The first floor of the small building was exceptionally spacious, capable of accommodating fifty to sixty people for dining simultaneously.
At the back of the main hall, a separate room had been designated. This was where Old Man Sun had originally stored his spices, and it could later be converted into a kitchen, with ample space.
However, the tables, chairs, benches, and counter were all in a state of disrepair. Some of the wood had rotted, and the doors and windows had large holes.
Yun Daman looked around and grinned, "Wow, this place is too run-down. The stairs leading to the second floor are almost broken. How much money will it cost to renovate this?"
Daman was stating the truth. Apart from its spatial capacity and retro architectural style, this small building held no other usable value. It wasn't even fit for habitation.
The main advantage was its good geographical location within the county town. Such detached, single-family buildings were rare. If it were renovated from top to bottom, it might yield a different effect.
Leaning on his cane, Old Man Sun sighed, "This building has been vacant for too long, and I'm too old to manage it. If you rent it, you can do whatever you want with it. I won't interfere, as long as you don't tear it down."
Upon hearing this, Xiao Xi Tian giggled, "Uncle Sun, we won't tear down the building. While the space is sufficient, we'll need to spend money on repairs inside and out. Could the rent be a bit cheaper?"
Including the deposit, the total for the year was fifty taels of silver, which was a substantial sum for a farming family.
Old Man Sun shook his head, "We already agreed on the rent. Fifty taels, and not a coin less!"
Xiao Xi Tian: "..."
This old man is so stubborn!
"Daughter, let's go check out the second floor!" said Madam Gu.
"Okay!"
Mother and daughter held hands and ascended the creaking stairs to the second floor.
The space here was slightly smaller than the first floor, but it was still sufficient for selling dairy products.
Moreover, near the window, there was a small room where they could rest and sleep if they got tired.
Old Man Yun followed, looked at the environment, and repeatedly shook his head, "Daughter, why don't we look for another place? This place is really too dilapidated!"
He couldn't even imagine how much money it would take to renovate the entire small building.
Even using all their savings might not be enough.
Xiao Xi Tian pouted, "Daddy, Mommy, I've already searched the entire county town, and there's nothing suitable!"
If she had found a place with a good location, cheap rent, and ample space, Xiao Xi Tian wouldn't have chosen this one.
Zhao Gui Hua paced back and forth in the hall on the first floor, already starting to move tables.
In the Old Yun family, no one wanted the restaurant to open sooner than she did.
Although her parents had promised to help her open the restaurant, the actual implementation of this matter fell to her sister-in-law.
"Oh, Gui Hua, stop what you're doing. What are you trying to do?" Yun Daman grabbed Zhao Gui Hua's sleeve, looking speechless.
Zhao Gui Hua paused, "Of course, I'm moving these broken tables and chairs out. How can the craftsmen come in to work if the hall isn't cleaned?"
Yun Daman: "..."
Sweet Baby hasn't even paid the rent yet, and you're already busy. What if your sister decides not to rent it?
How embarrassing would that be?
Du Tie Shan stood at the entrance of the hall, holding back a lot of words.
She felt that the sisters-in-law opening a restaurant together was definitely not a long-term plan.
Moreover, Du Tie Shan was a person who always preferred to work independently, be unconventional, and disliked others interfering.
Never mind, she would talk to Sweet Baby privately when she had time.
"How is it? Did you like it?" Old Man Sun asked.
Xiao Xi Tian came down from the second floor, hesitated for a moment, and finally gritted her teeth to make a decision, "Uncle Sun, I'll rent this place. Let's sign the contract!"
Upon hearing this, Old Man Sun stared at Xiao Xi Tian for a moment, then let out a long sigh, "Good, child, you'll surely achieve great things in the future..."
The first time he saw Xiao Xi Tian, he felt that this little girl possessed an unusual aura.
Moreover, she understood medicine at such a young age and brought her whole family to look at houses and do business. There were probably very few children like her in the entire Daliang Kingdom.
Madam Gu paid the silver and signed the agreement. With her handprint pressed onto the rental contract, the two-story building would belong to Xiao Xi Tian for the next year.
"Uncle Sun, you're not feeling well. Isn't it dangerous to live here alone?" Xiao Xi Tian said with concern.
Old Man Sun rubbed the walnuts in his hands and said helplessly, "I'm used to living alone, and it's nothing serious!"
His son hadn't visited him in four or five years, and Old Man Sun was guarding this small property, living out his days in solitude.
Madam Gu was still worried, "Brother, your health doesn't seem good, and you don't have any medicine at home. Why don't you come and stay with us in Da Shui Village for a while? We'll send you back after you've recovered."
Madam Gu's actions were entirely out of goodwill, unrelated to renting the property.
Old Man Sun listened, then looked at Madam Gu blankly, tears welling up in his cloudy eyes.
He hadn't felt such care in so many years.
Seeing his wife speak, Old Man Yun quickly persuaded him, "Brother, don't worry. My daughter knows a little bit about medicine. If you stay at our house, consider it a recuperation. We'll eat whatever we eat, and we won't charge you any money."
Old Man Sun hesitated for a moment, then lowered his head, "I'm just afraid, afraid that this old man will be too much trouble and disturb your lives!"
What would it be like to live in a stranger's house when they weren't related?
Moreover, as far as he knew, people in the countryside lived very frugally. It would be embarrassing for him to impose himself on them.
Xiao Xi Tian heard this and smiled, "Uncle Sun, you don't know, we often have guests at our house! And we have plenty of rooms, more than enough to accommodate you."
That thick-skinned Young Master Xiao was still staying at their house.
It could be said that in recent years, their house had never been without guests.
Seeing Old Man Sun remain silent, Madam Gu nudged Zhao Gui Hua, "Gui Hua, help pack his luggage, and wrap up the quilts and mattresses. We'll head back to the village now!"
"Understood, Mother!"
After all the commotion, it was already completely dark.
Yun Daman helped Old Man Sun out of the flat, with two large bundles slung over his shoulders.
Jin Xiao Lou walked ahead, holding a lantern, his stomach rumbling with hunger.
He wondered what Sister Huai Hua was cooking today.
Just as everyone reached the courtyard gate, they suddenly saw a dark figure standing outside the door, exuding a chilling aura in the night.