C14 Extremely Helpless
A crisp voice echoed from nearby as a stunning woman in a sleek black uniform approached with an elegant stride, giving Chen Cheng a slight bow. As she leaned forward, a glimpse of black lace peeked from the plunging neckline of her blouse, conveying volumes without a single word spoken.
Her beauty outshone Song Dan's by a factor of ten, particularly with that alluring charm she exuded. A simple phrase was all it took to quell most of Chen Cheng's irritation, though he hadn't intended to make a scene in the first place.
"Eh, let it go," Chen Cheng muttered dismissively.
"My name is Xu Lili, the sales associate here. You can just call me Lili. What type of house are you looking to purchase? I'm quite familiar with our offerings and would be happy to give you a personal tour," she offered, accentuating the word 'familiar' for emphasis.
Xu Lili and Song Dan, both sales associates, were usually in competition. Song Dan had recently capitalized on her new graduate status to close several deals. Under normal circumstances, Xu Lili would take her time to reclaim her standing, but the stakes were higher now with the managerial position up for grabs—performance was key, and the top seller would take the lead.
The rivalry between them was intense; the loser would be forced out upon the other's promotion. To make matters worse, Xu Lili was already trailing Song Dan by 30 million yuan.
Having scrutinized Chen Cheng's attire earlier, Xu Lili had assumed he was an acquaintance of Song Dan, fearing the gap between them would only widen. Instead, she found herself in this unexpected turn of events. Her tone carried a hint of eagerness, and her striking looks only served to narrow the distance between them, effectively extinguishing Chen Cheng's remaining annoyance.
"The villas here are the epitome of comfort, ideally the kind you can simply pack a bag and move into," Chen Cheng specified.
"Pack a bag and move in?" Xu Lili echoed, taken aback. The villas came in two tiers: the standard ones, topping out at 50 million yuan, and the ready-to-move-in luxury villas starting at 70 million yuan, with the River Side Villa commanding a staggering 200 million yuan.
In that moment, Xu Lili's eyes blazed with excitement, her gaze at Chen Cheng growing even more seductive.
She chose to work as a real estate agent here because the clientele ranged from the wealthy to the elite—the least of whom were the nouveau riche tycoons. Many of her friends had started as agents too, but eventually, they ended up as homeowners themselves, a testament to the many underhanded dealings in this business.
"Sir, may I have your last name, and why are you here by yourself today?"
Xu Lili inquired, beating around the bush.
"I'm Chen. A full belly at home means no one goes hungry, hahaha!"
Chen Cheng responded with a joke, though it was rooted in truth.
"Mr. Chen, you're quite the comedian. Let's continue our discussion in the VIP room."
He then cast a significant glance at Song Dan.
Idiot, don't end up losing your wife and your troops, Song Dan thought to herself, well aware of Chen Cheng's situation. Yet, she couldn't help but anticipate Xu Lili's frustration later on.
"Mr. Chen, this is our premier luxury villa. It boasts three and a half floors above ground, a basement with space for two cars, and a private 100-square-meter courtyard. As for the amenities inside..."
Xu Lili sat close to Chen Cheng, explaining the details while inching ever closer to him, nearly pressing against him.
Chen Cheng felt a stir at the scene unfolding.
But Xu Lili noticed the subtle shift in his demeanor and her voice took on an even more provocative tone.
"95 million?"
Chen Cheng raised an eyebrow at the price tag in the corner.
Xu Lili caught the gesture. "Mr. Chen, not to worry. We have other models available."
She presented a slightly less expensive villa.
"Let's not waste time. That villa looks quite good to me."
Chen Cheng indicated a photo on the wall.
Perched atop a hill and enveloped by greenery, the villa met his preference for discretion.
"This villa is the flagship of our company, part of the Jingjiang Estate. It's nestled between the Pu Yang River to the left and the Kai Hua River to the right, symbolizing 'twin dragons frolicking with a pearl.' The supportive hill behind suggests a strong backing—it's truly a feng shui gem. The villa spans five floors above ground and two below, with enough parking for ten cars side by side, and a 10x10 swimming pool that can be either open-air or enclosed.
The front yard boasts a private garden spanning 800 square meters, with each tree matured for over 20 years.
There's a dedicated helipad, uniquely set apart, creating a secluded enclave within the neighborhood.
The security level is unmatched in all of Larnwick, making this villa one of the most elite properties in the area.
With a total land area of 2500 square meters, the asking price is 200 million yuan."
As Xu Lili detailed the features, Chen Cheng meticulously scrutinized every aspect of the house.
Perfect, absolutely perfect.
Flawless in every way, and situated in the suburbs, no less.
"Hmm! I like it, this is the one."
Xu Lili could hardly contain her joy at Chen Cheng's pleased expression.
"Mr. Chen, if you've set your heart on it, I'd be happy to show you around right now."
She was determined to close the deal by any means necessary.
Such high-profile clients were rare finds. If she could sell him the villa, her colleagues would be green with envy.
Summoning the security team, she arranged for a luxury vehicle. Despite the short distance from the sales office to the villa, no expense was spared in maintaining appearances—a Rolls-Royce for the occasion.
After touring the villa, Chen Cheng stood on the balcony, taking in the view.
"Not bad, a fine location indeed. I wonder what kind of discount I'd get for a lump-sum payment."
Though Chen Cheng was not short on funds, the sum involved was substantial, enough to overwhelm the average person.
"What? Mr. Chen, could you repeat that?"
Xu Lili's conversation had been brimming with forward suggestions, bordering on the indecent, yet she failed to sway Chen Cheng.
Preoccupied with her strategies, she missed his question entirely.
Determined, she thought, 'I'll go all out. The commission alone on a 200 million yuan sale would be over a million. And selling a property of this caliber would be a feather in my professional cap.'
Caught off guard by Xu Lili's next move, Chen Cheng finally lost his composure. After all, when it comes to unspoken rules, why not take advantage when they're offered?
"Take me to handle the paperwork!"
Once everything was settled, Chen Cheng watched Xu Li Li hobble away. His own body had undergone an evolution; it was far more resilient than what an average person could withstand.
Chen Cheng left the sales office amidst the enthusiastic farewells of the saleswoman and the security guard. Among the sales staff, Song Dan's eyes stood out, betraying a complex mix of emotions.
As for what happened next, Chen Cheng couldn't care less.
He pulled out his phone and dialed Black Bear. "It's me."
"I already paid you. Why are you still coming after me?"
A roar erupted from the other end of the line, but then the voice mellowed, tinged with a sense of resignation.