Chapter 124: Purchasing a Luxury Mansion: The Golden Finger Reveals a New Function

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Time flew by—it was Friday.

In recent days, Longpeng Technology and Weiyuan Biotech had been steadily rising. The top analyst at HSBC had grown quiet, only twice urging to sell quickly, warning not to be greedy with profits as the risks later could be huge. Zhang Long just chuckled in response.

Now, with the reality laid bare, it was better to keep his head down and stay silent. There would be another chance to make up for it.

...

“Mr. Zhang, it’s done.”

Without dwelling on the stock market any further, after executing a spot trade early in the morning, Zhang Long rushed to the Housing Authority to handle the transfer of the studio’s commercial property. The procedures had been underway since Monday and were finally completed today.

Fourteen point eight million yuan, fully paid.

Once the ownership was completely transferred to Zhang Long, he would wire the money to Liu Yurong to relieve her immediate burdens.

Once the funds arrived, he would first settle the regular bank loan on the commercial property, then repay private loans. Only then could the studio reopen without further disruptions.

However, the year’s end was fast approaching; next month’s ninth day was the Lunar New Year. Whether it opened this year or not made little difference.

“Zhang Long, what about the rent?”

“Let’s settle that after the new year.”

Liu Yurong spoke, and Zhang Long waved off the concern. The rent for this last month before the new year didn’t matter much. The studio’s belongings could remain there, and Liu Yurong could come and organize whenever she wished. Official operations would resume in the new year.

“Okay, thank you.”

“You’re welcome.”

Now, Zhang Long felt no psychological pressure facing the poised and gentle Liu Yurong. He regarded this woman, whose fate was both beautiful and tragic, with equanimity.

An ill-fitting metaphor likened her to a fallen phoenix, no longer a celestial being but reduced to a mortal woman.

Honestly, Liu Yurong, graceful and refined, would be perfectly comfortable being cared for at home, but reality was harsh.

No one’s life is all smooth and beautiful.

Owning a two-bedroom apartment on the Bund, two commercial properties—studio and shop—worth twenty million yuan, plus her husband’s career and the family’s luxurious home and vehicles, all of these riches had vanished overnight, ending in debt and suicide. Such a fate was truly rough; any ordinary person would collapse under such pressure.

So Liu Yurong remained strong, at least stronger than her husband who had escaped reality by jumping.

Perhaps this was the nature of women: gentle by nature but resolute as mothers. Her daughter had just started first grade; she could not die.

No matter how bitter or exhausting the future, she had to live.

...

“Yurong, how much do you still owe?”

Returning home from the Housing Authority, it was already afternoon. The food on the table was still warm enough to eat. The daughter was napping in her room; her mother was waiting at home.

“Don’t worry, not much left.”

Liu Yurong looked at her mother, who had aged rapidly in recent times, her nose tingling with emotion. No matter how hard life was, she must not show fear or complain.

“At least the private mortgage loan is basically cleared. The rest are debts to relatives, friends, and some other loans. We’ll repay them slowly.”

“How long will it take?”

The elderly woman’s eyes reddened. No mother could help but worry over her daughter.

“We even sold the retirement home, yet the hole in the finances remains. How did it come to this?”

“Mom, it’s all in the past now.”

Liu Yurong comforted softly, feeling most guilty that her mother had sold her retirement home to cover the debts.

It was as if she had pulled out the coffin’s lid.

“I’m just worried about you.”

Mistiness filled the old woman’s eyes. Her daughter had been pampered and raised delicately, never known the hardships of life, yet suddenly plunged from heaven to hell with no hope in sight—so painful.

She, an old lady, didn’t mind since she had only a few years left, but her daughter and granddaughter were still young, still had a future, yet now were so desperate.

Her granddaughter had once attended a prestigious school; now she lived in a rented home in the suburbs and went to an ordinary school.

Failing education meant future failure.

“It’s nothing, not hard.”

Liu Yurong picked at her food and swallowed the turmoil inside, smiling faintly.

“Everyone faces misfortune and hardships in life. Once it’s over, it’s over. Sure, it’s harder and more tiring now, but the new landlord is kind and considerate. That’s enough.”

“After the new year, I’ll reopen the studio. Basic living expenses won’t be a problem.”

“Alright then.”

The elderly woman knew better than to complain too much to her daughter. Liu Yurong bore more pressure than anyone.

Still, she said at last, “If it doesn’t work out, find a good family to marry into. You don’t have to bear it all alone.”

“That little Yuan guy seems decent.”

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At this, Liu Yurong’s eyes flickered and fell silent, but in their depths, a coldness gradually gathered, like ice.

...

“Hm? Not selling?”

Hongze frowned, as did Qian Caiying.

With the afternoon trading close at hand, Zhang Long had bought and sold many stocks this week, but had held firmly to Weiyuan Biotech and Longpeng Technology without movement. The results were promising, with both rising sharply.

The other stocks fluctuated with gains and losses, but “Weiyuan and Longpeng” were extraordinary.

Could he be holding on until next week?

Regardless, whether he sold or not, the clients should be advised to take profits and exit. After all, the gains had been made.

Hongze’s performance this week was strong and improving.

“Knock, knock-knock~”

Suddenly, the door was knocked. Qian Caiying snapped out of her thoughts and looked up to see her close friend Ling Zhiqing, who wore a somewhat serious expression.

“What’s wrong?”

“I just got a call from home.”

Sitting down, Ling Zhiqing pinched her brow lightly.

“They want me to come back to the old family home for dinner tomorrow.”

“Another marriage push?”

“Probably.”

Ling Zhiqing shrugged and sighed.

“They wouldn’t call me back without reason. Plus, the new year is coming; being pressured about marriage is normal.”

