"Ah, Sis, this... you’re losing too much; that store is worth more than just a hundred thousand. Sis, you should not give us a favor price, it should be what it’s worth. We’ve checked, and for a house like that, it needs over two hundred thousand. We’ve saved up quite a bit over the years, enough to pay for it," Xiao Gu disagreed upon hearing a hundred thousand.

"Yes, Sister Xiao Wan, we have money. My bakery brings in a good income. You don’t need to worry about us, really."

"No need for you guys to argue, just listen to me. When I first bought that house, I spent less than ten thousand, including renovations about twenty thousand. Now you give me a hundred thousand, and I’m not losing out. Over the years, seeing you move from being alone to now having a family and career, it makes me happy. We’re not often around here and can’t help much, you’ll need to work hard yourselves in the future. As long as you’re doing well, Mom and I can be at ease in Z City."

"Sis, that’s true, but the price should be what it should be, otherwise, we won’t take it." Xiao Gu knew Lin Wan genuinely cared about them, but he didn’t want to take such kindness for granted.

"Sister Xiao Wan, don’t worry about us, we really have savings. A couple of years ago, we bought a house in a newly built neighborhood, and we even have quite a bit left. Over the years, our parents also supported us a lot. So these tens of thousands we can pay," Shuhua didn’t want Lin Wan to lose out either—they had discussed it, and if Lin Wan were willing to sell, they would pay the market price.

"No, listen to me. I said a hundred thousand, so a hundred thousand, otherwise, I won’t sell," Lin Wan insisted firmly.

"Sis.."

The three of them discussed for quite a while in the room and didn’t agree until Aunt Jin came over, heard what they were discussing, and decisively made a decision for them, taking a middle ground at fifteen thousand. Only then was the agreement reached.

After discussing with Liu Baicheng, Su Daimei decided to take the shop on Steel Road. Once Lin Wan saw it was settled, she felt relieved.

However, during the handover between the two families, there were some minor issues with the store’s staff.

The employees from both stores preferred to stay with their original manager, and with a manager change, they wanted to move along too.

Aunt Gui and Aunt Liu had been working here for many years, and they had developed a bond with Xiao Gu, also working together they had a great understanding. Su Daimei’s employees liked her straightforward personality; as a woman who could command the place, they admired her and were willing to follow her.

Since the stores of the two sides were not far apart, after negotiations between the two families, the staff exchanged places—those who didn’t want to follow stayed in the original store, and those who did went along.

On this side, Lin Wan found Pei Bai, and the two helped Su Daimei settle the matters of the building. First, they received fifty thousand, and the rest would be paid by the end of each year.

Lin Wan deposited the fifty thousand given by Su Daimei and the one-time fifteen thousand from Xiao Gu into her card.

Originally, Lin Wan planned to take the kids back to Z City, but Shen Rong found her and asked for help to check out a small building she had her eye on.

It was three floors, not a very large space. It was privately owned, so the price wasn’t too high. Shen Rong had a good eye; it was a nice spot near a major road.

"Have you negotiated it?" Lin Wan asked. 𝘧𝘳𝘦ℯ𝓌𝘦𝒷𝘯𝑜𝑣𝘦𝓁.𝒸𝘰𝓂

"Still negotiating. I’m trying to lower the price a bit. It’s almost settled. Saizo, when this is finalized, I’ll continue with the small inn at home. I don’t want to abandon either side."

"Can you handle it all alone?"

Shen Rong suddenly lowered her head and smiled, "Didn’t I hire someone last year? He’s versatile and honest. I’m thinking of having him look after the family inn. I’ll manage this side; the two places aren’t very far, I can juggle them."

"Is the person you hired reliable?" Lin Wan hadn’t met him and didn’t know who Shen Rong found.

"Reliable. Grandma has met him too and praises him all the time. He... seems to have had some trouble before, went for reform for a few years. After coming out, he found his wife ran away with someone, and their house was sold too. When I met him, he was huddled in that little alley of ours in the winter, wearing just a thin jacket, almost frozen to death. Actually, he had been around for a while, often helping people with labor work during the day, earning a day’s meal. At night, he’d huddle in that sheltered spot."