The shelves on both sides were piled high with keyboards and mice, along with stacks of CDs, all marked with "Clearance" signs.

The store manager was engrossed in playing StarCraft, continuing to play even when someone came in, as if he hadn't noticed Su Zelin at all.

In such a terrible environment, with a pitifully small number of sample machines, a greedy owner, and a take-it-or-leave-it service attitude, it's no wonder no one wanted to buy a computer here.

Su Zelin approached the store manager and tapped lightly on the computer desk to get his attention: "Boss."

The store manager kept his eyes fixed on the computer screen, not even raising his head: "The mice, keyboards, and CDs are over there, clearly priced. Find what you need yourself!"

"I'm not here to buy parts and CDs."

"If you're not buying anything, why are you here?"

The store manager was getting impatient. He had a short temper to begin with, and wondered if this student was just bored.

"Isn't your store up for transfer?"

Upon hearing this, the store manager finally showed a slight reaction. He paused the game and turned his gaze away from the computer screen.

This guy looks like just a student, is he planning to buy my store?

And didn't he notice I've been chasing flies around? Could he be a brainless rich kid?

The manager's eyes flickered with calculation: "You want to take over? My store's not cheap—so many computer parts and CDs, plus the sample machine and this machine here with me, it'll cost you at least twenty-five thousand!"

"Twenty-five thousand?"

Su Zelin laughed.

"Most of your keyboards and mice are low-end like A4Tech, with just a dozen or so relatively better Logitech sets. These game software CDs have a wholesale price of 60-70 cents each, and even cheaper in bulk. Adding up the printer, webcam, optical drives, and other miscellaneous parts, including the shelves and the two machines, the total value tops out at twenty thousand! Considering depreciation and an overall transfer, a 20% discount is pretty reasonable, isn't it?"

The manager was a bit embarrassed to be called out for his blatant overpricing: "Prices can be negotiated, so let's see if you're sincere."

Su Zelin's lips curled into a slight smile: "Fifteen thousand, that's my sincerity. If you agree, we can sign the transfer contract today!"

The manager's eyes lit up, invigorated.

He had been worrying about how to get the store off his hands; in fact, he wouldn't entirely mind accepting fifteen thousand.

However, the store owner played hardball: "Fifteen thousand is too low. Even at a 20% discount, at least give me sixteen thousand. The configuration of the machine I'm using isn't low, even with depreciation, it's worth six thousand!"

"How about this then, I don't want the machine you're using, and I'll give you eleven thousand!"

"Uh, this..."

The store manager wanted to transfer the entire shop, naturally hoping for a clean break, not wanting to leave anything behind.

After some haggling, realizing he couldn't outsmart this clever student, the manager finally nodded in agreement: "Fine, fifteen thousand it is, but once the contract is signed, you have to pay immediately, no defaults allowed!"

"OK!"

Su Zelin agreed readily.

At the school, these computer shops all operated without proper business licenses, so the transfer procedure was fairly simple, just a contract.

That same day, Su Zelin drafted the contract. After the manager confirmed there were no issues, they each signed and affixed their fingerprints, kept a copy of their ID, made two copies, and then processed the payment, completing the transaction.

In just half a day's time, the computer shop had changed hands.

Having just this small shop wasn't enough.

The scale was too small, not enough to make an impact.

Su Zelin walked out of the store, looking at the several tightly closed, web-covered bungalows next to the computer shop.

They were a few abandoned warehouses, storing some unimportant clutter.

Furthermore, Su Zelin knew that after a year, the academy would clear out these items and convert the warehouses for rental shops.

I can't wait until next year, these warehouses need to be secured as soon as possible!

To develop the computer shop, the scale must be large enough!

To secure leasing of these premises in advance, I must find another person.

A leader at the academy.

It must be said, in the past life, he was quite familiar with that person.

Of course, right now they hadn't met.

At the moment, he's still very rigid, might need to use some unconventional means.

...

On the way back to the dorm, the phone rang; it was Lu Haoran's dorm landline number.

"Hello, Zelin? I heard from Xiaoyanzi that you're not going to the mid-autumn hometown gathering?"

Once connected, the straight-shooter got straight to the point.

Looks like Qin Shiqing told Tang Yan, Su Zelin thought to himself.

At this moment, he also guessed the purpose of his buddy's call.

"Yeah, I've already planned a group dinner with my dorm mates that day, a bit inconvenient!"

"Then, won't I be the only guy going alone?"

Although he already got the news, hearing Su Zelin confirm it himself still flustered Lu Haoran.

"What do you mean alone, there are plenty of people from Jianglan's area at Gongda, you'll do fine with them, right?"

Su Zelin said casually.

"It's not the same, I'm not familiar with them!"

Lu Haoran's tone showed reluctance. He originally wanted to use the opportunity to get together with his good friend, Qin Shiqing, and Xiaoyanzi.

"Zelin, could you try discussing with your dorm buddies, perhaps postpone the gathering? It doesn't have to be during Mid-Autumn!"

Lu Haoran asked tentatively.

"Haoran, maybe you could discuss with the hometown gathering people and postpone it, no rush for Mid-Autumn, right?"

Su Zelin replied somewhat snappily.

He wasn't attending the hometown gathering this time partly due to Qin Shiqing, but also to let his best friend grow a bit.

Can't have Haoran always relying on him, he has almost no independent social ability left.

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