Chapter 24

Zeng Yi left the medical device city and had Hu Guangliang's driver take him to the Rongcheng Traditional Chinese Medicine trading market. He still needed to buy a few herbs to help Fang Nanguo prepare some ointments. Since he was out, he decided to finish this task in one go. He also wanted to order a batch of herbs and personally inspect their quality and authenticity for greater peace of mind.

By dusk, Zeng Yi walked out of the herb market with two plastic bags, which contained the herbs and ingredients for Fang Nanguo's ointments.

Seeing that he still had some time, Zeng Yi decided to stroll down the street and look for a suitable storefront to rent.

A police car slowly caught up from behind and parked steadily next to Zeng Yi. Chen Long, with his plump body, nimbly got out of the car and snatched the plastic bags from Zeng Yi's hands, smiling, "How could an expert like you carry these things yourself? I'll do it, I'll do it."

"Who would have thought it was you, Chief Chen," Zeng Yi smiled. "On patrol?"

"No, I came here to handle some business and was just about to head back. It's time to clock out," Chief Chen enthusiastically invited Zeng Yi. "Where are you going, Expert Zeng? I can give you a ride. I'm really sorry about the last incident. If you have time tonight, I'd like to treat you to a drink to make amends."

"That's all in the past, no need to bring it up," Zeng Yi waved his hand. "Chief Chen, you have your duties. Go ahead and finish your work. I'm just wandering around, looking for a suitable storefront."

Chen Long complained, "If you're looking for a storefront, you should have told me! How big do you need it to be, and where? I can help you find one. At this rate, you'll be searching for a long time."

Zeng Yi smiled, "It's fine. I'm just wandering around, getting familiar with the streets of Rongcheng."

"I happen to know of a few good storefronts for rent. Expert Zeng, tell me what you need in a place, and I'll help you think about it to see if there's a suitable one."

Hearing this, Zeng Yi said, "Actually, I don't have many requirements. I just need it to open a traditional Chinese medicine clinic."

"Ah, I see..." Chief Chen thought for a moment and said, "There is a suitable one. Wait a moment, I'll make a call to check."

He took out his phone and dialed a number, "Lao Qi, are you still renting out your storefront? ... It's not rented yet? Good, hold it for me... No, go to the storefront now, we'll meet there... Yes, hurry up, don't dawdle."

After hanging up, Chief Chen's face beamed like a sunflower in full bloom, "Expert Zeng, let's go see the place now. The location and size are perfect, I guarantee you'll be satisfied."

Zeng Yi didn't expect to find a storefront that he couldn't find after much effort with just one call from Chen Long. It seemed that everyone had their own way of doing things, and it was important to find the right person for the job. "Then I'll trouble you, Chief Chen!"

"What trouble? It's just a small favor. Besides, it's an honor to be able to help you!"

Chen Long let Zeng Yi into the police car and carried the two bags to the passenger seat. After sitting down, he smelled the herbal scent from the plastic bags and asked, "Is this medicine for a leader?" Then, he boldly probed, "For Secretary Fang?"

Zeng Yi neither confirmed nor denied it, just giving a faint smile.

Chen Long's body straightened up immediately. He carefully held the two plastic bags, his face serious, as if they contained a priceless national treasure rather than just some herbs.

The place Chen Long mentioned was not far from the provincial health department's office building, just two streets away. Just in terms of location, Zeng Yi was very satisfied, as it allowed him to manage both sides.

When they arrived, a lean man in his thirties, wearing a white tank top and shorts, was standing at the door, fanning himself with a paper fan. Seeing Chen Long's police car, he put away the fan and approached, complaining, "Chief Chen, you're really ruining my day! I was on a winning streak, about to take down three tables, and you dragged me here. I'm going to lose a fortune!"

Chief Chen glared, "Do you want me to raid your gambling den right now?"

"No, no, I'm here!" The lean man quickly put on a smile, "Let's see the place, let's see the place." He hurriedly took out the keys and opened the door.

Chief Chen didn't rush in but stood behind Zeng Yi with a smile, extending his hand, "Expert Zeng, please come in!"

Zeng Yi shook his head helplessly, "Chief Chen, please don't call me Expert Zeng anymore. Just call me Zeng Yi!" Although everyone called him that, he still felt uncomfortable.

Chief Chen's face lit up, "Then I'll take the liberty of calling you Brother Zeng. Come, Brother Zeng, please come in. Let's see the place first, and if it's not suitable, I'll introduce you to other options."

The place was a two-story building, with the first floor as a street-front shop and the second floor for living. It used to be a cosmetics store, but the owner moved to a high-end office building after expanding, leaving the place vacant. Due to its good location, many people had come to see it recently, but Lao Qi was dissatisfied with the low rent offers and hadn't reached a deal.

Zeng Yi looked around both floors and found the size quite suitable, especially since it could be used both as a clinic and a residence. He currently lived at Shao Haibo's house, which was a good environment, but it wasn't convenient in the long run. Renting this place would solve both problems.

"Alright, I'll take it!" Zeng Yi looked at Chen Long, "Chief Chen, the place you recommended is great, I'm very satisfied."

"It wouldn't be a good place if I didn't recommend it to Brother Zeng," Chen Long laughed. He turned to Lao Qi, "How much is the rent?"

Lao Qi thought for a moment and quoted a price, "Eight thousand a month!"

Chen Long's eyes widened, "Eight thousand? Are you trying to rob us? Don't think I don't know, the previous tenant only paid three thousand a month!"

Lao Qi's face fell, "Chief Chen, that was three years ago. Rent prices are skyrocketing now. Everything is getting more expensive, and I need to eat too."

"But it can't be this much! Three thousand eight, that's it!"

Lao Qi was on the verge of tears, "This... This is absolutely impossible. Below eight thousand, I can't rent it out. A few days ago, someone offered twelve thousand, and I didn't even rent it. Chief Chen, please, why don't you look at other places?"

Chen Long's face turned red with embarrassment. He thought his reputation would get the rent below three thousand, but he couldn't even get it to three thousand eight. He was annoyed but still smiled, putting his arm around Lao Qi's shoulder, "We can negotiate the price. Let's go outside and talk!"

The two went outside, and through the glass, Zeng Yi saw Chen Long standing by the roadside, angrily shouting at Lao Qi and even hitting his head a few times.

A few minutes later, Chen Long came back in, smiling, "It's settled, three thousand eight!"

Zeng Yi was a bit helpless. Seeing Lao Qi come in with a dejected look, he said, "I've been looking around for a few days, and for a slightly better location, the rent is never below eight thousand. I'm very satisfied with this place, so let's go with eight thousand!"

Lao Qi was overjoyed, as if he had been saved from a disaster. Chen Long's face, however, was very awkward, as his favor had not been returned.

Zeng Yi didn't want to owe Chen Long this favor. If it was just helping to find a storefront, he would be grateful, but if it was using the chief's authority to lower the rent, he couldn't accept it. He didn't want to owe such a favor to anyone.