"Mr. Kate, Melissa's shop might seem small at 150 square meters, but it's located on one of the most bustling streets in Florida. The monthly rent is only $40,000, which is quite reasonable!"
"If you're quick to decide, the rent could be further negotiable. Right, Melissa?"
"Yes, definitely open to negotiation!"
Melissa unlocked the glass door and led Kate and Heather, the real estate agent, inside, saying, "I've only recently taken over this store last month. If Kate is interested, we're very open to discussing the rent."
Kate took a walk around the shop.
The interior was meticulously decorated, retaining a few pieces of furniture from the previous owner, all in pristine condition, indicating regular maintenance.
While Kate was exploring, Heather asked, "You look quite young. Are you scouting this shop for your family?"
Kate smiled and shook his head, "I'm on my own now."
The mood changed slightly with Heather and Melissa, who quickly apologized, "Sorry about that..."
"It's fine, I've gotten used to it. How does the rent around here usually go?"
"Rent ranges from $30,000 to $40,000 a month. Actually, that's significantly lower than it used to be. With the rise of online shopping, like Amazon, people's shopping habits have changed."
After exchanging a look with Melissa, who nodded, Heather continued, "Let me be straightforward. Melissa is willing to go as low as $30,000 a month for this shop. I suggest comparing it with other vacant shops around, but this offer is quite fair."
Melissa added with a frown, "It's strange, but shops on this street usually get rented out quickly. Since I've taken over this place, there hasn't been a single inquiry, which is quite unusual. You're the first one to show interest."
Kate paused briefly, "You've noticed? That's odd..."
Heather and Melissa looked puzzled.
"What did I notice?"
Realizing he might have overreacted, Kate smoothed over the moment, understanding that Melissa's comment was merely an expression of frustration.
The wind chimes attached to Kate's bag tinkled pleasantly.
Seeing Kate silent, Melissa hesitated before saying, "Look, I know starting a business at a young age isn't easy. I won't bring up any bad luck, but I want to show you my sincerity."
"Shops are typically leased for two to three years minimum. But if you're willing, I'll agree to a six-month lease. For these six months, I'll discount the rent by $10,000 each month. After six months, if you wish to continue, the rent will return to $30,000. If not, we can part ways without any penalties or deposit fees. You'd just move out."
"Rent is payable monthly. What do you think?"
Kate responded with a smile, "Alright, let's do it. I'll rent it."
After signing the contract with Heather, and Kate handling the rental payment, only he and Melissa remained.
Handing over the keys, Melissa glanced at her shop and inquired, "Now that the shop is yours, if you don't mind me asking, what kind of business are you planning?"
"I'm a medium, planning to offer services for engaging and sending off spirit dolls," Kate revealed, surveying the shop's layout.
"Spirit dolls? That's new to me. I've only heard about practices in Buddhism and Taoism before..."
"Can spirit dolls ensure safety?" Melissa asked curiously.
"Ensuring safety is just the basic function. If the connection is strong enough, they can also bring love, wealth, success in careers, or even misfortune," Kate explained.
Melissa laughed, "Ha Ha Would anyone want a doll that brings misfortune?"
"If someone was starving and you offered them a million dollars with the condition it would bring misfortune in a year, do you think they'd accept?" Kate posed the question.
"Ah, I see. What if I traded a century of bad luck for fifty years of good fortune?"
"After all, I'd be long gone in a hundred years!"
"Improper use of spirit dolls can lead to misfortune, the severity of which correlates with the extent of misuse."
"If one attempts to leverage a spirit doll's powers beyond their capacity, not only will the manifestation fail, but misfortune may also strike sooner."
Gazing through the shop window at the summer sky, Kate elaborated, "There are many types of spirit dolls, generally divided into benevolent and malevolent spirits."
"Benevolent spirits, limited in their abilities, include thought dolls and fortune dolls, and they do not bring misfortune."
"Malevolent spirits, such as soul dolls and ghost dolls, manifest more clearly and quickly but can cause problems if overused."
"In fact, even ghost dolls, if used appropriately, can be beneficial."
Checking his phone for the time, Kate noted, "We're almost at eight minutes. If there's nothing else, shall we end here for today?"
Melissa, puzzled, asked, "Eight minutes? Do you have somewhere to be?"
He laughed, "I carry a peach blossom charm from China. Peach blossom luck signifies love in Chinese culture. Women who spend more than ten minutes alone with me, and are not blood relatives, find it hard to forget me."
Melissa burst into laughter, "A peach blossom? Is that a type of doll?"
"It's a peach blossom fairy, a celestial doll, capable of altering one's fortune without any backlash," Kate clarified.
"Oh!"
Melissa, teasingly, pondered, "With your appearance, charisma, and this mysterious aura, I doubt any girl would need a celestial doll to fall for you. Ten minutes?"
"Three minutes would suffice!"
As she reached out to touch Kate's face, suddenly—
The wind chime rang again, and Melissa felt as though an invisible, icy pair of hands pushed hers away forcefully!
Startled, Melissa exclaimed, "?!?"
Kate watched silently, asking, "Something wrong? Did your hand cramp?"
Terrified, she asked, "Do you have something... unclean with you?"
Kate smiled calmly, "I assure you, I'm as clean as can be."
Melissa: "..."