Chapter 166: The Importance of a Big House.

"Villas?" The girls all looked at the table and saw a rendering of a large villa.

A large line of text read, "The most luxurious residences at the lowest prices, 300~1000㎡!"

"Yeah, my dad picked up this flyer when he came back. It's for Dongfeng·Wanqingyuan, in the eastern suburbs of the city, which aren't really suburbs anymore."

"After this year's shantytown redevelopment, it's considered part of the urban area. I remember it used to be a botanical garden. There were several villages around, but now those villages are gone, and the area has become a villa district."

He thought this villa district would surely be a waste, because Linshui was a small city with few wealthy people. Those who could afford a villa would have homes in big cities, so why would they buy one in a small place?

But the girls didn't think so at all. Chu Qingchan's eyes lit up, "Xu Lin, if I had known, I would have bought this!"

"I didn't know at the time, they only started advertising recently."

"It looks quite minimalist, not flashy, very practical. It seems like a good place for a family to live."

"A big house, just like at home!" Shaoyao left a small yellow oil stain on the flyer with her greasy little hand.

"Don't touch it. Let me give you a bowl and serve you some food, okay?"

"Okay."

Originally not interested in these things, Ji Yun now looked at the villa and also wanted a house of her own, or rather... theirs.

"Judging by the promotional image, the environment looks pretty good," Ye Fanleng remarked, looking at the pictures.

Although she owned several villas herself, it was rare to see one that gave such a homey feel.

Some might consider it tacky, but she found it quite likable.

"Xu Lin, is there a phone number?"

"Ms. Ye, what are you planning to do?"

"I want to ask about the price. It's not listed here." Ye Fanleng took the flyer, pulled out her phone, and dialed the number.

"They won't be closed at this time, right?"

"No, don't worry."

Xu Lin was taken aback by the sudden shopping urge of Chu Qingchan and Ms. Ye. What was so appealing about this house? It's just an ordinary villa, and it's just a rendering. The reality might be very different.

"Hello, yes. Most of them have already been reserved?"

"Okay."

"How about tomorrow noon?"

"Alright."

Ye Fanleng hung up quickly. Chu Qingchan looked at her seriously, "Ms. Ye, what's the situation?"

"They said the first phase isn't very big, just about 50 units, and 30 have already been reserved."

"Oh, how much is it?"

"It's 7,000 yuan per square meter, including basic finishing. You can also choose a bare shell for 5,000 per square meter, and the fully furnished version on the flyer is 12,000, but it's sold out."

"Just a 2,000 yuan difference between basic finishing and a bare shell?" Ji Yun didn't quite understand why there was only a 2,000 yuan difference.

"You have to understand, their basic finishing is really just very basic. The materials are average, and the style might be poor."

"You're better off choosing a bare shell and decorating it according to your own taste, but that assumes you have the budget for it," Xu Lin responded based on his personal experience. Before his rebirth, a classmate bought a furnished house for marriage. It looked fine to him, but his friend's wife often complained about the built-in decor after they got married. They ended up spending an extra 70,000 to 80,000 yuan on renovations.

"I see," Ji Yun nodded. Beside her, Chu Qingchan took out her wallet.

"Miss Superstar, what are you planning to do?"

"I want to buy a villa. It's so cheap."

"Didn't you just buy a house? Are you planning to move again?"

"I just think it's cheap, and if nothing changes, I'll still be living in Linshui in the future," she said, giving him a deep look.

Xu Lin's heart skipped a beat. This was more powerful than saying "I like you," because what he cared about most was companionship.

Chu Qingchan's words implied she wanted to stay in Linshui and be with him for life.

This made his heart melt, sweeter than chocolate, making his throat itch with sweetness. If he had a liking gauge, it would probably increase by 10 points.

Ye Fanleng noticed this too, raising an eyebrow as she glanced at Ji Yun. Despite their brief acquaintance, she could tell this beautiful girl liked Xu Lin. And so did the blonde Miss Chu. She didn't expect Xu Lin to be so popular, making her situation more difficult.

She finally found a man she could consider, only to face so much competition.

But observing for a while, she saw that Ji Yun didn't seem to mind at all, despite the obvious affection between the two. Could it be that Ji Yun didn't actually like Xu Lin and they were just friends?

Then Chu Qingchan continued, "Xu Lin, haven't you thought about getting a big house?"

Xu Lin suddenly realized, right, he needed a big house.

Twelve zodiac members, plus parents, and future children—a small villa wouldn't be enough. Maybe two or three?

"By the way, this would be my first house, right? The one I'm living in now counts as yours."

"If you want a villa, I'll save up and buy it for you." Xu Lin remembered that Chu Qingchan's current house was still in his name.

"By then, the flowers will have withered."

Chu Qingchan pouted disdainfully. Though she didn't have much money now, this was when her sister came in handy.

"Trust me, I can definitely afford it in the future."

"I trust you," Chu Qingchan said perfunctorily, making Ji Yun and Ye Fanleng laugh.

"But Ms. Ye, why are you interested in a house here? We're not a city with great potential, just a slow-paced small city."

"I like the exterior decoration of the villa; it feels very homely. The interior decor doesn't matter much to me."

"Is that so? But Ms. Ye, you don't have much time to stay here, right? Your company is quite far from here."

Chu Qingchan reminded her, not forgetting that the other party was a potential rival, and she shouldn't underestimate her.

"Who knows? Maybe in a few years, when the company is stable, I'll retire early and stay with Shaoyao. Your place might be really nice."

"I saw some beautiful scenery on my way here. The environment is really good. I'll check it out tomorrow and, if I like it, buy a villa. It's not expensive."

"Then Superstar Chu, you should go with Ms. Ye tomorrow to take a look."

"Okay."

After Xu Lin finished speaking, he realized something was wrong. Why had Shaoyao been quiet for so long?

Looking down, he found the adorable little girl asleep on his chest, her chubby face smeared with sauce, now stuck to his clothes. She had finished all the food in her bowl and, with a full belly, had been lulled to sleep by the adults' conversation.

"I planned to play with her, but she fell asleep," Xu Lin whispered.

"Sorry for dirtying your clothes. Let's carry her to the room; I have some wet wipes to clean her up," Ye Fanleng whispered back.

Xu Lin stood up, and Ye Fanleng leaned in to gently wipe Shaoyao's hands and face with a wet wipe.

Chu Qingchan and Ji Yun, still seated, watched Xu Lin and Ye Fanleng tending to Shaoyao, then exchanged glances.

"Do you like kids, Sister Chu? It seems Xu Lin does."

"They're alright."

"Xu Lin once joked with me about having a soccer team of kids."

"He said what? Eleven kids!? Impossible!"

Chu Qingchan pouted but felt it might not be so far-fetched. Was something wrong with her head?