Chapter 143: Seizing the Luxury Mansion and Four New Connections

The Bund, Splendid Court.

Although not as astronomically priced as Tomson Riviera directly across the river, the residential complex was by no means low-end. It featured a pedestrian-and-vehicle separation system, 24-hour dedicated butler service with hotel-style management, a tranquil and serene environment, and rockery gardens with living-water lakes.

The community was also equipped with a high-end gym, a book bar, a clubhouse, and premium Chinese and Western restaurants.

In short, living here was an absolute pleasure.

...

"Well?"

Guided by Xiao Wang, the real estate agent, Zhang Long stepped into the rooftop duplex penthouse once again. On the balcony of the first-floor living room, seven or eight groups of people were clustered together.

These people were hardly surprised to see yet another prospective buyer arrive, even though Zhang Long was extremely young.

After all, anyone brought in by a sales agent or intermediary had already been vetted for purchasing power, regardless of whether they intended to take out a mortgage or pay in full.

"Brother Zhang, please have a seat for a moment."

Xiao Wang led Zhang Long to a sofa, poured him a cup of hot water, and handed it to him before silently waiting alongside him for the owner of the property to arrive.

The various groups of prospective buyers in the room generally belonged to different sales managers or intermediaries.

At most, each agent had brought two groups.

When it came to buying, quality mattered more than quantity. For instance, Xiao Wang had only brought Zhang Long. While there were other interested prospects, they were only looking at one of the properties.

Buying both at the same time put too much financial pressure on a buyer. With a full-payment price of 50 million, even the down payment alone would require 15 million.

"Whoa, there are quite a few people here."

As time passed, at a certain moment, another buyer walked through the door. Just like Zhang Long, he was very young and came entirely alone, without a female companion or a male escort.

Tall with an extraordinary demeanor, he swept his gaze across the room and walked straight toward the empty space beside Zhang Long.

"Brother, mortgage or full payment?"

The newcomer asked Zhang Long with unreserved familiarity as he took a seat. Zhang Long, however, ignored him. Every client in this room was his competitor, and discretion was paramount.

"Tch, looks like a mortgage buyer for sure."

Seeing this, the young man lightly curled his lips and chuckled. After all, very few people could afford to pay in full upfront.

Fifty million—that was a solid half a hundred million.

"Hey, your Pixiu is quite nice..."

Suddenly, the young man seemed to notice the jade Pixiu tied with a red cord that Zhang Long was toasting in his right hand. Its color and texture clearly screamed high-end, and his eyes instantly lit up. "How much would you sell it to me for? How about we make friends?"

...

Unfortunately, Zhang Long remained as immovable as flowing water.

He showed zero interest in making friends or selling his Pixiu to the young man. Seeing this, the young man stopped trying to curry favor with a cold face, though he clearly felt a bit petty about it.

Pettiness toward Zhang Long's indifference and lack of social savvy.

"Ding~"

A moment later, the elevator doors chimed and opened again. Just when everyone thought it was yet another wave of prospective buyers, a middle-aged man walked in, accompanied by two impeccably suited individuals who looked like senior executives of the real estate agency.

It was ten-thirty. Presumably, all the buyers with genuine sincerity and financial strength had arrived, and the main event was about to begin.

"My surname is Zhu!"

While Zhang Long, the young man, and the others stood up, the middle-aged homeowner directly introduced himself. "Everyone who managed to be here today must be truly sincere about purchasing the two properties—upstairs and downstairs—here under Mr. Zhu. Thank you all for making the trip."

"You're too polite, Mr. Zhu."

"Mr. Zhu, you flatter us..."

Neither Zhang Long nor the young man spoke. At this moment, the younger generation didn't quite seem suited to offer flattery; that was better left to those closer in age to the homeowner.

However, Zhang Long found the homeowner's appearance vaguely familiar, though he couldn't quite place it for a moment.

The tip-of-the-tongue phenomenon—he was just a hair's breadth away from remembering.

