Being a Chi-Am (Chinese American), haggling and bargaining had been in my blood ever since. It was initially offered $1100 monthly and since the host was half Chinese herself, she was 'forced' to bargain on the process as well.
"This girl must be really joking for haggling at a damn low price." the host thought to herself but since the haggling had started then it is customary' to proceed with it.
"$1000..." the host replied to the first ridiculous offer for a full-size cottage.
"$600..." I replied nonchalantly.
The host skewed her eyebrows while she countered again... "$900..."
"$700..." came my quick reply.
"$850...thats my final offer to you or the deal is done for...' she wiped her non exists perspiration on her forehead and was cursing to herself why she had come to this kind of agreement with a fellow Chinese.
"$820...and I'd shake my hand to seal the deal, ma' am. You know me as a writer on Webnovel my works had not been contracted and I don't even get more than 10 novel pickups."
"Alright... $820...lets go to the kitchen and sign the agreement and you'd be paying cash, am I right? In that case, I'd bring you to Bryson City to pick put what you need for your groceries and stuff. Won't want you to make multiple trips on your bike though."
"Phew... I'd knew I'd score in this deal. Even though she had offered $1100 a month for this cottage, no harm for me to haggle the price down a little ni more right? Yeehaw... I made a savings of $1680 over a period of 6 months." I smiled and chuckled to myself inwardly as I followed her and sat on the oval dining table in the middle of the kitchen.
The dining table was large enough for 4, a table runner was in it and a large oval carpet adorned underneath it. There were smoke and fire detector and a cute chandelier was hanging over the dining table.
Everything was standard, an electric bread toaster, coffeemaker, a pristine, white coloured microwave oven, a 65-litre conventional oven, an electric takoyaki maker and an electric waffler.
Cute...all I need to do is to buy those ready-made ingredients, add some water and there you have it: takoyaki and waffles for breakfast. Throw in some jams, Peanut Butter and jelly... I would have toast anytime.
Pots, pans, skillets, ladles, wok, spatulas and what not for frying, boiling, steaming... In short, all the works for a chef is all complete with 3 sets of thick cuttings board of white green and red colours to denote meat, vegetables and fish or non-meats for cutting.
A set of kitchen knives were in a wooden block and I saw my favourite... A heavy chopper or cleaver, some might say. I would be able to dress up chicken, meat, fish or vegetables with just a single chopper. I'm not so used to having those lightly handled kitchen knives but they are great to be thrown at assailants though.
The host passed me the agreement of $820 and the only luxury ve git for that price is the daily refuse removal. Every morning, a truck would pass by and empty the trash outside the post box near the main road so it would be best to clear out the trash before 8 am. I nodded in acknowledgement.
I signed the agreement at a price of $4920 for a lease of 6 months with no deposit since I paid long term for this cottage. Maybe in the laid back areas, we won't be required to pay any deposit, since I paid for my former unit.
After I signed it and made a mental note of how much I would withdraw later at the ATM machine, I walked over to the living room and it was perfect. A 3 seater sofa, 2 armchairs and 1 recliner were placed right in front of the fireplace of the living room. It was a gas furnace so basically, we just throw in a few logs, start the fire and shut the gas off and let the wood burn and choke you to death. Hahahahaha.
Naahh... I prefer to make fires outside instead. Once we went outside on the back, the scene changed and now I was overlooking a great river and lots of greens and thick foliage. Great for Beast and Spotty to Shapeshift.
They were some cottages down about a mile but there were all in a lease and since its not the holidays yet, we won't be expecting any teenagers or unruly bastards suddenly knocking up your door to borrow some salt and pepper for their BBQ.
Tall about BBQ, there's one stone bbq stand near the River Banks. Cool... At least the smoke from all the burnt meat would not get into the house. A simple clothesline was at the back and even if there are a dryer and washer in the laundrette part of the cottage, Sun-dried clothes really would be the best choice.
After we had a walk in the interior and exterior of the house, the host would be driving me up to Bryson to the ATM and head to get some groceries. By looking at the bare home, it's basically not a few things that I need to buy, but practically the whole aisle of the supermarket.
Expecting to spend at least 500-1000 on groceries since I'm going to buy everything at one go. The host's Hilux is big enough and we both are quite sturdy to handle a few trolleys of goods. Hahahahhaha... Damn. It should be groceries and not goods, for Christ's Sake...!!!
"You're all set?" the host asked and I told her to give me a minute as I grab my duffel bag. Saying where ever I go, this duffel follows me... She looked at me with those eyes that seem to be taking pity on me since she thought I was really that poor and pathetic and had just a duffel bag and maybe a few changes of clothes within.
But she didn't know that I was PACKING...!! You should know what I mean, right?
We rode for a short while and she was chatty and telling me where the best place to eat a Chinese restaurant here that serves the best chaofun, dim sums and dumplings. The local BK, Pizzahut and Wells Fargo ATM machines (Thank God for that) and we stopped over there first as we made a settlement for the payment of the lease.
I withdrew $7000 and passed her $5020 and got changed for the balance of $100. There are 3 places in Bryson to shop... Mountain Fresh Produce, Ingles Supermarket and the Dollar General.
Now it's time for a hunt. Since the kitchen is practically empty, I decided to fill those condiments and the ref first before anything else as the host mentioned about the DG was meant for kids and to watch out for the expiry dates as it has a shelf life of a minimum of 6 months and clearing them as much as $2 or less.
No worries though since I could stick in some junk food later to stretch my budget.