Rebirth: Phoenix Riding the Ninth Heaven

At first light, Li Ruoyue and her personal maid, Luzhu, set off in a carriage towards the pharmacy. She harbored the dream of opening a clinic, and her heart was filled with passion. The pharmacy, as a place for intermediary transactions, aggregated rental information for various shops, making it the best place to find the right one.

As soon as I entered the dental shop, I saw Yinghong, a salesperson there. She was a smart and capable woman with a unique vision and was good at seizing business opportunities. Seeing Li Ruoyue and Luzhu coming in, Yinghong immediately came up to them with a smile on her face, "Ms. Li, Miss Luzhu, it's an honor for you to come. Li Ruoyue said softly, "Are the shops I chose last time still available?" Yinghong said apologetically, "Miss Li, I'm sorry, those houses have been sold. You didn't come that day, but don't worry. I heard that Miss Li wanted to find a shop to open a clinic. I have prepared several good houses for you. Do you have any special requirements?"

Li Ruoyue smiled, her eyes gleaming with wisdom. "Yinghong, the shop I want must first be in a good location with a large flow of people, so that more people can know about the clinic. Secondly, the shop should be of moderate size, not too big or too small. After all, a clinic needs a warm environment, not an empty hall. Finally, I hope the rent of the shop is reasonable. After all, the income of the clinic is mainly used to purchase medicinal materials and medical equipment, as well as for the operation of the clinic."

Yinghong nodded, a hint of appreciation flashing in her eyes. "Ms. Li, your requirements are very clear. I will take you to see the several properties I have prepared for you. I believe there will be a store that suits you."

Li Ruoyue and Luzhu followed Yinghong through the various corners of the dental clinic. Each room held its own unique charm. Li Ruoyue observed carefully, pondering the details before finally stopping in front of a well-sized, bustling shop. She smiled and said to Yinghong, "Yinghong, I'm very satisfied with this shop. I think it will be the ideal location for my clinic."

Yinghong smiled, a hint of relief flashing in her eyes, "Ms. Li, you have a good eye. This was just a demanded item before. You can just renovate and adjust it and it can be opened.

Li Ruoyue asked in confusion, "Why didn't they open it? Such a good location, such a good store, why would they sell it?"

The brothel worker Yinghong helplessly told Li Ruoyue that to be honest, this shop was indeed the best in the area, but the good times did not last long. The owner had some family problems and was no longer able to run the business.

Li Ruoyue asked in surprise, "What happened?" "Did someone die?" Yinghong waved her hand hastily, "That's not the case, Miss Li. This shopkeeper's surname is Fu, and he's from the south. He lives too far away from home and doesn't go back often. His family's ancestral property and family members have been encroached upon and bullied by his clan. He's in no hurry to go back. After settling the household chores, he doesn't plan to work in the capital anymore and has decided to return home to run the business. He doesn't plan to sell it and won't come back. Just because she only gave birth to a daughter and there was no son in the family to inherit the family business, this clan member planned to eat up the family, and he was heartbroken."

Li Ruoyue understood after hearing this. In the Shun Dynasty, there was still a preference for boys over girls. They believed that men could support the family, while girls would eventually get married, so women were considered inferior to other people's families. If a girl was born in this generation, it would be considered a failure. The couple would be considered extinct, and all their property would be eaten up, commonly known as "eating up the whole family."

Yinghong then said helplessly, "Who said it wasn't? It's already difficult for women in the world, but they still have to be restrained by their clansmen." Yinghun then said helplessly, "Who said it wasn't? It's already difficult for women in the world, but they still have to be restrained by their clansmen. These are all relatives, why make things difficult for them?"

Li Ruoyue then asked, "Do you know how skilled the doctor in this clinic is? How is his clothing? Since he wants to sell it, where did this person go?"

Yinghong asked in surprise, "Miss Li, do you want to continue using it?" Yinghong asked in surprise, "Miss Li, do you want to continue using it?" "Let me tell you, Doctor Chen is a good man. His mother-in-law is over 60 years old. He's been practicing medicine all his life. He's always kind to everyone he sees. He doesn't blame the poor, nor does he flatter the rich. He treats every patient with a normal attitude. If you want to find him, he lives in Tongluo Alley on the edge of South City. Just ask for Doctor Chen's house at the entrance of the alley."

Li Ruoyue responded and said, "Okay, I understand." I wonder what price he would sell this tiger for? Serving the shopkeeper, he turned in a hurry and wanted to add it to this lot. Usually, it would be six or seven thousand taels, but he was anxious. He only wanted five thousand five hundred without bargaining. Li Ruoyue turned to Luzhu and said, "Let's go back to the Yahang."

