Chapter 25: Both Renting and Buying

Soon, led by Xiao Jing Zhang, Chen Xian arrived at Townhouse 101 in the Jinxiu Community.

It was a two-story building with white walls and a black roof, covering about two hundred square meters, with a fifty-square-meter garden at the back. Number 101 was tucked away in the farthest corner of the community, quite a distance from the other townhouses, giving it a tranquil, secluded atmosphere. On ordinary days, it was unlikely anyone would come here.

Chen Xian took just one glance and was instantly taken with the house—he was very pleased.

He had already seen the rent posted on the agency’s window earlier: 7,000 yuan per month.

Though it was a bit pricey, he decided to rent it anyway. For him, this amount was nothing now.

“Let’s go back,” Chen Xian said.

Xiao Jing Rao inquired, “Sir, what do you think of this house?”

“It’s exactly what I want. I’ll take it,” Chen Xian replied.

Her eyes widened in surprise—she hadn’t expected this dark, thin young man to make his decision so swiftly. Just like that, she had let a property.

“Sir, then… let’s head back to the office and sign the contract. The owner has entrusted us with full authority, so you can sign the lease directly at our agency today,” she said, excitement creeping into her voice.

This was her very first deal at the Hzhou Alliance Real Estate Agency. With this transaction, she wouldn’t face dismissal.

Moreover, the agency would collect one month’s rent—seven thousand yuan—as commission, split between landlord and tenant. As the intern agent who closed the deal, she’d earn a thirty percent share—2,100 yuan. Considering her base salary was only 1,500 yuan a month, this was thrilling.

Chen Xian nodded, “That’s for the best.”

They quickly returned to the agency. The other agents glancing up from their computers barely spared Chen Xian a second look before resuming their work, uninterested.

“Xiao Jing, stop dawdling and finish cleaning the tables,” a middle-aged man who appeared to be the manager said sternly, his eyes flicking over to Chen Xian’s plain clothes.

He didn’t believe for a second that Chen Xian would rent a property, thinking Xiao Jing was wasting time by showing him around.

“Manager, this gentleman wants to rent No. 101 in Jinxiu Community. I need to discuss the contract with him and have it signed,” Xiao Jing said timidly.

At this, the manager froze, and the agents in the office paused, looking at Chen Xian and Xiao Jing in astonishment.

Unbelievable—this shabby-looking kid was actually going to rent a house with an annual rent of eighty-four thousand yuan.

The agents were surprised, and some were even regretful. Interns only received thirty percent commission, whereas regular agents could earn forty-five percent—over three thousand yuan. This deal was simply too good for Xiao Jing.

“Xiao Jing, quickly take this gentleman to sign the contract,” the manager’s stern demeanor vanished, replaced by a beaming smile.

He then turned to Chen Xian, “Sir, would you like tea or coffee?”

“Tea, please,” Chen Xian replied.

The manager said with a smile, “Xiao Wang, make some tea for this gentleman.”

Chen Xian noticed the change in the manager’s expression and thought to himself, “He changes his face faster than flipping a page. In this world, money talks—if you have it, you’re king; if you don’t, you’re nothing.”

Xiao Jing led Chen Xian to the signing office. The contract was quickly completed, and he paid one hundred thousand yuan on the spot by card—eighty-four thousand for a year’s rent, thirty-five hundred for his share of the commission, the other half to be paid by the landlord, and twelve thousand five hundred as a deposit. The property management fee was covered by the landlord as well.

After collecting the contract and the keys to No. 101, Chen Xian called out to Xiao Jing as she was about to leave the office.

“Is there anything else I can help you with, Mr. Chen?” she asked with a smile.

“Do you have any properties for sale near XX Middle School? Around one hundred to one hundred twenty square meters, preferably fully furnished.”

At that moment, the office door was open, and his words were overheard by the other agents outside.

Xiao Jing was momentarily stunned.

“Mr. Chen, I happen to have three suitable properties. I’ll bring you the details right away,” a heavily made-up but attractive female agent quickly interjected before Xiao Jing could respond, grabbing three files from the table and hurrying toward the contract room.

She knew that properties around XX Middle School went for over twenty thousand yuan per square meter. If she closed a deal on a one-hundred-square-meter apartment, the agency commission alone would be around sixty thousand yuan, with more than twenty thousand going to her personally—a sum that would make anyone’s eyes go green with envy.

Xiao Jing knew this agent was the agency’s top performer and dared not compete with her.

However, when the seasoned agent presented the documents to the plainly dressed young man, Chen Xian smiled coldly and said, “Sorry, I wasn’t talking to you. I don’t need your services.”

He despised those who shamelessly rushed ahead for their own gain.

The star agent’s face flushed and then paled, embarrassment written all over, but she dared not protest.

“Advisor Rao, please introduce the properties for me,” Chen Xian said, turning to the bewildered Xiao Jing.

She hesitated, afraid of offending the top agent.

“Xiao Jing, hurry up and get Mr. Chen the information!” the manager urged.

Snapping back to her senses, Xiao Jing quickly agreed and went to fetch the documents.

The manager added, “The three sets of information Wang brought are the best available, so there’s no need to get others.”

Ten minutes later, Chen Xian had reviewed the three listings. All were fully furnished, priced at twenty-three thousand yuan per square meter, with units of one hundred and one hundred ten square meters.

After comparing them, he selected a one-hundred-square-meter unit and requested a viewing. If the property matched the description, he would purchase it on the spot.

The manager personally drove, taking Chen Xian and Xiao Jing to see the house.

Back at the agency, the other agents watched the car disappear into the distance, filled with regret. Had they known the shabbily dressed young man was a gold mine, they wouldn’t have treated him so coldly.

They knew that their agency’s listings always matched reality—he was almost certain to buy the property. This meant Xiao Jing would earn over twenty thousand yuan in commission!

Over twenty thousand! The agents were green with envy, jealousy, and regret.

But there is no medicine for regret. No matter how much they wished otherwise, it was too late. Selling property isn’t like selling vegetables—sometimes, in a slow market, an agency might not sell two homes in a month.

Half an hour later, Chen Xian arrived at the property, was very satisfied with what he saw—it was on the sixteenth floor, just a five-minute walk from his sister’s school.

He made his decision on the spot and agreed to buy the apartment.

He asked the manager to call the owner and see if the paperwork could be completed that day; he would pay in full.

The manager eagerly made the call—this deal would net the agency at least forty thousand yuan.

Soon, Chen Xian received confirmation: the owner could come by that very day for the transaction.

This news delighted Chen Xian.

…

By 4:30 p.m., Chen Xian had completed the transfer, spending nearly 2.4 million yuan in total, including the 3% commission and various taxes.

Standing in front of his newly acquired home, holding the property certificate and keys, Chen Xian was overwhelmed with excitement.

He planned to return home that day to tell his parents.

However, he worried it might startle them.

If their son suddenly bought a home worth over two million, wouldn’t they suspect he’d done something illegal? Otherwise, how could he possibly have amassed so much money?

“What should I do to keep my parents from worrying?”

As Chen Xian pondered this, a surge of important information suddenly entered his mind.

It was sent from Parasite 001.

Upon understanding it, Chen Xian’s face lit up with excitement. He clapped his hands together and exclaimed, “Heaven truly helps those who help themselves!”