"Tch, you think everyone's like you, only thinking about conning people all day."
Fang Xiaoqing rolled her eyes and handed him the contract, letting him inspect it freely.
She believed she had secured the contract through her own wit and intelligence today, and there couldn't possibly be a trap.
However, after Li Yang took the contract and read it carefully, his expression suddenly turned solemn. He looked back at them seriously and said, "You've been tricked. You didn't read the detailed clauses in this contract carefully, did you?"
"What clauses?" Fang Xiaoqing asked doubtfully.
"This one: during the lease period, you are not allowed to cause any damage to any structure within the company. Otherwise, you will have to compensate double the rental loss and liquidated damages." Li Yang pointed at the contract.
"Yeah, I saw that clause too. What's the problem with it?" Fang Xiaoqing shrugged and asked.
"There's a huge problem. I'm asking you, after you take over the company, won't you need to renovate? During renovation, won't you need to tear down any walls? The structure here doesn't refer to the main structure, but any structure."
"This means that even if you replace the windows and doors, you'll have to compensate double the rental loss and liquidated damages," Li Yang explained.
"Huh? No way! Just now, during our verbal negotiation, he explicitly said we could break windows and doors. Zhou Yi should have heard that too," Fang Xiaoqing said frankly.
"That's right. I remember him saying we could break walls and doors, and that we wouldn't be responsible for any damage during normal renovation," Zhou Yi also nodded.
"But it's not written in the contract. Did you record what he said at the time?" Li Yang asked again.
"This..."
The two exchanged glances and shook their heads.
Li Yang smiled and said, "That's right. Without any evidence, if you replace the doors and windows later, and he denies it and demands compensation, what will you do?"
"Impossible. If he said it, he should honor it. As a man, would he do something so despicable?" Fang Xiaoqing shook her head.
"You shouldn't harbor ill intentions, but you must guard against them. You don't know him well, how can you be sure he won't do this?"
Li Yang thought for a moment and then said, "If you want to verify the truth, it's very simple. Just call him now and tell him you've already hired someone to remove the doors and windows, and see how he reacts."
"If nothing unexpected happens, he'll quickly cause trouble for you and demand compensation."
"No, I have to try first. Otherwise, if it really turns into a dispute, we won't be in the right."
Out of concern, Fang Xiaoqing decided to take out her phone to test the landlord.
Before she could even make the call, Li Yang stopped her, "Wait a moment. Let me finish reading all these contract clauses before you call."
So, Li Yang quickly skimmed through the contract clauses.
By the time he finished reading them, he had already found four or five unreasonable clauses. They were all word games played by the landlord. With these clauses combined, the two of them might not even have enough to compensate five million.
Li Yang shook his head helplessly, put down the contract, and said, "You two are really bold. You dare to sign such a sky-high compensation contract. If you start a company, you'll probably lose your pants before you even open for business."
"Is it really that serious? Besides the clause just now, are there any other unreasonable parts?" Fang Xiaoqing asked doubtfully.
"There are too many unreasonable parts, I can't explain them all to you at once. But you can call him and first test him about the doors and windows. If he really intends to trick you, then you can tell him the truth and ask him to revise these contract clauses."
"Of course, if you play your cards right, the rent can be halved," Li Yang said with a smile, stroking his chin.
"I understand."
Fang Xiaoqing's eyes darted, and she immediately picked up her phone and called the landlord using the number on the contract.
A moment later, the landlord on the other end answered, and a familiar male voice came through: "Beautiful lady, what's up? You called me right after getting back. Do you think I'm too handsome and want to ask me out for a meal alone?"
"Brother landlord, you're over forty, but I'm only in my twenties. Do you think I would like you? I'm calling you because there's something I need to ask. After we left, we immediately contacted a company to replace the doors and windows and had them removed and replaced."
"The keys are all in my hands now. Brother landlord, do you need me to leave a key for you?" Fang Xiaoqing asked curiously.
"Beautiful lady, what did you say? You've already had the doors and windows removed?"
"It's clearly stated above that you cannot change any structure in this room. Those doors and windows were custom-made and installed by me personally. They absolutely cannot be dismantled or replaced. Your actions have breached the contract."
"Now, if you two still want to lease, please pay the liquidated damages first. It's not much, just double the rent."
Damn it!
Hearing the landlord's shameless words, Zhou Yi next to her exclaimed in astonishment!
Li Yang remained calm. He had already predicted the reaction from the other end when he reviewed the contract.
Fang Xiaoqing was also furious. She couldn't believe that the landlord she trusted so much was such a scoundrel.
She calmed herself down, not showing her anger directly, but pretending to be calm and continued, "Brother landlord, didn't we just agree that this situation is allowed? You promised we could dismantle the doors and windows, and that any dismantling during renovation would be fine."
"Beautiful lady, did you mishear? How could I possibly say such a thing? Beautiful lady, I advise you to transfer the money to me quickly. If you don't have the money, I will sue you in court."
The voice on the other end carried a hint of threat, instantly making Fang Xiaoqing lose her patience.
After confirming the landlord's character, Fang Xiaoqing suddenly smiled and said, "Brother landlord, you're really interesting. You're one thing to my face and another behind my back. Fortunately, what I just said was all a joke with you. I haven't actually dismantled the doors and windows; I just wanted to test if what you said was reliable."
"I didn't expect you to be deceiving us and even want us to pay double the rent. You're dreaming! If we can't pay, do you want us to sleep with you to settle the debt?"
"Beautiful lady, don't talk nonsense. You said all that yourself, it has nothing to do with me!"
The landlord suddenly panicked!