Chapter 8: The Art of Getting Something for Nothing in Progress
Chapter 8: The Art of Getting Something for Nothing
“Bao, I just had a sudden thought…”
“What is it?”
“I want to sit down with you and have a serious talk about the future…”
“What the hell?”
“…”
Bao Qiang, the landlord, had just passed forty this year, yet he had already reached a state many men only dream of.
Every day, he carried a bunch of keys, wore big shorts and slippers, walked his dog, and wandered through the streets and alleys, living a simple and unassuming life.
Ten apartments in Yanjing City, plus two storefronts…
This was his modest yet solid foundation.
Among his many tenants, Zhang Yang was just one.
Bao’s impression of Zhang Yang was that he usually carried a briefcase, left early and returned late, spoke little, and had a somewhat refined appearance—perhaps a clerk at some company. But his slightly tanned skin suggested otherwise; maybe he was a salesman out in the field.
Of course, Bao Qiang never paid much attention to Zhang Yang before. Over the decades, countless tenants had rented from him in Yanjing—people of all kinds, rushing in and out like passing strangers.
There was no way he could keep track of everyone.
But today, Zhang Yang gave him a strange, unexplainable feeling.
He seemed completely different from the Zhang Yang Bao thought he knew.
“Bao, can we talk?”
“About what?”
“We’re actually starting a business…”
“Oh?”
“I come from a very remote mountain village. The first day I arrived in this city, I was dazzled by the streetlights. It was the first time I’d seen so many cars on the road. Standing beneath these towering buildings, I felt so small… That day, standing under the streetlight, looking at this bustling city, I vowed to make something of myself!”
“Hm?”
“Bao, I remember you studied 3D design, right?”
“Yes. So?”
“Ostrovsky once said—well, I agree with him—that a person’s life should be lived this way. One shouldn’t just…”
“Stop! What exactly are you trying to do?”
“…”
Bao Qiang was completely baffled!
What was this guy up to?
Why all these strange tangents?
Bao was getting dizzy from Zhang Yang’s rambling.
Zhang Yang enthusiastically ushered him inside.
Bao watched him enter with a fiery look in his eyes, and noticed that Zhang Yang now held a business license.
The license read “Cosmos Technology.”
Before Bao could make sense of it, Zhang Yang sighed deeply, then looked at him with utmost seriousness.
“Bao, don’t you think a person should do something meaningful in this life?” Zhang’s eyes held a trace of melancholy, his voice tinged with wistfulness.
Bao glanced around.
He saw two computers, and two young men staring blankly at them.
“You wander these streets every day, doing the same thing, day after day, year after year… Are you really going to let your life pass like this?”
“???” Bao suddenly heard a penetrating force in Zhang’s voice. The tone gradually rose.
His gaze seemed to pierce through Bao’s heart, stirring an inexplicable awe.
“A person has to do something, right? Bao, was your dream just to collect rent?”
“Yes, but I never really had a dream…”
“No dream? Then what’s the difference between you and a salted fish?” Zhang pressed further.
“I don’t really have many ambitions. Life is simple—I wake up naturally, eat breakfast, work out, drink tea when free, take walks, sometimes drive out of town, travel domestically once a month, abroad every six months… Though it can be boring, I’m fairly satisfied.” Bao looked at Zhang’s earnest face, hesitated a moment, then shook his head, glanced at a Mercedes G-Wagon parked outside, and added, “Though to be honest, I do want to buy a limited-edition Lamborghini Miura coming out next year. I hear it handles well, but I’m not sure if I can get one…”
“…” Zhang’s serious expression instantly faltered.
His face twitched slightly; his breath caught.
He suddenly felt an eerie chill around him.
Zhao Hang and Zhong Chongwen stared blankly in the direction of the G-Wagon.
Suddenly, their dreams of striving for the future seemed utterly meaningless.
Even an annual salary of a hundred thousand didn’t feel appealing anymore…
Damn, can you really buy that after ten years of hard work?
“What’s wrong?” Bao Qiang stared at the G-Wagon for a while, then turned to Zhang.
He saw Zhang’s gaze darken, then suddenly shift.
No longer sharp, but burning with passion.
“Bao!”
“Hm?”