Yinghong didn't know whether Miss Li was willing or not, so she gritted her teeth and said, "Miss Li, girl, if you like this shop, I'll go talk to the shopkeeper. You just happen to be running a medicine shop, so he'll sell you these cabinets and furniture, as well as some unwanted herbs, at a low price. After all, you're running a medicine shop." The price of this shop can't be changed, so I can only give you a little extra for the herbs and furniture. What do you think?"

"That's great." Li Ruoyue was quite satisfied with the arrangement. "Then I'll trouble Miss Yinghong."

After everything was settled, Li Ruoyue took Luzhu away from the pawnshop.

"Miss, what should we do next?" Luzhu asked excitedly.

"Don't worry." Li Ruoyue said calmly, "We need to plan the layout of the clinic carefully. In addition, we need to send someone to invite Doctor Chen to discuss medical matters with him."

As they were talking, the master and servant had already returned home. Li Ruoyue thought for a moment, then wrote down a list of the items and personnel needed.

Luzhu looked at the list and couldn't help but sigh: "Young lady is really thoughtful."

Li Ruoyue smiled slightly, with a determined light in her eyes. She knew that opening a clinic was not an easy task, but she was confident that she could do it well.

The next day at noon, Yinghong arranged for Miss Li and the deputy manager to meet with Manager Fu at a teahouse in the east of the city. The conversation between Li Ruoyue and Manager Fu was like a delicate chess game, a clash of wits and strategies. Manager Fu, a shrewd businessman, possessed all the herbs and furniture Li Ruoyue needed for her clinic. His eyes gleamed with cunning, clearly anticipating a favorable transaction.

Li Ruoyue smiled, her eyes firm and gentle. She said, "Shopkeeper Fu, I am very interested in the herbs and furniture in your shop. I want to buy some for my clinic. You also run a pharmacy. If you sell your shop, you will have to move these things, find a warehouse, and then look for buyers. Why don't you show them to me all at once? Can you give me a reasonable price?"

Shopkeeper Fu's eyes flashed with shrewdness, and he smiled slyly, "Miss Li, you have a discerning eye. The herbs and furniture in my shop are all top-quality goods. However, business, of course, requires profit. The price I offer you cannot be too low."

Li Ruoyue smiled slightly, her tone firm. "Manager Fu, I understand your position, but I also need to consider the clinic's operating costs. If the price is too high, I may need to look for other suppliers. I believe we both have a desire to cooperate, so why not try to find a price that is acceptable to both parties?"

Shopkeeper Fu's eyes flickered, evidently considering Li Ruoyue's words. After a moment, he nodded and said, "Miss Li, you're a shrewd businesswoman. How about this? I'm willing to give you a 8% discount on the original price, but you must keep all the goods in the store."

A hint of satisfaction flashed in Li Ruoyue's eyes. She smiled, a hint of gratitude in her tone, "Manager Fu, I am very satisfied with your proposal. I will consider a certain quantity of goods. However, I hope that you can ensure that the quality of the herbs is consistent with the samples. After all, the quality of the herbs is related to the reputation of the clinic and the safety of the patients."

Shopkeeper Fu nodded, a glint of admiration in his eyes. "Ms. Li, your request is reasonable. I will guarantee the quality of the herbs. In our business, integrity is paramount. I won't let you down."

In the spacious lobby of the pawnshop, sunlight streamed through the windows onto the antique-style tables, illuminating stacks of banknotes and heavy scrolls of property deeds. Li Ruoyue, Manager Fu, and the pawnshop's owner, Yinghong, sat around the table in a solemn and warm atmosphere. This was more than just a transaction; it was the beginning of a dream.

Yinghong, acting as a witness, her eyes gleamed with professionalism and fairness, ensuring every transaction was fair and accurate. She said, "Ms. Li, Shopkeeper Fu, everything is ready. Now, you may proceed with the transaction."

Li Ruoyue smiled, her eyes firm and full of anticipation. She pushed stacks of banknotes toward Shopkeeper Fu and took the deed and the list of remaining medicinal herbs from him. She carefully checked each item, confirming they were correct. She smiled and nodded, her eyes gleaming with the joy of a dream coming true.

Shopkeeper Fu looked at Li Ruoyue with a flicker of admiration in his eyes. "Ms. Li, your decisiveness and integrity are admirable. I believe your clinic will become a leader in the city, not only for its superb medical skills and high-quality medical services, but also for your compassionate heart and caring for your patients."

Li Ruoyue smiled slightly, her tone full of gratitude. "Manager Fu, your support and trust mean a lot to me. I will definitely work hard to make the clinic a model of our cooperation and contribute to the health and happiness of the community."

Yinghong looked at the two of them, a hint of relief in her eyes. "Ms. Li, Shopkeeper Fu, your transaction is complete. As the owner of the pawnshop, I bear witness to your integrity and wisdom. I believe this is not only a successful transaction, but also a beautiful beginning."