Chapter Sixteen: Sorry to Disappoint You

Xia Xin frowned. “Why are you so worked up?”

Chen Fan looked a bit embarrassed. “Uh, well, I just think it’s best to keep business and family separate, especially since your relatives aren’t exactly easy to deal with. If you let them get involved, you’ll end up doing most of the work and getting the least in return.”

Hearing this, Xia Xin sighed, gazing ahead with a hint of helplessness in her eyes.

“I know you’re right, but the problem is, my family doesn’t have much money. Besides, once word gets out, even if I don’t say anything, Grandpa and the others will get involved. As the junior, I have no say in the matter.”

“That may be true, but you have to stand your ground. If you keep giving in just to avoid conflict, it’ll happen again and again, and you’ll never learn or grow.”

Chen Fan’s words caught Xia Xin off guard. She stopped in her tracks, looking at him with a touch of surprise. “Who would’ve thought moving bricks would make you so wise? You’re even speaking in proverbs now.”

“When you’ve worked long enough, you start to understand a few things. Anyway, my advice is to stay firm. Otherwise, you’ll be counting money for the person who just sold you out.”

“Do I look that stupid to you?”

Xia Xin raised her fist in mock threat, then nodded. “I’ll remember your words, but talking about it now won’t change anything. Let’s see if your friend Leng Shuang can really help.”

After walking for a while, Xia Xin spoke up. “Let’s stop here. I’ve had a long day at work and I want to get home and rest.”

“Alright, just remember to dream about me tonight,” Chen Fan teased with a grin.

“Get lost!” Xia Xin rolled her eyes at him, then headed toward her car.

After Xia Xin had left, a black Porsche pulled up in front of Chen Fan and honked twice. Without a word, he opened the door and got in.

Leng Shuang sat behind the wheel, her expression calm. “Qilin just called and said he’s found a place. He wants you to check it out and see if it’s suitable. If it is, you can buy it tonight.”

“Alright, let’s go.”

“You’re not angry at me?” Leng Shuang was surprised by his composure, expecting him to scold her for interfering earlier.

Chen Fan shook his head with a smile. “Everything you said was reasonable. Why would I be angry?”

“I think I finally understand why you like Xia Xin. She really is beautiful, has a great figure, and she’s straightforward. A woman that genuine is hard for any man to resist.”

“Ahem, is that so?”

Leng Shuang shot him a disdainful look before starting the car and heading to their destination.

A little over ten minutes later, they arrived at the sales office of Splendid Rivers and Mountains. Normally, sales offices don’t stay open late, but this development catered to high-income clients and thus stayed open until ten.

At the entrance, Leng Shuang said, “I’ll wait here. Don’t want to risk exposing your identity.”

“Alright, we shouldn’t be long.”

Chen Fan nodded and got out, joining Qilin, who had been waiting for him. “You said you found a place. Tell me the details.”

“I picked the most expensive and luxurious villa here, at the southernmost edge of the community. There’s only one way in and out. It’s nearly 800 square meters, with a private mini golf course, basketball court, swimming pool, garden, all the modern amenities you could want. There are two buildings—a main house and a guest house—both fully smart homes.”

Qilin didn’t hold back, relaying all the information he’d gathered. “Its location and layout fit our requirements perfectly. The current price is 200 million.”

At the mention of “200 million,” Chen Fan didn’t look the least bit surprised. He nodded. “Sounds good. Let’s buy it. There’s no need for you to put in any money.”

Qilin was visibly relieved and grateful. “Thank you, Hades!”

“But if you ever leak my business like that again,” Chen Fan warned, “you won’t just be losing money—I’ll make sure a woman drains you dry.”

He shot Qilin a glare before heading inside with him.

Since it was past eight, there weren’t many sales staff—just a few young women, probably newcomers assigned to the late shift.

Soon, a smiling young woman approached. “Good evening, gentlemen. I’m Zhao Mengmeng. Are you here to view a property or for information?”

“Hello. I’d like to see the Mountain and Water Pavilion. Is that possible?”

“It is, but you’ll have to pay a deposit first—about two hundred thousand.”

Chen Fan frowned. This was the first time he’d heard of having to pay such a large deposit just to view a house.

Zhao Mengmeng quickly explained, “You see, the Mountain and Water Pavilion is very special, with a unique design. We require a deposit before viewing.”

“In other words, you’re afraid we’ll cause trouble inside.” Chen Fan cut in.

Zhao Mengmeng forced an awkward smile. “You could say that.”

She clearly hadn’t expected Chen Fan to be so direct.

“Fine, two hundred thousand it is. I hope the house doesn’t disappoint me.” Chen Fan glanced at Qilin, who took the hint immediately. “Where do we pay?”

Just then, a commotion arose nearby. Several sales staff rushed excitedly toward the entrance.

Soon, a man and a woman entered, surrounded by people. The man wore a bespoke suit and was strikingly handsome; the woman was elegantly dressed, dazzling in every way.

Chen Fan recognized them both immediately. The man was Qin Tianhua, a prominent young member of the Qin family, one of East City’s top lineages. The woman was Huo Yuling, who had just broken off her engagement to Chen Fan.

Huo Yuling quickly spotted Chen Fan. Pulling Qin Tianhua with her, she pointed at Chen Fan’s plain clothes and said, “Tianhua, see? I told you, there’s no way I’d still be hung up on Chen Fan now that he looks like this.”

Qin Tianhua, seeing that it really was the former Chen family heir, was visibly surprised and frowned. “So the prodigal young master has returned. I must admit, you’re quite a disappointment.”

Their ridicule was obvious, and Qilin bristled with anger—how dare they disrespect Hades like this? He was about to step forward when Chen Fan stopped him with a gesture.

Chen Fan smiled at the pair. “My apologies for letting you both down.”