Chapter 36: Renting a Place

The morning sunlight slanted through the gaps in the curtains, casting a glow onto the bedroom carpet. Li Yan awoke in the warmth of the soft light.

He walked into the bathroom to freshen up, the sound of running water washing away the last traces of sleep. Having slept well, he felt refreshed and clear-headed.

He selected a crisp, casual outfit: a minimalist Dior T-shirt, a simple pair of LV jeans, and a pair of lightweight sneakers. Once dressed, he sent a message to the real estate agent: "Let’s meet at your office at ten."

The agent replied promptly: "Understood, Mr. Li."

It was not yet eight o'clock, giving him plenty of time to enjoy a local breakfast. After stepping out, he walked for five or six minutes along the streets of the hotel’s business district until he spotted a small shop labeled "Old Xu’s Guokui and Soy Milk."

The storefront was modest, with a glass window revealing the scene of fresh Guokui—a crispy, stuffed flatbread—being fried and soy milk being ground to order. It lacked opulent decor but possessed a charming, down-to-earth atmosphere.

He ordered a piece of Guokui stuffed with cured meat and a bowl of steaming hot sweetened soy milk, totaling about 15 yuan. The Guokui was crispy on the outside and tender on the inside, the cured meat providing a savory-sweet flavor, while the soy milk was rich, warm, and smooth.

Li Yan finished his meal feeling satisfied. It was a different experience from the refined hotel breakfast, but equally enjoyable. While eating, he listened to a few locals nearby chatting quietly about the weather and the opening of a new subway line. Though it had nothing to do with him, it made him feel more connected to the daily rhythm of the city.

He had arranged to meet the agent at the subway entrance, just a kilometer from the hotel. He walked along the city’s clean sidewalks for about ten minutes to get there. Along the way, he passed plane trees, young people on shared bicycles, and an occasional small cafe.

He checked the time at the subway entrance: 9:50 AM. The agent had promised to arrive at 10:00, showing good punctuality. Shortly after, the agent, Xiao Chen, appeared, dressed in a simple shirt and trousers, holding a folder.

After a brief greeting, the agent smiled and said, "Mr. Li, the property we’re viewing today is in 'Binjiang Puyuan,' a high-end residential complex near the Wangjiang Campus of Sichuan University. You mentioned you didn't want anything low-end, so I’ve selected a very high-quality two-bedroom apartment for you."

Last night, Li Yan had set higher standards: a floor area of no less than 140 square meters, a modern minimalist style, and ideally an independent study and a walk-in closet, all located near the university to facilitate his future academic life.

Li Yan was not sensitive to the price; finding a place that met his standards was his priority. "Okay, let's go take a look."

***

The two took a taxi to Binjiang Puyuan. The complex was located in an upscale residential area near the Funan River, surrounded by neatly arranged trees, pristine bicycle lanes, boutique supermarkets, and specialty import stores.

The twenty-minute ride cost about sixty or seventy yuan. As Li Yan stepped out of the taxi, he surveyed his surroundings: the entrance was a curved archway of gray-white stone, with strict security and a team of immaculately dressed concierge staff requiring visitors to register. After the agent checked them in, the concierge verified their details before allowing them to enter.

Inside, the grounds were lush with greenery, with fountains and small plazas dotting the central garden. Cobblestone paths, lawns, and sculptures all testified to the developer's meticulous design. The residents appeared to be primarily high-level white-collar workers and elite families; there was no noise from peddlers, and the atmosphere was very quiet.

The elevator lobby featured marble floors and clean, sharp metal decorative lines on the walls.

"This unit is on the 16th floor," the agent explained. "It’s 145 square meters, with two bedrooms, a living room, a separate study, and a private walk-in closet. The owner is an executive at a foreign company who spends most of his time overseas."

Upon opening the door, a spacious living room unfolded before them. Approximately 40 square meters in size, it featured light-colored solid wood flooring and off-white walls, with a sense of openness created by the expansive use of space. Through the floor-to-ceiling windows, one could see the distant city skyline and a lush, tree-lined avenue.

There was no excessive decoration—just an abstract painting on the wall behind the sofa. The television was a large OLED screen, and the coffee table and sofa were simple wood and gray fabric, exuding a taste for modern minimalism.

Further in was the independent study, about 15 square meters, featuring a full-wall bookshelf and a dark solid wood desk. An ergonomic chair sat beside it, showing that the owner valued a comfortable learning and working environment. The window of the study faced the interior garden, letting in soft light.

There was also a private walk-in closet of nearly 8 square meters, with built-in cabinetry, mirrors, and meticulous lighting, satisfying Li Yan’s need for an organized life.

The kitchen was semi-open, connected to the dining room but separated by tempered glass sliding doors. It featured stone countertops and a full suite of appliances, including a dishwasher and a coffee machine. The dining area was furnished with a dark wood table and four chairs, with a simple pendant light providing a crisp, clean aesthetic.

Of the two bedrooms, the master suite was about 30 square meters, featuring a large bed and expansive floor-to-ceiling windows with a view. The second bedroom had a 1.8-meter bed and wardrobe, suitable as a guest room or storage. There were two bathrooms, one in the master suite and one off the living room, with the master bath featuring both a soaking tub and a shower stall, all with imported fixtures.

"The rent is 13,000 yuan per month, with a one-month security deposit and three months' rent paid in advance," the agent smiled. "Property fees are 700 yuan per month. There is a gym and swimming pool in the clubhouse, which requires a monthly membership of about 300 yuan. Security patrols 24/7, and the elevators use access cards."

Li Yan stood in the study, his fingertips lightly brushing the smooth surface of the desk. He felt very satisfied.

***

The space was sufficiently large, and the independent study was exactly what he needed to read and organize his advertising materials. The walk-in closet met his storage requirements, and the extra space provided by the two-bedroom layout was more than enough.

He imagined that in the future, if he needed to discuss multi-million dollar projects with female classmates, or if friends came to stay, there would be plenty of room.

At about two kilometers from the school, it would be a fifteen to twenty-minute bike ride—a bit far, but the high-end environment and amenities were worth it to him. He didn't mind the slightly longer commute; after all, 13,000 yuan a month was no issue for him, and driving would be very quick anyway.

"I’m quite happy with this place," Li Yan said, turning to the agent.

The agent chuckled, "Good eye. This is one of the premier residential communities in this area, and the owner is easy to deal with. Shall we proceed?"

Li Yan nodded. "This is it. We’ll head back to the office to sign the contract, right?"

The agent was pleased. "Yes, I’ll coordinate with the landlord. They require a minimum one-year lease. Is that okay with you?"

"One year is fine," Li Yan replied calmly.

On the way back, they discussed the details: a deposit of one month's rent plus three months' payment (a total of 52,000 yuan), plus the agency fee of half a month's rent (about 6,500 yuan), bringing the total initial payment to nearly 58,500 yuan.

He didn't even blink. The apartment was large, the environment was excellent, and everything was as he had hoped.

"Do you have any need for a parking space?" the agent asked. "It costs about 500 yuan per month."

Li Yan smiled, "Go ahead and include the parking space."

Back at the office, the signing process took about half an hour; everything was transparent. He swiped his card to pay, then took the receipt and a set of keys. This apartment was now, for the time being, Li Yan’s home.

It was Li Yan’s first temporary foothold in Shudu.