coobybook Chapter 240: Making a Living
Chapter 240: Making a Living
After overcoming numerous hardships, Fang Xiaoxiao and her group finally entered the bustling area of Kyoto.
Upon entering the city, their initial excitement had barely faded when harsh reality confronted them—their poverty left them with a heavy heart.
On the bustling street, with people coming and going, Li Renyi sighed helplessly.
"After such a long journey, we have very little money left. We must find a place to stay as soon as possible and then make a living."
Fang Xiaoxiao frowned, her gaze sweeping over the lively scene around her, and said.
"Let's find a cheap inn first, even if the conditions are poor, as long as it can shelter us from the wind and rain."
After asking around, the group finally found a simple inn at a corner of the city.
Stepping into the room, it was small, dark, and damp, but thankfully the price was acceptable.
He Jinnian sat on the edge of the bed, his face full of sorrow, and sighed.
"What should we do next? We can't stay in this predicament forever."
Fang Xiaoxiao bit her lip, her eyes filled with determination.
"Don't be discouraged. Didn't we get some treasures from that tomb? Let's sell them and get some money to tide us over."
Pei Yan hesitated slightly before speaking.
"After all, these are items from a tomb. We must be careful when selling them to avoid causing trouble."
After some discussion, Fang Xiaoxiao and Li Renyi took a few inconspicuous treasures and headed to the bustling antique market in the city to try their luck.
The antique market was bustling with people and extremely noisy.
They found a corner, laid out an old cloth, displayed their treasures, and eagerly awaited a buyer.
However, after waiting for a long time, only a few people glanced at it casually and then shook their heads and left.
Fang Xiaoxin was extremely anxious, and Li Renyi also had a furrowed brow.
Just when they were almost in despair, a richly dressed old man passed by and his eyes were drawn to one of the treasures.
He stepped forward, examined it carefully, and then asked, "Where did you get this?"
Fang Xiao's head tightened, her mind racing, and she said.
"This is a family heirloom, but we have no choice but to sell it because we are now struggling financially."
The old man smiled slightly and said.
"I am somewhat interested in this item, and since the price is right, I will buy it."
After some back-and-forth bargaining, the deal was finally struck.
Fang Xiaoxiao and Li Renyi returned to the inn happily with the money they had earned.
With this money, their basic needs were temporarily met, and they began searching for a suitable place to reopen the Lingxi Pavilion.
Kyoto is a large city, but finding a suitable shop is as difficult as finding a needle in a haystack.
Fang Xiaoxiao and her friends went out early and returned late every day, shuttling through the streets and alleys, inquiring about shops for rent or sale.
On this day, under the blazing sun, Fang Xiaoxiao and Li Renyi walked along the bustling street, where shops lined both sides of the street.
They saw a "For Rent" sign hanging outside a shop and were overjoyed, so they hurried inside.
The store was simply furnished, but the space was quite spacious. Li Renyi looked around and nodded in satisfaction.
"Xiao Xiao, this place looks nice, and the location is good too."
Fang Xiaoxiao was also satisfied and was about to talk to the shop owner when a middle-aged man with a fleshy face and shrewd eyes came out from the inner room.
"Are you here to rent this shop?" the man asked.
Fang Xiaoxiao answered with a smile.
"Indeed, how much is the rent?"
The man held up five fingers.
"Fifty taels of silver a month."
Fang Xiaoxiao and Li Renyi exchanged a glance, secretly lamenting that the price far exceeded their budget.
"Boss, could you make the price a little cheaper? We're new here and not exactly rolling in money."
Fang Xiaoxiao tried to bargain.
The man sneered.
"This location, this shop, fifty taels is already very cheap. Take it or leave it."
Left with no other choice, they had to leave and continue their search.
For several days in a row, they looked at several shops, but either the location was not good or the price was too high, and they still could not find a suitable one.
One day, they heard that a shop on West City Street was for sale at a relatively reasonable price.
The group rushed there full of hope, only to find that although the shop was located in a bustling area, it was dilapidated and the roof was leaking.
He Jinnian frowned as he looked at the dilapidated shop.
"This repair will cost a lot of money; the total cost is not low."
Fang Xiaoxiao gritted her teeth.
"Let's think of another way. Maybe we can repair part of it ourselves and save money where we can."
Just as they were about to negotiate the price with the shop owner, a group of people suddenly arrived. The leader was a fat man dressed in fine clothes, followed by several burly men.
"That's what the fat man said arrogantly."
"I'm taking this shop. You all need to get out of here."
Fang Xiaoxiao said angrily.
"We were here first, there has to be a first-come, first-served order."
The fat man glanced at them disdainfully.
“In this capital city, what I set my sights on is mine. How dare you bunch of brats compete with me?”
Li Renyi couldn't help but take a step forward.
"Don't go too far!"
The burly men immediately surrounded them, eager to fight.
Fang Xiaoxiao knew that she couldn't fight head-on at this moment, so she suppressed her anger and said...
"Okay, you can have this shop."
After leaving West Street, everyone was extremely depressed.
"Why is this capital city so difficult? Finding a shop is such a hassle," Pei Yan complained.
Fang Xiaoxiao comforted everyone.
"Don't be discouraged, let's keep looking, we'll definitely find something suitable."
They then began preparations for renovations and reopening.
Fang Xiaoxiao and her friends were happily planning the future of their shop when trouble struck again.
On this day, Fang Xiaoxiao and Li Renyi were directing the craftsmen in the shop when suddenly a group of people stormed in.
The man leading the group was the same burly man who had fought with them for the shop earlier, followed by several thugs.
"Hmph, what a small world!" the big man sneered.
Fang Xiaoxin's heart tightened, but she quickly calmed down and said with a smile.
"May I ask what brings you all here today?"
The burly man crossed his arms and spoke arrogantly.
"You can forget about renovating this shop, get out of here!"
Li Renyi stepped forward, glaring angrily.
"On what grounds? We've already bought this shop; it's perfectly legal and legitimate!"
The big man glared at Li Renyi and said.
"Just because our master is a wealthy merchant in Kyoto, if you offend our master, you can forget about having a good life in Kyoto!"
Fang Xiaoxiao said calmly.
"We are all honest business people who don't want to cause trouble, but we are not afraid of trouble either. If things really escalate, it will benefit no one."
The big man laughed heartily.
"You think you can turn the world upside down with just a few of you?"
At this moment, He Jinnian walked over and said.
“Brother, we know you are powerful, but we also know many influential people. If things really escalate, we will all lose face.”
The burly man was slightly taken aback, and began to hesitate.