Steam Era: The Lord of 'Puluo' Chapter 1447: Human Market Couple_3

Juanzi was angry: “What’s the difference between you drinking and him drinking?”

Tan Jinxiao pointed at his braised pork and rice: “This meat was bought from the Earth Market, and your clams were bought from Sea City. This meal’s ingredients cost just thirty cents, adding seasoning and charcoal, at most another ten cents.”

Xiao Yeci said: “That’s still quite profitable. There’s still more than half profit.”

Tan Jinxiao shook his head: “There’s a Big Head expense not accounted for. The rent for this shop is included in the dish, taking up more than sixty cents, leaving just over ten cents. Whether the shopkeeper can make a profit depends on how many customers come today. If too few come, the rent can’t be covered, and it’s a loss.”

Xiao Yeci said: “Is the rent that expensive? Then you should buy a place yourself and open a shop.”

Tan Jinxiao sighed: “Shops in the Underground City aren’t for sale; they’re all owned by the Boss.”

Li Banfeng asked: “Who exactly is the Boss?”

Tan Jinxiao couldn’t explain: “The Boss is just the Boss.”

After the meal, Li Banfeng roughly counted heads; he had to arrange accommodation for everyone.

This time, eight people came out in total. Previously, Tan Jinxiao said fifty cents allows for one person to lodge, eight people would be four dollars.

He was just about to pay when Tan Jinxiao stopped him: “You can’t pay like that, you don’t know how to calculate. Paying three dollars will suffice!”

Li Banfeng didn’t understand: “Why three dollars?”

Tan Jinxiao said: “Three dollars cover a big room, all of us can stay there.”

Xiao Yeci blushed: “Men and women are different, we can’t stay together!”

Tan Jinxiao waved his hand: “Don’t worry, the room is big enough. Hang a curtain in the middle, no one can see anyone. It’s just for one night.”

“A curtain?” Juanzi felt it was inappropriate, “What about me?”

The shopkeeper Chen Yongnian collected three dollars, was about to tidy up the room for them when suddenly a man wearing a collared wool coat and a black round top hat entered the restaurant.

“Oh, Mr. Bao!” The shopkeeper was stunned, “It’s not the time yet.”

“The date was moved up, new rules set by the Boss.” The man named Bao pulled a chair, sat at the restaurant door, called a few underlings, and blocked the entrance.

Tan Jinxiao said: “See, this is who the Boss sent to collect money. He’s called Bao Yaoceng, usually comes at the end of the month, but this month he’s several days early, not sure what’s going on.”

The shopkeeper Chen Yongnian didn’t dare ask more, quickly pulled money from the wooden box behind.

Stuffed a stack of money into Bao Yaoceng’s hand, Bao Yaoceng counted and shook his head: “This is not enough.”

Chen Yongnian was stunned: “Mr. Bao, I’ve been running this shop for several years now, it’s always been this price.”

“Didn’t you see the notice?” Bao Yaoceng pointed outside, “It was posted yesterday, rent increased by thirty-five percent. After you pay, go see for yourself.”

Chen Yongnian rummaged around the box behind, took out all the money, even tomorrows goods money wasn’t enough to cover the thirty-five percent rent increase.

“Mr. Bao, I just bought coal yesterday, I really have no money today. Can you give me two more days?”

“Can’t extend!” Bao Yaoceng shook his head: “Orders from the Boss!”

Chen Yongnian said: “Mr. Bao, come back tomorrow, I’ll go out to borrow some…”

“Stop with the useless talk, shut off the pipe.” Bao Yaoceng waved to the door, two underlings at the restaurant door opened a tin box.

Inside the tin box was a metal valve, one person was about to turn the valve, Chen Yongnian rushed out: “No, this can’t happen!”

Chen Yongnian tussled with the two men, Bao Yaoceng stepped forward and dragged Chen Yongnian away.

“Who let you touch my people? Who gave you the guts?”

Slap! Bao Yaoceng slapped Chen Yongnian.

Chen Yongnian pleaded: “I’m begging you, give me one day, just one day!”

Slap!

Bao Yaoceng swung back and slapped Chen Yongnian again: “My hands are lazy, when the palm goes out, the back comes back. For these two slaps, I’ll give you twenty minutes, bring me the money.”

Chen Yongnian, head lowered, said: “Mr. Bao, in twenty minutes, I can’t borrow that much money.”

“Fine, I’ll hit you more times, maybe then you can borrow it!” Just as Bao Yaoceng was about to hit, Chen Yongnian stood still, head lowered, not even daring to dodge.

He feared Bao Yaoceng would really shut off the pipe, that pipe was more valuable than his life.

“Wait a moment,” Li Banfeng approached Bao Yaoceng, asking, “How much is thirty-five percent rent?”

Bao Yaoceng looked at Li Banfeng: “What does this have to do with you?”

Li Banfeng said: “Don’t ask if it relates to me. Does the money relate to you? Just tell the amount.”

Bao Yaoceng showed the bill to Li Banfeng, Chen Yongnian still had eight hundred and twenty yuan short on rent.

Li Banfeng gave Bao Yaoceng eight hundred and fifty yuan: “No need to give change.”

Bao Yaoceng collected the money, looked at Li Banfeng, then at Chen Yongnian: “What’s your relationship?”

Chen Yongnian didn’t know how to respond. Li Banfeng laughed: “Don’t worry about our relationship, just take the money and leave, won’t you?”

Bao Yaoceng glanced at Li Banfeng, cursed: “Really damn cheap!”

After cursing, he left with his men.

Chen Yongnian thanked Li Banfeng profusely: “Sir, thank you for saving my life. I’ll go borrow some money and return it to you immediately.”

Li Banfeng waved his hand: “No rush, focus on your business first.”

Chen Yongnian said: “I can’t take your money, I definitely have to repay it.”

Li Banfeng chuckled: “I didn’t say you shouldn’t repay; owe me a bit longer, count a little interest, I won’t lose out. Hurry and do your business.”

Tan Jinxiao watched from the side, remained silent.

Chen Yongnian wanted to help Li Banfeng tidy up the lodging rooms. Originally, Li Banfeng only asked for one room, but the shopkeeper cleaned up three rooms: “Everyone can stay comfortably, my gesture of goodwill. I’ll go raise money right away.”