."

Zhou Wenbin glanced at Chen Xun, his expression complex, and finally nodded: "...Alright. When are you bringing a lawyer?"

"Tomorrow," Chen Xun said, "at the same time."

"it is good."

After leaving the store, Chen Xun got into his car but didn't drive away immediately.

He gripped the steering wheel, recalling every expression and every word Zhou Wenbin had just uttered.

I need the money urgently and can't wait; it must arrive within three days.

This homeowner's weakness is all too obvious.

He's desperately short of money. That's why he sets such harsh conditions to scare away genuinely interested renters, only looking for suckers who can pay upfront.

But Chen Xun wasn't one to be taken advantage of.

He took out his phone and sent a message in a small group chat of four people.

"The owner has agreed to a transfer fee of 135,000 yuan, with a deposit of three months' rent and one month's rent in advance. However, he requires the transfer fee to be in his account within three days of signing the contract. He urgently needs the money, so this is our opportunity. Tomorrow I will take a lawyer to sign the letter of intent. You prepare your materials, and we will meet tonight to finalize our negotiation strategy."

Soon, a reply popped up in the group chat.

Lin Xinyue: "Wow, bro! You closed the deal already??"

Chen Xun looked at the screen, a slight smile playing on his lips.

The homeowner's weaknesses have been identified.

The next step is to make the best use of this card and minimize the final conditions.