"Fifty million for the two units combined!"

After some brief pleasantries, Zhu Changhai cut straight to the point. "This price is not expensive. Given the location of Splendid Court, the community's caliber and specifications, as well as the layout and interior decoration of the houses, it is absolute value for money—better than value for money."

"First condition: priority will be given to those paying in full or those with flawless credit who can secure mortgage approval rapidly. Anyone with credit issues whose loans cannot be processed within two or three months need not apply. Mr. Zhu does not have that much time to wait. For those who qualify for priority purchase, I won't keep you waiting either. Thank you."

Zhang Long and the young man remained silent, as did the other groups of buyers. This condition was entirely reasonable.

How could two such exquisite luxury properties be bundled together for sale unless the owner was in urgent need of cash? Besides, the real estate agents had already vaguely hinted that the faster the payment, the greater the advantage.

"Second condition."

After a slight pause, Zhu Changhai continued, "Buyers in the entertainment and media industry, or those with relevant networking backgrounds and connections, will be given priority. To be frank, Mr. Zhu intends to open an entertainment production company and will need some assistance."

"Crossing industries is like crossing mountains; please understand."

...

Although they didn't know what industry the homeowner's primary business was in, crossing industries was indeed like crossing mountains, and the waters of the entertainment industry ran deep—hardly any shallower than the financial circle.

Both of these luxury properties bore traces of lived-in history; otherwise, they wouldn't have featured such understated yet luxurious renovations.

Naturally, the homeowner undoubtedly owned other properties elsewhere. The fact that these two were up for sale meant they weren't his absolute favorites.

In other words, he had long since relocated his primary residence.

"Mr. Zhu, a pleasure to meet you."

Suddenly, a soft voice rang out. While Zhang Long and the others were silent, a male and female pair of buyers who had arrived together spoke with a smile. "My industry happens to be related to entertainment and media. This must be destiny."

"Ah, indeed destiny."

Zhu Changhai nodded and smiled at Mr. Yan. "We can exchange business cards later. Regardless of whether the property transaction ultimately succeeds or fails, goodwill remains between us."

"Sure, no problem."

Mr. Yan nodded in agreement. Of course it was good.

Having an extra friend meant an extra path, and having someone as wealthy as Mr. Zhu as an acquaintance was even more valuable.

"Third condition."

Perhaps this was the final condition. Zhu Changhai took a deep breath. "It might seem a bit overbearing and unreasonable, but this is the most important one."

"The reason I am selling both units together is also because I hope this rooftop duplex penthouse will not be occupied for the time being."

"The large flat-floor unit downstairs can be used however you please."

Zhang Long, the young man, and everyone else were momentarily stunned, but a split second later, they heard Zhu Changhai continue, "Within two years, if Mr. Zhu has the ability to buy it back, I hope the market price at that time will allow for a repurchase. Of course, this probability exists, but it's not guaranteed; there are quite a few variables."

"If by that time I lack the ability to buy it back, or if I no longer hold any attachment to this rooftop duplex penthouse..."

"So, consider it for the sake of some memories and sentiments I once held in my heart. Within two years, if Mr. Zhu has the ability and still wishes to buy it back, I ask that you..."

"Sign an ancillary commitment agreement."

...

Silence. The atmosphere in the room grew somewhat still.

Whether it was Zhang Long, the young man, or all the other prospective buyers, none of them had expected the third condition to be so whimsical and yet so harsh.

To be honest, the large flat-floor unit downstairs certainly had a great layout, fine architecture, high-end renovations, furniture, and appliances.

Yet compared to the luxurious rooftop duplex penthouse upstairs, it fell somewhat short and wasn't quite as desirable.

As expected, luxury homes weren't so easy to acquire.

"Sorry, I'm out."

A buyer suddenly stood up to apologize. "I only wanted to buy this because of the rooftop duplex. Once purchased, my family and I intended to move in immediately. If this condition makes that impossible, then I can only offer my apologies."

