After Wang Qiqi led Song Yao and Gong Peixing around several locations, Song Yao started to feel uncertain. "Qiqi, these places are all decent, but the problem is..." She couldn't make up her mind. If money weren't an issue, Song Yao would have loved to buy two more shops; even if she didn't use them herself, they could be rented out for steady, fixed income.

"I think the first shop we saw was good," Wang Qiqi vaguely recalled that area eventually becoming a cluster of high-end residential complexes, which would be quite favorable for a personal shopping business. Moreover, Wang Qiqi considered setting up a resale service for designer bags later on. While the wealthy might not be too interested in non-limited edition bags, many who were financially constrained would still love them, given the brand prestige.

Listening to Wang Qiqi's analysis, Song Yao agreed it made sense. Their business catered to the affluent, so sheer foot traffic wasn't the only measure of success. "Then let's settle on that one. What do you think?" Song Yao looked over at Gong Peixing, who was quietly nestled beside her.

Gong Peixing wasn't deeply knowledgeable about the specifics, but he found Qiqi's reasoning sound. He also believed that a location with excellent fundamentals would appreciate in value faster. "Let's buy it." He was tempted by the other properties too, but he knew their current financial capacity was limited. However, Gong Peixing suddenly remembered a potential avenue.

"Qiqi, what do you think about us continuing our partnership to buy one shop?" Gong Peixing turned to Wang Qiqi.

Co-buying a shop? Wang Qiqi hadn't anticipated Gong Peixing suggesting this. Frankly, she wasn't overly keen on sharing ownership. She wasn't exactly short on funds, and the issue was how the deed would be registered. Luo Hongjuan already knew Han Tao had entrusted his money to her; if she bought a shop, it would only be in her name. Luo Hongjuan would surely be uncomfortable knowing this. "I need to ask Han Tao. You know how it is."

"Then let's put all four names on it." Gong Peixing figured that was the core issue. Of course, it wasn't a minor one; it could easily turn two families into adversaries. "Wouldn't splitting the ownership equally at twenty-five percent each solve it?"

Wang Qiqi sighed inwardly. She truly hadn't considered co-buying again, having initially hoped her hesitation would deter him. Unexpectedly, Gong Peixing proposed this solution. It seemed co-buying was unavoidable. "Fine. We'll split the down payment evenly between our two families. And then split the loan payments evenly." Her previous collaboration with Song Yao had been pleasant, and Wang Qiqi wasn't worried about Song Yao and her husband becoming too greedy.

When Song Yao heard Wang Qiqi mention consulting Han Tao and saw the slight awkwardness on her face, she understood Qiqi probably wasn't eager to co-own the property. Song Yao wasn't upset; after all, involving a shop required careful consideration. To her surprise, Qiqi ultimately agreed. "Okay. But Qiqi, do you have a shop in mind yet?"

This time, Wang Qiqi wasn't certain. The reason was simple: the best property with the highest potential for appreciation had already been provisionally set aside for Song Yao and her husband. "How about we spend tomorrow looking at the remaining properties before making a final decision, and then we can negotiate the price. By the way, Sis, if we buy, will you have enough funds?"

Song Yao nodded. "I will. I plan to give my current shop to Song Ziwen; he’ll pay me for it, and I'll sell one of the houses." Song Yao had already planned things out. "Once my husband and I are established here in the capital, the chances of us moving back are slim. There's no need to hold onto too many properties back home, lest others get greedy."

"Oh, as long as the down payment is covered," Wang Qiqi remarked, finding current bank loans relatively easy to secure. "Sis, the pressure will be on you then." Wang Qiqi knew the loan repayments weren't a huge burden for Song Yao; her old home was debt-free, meaning only the few properties in the capital had mortgages. However, the rental income from the old house, combined with the expected high revenue from the new shop, meant the 'pressure' was more about restraining herself from impulse buying designer goods.

Song Yao nodded sadly. Yes, she was heading back to a life burdened by debt. "Don't worry, your sister will hold firm and not splurge." Song Yao admired Wang Qiqi immensely; despite being wealthy, she was far more disciplined in her spending. Look at how Qiqi could buy cheaper designer goods abroad but never did. What did that show? It showed she felt spending that money was unnecessary. Song Yao, on the other hand, had purchased several designer handbags, partly because she liked them and could afford them, and partly because, running this kind of business, showing up with an ordinary bag felt incongruous with the venture.

