"Really?"
Li Ya and Chun Tao looked at Qin Chuan in surprise, appraising him up and down.
Li Ya said, "Qin Chuan, I knew you were good at decorating, but I've never actually seen you do the work before. Don't mess it up!"
Her tone carried a hint of teasing.
Qin Chuan grinned, "Sister, if others don't believe me, surely you do?"
"When have I ever done anything I wasn't sure about!"
He wasn't wrong about that. Of course, Li Ya was just teasing.
She had dared to mortgage all her shares and bet everything on Qin Chuan alone, so what was a mere renovation?
Besides, if this flagship store opened, Qin Chuan would be a shareholder, essentially owning his own store. How could she not trust him?
Amidst their playful banter, the Santana started again, cruising along the town's streets.
The streets in the county town weren't very wide. The four of them looked left and right, glancing around, and before they knew it, they had covered more than half of the main urban area.
However, to everyone's disappointment, they hadn't found a single suitable storefront. They were either too small, or small and dilapidated.
In this era, nearly ninety percent of businesses in small towns operated out of tiny storefronts, many only ten square meters, with thirty square meters considered large.
Apart from the well-known department store, few people dared to rent such large spaces.
This was because they were simply unaffordable for ordinary people.
This also led to a scarcity of large storefronts.
Qin Chuan couldn't help but feel anxious. Without a suitable storefront, they couldn't open a flagship store. What could they do?
Did they have to wait until the houses on his side were built? When would that be, and he couldn't afford to wait!
The Santana continued to amble along the street, the four people inside looking out in all directions.
"Hey, look across the street, there's a sign saying for transfer or rent!"
Suddenly, Qin Gang shouted from across the street, immediately drawing everyone's attention.
Qin Chuan stopped the car, his eyes gradually brightening, finally turning to undisguised excitement.
Because the place advertised for rent or transfer was a roller skating rink, named "Da Shi Jie Roller Skating Rink"!
Speaking of roller skating rinks, they were truly the most unforgettable memories for all young people of this era.
Especially from the early to mid-1990s, roller skating rinks were extremely popular, sweeping the nation.
At that time, entertainment activities were scarce, televisions weren't even widespread, and there wasn't a single internet cafe in the county town. Roller skating had become one of the most beloved pastimes for young people.
This cheap yet fun activity, once it gained momentum, swept the country like a storm.
Especially with energetic DJ music, countless young men and women sweated profusely here, sparking countless sparks. There were fights and brawls, as well as sweet romances.
However, after 1995, with the gradual spread of computers and the development of various electronic game products, roller skating gradually declined.
More young people gravitated towards game consoles or internet cafes, and roller skating rinks became increasingly less viable.
"The location is good. To the left is the County First Middle School and the Education Bureau. To the right, a few hundred meters away, is the Big Square and Old Town Street. And it's right at the intersection of two streets. Let's go in and take a look!"
Qin Chuan scanned the surroundings and said.
"I've been here before to skate. It's huge inside, at least six hundred square meters!"
Qin Gang suddenly said.
"Yes, that's right! I've also roller skated here!"
Chun Tao chimed in, her excitement evident. "And this place isn't just one floor. I heard people say the second floor belongs to the owner too!"
Seeing the excited expressions of Qin Gang and Chun Tao beside him, Qin Chuan and Li Ya exchanged glances and asked simultaneously, "Have you been here before?"
After speaking, they both shook their heads and then laughed.
Li Ya had studied far from home when she was young and rarely returned, so naturally, she hadn't visited many places in the county town. As for Qin Chuan, in his previous life, he was poor, and perhaps a good boy!
Then their family had trouble, and they moved away, completely severing ties with their hometown county. He hadn't been out to play.
"Do you know the name of the owner of this roller skating rink?"
Qin Chuan asked again as they walked towards the rink.
"Of course, we know! The owner's name is Brother Dao. He's involved in the underworld and is said to be a tough fighter, famous throughout our entire county!"
Chun Tao replied.
"Tough fighter? Involved in the underworld?"
Qin Chuan looked enlightened. It made sense. In the early 1990s, who ran a roller skating rink without being involved in the underworld or getting into fights? People who dared to open them must have had connections.
Otherwise, a place like a roller skating rink, with its mixed crowd and daily disputes, couldn't be managed without some clout.
As they spoke, the group entered the roller skating rink.
It was dim and deep inside, with no lights on. The shutters on the windows were down, making the whole environment incredibly oppressive. But by feel, the place was not small.
"Is anyone here?"
Qin Chuan called out, but after a long time, there was no response.
"Let's call. I saw the phone number on the sign outside!"
Li Ya took out her phone from her bag and went outside, dialing the number on the sign.
To their surprise, they heard a phone ringing inside, seemingly coming from the second floor.
"Who is it?"
When the call was answered, a somewhat irritable voice came through, as if the person had been woken from sleep.
"Hello, are you the owner of the roller skating rink?"
Li Ya asked.
"Yes, I am!"
"I saw your sign saying for rent or transfer. I'm inside the rink now, could you come over?"
"Wait, I'll be right down!"
The other end hung up quickly. A moment later, they saw a figure yawning as they walked down the stairs from the second floor.
*Clack!*
The person pressed a switch on the wall, and the roller skating rink instantly lit up, revealing its true environment.
A flicker of light flashed in Qin Chuan's eyes. This place was perfect for a flagship store. It was as spacious as expected for a roller skating rink, very wide and large!
The entire first floor, by rough estimation, was at least six hundred square meters, practically tailor-made for a flagship store.
And if the second floor could be included, it would be absolutely flawless!
"Hello, Brother Dao!"
"Brother Dao, it really is you!"
As Qin Chuan's thoughts were racing, Qin Gang and Chun Tao greeted the owner proactively.
Qin Chuan withdrew his thoughts, his gaze also falling on the man.
At first glance, he looked very disheveled!
The man appeared to be in his early thirties but looked incredibly decadent, with stubble, reeking of alcohol, and clothes that looked like they hadn't been washed in days, emitting a sour odor.
The combination of the sour smell and the alcohol scent was unbearable, making one want to stay away.
"What Brother Dao, what nonsense! I'm not Brother Dao!"
The man reacted fiercely to Qin Gang and Chun Tao's address.
"Are you here to see the property? The annual rent is twelve thousand. If you can afford it, we can talk further. If not, get lost and don't disturb my sleep!"