Chapter 103: Unexpected Developments

Zhang Can’s driving skills were not as proficient as Zhu Senlin’s; he was a bit slower. Although Zhu Senlin was quite stout, he was remarkably agile behind the wheel. Knowing Zhang Can was a novice, he slightly reduced the speed and took the lead.

The southern district was the development zone; most government offices had relocated there. The suburban expansion was thriving, with favorable terrain. The northern district was the old town—redevelopment investments were huge, and expansion was impossible due to mountains on three sides, causing delays.

Several newly launched estates in the southern district were all high-end: two townhouse complexes, two high-rise mixed-use buildings, and one independent villa community.

Zhu Senlin was taking Zhang Can to that independent villa area. Once they entered the southern district, the landscape opened up—wide, clean, and beautifully landscaped roads flanked by newly built luxury buildings. Zhang Can immediately liked the area; it was indeed impressive.

Liu Xiaoqin sat beside Zhang Can, gazing at the beautiful scenery outside the car window, sighing softly. Some sales offices in the new district even displayed price tags: “High-end commercial building, starting at 26,000 yuan per square meter!”

Liu Xiaoqin understood the implication. She had heard that houses here cost thirty to forty thousand yuan per square meter. The 26,000 was only a starting price, not the actual rate, and even then, it was likely for less desirable locations.

However, Zhu Senlin’s car did not stop there. Liu Xiaoqin thought the houses there were already excellent and wondered where Zhu Senlin planned to take them next.

Zhang Can understood—they were looking for villas, not apartment units. Further ahead, to the left, was the townhouse area. Though the houses there were villas and beautifully built, they were connected, with neighbors easily able to peer inside.

Going one more street further, they turned a corner and faced a man-made lake. At the forefront of the massive plaza stood the sales office, its transparent glass walls revealing many attractive saleswomen inside.

Zhu Senlin parked in front of the sales office, invited Liu Dongsheng and Chen Huiyu, a married couple, to get out, and waited for Zhang Can, Liu Xiaoqin, and Liu Xiaoli to arrive before they all entered together.

Upon seeing such a large group, several saleswomen promptly approached, inviting them to sit and offering drinks while inquiring about their housing preferences.

Zhu Senlin smiled and pointed to Zhang Can. “Don’t all ask; they’re family. This young Mr. Zhang is the actual buyer. Just introduce the houses to him!”

A sharp young woman quickly moved to Zhang Can’s side, smiling brightly as she asked, “Mr. Zhang, are you looking for a villa?”

The other saleswomen showed disappointment—finding a genuine buyer was rare here. Moreover, the houses were expensive, though their commissions for each sale were substantial.

Zhang Can glanced at the woman’s chest badge: “Emperor’s View Garden Sales Office, Agent No. 007, Wang Qi.” Her black-and-white uniform was elegant, highlighting her figure. She had long hair draped over her shoulders and a pretty face, though heavily made up. Compared to Liu Xiaoqin and Liu Xiaoli, she was somewhat less natural.

Zhang Can had no intention of flirting; he genuinely wanted to buy a house. He had the money, and purchasing property was a good investment. Even if he later moved away, selling the house would yield better returns than bank interest, which he hardly considered anyway.

“Hmm, I’m interested. What kinds of houses do you have? Please introduce them,” Zhang Can replied, nodding but not committing, his tone hesitant.

This was intentional. When buying or doing business, one never reveals eagerness. Even if you want to buy, you must appear disinterested to negotiate a better price.

Wang Qi immediately turned and brought over a thick stack of full-color brochures, handing them to Zhang Can while explaining, “Mr. Zhang, here are sample houses. We have roughcast units and fully luxuriously decorated homes. The six south-facing units, oriented north to south with optimal lighting and terrain, are fully furnished with the latest kitchen appliances and electronics—move-in ready. The roughcast units are 48,000 yuan per square meter; the north-facing ones are 42,000 yuan. The six sample units on the south side are 68,000 yuan per square meter. Please take a look.”

Zhang Can examined the pictures. The roughcast houses had good designs, but he disliked the time and hassle involved. He was averse to trouble; buying a house and then renovating it for months was inconvenient, especially with Liu Xiaoqin’s family having come along—where would they live meanwhile?

The sample houses all shared the same design: three floors, a ground area of 250 square meters, nearly 1,000 square meters of private garden, double garage, a living room, indoor swimming pool, gym, large reception room, kitchen, dining room, and two maid’s quarters on the first floor. The second floor had six large bedrooms; the third floor five, totaling eleven bedrooms plus the two maid’s rooms on the first floor, summing to thirteen bedrooms. Each had its own en-suite bathroom.

Zhang Can liked the pictures immediately. The interior decoration and furnishings screamed luxury, and eleven bedrooms were more than enough.

