Dashing Student

After lunch.

Bai Zhi paid the bill.

Then, full of anticipation, she and Chen Nan left the restaurant, driving the BMW convertible towards the old town!

Bai Zhi was not very familiar with the provincial city.

Although she had visited many times before.

Most of the trips were brief, as a tourist, never truly integrating into the life of the city.

However, she had a few friends who had lived in the provincial city for many years and knew every street and alley in great detail.

During the meal, she made a few phone calls to inquire about suitable places to open a clinic.

On the other end of the line, her friends eagerly provided suggestions, ultimately unanimously recommending an area in the old town.

Although it's not the most bustling area, it has a serene environment and convenient transportation.

Most importantly, there are many old houses with a rustic style, making it particularly suitable for opening a clinic.

However, there are some downsides!

There are more than ten medical clinics there!

And all are long-established brands, operating for decades or even a century, making it hard to establish a foothold!

Bai Zhi didn't care about her friends' concerns.

She didn't know how skilled the owners of those old clinics were.

But she knew that Chen Nan's medical skill had long surpassed that of ordinary doctors; calling him the reincarnation of Bian Que would not be an exaggeration!

The car slowly entered the old town, and the scenery on both sides of the street began to change!

High-rise buildings were replaced by old houses with grey bricks and tiles, ivy climbing on the mottled walls, and occasionally a few stubborn weeds growing from the wall cracks!

The plane trees on the street stood tall and straight, with sunlight filtering through the leaves, casting mottled shadows.

Bai Zhi slowed down the car, her gaze wandering on both sides of the street.

Suddenly, a glimmer of excitement flashed in her beautiful eyes, pointing to a corner ahead: "Look, there's an old house over there, with red lanterns at the door. It feels quite special!"

Following her finger, Chen Nan did see a two-story old house.

A pair of faded red lanterns hung above the door, gently swaying in the breeze.

Although the outer walls of the house were somewhat weathered, the overall structure remained intact.

In front of the door was an old pagoda tree, with lush foliage, giving a rustic and cozy feeling.

"This place is indeed nice." Chen Nan nodded, a hint of satisfaction in his eyes.

He could imagine if a clinic were opened here, with some herbs planted in front, a few pots of green plants on the windowsill, and an antique plaque hung up, it would surely be very charming!

Bai Zhi parked the car beside the street, opened the car door, and stepped out.

The breeze tousled her long hair, carrying a faint scent of gardenias.

She stood under the old pagoda tree, looking up at the old house, her eyes full of longing: "How do you feel about this place?"

Chen Nan grinned: "The house is indeed nice!"

"Let's go talk about the price!" Bai Zhi hooked her arm around Chen Nan's, leading him towards the old house.

Her high heels clicked crisply on the cobblestone path.

Upon reaching the door, Bai Zhi gently knocked on the ring hanger.

The sound of the brass ring hitting the wooden door echoed in the quiet street, sounding particularly clear.

After a short while, quick footsteps approached from inside, and an elderly lady with white hair peered out, her face blossoming with a kind smile: "Are you here to see the house?"

Bai Zhi nodded politely: "Yes, we heard it's for rent. We want to open a clinic."

The elderly lady scrutinized the two, her gaze lingering on Chen Nan for a moment before she smiled and said: "Come in and have a look. Although this house is a bit old, the feng shui is excellent."

Chen Nan and Bai Zhi followed the elderly lady into the house, a light scent of sandalwood greeted them.

The main hall had a large eight-immortal table, with an ornate brass oil lamp atop it.

The walls were adorned with several sepia-toned calligraphy paintings, though old, still displaying strong and vigorous brushwork.

"This was Renxin Hall, which has been here for over a hundred years." The elderly lady explained as she led the way: "The old owner passed away, and his descendants moved to other cities, leaving the house vacant."

Bai Zhi suddenly understood: "No wonder it feels special upon entering, it's an old clinic."

Chen Nan carefully examined the house's structure, becoming more satisfied with each glance.

The main hall was spacious and bright, perfect for a consultation room.

The second floor had several side rooms that could be used as a pharmacy and rest area.

The backyard had an empty plot, suitable for growing herbs.

He looked at Bai Zhi, his eyes filled with joy: "Auntie, I think this place is great."

Bai Zhi smiled and nodded, a hint of pride in her voice: "I knew you would like it."

Seeing their satisfaction, the elderly lady also smiled: "Since you like it, I'll give you a discount on the rent at the market price, eighty thousand yuan a year!"

"However, the rent must be paid three years in advance!"

Eighty thousand is not cheap.

Even though this is the provincial city, it is the old town.

However.

The layout and area greatly satisfied Chen Nan, so he did not intend to haggle.

Just as he was about to speak, Bai Zhi's voice rang out: "Auntie, can I ask if the owner is considering selling this property?"

The elderly lady frowned slightly, unable to help but ask: "You want to buy this place?"

Bai Zhi nodded: "Yes."

"I... I'll have to call the owner and ask." The elderly lady, being a neighbor, had been entrusted by the owner to look after the house after they moved to another city.

Bai Zhi courteously said: "Please go ahead and ask."

"Alright, you wait here." The elderly lady took her phone and went aside to contact the owner.

"Auntie, why do you want to buy this place?" Chen Nan looked at his aunt with bewilderment, not understanding why she wanted to buy it.

Bai Zhi showed a charming smile: "Think of it as your coming-of-age gift from Auntie once you enter society!"

Quickly.

The elderly lady returned: "The owner said the house can be sold, but the price is five million. What do you plan to do?"

Bai Zhi frowned: "That's quite expensive. Even newly-built villas in the new town cost around this much."

"Also, being in the old town, there's always a risk of demolition!"

Though she wanted to buy the place to realize Chen Nan's dream, her money didn't fall from the sky. If it were three million, she wouldn't haggle.

But the owner's price was two million more than she expected!

This made her have to weigh the pros and cons.

The elderly lady smiled: "Precisely because there's a risk of demolition in the old town, the owner priced it at five million. If it were protected as a historic building, the price would be much higher!"

Bai Zhi had no words to counter.

If it were to become a protected building, it would cost at least ten million to acquire!

As she hesitated, Chen Nan spoke up: "Auntie, could you call the owner again? We accept the five million price, but the transfer fees must be covered by the owner!"

"And, I have one more condition."

The elderly lady curiously asked: "What condition?"