"I'm sorry, it's my fault."

Zhu Changhai quickly stood up and apologized as well, because more than one group of clients was preparing to leave. Those who could afford luxury homes weren't short on money; they were short on time, and there was no point in wasting it further.

The rooftop duplex couldn't be occupied, and within two years of purchase, Zhu Changhai retained the right to buy it back?

Unless one was buying purely for investment, anyone intending to move in immediately was out of luck. Game over.

Zhang Long and the young man did not stand up.

Not to mention the second-generation wealthy youth, who probably didn't lack one or two properties to live in anyway. Besides, Zhu Changhai might not necessarily buy this rooftop duplex penthouse back after two years. Two years was enough to erase many past fond memories and attachments, so it didn't really matter—buy it first and worry later.

At the very worst, if Zhu Changhai really did want to buy it back in two years, as long as the investment didn't lose money, it was fine.

Judging by the projected real estate price trends, it was practically guaranteed not to lose money, though how much profit it would yield was hard to say. In two years, it might yield a small profit, or perhaps a massive one.

"Phew, four parties left."

A moment later, as the various groups of buyers left one by one, apart from Zhang Long, the second-generation wealthy youth, and Mr. Yan from the media and entertainment industry, only a single woman remained in the room.

Three men and one woman—enough to make up a table for mahjong, and an opportunity to get acquainted and build new connections.

Quite good, but the competition had also suddenly skyrocketed. After all, anyone who chose to stay after hearing the three conditions:

Was both wealthy and possessed an extremely strong desire to buy.

...

"Thank you all for still having the intention."

The atmosphere in the room became much more relaxed and amicable. Zhu Changhai did not look down on Zhang Long or the wealthy young man because of their age; instead, he treated them with great courtesy.

Things were simple now: priority would be given to those who could pay quickly and those who could provide the required assistance.

At present, Mr. Yan seemed the most likely candidate.

Thus, Zhu Changhai's gaze landed on Mr. Yan first. Unfortunately, Mr. Yan sighed slightly and said with a bitter smile, "I can only go the mortgage route. If fast, mid-March; if slow, around the end of March."

Today was February 23rd, near the end of the month.

If fast, mid-March meant mortgage approval would take over twenty days—two to three weeks of working days.

"Ah, that's fine."

Zhu Changhai nodded without saying much. Even if Mr. Yan didn't buy the house, at least they had met. Future relations could be arranged accordingly; it wasn't a wasted effort.

"I'll pay in full!"

The second person to speak was the only female among the four remaining buyers. Her tone was firm and straightforward. "However, the transaction can only take place in early March, around the fifth or sixth, when my financial products mature and wind down. Other than that, no problem."

"Uh, mortgage!"

Before Zhu Changhai's gaze could fall on him, the wealthy young man shrugged relaxedly and said, "I don't lack real estate; I'm buying for investment. What is meant for me, I will get; what is not, I lose. As for the rooftop duplex not being habitable for two years and subject to repurchase at any time, I don't mind at all."

The young man's words were direct and honest.

Finally, everyone's gaze fell upon Zhang Long—a young man who dressed ordinarily yet maintained a calm and composed demeanor throughout. The most valuable thing on his entire body was probably the Pixiu he was toasting in his right hand.

As for the watch on his left wrist, if it were genuine, it would be worth around several hundred thousand at most, definitely not reaching a million.

Though his clothes and shoes were high-end, they weren't lavish; at least they weren't bespoke custom series. He was passable.

Would he pay in full or take out a mortgage?

"Full payment, payable at any time."

Under everyone's gaze, Zhang Long took a slight breath and smiled faintly. "Fifty million is sitting right there in my bank card. The speed of payment depends solely on how fast the paperwork can be processed. This is my sincerity."

"Also, Mr. Zhu, there is a question I'd like to consult you about. I wonder if you know..." Zhang Long's eyes flashed as he slowly uttered a name.

Hearing this, Zhu Changhai was startled, his expression shifting.