Chapter 38: Choosing a Car
The bedroom now held far more cozy touches than when he had first moved in. The bed was dressed in a light gray long-staple cotton bedding set purchased two days prior, offering a delicate and soft touch. Atop the nightstand sat a circular diffuser with several black reeds standing within, emitting a fragrance that was just right. On the windowsill rested a lucky bamboo plant he had bought the day before; its vibrant green stems and leaves shimmered through the glass vase, appearing full of vitality.
Rising to walk into the living room, the view beyond the floor-to-ceiling windows was enough to lift anyone’s spirits. The beige sofa in the center of the room looked grand, complemented by a fresh bouquet of roses on the wooden coffee table, with water droplets still clinging to the rim of the vase. Li Yan had bought these flowers at the shop downstairs yesterday. Seeing several high-end imported varieties, he had indulged himself and purchased two bouquets. One was Kenyan roses—12 stems at 20 yuan each, totaling 240 yuan. The other was Ecuadorian preserved roses, which cost 80 yuan per stem; he bought two. Adding in a few flamingo flowers and a small evergreen for the entryway, the total came to just over a thousand yuan, with the clerk throwing in some fragrant greenery to accent the bouquets. A housekeeping service contracted by the property management had already been by that morning to water the plants and change the water, so the flowers remained fresh and vibrant.
Li Yan had absolutely no experience with gardening, but once he had made his selections at the flower shop, he simply paid for the property management’s housekeeping service, which included three visits a week for cleaning and the maintenance of his plants. The service fee was 2,500 yuan per month, covering light chores like making the bed, wiping down floors and furniture, and fertilizing plants. He was happy to pay for the ease, sparing himself the worry of caring for the greenery. To him, since he had chosen a large apartment, he might as well keep it organized and full of life.
In a corner of the living room stood a natural wood bookcase, housing a few books on advertising as well as a newly purchased moth orchid with purple blossoms. The flower shop owner had said this orchid was an imported variety from Taiwan, costing six or seven hundred yuan per pot, but it offered a long blooming period and an elegant posture. Li Yan had snatched it up without hesitation.
Li Yan opened the refrigerator, taking out milk and the blueberries he had bought yesterday. The fridge was also stocked with plenty of imported craft beer and a bottle of Macallan 12-Year-Old Single Malt Scotch Whisky, while all the high-end ingredients he had purchased at the supermarket a few days earlier filled the shelves to capacity. He paired the milk and blueberries with cereal for a simple breakfast. He didn't intend to spend time cooking complex dishes; partly due to a lack of culinary skill, and partly because he had something important to do today: go car shopping.
The morning sun of Shudu streamed into the living room, the vast expanse of white space making the room look highly sophisticated. The sunlight hitting the top of Li Yan’s feet felt warm; it was a beautiful day. Truth be told, Li Yan was not a person who particularly pursued a refined lifestyle. He was quite vulgar; he liked big houses, luxury goods, beautiful women, and sports cars. As for the urban-chic lifestyle of waking up to coffee, blueberries, a slice of bread, and watching the scenery outside the window, it really had nothing to do with him. The milk, blueberries, and cereal this morning were simple; he didn't have much of an appetite, so he just ate whatever was on hand.
Lighting a Seven Stars cigarette, his urban-chic persona instantly shifted into an urban-cool one. He took a drag, frowned slightly, and exhaled, the smoke swirling in the living room before being caught and swept away by a breeze from the window.
"At 177 centimeters tall, I suppose I’m not doing too badly."
Besides, of the "tall, rich, and handsome" trinity, having two out of three was enough, wasn't it? He muttered a self-deprecating remark, looking at his silhouette reflected in the glass. He appeared more upright than before, with a certain air of distinction, and he stubbed out the cigarette in a glass ashtray.
He left the half-eaten breakfast scattered on the dining table and headed straight to the bathroom to freshen up. The housekeeping service would come to clean it eventually; it would be idiotic not to enjoy the convenience when he had the money.
After washing up, he changed into a light-colored casual Chanel outfit, slung on a Louis Vuitton bag, and strapped on his Patek Philippe Nautilus. He checked himself in the mirror—truly handsome!
Ah, the scent of money.
He happened to call a high-end ride-hailing car that had been waiting. It was a black Mercedes-Benz S-Class, and the driver, wearing a dark shirt, politely stepped out to open the rear door for him. Li Yan was staying at "Binjiang Puyuan," which was over twenty kilometers away from his destination. The driver confirmed the destination: the Ferrari 4S dealership, located at No. 888 Airport Road Frontage, High-tech Zone, Shudu—one of the city’s most famous supercar hubs. He sat in the back, closed the door, and checked the time. His appointment was for around ten in the morning, so he still had plenty of time.
His thoughts drifted with the street scenes passing by the window. Over the past few days, he had rented the apartment and purchased supplies, but he hadn't yet made a final decision on his primary mode of transportation. While a Porsche 911 was well-balanced, in terms of head-turning ability and symbolic significance, a Ferrari had more of a "god-tier car" aura, especially with that iconic Prancing Horse logo that was truly irreplaceable.
Li Yan wasn't entirely without reservations. After all, his liquid funds were only around two or three million, remaining from the system's cash rebates and previous investment gains. If he were to truly buy a Ferrari costing four or five million or more, he certainly wouldn't have enough to pay in full, but he saw no harm in financing. Given his current bank statements and excellent credit history, a large loan wouldn't be difficult, and Ferrari's own financial arm could also provide installment services. In his view, as long as he was willing, the monthly payments wouldn't be too much of a burden. Furthermore, if the system offered more consumption rebates in the future, such high-end spending could exchange for even more substantial returns.
While lost in thought, the Mercedes-Benz S-Class had already merged onto the urban expressway, and the signs for the High-tech Zone came into view. The driver asked, "Sir, are we going to that Ferrari dealership on the Airport Road frontage? There seems to be a Lamborghini showroom nearby as well; would you like to take a look at that too?"
Li Yan responded with a faint smile, "Let’s go to Ferrari first and see how things go."
The drive took less than half an hour, with skyscrapers lining the road. This was one of the bustling areas of the High-tech Zone, where the 4S dealerships or experience centers for many supercar and luxury car brands were clustered. The driver brought the car to a smooth stop in front of the large glass doors of the "Ferrari Shudu Experience Center." The building’s façade was modern, with a black-and-red color scheme that highlighted the brand’s character. This was the location of the "Ferrari Shudu" 4S showroom.
As Li Yan stepped out of the car, a warm, slightly humid breeze greeted him. It was mid-summer 2023; clouds drifted across the Shudu sky, and sunlight wove through the high-rises. Standing before the Ferrari 4S dealership, he raised a hand to lightly wipe a bead of sweat from his brow, his Patek Philippe Nautilus watch catching the sunlight with a low-key yet seductive luster. It was a fine timepiece that a connoisseur would recognize at a glance, and at the very moment he pushed open the store door, it made the eyes of the sales consultant light up.