Chapter 5: But What If the Debt Cannot Be Sold?

"You're welcome. In fact, I didn't really want to buy this store either. I just couldn't bear to see you two poor women alone..." Thinking that Qin Hongfei was sincerely grateful, the boss responded with some self-righteous courtesy, drawing the praise of those around, then abruptly changed his tone. "Since you've agreed, I'll get someone over so we can finish the paperwork as soon as possible. You really are getting a great deal here."

"Uncle, who told you I agreed to sell?" Qin Hongfei replied with a half-smile, half-sneer. "You're right, my father did buy this place for only eight thousand, but that was before the street was renovated, so it was cheap. Now, why don't you go ask around? Which shop here can be bought for less than fifty thousand? I won't offer twelve thousand, nor fifteen thousand—I'll buy it for twenty thousand. So, uncle, do you want to sell?"

The boss, exposed for his underhanded dealing, was thick-skinned enough not to blush. "Heh, Hongfei, if you think I'm offering too little, just say so. But yes, I did overlook the market price. How about thirty thousand?"

"Thirty thousand and I’ll take it off your hands. You’re eager to sell, and that’s not the same price as selling slowly. Besides, your mother is waiting on the money to pay off debts. If you don’t settle them soon, I’m afraid both daughters might have to sell themselves..." These words completely enraged Qin’s mother, who lunged at the boss and scratched him.

The boss howled, "You crazy woman! Losing it again! Qin Hongfei, aren’t you going to restrain your mother...?"

Qin Hongfei grabbed hold of Qin Fei, coldly observing, "Serves you right, boss. We run into each other all the time; you’d better watch your mouth. If I hear you say anything filthy again, and my mother doesn’t act, I’ll do it myself. We’re civilized people and won’t stoop to your level. If this were a more hot-tempered family, insulting their daughters like that, you’d be beaten senseless."

This remark won the strong approval of the onlookers!

A mother with two respectable daughters being accused of such things—how could she not lose her mind?

Qin Hongfei said, "You should go. We’re not selling this shop."

The boss’s face twisted with barely suppressed anger. He forced a smile and said, "I misspoke earlier, Xiaofei, don’t act rashly. Let’s talk things over. Think it through. If you can’t hold on, come find me. I’m right next door, okay?" With a regretful look at the repair shop, he returned to his own store.

Qin Hongfei turned to the neighbors. "Everyone, please go about your business. Thank you all for standing up for us today." She managed to turn onlookers into well-wishers with just a few words.

The repair shop was spacious, about fifty square meters, filled with all kinds of televisions and miscellaneous machines. Being a repairman in this era was quite lucrative—unlike in the future, things weren’t simply thrown out when broken, and repairmen weren’t hard to find. People were frugal and would rather spend twenty, thirty, or fifty to fix something than buy new.

Qin’s mother, having shed her fierce exterior, followed her two daughters into the shop and spoke softly, "Didn’t I tell you not to come to the store? Now I’ve made you the butt of jokes again, haven’t I? I’m sorry, but this store was left by your father. We can’t sell it."

"Alright, if you say we won’t sell, then we won’t," Qin Hongfei promised.

"Feifei, you’re such a good girl." Tears welled up in her mother’s eyes, but then her face fell once more. "But if we don’t sell, how will we pay off the debts?"

"It’s alright. My sister and I will find a way to pay them off," Qin Hongfei said gently, smoothing her mother’s hair. "Right, sis?"

"…That’s not—I mean, I don’t have that kind of ability. You’re overestimating me."