Chapter Nine: The Fruit Shop

“Tao, you know why I’ve come to you—there’s something I need. To be honest, I want to start a business, but I’m short-handed. I hope you can help me!” Zhang Ye deliberated for a moment, then decided to speak frankly.

“A business? What kind of business? Tell me about it!” Liu Wentao was a little surprised. He considered himself familiar with Zhang Ye—mischievous since childhood, cut from the same cloth as himself, clever in small ways, but never this bold.

“Ahem, here’s the thing—I’ve got my eye on a shop. You know I’m still young, haven’t got my ID yet, so it’s hard to take over the lease…” Mostly, it was just a matter of paperwork.

Liu Wentao interrupted, “A shop? That’s going to cost several thousand, isn’t it? Where are you getting that kind of money?”

“You don’t need to worry about the money. I just want to know if you’ll help me or not. I won’t fuss about hiring you—you come over, I’ll pay you five hundred a month.” Zhang Ye smiled lightly, as if it were nothing.

Liu Wentao was startled. Most factory workers earned just over two hundred a month, the best maybe three hundred, five hundred—even some factory managers didn’t make that much.

“Kid, you’re not just messing with me, are you? Five hundred? How’s that possible?” Liu Wentao was incredulous. Zhang Ye was only so old—how could he have so much money?

He knew Zhang Ye’s family; his parents were better off than most factory workers, but they could never afford to support someone so idle. Besides, why would Zhang Ye need him to lease a shop? Any of his parents or relatives could do it.

“I’m just young, that’s all. Many things need someone like you to lend weight. The money came unexpectedly, and I can’t let my parents know, so… But it’ll take a while before I actually get it!” Zhang Ye said with a wry smile.

Liu Wentao took a deep drag on his cigarette and said, “I won’t ask where the money’s from. Since you value me, I have no reason to refuse. So, tell me, what kind of shop is it?”

“A fruit shop.”

…

After Zhang Ye and Liu Wentao agreed to work together, they made their way toward Wenhua Street. Since he’d already decided, Zhang Ye was eager to settle the deal before anything changed.

At the entrance of a residential complex, because of its proximity to Wenhua Street, the owner had divided the property into three shops: one a restaurant, one a general store, and the last with its door tightly shut, a sheet of paper pasted on it advertising it for rent, along with a phone number—the very thing Zhang Ye had come for.

Seeing this, Zhang Ye felt a wave of relief. He quickly noted the number, then headed to the nearby public phone booth and dialed it.

The owner lived in the complex next to the shop, so after the call, Zhang Ye and Liu Wentao went straight there.

“Who are you?” The door was opened by a round-faced woman in her forties. Even at home she was dressed with care—her black clothes shimmered brightly, eye-catching.

In those days, the more flashy the clothes, the more people craved them, as if that alone could show one’s taste. It was really just the mindset of the newly rich, flaunting for face.

“Auntie, hello, I’m Zhang Ye—the one who just spoke with you on the phone.” Zhang Ye was certain this woman was the shop’s owner and hurried to explain. “This is my brother. He’s actually the main one talking with you today, haha, he’s a bit shy.”

Liu Wentao rolled his eyes but relaxed into the role, stepping forward with a smile. “Big sister, here’s the thing: originally, it was my father’s idea to buy the shop, but he’s been held up by something urgent and didn’t want to delay, so he sent us instead. Don’t worry, I can make decisions.”

In these matters, the older someone was, the more trustworthy they seemed. Liu Wentao’s age was right, but he looked a bit fierce, so he pushed it upwards.

“Oh, alright then, come in!” It was a two-bedroom apartment, nicely sized, with two genuine leather sofas in the center, covered with throws—a hint of petit bourgeois taste.

The woman introduced herself as Mrs. Wu. After seating them, she didn’t look down on them or neglect etiquette, pouring each a cup of tea.

“Are you planning to buy or rent?” Mrs. Wu was straightforward, not bothering with unnecessary pleasantries.

“How do you calculate the price?” Liu Wentao had discussed this with Zhang Ye beforehand and asked around among neighboring shop owners.

“If you buy, the whole shop, including the business license, is fifty thousand…”

Zhang Ye was delighted—having a business license made things easier. It wasn’t hard to get one at this time, but it was troublesome.

“Rent, rent! We’ll rent!” Liu Wentao exclaimed, eyes wide. Fifty thousand was far too much. He’d already found out that Zhang Ye had only twenty thousand—enough to buy the shop even with bargaining. Besides, they’d need money for inventory; the best steel must be used where it counts.

Zhang Ye hurriedly tugged Liu Wentao’s sleeve, calming him. He smiled, “Please, tell us how you calculate the rent.”

Zhang Ye would have liked to buy it; in his eyes, property prices were dirt cheap now, and after ten years would increase ten or twentyfold. But lacking money now, he could only watch.

“Young man, you certainly have a mind of your own.” Mrs. Wu praised him. “Three-year lease, four thousand per year. How does that sound?”

Honestly, it wasn’t expensive. In the current market it was a bit high, but with a three-year freeze, it was a good deal.

Zhang Ye gave a simple, honest smile, thought it over, and agreed. “But there’s one condition: if you decide to sell the property, you’ll offer it to us first.” He still hadn’t given up hope of buying the shop. He had no money now, but that didn’t mean he’d always be poor. Knowing property prices would keep rising, he couldn’t bear to let the opportunity slip away.

“Agreed.” Mrs. Wu then discussed some specific details with them, settling the terms of the contract.

Afterward, she led the two downstairs, opened the shop door for them to look around. The shop was small, about forty square meters—the smallest of the three. It was clean and tidy, with no clutter; both Zhang Ye and Liu Wentao were satisfied.

It had previously been a fruit stand, all licenses and paperwork in order, unexpired, which especially pleased Zhang Ye. He knew that with the crackdown coming at year’s end, lacking proper documents would spell disaster.

“It’s basically fine. In a few days, we can sign the contract officially.” Noticing Zhang Ye’s gesture, Liu Wentao nodded with a show of satisfaction.

Besides the money, they’d need to prepare copies of identity cards and so on.

“That’s good. I’ll have time to print out the contract,” Mrs. Wu said, relieved. The shop had stood empty for half a year; finally, it was rented.

After saying goodbye to Mrs. Wu, Zhang Ye patted Liu Wentao’s shoulder. “Well done, Tao! Since it’s lunchtime, let me treat you to a meal.”

“You’re the rich man—who else would I eat with?” Liu Wentao laughed, feeling a strange sense of novelty and anticipation.

“Maybe, it really will work out?” Liu Wentao suddenly realized Zhang Ye had changed, and he found himself trusting him.

Just as Zhang Ye was smiling and looking forward, he suddenly paused, a look of relief on his face. “Luckily, we acted quickly, or things would’ve gotten complicated.” Ahead, a young couple were going from shop to shop, clearly inquiring about something.

They were, in fact, the fruit stand owners from Zhang Ye’s memory.