Chapter 19: Securing the Shopfront

To avoid unnecessary delays, Wei Luan went straight to her destination. She gently pushed open the creaking wooden door and stepped into the deserted teahouse.

The teahouse owner, a middle-aged man, sat behind the counter, fiddling with an abacus, his brows tightly furrowed. When he looked up and saw Wei Luan, a hint of surprise flashed in his eyes, but he quickly replaced it with a businessman’s smile. “Miss, are you here for tea?”

Wei Luan shook her head. “Boss, I heard you have a storefront available for transfer. I’d like to take a closer look.”

The owner nodded, stood up, and led Wei Luan around for a tour. As they walked, he explained, “This building has four storefronts, with spacious areas both upstairs and downstairs, suitable for various businesses.”

Wei Luan carefully examined the space while mentally planning the layout of her medical clinic. The two storefronts on the ground floor were open and spacious, furnished with well-crafted tables and chairs. If she opened a clinic here, these pieces could be repurposed. The reception desk could remain in place, while wooden partitions could be built to divide the space—an outer area for patients to wait and store medicinal ingredients, and an inner area as consultation rooms. She and Ming Yi could each take a room, separately managing surgery and internal medicine.

She frowned slightly, considering: “The space is ample, but… the teahouse business doesn’t seem to be doing well. I’m worried about foot traffic.”

The owner’s expression shifted slightly before he hurriedly explained, “This location is actually good; I just managed it poorly. If you have the right business strategy, you can definitely thrive.”

Wei Luan nodded, pretending to contemplate. “I have an idea—I want to open a medical clinic here. However…” She deliberately paused, piquing the owner’s curiosity.

“However, what?” he pressed.

Wei Luan sighed. “However, my funds are limited. If the price is too high, I may not be able to proceed.”

Sensing an opportunity, the owner asked, “Miss, are you looking to buy the property outright or lease it under a pawn agreement?”

Wei Luan knew she couldn’t afford to buy the whole building, so renting first and purchasing later was her only option. She smiled slightly. “I’ve done my research on this building and would like to know the pawn lease price.”

In historical China, pawn leasing was similar to modern leasing. Wei Luan, as the leaseholder, would pay a lump sum to the owner in exchange for usage rights, though ownership remained with the original owner. After the lease term, she could buy the property by paying the balance.

The owner hesitated before saying, “The market rate for storefronts nearby is about ten taels of silver. If you want to lease it, it’s around the same price.”

Wei Luan calculated in her mind before countering, “I’m willing to offer eight taels.”

The owner furrowed his brows—this was lower than expected. He tried persuading her, “Miss, though traffic here is low now, this building has great potential if managed well.”

Wei Luan retrieved a document from her sleeve and handed it over. “Please take a look—this lists the pawn lease prices of nearby shops. Even in busier areas, the price is similar. Given the low foot traffic here, my offer of eight taels is already considerate of your urgency to sell.”

The owner examined the document carefully, his expression turning more serious. Realizing that Wei Luan had come prepared and wasn’t merely bluffing, he sighed. “Miss, you’re well-prepared. Eight taels is low, but your sincerity impresses me. Let’s settle at nine taels—that’s my best offer.”

Wei Luan knew he was wavering but remained firm. “You’re a smart businessman. Every day the shop stays empty is a day of loss.”

After a long silence, the owner relented. “Alright, eight taels it is. I hope your clinic succeeds.”

Wei Luan was thrilled, knowing the deal was sealed. “Thank you, boss.”

Having secured the lease, she returned home in high spirits. It had been a long, eventful day, and her feet felt sore from all the walking. The moment she stepped through the door, she excitedly shared the news with Liu Ming Yi, her eyes gleaming with excitement, like a warrior who had won a battle.

“Ming Yi, I did it! I got the four storefronts for just eight taels of silver!”

Ming Yi, who had been engrossed in a medical text, looked up in surprise. “That fast? Where did you get the silver?”

Wei Luan grinned proudly. “I sold a clothing design for twenty taels, then immediately went to lease the shop. Am I efficient or what?” Her eyes sparkled like crescent moons, eagerly awaiting his praise.

Ming Yi found her energy infectious—she was like a fire that never burned out, warm and radiant. A smile tugged at his lips. “You’re impressive. But what kind of clothes were worth twenty taels?”

Wei Luan shrugged. “Not just the clothes—the design and the rights to it. The shopkeeper will make a fortune from it. Honestly, I should have asked for fifty taels.”

Ming Yi raised an eyebrow. “What kind of design was it?”

Wei Luan smirked playfully. “Want to hear about it?”

Caught off guard, Ming Yi hesitated and silently closed his mouth.

Wei Luan then pulled out a piece of paper. “I’ve already mapped out a rough layout for the clinic. Let’s go over the details.”

The two of them sat at the table, planning the medical clinic’s layout. The upper floor could be divided into dormitories—one for men, one for women—for their future staff. Since their home was only a thirty-minute walk away, they didn’t plan to live in the clinic.

“Ming Yi, you handle the reception and your consultation room, including stocking necessary medicines and equipment,” Wei Luan instructed. “I’ll take care of my consultation room and the dormitories. We’ll manage the herb garden together.”

Ming Yi nodded. “Alright. But my right hand is still injured—don’t make me do heavy labor.”

Wei Luan chuckled. “Am I that cruel? I still have eleven taels left—take it and hire some help. Moving all that furniture is no joke.” She placed the remaining silver on the table.

Ming Yi glanced at the silver and smirked. “I wouldn’t dare spend your money. I sold part of the wild boar today—its head, tail, skin, hair, and innards—for six taels.” He pulled out his own silver and set it beside hers.

Wei Luan’s eyes widened. “Wow, pigs really are valuable! We have seventeen taels now!”

They exchanged smiles, feeling optimistic about their venture. It was their first time starting a business, and excitement filled their hearts. They continued brainstorming ideas late into the night, only realizing how much time had passed when exhaustion overtook them.

In the following days, they worked tirelessly. Ming Yi focused on setting up the reception area and consultation rooms, arranging for a supply of herbs, and ensuring the clinic had the necessary medical tools. Meanwhile, Wei Luan handled dormitory arrangements, even designing an innovative bunk bed system to maximize space—a concept unheard of in the Ming Dynasty.

With dedication and teamwork, their clinic was taking shape. Each day was packed with effort and enthusiasm, and their dream of running a medical practice was slowly turning into reality.