Zhang Zhicheng swallowed hard.
He had been out in the real world for years and dealt with all sorts of policies and funds. But this was the first time he’d ever heard of the government using such a coercive method to force a college student’s parents to buy a large house back home.
’What does this mean?’
’It means that in the eyes of the higher-ups, the Chen Family’s son is an untouchable, precious treasure who can’t be wronged in the slightest.’
’The government is basically just giving him money, taking care of any potential problems on the home front.’
"So... about how much is this special fund?"
Zhang Zhicheng asked tentatively.
Chen Jianguo glanced out the window before leaning forward.
"Five hundred thousand."
Old Chen stated the figure calmly, but to Zhang Zhicheng’s ears, it was no less than a clap of thunder.
Five hundred thousand.
Five hundred thousand. In 2004.
Zhang Zhicheng ran his own company dealing in building materials. He worked around the clock, all year long. After deducting business expenses, payments for goods, and workers’ wages, the liquid cash he could actually access on his books was about that same amount.
Meanwhile, the Chen Family’s thirteen-year-old kid just had to solve a few problems on paper over in Huizhou, without lifting a finger otherwise, and five hundred thousand was effortlessly deposited into a bank account.
Zhang Zhicheng turned back around and watched the red light ahead turn green.
He stepped on the accelerator and the Santana started moving again, but his mind was in turmoil.
"Brother Chen. Xiuying."
Zhang Zhicheng’s tone became more serious than ever before.
"Since this is a dedicated fund, and a strict order at that, we absolutely cannot be careless. A standard apartment isn’t worthy of this money, nor does it befit Xiaozhuo’s current status."
At the next intersection, Zhang Zhicheng decisively turned the wheel.
"Let’s just go straight to Brocade Garden."
"Brocade Garden?"
Liu Xiuying asked.
"That’s right. It’s the most high-end community in Zeyang City, with the best amenities. My place is in Brocade Garden, you know."
Zhang Zhicheng said as he drove.
"The community separates pedestrians from vehicle traffic and has 24/7 security. Most importantly, it has floor heating—the municipal heating is piped into every single home."
Zhang Zhicheng paused, then openly shared the idea that had just occurred to him.
"Brother Chen, actually, it’s quite a coincidence. In my building, I’m in 602. The family across the hall in 601 went abroad for business a while back. The apartment’s never been lived in, it’s a large four-bedroom unit, ready to go. It’s been listed for sale with the sales office this whole time."
He looked at Chen Jianguo in the rearview mirror.
"If you think it’s a good idea, we can go take a look. If you buy it, our families will be neighbors, right across the hall. When Xiaozhuo is back on break, he’ll be just a step away from visiting Qiangzi. Plus, if anything ever comes up, our families can look out for each other."
Chen Jianguo and Liu Xiuying exchanged a glance.
’It was true. In a completely new and unfamiliar community, having a neighbor you knew well, someone who could help out if anything happened, would be a huge advantage.’
’Plus, Zhang Qiang and Chen Zhuo were good friends. It would be genuinely convenient.’
"Alright."
Chen Jianguo nodded.
"Old Zhang, we’ll take your advice. Let’s go see the one across the hall from you."
Twenty minutes later, the Santana pulled up in front of an imposing building beside the main road.
The Brocade Garden sales office was built to impress. The exterior steps were paved with granite, a massive glass curtain wall was polished until it was spotless, and the entrance was flanked by European-style Roman columns.
As Liu Xiuying got out of the car, she saw the security guard standing ramrod straight at the entrance and subconsciously tightened her grip on her cloth bag.
Chen Jianguo walked beside her, his expression unchanging, but his steps grew firmer.
Zhang Zhicheng led the way, pushing open the heavy glass door.
The heat was cranked up in the sales office lobby. In the center of the room sat an enormous architectural model of the complex.
A saleswoman in a navy blue business suit approached them, her eyes scanning the trio.
"Hello, are you here to see an apartment?"
Zhang Zhicheng bypassed the model and went straight to the consultation area, pulling out two chairs for Chen Jianguo and his wife to sit.
"We don’t need to see the model."
Zhang Zhicheng said to the saleswoman.
"You have a unit listed for sale, right? Phase Two, Building Three, Unit Two, apartment 601. Get the key. We want to see the actual property."
Hearing him state the exact unit number, the saleswoman knew he was a serious buyer. Figuring a little flattery would likely close the deal, she smiled and immediately went to the front desk to get the key.
They followed the saleswoman into the residential community proper.
The landscaping here was a world away from their old housing complex.
The paths were paved with brick and lined with neatly trimmed holly bushes. The buildings were spaced far apart, allowing sunlight to stream down unobstructed.
Inside the entryway of Building Three, Unit Two, the walls were tiled.
The elevator was spacious and ran almost silently.
When they reached the sixth floor, the elevator doors opened onto a landing with two apartments.
Zhang Zhicheng pointed to the security door on the right.
"Brother Chen, this is my place."
Then, he pointed to the one on the left.
The saleswoman unlocked the door to 601.
It was a spacious, single-floor, four-bedroom apartment with excellent cross-ventilation from north to south.
As soon as they stepped inside, the space felt immense. With no furniture to obstruct the view, the more than 140-square-meter apartment seemed incredibly spacious.
The morning sun streamed wantonly through the enormous floor-to-ceiling windows of the south-facing living room and balcony, flooding half the floor with light.
The walls had been given a fresh coat of white plaster and were perfectly clean.
The moment Liu Xiuying stepped inside, her eyes were drawn to the bright, natural light.
She wandered through the rooms. The master bedroom faced south and had a large bay window. The secondary bedroom was slightly smaller, but also perfectly square.

Comments

Loading...