Upon learning that Yao Xiaojia had already made down payments on two small apartments, Wen Ying sighed that Yao Xiaojia had caught a good time.
In 2007, property prices in Modu were already expensive compared to current wage levels, but if operated wisely without pursuing premium properties in core areas, a high-earning property agent like Yao Xiaojia could afford to buy.
Yao Xiaojia was just like Yang Xi and Deng Juan. Without support from her original family, staying in a big city relied solely on her own efforts. In such circumstances, people like Yao Xiaojia would not aim to get everything in one step. Being able to settle in a big city was the simplest pursuit of millions of “Yao Xiaojias”. Even a tiny apartment was a home.
Without setting barriers for herself in buying property, seizing the opportunity to get on board when possible, and having just saved enough for a down payment, Yao Xiaojia was lucky to become part of the property-owning class in Modu.
In these two years, Yao Xiaojia had not given herself a single day off. Except for returning home during Spring Festival, she worked every day, with her phone on standby for clients 24 hours a day!
Collecting property listings, analysing price increases. When not showing clients around, Yao Xiaojia was never idle. She was either organising materials at the company or running around streets and alleys, inquiring about the market and digging for potential clients.
Yao Xiaojia had a sweet mouth, calling local grandpas and grandmas affectionately every day, and was willing to run errands for them. She coaxed these local elders into willingly acting as her “informants”.
The prime shops introduced to Shui Mingyue were from one of Yao Xiaojia’s “informants”. The landlord had not yet released the sale information before Yao Xiaojia intercepted it.
What Yao Xiaojia promised the landlord was that if a buyer liked these shops, they had the ability to pay in full within a month!
For the landlord, this was a very tempting promise.
There were many wealthy people in Modu, and plenty of out-of-town rich wanting to buy storefronts, but billionaires might not have tens of millions in liquid funds. Most buyers would choose bank loans.
Bank loans took time to process and might encounter setbacks along the way. How could that compare to a buyer paying in full?
With such a promise from Yao Xiaojia, the landlord agreed to let her agent them for a few days.
In these days, the landlord would not list the sale with other agents. They were Yao Xiaojia’s exclusive listings.
Would Shui Mingyue pay in full?
Needless to say, if Shui Mingyue did not want to pay in full, Wen Ying would be the first to disagree.
Yao Xiaojia closed many deals, but most of the commission went to the agency. Agents only took a small share. Normally, in such a short time, Yao Xiaojia could not earn down payments for two properties.
Yao Xiaojia saved for one property’s down payment. After successfully buying the first small apartment, she took out a second mortgage on it, using that money as the down payment for the second… In the past, Yao Xiaojia would never have such flexible thinking. It all came from seeing clients do similar operations in her work, and she learned by example.
Wen Ying was curious. “Supplying two properties at once, plus second mortgage interest. You’re really pushing hard. Isn’t the pressure too great?”
Yao Xiaojia nodded shyly. “The pressure is certainly great. That’s why you’re my benefactor. If this deal closes, my repayment pressure will ease a lot. Of course, even if it doesn’t, I can still hold on for now. As soon as I bought the two properties, I rented them out…”
Though small in area, the properties Yao Xiaojia bought were popular with tenants. As an agent herself, she did not worry about vacancies.
The rent from both could not fully cover the loans, but it was enough to offset one property’s loan. Yao Xiaojia had to bear the mortgage on the remaining one plus second mortgage interest. To save money, she still lived in the small single room she rented when first arriving in Modu, simply because it was cheap!
Wen Ying quite admired Yao Xiaojia’s efforts. When getting out of the car, she encouraged Yao Xiaojia to definitely close Shui Mingyue’s big deal!
“I won’t let you down.”
Yao Xiaojia nodded heavily.
The school gate on weekends was lively. Students who had gone out for the day mostly returned around this time. Wen Ying even ran into her three dorm mates at the gate.
“You’ve been shopping?”
The dorm mates nodded. “Yes, we bought clothes… We wanted to invite you, but you weren’t here last night.”
“A friend booked me in advance. Otherwise, I’d definitely have gone with you. Come on, back to the dorm. Show me the clothes you picked.”
The dorm mates had gone treasure hunting at wholesale markets. Wen Ying had accompanied Shui Mingyue property viewing for gold. Everyone’s weekends were fulfilling.
The four chatted and laughed as they walked in. The crowd was thick. Wen Ying seemed to spot a familiar face.
When she tried to look closer, the person had vanished into the throng.
“Wen Ying?”
Seeing Wen Ying suddenly stop, a dorm mate turned to ask.
“Nothing. I thought I saw someone I know. Maybe I was mistaken. Let’s go.”
While Wen Ying and Yao Xiaojia discussed Modu’s property market prospects in the car, Shui Mingyue received a call from Luo Hao.
Luo Hao asked if Shui Mingyue was returning to the crew tomorrow.
“I can’t tomorrow. I’ve already asked the director for leave. He’ll call if anything comes up. I need to pay the deposit soon.”
At the end of last night’s dinner, Shui Mingyue had sensed Luo Hao’s low mood.
