Volume One, Chapter Eight: The She-Tiger Without a Hound Mother

Cheng Xu knew that housing prices were high.

He glanced at his phone, the screen frozen on August 2019. Just a few days ago, he had heard Xiang Zheng joking about Wudaokou, the "center of the universe," where a modest sixty-square-meter apartment had sold for a staggering eight million. It was jaw-droppingly expensive. Yet, he reasoned that their residential compound was, after all, further out than Wudaokou, not adjacent to those top-tier universities, and firmly located outside the Fifth Ring Road; it had to be cheaper.

"How much? You must have a figure in mind."

The landlord stared at him intently and held up all ten fingers. "My apartment is over 120 square meters according to the property deed. It won't sell for anything less than eight figures."

Cheng Xu did the mental math; the unit price was over 80,000 per square meter. He suddenly found it amusing. He had previously given Xiang Zheng two million, generously assuming it would be enough for a down payment. Hah, what a pipe dream. A down payment now required 35%.

He clearly remembered the first time he met Xiang Zheng. He had been pulling all-nighters for a week, and she had said something that struck a chord: "A pride of one's hometown should not be a wanderer in a strange land. I truly hope you have a house to live in, someone to love, and a home to return to."

Later, he became part of her home.

"Landlord, I am here to negotiate with great sincerity. What is the lowest price we can settle on? New properties around here don't cost more than this."

Buying and selling was a game of asking high and countering low. The landlord finished his first cigarette. "You’ve been living here just fine, why the sudden urge to buy?"

Cheng Xu thought of Xiang Zheng again. She would stand in the entryway, flashing a bright smile, and tell him, "All the happiness in the world can't compare to the warmth of a home. People who rent are living a 'rented' life; having your own home changes everything."

No wonder she was a top sales performer! She certainly had a way with words.

He replied truthfully, "My girlfriend is pregnant."

The landlord was a shrewd one; his face immediately creased into a grin. "Congratulations, Little Cheng. If that’s the case, you shouldn’t complain about the price. We are in the school district for the Elite Academy. Think about your child; it’s an investment worth making."

The sound of the door lock turning announced the arrival of Xiang Zheng’s mother, Liu Chunrong, and Sister Zhao. Ah, from today on, Cheng Xu needed to adjust his address.

"Mom," Cheng Xu called out, feeling a bit awkward as he hadn't quite transitioned into the role yet, "you're back."

Liu Chunrong walked over, a canvas bag slung over her arm and a stack of flyers in her hand. After exchanging pleasantries with the landlord and getting the gist of the situation, she tapped her legs—she had walked quite a bit today—and tossed the flyers onto the coffee table.

"Listen, Little Cheng, why do you need such a huge place for your first home? Don't burden yourself too much. Look at these recommendations the agent gave me. There are plenty of places for around five million, and they look quite decent to me!"

Sister Zhao brought over some sliced watermelon and quickly chimed in, "Exactly, exactly! The old lady visited several agencies today and found some real gems. I’m almost exhausted myself."

Cheng Xu picked them up and flipped through them. The landlord’s expression grew stiff. His gaze drifted to the flyers, and after a moment, he smiled confidently. "Ma'am, you get what you pay for. These are all old, broken, and small—naturally they’re cheap. A house is a different story."

It was true; the ones Liu Chunrong brought were all small units, the largest being barely over eighty square meters, with two bedrooms. Given Cheng Xu and Xiang Zheng’s current family structure, that certainly wouldn't be enough.

"Mom, you don't need to worry about looking for houses; it's too tiring. Just leave it to me and Zheng."

Liu Chunrong remembered something. She rummaged through her canvas bag and pulled out a floor plan, thrusting it in front of the landlord. "Take a look. In the same compound, the same layout, for nine million. Old Zhang, we’ve lived here for years—isn't your conscience a bit dark?"

The landlord’s face turned bright red. He coughed and stammered, "Well, the renovations are different. There’s a lot of nuance in that. I used eco-friendly materials—eco-friendly! Besides, some people are in a hurry for cash..."

Liu Chunrong stood up, hands on her hips, pointing at the landlord’s nose. "Speaking of renovations, my daughter remodeled when she moved in, and we didn't charge you for that. Now you’re trying to swindle my son-in-law? That’s not right, is it? That’s enough; we won’t keep you for dinner."

The landlord slinked away.

It was the first time Cheng Xu had witnessed such a display from his mother-in-law. A fierce daughter comes from a fierce mother—she was formidable! He couldn't help but laugh. "Mom, ginger really does get spicier with age. But he couldn't have swindled me anyway; I am, after all, the husband of the top sales performer."