"It’s fine, wife, buy what you like," Gong Peixing said, wrapping an arm around Song Yao's shoulder. "There's no need to hold back; we really aren't short on that much money."

Gong Peixing's words made Song Yao happy, but she knew she couldn't truly indulge every whim for luxury items. "Don't worry, I said I won't buy frivolously. Of course, if the shop does exceptionally well, I might consider it." Song Yao explained her caveat.

After escorting the Song Yao couple back to the hotel, Wang Qiqi finally had a chance to speak with Luo Hongjuan about the shop purchase, including the decision to list all four names. Upon hearing her son's name on the deed, Luo Hongjuan raised no immediate objections but voiced her primary concern: "Is there enough money?" She worried it would require another loan.

"A loan," Wang Qiqi paused. "It's not that we don't have half the funds, but the issue is I can't just hand over my half outright, can I?" Doing so would feel like a huge sacrifice for her, and Song Yao and her husband would feel immense pressure.

"You could actually buy it yourself?" Luo Hongjuan, speaking before she could filter her thoughts, blurted out what she felt. She quickly retracted, realizing it was Wang Qiqi’s cousin, whom she’d been close with since childhood, and they had co-owned a house before. Still, Luo Hongjuan felt that if they had the means, and since a loan was involved anyway, perhaps partnership wasn't necessary. "I was just saying."

Wang Qiqi looped her arm through Luo Hongjuan’s. "Actually, I wasn't really set on buying a shop. While it's a good investment, owning too many shops puts too much pressure on me." Wang Qiqi had a certain vision for the future; she felt if she looked globally or toward the US, making money wouldn't be a worry, and she shouldn't spend all her capital domestically. "Mom, you keep the rental income when the time comes."

The rental income for herself? Luo Hongjuan looked at Wang Qiqi in surprise. "No, no, I have my own money."

"Take what's given to you. Don't be too frugal." Wang Qiqi thought that if the money went to Luo Hongjuan, it would ultimately be left to Han Tao, and thus circle back to her anyway. Wang Qiqi admitted she was quite calculating, but it was also a way to make her mother-in-law happy.

Luo Hongjuan moved her lips but offered no further opposition. She decided to accept the money offered out of filial piety, reasoning that if it stayed with them, it might be spent carelessly. "Then I won't be polite. My daughter-in-law is the best."

Seeing Luo Hongjuan happily accept, Wang Qiqi patted her chest, wondering if she had successfully navigated a tricky situation.

After nearly a full day of running around, Wang Qiqi and the other three finally selected the two most satisfactory shops. "Let's take these two," Wang Qiqi said to the agent, whose eyes were crinkled into happy crescents.

The agent was overjoyed. "Deal. I'll negotiate the absolute best price for you."

Wang Qiqi paid no mind to the agent's promise, knowing the commission was directly tied to the final sale price. "Look, we are closing on two properties. Can we get a discount on the agency fee?" This was a big transaction involving tens of thousands; Wang Qiqi thought that if she didn't have to deal with the loan process, she'd gladly bypass the agent entirely.

"Rest assured, we'll definitely give you twenty percent off," the agent said readily. This discount was something the salesperson could approve without consulting a manager.

Twenty percent off? Wang Qiqi wasn't satisfied. "Can you do better? My sister is in business. Once her business expands, she’ll be opening branches..."

"Exactly! How about fifty percent off? We're making this a quick sale. If you look for new buyers, you might not find anyone as decisive as us," Song Yao jumped in with an aggressive counteroffer.

The agent hadn't expected such a steep counter; she decided to retract her earlier promise of generosity toward this client. "That... that... I can't make decisions on that price."

"Then find someone who can, or we'll contact your manager directly," Wang Qiqi thought, realizing she might have to escalate to the manager if this agent didn't yield soon.

"That's right," Luo Hongjuan calculated the agency fee, which was a significant expense. She thought Qiqi could have skipped the agent altogether instead of wasting time haggling with her.

The agent looked at the three smiling women staring at her and sighed inwardly. Dealing with women was never straightforward; people who could afford two shops were being this stingy about a fee. "Fine, I'll check with my supervisor." Just as she reached for the office phone to consult her boss.

"No need to bother the supervisor. Let's just contact the homeowners directly. If the price is right, and the agency fee is negotiable, we’ll sign the contract right away. My sister has to head back tomorrow; if we can't settle today..." Wang Qiqi’s meaning was clear: they were all busy people and had no time to waste; if the deal was struck, they would pay immediately and handle the paperwork.