Volume 1 Chapter 7: The Landlord Raises the Rent

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The photo was taken, and the post was shared on social media. Xiang Zheng filled in her information on the form.

“Me? We won’t be like them, right?”

It sounded like she was trying to reassure herself, and Chengxu responded with a heavy “Mm.”

How much must a woman love a man to be willing to bear the burdens of family and move forward? He saw stars in Xiang Zheng’s eyes, filled with hope and expectation—they were different.

“Are you… Miss Xiang from Shian Real Estate?”

The woman’s words broke their reverie.

It was indeed Xiang Zheng, who worked in new media. The woman extended her hand toward her.

“I’m Zhuang Qian. I believe we’ve met briefly at a meeting.”

One of the most important skills in sales is recognizing people. Xiang Zheng touched her fingertips to hers, then withdrew. “I remember you—always carrying that heavy camera. You’re really capable. There was a time when…”

Zhuang Qian brushed back her hair. Her makeup was a bit smudged, but her mood had steadied. “Giving up work for marriage was the most foolish decision I ever made. Luckily, I realized it before it was too late. I’m going back to the workforce. Wishing you both a happy marriage.”

“Thank you.”

After parting ways with Zhuang Qian, Xiang Zheng handed in the form to Chengxu. In the presence of the staff, they took a photo together.

Under the lens, Xiang Zheng glanced at Chengxu out of the corner of her eye, her look full of tender affection.

She had longed for this moment for three years.

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“Such a talented couple! Your smiles are the sweetest I’ve seen all year,” the civil affairs bureau clerk praised warmly.

After leaving the bureau, Xiang Zheng kissed Chengxu. “Darling, I’m off to the project today. We have clients coming to view the property.”

With the little red booklet in hand, Chengxu’s status rose accordingly; even his form of address had changed.

“Workaholic, and you just got your license.”

“That’s all the more reason to work hard—for our dream mansion!”

Xiang Zheng was brimming with determination; her goals were always clear.

She wanted to build him a golden home.

“Xiang, you’re no longer alone now. Come home early today—I’ll cook for you myself,” Chengxu waved his hand, ready to leave.

Seeing him so dedicated right after obtaining his license, a surge of sweetness rose in Xiang Zheng’s heart. “Chengxu, if I ever do something wrong or handle things poorly, you must tell me. Let’s keep honesty and loyalty between us. No grudges overnight—we want to last forever, okay?”

The word “honesty” struck Chengxu’s heart like a stone.

To speak or not to speak—that was a difficult choice. But he had already decided to stay silent at home; saying it seemed pointless. Why burden her with worry?

“All right!” he said solemnly.

On the way back by taxi, Chengxu called the landlord.

“Hello, I’m Xiang Zheng’s boyfriend, a tenant at Baiwang Mountain Residence. I wanted to ask if you have plans to sell your property, and what the price might be. If convenient, we could discuss it in person.”

The landlord agreed immediately.

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The landlord was a little old man in his fifties, bald on top but with a friendly, simple smile. He arrived sooner than Chengxu expected.

Chengxu poured hot water and led the landlord to the living room.

“We’ve gotten used to living here and are reluctant to move. If the price is right, we’d buy it outright,” Chengxu stated straightforwardly, with the logic of an engineer.

The landlord didn’t reply immediately. He pulled out a cigarette and offered it to Chengxu.

“I don’t smoke.”

“Then you don’t mind if I do?” Smoke began to fill the room as the landlord got to the point.

“There’s an old saying in the capital: ‘West is noble, east is wealthy.’ Because the west borders the Three Hills and Five Gardens, historically home to royalty, aristocrats, and high officials. Our area is a wealthy district of the western hills. You’re practically neighbors with ancient emperors—how could the prices be low?”

Chengxu, having studied and worked in Haidian, knew this well. In recent years, the real estate market seemed to have a filter, with prices soaring.

The landlord clearly knew the art of persuasion. It sounded like prices were going up.

“Plus, the internet companies here employ hundreds of thousands of skilled workers benefiting from higher education. Their children, the ‘second-generation test takers,’ have turned Haidian schools into top-tier institutions. Our property benefits from both the prestige of the western hills and the school district.”

“Technically, since you’ve lived here so long, I should give you a green light, but unfortunately, the market price is what it is!”