Setting Up Shop

"You could set up a gas stove or an induction cooktop here. The ventilation is great."

Rong Xuelan responded with a nod, thinking that these conditions far exceeded her expectations.

Worried she might not have explained clearly over the phone, she asked again, "By the way, I'll have a child with me. Is that okay?"

The landlord waved her hand dismissively. "That's fine. The soundproofing here is good, so it won't be a problem."

Rong Xuelan then asked, "Are there any supermarkets or malls nearby?"

The landlord informed her, "If you turn right out of the south gate of the complex and walk straight for about two kilometers, there's a Walmart in the basement of Paris Plaza."

Rong Xuelan also inquired about the location of the local vegetable market, learning that it was about a 10-minute walk away.

"Auntie, your apartment is on a high floor with no elevator, and it's a bit far from the nearby supermarket and vegetable market. At 2,200 yuan a month, it feels a little expensive," Rong Xuelan said.

The landlord hesitated for a moment, prompting Rong Xuelan to quickly add, "Could you knock off the odd hundred and round it down for me?"

After some thought, the landlord nodded. "Alright, you seem honest and trustworthy. Let's make it 2,000."

Right then and there, Rong Xuelan signed a rental contract with the landlord.

She then went downstairs to the ATM to withdraw cash and paid three months' rent upfront, along with a deposit, before receiving the keys.

"My husband and I live just downstairs. If you need anything, don't hesitate to let us know," the landlord said kindly.

After thanking her, Rong Xuelan followed the directions to the nearby supermarket, where she bought baby formula, kitchen utensils, and other daily necessities.

She returned with four large bags, her arms full.

After setting up the essentials, a wave of relief washed over her.

For the first time in a long while, she and Dou Dou finally had a place they could call home.

The next day, after finishing dinner at the construction site, Rong Xuelan took a bus to the night market street near the university to scout the area.

The night market was bustling with a wide variety of food stalls—barbecue, cold noodles, spicy hot pot, grilled fish, crayfish, milk tea, and congee were all available.

However, she noticed that no one was selling tofu pudding.

Tofu pudding was quick to prepare and versatile, offering both savory and sweet flavors to cater to different tastes.

Rong Xuelan immediately decided that tofu pudding would be her product of choice.

After asking around, she located the night market's management office to inquire about renting a stall.

The staff pulled out a map and showed her. "The spots that aren't marked with an 'X' are still available for rent."

Rong Xuelan studied the map carefully.

There weren't many spots left; some were too remote, while others were in decent locations.

She selected a spot near the entrance of the night market, adjacent to a milk tea stall and a cold noodle stall.