"How do you wish to be addressed, sir?"
Ling Feng did not immediately discuss pricing or other matters.
The stout old man sat down on a nearby lounge chair and gestured for Ling Feng to sit as well.
Ling Feng did not refuse, though the adjacent chair was somewhat worn.
"You can call me Old Chen. I own most of the shops on this street, so you can discuss everything with me!"
After Ling Feng sat down, Old Chen spoke these words.
Discuss everything with him?
This made things simpler for Ling Feng.
"Alright, Old Chen, you found the previous price acceptable. Do you have any other requirements?" Since the other party insisted on meeting, there must be additional conditions.
After all, Ling Feng had asked Yang Fei to quote thirty percent higher than the developers, having understood the local prices.
This price, divided among everyone, was quite substantial.
Old Chen nodded at Ling Feng. "Yes, this street has been here for sixty-seven years, and I know everything here is quite old. It's time for a renovation, but renovation requires quite a bit of money, and there are many people, which would disrupt business."
Ling Feng simply nodded and listened to him mention all this.
He already understood the old man's additional conditions.
Sentiment was one aspect, but more importantly, it was about securing greater benefits for them.
Since the old man owned most of the shops here, he had no responsibility or obligation to undertake such matters; he could simply sell and be at peace.
This was for the sake of the tenants. Whether it was demolition or reconstruction,
Old Chen would not suffer as much loss. Instead, the tenants' businesses would be disrupted!
This old man was a good person.
"We are all old neighbors, and everyone is very resistant to this matter. Many have been cooperating with my family for three generations. I cannot bring myself to drive them away with just a word," Old Chen stated frankly.
Ling Feng nodded in agreement. "I understand what you mean, Old Chen. I can increase the price by another ten percent on the current basis. This ten percent can be given to the tenants below, allowing them to have the money and time to reorganize their shops!"
Old Chen's eyes lit up upon hearing this.
He looked Ling Feng up and down before saying, "Young man, what is your position in your company? What you've said needs to be backed up. You know that ten percent is a considerable amount of money; that's millions being thrown away!"
Ling Feng remained noncommittal. "I can make the decision. Rest assured, Old Chen."
"Good, you are honest in business. However, I cannot cheat you out of your money. Your previous quote was already very reasonable, so let's stick to the original price."
Old Chen smiled, his face full of friendliness.
This, however, surprised Ling Feng. He refused free money?
"Does Old Chen have other conditions?"
"Heh, I didn't want you to add money initially. What I meant when I said those words was, what do you plan to do with this place after you buy it? The surrounding villages and towns rely on the shops on this street for their livelihood. If you build residential buildings or large shopping malls, office buildings, etc., they will have to move far away!"
When Old Chen spoke again, his smile was irrepressible.
He truly hadn't expected Ling Feng to make such a concession, and the subsequent matters would be easier to discuss.
"This is my granddaughter, Chen Jiaojiao. She attends the Capital's First University of Commerce and has been busy with matters here recently."
Abruptly, Old Chen introduced the young girl beside him to Ling Feng.
Chen Jiaojiao no longer showed the shyness she had when she first met Ling Feng.
She produced a pair of glasses from somewhere, put them on, and then nodded slightly at Ling Feng.
Ling Feng also nodded slightly in return.
"Mr. Ling, my grandfather's concerns are mainly two. Firstly, the shop owners, many of whom have worked here their entire lives and find it difficult to let go."
Chen Jiaojiao's speech was more direct and clear.
"Secondly, it's the neighbors who rely on this street for their livelihood. Once construction begins here, it will be very troublesome, so..."
"I understand both of your concerns."
Ling Feng interrupted Chen Jiaojiao before she could finish.
Then he looked at Old Chen and said calmly, "Old Chen, I am very clear about your concerns. How about this."
"After I purchase this place, I will proceed with reconstruction, and the previous merchants will have priority leasing rights. The shops will remain shops, but everything will be replanned. Some areas might have some changes, such as the residential buildings mentioned earlier. This way, people doing business here can also buy houses and live here."
As soon as he finished speaking, Old Chen and Chen Jiaojiao on the side were stunned with surprise!
Clearly, they had never dreamed that their previous worries would be resolved so easily.
"Mr. Ling, are you truly in charge?"
Old Chen was somewhat uneasy. His most worrying issue was resolved so simply?
"Yes, I am in charge. We can draft the contract now. You can invite professionals to sign it, and the funds will be transferred immediately upon signing the contract!"
Ling Feng said calmly. These issues might be significant problems for many developers, as they prioritized their own interests.
Ling Feng, however, did not need to consider these. As long as the investment here was not a loss,
it was fine!
Moreover, these were all matters beneficial to the local populace, so Ling Feng naturally supported them.
"Immediate transfer? This... Other developers have never had such a situation! Mr. Ling, what company are you from?"
Old Chen became even more suspicious.
The demolition compensation alone was hundreds of millions. Ling Feng claimed it would be an immediate transfer.
How was this possible?
Chen Jiaojiao beside him couldn't help but push up her glasses and looked at Ling Feng with increasing suspicion.
But before Ling Feng could respond,
a voice suddenly came from outside the door.
"Tsk! I say, Uncle Chen, do you still need to ask what company he's from? He's clearly a swindler! When do large real estate companies ever offer immediate transfers? They all need time to process the paperwork!"
As this voice emerged, the slight smile on Ling Feng's face vanished.
At the same time, Old Chen's eyes narrowed slightly, and he glanced outside with some annoyance.
Chen Jiaojiao beside him became more nervous, clutching her clothes and hiding closer to her grandfather.
Ling Feng saw everything clearly. This person who suddenly appeared had completely disrupted the atmosphere.
He really came at the wrong time!