buying a house

Xiao Ran arrived at the "Wo Ai Wo Jia" real estate agency located near the residential area.

"Sir, are you here to view properties?" A male agent immediately approached.

Xiao Ran nodded. "I'm here to buy a house."

The agent's spirits lifted naturally, and he enthusiastically began his introduction.

Xiao Ran tapped his hand and said, "I'm interested in Block 8 of Jiufu Community, the villa there. Please call the seller. I'm willing to buy at the listed price and can come over today to sign the contract. However, I need to get the keys today and start renovations immediately."

The agent felt like he was dreaming. This was like money falling into his lap!

"Sure, sure, I'll make the call right away," he hurriedly replied.

A villa! The listed price was 12 million yuan. Even if he could only get 0.5% commission, that would still be 60,000 yuan! He was lucky he wasn't a woman; otherwise, he might have suspected Xiao Ran had ulterior motives.

Half an hour later, the landlord arrived. They quickly reached a deal, with Xiao Ran paying 1 million yuan as a deposit. Once the agent prepared the contract, they could proceed with the transaction at the housing bureau.

The landlord gladly handed the keys to Xiao Ran. After all, Xiao Ran had provided his ID and other documents, and he'd paid a 1 million yuan deposit. Why would he be a thief and run away after emptying the villa? He didn't live there anymore, and all the valuable stuff had been moved out. It was just an empty shell, and the furniture wasn't worth much.

The agent was ecstatic. He was the envy of his colleagues. In just over an hour, he'd earned 60,000 yuan. It was too easy!

Word of this spread quickly, not only within the real estate agency circle but also in the Jiufu Community. Through gossiping neighbors, the entire community soon knew.

Xiao Ran entered the villa with the keys. He was the rightful owner, so entering the community was a breeze. Once inside, he went online to start his search.

Search for what?

House renovations.

After selecting based on reviews and reputation, he began contacting service providers.

"Hello," a rough male voice came from the other end.

"I'd like to renovate a villa," Xiao Ran said.

"No problem," came the response.

Xiao Ran began stating his requirements: "Just one thing, sturdy. Even if someone outside hits it with a hammer, the house should remain intact. The windows and such should be fitted with steel plates that can be raised and lowered."

The person on the other end was taken aback. Despite dealing with many clients, this was the first time he'd heard such renovation requirements.

But the customer is always right.

"No problem."

"How long will it take?" Xiao Ran asked.

"Minimum of six months, depending on the size of your villa," came the reply.

Xiao Ran smiled. "The project cannot exceed two months."

The person on the other end was stunned once again.

"You're renovating an entire villa, not building a pigsty or a dog kennel! How could it possibly be done in two months?" 

"...it'll require extra payment!" the man said. 

Xiao Ran smiled, "No problem!" 

Wait, I haven't even mentioned how much to add yet. How can I agree? 

The man quickly added, "Where are you? I'll come over immediately, inspect the site, and then give you a response." 

"Okay," Xiao Ran nodded, giving the address. 

While searching for this company, he noticed the reviews below praising their strong capabilities, capable of accomplishing many impossible tasks. 

Transforming an entire villa into a steel fortress within two months wasn't just difficult; it was almost an impossible task. If it weren't for being in China, renowned for its infrastructure frenzy, which other country's renovation company in the world could do it? 

He put down his phone, waiting for Jia Yungui—the contractor—to arrive. 

Meanwhile, he opened the stock trading software, delving into vast memories as he began to operate. 

However, before Jia Yungui arrived, someone came knocking at the door... 

Zheng Youjun and his wife were babysitting their grandson at home when suddenly, bang bang bang, someone urgently knocked on the door, as if the sky were falling. 

"Who's there?" Zheng Youjun asked impatiently as he walked over to open the door. 

Upon opening it, oh, it was Mrs. Liu from Block 7, famous for her loquaciousness. 

"Zheng, your family sure keeps things well hidden!" Mrs. Liu said abruptly. 

Zheng Youjun was taken aback by her words. 

Kept things well hidden? Hiss, could it be that news of his daughter's divorce had already spread? That couldn't be possible. 

Who in the family would talk about such a disgraceful matter? 

Damn, it's that bastard Xiao Ran! 

The old man suddenly "realized" and immediately began to curse loudly, "Xiao Ran, that bastard, hit me yesterday and is now spreading rumors of divorce everywhere. Does he want to drive our entire family to death?"

"Bastard! Such a big-eyed wolf!" 

"We took him in, fed him, clothed him, and this is how he repays us!" 

Mrs. Liu was left bewildered.

What? Your daughter and son-in-law got divorced?

Well, this just got more interesting.

She chuckled, "So, your daughter and son-in-law got divorced! Oh, Zheng, you guys are something else!"

She gestured with her thumb.

"Just now, I heard from the agent that your son-in-law, oh no, Xiao Ran, bought the villa in the neighborhood for 12 million yuan, without even bargaining," Mrs. Liu said, her face filled with anticipation of watching drama unfold.

"What did you say?" Zheng Youjun couldn't believe it.

Xiao Ran? Buying a house? A villa?

Impossible!

This scumbag earns over 10,000 yuan a month, and he hands it all over. He left yesterday without a penny after the divorce. How could he possibly afford to buy a house, let alone a 12-million-yuan villa?

"It's true, really, just go and see for yourself!" Mrs. Liu was always one to enjoy a spectacle.

Zheng Youjun was shaken.

Though Mrs. Liu was gossipy, she wouldn't make such jokes.

But Xiao Ran buying a villa?

It sounded like a fairy tale.

"Oh, Zheng, your family has become wealthy, even buying a villa!" Mrs. Zhao from upstairs hurriedly ran over, her face full of envy, almost transparent.

Zheng Youjun's body couldn't help but sway a bit, feeling his blood pressure rise. He could barely stand.

One person might make a mistake, but two?

Could they both be wrong?

Mrs. Liu, already eager for drama and with a loose tongue, immediately added, "Mrs. Zhao, you don't know, Zheng's daughter and son-in-law got divorced!"

"What?" Mrs. Zhao looked shocked, "Zheng, is it true? You're rejecting such a wealthy son-in-law? Then, I won't be polite either. Our Jiajia is not getting any younger. It's time she found a boyfriend to settle down with."

She wasn't joking!

To cough up 12 million yuan to buy a villa, where else could they find a son-in-law like that?

So what if he's been divorced? Who cares about your second or third marriage when you're rich!

Besides, Xiao Ran is such a good guy, and everyone in the neighborhood knows it.