Chapter 41: Living Next Door to You (Please Vote for Recommendations)

"Three thousand eight hundred yuan per month," Bai Zhiping replied.

"So expensive? This place is barely furnished, and the furniture is so old. You’re not quoting a higher price on purpose, are you?" Lin Lin questioned.

Bai Zhiping shrugged. "Miss, I’m really not inflating the price. Rentals in Shangjiang City are expensive, that’s just how it is. The previous apartment was cheaper, but you didn’t like it. That one was only five hundred yuan for a bed."

Though Lin Lin was the big sister in charge at Xingyu Bar, she wasn't the owner, so her finances were limited. Even for an average white-collar worker, thirty-eight hundred yuan a month wasn’t pocket change, let alone for her. After all, she was responsible for her little crew, and there were still brothers and sisters depending on her.

Lin Lin exchanged a glance with Tian Li, hesitating, "Maybe we should just take this one? At least the three of us can live together. If we tidy it up ourselves, it should be okay, right? Hua Tianyu, what do you think?"

"Ladies, this is the last available apartment at thirty-eight hundred. You really can’t hesitate any longer. If someone snatches it up, the next three-bedroom will be over four thousand, and the condition won’t be any better," Bai Zhiping added, seeing their indecision and seizing the chance to use his sales tactics.

"I don’t think much of it. We don’t want this apartment," Hua Tianyu answered Lin Lin’s question, refusing without the slightest hesitation.

"Sir, for thirty-eight hundred yuan, you won’t find a better place. This is the best three-bedroom at this price," Bai Zhiping insisted.

From the girls’ conversation and expressions, he’d already gauged their affordability—at most four thousand yuan a month, just as he’d estimated from the start. Bai Zhiping felt quietly pleased at how accurate his judgment had become.

"So this is what you get for thirty-eight hundred," Hua Tianyu nodded. In truth, he was completely unfamiliar with the rental market in Shangjiang City. When he’d rented his own place, he hadn’t cared, just rented a studio and didn’t think twice about it.

But Lin Lin was the daughter of Bear’s Last Wish, and Tian Li was his woman. There was no way he’d let them live somewhere like this.

"Exactly! Glad you understand, sir. So, shall we put down a deposit?" Bai Zhiping thought Hua Tianyu had relented.

"Show me an apartment for thirty-eight thousand," Hua Tianyu replied coolly.

"What?" Bai Zhiping was momentarily stunned, thinking he’d misheard.

Renting an apartment for thirty-eight thousand a month? Dressed like that? Does all the clothing on you even add up to three hundred and eighty?

"Thirty-eight thousand," Hua Tianyu repeated, his tone flat as ever.

Bai Zhiping choked on his own breath, coughing for a long while before he could speak.

Lin Lin was startled by the price and quickly said, "Brother Tian, that’s way too expensive. It’s really unnecessary."

Hua Tianyu smiled gently, waving his hand. "Don’t worry, I’ve got it."

Tian Li, trusting Hua Tianyu implicitly, jumped onto his back, laughing, "Brother Tian, you have to keep your word, or you’re a little puppy!"

If anyone trusted Hua Tianyu without reservation, it was Tian Li.

"Sir, just to clarify, the thirty-eight hundred yuan I mentioned is per month. The thirty-eight thousand you said, is that per month as well?" Bai Zhiping, having caught his breath, still believed his judgment couldn’t be wrong and pressed for confirmation.

"Yes, I want to see apartments renting for thirty-eight thousand a month," Hua Tianyu replied, inwardly wondering why he had to repeat himself three times to get through to this man.

"Brother Tian said thirty-eight thousand, so thirty-eight thousand it is! Hurry up and show us, stop dithering," Tian Li urged excitedly from Hua Tianyu’s back.

Truth be told, she’d never lived in such a luxurious place before. Lin Lin’s apartment was similar to what they’d just seen—at best, it was more homey. Now that Hua Tianyu was offering a place for thirty-eight thousand, how could Tian Li not be thrilled?

Bai Zhiping was stunned, having been completely thrown off by Hua Tianyu’s budget. He’d thought the man meant three thousand eight hundred, but he’d multiplied that by ten!

At least he hadn’t offended such a big client earlier—this one deal alone would fulfill most of his monthly target.

There were still details to clarify. "Sir, if you want to rent near Shangjiang College, the highest rents are around twenty thousand per month. If you want a thirty-eight thousand yuan apartment, you’ll have to look in Shangdong District. Would you prefer something nearby for twenty thousand, or go to Shangdong District for thirty-eight thousand?"

Even if Hua Tianyu settled for a twenty-thousand-yuan apartment, it would be worth ten days’ worth of business for Bai Zhiping. Either way, he was more than satisfied.

"We can’t change the principle of being near Shangjiang College. Take us to see the ones for twenty thousand nearby," Hua Tianyu decided without hesitation.

"Alright." Bai Zhiping reached into his pocket, feeling awkward. He hadn’t expected the three to look at such expensive apartments and hadn’t brought the keys.

After a quick call to his manager, he led the trio over.

It was a world apart from what they’d seen before—a gated community with 24-hour security, access control at the entrance, a vast central garden, spacious lobbies under every building, and even the elevators were spotless.

Inside, the three bedrooms were bright and spacious, the living and dining rooms well appointed, and the kitchen and bathrooms practically new. Hua Tianyu made the decision on the spot.

The two women cheered, Tian Li planting a kiss on him and gazing at him with affection.

Hua Tianyu ignored her gentle teasing for now, leaving the two women in the apartment while he returned to the rental office with Bai Zhiping to sign the contract.

After signing his name and paying the initial rent and deposit, Hua Tianyu left the agency, leaving Bai Zhiping holding the contract in a daze.

The manager smacked him on the head, "Just closed a big deal, what are you thinking about? Treating us to dinner?"

"No, I’m just wondering if the first lesson in our training should be 'Learning to Read People'?" Bai Zhiping asked.

"Of course! You’ve been here two years, why ask about training now?" the manager said, puzzled.

"Manager, please arrange for me to retake that first lesson. I think I need a refresher."

The manager could only sigh in response.