CHAPTER 33: CHAPTER 33: SIGNING THE RENTAL AGREEMENT

She looked at Jiang Xin, hesitating for a moment.

As if she was contemplating whether to agree to Jiang Xin’s request.

After all, it’s rare for someone to take a liking to her house.

This is a rare opportunity, and if she misses it, it might not come again.

If she refuses Jiang Xin’s proposal, who knows how long it’ll take before the house gets rented out.

The time for her son to start school isn’t far off, some things need to be planned in advance.

Upon hearing Jiang Xin’s request to move out the beds from the other two rooms,

as she wants to use the empty rooms as a warehouse,

the landlady’s sister-in-law felt a bit worried.

Not for any other reason, but because she always wanted the tenants to pay a deposit, fearing they’d not take care of the house.

Jiang Xin seemed like a reliable person.

Renting the house to her should be reassuring.

But her proposal caused some reservations.

After all, the family plans to move back in someday.

What if Jiang Xin turns the rooms into a warehouse and they get damaged?

Even with a deposit, they wouldn’t feel right deducting from it, and they’d only end up regretting it themselves.

The landlady’s sister-in-law bit her lip in indecision after hearing this.

Especially because Jiang Xin also requested to move out the beds from the other two bedrooms.

They have been living in this town as a family of three without any other place to go.

If the beds are moved out, there really won’t be a place for them.

Her husband’s sister’s home is also cramped and can’t fit two beds.

However, even if they rent it to someone else, the house would be used the same.

Moreover, Jiang Xin said the goods she stores are daily necessities that do not take up much space, so they shouldn’t damage the house.

The main concern for the landlady’s sister-in-law has always been whether the house might get damaged.

It’s an old house they’ve lived in for many years, carrying sentimental value.

She would feel unsettled if it gets moved out.

What’s more, they have valuable appliances like a fridge and sofa at home, and the beds in the other two rooms have been used for decades and should be replaced.

If they really rent the house to Jiang Xin, and if her husband’s sister can’t store the beds, they might as well sell them at a second-hand market for some cash.

Considering they plan to stay in the provincial capital for at least three or four years, they can always buy new beds if needed when they return.

Jiang Xin could naturally see the dilemmas weighing on the landlady’s sister-in-law.

She thought about it and could guess what the landlady’s sister-in-law was torn about.

So before the breakfast stall landlady’s sister-in-law could speak, Jiang Xin spoke first:

"I know what you’re worried about. Rest assured, although I want to use it as a storage area, I will take good care of the house."

"And it’s all just household items, like kettles, lunch boxes, towels, and soap."

"Just like storing miscellaneous things usually, you can consider it."

Upon hearing this, the breakfast stall landlady thought for a moment, then smiled and said to Jiang Xin:

"Alright, I’ll agree to it then."

"I can rent the house to you, but I have conditions."

"As long as you take care of my house, I can even reduce part of the deposit for you."

"And you can use all the furniture and appliances in this house for free."

After saying this, they discussed and began drafting the contract.

The breakfast stall landlady’s sister-in-law obviously had some education, as Jiang Xin initially thought she would have to write the contract herself.

Instead, the breakfast stall landlady’s sister-in-law quickly wrote up the contract once they settled on the terms.

Jiang Xin looked and found everything clearly and reasonably laid out, without any drag.

Jiang Xin’s eyes lit up.

The agreed price was thirty yuan a month.

Jiang Xin opted for an annual rent. People renting houses usually pay monthly, so someone like Jiang Xin renting for a year at once is quite rare.

For the breakfast stall landlady and her sister-in-law, this was exceptionally hassle-free.

If it were monthly rentals, sometimes people leave in the middle of the next month even after saying they’d stay, causing the landlords a loss.

Because renting out a house takes time,

if they can’t find another tenant, the house stays empty for too long, and they make no money.

Therefore, upon learning Jiang Xin wanted to pay a year’s rent upfront, the landlady’s sister-in-law was so happy her mouth stretched to the back of her head.

In her joy, she waived two yuan off the rent for Jiang Xin for a month.

So finally, the price settled at twenty-eight yuan a month.

Jiang Xin paid a total of three hundred thirty-six yuan.

After paying the rent, half of her savings were gone.

Jiang Xin’s heart felt a slight twinge of pain.

But upon reconsideration, renting the place served two purposes, both housing and storage.

She wouldn’t need to rent a separate warehouse.

With this arrangement, the rent wasn’t as expensive.

If she had to rent a warehouse separately, it wouldn’t be cheap either.

Jiang Xin took out some of the money she had hidden in her space and paid half as a down payment.

Since she hadn’t moved in yet and the landlady’s sister-in-law was still living there, they suggested Jiang Xin pay the full rent after moving in.

Because the start of school for the landlady’s sister-in-law’s son was already scheduled.

The date on the contract was set for a month later.

Once everything was confirmed, Jiang Xin said her goodbyes to the landlady’s sister-in-law and left.

After all, Lin Ye was still running a stall at the market.

She wasn’t sure what the situation was.

Because yesterday, she didn’t move any goods, only choosing household items considering she was moving them alone.

She thought if today’s sales weren’t good, she’d have to consider changing her product line.

Having just paid the rent, she didn’t have much money left. Although now, all food, clothing, and supplies could be sourced from her space,

she still needed to pay Lin Ye’s salary.

She didn’t plan on paying Lin Ye after a month.