“The main thing is the family is facing some crisis and needs help. And us women...?”

In ordinary families, marrying off daughters often came with a hefty dowry. In noble families, women were more like ties connecting relationships, alliances that linked interests.

Feelings were trivial; family interests came first. Having enjoyed the luxury of a wealthy upbringing and education, once grown up, duty demanded repayment.

“Hmph, what about us women?”

Qian Caiying was dissatisfied and admonished Ling Zhiqing sharply.

“You’re strong outside, but soft at home. You’ve had the conveniences of the Ling family—life, education, material comforts—but even your basic right to choose your marriage is lost? Ridiculous.”

“I won’t compromise.”

“Well then, you’re a thankless wretch.”

Ling Zhiqing’s voice was low.

“Without money, would you be what you are now? Would you have had this life of silk and satin since childhood? It all comes with strings attached.”

“I’ll freeload and not pay back.”

Qian Caiying smiled slyly.

“I’m not so obedient. What will be, will be. Just drag it out.”

...

Saturday and Sunday, Zhang Long was busy.

Even without Luo Man visiting relatives, he had no time to date. During the day, he inspected luxury homes; at night, he scoured online listings to filter options.

The two-bedroom apartment they lived in was only a temporary small residence. Liu Yurong had not moved away after her rise in fortune.

The luxury properties on his watch fell mainly into three categories: large flats, penthouse duplexes, and villas, all starting at tens of millions, some even thirty to fifty million.

But the prime luxury homes in the Bund, Lujiazui, or Century Park areas were mostly already owned.

Not easy to find.

Now that he had the means, a premium duplex penthouse in a high-end Lujiazui residential complex was on the market. Naturally, Zhang Long was interested and arranged a viewing.

Thus, Saturday morning.

Led by the sales agent, Zhang Long and several other clients toured the property. These customers were all either wealthy or noble in appearance. If not for Zhang Long’s transaction records proving his purchasing power, he honestly wouldn’t qualify to view the property.

Starting price was twenty million yuan—not cheap.

“Building 8, top-floor duplex...”

The environment of this high-end residence was naturally far from ordinary, though winter lent it a somewhat desolate feel. Come spring, with blooming flowers and lush greenery, the community would seem even more tranquil.

The spacing between buildings was wide, staggered yet orderly and comfortable. The complex included a clubhouse, gym, an artificial flowing lake, and more.

It justified the price of sixty to seventy thousand yuan per square meter, likely to soar above one hundred thousand in a few years.

“Hm?”

Suddenly, Zhang Long paused.

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Building 8’s top-floor duplex, following the agent inside to inspect, was truly splendid—the layout, the decoration, everything exquisite. Although not the absolute crown jewel of the complex, it ranked among the top three.

Such luxury homes were rarely sold unless the owner urgently needed money. Usually, they were either self-occupied or held for appreciation.

But at this moment, Zhang Long thought: Damn.

...

“-23.8 million!”

Zhang Long rubbed his eyes hard. Above the agent’s head appeared a string of numbers.

The agent was enthusiastically describing the property’s superior quality, layout, décor, and the owner’s background.

Only Zhang Long was somewhat dazed, appearing as if stunned senseless.

This made the other potential buyers keep their distance, not wanting to catch the foolish vibe.

Where had this bumpkin come from?

“What’s the lowest price?”

An impatient buyer asked. Anyone purchasing a luxury home knew its quality, especially in this flagship community by a renowned developer in the metropolis. So the price was stated plainly.

“23.8 million!”

“No bargaining.”

The agent replied bluntly.

“The owner’s stance is firm. Unless there’s an emergency, they won’t sell at this price. 23.8 million is the lowest, and if you try to haggle, no meeting will be arranged.”

“Meetings will end if bargaining starts.”

The buyers frowned slightly, though 23.8 million was not high, maybe a little low. A discounted price was normal if the seller was in urgent need, but the attitude was harsh.

“No bargaining allowed was unpleasant.

“Huff, huff,” Zhang Long took a deep breath. He didn’t care how others saw him. When others asked the agent about the price, it seemed clear—the numbers above the agent’s head represented the price. But a negative sign?

This was a huge trap.

Though he didn’t know why the ‘yield’ suddenly appeared above the agent’s head, Zhang Long trusted this ‘golden finger’ effect wholeheartedly.

Negative yield!

Either the property was embroiled in disputes making ownership invalid, or the seller was a fraud, rendering the purchase ineffective.

If the money was taken and the seller vanished, who could be pursued?

Previously, many properties showed no yield, but today this pit appeared—a clear warning not to jump in. This luxury home was to be avoided.

Nearby purchases—the two-bedroom on the Bund, the studio shop—showed no negative yields. Now this?

No profit to be made, but a loss could be avoided!

“When is the owner available?”

Someone asked again. The agent smiled faintly.

“Tomorrow morning is fine.”

“Is it all discussed together?”

Suddenly, Zhang Long spoke, but was immediately met with sneering.

“Hey kid, have you ever seen 23.8 million? The owner demands full payment!”

“You won’t get a loan approved.”

Zhang Long’s plain appearance, without even a luxury watch, lacked the bearing.

“Full payment, huh? Then forget it…”

Zhang Long shook his head with a sigh at the mocker.

“A loan might be possible, but only someone like you can pay cash outright.”

“Jealous? Wish you luck.”

“This luxury home belongs to no one but you.”

ps: The next chapter will have extra updates. Recently, rewards and previous free periods have accumulated 25,000 points across several accounts, so an extra update will be added.

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Thanks to: Crazy and Distracted (1,500 coins), Reader ending 3136 (200 coins) for their rewards.

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