He remained composed and said, “How much is this house? Is there a discount? How much?”

Many viewed these houses, but few could afford them. The villas here were the most expensive in Jin City. Only true wealthy individuals could buy; otherwise, even owning them was unaffordable. Monthly management fees, utilities—it was beyond the reach of ordinary people.

Wang Qi continued her sales pitch mechanically, “Sir, these houses were designed by internationally renowned architects. At 68,000 yuan per square meter, the price is already very low. The total area for the three floors is exactly 500 square meters, making the full price 34 million yuan.”

Zhu Senlin knew Zhang Can’s wealth. Forgetting past earnings, just what they had made together exceeded 40 million yuan. He had confidence Zhang Can could afford this house. Besides, if Zhang Can settled here, it would be beneficial to him as well.

Even if Zhang Can were short on money, Zhu Senlin would cover it. But he saw no sign of that now. The villa was fully equipped; only kitchen utensils and bedding would need to be bought according to personal taste—these were minor expenses.

Liu Xiaoli, Liu Xiaoqin, and their parents were silently stunned. They had seen Zhu Senlin give Zhang Can a colossal 25 million yuan cheque at Jin Mantang, but this house cost 34 million yuan—an unimaginable sum to them.

Zhang Can stroked his chin calmly and said, “Let’s go see it. We’ll decide after viewing.”

Wang Qi could only agree. She had taken numerous groups to view the houses. Though many were satisfied after the tour, few actually purchased due to the high prices. The quality of the houses was indisputable.

Zhang Can was well aware. He wanted to see the house first. Zhu Senlin smiled, stood, and accompanied Liu Dongsheng and Chen Huiyu.

Wang Qi then called for an electric sightseeing car—an eight-seater convertible running silently on batteries, ideal for viewing.

The community’s landscaping was exquisite. Villas appeared nestled among verdant mountains and trees. The exteriors were perfectly finished, but peering inside through windows showed they were unfinished within.

The driver took them further south, where the greenery was even more lush. Turning again, a row of three-story villas appeared, each spaced over 300 meters apart.

Wang Qi had the driver stop at the first villa, inviting Zhang Can and the others to get out. “Mr. Zhang, please take a look. This is the first villa, the best location, number one—very auspicious.”

Zhang Can smiled and waved, letting Zhu Senlin, the Liu sisters, and their parents enter together.

The garden bloomed with vibrant colors, an enormous private garden filled with fragrant flowers. Entering the villa, a bright, spacious hall greeted them, furnished with mahogany furniture, sofas, coffee tables, and a stunning, wide semicircular staircase at the center.

The hall alone covered nearly 100 square meters. Liu Xiaoli felt as if they had entered the imperial court’s grand hall; their parents felt even more awed, like country folk entering a grand estate.

Wang Qi noticed that although Liu Xiaoqin and Liu Xiaoli were pretty, their manner was somewhat rustic. The elderly couple was even more so. Zhang Can, however, was a mystery to her. Zhu Senlin had stated that the young Mr. Zhang was the buyer. Such a young person buying here was unusual unless he was a second-generation rich or official. But Zhang Can didn’t fit that profile, as he spoke with a distinct regional accent to the Liu sisters.

“Let’s go upstairs and see the rooms!” Zhang Can said.

After touring the first floor—where only the two maid’s rooms were suitable for living, and the rest were gym, pool, or kitchen—he lamented that such a spacious floor lacked bedrooms.

On the second floor, a corridor lined with rooms on either side revealed six expansive bedrooms on each side. The interiors were extravagantly decorated; the bathrooms were as large as whole rooms back home, with bathtubs and fixtures of unmatched luxury.

They proceeded to the third floor, which had a balcony, so one less room—five bedrooms total with facilities matching the second floor’s grandeur.

This display left Liu Xiaoqin’s family speechless. They had thought the apartment Zhang Can rented at Tianxin Plaza was luxurious, but in comparison, it was like a small lamp before a giant torch.

Wang Qi, uncertain of Zhang Can’s intentions after the tour, finally asked, “Mr. Zhang, what do you think? Interested?”

Honestly, she wasn’t very optimistic. She felt Zhang Can buying here was unlikely, so her tone was lukewarm.

Zhang Can tilted his head and asked, “Are there any discounts or special offers?”

Wang Qi knew this question usually led to excuses. If she offered many discounts, they often complained they weren’t enough; if too few, they found other reasons to leave. So she responded coolly, “The renovation costs are high, and I needn’t repeat the benefits of this house. If you put down a deposit and take a mortgage, we offer one year’s management fees free. If you pay in full cash, we give a 5% discount, bringing the price to 32.3 million yuan.”

Zhang Can waved his hand casually. “Take me to your sales office. I’ll pay in full.”