Chapter 20: Installment Payments (Recommendations and Favorites Appreciated)
Chapter 20: Installment Payments (Seeking Recommendations, Seeking Bookmarks)
Wu Furong couldn’t have imagined, even in his wildest dreams, that Li Qi actually wanted to buy out the Drunken Immortal Residence. He was stunned for a long moment before he finally realized and exclaimed in surprise, “Young… young brother, did you say you want to buy the Drunken Immortal Residence?”
“Exactly!” Li Qi nodded.
“This—?”
Wu Furong glanced at Madam Qin, noticing her slightly displeased expression. Feeling distressed, he immediately approached Li Qi and whispered, “Young brother, you’re being reckless. Hurry and apologize to Madam.”
Wu Furong knew Li Qi’s financial situation all too well. Not to mention buying the Drunken Immortal Residence, even affording a meal was questionable.
Li Qi looked surprised. “Uncle Wu, why would you say that? I’m serious about this.”
“But where would you get so much money?” Wu Furong was sweating profusely with worry. He deeply regretted bringing Li Qi to meet Madam Qin.
Li Qi smiled faintly. “Uncle Wu, don’t worry about that. I have my ways.”
Madam Qin, sensing their whispered conversation downstairs, grew curious and cleared her throat gently. “Master Li, you said you want to buy the Drunken Immortal Residence?”
Li Qi nodded with a smile. “Yes, Madam.”
Madam Qin furrowed her brows slightly and glanced at Wu Furong, who looked equally puzzled. Then she addressed Li Qi, “Young Master Li, I heard about your intentions from Uncle Wu some time ago. You say you want to buy the Drunken Immortal Residence, but as far as I know, you—”
She hesitated, and Li Qi naturally understood she was trying to spare his face. He chuckled softly, “Madam, are you about to say that I, a homeless wanderer with neither a roof over my head nor a place to stand, lacking both money and influence, have no reason to buy the Drunken Immortal Residence?”
A flicker of surprise crossed Madam Qin’s eyes. She hadn’t expected him to be so direct. Though not her exact words, the meaning was much the same, so she nodded slightly.
“You are right, Madam. To be frank, I only have about twenty or thirty taels left. I probably can’t even afford the latrine at the Drunken Immortal Residence.” Li Qi spread his hands and laughed self-deprecatingly.
On one hand, he said he wanted to buy the Drunken Immortal Residence; on the other, he claimed he had no money. Was he seriously trying to take advantage of this widow? Even Madam Qin, with all her grace, couldn’t help but frown in irritation. “If that’s the case, then there’s nothing more to discuss.”
It was clear Madam Qin had just issued a dismissal.
“Wait!” Li Qi hastily raised his hand. If Madam Qin left just like that, all his efforts over the past days would be for nothing. “Madam, please hear me out first. If after that you still find it unsuitable, then you may dismiss me.”
Madam Qin saw that Li Qi was polite and composed, unlike the common scoundrels she had met. Except for a slight lapse earlier, he had been well-mannered. She decided to give him a chance and said calmly, “Very well, speak.”
Li Qi breathed a sigh of relief and asked Wu Furong, “Uncle Wu, I recall you mentioned that the Drunken Immortal Residence is worth eight thousand guan, but the highest offer you’ve received is only four thousand guan. Is that true?”
This was confidential business information. Wu Furong had shared it with Li Qi because he trusted him completely. Now filled with regret, he glanced nervously at Madam Qin and reluctantly nodded. “Yes, that’s correct.”
Seeing Wu Furong’s guilty expression, Li Qi felt some pity. The reason he didn’t want to negotiate with Wu Furong was out of consideration for him. Given their close relationship, involving Wu Furong in the negotiation would be unfair to both Madam Qin and Wu Furong, and might even cause Madam Qin to doubt Wu Furong. Hence, he chose to speak directly with Madam Qin.
“Very well, let’s use eight thousand guan as the price. I’m willing to pay four thousand guan for half the shares of the Drunken Immortal Residence—meaning, I give you four thousand guan, and we each own half. Madam, what do you think?” Li Qi smiled gently.
If this were true, it would naturally be acceptable. But since he couldn’t even come up with four hundred taels now, who would believe him? Wu Furong grew more confused and asked, “Young brother, you said you only have twenty or thirty taels. How can you produce four thousand guan?” In truth, he doubted Li Qi even had twenty or thirty taels.
“That’s exactly what I’m about to explain,” Li Qi smiled faintly. “To be honest, I can’t pay the four thousand guan all at once right now. So I plan to pay in installments.”
“Installments?” Madam Qin asked, puzzled.
“Yes, installments. As the term suggests, dividing the four thousand guan into several equal parts, repaid monthly or quarterly. We can sign a contract specifying the schedule: how often payments are made, how much each payment is, and the overall repayment period.” Li Qi gave a simple explanation. He didn’t mention interest, showing restraint since the Qin family was in urgent need of funds and he didn’t want to take advantage.
The idea of installment payments was quite novel. Regardless of whether Li Qi was sincere, this alone impressed both Madam Qin and Wu Furong.
“But how long do you intend to take to repay it all?” Madam Qin asked. She wasn’t short of money; whether four thousand guan was paid in one sum or installments didn’t matter much. But it couldn’t be stretched out forever.
Li Qi had thought this through. He raised a finger and said, “Within one year. For the first two months, I’ll repay one hundred guan per month; thereafter, three hundred eighty guan each month. During this period, all expenses of the Drunken Immortal Residence will be borne by me. Additionally, Madam will receive half of the annual total income of the Drunken Immortal Residence every year, which I guarantee will not be less than five thousand guan.”
Li Qi offered a price that neither Madam Qin nor Wu Furong could easily refuse. His business style resembled that of his decisive and efficient father-in-law: once the target was identified, he went all out. Bargaining? Sorry, that was not his habit. How can you catch a wolf if you’re reluctant to part with your child?
This barrage of offers left Madam Qin and Wu Furong somewhat overwhelmed. Compared to the price offered by Cai Yuanwai, this was incomparably better. They would get the money, preserve the Drunken Immortal Residence, and have prospects for long-term development. But could such a good deal really exist? Wu Furong remained worried and asked, “Young brother, if what you say is true, it might be possible. But a mere contract is hardly enough to convince Madam.”
“Uncle Wu is right,” Madam Qin nodded.
Indeed, Li Qi was currently a homeless wanderer. A contract alone meant little; if Li Qi fled, Wu Furong would be powerless.
Li Qi smiled. “That’s easy. Besides the four thousand guan I mentioned, I guarantee that within fifteen days, I will help the Drunken Immortal Residence net a profit of one thousand guan. If Madam still feels uncertain, I can pay five hundred guan as a down payment upfront.”
“You say you can earn one thousand guan in fifteen days?” Madam Qin was surprised.
“Exactly. If Madam doubts me, we can write this into the contract. I believe Madam won’t refuse to wait a mere fifteen days.” This was Li Qi’s most crucial move. If he failed here, even if Madam Qin accepted his terms, he couldn’t proceed because he lacked the capital.
(End of Chapter)