Chapter 13: Price Gouging

Twenty-three million had just been credited to the account.

Just enough to buy that villa in Jiangshan.

Twenty-eight million—Zheng Qian had never even dreamed of having so much money in his account.

After purchasing the villa, there would be a tenfold cashback, amounting to two hundred eighty million!

That was quite a thrill.

At this moment, Zheng Qian was truly among the top winners in life: with cars, houses, and women...

He glanced at Jin Lu, who sat in the driver’s seat—an absolute stunning beauty, the kind who could make anyone drool just by looking at her.

“Shall we head back now? I’ve already arranged to meet the landlord,” Jin Lu said.

“Alright.”

Jin Lu drove back to a café in the city center.

As soon as they got out of the car, Zheng Qian nearly vomited.

She drove way too recklessly.

Outwardly a cool, aloof queen, but inside, such wild ferocity?

At the café entrance, a man dressed in a suit, wearing gold-rimmed glasses and carrying a briefcase, appeared to be waiting for someone.

“By the way, I spent twenty thousand to hire a top-tier elite lawyer to help us review the purchase contract for any hidden pitfalls,” Jin Lu explained to Zheng Qian.

The legal profession was indeed lucrative—just a glance at the contract cost twenty thousand.

But it was necessary; after all, over twenty-three million was no small amount, so it was better to be cautious.

“Miss Jin, is that a new car?” The lawyer stepped forward and extended his hand to shake.

“Lawyer Wang Zhao, why don’t you come in and wait for us?”

Jin Lu glanced at him, holding her bag in one hand while pushing the door with the other, pretending not to notice and avoiding the handshake.

Wang Zhao withdrew his hand and scratched his head awkwardly.

At that moment, he noticed Zheng Qian circling around the new car and trailing behind Jin Lu, narrowing his eyes to scrutinize him and frowning deeply.

Twenty minutes later, the landlord arrived.

She was a woman around fifty years old, with a bulky figure, wavy permed hair, very small eyes, and a pronounced double chin.

—

After ordering drinks for the four of them, the negotiations began.

“Mrs. Pang, I previously mentioned our intention to purchase your villa. Did you bring the purchase contract with you?” Jin Lu was the first to speak.

Since 1998, this villa had passed through several owners. It was unclear whether the woman knew that Jin Lu was the original owner.

Mrs. Gao said nothing and pulled a file folder from her Hermès bag, tossing it onto the table.

Wang Zhao smiled as he picked up the contract and started reviewing it carefully with Jin Lu.

Zheng Qian, like an outsider, sat back on the sofa with his legs crossed. He didn’t need to concern himself with these trivial matters—he only had to make the final transfer.

“Mrs. Pang, there seems to be an error in the contract amount. Why does it say thirty million? Didn’t we agree on twenty-three million including all fees?” Jin Lu immediately questioned upon noticing the discrepancy.

“Xiao Lu, you talked to me two months ago,” Mrs. Pang said helplessly. “I don’t want to raise the price, but the market dictates it. Today, not only did you schedule a meeting with me, but three other potential buyers also arranged to discuss the purchase.”

“But that’s too much. Even with a rise, it shouldn’t have increased so much in just two months—seven million more?”

“There’s nothing I can do; it’s the market. I didn’t understand before, but after consulting many friends in real estate, they told me this villa is worth at least thirty-five million. Selling it for thirty million is already very cheap for you.”

Mrs. Pang shrugged helplessly, wearing an expression that suggested she was losing out while Jin Lu was profiting.

“Fine then, you can negotiate with the others. We won’t buy the house.”

Jin Lu said this as she grabbed Zheng Qian’s arm and headed for the door.

Zheng Qian was a bit surprised—why back out now? Was it because the price was too high?

Actually, Zheng Qian was prepared to pay the full twenty-three million without requiring Jin Lu to use her three million.

Even at thirty million, Zheng Qian’s funds were more than enough to cover it easily.

“Price hike or not, I’m not short of money,” Zheng Qian reminded her.

He would even get more cashback if he bought the villa at thirty million.

“It’s not about the money. She’s certain we want to buy, so she’s jacking up the price. That’s really unprofessional,” Jin Lu said, a little irritated.

Zheng Qian found her angry face rather endearing.

“So what now? We can’t just not buy it, right? Your father is about to be released, isn’t he?”

“Let’s wait and see. Maybe she’ll lower the price in a few days. As for the other three buyers, I don’t believe that story,” Jin Lu said, having a good grasp of human nature.

“But what if those people really exist? Would we have to buy from them? The price might go even higher,” Zheng Qian warned.

—

Before Jin Lu could respond, Lawyer Wang Zhao came rushing out.

“Miss Jin... there’s no issue with the contract itself. It’s just the amount isn’t what you expected, right?” Wang Zhao had just carefully reviewed the contract from start to finish and found no other problems.

“Yeah, I’ll call you when I’m ready to revise the timeline. Thanks for coming all the way here today,” Jin Lu said politely.

“No problem.”

After some formalities, Jin Lu started the car.

“Wait, don’t leave yet,” Zheng Qian stopped Wang Zhao.

“Hm? What’s up?”

“I want to offer you something.”

“Please go ahead.”

“If you can successfully negotiate the villa at Jiangshan for under thirty million, the amount saved below thirty million will be your fee. How does that sound?” Zheng Qian said calmly.

Thirty million was actually acceptable to Zheng Qian, but if Jin Lu couldn’t swallow that bitter pill, he had to find another way.

The “Red Circle” lawyers referred specifically to elite law firms in Shanghai and Beijing, requiring graduates from the top five universities’ law faculties, usually with master’s degrees and often with overseas experience.

Being classified in the Red Circle meant they were among the very best legal professionals in the country.

Their networks were unparalleled; after law school, classmates typically became either lawyers or government officials, often holding high positions.

Among Beijing’s Red Circle lawyers, connections ran even deeper—sometimes the judge presiding over a case was a former classmate of the defense lawyer.

“Uh… are you serious?” Wang Zhao was stunned. In all his years in the field, this was the first time he’d received such a lavish commission.

“Yes,” Zheng Qian replied earnestly, with no hint of joking.

“No problem. Leave it to me. Let me add your contact info so we can communicate easily,” Wang Zhao said as he prepared to scan Zheng Qian’s QR code.

After adding each other, Zheng Qian added, “From now on, just contact me. Delete Jin Lu’s contact.”

Wang Zhao froze, feeling as if his heart had skipped a beat.

Sweat appeared on his forehead as he forced a smile, “Okay…”