Over the past few days, Old Man Xia had seen Ye Chen and Xia Yingluo running around every day looking for a storefront, returning empty-handed every time.
As her grandfather, seeing his granddaughter work so hard made him feel even worse.
Old Man Xia remembered that he still had a decent storefront near Jing University.
Although the Xia family wasn't extremely wealthy, they were a scholarly family, and their ancestors had passed down some property.
However, the storefront had just been rented out a few days ago, and an agreement had already been signed.
But for his granddaughter's sake, Old Man Xia directly paid the previous tenant a liquidated damages fee to vacate the shop, preparing to rent it to Ye Chen and Xia Yingluo.
Originally, Xia Bo wanted to do this secretly and help Xia Yingluo from the shadows.
But he didn't expect to be discovered by Ye Chen and Xia Yingluo right at the start.
Now that he was cornered by Ye Chen and Xia Yingluo in the coffee shop, Old Man Xia felt very awkward.
Ye Chen and Xia Yingluo discussed it and felt that something wasn't quite right.
"Sorry, Professor Xia, thank you for your kindness, but we cannot rent this shop," Ye Chen said.
Old Man Xia asked anxiously, "Why?"
Ye Chen said, "Professor Xia, we can't take such a huge advantage of you."
Xia Yingluo also said from the side, "Professor Xia, we appreciate your kindness, but we absolutely cannot let an elder like you suffer such a big loss."
After all, including today, they had only met Professor Xia twice; they shouldn't take advantage of the old man no matter what.
After all, a discount of 600,000 a year was not a small amount of money.
Old Man Xia was so old; how could they let him suffer a loss?
Actually, the main reason was because of Ye Chen.
Ye Chen still needed to continue to fleece the system's wool.
If you give it to me so cheaply, how can I fleece the wool?
A difference of 600,000 a year meant a 6,000,000 reduction in rebates for Ye Chen.
Therefore, it was impossible for Ye Chen to accept such a losing deal.
Professor Xia took a deep look at Ye Chen.
He finally understood now that when the two youngsters were together, Xia Yingluo listened to Ye Chen.
When they were together, Ye Chen called the shots.
His own granddaughter basically listened to everything Ye Chen said.
Old Xia felt even more displeased. Why? Why does my granddaughter listen to everything you say?
Besides, I'm giving the discount to my granddaughter, what does it have to do with you?
Although Old Man Xia was dissatisfied, he still said with a smile, "The teacher really sees how difficult it is for you two students to start a business, so I wanted to help you."
Old Man Xia wanted to make one last effort to persuade them.
Ye Chen replied firmly, "Old Man Xia, we appreciate your kindness. Yingluo and I are very grateful for your help, but we really don't need it."
Ye Chen and Xia Yingluo resolutely disagreed with the contract.
Old Man Xia had no choice. He gritted his teeth and said, "Alright then, let's go back to the originally discussed rent of 100,000, which is 1.2 million a year. What do you think?"
This price was the normal market rate, neither too high nor too low.
Old Man Xia felt a bit regretful. He really wanted to give the shop to Xia Yingluo for free, but he couldn't reveal his identity.
Although he had a heart that wanted to help Xia Yingluo, he could only worry in vain now.
He still glanced at Ye Chen with a hint of resentment.
It was all Ye Chen's fault for hindering him from helping his granddaughter.
However, this time wasn't without gains for Old Man Xia. At the very least, his relationship with Xia Yingluo had become much closer.
Ye Chen and Xia Yingluo were in no hurry. After all, Old Man Xia had helped them, and both parties were now in a landlord-tenant relationship.
Ye Chen actually knew very well that 100,000 for this location was still very cheap, and being able to rent this storefront in this location was all thanks to Old Man Xia.
The two of them simply sat in the coffee shop to chat with Old Man Xia.
Old Man Xia was very happy to be able to sit at the same table and chat with his granddaughter.
For Old Man Xia, this could be considered a huge step forward.
Old Man Xia looked at Xia Yingluo sitting across from him, his heart full of affection.
He glared at the landlord next to him, somewhat dissatisfied.
Why is this kid so lacking in discernment? Why is he still sitting here?
The fat landlord quickly felt Old Man Xia's gaze, then stood up and smiled, "I have something to do, I'll be leaving first."
Old Man Xia glared at Ye Chen again, but this time his gaze didn't work.
Ye Chen had no intention of leaving at all.
Sigh, how frustrating!
Old Man Xia now truly wished that only he and Xia Yingluo were in the coffee shop so they could have a good talk.
But Old Man Xia knew he could drive away the landlord, but he couldn't drive away Ye Chen.
He shook his head and said to Xia Yingluo, "Student Yingluo, I'm two cycles older than you. Is it okay if I call you Yingluo?"
Old Man Xia looked at Xia Yingluo very affectionately.
Xia Yingluo looked at the pitiful gaze Old Man Xia was giving her and couldn't bear it.
She nodded obediently and said, "Okay."
"Are you from Jiang Province?"
Old Man Xia chatted with Xia Yingluo casually.
He really wanted to know about Xia Yingluo's childhood experiences.
Unfortunately, Old Man Xia tried to probe several times, but Xia Yingluo didn't want to mention it at all.
Perhaps this child's childhood was too bitter, so she was unwilling to talk about it to outsiders.
Old Man Xia also carefully avoided some sensitive topics.
The three of them chatted idly like this.
It was mainly Xia Luo and Old Man Xia talking.
Ye Chen basically didn't open his mouth much; he felt that Old Man Xia wasn't very willing to chat with him.
Old Man Xia tried to praise Xia Yingluo.
"Yingluo, you're really great to have scored second in Zhejiang Province."
Xia Yingluo just nodded slightly, not looking too happy.
Old Man Xia changed the subject again.
"Ye Chen, you're great. The provincial top scorer of Jiang Province, that's impressive."
He clearly felt that Xia Yingluo's expression became very happy, her face even blooming like a flower.
Old Man Xia was speechless. He understood that no matter how displeased he was with Ye Chen, in order to please his granddaughter, he had to endure the humiliation and praise him.
"Student Ye is very impressive. Not only are your grades so good, but you're also so young and already have your own career."
Xia Yingluo nodded vigorously from the side.
Xia Yingluo's face was written with the words: You really have good taste!
"I heard that Student Xia's grades were quite average in the second year of high school, but it only took one semester to become the provincial top scorer. Truly a genius!"
Old Man Xia racked his brains to praise Xia Yingluo.
After this praise, Old Man Xia clearly felt that the way Xia Yingluo looked at him had changed.
It felt like she had found a kindred spirit.
"Student Ye Chen, you are really handsome. Of all the students I've taught, you are the most handsome."
In the end, Old Man Xia really didn't know how else to praise Ye Chen.
Xia Yingluo still nodded happily in agreement.
It was as if Xia Yingluo's gaze at him at this moment was like looking at a relative.
Although Xia Yingluo's gaze at Old Man Xia became increasingly friendly, Old Man Xia felt like crying but had no tears.
For some reason, as Ye Chen was being praised, he felt a chill down his spine.
He always felt that Old Man Xia wasn't praising him, but secretly cursing him.