She had planned to ask him after, but Wen Ying and Li Mengjiao squeezed into the hotel standard room with her. The three girls whispered until midnight before sleeping.
In the morning, Wen Ying accompanied Shui Mingyue property viewing. Li Mengjiao was forcibly dragged along by Wen Ying.
Li Mengjiao had an event today. Yuan Fenghui had Tianjiao’s driver pick her up. Make-up artist Kiki screamed at Li Mengjiao’s puffy eyes from staying up, and even criticised Wen Ying along the way. Only in such moments did Kiki dare criticise little President Wen.
Everyone felt Wen Ying had a duty to watch over Li Mengjiao, after all, this silly girl obeyed Wen Ying completely.
From last night to today, Shui Mingyue had no time to contact Luo Hao until he called again now. She finally found a chance. “Are you not getting along with Xiaoyu and the others?”
On the phone, Luo Hao naturally denied it.
“Maybe we’re not familiar yet. It’s fine. We’ll get closer later… You decided to buy after just one day of viewing? Others seem to view many times before buying.”
Shui Mingyue laughed. “It depends on the property. Good listings don’t wait. Besides, I’m not deciding alone. My parents are flying over tomorrow. If they agree, I’ll pay the deposit.”
Hearing Shui Mingyue’s parents were coming to view, Luo Hao had a bellyful of words he could not say.
If even Shui Mingyue’s parents agreed to buy, Luo Hao had no standing to advise further. After all, he and Shui Mingyue had not confirmed their relationship!
The next day, Yao Xiaojia, carrying loans on two properties, arrived early at the hotel to wait for Shui Mingyue. She accompanied Shui Mingyue to the airport to pick up her parents, then took the family of three to revisit those prime shops.
It was Monday. Foot traffic outside the shops was still high. Truly popular!
Shui Mingyue’s mother was very satisfied. After confirming no ownership disputes, Shui Mingyue paid the deposit on the spot.
“Once my money arrives, I’ll pay the balance immediately.”
The family of three were all pleased with the shops. Shui Mingyue’s mother even said that after transfer, they must give Yao Xiaojia a big red envelope.
Yao Xiaojia was embarrassed. “Auntie, I should thank you for helping me close the deal!”
“Oh, business is business, personal is personal. Such good shops wouldn’t lack buyers. Thank you for reserving them for our family.”
Since Shui Mingyue started earning from novels, her mother had been either buying shops or on the way to buy shops. She knew more about shops than average people and recognised Yao Xiaojia had indeed introduced prime ones to Shui Mingyue.
Agency fees would be paid. Personal thanks to Yao Xiaojia were also due.
Yao Xiaojia said it was Wen Ying who asked for help. Shui Mingyue’s mother smiled and nodded. “I know Xiaoyu. I even follow her dramas. She’s great as a writer and screenwriter. As a friend, she’s reliable.”
In these times, not using friendship to scam money already made someone good.
Wen Ying worried about Shui Mingyue being cheated and introduced a reliable agent, advising her to convert the large copyright fee into Modu shops.
Shui Mingyue’s mother advised her daughter that friends like Wen Ying were worth deep ties. In future matters, Shui Mingyue should listen more to Wen Ying’s opinions.
“Xiaoyu won’t harm you.”
“I know.”
Just like that, Shui Mingyue sold film and television adaptation rights to eleven books at rocket speed, and at rocket speed arranged the large sum clearly.
By the time Shui Mingyue returned to the crew, she had not only paid the deposit but signed contracts with the landlords.
Only two or three days apart, Shui Mingyue felt Luo Hao much colder towards her.
They still talked, but the previous ambiguity was gone.
Shui Mingyue even doubted if the earlier pink bubbles were her imagination.
Shui Mingyue’s mother told her daughter to listen more to Wen Ying on matters. This was indeed not something to ask Mu Fan. Shui Mingyue called Wen Ying, awkwardly sharing her feelings.
“… Do you think, maybe I neglected him these days, so he’s cold to me too?”
Of course not!
It was because you sold the film and television rights to eleven novels and spent the money!
If not for the unsuitable moment to laugh out loud, Wen Ying would have laughed heartily. Holding it in, she countered Shui Mingyue. “Setting aside who neglected whom, I’ve always wanted to ask. Do you think you and Luo Hao are suitable?”
Shui Mingyue thought they were quite suitable.
Before Shui Mingyue could trot out her “he understands my works” line, Wen Ying followed her own logic.
“Luo Hao is set on developing in the entertainment industry. With his outstanding appearance, he’s clearly taking the idol route. Look at those idol male stars in the industry. How many openly admit having girlfriends? Caught by paparazzi taking a woman home, those stars can deny it with eyes wide open. Clearly dating, they dare not admit. Not dating, they ambiguously respond for hype. They act intimate with other female stars on camera. As their partner, you can’t go public, forever unsure if their scandals are real or fake… Have you really thought it through? Willing to take a step further with Luo Hao, date him, and live forever in this state of anxiety and insecurity?”