“There’s a saying: ‘Though separated by the sea, friends remain close as neighbors.’ Bao, when I first saw you, I felt an instant kinship, like you were my brother… so warm and familiar. When you walked in, it felt like a winter sunbeam warming my heart…” Zhang’s face crinkled with a smile as he pulled Bao down to sit, pouring tea and speaking with a flattering earnestness.
“What exactly are you trying to say?” Bao’s skin crawled; he was almost scared!
“Brother, we actually have a dream…”
“Ah?”
“I started a gaming company, but we’re facing some small difficulties. Brother, we need a bit of your help.”
“What kind of help?”
“Could you rent us one of your storefronts for a day?”
“What?”
“Could you rent us the storefront facing east? We think your storefront faces the winter sun, with clear lighting, and from a Feng Shui perspective, it’s auspicious—purple energy comes from the east, the bright green sun shines, and the layout is like dragons soaring and tigers roaring. Most people can’t handle such an aura, so tenants keep changing. But I’m different—I’m a dragon by zodiac, and my fortune says I’m a hidden dragon in deep water, ready to leap and flourish, bringing prosperity to the home…”
“Stop, stop! You’re rambling about dreams and fortune-telling—but you just want to rent a room?”
“Yes!”
“Why didn’t you just say so? Eighty thousand a year, and coincidentally, I have the contract with me…”
“I’m the hidden dragon in deep water, about to open my eyes and leap…”
“You don’t have the money?”
“Brother, it’s not that I don’t have money. It’s Saturday; my money’s tied up in stocks and can’t be withdrawn until Monday.”
“How much?”
“Over two hundred thousand!”
“You don’t look like someone with over two hundred thousand,” Bao said, staring suspiciously.
“Brother, don’t judge by appearances. You can’t measure the ocean with a dipper…”
“Are you sure you’ll have it Monday?”
“Yes. I planned to rent on Monday, but the client wants to see our company today, so I wanted to talk to you and rent early… If I don’t have the money Monday, you can kick me out anytime, right? If you don’t trust me, I can leave a copy of my ID… Actually, I can give you the original! I’m here, I can’t run away, and your place only has tables and chairs—no valuables. We can’t just move out with them anyway.”
“Alright.” Bao looked at Zhang.
Zhang’s expression was earnest, with a rustic sincerity from his remote countryside roots.
Bao hesitated but finally nodded.
“Bao, the keys…”
“Sign the contract first.”
“Okay!”
“Bao, I think you look especially handsome today…”
“Don’t look at me like that. Just tell me what you want. You’re making my scalp tingle…”
“Bao, can I… I heard there’s a projector on the second floor of the storefront. Can I move it downstairs?”
“Fine, but don’t break it.”
“Great! Bao, I suddenly feel… well, as a tenant, I’m definitely here long-term. As a landlord, no one wants tenants changing every few days, right?”
“What are you really after?”
“Can you get me a water dispenser?”
“…”
“…”
Inside the room, Zhao Hang and Zhong Chongwen stared blankly at Zhang, who was sincerely discussing terms.
Knowing Zhang’s background, they felt their scalp tingle.
This guy was trying to get something for nothing!
Even if they got kicked out Monday for not paying, at least they’d gotten through today!
Ten minutes later, Bao Qiang took his keys and walked off with his usual dull steps to collect rent elsewhere.
Zhang Yang, however, put the contract away and made a call.
“Hello? Get me a billboard made in three hours! The faster, the better—I don’t mind paying extra…”
“…”
“Hello? Brother Chen? Our company’s opening will be a bit late today. You know us programmers—we sleep during the day and get energized at night.”
“…”
“Yes, at night, around ten o’clock. You should have just gotten back from driving; it’s on your way. Perfect, haha…”
“…”
After the call, he looked at Zhao and Zhong.
“Old Zhao, Old Zhong, I have a task for you… Do you know anyone around who’s looking for work? Invite them to visit our company… free drinks and snacks provided…”
“…”
Night.
Deep into the night.
Driver Chen Shou returned from his run, tired but hopeful.
At that moment, his phone rang.
He followed the address to the side of an office building…
“Hello? Is this the place?”
When Chen got out of the car and saw the prominent “Cosmos Technology” sign on the busy street, he was taken aback.
The rent here couldn’t be cheap!
(End of Chapter)