The day of the antique exhibition arrived in the blink of an eye. As usual, President Yu came to pick up Chu Yi at the villa, but this time he didn’t bring a driver—he drove himself.
After attending the wrap party the film crew threw for him, Chu Yi had temporarily moved into the villa at President Yu’s suggestion. Chu Yi figured he could take the opportunity to refine a few more talismans, so he didn’t refuse.
Chu Yi got into the car, and President Yu lightly turned the steering wheel. The car pulled away from the villa and glided onto the downhill road.
President Yu was dressed in formal attire with a bow tie today, different from his usual business casual look. He gripped the steering wheel with one hand and propped the other on the car window as he asked Chu Yi, “Now that Mr. Chu has money, have you thought about buying the villa?”
Chu Yi was surprised. “President Yu is willing to sell?”
Though he didn’t know the market, he knew the villa had an excellent location—convenient for entering or leaving the city—and the neighbors were all either rich or noble. Houses like this weren’t something money alone could buy.
“Of course. Didn’t I just offer?” Yu Qingxian smiled. Seeing Chu Yi hesitate, he added, “I know Mr. Chu’s principles. If I said half-price or a gift, you’d definitely refuse. How about this—we’ll go at market price. No one takes advantage of the other.”
Chu Yi relaxed at that and asked curiously, “What’s the market price for this villa?”
“Not too much, not too little—exactly three hundred million.” President Yu was clearly prepared; he answered the moment Chu Yi asked.
Chu Yi: “…”
So he thought he was rich now, but he couldn’t even cover the deposit? Thirty million was what he’d scraped together with his life on the line—three hundred million would kill him!
President Yu glanced at him. “If the money’s short, no problem. You can live here and pay it off slowly. I believe with Young Master Chu’s abilities, you’ll clear it in no time.”
Perhaps afraid the sky-high price would scare Chu Yi off, his eyes flickered with an ambiguous glint. “Young Master Chu wouldn’t want something like Uncle Li kicking people out to happen again, right? We know your skills, but others don’t. A villa like this would also reflect a master’s status, wouldn’t it?”
Chu Yi forced a smile. “President Yu has a point…”
People respected clothes before the person, and the same went for houses. He couldn’t keep getting underestimated by appearances and then slapping faces every time. Li Yunkai’s case worked out because of luck—Master Zhang couldn’t solve it, but next time another master might.
Besides, with a villa, he wouldn’t have to go up the mountain like a savage for secluded cultivation or refining talismans and magical artifacts. It would be much more convenient…
The more Chu Yi thought, the more tempted he became. He simply agreed outright.
President Yu’s lips curved. “Then it’s settled. We’ll sign a contract later—I figure thirty million as deposit?”
Chu Yi: “QAQ…”
Did President Yu have to do this? The reward he’d just paid out was coming right back—and on top of that, saddling him with massive debt. As expected of a capitalist?
With the villa transfer settled, the car pulled up to the exhibition hall entrance.
Yu Qingxian parked and handed the keys to the valet. The two walked in together. By sheer bad luck, they ran into Kang Zeyu and Cui Ran, who clearly knew each other and greeted one another after getting out of their car at the entrance.
Kang Zeyu spotted Yu Qingxian and hurried over from behind. “Qingxian, wait up!”
When he got close and saw Chu Yi clearly, he immediately frowned. “How is it you?!”
Cui Ran, on the other hand, looked somewhat gloomy. Last time he’d stared at Chu Yi with shining eyes, but this time he seemed like a different person, gazing at Yu Qingxian as if lost in thought.
Seeing these two losers together, Chu Yi leisurely curled his lips. “Is it that strange? I came with President Yu.”
He emphasized “with” deliberately.
Kang Zeyu was indeed provoked. “Qingxian, a background-less weakling like him—why bring him to a place like this? Before Old Zheng or the other uncles notice, hurry him back. Don’t let him accidentally offend Old Zheng and lose face for your Yu Family…”
Yu Qingxian’s gaze turned icy in an instant. “The person I brought is none of Young Master Kang’s concern. Young Master Kang should worry more about your family’s Old Master!”
Chu Yi watched Kang Zeyu’s face turn ashen and suddenly realized President Yu wasn’t as refined and elegant as he seemed—his sharp tongue was lethal.
“You… I’m just thinking of you. If you won’t listen, forget it.” Kang Zeyu, probably feeling he’d lost face, tossed that out and hurried into the exhibition hall.
The still-standing Cui Ran glared darkly at Yu Qingxian. “I hear the Third Young Master has eyes and ears everywhere, even inside. You’ve known about my family’s issues for a while, so why didn’t you tell me last time we met?”
