Chapter 57: Villa Number One

Manager Zhu’s words immediately caught Ye Chen’s attention. He gazed at the villa district inside Jiangnan No. 1, which stood out strikingly, especially since the villas were nestled beside the natural lake within the Jiangnan area. The No. 1 villa in particular possessed an unrivaled view and was surrounded by other villas, each acting as a guardian to this central residence, making its uniqueness apparent at first glance.

“How much is this No. 1 villa worth?” Ye Chen asked curiously.

“No. 1 villa…” Manager Zhu hesitated, frowned, and looked at Ye Chen, saying, “Mr. Ye, theoretically, the No. 1 villa is not for sale. So, I can’t disclose the price!”

“‘Theoretically not for sale’ doesn’t mean it’s actually off the market. Besides, can’t you satisfy my curiosity?” Ye Chen shot Manager Zhu a disgruntled look. “Moreover, I have a good relationship with President Li—there’s no reason I shouldn’t be told, right?”

Manager Zhu blushed at Ye Chen’s words, feeling awkward. She hurriedly explained, “Well… President Li hasn’t set a price for No. 1 villa yet, so I really can’t tell you. Besides, you aren’t buying it anyway!”

“Who says I’m not buying it!” Ye Chen’s eyes widened, staring angrily at Manager Zhu. “Are you looking down on me?”

“Um…” Manager Zhu grew more anxious, casting a panicked glance at Lin Ziwen, who smiled gently and looked at Ye Chen. “Ye Chen, don’t make things hard for Manager Zhu. She’s just doing her job. The No. 1 villa in Jiangnan No. 1 doesn’t have a price because President Li reserved it for herself.”

“Hmph, as if being the boss makes her so special! She even reserves it, so I can’t buy it even if I want to!” Ye Chen gave the two a disgruntled look.

Ye Chen’s remark made Manager Zhu take him seriously; she suddenly realized Ye Chen wasn’t just a pretty boy—he was a nouveau riche. Having worked as a sales manager for years, she could read people well: newly rich clients always wanted to show off, just as Ye Chen did. Of course, she didn’t know Ye Chen’s attitude stemmed from his irritation with Li Ruo.

Lin Ziwen, on the other hand, was surprised by Ye Chen. It was true what they said: “Three days apart, and a man’s worth must be reassessed.” Not long ago, Ye Chen had complained about the company’s meager pay and nearly starving. But now, he was not only buying a house, but choosing a villa, which left Lin Ziwen astonished.

“Sell it to him!” came a leisurely voice from outside.

Everyone turned to see who had spoken. A tall beauty entered, dressed in casual attire—a black denim skirt, long, gleaming legs that drew every eye, a white t-shirt stretched taut over her ample chest. Manager Zhu and Lin Ziwen called out almost simultaneously, “President Li!”

Li Ruo nodded. Truthfully, she hadn’t planned to visit the sales office today; she was supposed to go out for a walk and play a round of golf. But passing by the Jiangnan No. 1 sales office, she spotted her BMW parked at the entrance, remembering it now belonged to Ye Chen. On a whim, she got out and overheard Ye Chen’s bold remarks.

Li Ruo knew Ye Chen’s financial situation well and didn’t believe he could afford a villa—not even a modest three-bedroom apartment, which, given the city’s prices, would cost at least two million. Let alone a villa worth tens of millions. So, Li Ruo strode in confidently.

Ye Chen squinted playfully at Li Ruo, a wicked smile curling his lips as he stared at her legs, smoother than silk. “Well, President Li, it’s a day off—didn’t expect to see you here supervising the sales office.”

His words not only sowed discord between Li Ruo and Manager Zhu but also teased Li Ruo mercilessly.

“Hmph!” Although Li Ruo had a favorable impression of Ye Chen, sometimes she couldn’t help but curse him inwardly—not just because of his roguish demeanor, but because he so closely resembled the shadow lingering in her heart. Li Ruo looked at Ye Chen coldly. “Ye Chen, do you even know how big the No. 1 villa is? You’re seriously thinking of buying it?”

