Chapter Twenty: Each Has Their Own Thoughts

A dinner gathering led Zhao Fan to learn about a newly built two-story market. He arranged with Mu Tianrong to visit it in a few days, but the very next morning, he went to see it himself.

As soon as he got out of the car and saw the place, Zhao Fan made up his mind: this market had to be his—not just a single section, but the whole thing.

Around noon, he received a call from Mu Tianrong, inquiring whether they could move up their visit to the market. Zhao Fan, who happened to be standing right outside, agreed without hesitation. “No problem.”

An hour later, Zhao Fan saw Mu Tianrong arrive, accompanied by Xu An.

“Manager Xu, you are...?”

Mu Tianrong explained, “This market was built with Manager Xu’s investment.”

Zhao Fan’s eyes flickered with surprise—it was Xu An who had built it.

“Manager Xu, people truly can’t be judged by appearances. Impressive!” He raised his thumb to Xu An.

Xu An forced a wry smile and waved his hand. “Mr. Zhao, please don’t flatter me. I’m actually troubled by this.”

“What do you mean?” Zhao Fan asked.

Mu Tianrong interjected, “It’s a long story. Let’s talk as we walk.”

“Alright,” Zhao Fan replied.

Xu An produced a set of keys and opened the market’s main doors. “This market was a company investment. I had some spare cash and joined in, but I never even looked at the plans. Who would have guessed it would end up as an indoor market, and a two-story one at that…”

As Xu An recounted the events, Zhao Fan pieced together the backstory. He realized the market had been completed for three months already, not just recently as Mu Tianrong had implied.

He shot Mu Tianrong a half-amused glance. “Not a single vendor has moved in after three months?”

“They all complain about the rent being too high and refuse to settle here.”

“How much is the rent?”

“Five hundred per month.”

Five hundred?

Zhao Fan’s mouth twitched. “From what I know, street vendors outside pay a few dozen at most per month.”

If they were lucky, they might not pay even that much. After all, Yangcheng was neither too large nor too small—anywhere was fair game for a stall if you dared to set one up.

Xu An sighed, “Exactly, which is why this place is just sitting empty.”

Mu Tianrong said, “But leaving it vacant isn’t good, is it? That’s why we’re here with you, Mr. Zhao. After walking around, what do you think of the place?”

Zhao Fan didn’t hold back, expressing his satisfaction openly.

“It’s very good.”

Mu Tianrong pressed, “Is it suitable for your business, Mr. Zhao?”

Glancing around, Zhao Fan nodded. “It certainly is.”

Xu An’s eyes lit up. “Mr. Zhao, how would you like to rent it?”

Instead of answering, Zhao Fan asked, “What rental options does your company offer?”

“As I mentioned, each stall is five hundred a month…”

Zhao Fan cut him off. “If I rent, it’ll be at least one entire floor.”

At least one floor!

Xu An immediately understood the implication. “Fifty thousand a month,” he offered.

Zhao Fan shook his head. “Too expensive.”

In truth, Zhao Fan didn’t think the price was particularly high, but negotiations were always about starting high and bargaining down. He needed a more favorable deal.

“Mr. Zhao, how is fifty thousand a month too expensive? Each floor is three hundred and fifty square meters, indoors, protected from the elements…” Xu An rattled off advantages, concluding that the price was very reasonable.

“What you say is true, Manager Xu, but let me be honest—no one has moved in for over three months. You know what I mean by that?”

Xu An cleared his throat awkwardly. “That’s not quite fair, Mr. Zhao.”

“Why not? A space of three hundred and fifty square meters is only valuable if it’s used—otherwise, it’s just an abandoned lot.”

Zhao Fan deliberately emphasized the words “abandoned lot” and watched Xu An’s face darken, but he remained composed.

Back and forth, both sides held their ground, neither willing to yield. As their voices rose, Mu Tianrong spoke up.

“Gentlemen, let’s calm down for a moment and hear me out.”

Zhao Fan and Xu An both turned to look at him—Zhao Fan knowing full well that Mu Tianrong and Xu An had come prepared with an agenda, while Xu An simply waited in silence.

“What’s your suggestion, President Mu?” Zhao Fan asked.

“Mr. Zhao, you think fifty thousand a year is too expensive, while Manager Xu thinks it’s already a bargain. The sticking point is the rent—you can’t agree. In that case, why not get straight to the point: Mr. Zhao, are you interested in buying the market outright?”

In the sudden silence, Zhao Fan glanced at Xu An. So that was the reason behind the unexpected dinner and Mu Tianrong’s mention of this market.

Clearly, both men knew he’d been busy with various formalities recently and saw an opportunity.

To put it bluntly, Xu An and Mu Tianrong had planned from the beginning to push this market onto him.

Looking around, Zhao Fan had to admit he was tempted. Property wasn’t worth much these days, and buying the market would likely cost him less than he’d imagined.

He needed the space, but he couldn’t help feeling irritated at being maneuvered like this.

“What do you think, Mr. Zhao?” Mu Tianrong asked again.

Thinking quickly, Zhao Fan replied, “President Mu’s suggestion is excellent, but the problem is, I don’t have the funds.”

He sighed. “You both know that I recently bought a house, went to auctions, and just registered a company. To be honest, I hardly have any money left—if I bought this place, I’d be stuck with it.”

So they wanted to set him up? Fine—he’d play along, but they shouldn’t expect to walk away empty-handed; they’d have to make a move as well.

Mu Tianrong smiled. “Have you considered a loan, Mr. Zhao?”

“A loan? President Mu, you mean…”

Zhao Fan feigned hesitation, though he was annoyed with himself for being so focused on making money that he’d forgotten about bank loans.

Mu Tianrong was the branch president at Yangcheng Summer Bank. With his position, a little leniency at the right moment could secure Zhao Fan a substantial loan.

While Zhao Fan pondered how to get Mu Tianrong to arrange the loan, Mu Tianrong continued persuasively.

“Use the property as collateral and apply for a bank loan. For instance, the villa you bought outright—you could use that, and with a little help from me, three million should be no problem.”

A three-million loan?

Zhao Fan’s heart leapt, but he said aloud, “My house is only good for three million?”

Mu Tianrong replied, “Mr. Zhao, why don’t we discuss this somewhere more private?”

“Certainly.”

Exiting the market, they got into their cars. Mu Tianrong brought up the loan option again.

“The business you’re planning isn’t small, Mr. Zhao. Rather than investing all your own money, it’s better to use the bank’s money—leverage your assets, pay the interest, and your business gets off the ground without tying up all your capital. Isn’t that the best of both worlds?”

Mu Tianrong would never suggest such a thing to just anyone, but he could see that Zhao Fan, though young, was as decisive as any seasoned player. He was sure Zhao Fan would agree to a loan from Summer Bank.

“President Mu, you make a good case—but the amount…”