Chapter Seventeen: The Pavilion of Mountains and Waters

“This is not like you, Young Master Chen. In the past, you would have given me a good beating!”
“I still can, but do you deserve it?”
Qin Tianhua’s anger flared, his gaze fierce as he glared at Chen Fan. “You’re still so arrogant. Be careful—one day you might just disappear while walking down the street. Don’t say I didn’t warn you!”
“Thank you for the warning, but I doubt such a thing could happen to me.”
Chen Fan replied calmly to Qin Tianhua’s threat, then signaled to Qilin with his eyes. Qilin turned to Zhao Mengmeng and said, “Let’s pay and go see the property.”
His words caught Huo Yuling’s attention. She looked at Chen Fan with a complicated expression. “Do you have the money to buy a house here?”
“Of course not. I’m just accompanying my friend. I won’t disturb you further.”
With that, Chen Fan prepared to leave the sales office, unwilling to waste more words with the pair.
But Qin Tianhua, seething with rage, couldn’t let Chen Fan leave so easily. He fixed his dark gaze on Zhao Mengmeng and demanded, “Which property are they interested in?”
Zhao Mengmeng hesitated, then answered, “Young Master Qin, the Pavilion of Water and Mountains.”
The revelation sparked a chorus of astonished exclamations.
“The Pavilion of Water and Mountains? Can those two afford it?”
“They don’t look like wealthy people at all. Are they just here to show off?”
“Only someone like Young Master Qin could buy that place!”
Qin Tianhua’s face radiated smug satisfaction. “Do you have no sense? Anyone who hangs around Chen Fan can’t possibly have money. Letting them view a mansion like the Pavilion of Water and Mountains—careful you don’t lose your job!”
“Young Master Qin, you may not know, but the rules require a deposit of two hundred thousand to view that mansion. If there’s nothing else, I need to take this gentleman to pay and view the house.”
Qin Tianhua pressed, “In that case, I’ll pay two hundred thousand and we’ll go see it together!”
This made Zhao Mengmeng uneasy. Qilin had arrived first and intended to pay, but she knew Qin Tianhua was not someone she could afford to offend. If she refused, her fate would surely be unpleasant.
Qilin said coolly, “We won’t view the property. We’ll just buy it outright.”
Everyone’s eyes widened in disbelief.

“…Who are you, daring to go against me, Qin Tianhua?”
“I don’t need to tell you. If you have what it takes, agree to buy it yourself. If you don’t have the money, stop making noise here.”
Qin Tianhua could not endure such contempt and shouted, “How much is the house? I’ll buy it! It’ll be the perfect dowry for Yuling, and show certain people just how wide the gap in our abilities is!”
Huo Yuling’s eyes brightened with delight and she teased, “Tianhua, you’re wonderful! I love you!”
“Young Master Qin, the Pavilion of Water and Mountains is priced at two hundred million,”
Before Zhao Mengmeng could answer, someone from the crowd spoke up.
Qin Tianhua was taken aback, frowning. “Why is it so expensive?”
Chen Fan looked at Qin Tianhua with mocking amusement, deliberately provoking him. “Young Master Qin, are you saying two hundred million is too expensive?”
“Shut up! Who asked you to speak? Two hundred million is nothing to me, but I don’t have that much on hand right now. I’ll need to go through some procedures.” Qin Tianhua shot Chen Fan a venomous glare.
Chen Fan chuckled coldly. “If you need to ask your father for money, just say so. No need to dress it up. If you can pay two hundred million right now and buy it, we’ll leave immediately. Otherwise, stop embarrassing yourself.”
“You…”
Qin Tianhua’s face flushed bright red, unable to retort, because he truly didn’t have two hundred million. Even if he did, he’d have to borrow it from his father. Chen Fan’s words had effectively cut off his escape.
He composed himself and said coldly to Chen Fan, “Hmph, Chen Fan, just you wait. I’ll remember this, and someday I’ll pay you back double.”
With that, he stormed out of the sales office.
Chen Fan laughed lightly. “Huo Yuling, aren’t you going to chase your fiancé?”
Huo Yuling’s gaze was venomous as she glared at Chen Fan. “Whenever you’re around, nothing good happens. Qin Tianhua brought me here today to buy a villa as a wedding house, but you ruined it.”
“Hey, can’t you be reasonable? He tried to show off and failed, slapped his own face, and now you’re blaming me?” Chen Fan said with a chuckle.
“Chen Fan, don’t be so arrogant. News of your return has spread throughout East City. You’ve offended plenty of people. Do you really think you can stay here peacefully?”
“That’s nothing you need to worry about. If you don’t chase after Qin Tianhua, he’ll think you’re involved with me!”
At those words, Huo Yuling gave Chen Fan another venomous glare before hurrying out after Qin Tianhua.

The other saleswomen were left stunned, not expecting Qin Tianhua to be so infuriated he’d leave. They all turned their attention to Qilin, swarming around him, some even unbuttoning their shirts, hoping to catch his eye.
“Back off!”
Qilin’s eyes flashed coldly, his aura radiating menace, causing the cluster of saleswomen to step back in fear, none daring to approach him further.
Zhao Mengmeng walked over cautiously, apologetic. “I’m sorry, both of you. I really had no choice—he’s a young master of the Qin family, not someone I can afford to offend.”
She paused, then tentatively asked,
“Would you still like to view the house?”
Zhao Mengmeng thought Qilin’s claim to buy the property outright was just to spite Qin Tianhua, not a serious intention.
Chen Fan smiled. “You’re Zhao Mengmeng, right? Don’t doubt it—my friend said he’d buy it, and he will. But since he’s giving you such a big deal, shouldn’t you at least treat him to a meal?”
“Mm, that’s fine!” Zhao Mengmeng glanced shyly at Qilin and nodded.
Seeing this, Qilin dragged Chen Fan aside and muttered, “Pluto King, what are you doing?”
“Isn’t it obvious? The young lady has taken a liking to you. Besides, you’re almost thirty and haven’t even dated. Aren’t you embarrassed? Spend more time with her.”
“But I’m not ready. What if I frighten her…?”
“There’s no ‘what if.’ It’s like going into battle—you have to adapt. Stop hesitating, or I’ll send you back to guard the Northwest Garrison!”
“Pluto King, you…”
“Hm?”
“Sigh, fine, I’ll agree, okay?”