“The size?” Ye Chen was taken aback, then chuckled. “Actually, I have no idea.”

“Hmph, it doesn’t matter. Villas aren’t priced by area—they’re priced per unit. The No. 1 villa is the most luxurious in the city, with excellent surroundings and air quality, located in the secondary central district. It will surely become a golden location in the future!” Li Ruo, convinced Ye Chen couldn’t afford it, exaggerated her words, her cold smile conveying disdain.

“Enough with the talk, just give the price!” Big Shrimp, who hated convoluted speech, interrupted. He was straightforward: state the price, buy if you can, leave if you can’t.

Li Ruo pursed her lips, looked at Ye Chen, and said icily, “The villa costs thirty-two million, and with a nine-point-four discount, it’s still thirty million. Can you pay?”

Her last words were full of mockery, as if Ye Chen were a hopeless pauper. Her gaze filled Ye Chen’s heart with masculine pride. Gritting his teeth, he said, “It’s just thirty million—if it were three hundred million, I could pay!”

“Hmph, would you die if you stopped exaggerating?” Li Ruo sneered.

“You don’t believe me?” Ye Chen retorted, biting down. “Prepare the purchase contract, now!”

“Ah?!” Manager Zhu was stunned, nervously glancing at President Li. “President Li, what do you think…”

“Go, bring him the contract. I want to see what game he’s playing!” Li Ruo said, teeth clenched. The tension between her and Ye Chen seemed deep.

Lin Ziwen stood beside Li Ruo, silent but curious about Ye Chen. Manager Zhu hurried inside, instructing the sales staff to print the contract. In a large sales center like Jiangnan No. 1, real estate staff handled transactions and property certificates on-site.

In less than ten minutes, Manager Zhu had all the documents ready. Li Ruo, holding a cup of tea, smiled faintly. “Mr. Ye, the paperwork is done. Time to pay—thirty million isn’t a small sum. If you can’t pay, what should we do?”

“At worst, I’ll pawn my underwear to you!” Ye Chen snorted.

Pfft—

Li Ruo immediately spat her fragrant tea all over Ye Chen’s face. She glared, “Ye Chen… you scoundrel!”

“Damn…” Ye Chen wiped his face, feeling the warmth and a hint of fragrance—indeed, Li Ruo was a beauty, even her breath smelled sweet. Lin Ziwen quickly handed him a tissue; Ye Chen accepted it with thanks, wiping his face. Lin Ziwen whispered in his ear, “Ye Chen, there are times to stop—don’t let this get out of hand. Apologize now, and I’m sure President Li won’t blame you.”

“Assistant Lin, are you looking down on me too?” Ye Chen frowned.

“No, no…” Lin Ziwen waved his hands, embarrassed. “I could never look down on you. I just don’t think you can produce thirty million. I’d rather believe you’re competing with President Li, so don’t let this escalate.”

“Ziwen, ignore him. Let him carry on—I want to see how he ends this!” Li Ruo scoffed.

Smack!

Enough was enough. Ye Chen pulled out his bank card and slammed it on the coffee table. “Damn it, swipe the card!”

“Hmph, putting on airs—if the card doesn’t go through, I’ll see what you do!” Li Ruo sneered, then told Manager Zhu, “Swipe the card for him!”

“Yes!” Manager Zhu grabbed the wireless terminal and hurried over, placing it before Ye Chen. She entered the amount—thirty million—and handed it to Ye Chen. “Mr. Ye, please enter your password!”

Ye Chen crossed his legs, gave Li Ruo a disdainful look, then took the terminal and punched in the numbers.

Everyone watched nervously. Mouse and Big Shrimp stood to the side, ignoring the card terminal. Thirty million was child’s play for them; in the Golden Triangle, money meant nothing. Even the poorest residents had at least half a million dollars in savings, and every household had fortified towers and weapons. In that place, wealth was inevitable—whether from cultivating poppies or other contraband. It would be strange not to get rich.

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